enGage

Not sure what could explain the difference, but I have been pleasently surprised by the mileage.

In fact, like others have reported, I think mine idles a bit rough (not bad, mind you, but not as smooth as an american V8), but once I hit the gas, the engine purrs like a kitten, runs great and gets good gas mileage.

TimB2000a8

I've had 4 d-2's and 3 d-3's over the years (currently in an 04 d3 w/59k). If you can live with the looks of a d2, they are great cars for less than 1/2 the price of a d3. Do not buy a car with an original trans like the black craigslist car you posted. Try for a facelift car 2000-2003 they had slighty more durable transmissions that downshifted better and a number of other improvements that add up to make the car worth getting over a 97-99. They do get noticeably better gas mileage, and I feel they are tighter and more solid over rough roads. The d2 is one of the nicest riding road cars around bar none.

Mike_k

A nice 04' A8L can be had for $15,000 - $17,000 and is oodles better than the D2 in every respect. Better interior, modern amenities, a relatively reliable air suspension, 6 speed transmission with a good track record, more modern looks and the list goes on.

You hit a line with cars like this where they go from being nice cars to really cheap cars that everyone picks up. The pre-02' BMW's are there. Any schmuck can have one and you find them in all sorts of condition. The D3 is just starting to tip the scale and the D2 is full on "beater" for some people. The D2, while lovely for it's time, has jumped the shark. I'd only consider owning an S8 but even that isn't really working with much more power than the stock D3.

EyesofThunder

Was wondering if it was worth buying a D3 and pay what I can and finance the rest instead of buying a D2 outright.

Still pondering a 05-06 E320 CDI, I could easily save $150 a month in fuel costs with a E320 CDI. But it isn't a Quattro AWD....

Mike_k

Drive the E class first. It's not even in the same ballpark as the Audi. Mercedes was years back on technology in the mid-00's.

If you drive a D2, D3 and an E Class you're going to walk away with the D3.

mishar

If saving on fuel is your concern go for Mercedes Diesel. A8 (any of them) are thirsty and to keep them going can add quite a bit to that bill. If 4WD is must you may look for 4Matic. It is same or better than Quattro. I just don't know if they come as Diesel.

Brozee

If you can afford a luxury car you better be able to afford the gas and suck up the gas mileage negative. Simple as that. Owning an E series merc is nothing like owning an A8; regardless if it has "quattro" or not. Your just another man in a suit if you decide upon the E.

EyesofThunder

I am looking at it this way, the A8 is only marginally worse in mpg than what I drive now (Supercharged Park Ave Ultra), yeah I have bested 33.5 on a 150 mile trip, and just before that 31.6 on a 300+ mile trip, but typical daily driving to work and back is 22ish, and a dismal 15-16 around town if I take it easy. The 3800 guzzles gas on the accel with the M90 supercharger. Cruise is pretty good. But the M90 pulls great stop light to stop light (0-60 in 7.5-8 for a wrong wheel drive v6) and does have good passing power, 50-90 is nice for a Buick.

So I am not looking for much drop in mpg. The 2005-2006 Merc diesels are in the 40 mpg range highway, around 33-34 city/highway.

But no, I don't think I can get a 4Matic Diesel, I don't think Mercedes got smart enough to do that ever here, even on W210's or W211's, at least not Stateside. Audi is the only one who did, but they weren't smart enough to send us TDI's, which would be awesome if they did.

I can live without the savings in mpg, I think the quattro awd outweighs mpg for winter driving. My 4x4 now is a 7.4L 454 that gets around 10 mpg city and 13.5-14 highway. So needless to say I don't drive it daily for commuting! And around 8-9.5 on E85, but E85 here in the corn belt is too expensive to be worth running anymore.

I think now more of a decision to look at a D2 vs D3, I like the looks of the D2 and D3, (the D2 back end is a bit blocky though, reminds me a older Bentley that went on a diet), but the D3 is so similar to a A6 sorta disappointed Audi didn't give it better distinction. Buick did that with the Century and LeSebre, one was just a bigger version of the other and same platform, so no real reason to buy one over the other. I think Buick made a flop decision. Among many!

Mike_k

As a 3800 owner (and 3800 company owner - www.wbodystore.com) I can tell you that the A8 is a far cry from the Park Avenue in terms of gas mileage. Just trucking around I could manage 20mpg in my Grand Prix. City driving in the A8 gets me about 12 - 15 the way I drive (aggressively).

EyesofThunder

So I am not the only one who is looking at jumping ship from a 3800 to an A8?

I do miss my 94 Fleetwood for RWD and good power (260 hp/335 lb-ft torque, and >300 lb-ft from 1600 to 5000 rpm) and solid tough, but heavy platform, but the bodies rust bad. Audi's won't rust at least, but do they have corrosion issues with the awful salt/sodium chloride they use so much up here?