aututto

Well

After my beloved jag couldn't take the snow. I've decided to look on to another luxury vehicle that can. Right now I've narrowed down to 06 a8l because id imagine it'd be similar to the barge feel of my 06 xj8. Or 06 RR HSE as they seem quite luxurious as well. I've been doing my reading on the a8. I'm not sure whether they come across as more problematic than an xj8 (which I had 0 problems with) or RR HSE. I seem to hear a lot about the timing belt, I have found this a8 and according to carfax I think it may have been done at 35k miles?

http://m.cars.com/vehicledetail/#vdp...05959999964503

mishar

Welcome to the board!

If the timing belt is your main concern go for 2007+. They have timing chains instead. No maintenance.

Timing belt on 2004-2006 should be replaced at 75-85K miles. I really doubt that anybody would replace it on 35K, but even than it should be replaced again after 75K, so do your math.

It is very hard to match that 0 problem record. Not with A8 for sure.

aututto

Thanks for the welcome mishar!

I guess it's not a huge concern seeing as 07+ have about a difference of $3k-$4k in price opposed to the 06 with similar miles. Therefore timing belt change still makes it cheaper.

The carfax stated "serpentine belt replaced" at 35k miles which is why I asked.

And that's sad to hear these cars are very cool! I guess I only owned my xj8 for about 11k miles so I could have been lucky

dvs_dave

If you're concerned about reliability I'm guessing you've not done any research on Range Rovers???

Anyway, Serpentine belt is just the accessory drive belt that all cars have regardless of timing chain or belt.

A8's are not unreliable but they are more complex than the X350 Jag. Most issues that you come up against are minor electronic niggles, or air suspension problems. The rest of the car is robust and reliable.

I heavily researched X350 XJR's before I got my 4.2 D3 A8L and from my research concluded that the XJR whilst a lot quicker and more charismatic, lacked the space, AWD, and was potentially a more problematic choice. Plenty of horror stories of the gearboxes failing, air suspension problems, electronic silliness, and corrosion issues, despite it being aluminum.

I'd still like a black on black X350 XJR though.

aututto

Hey there,

I actually have been doing a lot of research on RR's and to my knowledge they're really reliable as long as you stay 2006+ with the jaguar power trains. The RRS is a different story as it was new in 06. But the RR derived it's early issues from 03-05 from bmw power train.

But okay so I should still prepare for timing belt come 75k?

The reason I've come to the audi is specifically awd, and well I must say my second choice in luxury barges after the xj.

However my x350 had no issues. Air suspension is one for sure, but power train definitely is not. As long as you stay 06+. Sold mine with 80k, worked like a charm unless it was below 20 degrees, then the suspension would get fussy, other wise great!!!

Mister Bally

Several threads here regarding timing belt life vs. Audi recommended replacement intervals. My original was fine at 125k miles but my thermostat failed which requires timing belt removal so I replaced the belt, rollers, water pump and thermostat.

WARNING: Do NOT use "blue parts" timing belt kits . Research threads of mine for reasons why.

mcs

It is interesting that the local guide for the BFM 4.2 mentions changing the belt at 55,000 miles. I wonder why that is considering over there you guys get 75,000 miles to do the belt. Does anyone know?

Mike

mishar

As far as I remember they started with 100K and ended at 25K for RS6. Then they switched to chains. I believe this is why:

80srule

I own a 2000 XKR Convertible in addition to a 2004 A8L. I really like both cars, enough that in a few years I'm going to replace my xkr with a 2010+ model, and hope to replace my a8 with a w12 model eventually. But I like to be further down on the depreciation curve than those cars both are now.

My XKR has been lower maintenance, less expensive for parts, easier to work on and all around a great summer daily driver; I put about 6k on it between March and November each year, and only maybe 5k a year total on the a8. I do all my own mechanical work, and my Jaguar in general is pretty straightforward.

The 4.0 and 4.2 AJ26/AJ27 SC Jaguar V8s are good motors.

The a8l is aluminum and awd, and that makes it in rare company. Yes the x350 xj and the L322 RR are both aluminum, but the xj doesn't have awd and the range rover doesn't have as much room inside for the passengers as the A8L. If you do go with the range rover, the 06+ with the Jaguar motors are generally more robust than the older bmw motors. Of all three choices, I'd say the range rover is the least reliable choice, then I'd say the xj is probably similar in reliability to the d3 a8.

It all depends what you want out of the car. If you live anywhere near snow, the a8 is amazing in snow and the one x350 I've driven up here definitely wasn't.