theanimala

I'm posting this here as the D4 forum is very slow... I have been driving my '05 A8L for about 7 years now and I still love it. I'm beginning to think I want to get a new car so natually the D4 A8 is on my short list. I still have yet to test drive one, so that will probably give me my answer, but I am curious if anyone else here has?

I can get '12 A8 for a very nice price, but that still has the 4.2 V8. I know it has about 40 more HP than my D3, but I'm wondering if it will feel pretty much the same? If I spend the extra for the '13, I have a choice between the 3.0T (supercharged) engine, or the 4.0 Twin Turbo V8.

I would assume the 4.0 will feel like a rocket, but I thought I remembered reading one time that it suffered from turbo lag. The supercharger in the 3.0 takes care of the lag but I'm wondering if it will feel underpowered compared to the '12 V8.

Before my A8 I had a '98 GS400 which was also a V8 engine so I'm really curious how these newer engines compare. Just curious what other people think comparing the D3 to the D4.

Jack88

I have a 2011 A8L, and I really like it. I had a 3.0 supercharged for a loaner, and I couldn't wait to get my 4.2 back. The 3.0's lack of power is indeed noticeable, but more obvious was it didn't sound right for the car. I considered the 6 cylinder sound to be obtrusive and unbefitting such a high end car.

The 4.0t has much more torque than either of the others, and more power. The lag means it doesn't necessarily feel as eager to get up and go, but when it gets going, it is a much faster car, able to embarrass more than one so called sports car. The lag is not by any means large, but if you are a well attuned driver, it is certainly noticeable. When I bought my 4.2, the 4.0t wasn't in budget. If it is in yours, I would recommend that one over the 4.2, assuming you enjoy hard acceleration. Happy shopping!

Options I consider must haves:
-massaging/cooled seats
-driver's assistance package (upgraded cruise control, lane assist, etc.)

Asiparks

My wife drives my '05 D3 and I just got myself a '12 D4 with the 4.2.
I don't floor it from the lights anymore, but the difference is quite pronounced, especially on the highway when i need to get past something bigger and slower. If I do floor it, the take off is appreciably faster, if not nearly as fast as the 4.0. My '12 is the LWB and the 05 is a NWB, but I also have the sports diff and steering package on the '12.

The '12 is the FSI version( my '05 isn't) and it's also going through an 8 speed tranny which probably helps.
That said, if you can wait a while longer or pay a little more for the 4.0T.....

dvs_dave

Has anyone over on the D4 board put an APR ECU tune and blower pulley upgrade on their 3.0T's? 450hp+ is I understand easily achievable this way so potentially making them pretty quick.

Jack88

I can't recall anyone who's relayed any experience with the upgrades on a 3.0. People have had good results tuning the 4.0t, I know. The D4 4.2 has nothing for it out there at all.

Pothole5000

There really isn't that much for any 4.2..... Unless you visit the world of forced induction.

Jack88

And for the money that would cost, I'll trade mine in for a 4.0t before that will happen. Thought about doing that, anyhow.

theanimala

Thanks guys! I have decided, without even test driving yet, to save up and go for the 4.0T. I can afford the 4.2 2012 today, but being that I drive my cars for on average 8 years, I don't mind waiting another year and spending a few bucks more to get something that feels substantially faster than my 2005 4.2 today. I have been driving normally aspirated V8s for the past 20 years, looking forward to the change...

Its going to be a long 12 months...

KoJackee

As for D3 I love a body style over D4. I am currently looking for a 2010, probably 2009 but nice ones are very hard to find...but I will keep searching until I succeed

Jack88

Remember, as you save for it, it also gets cheaper.