05-W12 vs. 08-W12
03-21-2010, 12:43 PM
#1
05-W12 vs. 08-W12
I've been shopping for a lil while now, and have made up my mind on getting me an A8 W12... My question is what the differences are between the two of them. Any info would be greatly appreciated
03-21-2010, 08:21 PM
#2
AudiWorld Super User
That's a big spread in years...differences and (many) similarities
and probably price. 2008 means warrantied if still < 50K miles, which is likely. But almost by definition a 2005 has now run through its 4 year comprehensive warranty, leaving only a CPO warranty if you buy one that way.
Generically, a 2008 wil have the mid life updates (which started with 2008), while a 2005 of course won't. Those are generally common to all A8's, so just look back for the 2008 annual model press release. Short version is more or less: a revised LED tail light pattern, more squared off mirrors with better visibility but maybe less sex appeal/looks, side sensor lane warning stuff, revised headrests, and rectangular foglights. W12 has a model specific grill too which was revised; matter of taste; I like the older one better--newer one has strongervertical bars which to me don't fit w/ all the horizontal lines that flow all through the car. All W12's are the basic contemporary Audi fishmouth grill, including the 2005, which only came later to the 4.2's. Unclear exactly what they did on the sound insulation for W12's--they say they revised it for D3's, but W12's may have had more insulation to start. Not documented. My 2006 with double pane is already very quiet. Ditto on whether the steering changes I think I recall mention of in the freshening applied to the W12.
Notice what I didn't put were any running changes. The basic drive train, brakes, motor, tranny have never been changed on the D3 W12. For a 2005, there may be earlier version air struts from the part numbers breaks I have seen, but that will be car specific. My 2006 uses non sport air struts and sport bars (which I changed to S8 bars). Again, all undocumented AFAIK.
Since you are going from 2005 all the way to 2008, starting in 2007 you will find the AMI (iPod) hook up standard, while it would have to be retrofit to a 2005. A 2008 could well have the B&O option given they were often loaded up in general, it wasn't available until 2007 so definitely not on a 2005. Again, from 2007 forward it will have the rear camera. 2005 will also have some minor side logo differences (moved in 2006), some differences in seat stitching (also changed in 2006) and a few other very subtle differences. At most, a 2005 will have the 20" "old style" RS 4 wheels, and more likely the wineglass type 19's or maybe even 18's, By 2008 I would expect the sport new style twin 7 20's were likely fitted.
Closing out, both cars have the same drivetrain and 90-95% same stuff. The 2008 could have a few nice to have later features. But 2005's will have a price less than half of new (they don't hold value), while 2008's will probably still be pretty pricy. All will drop more as the D4 word and gossiping spreads more and more.
Generically, a 2008 wil have the mid life updates (which started with 2008), while a 2005 of course won't. Those are generally common to all A8's, so just look back for the 2008 annual model press release. Short version is more or less: a revised LED tail light pattern, more squared off mirrors with better visibility but maybe less sex appeal/looks, side sensor lane warning stuff, revised headrests, and rectangular foglights. W12 has a model specific grill too which was revised; matter of taste; I like the older one better--newer one has strongervertical bars which to me don't fit w/ all the horizontal lines that flow all through the car. All W12's are the basic contemporary Audi fishmouth grill, including the 2005, which only came later to the 4.2's. Unclear exactly what they did on the sound insulation for W12's--they say they revised it for D3's, but W12's may have had more insulation to start. Not documented. My 2006 with double pane is already very quiet. Ditto on whether the steering changes I think I recall mention of in the freshening applied to the W12.
Notice what I didn't put were any running changes. The basic drive train, brakes, motor, tranny have never been changed on the D3 W12. For a 2005, there may be earlier version air struts from the part numbers breaks I have seen, but that will be car specific. My 2006 uses non sport air struts and sport bars (which I changed to S8 bars). Again, all undocumented AFAIK.
Since you are going from 2005 all the way to 2008, starting in 2007 you will find the AMI (iPod) hook up standard, while it would have to be retrofit to a 2005. A 2008 could well have the B&O option given they were often loaded up in general, it wasn't available until 2007 so definitely not on a 2005. Again, from 2007 forward it will have the rear camera. 2005 will also have some minor side logo differences (moved in 2006), some differences in seat stitching (also changed in 2006) and a few other very subtle differences. At most, a 2005 will have the 20" "old style" RS 4 wheels, and more likely the wineglass type 19's or maybe even 18's, By 2008 I would expect the sport new style twin 7 20's were likely fitted.
Closing out, both cars have the same drivetrain and 90-95% same stuff. The 2008 could have a few nice to have later features. But 2005's will have a price less than half of new (they don't hold value), while 2008's will probably still be pretty pricy. All will drop more as the D4 word and gossiping spreads more and more.
Last edited by MP4.2+6.0; 03-21-2010 at 09:04 PM.
03-22-2010, 05:02 PM
#3
So the 2005 I'm looking at has 41k miles and is CPO. Priced $30,000 less than the 2008. I think I can live without B&O sound system and rear camera. Tail lights and fog lights can be changed to update the look of the car at a later date.
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