aceman

I've seen some 2008 demo A8's with nothing but the premium pkg.

The car's fairly well loaded as it is, for those of you w/ the paddle shifters & suspension - do you use them? is the select shift in the center just as useful? how about the adjustable suspension? just wondering if getting an 08 stripper (for lack of a better word) for low 60's is worth it vs. getting a fairly well equipped car for about 6k more.

thx for any input...

theanimala

but I am used to having the shifting on the steering wheel coming from my 98 GS400 which had shift buttons there. If you come from a tiptronic car or a manual you would probably like the center shifter more.

All A8's have the adjustable suspension, even base systems. The sport package just made it firmer and lower I believe.

That being said, if you are spending $60K on a car I would spend a bit more to get it with the options you want so you are not kicking yourself later. If it's about the money, I would buy a preowned 06 or 07 loaded to the gills for even less money than a demo 2008.

Mike911A8

I have come to use the paddle shift more and more over the two years I have owned my 07 SWB. I tend to use the center shifter if I am in manual mode, but the feature I really like is the ability to downshift while in automatic, for example when exiting an expressway.

MP4.2+6.0

When shifting down or up, I use the paddles. Down for decel of course, but also up at times if I put the car in S mode but want to left it relax at higher speeds, though it often falls back. Shifting at the console also takes more time and general movement. The D3 does not have the gen 2 ZF six speed with faster shift times, so the lag is still perceptible, especially multiple gears. Paddles get it all going quicker.

Suspension is of course standard for car. Variously drop it either for style or cruising at speed, and soften it or raise it on rough roads or city driving where driveway and similar obstacles are to be encountered. On a chewed up highway going back to one of the non-sports modes makes a big difference, at least on the factory 20's.

Der Kimbo

Suspens yes, paddles and or tip, maybe 5 times in 3 years.

CarlDude69

Suspension & Paddle Shifters & Trans "S" mode - Yes - rarely the shifter tipronic though

geordie

full auto when required.
The adjustable suspension gets used all the time with different settings for different requirements or moods.
Only you can determine if it is worth the price difference though as tha car is good anyway.

Bustter

it would be great if they stayed in place independently instead of moving with the wheel.

aceman

Thanks guys...i appreciate the info/advice!

Aceman

Rob Ad

I don't have the paddle shifter but I don't feel a need for it. But then of course I drive the R8 when I want to do hands-on driving.

I do use the adjustable suspension quite a lot, to my surprise. We live in the countryside with sometimes pretty bad roads where the comfort setting is very welcome. We also pull a horse trailer every so often and occasionally do some very light off-roading where the high position is great.
That said while it is nice, I don't think that I would be willing to pay thousands of dollars for it as an option on a new car nor would I refrain from buying an A8 just because it doesn't have adjustable suspension if the car is fine otherwise.