Audizire

Hi forum --

Been lurking for a bit and am poised to make a decision soon...

First off, great forum, great resource, a lot of great folks around here

I recently had one of our cars stolen from in front of our house... Lame...

However, we were planning on replacing it in a month or two, so, it could have been worse.

I had a couple of questions that I thought you all might be able to lend some opinions/advice to.

Looking at some '06 A8s...

1) I feel like I want to get the sport package... any consensus on the pros and cons? There are obviously a lot more non-sports on the lots around me, so more color choices available, but there are a couple of sports around.

2) 'L' or no 'L'? I had an older MB SEL so we are a little spoiled when it comes to back seats but the SWB seems rather generous. Leaning toward an 'L'.

3) Under $1000 a month/no down sound good for an '06 lease(36 mo)?

Thanks for the advice,

S.G.

jpvwaudi

especially if you want the sport pkg. Most cars with the sport pkg are gonna have satelite radio, massage seats, etc. I have a Quartz/Black L sport/premium/massage/sirius. I think it lists at 81660. With inceptions down, you're around 12 plus tax....

Audizire

Hey J --

Thanks for the response. I've been offered ~$1000/mo for an 'L' -- haven't talked prices with the manager yet about the sports that are available. 'tho.

With '07s in the pipeline, are we getting near the point where lease prices should be a little lower in light of the 'new models' around the corner?

Do you feel the sport was a worthwhile addition? Could you live without it? One salesman tried to convince me there was no sport package available for the 8 I assured him that I'd seen a couple in the wild...

Cheers,

S.G.

D3AeighT

I think the sport package is a $2800 option ( is only available when you purchase the PREMIUM package for another $4000 ). The sport package includes 19" wheels, a steering wheel with paddle shift and a "sport setting" in the air suspension. YOUR CALL !

clembo

I have the Sport Package and I am happy that I got it. It is $2800 but if you order the upgraded 19" wheels alone thay are $1,900 and the Sport Package wheels look better in my opinion. The paddle shifter and the sport suspension setting are not needed (for that matter none of us need an $80K car but this is about desire) but they do enhance the driving experience. The shifter is especially fun when you want to accelerate onto the highway and run the car through the gears.

Bottom line - get what you desire, the A8 is a great car, you will be happy with it, get it your way and enjoy.

navin in KC

The option list calls it the "optional 4-spoke leather/wood segmented steering wheel with paddle shifters and matching wood shift ****".

Does this mean that the standard wheel is 3-spoke? (I can't find a 3-spoke wheel anywhere.)

Are they really trying to tell me that it has paddles and the standard wheel does NOT have paddles?

Are there other steering wheels. I know that there is a "heated steering wheel" option, but I don't think that this changes the wheel or the wheel-mounted control buttons.

derfA8L

...Heated steering wheel is an option on the standard 4-spoke leather covered steering wheel--Not available on either the 3 or 4 spoke leather-segmented wood steering wheels w/paddle shifters.

navin in KC

so what are the options?
It sounds like you are trying to tell me that they are:

1) 3 spoke without paddles
2) 4 spoke with paddles
3) 4 spoke with paddles and wood

and you can get either of the 4 spoke wheels heated?

derfA8L

3-Spoke comes w/Sports Package Option. Can't be had w/o this package.

A8Liter

With the lower residuals and current money factors you will be doing well if you can get $1100 a month before taxes. $1000 a month is just not possible on an $81k car.