I'm looking into becoming an A8 owner and I'm reading as much as I can. I'm still learning a lot about A8's. I've had two A4's and an A6 2.7t and i'm familiar with Audi. Regarding A8's, I believe the timing belt A8's stopped in early '07 for the newer timing chain model with FSI. Is that a correct statement or was it late '06 models??

I have two concerns with the newer FSI/timing chain cars if someone cares to comment.

1. Timing chains if ever needing replacement or guide maintanace on an A8 is a full motor removal and big money. Although the timing belt needs to be replaced more often then a chain ever will, at the end of day the chain costs you big time if you keep the car and it needs servicing/maintenance. Timing belt although expansive is not motor removal money. Any issues surfacing with these timing chains/guides on A8s?

2. FSI is direct fuel injection (?). Is anyone having carbon buildup issues in the intake side?? My understanding is the only way to fix this issue is a manual claeaning and it's $100 on average a cylinder every 40k miles roughly for other direct injection cars I've looked into. I recently saw an RS6 being worked on with this exact problem and he was into a $1000 for this cleaning.


I guess I'm trying to decide if the 07+ A8's are the way to go or is the '06 the last of the non-direct injection cars that may be the hot ticket.

Thanks and I look forward to any comments.

 

In general newer will always be better than old specially on A8s.
either way belt or chain should not be a big concern, belt will cost you some money at 75k miles or 6 years, chain will cost you a lot of money at 150k miles or maybe more.
most likely that car will not be on the road at that point and if it does the chain would be the least of the concerns.

 

You are quite right comparing those engines. I would add that timing belt job is way overrated. It is same like on any other car with timing belt. On the other hand I am not sure if all FSI engines have carbon deposits problem. Probably not. But anyways I would go for the newer one.

 

Thanks for the replies. I guess I'm just trying to justify what my best options are for a reliable A8 example. I can't afford new or anything close to new as they are just way too pricey. But I luv the car. So I'm looking for a use example.


Regarding direct injection motors, I'm hearing almost all the manufacturers are getting carbon build-up problems on the intake side. Mind you I'm also hearing it's somewhat dependent on how you drive, although that puzzles me a bit. This whole direct injection technology is nice although I'm concerned about the maintenance side of it longer term. It's fine if you have a new car and plan on just dumping it but if you're buying a used example, you may be buying an expensive maintenance problem with the FSI generations. Through all the reading I've done, there's no quick and dirty fix outside of opening up the head and manually cleaning the intake and the backside of the valves. Or pulling the head and sending it out. Seafoam and walnut blasting don't work very well, if at all, based on discussions I've had with people that have applied those treatments. It make me leary of '07+ FSI cars as a good choice for a used A8.


Regarding timing chains, although suppose to increase the maintenance interval, sometimes chains will loosen or you WILL have timing chain guide wear. That also becomes a worry as there's no way to complete this repair without pulling the motor. Ouch!! The death chain rattle is not something I really want to get into on a car in this snack bracket.


Thing is in all the surfing I've done regarding A8's, I haven't seen a lot of discussion in these two areas. So either it's not a huge concern and people are just living with it or.........????


So where does that leave someone looking to buy a used A8?? I'd either have to buy a much newer example, which is pricey, OR pony up for possible earlier FSI generation maintainance costs, OR buy 2006 or older. No clear cut winner although it seems an older '06 would be cheaper and possibly more reliable long term. But then again, it would likely be a car with some mileage on it as well. No easy choice.

 

Man, I don't know how old you are but if you are making all your choices this way you are doomed. It's only car and it's not forever. Engines are best part of these cars anyways. Both of them.

 

All my choices are doomed how? You're explanation of this should be really interesting, if not enlightening.

 

I believe you are making the FSI carbon issue MUCH bigger than it really is. Probably a very small chance you ever will run into problems with it.

 

True, could very well be nothing. I'm only bringing it up as not much has been posted about it at all. I have seen an '08 RS6 and a few other newer FSI Audi's running into this problem as of late. I will admit I haven't seen much in the way of it being mentioned on the forums with the A8/S8. So it could be a non-issue.