As my car is getting up in age and will be 20yrs old next year, I always wonder:

• Would I sell it?
• Will it appreciate in value?
• What would I do if it has a catastrophic failure?
• What would I replace it with?

I guess I would sell it if someone really wanted it. I don't think it will ever appreciate, but may have a short renaissance period at some point. I don't know what I would do if I had a catastrophic failure, probably cry and part it out. I have no idea what I would replace it with. This one I think about a lot. Sometimes I look at the XJ (cheap to get into with reasonably sorted power trains) or the BMW 640i GT (modern, practical) or the E-Class (bit small but S-Class problems are expensive). The car I would love to own in its place (but is absolutely not a good value with the expensive parts and expensive problems) would be a v8 Panamera 970. Its hard to find a nice big sedan that fits the bill that wont be at least costing 2x to own and is AWD.

Started the thread to see what others are thinking.

 

Logical answer is a D4 or D5. Prices are pretty compelling for both, especially D5’s. Painful depreciation, for sure.

I don’t think there will be a D6 though. I think the D5 is it for the A8 range. They’re just not selling well enough to justify a new model, and Audi have kinda been calling it in since the D4. The D3 was a massive step on from the D2, and Audi clearly spent A LOT developing it. The D4 and D5 obviously much less as they didn’t really move things on much. Just incremental improvements. I think a Q8L based on the Bentayga EWB chassis will be its replacement, and a smart move for Audi.

I’m keeping an eye on S-class, 7er, D5’s, Q8’s, Q7’s, Panamera Executive (LWB), and Range Rover LWB. The e-tron SUV is also a ridiculous bargain right now, and another EV would fit into our lives very well (already have an e-golf). VW Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport are also big legroom budget options that I keep coming back to also.

 

I'm not as enamored with the Audi 3.0T or 4.0 hot v motors in the new A8's given the timing gear is in the back of the engine and the turbo oil screen issues in the 4.0. I used to like the BMW B58 but its timing gear is also in the back, albeit simpler in the revised versions, and the new oil pump failures turned me off completely for now. The price point I would be buying at would make those things a concern for me. Porsche's have the bore score issues with the nikasil coating that probably isn't worth repairing in anything other than a 911. The Range Rover LWB is compelling. Same powertrain as the Jags. I think people sleep on those given the market prices. As long as you get one that hasn't overheated and you do the cooling system upgrades (they make metal to replace the plastic) it should be reliable. Timing gear is up front in case you need to so something with it. I guess it depends on the price you can get into them for. I'm not a fan of EVs just yet being in the cold North with little infrastructure to support them.

I totally agree the D3 is a special car

 

The other big thing about the Porsches: PDK issues

 

I think Panamera’s are actually pretty solid and DIY friendly. Particularly the non turbocharged versions without air suspension. Sam Crac a car fix YouTuber recently fixed one up that had a bad timing chain and it didn’t look like a terrible job. Engine stayed in the car.

But reality is though that due to modern emissions and fuel economy regs, you can’t really get away from the much more complex powertrains if you want a newer car. Nothing out there as bulletproof as an aluminum shell D3 A8 with a properly maintained timing belt, port injected BFM with ZF6 transmission. They’ll run 3-400k, no problem. Even the known weak spot air suspension is well understood and easily DIY fixed these days.

Upside for the newer super and turbocharged Audi and Porsche V6’s and V8’s is that they have both port and direct injection. So that fixes the inlet coking issues that affect all gen 1 FSI engines. V8 turbos have also had a factory recall to deal with the oil screen issue, so that’s less of a worry now too. Timing chains I think are also now pretty solid as long as the correct spec oil and changes are done. I don’t think they’ll get as far as a BFM without major surgery, but they’ll be better than the gen 1 FSI’s with rear timing chain. What’ll get BFM D3’s is general age related deterioration, interior trim, leaking weather seals ruining electrics, parts supply, etc.

There’s some left field choices out there that also fit the bill on paper. Full-size sedan with available AWD. Lexus LS, Infiniti Q70L, Hyundai Genesis/Equus/Kia K900 family, Genesis G90. And if you’re feeling adventurous, a quattroporte or Bentley Continental and Phaeton, which share lots with the D3.

The JLR offerings I’m not sure how reliable they are these days. You hear less about it than you used to, so I think they’ve worked hard to improve them. But there was only one way for them to go, so not sure how good they are in the real world.

 

I saw that Sam Crac vid and thought the same thing. I do like Panameras a lot and think that is the best alternative to the D3. Its big, mainly aluminum, sporty and has some utility. The community and aftermarket support is good (not as good as Bimmers). I need to convince myself that I could afford to maintain one. They are still not quite at the bottom of the depreciation curve either. I agree regarding the correct oil spec as well as proper change intervals on the newer motors. All seem to use 0w20 or 0w16 oils for the most part but the 15-20k change intervals would be a no no for me. Most of the catastrophic issues boil down to that.

Lexus/Infiniti I look at too and are dead reliable but they are always 'meh' to me. I never had interest in the Korean stuff. They can rot pretty bad in snow as they age. Bentley/Maseratti (especially the v6) I'm not too fond of either. There are lots of choices indeed but they all come with some kind of baggage and are expensive in relation to and considering the D3. The simplicity of the MPI setup with a timing belt definitely contributes to the longevity. I'm the type of person that tries to find a good value that includes something affordable to purchase, insure and maintain/run over a reasonable period of time. I keep vehicles for as long as I can so I am careful about what I choose. Part of that is picking something I will enjoy owning. When a repair bill stings to the point of not wanting to pay it, its time to move on to something else. Otherwise drive and be happy.

I figure I could squeeze in 3 more cars into my life before I'll be too old to drive. And I would think the last two I definitely don't want to be on my back wrenching.

Really appreciate the chatter!

 

Don't go with Lexus from an A8, I came from that direction and while very nice they are boring and my 4th Gen LS has cost me more in parts and time than all my Audis combined.

 

I heard Lexus parts are crazy money, and for whatever reason there’s not many good non-OEM options for parts.

One of the things I like about the D3 is that parts are for most part readily available with price points to suit all. And dealer level diag. software, workshop manuals, and other literature (eg SSP’s) is all also ready available. That’s worth a lot of money if you’re a DIYer. Not sure such things are so readily available with other marques?

 

Correct. Drives me insane. Jag is not as bad but some stuff is crazy.....

My D4s have been almost suspiciously reliable, the W12 in particular amazed me with how near nothing was wrong when purchased and how easy to work on it is.

 

The rear subframe on those D4/D5's are steel correct? Anything else that could corrode?