My mechanic said it best, as he dished up an eye-watering bill for the umpteenth time for my troublesome old S5. "you bought a $150,000 car that's nearly 10 years old. Just because you only paid $35k for it, doesn't mean it's any less a $150k car; and you can expect it to reflect that when something goes wrong."

@laureus31

29 күн бұрын

Parts and labour will not depreciate😢

@MrWilliam.Stewart

29 күн бұрын

The reason cars depreciate is, because the cost of repairs don't. Can't all drive Corollas and Camrys and spend the repair savings on awesome holidays. Someone's got to pay the income of the mechanics, so they can have awesome holidays too.

@Dickusification

29 күн бұрын

DIY

@Caa310

28 күн бұрын

Wise words

@TheKnobCalledTone.

27 күн бұрын

Yep. If you can't afford a new one, you can't afford an old one.

I walked out to make a cup of tea while Jim was talking about the problems with the engines. He was still talking about them when I came back in with my cup of tea 😮

@muskreality

29 күн бұрын

Well definitely not my cup of tea

@daweigo6851

28 күн бұрын

😅😅😅😅

This example is a huge credit to it's owner. That diesel V8 is such a unique option too. Very cool car even if not the best idea to buy.

Bought a 10,000 mile dealer demo at 1 year old, the 3.0 litre V6 petrol, from an Audi main dealer. Drove it for the usual 15 min each way commute to work and, after six months had to change engine oil due to petrol dilution and scrape out a huge amount of mayonnaise from the cam cover. Sold it then because I wasn't ready to do that every six months.

@s15melb

24 күн бұрын

You could of just warmed it up and changed the oil more frequently since that trip never got the oil up to temp and only collected condensation.

We have a 2013 A8L bought new and have only had to replace a vanity light switch (under warranty) and recently, the radio/MMI module which was expensive and our expense but that’s it. We get it serviced as per the manufacturer schedule and make sure any recall/TSB items are done and intend to keep it a lot longer with the advent of EV’s (never even consider an EV) and the comfort and performance of this vehicle. Depreciation is the worst part but since we bought it with long term intentions, not an issue.

@davidhancock91

25 күн бұрын

Servicing religiously is the secret.if in doubt fix it.

Eye watering, catastrophic engine failure are the key words of a car to avoid 😂😂

@daweigo6851

28 күн бұрын

😅😅😅😅

I was very fortunate to own a 2011, 2013 & 2019 A8 3.0 TDI from new. Beautiful cars, fully loaded. Never missed a beat. I wouldn't want to own out of warranty though, to much tech to go wrong, and a fortune to fix.

@smilingjack7622

29 күн бұрын

exactly. designed to disintergrate. And whilst you were buying new a8's I had the same LS and spent all my money flying first class around the world on great holidays laughing at the euro car owners desperatley trying to impress their neighbours. betya got 2 dogs too.

I've owned a few cars with air suspension and they all have the same things in common. Eventually they'll leak and cost a bundle to repair or replace the struts or worse the compressor. From E63s to Ford LTD. The only vehicle with airbags suspension that seemed to last are on my work trucks.

@samartz

29 күн бұрын

Agree, my prado grande bags blew from lithgow to sydney and it wasnt pleasant to drive back….

@smilingjack7622

29 күн бұрын

Um. 2 Lexus LS600hl's.Both 2009. 4 seaters. One with 170k kms and the other ( a recent purchase with only 90K kms in showroom condition ) and zero problems.

@hellothere4342

28 күн бұрын

@@smilingjack7622 doesn't mean it's immune to it. I could type Lexus LS600HL air suspension failures and I'd wager someone would've had issues with it.

There is a reason for the nick name...the four rings of depreciation.

It's a Volkswagen, times 10

@yslee1401

29 күн бұрын

And it will break your wallet

@wyatthurts1729

28 күн бұрын

A rudimentary Skoda or 0’s VW are reliable lack of features is less to go wrong

My previous car was a 2017 S5. It was nothing but trouble the literal weeo the warranty ended. I sold it and bought a 2022 Kia Stinger GT instead and it's been a dream.

You cracked me up with the River Dance thing. Bloody hilarious. Thanks. The best car review channel on the planet - new and used. By a country mile. You guys have totally nailed the format and the preso, and you do deserve many more subscribers than you have. Consider franchising this to the US and UK. You will retire young and rich.

@ReDriven

29 күн бұрын

Thanks so much for the kind words mate! Truely means the world

great reviews mate! hopefully I could somehow meet up with you guys when I make a trip down under! no doubt one of the best car review channels

Awesome Seiko 5, love it

Wonderful mate. Good review. We wanna see next is the bimmer.

So as a conclusion, it's not a Lexus.

@theepichamster1443

29 күн бұрын

Correct, it’s far better!

@PieterBreda

28 күн бұрын

@@theepichamster1443 Right, for the shop's profits

love your videos, would you be able to do one on the used regular suzuki swift? not the sport

Great review, thou had to stifle a giggle when you mentioned about the piano black and woodgrain surfaces being susceptible to scratches as you wave that big heavy metal Seiko strapped to your wrist!!

I have owned two German lemons in my time and I shall not return for a third

@tomy8339

29 күн бұрын

So that's a big "Nein" for you? 😅

@hobo1704

29 күн бұрын

Same

@richieduck67

29 күн бұрын

1 was enough for me

@TheRealTanSeeker

29 күн бұрын

@@tomy8339 😆

@yslee1401

29 күн бұрын

Ditto. My E46 was indeed a nightmare after 60,000kms

I was about to buy a 2013 Audi a8 4.2 with 250000km for 16k cad as a first car 😂

@davidbrayshaw3529

29 күн бұрын

Just stick needles in your eyes and ride a bicycle naked through the snow. Same experience, but cheaper.

@interceptor7905

29 күн бұрын

Lol

Can the cup holders fit small pretentious coffee?

@WeveGotBush

29 күн бұрын

Europeans drive their vehicles how they are supposed to be driven In Australia they get their thick shake from Maccas and sit with their large backsides going 70km in the right lane that's why they need large cup holders.

@WeveGotBush

29 күн бұрын

Buy a Holden it's made for the Maccas run plenty of cup holder space.

@alex98b627

28 күн бұрын

As opposed to massive sugary bogan “coffees”…?

Can you do a video on the Nissan Micra K12?

Back to Castle Cove Adam? Nice to see my old hoon track growing up. Hope you felt at home in the A8 there. Lloyd

Replacement headlights will be worth thousands

I know that the Lexus LS460 isn't the most exciting option (in fact when it comes to excitement it's at the bottom), but it's a better choice if you want a (relatively) stress-free ownership experience. It's definitely going to have its issues though (quite a bit more than the LS430 it replaced), but it's not very catastrophic compared to its competition.

@yslee1401

29 күн бұрын

As the Car Care Nut mentioned, LS430 is a better choice. The 460 is apparently a very expensive vehicle to repair akin to German manufacturers

@smithjohn2416

29 күн бұрын

If I was to get a 460, it would definitely be in the period that this A8 is from. The modern 460 before the LS500 is a lot more sturdy and well built, compared to the earlier 07+ models that have all that bs control arm issues / valley plate service etc.

@PeterAmbrose-mv7lc

28 күн бұрын

Or can do what I did Get a urs206 majesta It's between the Gs and Ls Excellent space and tech but with air suspension and not the same issues like the LS

@f2john

28 күн бұрын

I have a F sport version of the LS460 and it's not that bad of drive. Put it in sports plus mode and it becomes a 7 series minus the oil leaks and electrical issues.

@yslee1401

28 күн бұрын

@@f2john My brother in-law had a S500 from 2014. Bought from new, but sold it just before Covid because the dashboard occasionally lit up like a Christmas tree and the dealership could not fix it

They look nice, but i would never touch one

Love the river-dance bit

It's all well and good talking about depreciation in terms of amounts per year, but the losses are non-linear. Most cars lose about 50% in the first 3 -4 yrs, thereafter the rates are considerably less but still non-linear. The most economical method of ownership is to buy a car aged 3 yrs and look after it until it becomes uneconomical to repair. The "end point" will vary depending on the car and how it's been treated. I didnt pick up on a recommendation, but I gather it was a "No".

@robertceroli3512

29 күн бұрын

That rule use to apply in the golden era of Aus auto manufacturing a 2 or 3 year old falcon or commodore..Today the most popular car Rav4 a 3 yo R4 is the same price as a new one

@kristoffer3000

29 күн бұрын

That's not the most economical ownership method at all. Buy older cars at a good price, own them for about a year and sell them for a profit, I've done it for years and I've come out with a profit overall. Running a 3 year old car into the ground is just stupid.

@csjrogerson2377

29 күн бұрын

@@kristoffer3000 This only works IF you can get them at a good price AND sell them for a profit. 99% of people dont have the knowledge or the time and older cars break down more often and quickly become uneconomic to repair and retain. So you m ight be right but in 1% of cases.

@kristoffer3000

29 күн бұрын

@@csjrogerson2377 In the 10 or so years I've been doing it there's only been 1 car that was 'uneconomic to repair' and that was rather extreme as it had a VERY shady past, engine not being the correct revision according to when it was built, pretty much everything having been wrenched on, shoddy work being done on it that you couldn't see etc. Pretty sure it was an insurance scam or something akin to that. It was also a nightmare to diagnose what was wrong with it which was a big part of the problem, might not have been expensive to repair but it's hard to tell. I've not had any major repairs on others cars though, only wear and tear items. It is not for everyone though I'll give you that but it's also not difficult really. Just keep an eye on the market for cars you want and find ones that are underpriced, you might have to wait a little but it's very doable.

@csjrogerson2377

29 күн бұрын

@@kristoffer3000 You are lucky. My father scrapped 3 cars, I have scrapped 4 ( 2 accidents were deemed written off, 1 fell apart and the other was a transmission failure). ALL the cars in the junk yard were owned by someone and were unfit to repair for various reasons. All cars must die eventually. As I said, you are an exception to the general rule.

Thanks guys, a similar engine Porsche Cayenne we owned, had timing chain failure on V6 Diesel. No warning, not worth fixing at 100,000kms. Beware!

Absolutely love my 2016 A8L. Second one I’ve had and ready for my third!

Hahaha early this time, good review mate

This was on my daily driver list! Such a loaded beast, but yes it's a gamble.

Can you keep the info screen about the car you’re reviewing up for longer? I’m always having to rewind and pause to see how many k’s it’s got and how much it’s worth cause it seems to disappear in a flash. Thanks!

You know, the Honda CR-Z is a pretty awesome car. I know it's not a common vehicle, but it's tons of fun to drive around.

@Investment_Hedgehog

28 күн бұрын

I've had mine since it was almost new. Manual hybrid gives the best of both worlds. Then I molested the crap out of it, now it whines like a screaming cat and skids up everywhere 😂

14:51 Jim!

So many great chase scenes in Ronin, hell it even made me appreciate Peugeot 406s! Not enough though that would make me part with my own money for the S8.

Try doing a timing chain on the V8

@hellothere4342

29 күн бұрын

There was a bloke who did a tear down on the Audi V10. Absolute cluster fuck. People rag on LS but geez they're simple and easy to work on.

@froggy0162

29 күн бұрын

Nah, it’s easy - take out the whole drivetrain, split the gearbox off and they’re right there 😂

@NicholasWicks-ik6gh

25 күн бұрын

Doesn’t matter cause I’m not doing it my mechanic is 😂

“Kids!!! Grab the popcorn, AK just released another video!”

I was looking for used luxury ev but couldn't find anything. I really like the Note NS (serial hybrid) and might still get one in 5years time. Hopefully used ev markets mature by then and i can get a Premium or Performance Seal for $20-30k. For now i got a Dynamic Seal, solar panels & 40 TSLA😉 Time will tell.

Loved the Ronin reference

I have wanted an Audi A8 since the first time I saw one ..but then I watched a video on repair bills.....How does the Transporter do it?

Loved the previous generation A8's... but UGH those headlights... 😩

I REALLY wanted an A8. after watching your video on the A8 . . . . I think I’ll buy a Taurus. Thanks !

@1969cmp

10 күн бұрын

😂

Is that Seiko skx?

As reliable as a politicians promise, and around as expensive to fund.

Thing is you have very limited options in this category. The obvious one is a Lexus but they are silly expensive for their age/mileage anyway so instead of risking money on repairs you're guaranteed to lose money on the extra outlay - be that from having to pay more for a loan or from having less to invest. They still have issues aswell and though they are much less likely to fail they will still need upkeep as they get the age and wear on them. On top of that I find the later LS to be a bit cramped in the front compared to other large cars. Yes I'm a big lad but my shoulders aren't against the B pillar in an A8 or S class. Then we have to think about what other options there are. Since the Lexus really is the stand out for reliability its a case of which other badge do you want on your depreciating money pit? Of course anyone can go buy some boring little ecobox like a Corolla and bang on about how great it is on fuel and how its never needed fixing but simply removing all the features and the things which make it nice isn't really an answer unless you put zero value on comfort, space and all the rest - in which case you might aswell just go buy the cheapest thing which will get you from one place to another.

I’d love one of the original S8 of Ronin fame. They were an inspired and innovative thing in the day, but all subsequent generations were all a bit meh.

The leather needs to re regularly cleaned & treated, as in The summer if the car sits outside in the heat, the oils that are n the leather which keep it supple : evaporates, which makes the leather harder & more prone to cracking.

@theepichamster1443

29 күн бұрын

Had 2 a8ls. Never had an issue with the leather.

@NicholasWicks-ik6gh

25 күн бұрын

@@theepichamster1443half the issues these KZreadrs talk about is because of lack of maintenance 😂

I keep seeing these for so cheap on marketplace and i was wondering what must be wrong with them due to the depreciation.. I figured they must be expensive lemons .. then KZread brings this into my feed lol

Managed to squeeze thousands of "thousands" into that last minute!

I like the big Toyota But would go for a Lexus LS 430/460 over that or an A8.

Stunning car 100% on that statement. I like the facelift version slightly more, because the headlights got that real modern refresh to them, and were the best set of lighting on the market at the time. This period is also in that subtle, but modern design era, before they went a little crazy with some elements on the exterior. Very elegant segment from this era

I bought an A6 S line Biturbo diesel, 18 months ago for $30,500. New in 2015 it cost $130k. It is the best car I have ever owned overall. No issues, fast, powerful, economical and reliable.

Ronin is one of my fave films. Not an Audi fan at all but I do like these huge luxobarges. The styling is far too much like an A3 or A4 And they suffer from all the same foibles of any VAG product. Awesome review as always fella.

I’ll keep my Kingswood thank you. A major fix at the workshop is cheaper than an airfilter on an Audi. Who’se laughing now? 😊

@boydcronin9463

29 күн бұрын

And what an inspiring drive 😂😂😂😂

@jamesmcgowen1769

29 күн бұрын

@@boydcronin9463 should try driving through Kangaroo valley in it, it’s an eye opener!

"Well, I'm not a qualified mechanic....but Jim is"

I didn’t know you were in River Dance?

Well Damm….there goes my plans 🥴🥴🥴

A work colleague and her husband were Audi status owners. Hers went into the dealer at 70 something thousand kms with some engine problem only to be diagnosed as terminal and not worth the cost of repairing. She bought another one. What can you say.

Please review a juke nismo

Of course it leaks oil. It's an Audi.

It was really helpful of Audi to put the five year retained value of the car on the grille.

Brown vinyl and cream seats trim? Dealbreaker for me!

Typical Volkswagen group issues

i still want an a8/s8 because of that movie. I drove an a6 and it was cool, but not the same.

Looks like I should avoid the petrol V8's and go straight to the 5.2 V10 - no issues reported, so what could go wrong?

@laureus31

29 күн бұрын

A youtuber said a plastic part in the intake will break and mostly that's it. However there is basically no room in the engine bay so most other things will require engine out-ish😂

@NicholasWicks-ik6gh

25 күн бұрын

Just buy what you like as long as you can afford to maintain it

Captain Willard !

Haha perfect timing I'm looking to buy one

@vasjakur

29 күн бұрын

Not anymore I guess?

@footballnz3017

26 күн бұрын

@@vasjakur Nah, it really depends on your luck its a pretty mixed bag.

Run don't walk from buying one of these

Only if you can afford it, only lease these cars. Be sure you can afford the loaner car warranty add-on for when its at the dealer for weeks. Dump it back on the dealer every two years, they will sell it to the next sucker and you can be in a new car for only a $1,800 month lease. But at least you get the Audi streetcred for the time its actually working. Stay gold.

Lexus LS quietly shows this class of car how it's done

I like Audi’s, it’s just that they cost a F’ing fortune when they break

@donaldbanner2185

29 күн бұрын

& to SERVICE!

Buy a lexus gs, or lx 4wd.

@smilingjack7622

29 күн бұрын

LS mate. LS600hL. The greatest car ever made. You have toyota. and lexus. But the LS is a seperate business all by itself to make a mockery of bentley mercs and rolls.

@1969cmp

10 күн бұрын

GS 👍

Audi and BMW cars of this era are scary expensive to fix, get used to hearing “yes we can fix it but it won’t be cheap”.

AUDI... Always Under Diagnostic Inspection.

@yslee1401

29 күн бұрын

BMW-Break My Wallet

@dinojunior9069

29 күн бұрын

😂😂😂Stop being dramatic

@kiz5562

28 күн бұрын

Ford = Found dead on road

@tolrem

28 күн бұрын

@@kiz5562 FORD: Fix Or Repair Daily.

I love depreciation ❤

@mvnorsel6354

29 күн бұрын

Been my friend.

😂😂 River dance

@12m....who are you trying to kid??? I know Japanesium when I hear it!......

lexus LS/ES

Review a BYD Atto 3

@daweigo6851

28 күн бұрын

Probably not old enough to review

Lots at that wood....

So many better cars in 2009 than a Golf. Audi A3, Focus RS, Volvo C30 and the list goes on, obviously the manufacturers were paying for the prize. Such BS for the punter relying on that info for their purchase.

Not sure why you used inverted commas for “wood” - the Audi A8 uses real, selected wood for its interiors. This is not some kind of poverty-pack special that needs to resort to fake timber!

drove this and an A6 from the dealership for a weekend, absolute shithouse no excitement, yeah bells and whistles inside but most of it didnt work 😂

There are A8 on the Transporter saga

@GT-pl1wx

29 күн бұрын

S8

Maserati QP video very much overdue.

Actually not as terrifying as I thought 😅.

@csjrogerson2377

29 күн бұрын

You are obviously a brave and courageous person who looks into the face of death and laughs.

Volkswagen Group needs to get their act together. I will never buy another one of their vehicles!

I'll buy a Lexus instead, thanks.

Who else is waiting for a w204 review?

My heart said S8 v12. My brain said - dont do it. My heart then said 4.2L tdi A8. It didnt take much research to find out half the engine is plastic and the entire car would fall apart at about 100K kms. So buying a 140K kms 2nd hand was ludicrous.

There was until recently the A8 (60), with 435 hp and 900 Nm, DIESEL. All of them Long version (5.26 m, LWB) We know 9 of them, running daily in Germany as company cars for the upper management, 7 of them chauffeur driven, and putting them often into the range of {180 km/h to 230 km/h) on the German Autobahn. 3 are 2019, others 2020. Some are reprogrammed by ABT AG, a reputed large tuning company, giving the 4. 0 l BiTD (actually a Tri-Turbo, resp. el. one) 530 hp and 1000 Nm (!). The off. speedlimit of 250 is cancelled, giving it, from my OWN experience, a speed of max 285 km/h...... Hardly anyone apart from pimps, drug lords drives the petrol TFSI ! The ratio of all A8 from 2008 in Germany/Switzerland Diesel/Petrol is 14: 1........ Company cars are always Diesels and their running costs are lower than those from the competiion of Mercedes/BMW. Which other Diesel vehicle has always 4x4, air suspension, around 400 hp and 900 Nm torque, has LWB AND, consumes btw. 8l and 13l on 100 km ??? Not Rolls, not Bentley, plus they guzzle some 30 l + /100 km and cost the 3 fold .... Currently, in CH/D there are 1423 Diesels from 2008 on sales offer, some of which have > 400, 000 km ! If I wanted a fast limmo, then I would go for the A8 60 or for the Merc S400 d (Diesel) 4Matic; I know both cars, but I/we are station wagon drivers, we need the space of have LR Disco 5/Toyota LC 200/150... By the way, on a long test drive of 3,000 km with the Tesla 100 on test segments of 200 km/h the range dropped down to 1/3 of the range ! (120 km/h ca 530 km, 150 km/h 410 km, 200 km/h 167 km) Just as a comparison.

Water leakage on a *AUD$200,000* car. What is it with premium German makers not making water tight cars? 😂

@mvnorsel6354

29 күн бұрын

Their submarines are great.😅

A timebomb on wheels, VAG isn't good quality IMO.

Imagine thinking any of the shitboxes mentioned are worth anything… Thats insane🎉

I'm almost ready to buy the wipers just to get you to put a pipe in it about the wipers.

@ReDriven

29 күн бұрын

If you’re also happy to cover our bills while you’re at it, we’ll stop the promo

@Hemanfreeman536

29 күн бұрын

They are actually really good wipers. Also KZread has this function called scrolling. So you could scroll forward which takes less time than it does to complain about things in the comments.

@AWMJoeyjoejoe

29 күн бұрын

Come on fellah. They only spend about 15 seconds per video talking about the wipers. It's better than all the UK based channels with the 5 minute car verticle ads!

@freeagent8225

29 күн бұрын

Is i​t so hard just to replace the rubber? Do the wipers arms actually wear ?

@ReDriven

29 күн бұрын

Yep, the arms can wear

As much as the A8 looks like a nice car I'd rather take the Century over it any day of the week. Had to laugh at the safety features overview when you said you'd get you mate to donit as fast as he could but it was a woman doing it lol. I think I saw a part of Hullsy die inside when he was talking about the engines in these cars as if he's personally experienced the horrors he's mentioned first hand with them. Great video as always guys and look forward to Sunday's video as per usual 👍.

V8 stato/caprice ftw

@smilingjack7622

28 күн бұрын

In laws hired one once. We met them at melbourne airport. It wouldnt start so we had to get another car. I have owned - as a yonger man - a 1973 HQ statesman. Swapped in commodore speed sensitive power steering and a TH 400 to replace the traumatic. Very simple to do. It had air con. sweet. And a 350 of course.

RONIN AND TRANSPORTER MENTIONED!!! LET'S FLIPPIN' GOOOO🎉🎉🎉

Come to Europe and drive these. There mechanics EVERYWHERE!!!! I know a guy that only works on A8, not only Audi, ONLY A8. You have to get in line at his gate jut for an opinion. The way you struggle with European cars is the same we struggle with Japanese and American cars in Europe. Thankfully these are pretty scarce in Europe. The American ones at least. Ps: I drive Japanese, but I only buy new. 👍