New A8L

Congrats Dave. Let me know how many people of L to XL physikye will fit into the trunk, will you? I don't expect the 300C grade cavernous trunk, but still.

6 series seems to have a long and moderately wide trunk, looks kind of short but I'd rather have that then a high beltline as on Q series with a short slit of a glass behind: rearview cameras are not my cup of tea.

I've never bought a car for the size of its trunk. While the trunk on my RS6 is marginally larger, the A8L's is easier to access. The back seat area is cavernous. It is a very luxurious car, with power, looks, handling, and lots of space. Just what an old man needs. d;o)

Dave

I though that would never be a part of my decision also until lately.

I live in a city I would not mind one if it comes with a driver and a garage. ... and a house :)

Did you give any consideration to 750xi before you got your A8L?

No, I did not consider *any* BMW. I did consider the new MB CLS550 (with the 4L 404bhp engine), the S550, and the Panamera 4. Drove the Porsche and was very impressed with its ride, handling, etc., but when all is said and done, I am an Audi fan. The A8L will serve my purposes very well. The first tank of gas gave me 26.5 mpg, some of that stuck in rush hour traffic in Atlanta. Not too shabby for a car as big and powerful as the A8L.

I lived in the city once. I moved. Horrible place the city. Nice place to visit, but....... d;o)

Dave

That is excellent. The fuel economy that Audi is getting these days is fantastic. I picked up my 2010 A4 in Long Island about 18 months ago and drove home (250 miles) at a cruise of 80-90 mph and got 33mpg. All praise be to Audi (and Mike Valentine).

Steve

I'm curious why a beemer was not on the shopping list

I am unimpressed by them. Yes, I know they handle well and the 3L turbo engine is very sweet, but....... I *was* impressed with the M5 I drove a few years ago. Plus, I do not like the styling of any of the BMWs, both inside and out.

This is my sixth Audi. I have been very happy with every one of them. Why change? d;o)

Dave

The seats in this car are fantastic. On my way home from fly fishing today, I discovered by accident the massage feature on the seats. I can see where this would be a good thing on a long trip. I knew the featur was there, but I pooh-poohed it, thinking it is just another gimmick. Not so.

When I arrived home I experimented with the bolster feature. Pretty neat where it extends the seat under your knees for more support.

I am going to enjoy this car!

Dave A8L RS6

Are controls for the massager buried somewhere in the depth of MMI menus? :^) You reminded me of my boss a decade ago: the guy hated the manuals and liked to find how things worked by experimenting with them.

Good for you. I take it RS6 is sitting idly getting more and more jealous. When I sat in A8 the feeling was that I was more of a inserting into the seat than planting myself into A6. It was an odd feeling of being plugged. I mean it in a good sense.

Did you check the insurance rates for other cars on your shortlist? (I vaguely remember A8 was not the cheapest to ensure in the US a decade ago compared to the beemer 7xx, benz S class, etc).

It looks like 5xx series is the guinea pig for bmw. First they killed it with the motherboard. And now the styling. Unlike you I don't mind the looks as much as the visions of high electric repair bill looming in the future. That and the electric steering in the latest incarnation. The steering feel is gone and i could foresee the exodus of the faithful.

variety :) It's only a question of time before 750 will be butchered with electric steering and I take it you are not a big fan of "ever so slightly used"

Mmmmmmmm.......Nahhh! Methinks I will stay with women and Audis. d;o)

I was reaching for the seat positioning (forward/backward) and pushed on the bolster/massage button by mistake. At that moment a menu choice appeard on the screen for what kind of massage and where.

No. My rate increased about $200/year compared to that of the rs6, while the rs6 a little more than my wife's RX350.

So babe magnet wise which of the two works better and what kind of women each one picks up?

I drove my wife's RX350 to town one day. I had our golden retriever Henry in the passenger's seat, his head out the window and his red bandana flapping in the breeze (along with his ears). At every stop light I was approached by many young ladies wanting to "touch him". The dog did the trick, not the car.

If you need a car to attract women, chances are you have a small dick. I have a beautiful wife, highly educated, and 17 years my junior. You do the math.

Dave

My wife and I drove from northern Georgia to New England on Sat and Sun. 1100 miles, 16 hours driving time (17 hours timewise). I kept a close eye on the mpg, and at one point, for about 100 miles, the A8L got 30.2 mpg. I ended the 1100 miles trip with 29.1 mpg! Pretty good for a car with a back seat as big as a pool room! The 8 speed xmsn and reduction in weight are responsible for the good mileage.

The 372bhp engine also gave good performance. When I needed it, the big white monster would giddy-up quite nicely. With massaging seats (both driver/passenger), separate heat/cool controls, Serius radio, and very good isolation from road noise, it was the easiest 1100 mile trip we've ever taken. Although the A8L can not compare to the RS6 for pure brute force, it handled the road very well, almost as good as the RS6, but with a much more refined and comfortable ride.

Now I have to figure out how to get my mountain bike to Maine for vacation. It's not going to fit in the trunk (it did on the RS6 with the seats down). Maybe I can get it in the "pool room."

Dave