options

[arunraja7]

What options did you guys select and do you think some of them are worth it?

i added:

carbon fibre engine compartment $5000

Alcantra headliner in black $2000

carbon sigma trim in inside $3100

enhanced leather $6900 versus normal leather $2900


the two things i am debating are the leather packages and the carbon fibre in the engine compartment.

PS: all prices are in Canadian funny money

[russman]

Mine is coming 1/5/09. I didnt take the R-tronic but did the obvious others. Its so long ago I hardly recall. I went nuts with the car from there with the Audi Exclusive stuff right down to the piping on the floor mats.

Exterior: Suzuka gray $1300
Sidebalde: Daytona Gray $1000
Audi Exclusive Leather Package 2... $10,770
Cognac leather Everything
Audi Exclusive Florr mats with piping $480
Audi Exclusive Alcantara Headliner $2730
Plus the $1200 fee just for the privelege of paying all the other fees!

[mngolfer]

Russman,
Have you had significant maintenance issues with your '04 A8L? I have spent over $35K on maintenance. I lost the engine at 95K miles...$12.2

[rmclachlan]

I am not sure the carbon engine surround is worth having. Looks nice but it's not something you look at a lot, standard is fine. The interior options are a matter of taste. I have carbon trim with standard leather interior and black cloth headlining and have never thought that I needed the other options - and I am usually very fussy - the standard interior is pretty good in the R8. I really like the carbon interior, that is a must in my opinion.

[09R8]

I personally am a CF guy, so I went ahead and got the whole deal to the engine bay. It all comes down to what you prefer and what is your budget.

[rmclachlan]

I totally agree. If money is not a problem then definitely get the CF engine bay cover, but if you are having to sacrifice something else in the interior then it is something to cut at no great loss.

[arunraja7]

alright, looks like i will get every option except the R-Tronic, which alot of people do not like.

i got white with carbon fibre side blades. a few people commented it looks like a killer whale or zebra, but i just think it looks sharp.

[russman]

Russman,
Have you had significant maintenance issues with your '04 A8L? I have spent over $35K on maintenance. I lost the engine at 95K miles...$12.2

I havent had any issue whatsoever with the A8. I leased it as a creampuff with 18k miles in 2007 with 15k/miles per year. It has 37k now with no issues. My lease ends at 54k but Ill be done with it at 50k because the warranty runs out and Im not interested in that exposure. With 3 other cars and the bike... I can watch my mileage. Next time around, I may try an S5/A5

$35k is nuts... I'm sorry to hear it. I know its out of warranty but a new engine? Did you try dealing with Audi of America at all? I had an '01 S8 years ago that was nothing but a headache, too.

[rmclachlan]

alright, looks like i will get every option except the R-Tronic, which alot of people do not like.

i got white with carbon fibre side blades. a few people commented it looks like a killer whale or zebra, but i just think it looks sharp.

Who does not like it? It is very good. Quite frankly you must try it for yourself and get a long demo if possible, not a quick half hour as it requires a slightly different mind set, and do not use full auto mode. Do not listen to the stick shift fanatics on this one. Make you own mind up.

[MikeB]

Who does not like it?

I don't not like it, just prefer the manual. Also reports of it being very jerky in town traffic. I suspect that, despite the massive additional cost, it will not last as long as a manual either.