Moving from a 56 E65 730d to an 09 A8 4.2 tdi

Hi,
I'm new here, bought my Audi A8 D3 3 months ago. I have standard 4.2TDI so 326PS and 650Nm torque. So far so good I'm impressed with mpg. It is heavy car but still on 250miles journey on motorway (~85mph) I got 36-37mpg! In the city depending on traffic and length of trip I get anything between 15 and 25mpg. If you would drive in light traffic for at least 5 miles you should get 20+mpg.

With the gadgets etc. could be better. D3 post 2008 has still MMI 2G I think with only few slight changes. 3G high started with new model D4 in 2011....unless I'm taking ********;-) If you want to play music from SD or USB then look for a car with installed Audi Music Interface or you can always add it later. New cost about £250 or second hand from around £120ish. It basically is box same size as CD changer and you install it is glove box next to or instead of CD changer.

Haven't got any problems with MMI and did not find many complains on various forums before purchase.

Can't compare to 730d as don't remember driving it ever. In my personal opinion Audi A8 looks better inside and outside but that's me.

I have 4.2 TDI remapped and it is great. Never had a BMW so I can't compare.
Regarding the music there are so many solutions out there from cheap to expensive so it will just depend on how many things you want to do and to what detail. If the one you get AMI installed then you are set. Mine is a 2006/2007 and did not have AMI but I installed Dension Gateway and it is great. You can also install a model if you want to stream wirelessly from your phone. I think the latest model on the D4 does streaming but I'm not sure that the AMI on the later D3's does this. The cheapest solution to that is to add a simple bluetooth receiver off ebay and play through AUX (but no control through MMI, control from the device you are playing music from). I think the D3's have MMI2G high and not MMI3G but I could be wrong.
The actual car has good gadgets but it would depend on what the original owner purchased as not all come fully loaded. Extras are Heated Steering wheel, massge air vented seats, finger print memory, Adaptive Cruise control, B&O sound system, Extended leather pack,

Things to look out for
MMI screen gears will probably break at some time (cheap DIY fix but time consuming)
Air suspension will have some trouble at some point.Mine is just starting to play up and am just sorting it out. it can be as simple as replacing a relay £15 and servicing the compressor £25 for a kit. But taking the compressor out takes a bit of work. If you're happy for a garage to do it then no problem. If there is a leak in an air bag then it 's around £400 for a new strut and bag plus it has to be fitted. A few electric problems will arise and you will need VCDS to scan and cancel codes. If you get the car definitely by VCDS from Ross tec as it will save you money going to get it scanned and the dealers or a garge and them charging you £35 a time just for the scan. Also there are many things that you can change in the car from VCDS like Suspension setting heights. how the lights work, wipers, indicators, seat belt chime etc. If you do short journeys rather than long then watch the DPF filter as I have had to have mine regenerated twice because of this. I'm on 86,000 miles by the way.

Enjoy it if you get it

@cocain

this Dension says it is compatibile with IPhone but didn't find anything about other mobiles. I assume it can connect to anything via Bluetooth? Also, does it allow to search folders on USB drive or simply takes all song as in one folder? And last question, do you operate it via MMI? Didn't yet try anything so was also wondering if it is simple case of connecting a cable to mmi or more complicated installation?

thanks

Hi rad the reason it says compatible with iphone is because you can use the ipod adaptor to plug your iphone in and use it like you would an ipod to play music. You should be able to use any bluetooth device to connect via bluetooth.
check this for how easy it is to install it took me about 30 minutes because I have taken stuff out of my car a few times and know about car stereo installations etc. If you are a newbie it may take you 90 minutes or so. You will need cd player removal keys, some electrical tape everything else should be in the kit.



Yes you have full operation of usb and ipod to search folders and playlists in many different ways, it's great. look here

Also purchase Elsawin from ebay to help you with taking things apart when you need to change or repair anything. It will save you a ton of money.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2013-Audi...412?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c5292a0c4

Hope that helps

thanks @cocain

A8 D3 2008. 3.0TDI.
40mpg on all long journeys ( cruising 80mph).
Daily commute 35mpg avg.
no issues so far with anything.
Get the original audi music interface (£200-250) and a USB cable (£10). I have a 32GB USB stick plugged constantly. All works perfectly.