You might want to sort the undertray sooner rather than later, IME with the VAG stuff - once it comes loose ( usually missing clips or worse, damaged clip hole on the tray itself) it's only a matter of time before it comes off and that's usually at speed and it almost always takes other parts of the tray with it. Clips are pennies - they usually get brittle over time and for peace of mind, i'd get a few spares and replace a few more.

You might not be happy at the price they charge for a new tray - i'm guessing there'll be a breakers yard somewhere with one in.

 

I have a small bag of VW undertray fixing clips/screws. You can have them if they are any use. I'll take a pic later and you can check if they are what you need.

 

Good advice.

The offer of the free clips is very much appreciated; I will check what mine look like but I've no doubt they'll fit given the VAG parts standardisation.
Actually, it is your musing and experience of these luxo-barges which has got me into the A8!

As an aside, the key for my mum's new Citigo is identical to that of my A8's, albeit with a different logo...

 

Prats standardisation? Even Honda/Toyota seem to have about 11 types of those pin clips, where 3 would suffice.

I've bags of the bloody things.

 

[attachment=50426:20131213_180401.jpg]

These are the fittings for the undertray on a B5 Passat/A4 etc. Most are generic but the black ones at the top of the pic may be what you really need. PM me if you want them and I'll stick the lot in the post.

 

PM sent.

 

A short update.

I've been running the A8 for a couple of months now and have covered just shy of 3,000 miles. MPG-wise it's returning 23-25 around the doors, and on a decent run 30-31 is easily achievable.

No trouble so far; there's a slight grumbling noise when on full right lock, there's still the squeak from the rear suspension and/or one of the rear brake callipers.

The real surprise is how many people really adore the car when they've been a passenger in it. This is no surprise given how supremely comfortable it is. It also surprises many just how quick it is.
Handling-wise it is a barge and very much like a big, powerful American car of yore; take the corners smoothly and sedately and then punch it on the straights. Great fun in actual fact.

The very,very understated styling is still the big plus-point for me. The length - a little over 5 metres - can prove interesting some car parks.

Overall it's surprisingly practical, fast and has lots of room for passengers and their chattels, and boot that can accommodate several corpses. And it's inconspicuous.

It's the ideal getaway car.

 

I like it 4wd?

I presume you can hear that v8 with the exhaust?

I have a hankering for a v8 as a third car but want something very comfortable with no drama when I travel with work, would this be suffice?

How would it fair in bad weather snow etc with being 4wd as it could be better than my fabia.

May I ask how much you paid too?

Cheers

 

I'm thinking a big barge might be worth a dabble. The missus has a bad back.

Then I think sod that I want an exige.

Then it rains like hell today and the BM doesn't notice....

A man needs 5/6 cars really.

It's a nice looking thing. 3k trouble free miles is a fair start

 

Yes, it's a 4WD. All the 4.2 models were Quattro.

We had a little snow up here a few weeks ago and I took the opportunity to 'give-it-some' up a bank into my Old Dear's village; pretty impressive traction considering its size and the cheap - albeit newish - tyres on it. But it's still an 1850 Kg vehicle, so the laws of physics still apply insofar as stopping on ice and snow is concerned...

As for the price.

I paid £2,350 for the car from a straight private seller. As that included 6 months road tax, it was £2,200 for the car.

I have seen nothing remotely similar for that money, unless it has c. 200K miles. Mine had a service history and MOT verified mileage of 64K.