Hello to Everyone

I am new to Audi coming from a W218. I am in the market for a 2019/2020 Audi A8L 55 TFSI 3.0 V6. I joined to obtain advice and if it works out, to remain a member.

So I am based in Birmingham but I work overseas. The plan is to buy this car and export it to the Caribbean/Latin America for use without a warranty. I have a very good Independent guy here with diagnostic software that can work on my vehicle. He is very knowledgeable and skilled with all things German. 

The reason I am thinking of the D5 A8 is because I am disappointed that the newer W222 S Class are all mild hybrids (MHEV) with the EQ Boost thing, but I do prefer petrol ICE vehicles, not diesel. The A8 will come standard with 4WD and some touchscreen technology that the W22 lacks. I will not purchase any W223 for where I am located. So the D5 A8 seems to be giving me everything I want for this kind of market where I work.

I am hoping to obtain general advice on ownership experience out of warranty. Will a unit like this hold up in warmer climates? How reliable is it? Will any repair bill run me more than US$5000 at any given time? Importantly, is the Audi A8L 55 TFSI 3.0 V6 the non-mild hybrid version?

I plan to own for three to four years and will use open market sellers on Auto Trader or similar for a full cash purchase. I am open to advice on where to source as well.

Thanks for any help, especially anyone coming from Mercedes to Audi. I am not looking at BMW as I do not like them.

Thanks.

Biggest costs when things go wrong will be air suspension or when timing change needs doing. It should hold up to warmer climates, but I know Audi do build cars for different climates (or they used to, for my c5 I found these a specific code for warm climate). 

Might be worth considering one from Japan as I think there climate is warmer or Dubai etc. even though I have no reason to think the car will cope with the climate. 

Do I understand correctly that you plan to buy a car in Britain then export it to South America? I doubt any warranty issued here will be valid outside Europe, though it is worth checking with the vendor, so the cost of maintenance and repair would fall on your shoulders.

Those costs could easily exceed $5000 for the jobs that Steve mentioned. Add that to the cost of export and you have what I regard as an expensive risk. Can you not buy abroad to avoid the paperwork?

Another point to check is whether vehicles at your destination are RH drive like us, else the cost of converting headlights to point the other way will also be expensive, not to mention the inconvenience of having the steering wheel on the wrong side.

Thank you both. I should not have to worry about the RHD o LHD issue or export because that's how it is often done for countries like Suriname and Guyana.

I will budget for the air suspension and potential timing chain issues. That is routine for all German flagships after 5-10 years.

So Audi mentions that it is a "PETROL" engine car, but I am seeing online where they say they use "mild hybrid technology" without classifying it fully as a hybrid vehicle. When I read further, it seems this car actually uses a 12V and a 48V battery system that is integrated with the cameras and active suspension movements depending on driving conditions. From this I have some questions:

1. Is the 2019/2020 A8 55 TFSI D5 3.0V6 a full internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, or does it have the mild hybrid technology called Belt Starter Generator (BSG)?
2. Did Audi UK issue a recall for this Belt Starter Generator (BSG) system similar to the North American markets? 
3. How would I know if the car I will purchase had this done under warranty or otherwise; a full service history report; an independent inspection; or otherwise? 

Many thanks for your assistance with these critical questions.

33 minutes ago, D5A8 said:

Thank you both. I should not have to worry about the RHD o LHD issue or export because that's how it is often done for countries like Suriname and Guyana.

I will budget for the air suspension and potential timing chain issues. That is routine for all German flagships after 5-10 years.

So Audi mentions that it is a "PETROL" engine car, but I am seeing online where they say they use "mild hybrid technology" without classifying it fully as a hybrid vehicle. When I read further, it seems this car actually uses a 12V and a 48V battery system that is integrated with the cameras and active suspension movements depending on driving conditions. From this I have some questions:

1. Is the 2019/2020 A8 55 TFSI D5 3.0V6 a full internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, or does it have the mild hybrid technology called Belt Starter Generator (BSG)?
2. Did Audi UK issue a recall for this Belt Starter Generator (BSG) system similar to the North American markets? 
3. How would I know if the car I will purchase had this done under warranty or otherwise; a full service history report; an independent inspection; or otherwise? 

Many thanks for your assistance with these critical questions.

Hi I think you will find its just a normal V6 but do some research on YouTube as these engines suffer with timing chain issues which can run in to thousands if you have to replace the timing gears as well.

Steve.

2 hours ago, D5A8 said:

 

So Audi mentions that it is a "PETROL" engine car, but I am seeing online where they say they use "mild hybrid technology" without classifying it fully as a hybrid vehicle. When I read further, it seems this car actually uses a 12V and a 48V battery system that is integrated with the cameras and active suspension movements depending on driving conditions. From this I have some questions:

1. Is the 2019/2020 A8 55 TFSI D5 3.0V6 a full internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle, or does it have the mild hybrid technology called Belt Starter Generator (BSG)?
2. Did Audi UK issue a recall for this Belt Starter Generator (BSG) system similar to the North American markets? 

I don't know if it is a mild hybrid, but if it is I would not touch it with a barge pole. See other parts of these forums to understand why. There have been many problems with that drive train and its BSG, and much frustration at the lack of a general recall by Audi, let alone an admission of responsibility by Audi.

Many thanks to all of you. Given the reality of the situation, it seems hard to justify running away from the W222 and still face the same situation with the A8 D5. 

I may just go with an E450 or E43 AMG and only face the music of the air suspension rather than guinea-pig my bank account with the new mild hybrid technology experiment the Germans are running at the moment.

I really appreciate the feedback and honest advice.

Like all top of the range cars, it’s the electronics that eventually let you down. If you have a decent mechanic, with access to VCDS and spares, then it’s just about keeping on top of the servicing. I agree, avoid 48v hybrid option.

Pretty sure the air suspension isn’t something to worry about. The old A6 Allroad was plagued with failures, but technology has improved. No idea what the roads are like there. In terms of heat and humidity, if the car can be stored out of direct sun, that would help. I can’t help but feeling a Toyota Landcruiser would suit your needs better, and your bank balance.

Edited February 8Feb 8 by spartacus 68