View Full Version : Question thinking of buying a w8
baldy1963
14-10-2009, 07:38 AM
I'm thinking of buying a w8, reading forums from the USA suggest that I'd be happier taking my money to the bookies. I've looked through the postings on here but can't seem to find any references to the model, do any forumites have experience of this one trick pony?
Thanks in advance.............
limecc
14-10-2009, 10:59 PM
Very few were imported, so there's only a slim chance that anyone here has owned one to tell us the story. The forced trend toward smaller economical cars mean they appear regularly as dealer classified Ebay ads (most have low miles), but I've always been disappointed about the specs on those that I've seen. For me it's something to weigh against the higher running costs and one reason why I love my 'mere' 30v Passat.
The extra 80 bhp would obviously be welcome over that of my V6, but these cars are just so heavy it seems they eat £100 tyres in a matter of weeks, the performance is nothing special (sapped by 4motion and usual auto gearbox), and my 'luxury' 1BA suspension makes the car handle like a boat so you can't enjoy it except in a straight line. When I brim my fuel tank, the computer reads that I have only 315 miles left, and I imagine the W8 to be about the same because the poor range (caused by the extra fuel consumption) is offset by a slightly larger fuel tank. No room to fit a toroidal LPG tank, so you are stuck with serious fuelling costs indeed! The original owner of my car purchased a W8 rear section exhaust for it in 2003, I have the receipt and it cost £650. How do you fancy that in 2009?
My next car will either be a well chosen 3.2 B6 Passat, or I have been looking at S6/S8 Audis which have the same 3.7 or 4.2 litre running gear. I would find it difficult to go back to 2WD, or downgrade on spec. At the end of the day its down to personal choice, budget, and usage. I hope I've contributed a few things to help you decide.
baldy1963
15-10-2009, 07:06 AM
thanks for your reply.
My annual mileage would be less than 5000 so fuel costs aren't a major concern, I used to run a 3.0 V6 Omega estate and never got more than 18mpg from that even on a run!
Exhausts sections can be made in stainless by a friend at alot less than std.
My main worry is the problem is the USA seemed to have with the camshaft variable adjusters failing requiring an engine out remedy at thousands of dollars just for the parts. It seems that every other one has suffered with this as well as mutiple torque converter failures.
I just wondered if it was something specific to the USA or worldwide......
bammy67
15-10-2009, 09:46 AM
I am not 100% sure but I think it applies worldwide because all imports anyway originally. Just about every W8 I have ever seen in UK has the auto gearbox and the problem is that with this box the W8 does 0-60 in 7.6 secs, the V6 with the manual box also does 0-60 in 7.6 secs so the extra 80bhp is wasted! You can also get a V6 with a spec close to the W8 bar a few styling details and interior touches, nothing major. Each to thier own mate but I would get a top spec V6!
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