Review & Test Drive: 2012 Audi A8 Executive SE 3.0 TDI

[@martytdd1606]

Was driving from Derry to Sligo recently, one of these was in front of me for most of the way, had great fun keeping up, I was driving a B7 A4 3.2 V6 fsi. Interesting that they seemed very well matched in performance but the sound that the petrol makes is fantastic, really adds to the experience.

[@ssd9232]

Thanks Shane been watching ur reviews for years bought a BMW 520d after your real life style review 4 years ago this car maybe next keep up the good work shaun in London

[@alextanner5479]

Great video mate! Thanks.

[@petergraham4092]

very clear and detailed report on this car and very informative. Well done.

[@ianhay2724]

Hi got A8 4.2 TDI does on average 31-35mpg 60 miles a day, half motorway then in town

[@viorelantohe183]

Hello! Which one was more comfortable ( how the suspension felt), more quiet and had less engine vibrations in the interior.. The A8 or the BMW f01 7series? What about the steering wheel (which one was softer at low mph or parking)? Which one was more pleasant and easier to drive?

[@ShanesAutos]

V KALL I also reviewed a 7 series and compared them both. I found the A8 to be quicker and a little more comfortable. At low speeds driving around town they both feel identical to me.

[@viorelantohe183]

Shane Earley Thank you for your replay. Nice videos. I have seen that review also but I wanted to ask you that questions :). I do not know exactly if I want to buy a 7 series or a8 :))

[@ShanesAutos]

V KALL they are excellent cars, best thing to do is test drive them both yourself and make a list of pros and cons of each.

[@guygadbois1068]

The interior of the A8 looks very dated to me yet the 7 series is still beautiful. Timeless design

[@Tashyncho-Sapa]

@@guygadbois1068 your brain is very dated

[@ajithkumar1136]

What is SE executive stands for??? Is there anything specific thing that differentiate b/w Normal A8 l and this

[@ShanesAutos]

It’s the base model

[@lukaskurtansky7180]

Alright review Irish Lad. There were few things i disagree with you but it is your video, so lets be it. Just wanted to tell you that you did not quite fully understand the full purpose of the MMI there. As you opened the front elbow rest storage, showed us the plug for the MMI cable and said that you do not like how Audi dealt with it the way that they give you the USB cable for your external device like MP3 or so and they could have just left the USB plug instead of that VAG MMI socket with cable to plug and so you end up with long cable. That is not entirely the truth as if you looked at the MMI manual in handbook, you would find out why they did it as they did. I have got VW Phaeton and so exactly the same MMI which should stand for Multi Media Interface which is more complex and capable than just if they left limited USB socket there. I have got an apple products there so i have cable that plugs into the outlet and the other end is the original apple lightning jack, which as you understand does more than just the USB as the USB works more less better with external hard drive as audio output. The Apple lightening cable works almost as digital video adapter so transmit also video. If I wanted to play video from my Ipad/ipod/iphone, it would not work if there was only the USB plug there, because if you take you apple charger where the ending is usb, you would be limited what you could transmit and it would only work as lower quality audio out and charger, but if you use their back short cable with original apple lighting cable, it is multi media compatible, so you could play audio/video and also you could control your ipad/iphone from the vehicle controls on the steering wheel. If i plug my ipod thru the charging cable to it, it is working only as a charger and i plug it thru their MMI original cable. If you have got Samsung device, they give you original cable or you buy it i should say with original Samsung plug for your device so there is more you can do thru that cable. It is like if you want to screen mirror your iPhone video from your iPhone onto your TV screen, you can not use the apple charger cable and just plugging it into your iphone and the other end to the TV’s USB outlet, right? You have to buy the digital Audio Video adapter cable to do it. So and that is why they make it like this. If there was only USB outlet, you would be limited to do only what your device is able to transmit thru the USB(what content,what speed and both way communication) as for example, some MP3 you can plug thru the USB and play music only, and when you want to change the song or change the album, you must take your mp3 device to your hand whilst driving and change the song manually because you are not able to control the device thru the car’s steering wheel buttons or on centre panel on your car as the USB cable in this situation is only ONE WAY communication and the only control over your device thru your car buttons would be the Volume UP and DOWN, nothing more. But if you plug it directly thru their cable you can purchase from them so there will be no “in-between” connection between your device and the car, no two cables, just one direct from the MMI plug to your device, you can communicate both ways. Just plug your device in and control it thru your car, no need to touch the device whilst driving. Sorry, a bit complicated explanation but it makes sense for you what i tried to explain here.i am saying this from my personal experience, i have got two original cables for my VW Phaeton, one has got USB ending and the other one apple plug ending. For example i was very limiting when i plug my ipan nano charger cable which ends with usb and plugged it into the usb MMI cable and that plugged to the car, it worked only as audio OUT,the same as if you listen your music thru the cars Bluetooth. You have to hold the device in your hand in order to change the song/album/skip forward etc because the vehicle could not communicate both ways with my ipod nano/ipad.Makes sense? Good luck there with your videos.

[@jakubluszczak2748]

How's sound like with standard speakers ?

[@ShanesAutos]

This car has standard speakers

[@jakubluszczak2748]

@@ShanesAutos I know my question is how they sounds ???

[@ShanesAutos]

@@jakubluszczak2748 sorry. Pretty good, very good quality. I believe Audi do offer higher end sound systems to but the standard one is excellent

[@cjjames83]

Great car. Having been in both the s class and the a8L of that particular year. One would be better off with the S class. Because it’s a quieter cabin /ride and better suspension.

[@atillaadn]

It isnt the long version (A8L?) is it?

[@hugorof78]

What About the MPG in all your test?

[@ShanesAutos]

About 16 minutes in I say that it does 44 mpg

[@hugorof78]

@@ShanesAutos and that was in Your test? I thought that Was the mpg declared

[@MoAV15]

Why did you re-upload?

[@ShanesAutos]

Rino Carey made a mistake in editing haha, probably not a good idea to edit a review at 2am while tired lol

[@deborahbutler2953]

15.1mpg on dash?

[@banpowel9784]

You forgot to mention part prices? I.e. brake pads, etc.........cheers

[@ShanesAutos]

Ban Powel why would I mention that? You can get that information from your local Volvo dealerships service department. Nobody covers replacement part prices in a review like this, unless you have a car with something like a carbon fiber hood which would be very pricey, but not in a mainstream car like this.

[@hsh5919366]

좋아

[@knightmareking1342]

Thats not the executive package

[@ShanesAutos]

KNIGHT MARE KING it is it’s the Executive SE

[@nevenrandovic8536]

Seats look like d2 a8 1996 looks like shit