Sort of looking for a nice reliable and comfy motor, the Pheaton seems to fit the bill with bentley-levels of comfort without the unwanted attention.

Now I am looking at either a 4.2 V8 or the 6.0 W12 and what I'm wondering about is this:

First of all: Is the W12 worth the extra thirst compared to the V8?

Secondly: I appreciate that IF it goes wrong the costs of bits and repairs will be Bentley-esque but the big question here is, WILL it go wrong?

Vieuws and opinions please!

p.s. No I don't want the A8, S-class or 7-series.

 

there was one going local to me about 2 weeks ago with the 3.0 diseasal lump for Ł6k but i can't remember what year it was if thats any help

they don't tend to go wrong, but when they do........

 

Aren't they the biggest depreciating car ever? Good for picking one up that's a few years old!

 

They lose value like there's no tomorrow but that makes it a good secondhand buy in my book.

You can pick up the W12 for silly money, those tend to be low mileage as well wich is an added bonus.

 

petrol ones seem to be cheaper than the similar age hi spec tdi a6/8
there was a couple for sale recently
lovely car but of course cost more to run
i do wonder if the cabbelts etc are much more to do? i expect so

 

isnt the w12 chain driven whilst the v8 is a belt?

 

V8 4.2 litre
* 90° angle design
* 5 valve per cylinder heads
* Timing belt
* Shares architecture with the 2.8 litre 40 valve V6 engine in Passats, et. al.

W12 6.0 litre
* 70° angle design (90° effective angle, outer bank to outer bank)
* 4 valve per cylinder heads
* Timing chain
*Share architecture with the 4.0 litre 32 valve W8 engine in the Passat.

The W12 in the '06 and higher Phaetons has a dry-sump lubricating system whereas the previous engines (and the W8) do not.

Ginge

 

Didnt Ilan on the rsoc get one?
Ask him for info if so

 

I can only say I've driven the diesels, nice drive, plenty of kit, boat handling but surprisingly for VW they feel very cheap dash and switchgear wise.

That said lots of car for the cash!

 

suspension wise they share A8 components,

brakes are very cheap to replace, 360/365mm disks are Ł55ea cheapies, Brembo Ł130 set pads about 40-80 a set depending on quality

suspension airbags can be problematic and costly

As said the interior is nasty and nowhere near A8 standrads

top choice would be a late W12 Phaeton

bits are scarce and special order for everything, used stuff are like chickens teeth
A8`s on the other hand....... plentiful

just my 2 penneth ofcourse

 

jaguar would be a better option, imo.

 

Had a Jag XJ and I really really liked it but it's hardly in the same class as the Farton.

The Jag doesn't handle that well, isn't that comfortable or that reliable.

It has it's charm but it's much more a countryclub lounge charm than teutonic ubersaloon charm the Farton has.

I really like it in black with black windows...looks almost menacing...Thinking it's gonna be a W12 because from what I can gather it is the most reliable?

Another issue is: 4 or 5 seater?

The 5 seater is more practical because you get 5 seats.
The 4 seater looks more over the top with the centre console with all the switchgear in the back...

 

I'd say the previous shape XJ was a great car, nice to waft about in and very comofortable. We had some sort of 2.7D bi-turbo jobs. Very smooth!

I'd deffinately say the Phaeton is better outside than in.... and still then gets mistaken for a passat...