Does anyone have a good A8
10-22-2017, 12:32 PM
#41
Not sure aboutdaixloxbmw, however I like manuals (my daily driver is a manual) but if you ever go to sell your C7, the pool of potential buyers is greatly reduced these days for manual trans cars. That's why it's not easy to find M7 equipped C7s on dealer lots.
With the A8 you sorta get both worlds.
With the A8 you sorta get both worlds.
I disagree that you get both worlds w/ a paddle shift auto. I tried hard to love a Jaguar F-Type A8, which was not available as a manual. It was a great car, and I drove it with the paddles all the time, but I couldn't love because it wasn't the same as driving a manual. The brought me back to an M7 C7.
10-22-2017, 12:42 PM
#42
I disagree that you get both worlds w/ a paddle shift auto. I tried hard to love a Jaguar F-Type A8, which was not available as a manual. It was a great car, and I drove it with the paddles all the time, but I couldn't love because it wasn't the same as driving a manual. The brought me back to an M7 C7.
10-22-2017, 12:45 PM
#44
Race Director
That works both ways. Since manuals are so relatively rare, they are very desirable among the faithful and hard to find. I searched 6 months to find what I was looking for.
I disagree that you get both worlds w/ a paddle shift auto. I tried hard to love a Jaguar F-Type A8, which was not available as a manual. It was a great car, and I drove it with the paddles all the time, but I couldn't love because it wasn't the same as driving a manual. The brought me back to an M7 C7.
I disagree that you get both worlds w/ a paddle shift auto. I tried hard to love a Jaguar F-Type A8, which was not available as a manual. It was a great car, and I drove it with the paddles all the time, but I couldn't love because it wasn't the same as driving a manual. The brought me back to an M7 C7.
I searched for a M7 a while too, however wasn't willing to give up other features I wanted for it. Now after having both 'auto' and 'paddle manual' I'm glad I didn't.
Not sure aboutdaixloxbmw, however I like manuals (my daily driver is a manual) but if you ever go to sell your C7, the pool of potential buyers is greatly reduced these days for manual trans cars. That's why it's not easy to find M7 equipped C7s on dealer lots.
With the A8 you sorta get both worlds.
With the A8 you sorta get both worlds.
10-22-2017, 12:57 PM
#46
1700 miles in my 2016 Z so far....
Except for freeway driving, I drive mine by paddle shifting (while I fantasize I am a racecar driver
).
I leave the car in Sport Mode and the manually shifted A8 seems to work just fine.
The faster you drive the faster it shifts.
It takes some getting used to in how it operates, but once you are it's fun to work with.
The 3rd Pedal Guys say an auto is not engaging...I disagree.
When working the paddles, I feel very much involved in controlling how the car behaves.
My only real complaint is the 1-2 shift in the morning can be a little clunky.
In automatic mode, the A8 is very smooth, working in the background without any fuss.
Except for freeway driving, I drive mine by paddle shifting (while I fantasize I am a racecar driver
).I leave the car in Sport Mode and the manually shifted A8 seems to work just fine.
The faster you drive the faster it shifts.
It takes some getting used to in how it operates, but once you are it's fun to work with.
The 3rd Pedal Guys say an auto is not engaging...I disagree.
When working the paddles, I feel very much involved in controlling how the car behaves.
My only real complaint is the 1-2 shift in the morning can be a little clunky.
In automatic mode, the A8 is very smooth, working in the background without any fuss.
Last edited by sunsalem; 10-22-2017 at 12:59 PM.
10-22-2017, 01:04 PM
#47
1400 miles on my '18 and the A8 has been fantastic. Best auto I've ever driven. V4 mode is not at all noticeable, and the over run on full throttle upshifts, and the burble on downshifts both sound great. Love the sportscar growl on the NPP. Not as loud as the Bullets on my A6 '13 or M6 '06, but a nicer tone--more Jaguar than NASCAR.
10-22-2017, 02:18 PM
#48
2200 mi so far, no issues with my '18 Z51 A8 which is always in manual mode. If I were able, I'd have 2 C7s, one with the M7 as well, but alas, I can have only one. And one big reason for my getting the A8, driving 160 miles round trip for chemo treatments while dealing with rush hour traffic in the Big City. Last thing I wanted to be doing is shifting gears. Luckily I haven't had chemo in a while but traffic is a constant...bleh!
10-22-2017, 02:20 PM
#49
This is good news to read about the A8 being a pretty solid transmission as if I don't get the new Shelby GT500 coming out, (which I "assume" I will not with crazy allocations and stupid ADM on the car), I am heavily leaning towards the Z06/Z07 car with the A8.
My current car is a 6 speed manual and it is fun.
My current car is a 6 speed manual and it is fun.
10-22-2017, 02:25 PM
#50
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Jan 2006
Location: Down south in Dixie
Posts: 6,801
Received 2,639 Likes
on
1,702 Posts
With 6500 miles on my 03/16 built car the A8 has preformed well. I did buy a Range unit (in Sept.) to keep the engine in V8 all the time, and I will say the entire car feels much smoother.
10-22-2017, 02:38 PM
#51
The Z06 will run circles around the Mustang and it has much more curb appeal.
10-22-2017, 02:39 PM
#52
Melting Slicks
I have only had the problem of a delayed shift to reverse after being parked overnight. Dealer did the seal fix, and now it's spotless. No other problems
The following users liked this post:
z edge (10-23-2017)
10-22-2017, 03:14 PM
#54
Safety Car
Member Since: Mar 2009
Location: Northeast MA & Mad Beach FL
Posts: 4,101
Received 716 Likes
on
436 Posts
2016 A8 built 10/15 and brought it home 10-22-15.
I'm sure I'm not the only one that paid close attention looking for all the different telltale signs related to these A8 problems.
On the drive home the car had this jittery feel like the road was not smooth.
Turned out the tires were inflated to 38 PSI and after setting the psi correctly it went away.
From day one, I start off in Manual strictly to get engine operating temperature up quicker running 8 cylinders.
Other than that I drive in Auto most of the time, and Manual mode randomly for certain roads, but also paddle shift in Auto mode.
At least once every drive pull a WOT in Auto and let it shift
I always Manually down shift in Auto coming to a stop.
And downshift 2 or 3 gears at once with Quick repeated taps to the paddles approaching exits at highway speeds 70-80+ mph.
Every once in a while I almost feel a very subtle shutter in V4 in Auto at slow speeds.
But, once the car is warmed up, and sits and everything becomes heat soaked, then drive, it's smooth as silk in V4.
Just turned 14,000 miles and A8 is trouble free
I'm sure I'm not the only one that paid close attention looking for all the different telltale signs related to these A8 problems.
On the drive home the car had this jittery feel like the road was not smooth.
Turned out the tires were inflated to 38 PSI and after setting the psi correctly it went away.
From day one, I start off in Manual strictly to get engine operating temperature up quicker running 8 cylinders.
Other than that I drive in Auto most of the time, and Manual mode randomly for certain roads, but also paddle shift in Auto mode.
At least once every drive pull a WOT in Auto and let it shift
I always Manually down shift in Auto coming to a stop.
And downshift 2 or 3 gears at once with Quick repeated taps to the paddles approaching exits at highway speeds 70-80+ mph.
Every once in a while I almost feel a very subtle shutter in V4 in Auto at slow speeds.
But, once the car is warmed up, and sits and everything becomes heat soaked, then drive, it's smooth as silk in V4.
Just turned 14,000 miles and A8 is trouble free
10-22-2017, 04:09 PM
#55
Le Mans Master
Member Since: Nov 2015
Location: Lake Havasu City Arizona
Posts: 7,326
Received 3,439 Likes
on
2,059 Posts
But it really has been a good transmission for me. But with that said, when I get my next Vette I'm going to go with a manual. I like both, but want to just get more involved with the car, and a manual is just the ticket. No pun intended.
Last edited by joemessman; 10-22-2017 at 05:53 PM.
10-22-2017, 05:03 PM
#56
Le Mans Master
2017 Z - First 2k miles car would intermittently jerk & bang, then an AFM/DOD delete (plugs) during engine mods/tune. 5k now & its like driving a different car - smooth as silk. I still don't know why GM decided AFM was a good idea on these cars & that **** system is whats shelling these A8s.
10-22-2017, 05:15 PM
#58
Last edited by Foosh; 10-22-2017 at 05:22 PM.
10-22-2017, 05:24 PM
#59
Team Owner
13K no problem. V4/V8 is almost imperceptible. But little by little I really came to prefer M mode, and now that's all I use. I tend to prefer a slightly higher RPM than Auto, and like to downshift for the corners.
Personally, I think some of the discourse comes down to what is considered a problem--example: I have had a lot of Manuals over the years, and with a cold transmission the 1-2 shift can be a bitch. But with a M that's OK, with the A it's a glitch? (My A8 shifts a little different when cold than warm, which I expect, but no delayed engagement)
Personally, I think some of the discourse comes down to what is considered a problem--example: I have had a lot of Manuals over the years, and with a cold transmission the 1-2 shift can be a bitch. But with a M that's OK, with the A it's a glitch? (My A8 shifts a little different when cold than warm, which I expect, but no delayed engagement)
Can you shift the paddles as well as just leaving it full Auto?
Full Auto "should" leave the paddles in the dust.
My 8 speed is through the gears really fast and I don't feel it changing gears unless I'm on the gas.
I never touched my paddles yet. But I have the "M" feature in my truck
a switch on the shifter.
It works flawless in "D" and IMO the "M" is not for me. Actually I hate it when I over shift to "M"
If I feel the need to do the manual I drive a manual.
To me. That is why the Auto's are Auto's.
I had been thinking my car could have no paddles and I would fine. But maybe I should try them.
10-22-2017, 05:27 PM
#60
Race Director
Member Since: Apr 2016
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 10,677
Received 4,709 Likes
on
2,997 Posts
2023 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C6 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified