Thinking about an S8
Discussion
Belt change is at 80,000.
Some have a few gearbox issues I'm told. I have a nasty noise if I floor it in 3rd then go to change up to 4th just as the computer is thinking of doing the same thing.
Great car to drive however steering is a little inert and over any adverse cambers it feels clumsy but then again, it is very heavy. Brilliant for long journeys (if a tad expensive). Best MPG I've had is 27 on a long tour, however if you're heavy with your right foot or drive in urban areas then you won't really get over 20.
Do your homework though. There's plenty of rough examples around.
Some have a few gearbox issues I'm told. I have a nasty noise if I floor it in 3rd then go to change up to 4th just as the computer is thinking of doing the same thing.
Great car to drive however steering is a little inert and over any adverse cambers it feels clumsy but then again, it is very heavy. Brilliant for long journeys (if a tad expensive). Best MPG I've had is 27 on a long tour, however if you're heavy with your right foot or drive in urban areas then you won't really get over 20.
Do your homework though. There's plenty of rough examples around.
Hi,
I've owned 2 S8's now. a 98 S Series one car and currently i have a 2002 Final Edition Series 2 car.
they are fantastic cars, but i would hold for a series 2 car, it is easy to spot as it has a newer look front bumper with foglamps in and a revised dash style. from late 99-2000 on.
Also the Series 2 engine has another 20BHP and has long lfie servicing.
the belt change is due at either 80K or 4 years. but i've been told by audi they have now brought it forward to 60,000 miles. its expensive - 350 or so depending on the dealer.
brake pads and discs are expensive to replace, they go on the fronts at about 60K miles, my car has done a lot of city work and the pads have gone at 52K - its about 350 again just to replace the pads at a main dealer.
tyres are expensive, about 300 each on my 20" rims. if you have 18" rims they are still about 250 due to the width so 4 tyres are 1000 a go.
Bodywork is expensive to repair, on my old car a small dent in the rear passenger door cost 500 quid - so make sure it is in good shape.
check for dodgy mileage. S8's can eat at least 150K miles with no visible signs.
Keep an eye on oil, it is normal to use about 0.5l a 1000K miles sometimes more in hot weather, its a big V8.
its a very tough car, but its still a very fast exotic in some ways so you need to keep an eye on maintaining it well.
I would go for a post 1999 series 2 car, it is a much better car and more fined than the earlier ones.
insurance is very good for such a fast car, direct line always comes out the cheapest, not many people driving them and they are pretty much accident proof (great wet traction, huge brakes).
the only down side is its very subtle. you an be sat in the outside lane all day and nobody will notice you,
the sound is simply awesome. very quiet a refined, but when you kick it down or redline it it growls and barks better than most other engines i've heard.
all in i'll be sorry to see my old girl go, i was planning on a new V10 S8, but the huge depreciation from new means im buying a lamborghini instead.
I've owned 2 S8's now. a 98 S Series one car and currently i have a 2002 Final Edition Series 2 car.
they are fantastic cars, but i would hold for a series 2 car, it is easy to spot as it has a newer look front bumper with foglamps in and a revised dash style. from late 99-2000 on.
Also the Series 2 engine has another 20BHP and has long lfie servicing.
the belt change is due at either 80K or 4 years. but i've been told by audi they have now brought it forward to 60,000 miles. its expensive - 350 or so depending on the dealer.
brake pads and discs are expensive to replace, they go on the fronts at about 60K miles, my car has done a lot of city work and the pads have gone at 52K - its about 350 again just to replace the pads at a main dealer.
tyres are expensive, about 300 each on my 20" rims. if you have 18" rims they are still about 250 due to the width so 4 tyres are 1000 a go.
Bodywork is expensive to repair, on my old car a small dent in the rear passenger door cost 500 quid - so make sure it is in good shape.
check for dodgy mileage. S8's can eat at least 150K miles with no visible signs.
Keep an eye on oil, it is normal to use about 0.5l a 1000K miles sometimes more in hot weather, its a big V8.
its a very tough car, but its still a very fast exotic in some ways so you need to keep an eye on maintaining it well.
I would go for a post 1999 series 2 car, it is a much better car and more fined than the earlier ones.
insurance is very good for such a fast car, direct line always comes out the cheapest, not many people driving them and they are pretty much accident proof (great wet traction, huge brakes).
the only down side is its very subtle. you an be sat in the outside lane all day and nobody will notice you,
the sound is simply awesome. very quiet a refined, but when you kick it down or redline it it growls and barks better than most other engines i've heard.
all in i'll be sorry to see my old girl go, i was planning on a new V10 S8, but the huge depreciation from new means im buying a lamborghini instead.
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