Anyone with experience of an Audi S8 / A8

[gken74]

I've always had a hankering for an Audi S8 after the Pro at my local driving range had one and I fell in love with it.

I actually asked him for first refusal when he was due to sell it but the **** traded it in against a new A8 4.0 TDi as he said he was offered a deal he couldn't refuse.

From what I've read their main issues are with the Auto gear box failing...

If there any other issues that you guys have came across?

I fancy a change after having three 7 series BMW's and the S8 fits the bill nicely

Cheers
Gary

 

[Mr_Wistles]

I know nothing about them but I remember having a big grin on my face during the Ronin driving scenes!!

 

[NewBeetle]

A friend test drove one before buying an S Class (A8 not S8) and said he couldn't fault it but had a long history with the merc garage who "looked after him" more than Audi were willing to.

 

[redaprilia]

Like all high end super sophisticated cars , they are best leased for 2 to 3 years from brand new .

But to buy second hand ? so much electronics packed into many non serviceable modules . Service info hardly ever leaks out of the Audi network so even very good independent service specialists can miss diagnose leading to huge bills .

Great car though !!

 

[alexs2]

A friend of mine at work has had A8s as his last two cars,and both are as opulent inside as you'd expect,and have been very reliable.

The TDIs are probably the best overall and offer a modicum of economy plus enormous torque and drivability.

 

[NewBeetle]

Like all high end super sophisticated cars , they are best leased for 2 to 3 years from brand new .

But to buy second hand ? so much electronics packed into many non serviceable modules . Service info hardly ever leaks out of the Audi network so even very good independent service specialists can miss diagnose leading to huge bills .

Great car though !!

They suffer IMMENSE depreciation though, swings and roundabouts really.

 

[gken74]

They suffer IMMENSE depreciation though, swings and roundabouts really.

The depreciation is what makes them so attractive, same reason I've had 3 7 series BMW's

Not much else will give you such bang for your buck

 

[alexs2]

The depreciation is what makes them so attractive, same reason I've had 3 7 series BMW's

Not much else will give you such bang for your buck

As you've had the 7 Series before,and if you intend to buy used,then you'll get a very capable car with lots of toys,for relatively little money(compared to buying new),and I'm sure you'd enjoy it.

 

[NewBeetle]

The depreciation is what makes them so attractive, same reason I've had 3 7 series BMW's

Not much else will give you such bang for your buck

I'm with you, I was pointing out what a bargain they are to combat the chance of an expensive repair.

 

[imightbewrong]

Just had a quick look on autotrader - you can get an S8 for 4K and get straight to the top of the 'which cars have done the most miles' club into the bargain

 

[wack]

I had an A8 4.2 Quattro , fantastic car, loved it but sold it about 6 months after I got it when I realised any of the major faults they're known for would write it off , 4k doesn't sound like a lot of money but try getting rid with a clunky gearbox or a misfire and you'll be lucky to get £1500 for it

The other reason was the fuel economy, my wife was using it on short trips , in the winter is was doing 8mpg, it never got above 20mpg, I'd expect the S8 to be worse as it has 40bhp more

About 12 months after I sold it I missed it so went to look at another but as soon as he pulled out the thick service history full of bills for head gaskets, gearbox repairs etc etc I remembered why I got rid and walked away.

I now have a Jaguar XK8 which I love, it's better on fuel with 30mpg being possible, as it's basically a XJ8 with a pretty body secondhand parts are cheap and readily available , in the 3 years I've owned it all it's needed is servicing and a front suspension bush

Bottom line regarding the A8 is if you can afford to write it off if the gearbox goes and aren't worried about fuel costs you won't find a better ride for the money but if every squeak is worrying you won't enjoy it

Have a look on tyresmoke , they have a section dedicated to the A8-S8

 

[Epicurus]

We bought a 2 month old 11 plate 3.0tdi A8 this year which has performed faultlessly. It sounds like you are hankering after something a bit faster, but the performance of the 3.0tdi in this body has been incredible. The long term average economy is running at 42mpg. This car has done 5000 miles for us with no problems.

I find it hard to get excited about Audi interiors these days because everything we buy inevitably has a black leather interior and aluminium/carbon trim. Although we did recently purchase an A7 with a walnut dash! Needless to say though the controls are all very ergonomic and the internet features are fun but lagging behind BMW, although a lot easier to use than a BMW!

 

[niceguy235uk]

The 4.2 Q V8 tiptronic is a fairly reliable combo, so im not sure of the issues mentioned above.

Friend of mine ran an 02 S8 with no real issues up to about 140K

Lovely wafty motor.

The only reason he sold it was because he was a range rover nut and bought a pimped black vogue...2.5D

Funny thing is, that has had to have a new gearbox.

 

[gken74]

I had an A8 4.2 Quattro , fantastic car, loved it but sold it about 6 months after I got it when I realised any of the major faults they're known for would write it off , 4k doesn't sound like a lot of money but try getting rid with a clunky gearbox or a misfire and you'll be lucky to get £1500 for it

The other reason was the fuel economy, my wife was using it on short trips , in the winter is was doing 8mpg, it never got above 20mpg, I'd expect the S8 to be worse as it has 40bhp more

About 12 months after I sold it I missed it so went to look at another but as soon as he pulled out the thick service history full of bills for head gaskets, gearbox repairs etc etc I remembered why I got rid and walked away.

I now have a Jaguar XK8 which I love, it's better on fuel with 30mpg being possible, as it's basically a XJ8 with a pretty body secondhand parts are cheap and readily available , in the 3 years I've owned it all it's needed is servicing and a front suspension bush

Bottom line regarding the A8 is if you can afford to write it off if the gearbox goes and aren't worried about fuel costs you won't find a better ride for the money but if every squeak is worrying you won't enjoy it

Have a look on tyresmoke , they have a section dedicated to the A8-S8

I'd never really considered the XK8 but you've peeked my interest, what model/spec do you have?

I'm going to have a look on Autotrader and get an idea of the prices