Looking at a 2009ish Audi S4 or S8 for my next car

[M3Maverick]

As title says looking at a B8 S4 or S8 for my next car.

What's the reliability like on them both? Any big bills lurking (ie gearbox)? Or am I better going for an early RS4?

Thanks!

[F18RSC]

I think the 2009 S4's were all estates? My mate has a 2008 with the 4.2 V8 in its great fun. The later ones are smaller engined v6 variants. The RS models pre 2009 I think were the same engine with two turbo's which unless you intent to light it up at the lights overtime are not always required IMHO.

Test drive both I an RS and an S model before you plunge for the RS as the turbos cost a fortune when they go wrong.

I saw an 8 the other day with a 4.2 TDI engine that most go some!

[Adrian E]

F18RSC said:

I think the 2009 S4's were all estates? My mate has a 2008 with the 4.2 V8 in its great fun. The later ones are smaller engined v6 variants. The RS models pre 2009 I think were the same engine with two turbo's which unless you intent to light it up at the lights overtime are not always required IMHO.

Test drive both I an RS and an S model before you plunge for the RS as the turbos cost a fortune when they go wrong.

I saw an 8 the other day with a 4.2 TDI engine that most go some!

Saloon was available from B8 launch - quite a few about. The supercharged V6 is an awesome engine and there's some high milers about. Manual box gradually disappeared due to CO2 output sticking the estate version into the top tax bracket.

Early s-tronic boxes could develop expensive faults, but most from 2010-11 onwards seem pretty reliable. If the mechatronics unit dies you're looking at £1k, but a full box will be £6k+ if you're paying the whole bill. Cars with full main dealer history usually get a decent contribution from the manufacturer so long as they've not been mapped or missed services.

B5 RS feels very long in the tooth by comparison, and good cars are rarely available. For a daily I wouldn't consider one if you plan to do the miles but I know there are people out there that do. I like creature comforts too much to put up with a dash design that's now 20 years old and looks every year of it. The B7 is more modern and had lots of plaudits at the time in terms of how well it drove, but bills can be high for consumables (brakes are extortionate) and it's an NA V8 so needs revs and drinks accordingly if driven as intended.

The S8 is a very different proposition - much bigger car, assuming you're talking a D3 V10? Electrics can be problematic if the car hasn't been properly looked after. Lots of garages don't have the first idea how to deal with a fault and end up making it worse! There's a nice looking one been for sale for a while described as 'immaculate' but with engine check light on and a suspension compressor fault. Could be a bargain to fix, or £3k+....

Generally only issues with the D3 S8 are inlet manifolds on cars over 100+ miles, ceramic brake replacement if fitted, and odd little jobs that frighten off inexperienced garages who get a fright from looking under the bonnet. A local specialist is a good plan

[k20erham]

Hi you must try them all if you can, and it really does depend upon what you want from your car though, I've dreamed of a Miltek'ed V10 for years since hearing one and I've had a face lift S8 for nearly a year now, they are an epic car. New job with car means mine will have to go, purely for the space!!
The S8 D3 is just such a very nice place to be, an ultimate stealth car