Audi S8 V10 first year of ownership
Discussion
Hello, this is my first post on Pistonheads. I’ve always enjoyed reading other people’s ownership experiences, so I thought I would share some thoughts after a year in my S8 V10.
I bought my 2006 car in February last year having enjoyed 3 fantastic years with an E39 M5. The S8 is the first Audi I have owned and was definitely a heart rather than a head purchase. With two small children, the original plan involved finding a good 330i touring, but I couldn’t avoid salivating over S8s in the classifieds. They just seemed to represent such fantastic value for money. Although not as crazily cheap as E39 M5s are now, sky high running costs seem to have taken a similar toll on used values. So when I spotted one with what was for me a perfect spec (B&O, rear seat DVD entertainment for the kids, 1 owner and full Audi history), I broke all the rules and put down a deposit based on seeing it at night, in the rain. A year on, this is summary of my thoughts and experiences.
Body/looks
The S8 is a large car, but looks smaller than it actually is and not nearly as limo-like as the equivalent S-class. That said, it still has amazing road presence and that wonderful tank-like solidity I was hoping for in coming to a big Audi. The black and grey colours seem to suit it particularly well and the 20” wheels with 35 section tyres and quad exhausts hint at the car’s performance potential, while being subtle enough that only petrol heads recognise the car for what it is. I particularly like the small “v10” badges on the front wings where some Ferraris stick their prancing horse shields. In my eyes the design is very cohesive and rather better looking than the latest model – one of which I mistook for an A4 saloon the other day. The V10 is also quite a rare beast, although funnily enough there are two S6 V10 estates within a couple of roads of me.
Engine
The V10 engine is what really did it for me and is what differentiates the car from the vast majority of big saloons. Lots of people have said how amazing the big 4.2 diesel is, but the V10 is just a bit special and rather out of character for this type of car. The combination of such a sporting normally aspirated engine in the A8 body for me harked back to rare cars like Lancia’s Ferrari-engined 8.32. Fortunately the S8’s build quality is rather better.
One of the small things I love about the drivetrain is the sound of the starter motor. It sounds high pitched and exotic, lasting a good 2-3 seconds before the engine catches. Even on the standard exhaust, when starting from cold the first few minutes of idle are enough for people standing outside to tell there’s something a bit special under the bonnet, especially in underground car parks.
At any speed the refinement is exceptional and the engine super smooth. As well as a capacity difference, the fitment of some balancer shafts differentiates this engine from the Gallardo equivalent and it makes for a wonderfully refined motor at any point in the rev range. On a light throttle you can waft around in near silence soaking up the full luxury car experience. From 2,500 rpm up to say 4,500 rpm the car starts to get a move on, but as some road tests note, it still doesn’t feel really fast at this point – not in the way a friend’s C63 does. For the car to feel genuinely quick you need to get into the higher reaches of the rev range, and when you do the sound is very special (with a Milltek exhaust it must be amazing) and the numbers pile up very quickly. Compared to my previous E39 M5, outright performance is broadly similar, but it’s delivered higher up the rev range. The only thing which takes a little getting used to is the throttle’s initial sensitivity in the first inch or two of travel.
Transmission
The S8’s ZF auto is a generation before the latest 7 or 8 speeders, but it performs brilliantly as a conventional auto nevertheless. In drive it changes up as early as possible, which can be slightly frustrating on occasion, but no doubt aids fuel consumption considerably. In Sport it is a totally different car. It really holds onto gears, is much more responsive and seems to adapt to your driving such that it is usually in the right gear on gradients and on the entry and exit of corners. For even greater control you can use the paddles or +/- on the lever. Sometimes in Drive, when the gearbox is programmed to seek out higher gears, it is helpful just to be able to pull the left hand paddle for a quick down-change.
I remember another owner on this forum – Richard I think - describing the car as having a Jekyll and Hyde character, and this is absolutely my experience. While the car never feels anything other than supremely refined, the combination of the engine’s delivery and the contrast between Drive and Sport modes on the gearbox gives the car two different characters in a much starker way than, for example, my father in law’s 330d. This is what makes it so interesting. The top-endiness of the engine also makes the process of using the paddles more involving when you’re in the mood for “manual” changes than it would be in similar cars where torque rather than power dominates the driving experience.
Practicality
My E39 M5 was an extremely well packaged car, which always impressed with its capacity to swallow large amounts of family kit. The S8 is in another league. On a trip to the Alps with my wife and two young children it easily swallowed a full sized pram, 3 large pieces of soft luggage, a bag of toys, duvets and pillows etc. without needing to stuff things behind the front seats or resort to a roof-box. My wife can also sit reasonably comfortably between two child seats at the back, which is sometimes useful if we have a grandparent in the front. As a general point for those with kids, while there is something very cool about fast estates, the boots on big saloons are truly cavernous. Another small point for those that dislike space-saver wheels or foam repair kits, the S8 has a full sized spare, which makes the boot space all the more remarkable.
Handling and brakes
The S8 is the first 4-wheel drive car I have owned and I’ve been impressed by the traction, especially in the wet. Given its size and weight, smaller, winding country roads are not its natural hunting ground, but it maintains its composure really well over bumps and changes direction quickly and accurately enough. There isn’t a huge amount of feel coming back through the light steering, but the handling is sure-footed and predictable. On the very few occasions I have nosed up to the limit, it has felt safe and secure, understeer being curable with a slight lift of the throttle tucking the nose in nicely without ever bringing the rear into play. No doubt you could throw the car around more aggressively and it might offer up more options (although I suspect not as many as the M5 or an E63), but I’ve never felt particularly encouraged to drive it like that. Given its size and weight (around 1,950kg), keeping things neat and tidy at 8 tenths definitely feels best, and that isn’t a criticism.
Given the S8’s 20 inch 35 section tyres the ride is pretty good overall, while still having a sporting edge. I tend to keep the suspension setting in “Comfort” mode most of the time and this setting copes pretty well with our poor road surfaces with only the occasional thump making its way through to the cabin. I would be interested to do a back-to-back in something like an S350, which has no sporting pretentions, just to see how much better the ride is. Dynamic mode stiffens things up noticeably, which is good for pressing on, and at higher speeds the negative effect on ride quality isn’t too much of a trade-off. The lift function on the suspension is great and I’ve used it several times on rough country tracks and ferry/Eurotunnel ramps.
A lot of S8s were optioned with carbon ceramics, which along with the engine was one of the stand-out features of the car on launch. That said, I purposely sought out a car with steel brakes, having been scared off by stories of ceramics potentially having to be replaced at huge expense (not on S8s specifically, but more generally), and also being noisy when cold. The standard steel discs are massive, as they need to be given the car’s weight. They stop the car very well and the pedal is nice and progressive with good feel. Like most heavy road cars they start to grumble pretty quickly if you use the car’s full performance for any sustained period on winding roads, but my e39 M5 was much worse in this respect. I imagine that’s where the ceramics really stand out, and I would be interested to hear from other owners how they have got on with theirs.
Interior and equipment
The M5 was a well-equipped luxurious car, but the S8 is in a different league. My car has factory fitted rear seat DVD entertainment, which the kids love on long journeys. It also has the B&O high-fi which is truly fabulous. Aside from the pure theatre of the tweeters rising out of the dashboard when you switch on, it is by far the best sounding car high-fi I’ve heard. Certainly far superior to the Harmon Kardons and Logic 7s in various BMWs I’ve been in. Before buying the car I had read what a great system it was, but the cost (£5-6k) seemed faintly ridiculous. Having lived with it I can begin to understand why and I would certainly miss it now. I note there are a couple of second-hand B&O kits on e-Bay Germany for around €2,000. Other highlights include DAB, Digital TV, electric and lumbar adjustment for the back seats as well as heated memory seats in front. Four zone climate control and a solar sunroof (uses solar power to run the interior fans on hot days when engine is off). Soft close doors, boot etc. electric steering column, finger-print recognition etc etc.
Aside from the sheer amount of kit, the quality of the controls is also fantastic. The material quality and how the controls feel to press and turn makes them a joy to use and reinforces the feeling that you surely shouldn’t be able to pick these cars up for mid to high teen outlays. The layout and design of the dashboard and consoles is not just logical and well thought out, but it combines sporting and luxury perfectly. Before the S8 I had always admired Audi dashes and it really is a lovely place to spend time. At night the different coloured glow from the various controls creates a lovely ambiance, and the thickness of the glass and general refinement and build quality make it feel cosy and secure. The interior also makes great use of Alcantara in the headlining and leather extends to all the places it should. My only regret is that my car doesn’t have the standard carbon trim, having very dark wood instead.
Running costs and reliability
So, having waxed lyrical about the car, here comes the healthy dose of realism!
My E39 M5 was one of very few cars still in the BMW dealer network, so it came with BMW’s comprehensive warranty which I then maintained at considerable cost. The warranty was excellent and, despite the considerable annual cost when mileage ticked over 60,000, it more than paid for itself. It also made me a big supporter of official manufacturer warranties on cars like this, where big ticket problems can cost a good proportion of the car’s worth to put right.
That said, I bought the S8 from a non-specialist independent dealer with a 3 month aftermarket warranty. Surprise, surprise, this didn’t cover the first unexpected bill. A month into ownership the electronic parking brake motors froze on and made the car immovable. It went off to my local Audi dealer on a flat bed and £800 later I had new parking brake motors on both sides (an existing fault due to water ingress according to the warranty provider). After the three months were up I took out Audi’s comprehensive warranty which, like BMW, uses Mondial. Six months later and, shockingly, the exact same pattern of events, only this time it happened the night before I was due to drive the family to the airport, and it was the parking brake ECU that had failed, clamping the rear parking brakes on again. Fortunately this was covered by the warranty, but for something as simple as a handbrake to cost over £1,200 in six admittedly unfortunate months gives you some idea of the potential pain if things do break. Other than the parking brake, the CD changer has been the only other thing which started playing up and this was also replaced under warranty without quibble.
I am yet to have a service, but as the car has a full Audi history and the official warranty I feel it probably makes sense to maintain it. Although you will probably get a better job done at a good independent, when it comes to selling the car again it still seems that for a lot of buyers, being able to show a full main dealer history adds value. Whether that value outweighs the additional cost of main dealer work over time is another matter I guess! The car is also on a long life service interval, which makes the gaps between big bills longer. From the little research I have done so far, there seem to be some good forums covering A8s and S8s and some good sources for parts, so economies could be made here if you were minded and able.
Fuel consumption is predictably heavy, but I only do 6,000 to 8,000 miles per year, so fuel costs are not a major issue and I have found a diesel A2 for tootling around in. On long trips through France with cruise control set somewhere between 80 and 90, I think I am getting around 23-24mpg on super unleaded, which for a 5.2 litre V10 is not too bad. Direct injection probably helps this. In town it’s probably no better than mid-teens and really pressing on probably drops it to single figures. On the plus side the tank is 90 litres, which equates to a very practical range of over 400 miles, even if brimming it does make me wince at the numbers.
So between Audi warranty, fuel and servicing I will probably be running at about £4,000 – £5,000 per year before any consumables like tyres etc. That is a fair bit of cash for a car which cost high teens to start with, but that is always the trade-off with any car which was £80,000 to £90,000 new.
In summary I am loving every minute with the S8 and would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a slightly exotic, large family saloon. It is a wonderful car, but buyers should be realistic about running costs and think strongly about a good warranty!
I bought my 2006 car in February last year having enjoyed 3 fantastic years with an E39 M5. The S8 is the first Audi I have owned and was definitely a heart rather than a head purchase. With two small children, the original plan involved finding a good 330i touring, but I couldn’t avoid salivating over S8s in the classifieds. They just seemed to represent such fantastic value for money. Although not as crazily cheap as E39 M5s are now, sky high running costs seem to have taken a similar toll on used values. So when I spotted one with what was for me a perfect spec (B&O, rear seat DVD entertainment for the kids, 1 owner and full Audi history), I broke all the rules and put down a deposit based on seeing it at night, in the rain. A year on, this is summary of my thoughts and experiences.
Body/looks
The S8 is a large car, but looks smaller than it actually is and not nearly as limo-like as the equivalent S-class. That said, it still has amazing road presence and that wonderful tank-like solidity I was hoping for in coming to a big Audi. The black and grey colours seem to suit it particularly well and the 20” wheels with 35 section tyres and quad exhausts hint at the car’s performance potential, while being subtle enough that only petrol heads recognise the car for what it is. I particularly like the small “v10” badges on the front wings where some Ferraris stick their prancing horse shields. In my eyes the design is very cohesive and rather better looking than the latest model – one of which I mistook for an A4 saloon the other day. The V10 is also quite a rare beast, although funnily enough there are two S6 V10 estates within a couple of roads of me.
Engine
The V10 engine is what really did it for me and is what differentiates the car from the vast majority of big saloons. Lots of people have said how amazing the big 4.2 diesel is, but the V10 is just a bit special and rather out of character for this type of car. The combination of such a sporting normally aspirated engine in the A8 body for me harked back to rare cars like Lancia’s Ferrari-engined 8.32. Fortunately the S8’s build quality is rather better.
One of the small things I love about the drivetrain is the sound of the starter motor. It sounds high pitched and exotic, lasting a good 2-3 seconds before the engine catches. Even on the standard exhaust, when starting from cold the first few minutes of idle are enough for people standing outside to tell there’s something a bit special under the bonnet, especially in underground car parks.
At any speed the refinement is exceptional and the engine super smooth. As well as a capacity difference, the fitment of some balancer shafts differentiates this engine from the Gallardo equivalent and it makes for a wonderfully refined motor at any point in the rev range. On a light throttle you can waft around in near silence soaking up the full luxury car experience. From 2,500 rpm up to say 4,500 rpm the car starts to get a move on, but as some road tests note, it still doesn’t feel really fast at this point – not in the way a friend’s C63 does. For the car to feel genuinely quick you need to get into the higher reaches of the rev range, and when you do the sound is very special (with a Milltek exhaust it must be amazing) and the numbers pile up very quickly. Compared to my previous E39 M5, outright performance is broadly similar, but it’s delivered higher up the rev range. The only thing which takes a little getting used to is the throttle’s initial sensitivity in the first inch or two of travel.
Transmission
The S8’s ZF auto is a generation before the latest 7 or 8 speeders, but it performs brilliantly as a conventional auto nevertheless. In drive it changes up as early as possible, which can be slightly frustrating on occasion, but no doubt aids fuel consumption considerably. In Sport it is a totally different car. It really holds onto gears, is much more responsive and seems to adapt to your driving such that it is usually in the right gear on gradients and on the entry and exit of corners. For even greater control you can use the paddles or +/- on the lever. Sometimes in Drive, when the gearbox is programmed to seek out higher gears, it is helpful just to be able to pull the left hand paddle for a quick down-change.
I remember another owner on this forum – Richard I think - describing the car as having a Jekyll and Hyde character, and this is absolutely my experience. While the car never feels anything other than supremely refined, the combination of the engine’s delivery and the contrast between Drive and Sport modes on the gearbox gives the car two different characters in a much starker way than, for example, my father in law’s 330d. This is what makes it so interesting. The top-endiness of the engine also makes the process of using the paddles more involving when you’re in the mood for “manual” changes than it would be in similar cars where torque rather than power dominates the driving experience.
Practicality
My E39 M5 was an extremely well packaged car, which always impressed with its capacity to swallow large amounts of family kit. The S8 is in another league. On a trip to the Alps with my wife and two young children it easily swallowed a full sized pram, 3 large pieces of soft luggage, a bag of toys, duvets and pillows etc. without needing to stuff things behind the front seats or resort to a roof-box. My wife can also sit reasonably comfortably between two child seats at the back, which is sometimes useful if we have a grandparent in the front. As a general point for those with kids, while there is something very cool about fast estates, the boots on big saloons are truly cavernous. Another small point for those that dislike space-saver wheels or foam repair kits, the S8 has a full sized spare, which makes the boot space all the more remarkable.
Handling and brakes
The S8 is the first 4-wheel drive car I have owned and I’ve been impressed by the traction, especially in the wet. Given its size and weight, smaller, winding country roads are not its natural hunting ground, but it maintains its composure really well over bumps and changes direction quickly and accurately enough. There isn’t a huge amount of feel coming back through the light steering, but the handling is sure-footed and predictable. On the very few occasions I have nosed up to the limit, it has felt safe and secure, understeer being curable with a slight lift of the throttle tucking the nose in nicely without ever bringing the rear into play. No doubt you could throw the car around more aggressively and it might offer up more options (although I suspect not as many as the M5 or an E63), but I’ve never felt particularly encouraged to drive it like that. Given its size and weight (around 1,950kg), keeping things neat and tidy at 8 tenths definitely feels best, and that isn’t a criticism.
Given the S8’s 20 inch 35 section tyres the ride is pretty good overall, while still having a sporting edge. I tend to keep the suspension setting in “Comfort” mode most of the time and this setting copes pretty well with our poor road surfaces with only the occasional thump making its way through to the cabin. I would be interested to do a back-to-back in something like an S350, which has no sporting pretentions, just to see how much better the ride is. Dynamic mode stiffens things up noticeably, which is good for pressing on, and at higher speeds the negative effect on ride quality isn’t too much of a trade-off. The lift function on the suspension is great and I’ve used it several times on rough country tracks and ferry/Eurotunnel ramps.
A lot of S8s were optioned with carbon ceramics, which along with the engine was one of the stand-out features of the car on launch. That said, I purposely sought out a car with steel brakes, having been scared off by stories of ceramics potentially having to be replaced at huge expense (not on S8s specifically, but more generally), and also being noisy when cold. The standard steel discs are massive, as they need to be given the car’s weight. They stop the car very well and the pedal is nice and progressive with good feel. Like most heavy road cars they start to grumble pretty quickly if you use the car’s full performance for any sustained period on winding roads, but my e39 M5 was much worse in this respect. I imagine that’s where the ceramics really stand out, and I would be interested to hear from other owners how they have got on with theirs.
Interior and equipment
The M5 was a well-equipped luxurious car, but the S8 is in a different league. My car has factory fitted rear seat DVD entertainment, which the kids love on long journeys. It also has the B&O high-fi which is truly fabulous. Aside from the pure theatre of the tweeters rising out of the dashboard when you switch on, it is by far the best sounding car high-fi I’ve heard. Certainly far superior to the Harmon Kardons and Logic 7s in various BMWs I’ve been in. Before buying the car I had read what a great system it was, but the cost (£5-6k) seemed faintly ridiculous. Having lived with it I can begin to understand why and I would certainly miss it now. I note there are a couple of second-hand B&O kits on e-Bay Germany for around €2,000. Other highlights include DAB, Digital TV, electric and lumbar adjustment for the back seats as well as heated memory seats in front. Four zone climate control and a solar sunroof (uses solar power to run the interior fans on hot days when engine is off). Soft close doors, boot etc. electric steering column, finger-print recognition etc etc.
Aside from the sheer amount of kit, the quality of the controls is also fantastic. The material quality and how the controls feel to press and turn makes them a joy to use and reinforces the feeling that you surely shouldn’t be able to pick these cars up for mid to high teen outlays. The layout and design of the dashboard and consoles is not just logical and well thought out, but it combines sporting and luxury perfectly. Before the S8 I had always admired Audi dashes and it really is a lovely place to spend time. At night the different coloured glow from the various controls creates a lovely ambiance, and the thickness of the glass and general refinement and build quality make it feel cosy and secure. The interior also makes great use of Alcantara in the headlining and leather extends to all the places it should. My only regret is that my car doesn’t have the standard carbon trim, having very dark wood instead.
Running costs and reliability
So, having waxed lyrical about the car, here comes the healthy dose of realism!
My E39 M5 was one of very few cars still in the BMW dealer network, so it came with BMW’s comprehensive warranty which I then maintained at considerable cost. The warranty was excellent and, despite the considerable annual cost when mileage ticked over 60,000, it more than paid for itself. It also made me a big supporter of official manufacturer warranties on cars like this, where big ticket problems can cost a good proportion of the car’s worth to put right.
That said, I bought the S8 from a non-specialist independent dealer with a 3 month aftermarket warranty. Surprise, surprise, this didn’t cover the first unexpected bill. A month into ownership the electronic parking brake motors froze on and made the car immovable. It went off to my local Audi dealer on a flat bed and £800 later I had new parking brake motors on both sides (an existing fault due to water ingress according to the warranty provider). After the three months were up I took out Audi’s comprehensive warranty which, like BMW, uses Mondial. Six months later and, shockingly, the exact same pattern of events, only this time it happened the night before I was due to drive the family to the airport, and it was the parking brake ECU that had failed, clamping the rear parking brakes on again. Fortunately this was covered by the warranty, but for something as simple as a handbrake to cost over £1,200 in six admittedly unfortunate months gives you some idea of the potential pain if things do break. Other than the parking brake, the CD changer has been the only other thing which started playing up and this was also replaced under warranty without quibble.
I am yet to have a service, but as the car has a full Audi history and the official warranty I feel it probably makes sense to maintain it. Although you will probably get a better job done at a good independent, when it comes to selling the car again it still seems that for a lot of buyers, being able to show a full main dealer history adds value. Whether that value outweighs the additional cost of main dealer work over time is another matter I guess! The car is also on a long life service interval, which makes the gaps between big bills longer. From the little research I have done so far, there seem to be some good forums covering A8s and S8s and some good sources for parts, so economies could be made here if you were minded and able.
Fuel consumption is predictably heavy, but I only do 6,000 to 8,000 miles per year, so fuel costs are not a major issue and I have found a diesel A2 for tootling around in. On long trips through France with cruise control set somewhere between 80 and 90, I think I am getting around 23-24mpg on super unleaded, which for a 5.2 litre V10 is not too bad. Direct injection probably helps this. In town it’s probably no better than mid-teens and really pressing on probably drops it to single figures. On the plus side the tank is 90 litres, which equates to a very practical range of over 400 miles, even if brimming it does make me wince at the numbers.
So between Audi warranty, fuel and servicing I will probably be running at about £4,000 – £5,000 per year before any consumables like tyres etc. That is a fair bit of cash for a car which cost high teens to start with, but that is always the trade-off with any car which was £80,000 to £90,000 new.
In summary I am loving every minute with the S8 and would heartily recommend it to anyone looking for a slightly exotic, large family saloon. It is a wonderful car, but buyers should be realistic about running costs and think strongly about a good warranty!
Firstly, top lurking!
Secondly, great write up.
I've always kept an eye on these, being a Lamborghini driver, and thought it would be good for my daily and my weekend car to have the engine commonality.
But, with no kids I simply didn't need a car that size, so when I got rid of the X5 I plumped for the smaller C63 AMG which suits my needs just fine. Although I probably should've gone for the estate version because of my dog.
I still look longingly at S8's though because they are very handsome cars.
You should post some pics.
Secondly, great write up.
I've always kept an eye on these, being a Lamborghini driver, and thought it would be good for my daily and my weekend car to have the engine commonality.
But, with no kids I simply didn't need a car that size, so when I got rid of the X5 I plumped for the smaller C63 AMG which suits my needs just fine. Although I probably should've gone for the estate version because of my dog.
I still look longingly at S8's though because they are very handsome cars.
You should post some pics.
Wallet twitchingly useful. 
Chaps, thank you for your very kind feedback. I was worried this was a bit long for your typical post, but glad you found it informative.
Gallardoguy - maybe a bit of diversification away from v10s is good, especially if its a C63! I was lucky enough to have a short go in a friend's estate recently. I loved the steering feel in fast cornering and the way the engine completely dominates the car's character, even at idle. It will definitely be on my short list when it comes time to part with the S8.
Greg66, I bought the car from a secondhand dealer in Essex, not a specialist in performance/luxury cars or anything. I would have preferred the comfort of buying from an Audi specialist like Fontain, but the cars are relatively rare and when this spec came up I felt I had to go for it. The few cars still in the dealer network tend to be the facelift cars from 2008, but they are typically still well into the 20s. There is also a dealer called Oscar Goldman who has a couple, but again later, lower mileage cars at a quite different price point.
Dr G, I've read your posts with interest and found them very informative too. I think you had previously commented on the reliability of the parking brake, so I wasn't completely surprised when that problem showed up the first time, although I wasn't expecting lightning to strike twice in the same place.
Here is a photo of the car
Gallardoguy - maybe a bit of diversification away from v10s is good, especially if its a C63! I was lucky enough to have a short go in a friend's estate recently. I loved the steering feel in fast cornering and the way the engine completely dominates the car's character, even at idle. It will definitely be on my short list when it comes time to part with the S8.
Greg66, I bought the car from a secondhand dealer in Essex, not a specialist in performance/luxury cars or anything. I would have preferred the comfort of buying from an Audi specialist like Fontain, but the cars are relatively rare and when this spec came up I felt I had to go for it. The few cars still in the dealer network tend to be the facelift cars from 2008, but they are typically still well into the 20s. There is also a dealer called Oscar Goldman who has a couple, but again later, lower mileage cars at a quite different price point.
Dr G, I've read your posts with interest and found them very informative too. I think you had previously commented on the reliability of the parking brake, so I wasn't completely surprised when that problem showed up the first time, although I wasn't expecting lightning to strike twice in the same place.
Here is a photo of the car
slippery said:
I know I'm somewhat biased, but I think the D3 is and always will be, one of the finest looking big saloons of all time. Like the OP, I find it hard to love the new shape in the same way, even though I'm sure it's probably an even better car in every other way.
Me too. Took me a long time to find the D3 more attractive than the D2, but it happened in the end. Can't see that I will ever like the D4's lines - too fussy at the front and too bland at the back. @OP: very nice looking example!
adam917k said:
Chaps, thank you for your very kind feedback. I was worried this was a bit long for your typical post, but glad you found it informative.
Gallardoguy - maybe a bit of diversification away from v10s is good, especially if its a C63! I was lucky enough to have a short go in a friend's estate recently. I loved the steering feel in fast cornering and the way the engine completely dominates the car's character, even at idle. It will definitely be on my short list when it comes time to part with the S8.
Greg66, I bought the car from a secondhand dealer in Essex, not a specialist in performance/luxury cars or anything. I would have preferred the comfort of buying from an Audi specialist like Fontain, but the cars are relatively rare and when this spec came up I felt I had to go for it. The few cars still in the dealer network tend to be the facelift cars from 2008, but they are typically still well into the 20s. There is also a dealer called Oscar Goldman who has a couple, but again later, lower mileage cars at a quite different price point.
Dr G, I've read your posts with interest and found them very informative too. I think you had previously commented on the reliability of the parking brake, so I wasn't completely surprised when that problem showed up the first time, although I wasn't expecting lightning to strike twice in the same place.
Here is a photo of the car
Stunning. My antennae are twitching again. Must resist. Must resist. I can resist anything bar temptation Gallardoguy - maybe a bit of diversification away from v10s is good, especially if its a C63! I was lucky enough to have a short go in a friend's estate recently. I loved the steering feel in fast cornering and the way the engine completely dominates the car's character, even at idle. It will definitely be on my short list when it comes time to part with the S8.
Greg66, I bought the car from a secondhand dealer in Essex, not a specialist in performance/luxury cars or anything. I would have preferred the comfort of buying from an Audi specialist like Fontain, but the cars are relatively rare and when this spec came up I felt I had to go for it. The few cars still in the dealer network tend to be the facelift cars from 2008, but they are typically still well into the 20s. There is also a dealer called Oscar Goldman who has a couple, but again later, lower mileage cars at a quite different price point.
Dr G, I've read your posts with interest and found them very informative too. I think you had previously commented on the reliability of the parking brake, so I wasn't completely surprised when that problem showed up the first time, although I wasn't expecting lightning to strike twice in the same place.
Here is a photo of the car
Hi Adam,
Good to read of another happy s8 V10 owner. I have now driven 55,000 miles in mine in just under 2 years, earning it's keep in a big way. Like you, I get 22 mpg on a standard motorway journey at 84 leptons cruise control. Intereresting statistic, I have spent more on fuel than the orginal purchase price!
During that time I had 2 handbrake motors, a couple of sensors, some persistent power steering pump issues and a replacement suspension pump. I took out a warranty with Warrantywise and very pleased I did. I am also a convert to VCDS diagnostic software which helps understand what is going on when a warning ight comes on. Added to a wonderful indie who has taught me a lot, the maintenance costs for normal stuff have been pretty reasonable. UKP 250 for small service, UKP 500 for the 60,000 one of which 140 UKP is plugs.
I also have a set of winter wheels/tyres (18 inch) which make it pretty formidable in poor weather conditions.
Mine sounds like it has a similar spec to yours (B&O, steel brakes, digital radio, digital TV) and I think of it as my concert hall on wheels which can also do a 12 second quarter mile, nearly so in the wet too!
I hope that gives potential owners a view of long term ownership. I reckon mine costs about 70p per mile fully inclusive of everything even depreciation. I have no idea what I wil have next. The B&O, stealth performance, comfort and presence do it for me.
Enjoy yours and don't be afraid of a few miles.
Richardracer
Good to read of another happy s8 V10 owner. I have now driven 55,000 miles in mine in just under 2 years, earning it's keep in a big way. Like you, I get 22 mpg on a standard motorway journey at 84 leptons cruise control. Intereresting statistic, I have spent more on fuel than the orginal purchase price!
During that time I had 2 handbrake motors, a couple of sensors, some persistent power steering pump issues and a replacement suspension pump. I took out a warranty with Warrantywise and very pleased I did. I am also a convert to VCDS diagnostic software which helps understand what is going on when a warning ight comes on. Added to a wonderful indie who has taught me a lot, the maintenance costs for normal stuff have been pretty reasonable. UKP 250 for small service, UKP 500 for the 60,000 one of which 140 UKP is plugs.
I also have a set of winter wheels/tyres (18 inch) which make it pretty formidable in poor weather conditions.
Mine sounds like it has a similar spec to yours (B&O, steel brakes, digital radio, digital TV) and I think of it as my concert hall on wheels which can also do a 12 second quarter mile, nearly so in the wet too!
I hope that gives potential owners a view of long term ownership. I reckon mine costs about 70p per mile fully inclusive of everything even depreciation. I have no idea what I wil have next. The B&O, stealth performance, comfort and presence do it for me.
Enjoy yours and don't be afraid of a few miles.
Richardracer
Hats off to you Richard. Even for a committed petrol head, that kind of mileage would have most of us scurrying towards fast diesels I think.
Do you have a Milltek on yours? I would love to do a back-to-back comparison with a resonated system just to see the effect on refinement.
Who do you use for work on your car. My car is one former owner who bought and serviced the car with the same Audi dealer all its life. I have the Audi warranty too, so I feel a bit tied to the dealer network at the moment, but that may change.
I have also been looking for winter wheels and tyres. E-bay Germany + Google Translate is definitely the way forward!
Perhaps we should arrange a little S8 gathering at some point.
Adam
Do you have a Milltek on yours? I would love to do a back-to-back comparison with a resonated system just to see the effect on refinement.
Who do you use for work on your car. My car is one former owner who bought and serviced the car with the same Audi dealer all its life. I have the Audi warranty too, so I feel a bit tied to the dealer network at the moment, but that may change.
I have also been looking for winter wheels and tyres. E-bay Germany + Google Translate is definitely the way forward!
Perhaps we should arrange a little S8 gathering at some point.
Adam
Hi Adam,
Yes, brave decision based on miles, but for once in my life I chose to follow my heart, rather than do the sensible thing. Whilst I have had some issues which were covered under warranty, I have very few regrets.
Mine has a standard exhaust, complete with the flap valves for extra noise under load. I still haven't got round to tying them open all the time.
I am based near Ascot and use Jack at Sharp Autos in Bracknell for my maintenance. Major warranty work split between Slough Audi and Swindon Audi which gives 2 year guarantee on work. I currently work in Chippenham, so meeting up could be at either end of Thames Valley corridor, depending on day and time of day.
I bought new rims mail order in UK for around UKP 350 which are 7.5 x 18 exact match in style with our 20 x 9 rims. I use 235 50 18 Dunlop 3D winter tyres. I am on second season with the S8 after 2 seasons on a similar setup with my previous BMW 740i sport. Interestingly, wear is much lower than summer Yokohamas which only get 15000 miles at best. However, dry grip is not in same league, but ride is significantly better. Winter dunlops around UKP 180 vs. UKP 320 for Yokos.
Cheers
Richard
Yes, brave decision based on miles, but for once in my life I chose to follow my heart, rather than do the sensible thing. Whilst I have had some issues which were covered under warranty, I have very few regrets.
Mine has a standard exhaust, complete with the flap valves for extra noise under load. I still haven't got round to tying them open all the time.
I am based near Ascot and use Jack at Sharp Autos in Bracknell for my maintenance. Major warranty work split between Slough Audi and Swindon Audi which gives 2 year guarantee on work. I currently work in Chippenham, so meeting up could be at either end of Thames Valley corridor, depending on day and time of day.
I bought new rims mail order in UK for around UKP 350 which are 7.5 x 18 exact match in style with our 20 x 9 rims. I use 235 50 18 Dunlop 3D winter tyres. I am on second season with the S8 after 2 seasons on a similar setup with my previous BMW 740i sport. Interestingly, wear is much lower than summer Yokohamas which only get 15000 miles at best. However, dry grip is not in same league, but ride is significantly better. Winter dunlops around UKP 180 vs. UKP 320 for Yokos.
Cheers
Richard
t.I owned an 56 plate V10 S8 for nearly three years and 70,000 miles. A truly exceptional car and I don't regret one second of ownership. I'm in an E63 AMG now which is considerably faster and more chuckable...but sometimes I still miss the armchairs in the S8. Not much went wrong with mine in the first two years apart from having to replace a radiator. Towards the end though electrical gremlins were popping up all over the place - sometimes the headunit screen worked, sometimes the amp failed (into the boot, unplug/plug and it worked again), engine warning lights and various other little irritations. Biggest outlay was 4x Pirelli SottoZero winters @ £400 each, with these the S8 was amazing in the previous years' deep snow we had in the Peak District. The decision to sell wasn't easy but the car needed a major service at 80,000 miles, new tyres, electrical work that could have been hugely expensive and a couple of other more minor things. Traded it at MB Derby.
Test drove a number of cars before settling for an E63 (which I'm very,very pleased with) including an RS4 which I thought would be faster but wasn't. S8s are very special cars and when the turboed ones come down in price I'll have a look.
Nov '10 Cat and Fiddle
Test drove a number of cars before settling for an E63 (which I'm very,very pleased with) including an RS4 which I thought would be faster but wasn't. S8s are very special cars and when the turboed ones come down in price I'll have a look.
Nov '10 Cat and Fiddle
Gregg, I have a comprehensive Audi warranty which is costing around £1,500/year but with a £200 excess. For this I also get the full European Audi breakdown cover. It will be renewed for another year in May and so far I have had to claim for Parking brake work (~£460) plus CD changer (~£350). I am therefore quite a bit behind, but sleeping very soundly at night. Quite apart from the engine, the S8 has such a lot of expensive systems / kit (see Goldblum's comments) that I just value the piece of mind which comes with a good warranty. My previous M5 never left the dealer network and had every care and attention lavished on it, yet had £4-5k of warranty work done in my final year of ownership.
Goldblum, that is a lovely picture. I have just bought some Dunlop winters for mine and will be testing them out in the Alps soon. I managed to track the previous owner of my car down recently and funnily enough electrical gremlins were the thing that had caused him to trade the car in for a Merc. Audi sorted them out thankfully, but by then the goodwill was lost and the decision had been taken. He still had very fond memories of the S8 though.
Richard I wondered about changing tyre sizes and I guess going to such a relatively high profile doesn't matter much given the likely cornering forces winters are exposed to. My research suggested going from 265/35/20 down to 255/40/19 would be ok, but clearly you can go further. Ride must be lovely with those high sidewalls!
Goldblum, that is a lovely picture. I have just bought some Dunlop winters for mine and will be testing them out in the Alps soon. I managed to track the previous owner of my car down recently and funnily enough electrical gremlins were the thing that had caused him to trade the car in for a Merc. Audi sorted them out thankfully, but by then the goodwill was lost and the decision had been taken. He still had very fond memories of the S8 though.
Richard I wondered about changing tyre sizes and I guess going to such a relatively high profile doesn't matter much given the likely cornering forces winters are exposed to. My research suggested going from 265/35/20 down to 255/40/19 would be ok, but clearly you can go further. Ride must be lovely with those high sidewalls!
Hi Greg and Adam,
I purchased 2 years and 60,000 miles (from initial 60,000 miles) warranty from Warrantywise for peace of mind. It cost me just over £2600 for the 2 years. I am ahead after 2 engine out power steering pumps, hoses, 2 suspension compressors, 2 handbrake caliper/motor units, some sundry electrical sensors, all done by Audi main agents. They wouldn't cover my Bluetooth fault or £150 gasket for camshaft position sensor. My car had 3 previous owners and needed the big 60,000 service before cover started. It needed some tlc to make it all work as designed and a damned good detail after some minor paint. Still shines 18 months later. PaiNt is very hard according to detailer.
I chose 18" winter tyres based on previous BMW experience (18" summer to 16" winter, same rolling radius). I also prefer £200 a corner vs £400 for 19" or 20" tyres. The sense of security on a snowy but empty outer lane on the M4 is wonderful.
Ride comfort is better than on 20 x 35 x 265 tyres. Note spare is also an 18" rim, but with 45 section tyre from memory. Mine is a fat 5 rim in black. I know because the 20" rims can crack, letting out the air when you come out one frosty morning! Alu welding and refurb when winters are on cured problem twice.
Cheers
Richard
I purchased 2 years and 60,000 miles (from initial 60,000 miles) warranty from Warrantywise for peace of mind. It cost me just over £2600 for the 2 years. I am ahead after 2 engine out power steering pumps, hoses, 2 suspension compressors, 2 handbrake caliper/motor units, some sundry electrical sensors, all done by Audi main agents. They wouldn't cover my Bluetooth fault or £150 gasket for camshaft position sensor. My car had 3 previous owners and needed the big 60,000 service before cover started. It needed some tlc to make it all work as designed and a damned good detail after some minor paint. Still shines 18 months later. PaiNt is very hard according to detailer.
I chose 18" winter tyres based on previous BMW experience (18" summer to 16" winter, same rolling radius). I also prefer £200 a corner vs £400 for 19" or 20" tyres. The sense of security on a snowy but empty outer lane on the M4 is wonderful.
Ride comfort is better than on 20 x 35 x 265 tyres. Note spare is also an 18" rim, but with 45 section tyre from memory. Mine is a fat 5 rim in black. I know because the 20" rims can crack, letting out the air when you come out one frosty morning! Alu welding and refurb when winters are on cured problem twice.
Cheers
Richard
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