D3 Audi S8's on 80+k miles. Risky?
Discussion
Adrian E said:
As an idea of how brittle ceramic discs are, I've been told that if a muppet removing your wheels without using the alignment tool drops said wheel onto the brake disc as it's coming off it will more than likely crack the disc.....
A retrofit of standard brakes is definitely viable and should be possible using second hand parts for things like calipers, master cylinder etc, by the time you're likely to be considering it. I wouldn't be utterly put off a car if it was otherwise perfect spec and history if it had ceramics.
I'm sure once these cars get a bit older the aftermarket suppliers will start making replacement carbon discs at 'slightly' more sensible money.
A retrofit of standard brakes is definitely viable and should be possible using second hand parts for things like calipers, master cylinder etc, by the time you're likely to be considering it. I wouldn't be utterly put off a car if it was otherwise perfect spec and history if it had ceramics.
I'm sure once these cars get a bit older the aftermarket suppliers will start making replacement carbon discs at 'slightly' more sensible money.
- Stone damage, more likely if you overcook and visit a gravel trap
- Sunlight damage (maybe internet myth)
- Accidents during wheel changing
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Nasrallah said:
G, can you expand on the issue of cracking? I've done some Googling and I've got nothing other than the usual surface cracks which are entirely cosmetic.
Not saying you are wrong of course, but these cars are rare as it is and the obvious owners are too important to post on car forums!
Few years back we had an RS4 in with factory ceramics and pretty low miles (15-20 I think) with very small cracks emerging from most of the perforations on the discs.Not saying you are wrong of course, but these cars are rare as it is and the obvious owners are too important to post on car forums!
An Audi dealer had a customer that wanted the car and we traded it to them. Guy that bought it turned out to be incredibly particular and had them do all sorts of odd jobs. On picking up the car he complained about the cracking on the rotors (by small I mean 2-3mm) that Audi said were within acceptable tolerances. I didn't see the exact wording Audi used to describe.
This thread on lambo chat covers it, the small cracks are normal:
http://www.lamborghini-talk.com/vbforum/f47/carbon...
There are photos too if you have a login.
The guy with the RS4 found several of the cracks were longer than Audi said were normal so got them replaced under the warranty.
R8 we had a couple of years ago with aftermarket (mov-it) ceramics came with a brochure with a whole load of "DO NOT......" for taking care of them properly.
DeanR32 said:
Great replies on here guys
I know the S8 and M5 are completely different cars but the specs of the S8's seem to be much higher the the BMW's
When I get time I'll have to get out there and drive an Audi.
On a lighter note, which exhaust note do people prefer? M5 or S8?
Coincidentally I am interested in both cars, though quite different.I know the S8 and M5 are completely different cars but the specs of the S8's seem to be much higher the the BMW's
When I get time I'll have to get out there and drive an Audi.
On a lighter note, which exhaust note do people prefer? M5 or S8?
Here are my thoughts.
S8
Better built
Far more exclusive
Better brakes
All weather performance
Better exchaust note and engine sound
Potentially greater reliability & durability
Very expensive 20” tyres
M5
Smaller, lighter and considerably better handling
More entertaining drive
Most of the power wasted in the wet
More involving gearbox
Sounds like a tractor at low RPM
Nasrallah said:
that does look like very good valueNasrallah said:
Just one other thing to note. Prefacelift cars have a 50/50 torque split, facelift cars are 40/60 (rwd bias).
This could be one for Dr G or TT to adjudicate upon. I used to think this was the case too (based, largely, on wiki saying so). But the more I dug around the more it seemed to me that it was not that clear: some sources say that the pre-FL cars have the Torson T3 diff which gives the 60/40 split, rather than the T2. Anyone *know* the answer?
I've got a 2006 S6 with the same engine and it has just ticked over 93,000 miles.
I bought it in November with 89,000 motorway miles on the clock. Front end has a fair few stonechips on it but the interior panels and dashboard are in very good condition. The seats were the silver half alcantara ones which, given the light colour coupled with the alcantara, were quite grubby. I got the seats redone at a specialist.
Had a fully stamped service history complete with invoices. In the summer prior to me having it, all ten coil packs were replaced under warranty and Audi had the gearbox apart to replace a gasket which was leaking and the gearbox fluid was obviously changed.
It passed it's MOT in April with no advisories whatsoever.
It doesn't require a service until two month's time, but in January, I had an interim oil and filter change at a specialist at a pretty reasonable £150.
Fingers crossed nothing else rear it's ugly head other than routine maintenance although I have had a Milltek fitted along with privacy glass and had the wheels painted a dark grey...
I bought it in November with 89,000 motorway miles on the clock. Front end has a fair few stonechips on it but the interior panels and dashboard are in very good condition. The seats were the silver half alcantara ones which, given the light colour coupled with the alcantara, were quite grubby. I got the seats redone at a specialist.
Had a fully stamped service history complete with invoices. In the summer prior to me having it, all ten coil packs were replaced under warranty and Audi had the gearbox apart to replace a gasket which was leaking and the gearbox fluid was obviously changed.
It passed it's MOT in April with no advisories whatsoever.
It doesn't require a service until two month's time, but in January, I had an interim oil and filter change at a specialist at a pretty reasonable £150.
Fingers crossed nothing else rear it's ugly head other than routine maintenance although I have had a Milltek fitted along with privacy glass and had the wheels painted a dark grey...
KungFuPanda said:
I've got a 2006 S6 with the same engine and it has just ticked over 93,000 miles.
I bought it in November with 89,000 motorway miles on the clock. Front end has a fair few stonechips on it but the interior panels and dashboard are in very good condition. The seats were the silver half alcantara ones which, given the light colour coupled with the alcantara, were quite grubby. I got the seats redone at a specialist.
Had a fully stamped service history complete with invoices. In the summer prior to me having it, all ten coil packs were replaced under warranty and Audi had the gearbox apart to replace a gasket which was leaking and the gearbox fluid was obviously changed.
It passed it's MOT in April with no advisories whatsoever.
It doesn't require a service until two month's time, but in January, I had an interim oil and filter change at a specialist at a pretty reasonable £150.
Fingers crossed nothing else rear it's ugly head other than routine maintenance although I have had a Milltek fitted along with privacy glass and had the wheels painted a dark grey...
You say you had the seats redone, do you mean deep cleaned or refurbished?I bought it in November with 89,000 motorway miles on the clock. Front end has a fair few stonechips on it but the interior panels and dashboard are in very good condition. The seats were the silver half alcantara ones which, given the light colour coupled with the alcantara, were quite grubby. I got the seats redone at a specialist.
Had a fully stamped service history complete with invoices. In the summer prior to me having it, all ten coil packs were replaced under warranty and Audi had the gearbox apart to replace a gasket which was leaking and the gearbox fluid was obviously changed.
It passed it's MOT in April with no advisories whatsoever.
It doesn't require a service until two month's time, but in January, I had an interim oil and filter change at a specialist at a pretty reasonable £150.
Fingers crossed nothing else rear it's ugly head other than routine maintenance although I have had a Milltek fitted along with privacy glass and had the wheels painted a dark grey...
Thanks for the info all the same
Greg66 said:
Nasrallah said:
Just one other thing to note. Prefacelift cars have a 50/50 torque split, facelift cars are 40/60 (rwd bias).
This could be one for Dr G or TT to adjudicate upon. I used to think this was the case too (based, largely, on wiki saying so). But the more I dug around the more it seemed to me that it was not that clear: some sources say that the pre-FL cars have the Torson T3 diff which gives the 60/40 split, rather than the T2. Anyone *know* the answer?
Nasrallah said:
KungFuPanda said:
I've got a 2006 S6 with the same engine and it has just ticked over 93,000 miles.
I bought it in November with 89,000 motorway miles on the clock. Front end has a fair few stonechips on it but the interior panels and dashboard are in very good condition. The seats were the silver half alcantara ones which, given the light colour coupled with the alcantara, were quite grubby. I got the seats redone at a specialist.
Had a fully stamped service history complete with invoices. In the summer prior to me having it, all ten coil packs were replaced under warranty and Audi had the gearbox apart to replace a gasket which was leaking and the gearbox fluid was obviously changed.
It passed it's MOT in April with no advisories whatsoever.
It doesn't require a service until two month's time, but in January, I had an interim oil and filter change at a specialist at a pretty reasonable £150.
Fingers crossed nothing else rear it's ugly head other than routine maintenance although I have had a Milltek fitted along with privacy glass and had the wheels painted a dark grey...
You say you had the seats redone, do you mean deep cleaned or refurbished?I bought it in November with 89,000 motorway miles on the clock. Front end has a fair few stonechips on it but the interior panels and dashboard are in very good condition. The seats were the silver half alcantara ones which, given the light colour coupled with the alcantara, were quite grubby. I got the seats redone at a specialist.
Had a fully stamped service history complete with invoices. In the summer prior to me having it, all ten coil packs were replaced under warranty and Audi had the gearbox apart to replace a gasket which was leaking and the gearbox fluid was obviously changed.
It passed it's MOT in April with no advisories whatsoever.
It doesn't require a service until two month's time, but in January, I had an interim oil and filter change at a specialist at a pretty reasonable £150.
Fingers crossed nothing else rear it's ugly head other than routine maintenance although I have had a Milltek fitted along with privacy glass and had the wheels painted a dark grey...
Thanks for the info all the same
Seats can be seen here
http://www.theseatsurgeons.com/metadot/index.pl?id...
KungFuPanda said:
Got them fully refurbed. The Seat Specialists in York took care of them. Stripper the old covers off, cut new patterns in nappa leather and re fitted them. Wasn't necessary but I fancied treating myself.
Seats can be seen here
http://www.theseatsurgeons.com/metadot/index.pl?id...
Bit of a thread resurrection - but whilst looking at S8's and investigating the pros and cons of ceramics I came across this. I am guessing it is my old car - and it was nice to see the new interior. Hope you are still enjoying it KungFu, it was a great car and hence my search for an S8 now Seats can be seen here
http://www.theseatsurgeons.com/metadot/index.pl?id...
You will probably be best off speaking to Audi technical (be persistent when you call Audi 'customer service' and you will get to speak to a knowledgeable person eventually!) but what you basically need to understand is what components differ between a ceramic and non-ceramic equipped car.
For some models Audi do a retrofit of ceramics, so you can reverse engineer the parts list to work out what changes. From memory, aside from the obvious mechanical components, you will probably be looking at a replacement brake master cylinder and a reprogramme or replacement ABS controller.
I could try and look at Etka and Elsawin and offer a view, but for something so critical I'd be happier if Audi were supplying the info!
Adrian
For some models Audi do a retrofit of ceramics, so you can reverse engineer the parts list to work out what changes. From memory, aside from the obvious mechanical components, you will probably be looking at a replacement brake master cylinder and a reprogramme or replacement ABS controller.
I could try and look at Etka and Elsawin and offer a view, but for something so critical I'd be happier if Audi were supplying the info!
Adrian
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