Thoughts on this S8
Discussion
Hi All,
I am considering an Audi S8 as they seem to represent huge value for money at the moment. I have had a C63 and XFR and whilst I really liked both they were both a bit mental in anything other than dry weather. The Audi seems like a good way of still having the comfort, performance and 4 wheel drive.
Can you have a look at this S8 and let me know your thoughts, anything dodgy looking or not there spec wise? Dont know the dealer so any thought son them would also be good.
http://www.sterlingperformance.co.uk/used-cars/aud...
Also any owner experiences with the S8 would be really helpful and appreciated!
Thanks!
I am considering an Audi S8 as they seem to represent huge value for money at the moment. I have had a C63 and XFR and whilst I really liked both they were both a bit mental in anything other than dry weather. The Audi seems like a good way of still having the comfort, performance and 4 wheel drive.
Can you have a look at this S8 and let me know your thoughts, anything dodgy looking or not there spec wise? Dont know the dealer so any thought son them would also be good.
http://www.sterlingperformance.co.uk/used-cars/aud...
Also any owner experiences with the S8 would be really helpful and appreciated!
Thanks!
I'd be tempted - mileage is low - almost fully depreciated - but being fully aware that I'd need a slush fund of about £3,000 a year for the unexpected. It will be brilliant for trans-Europe jaunts. Around town expect 16mpg.
Unless you have access to a good independent Audi S specialist to look after it you may want to think carefully.
Unless you have access to a good independent Audi S specialist to look after it you may want to think carefully.
60k service should be due soon (unless done) and from memory this is an expensive service and recommended to be done at Audi.
Some come with B&O sounds system and it's very good if you are into car audio.
Check for hairline cracks in ceramics and if possible get a report of the thickness. Squeals when cold but brilliant stopping power. Expensive to replace though as the same with anything that goes wrong with the car so best get a warranty.
Some come with B&O sounds system and it's very good if you are into car audio.
Check for hairline cracks in ceramics and if possible get a report of the thickness. Squeals when cold but brilliant stopping power. Expensive to replace though as the same with anything that goes wrong with the car so best get a warranty.
Personally I would steer well clear of 'Stirling Performance'.
I went to look at an RS4 (after a 3 hour drive) that they had in a while ago. Turned up after making an appointment a few days before, and the car hadn't even been brought out. The sales guy threw me the keys and let me start it up, but told me not to rev it as "someone did that once to one of the cars on sale and blew an engine" before proceeding to tell me how he then tried to "knock the customers teeth down his throat" for it. As for the car - it was not 'immaculate' as described - it had 4 badly worn tires (that needed replacing), needed new disks and pads all round, had a really badly worn bolster, plus a few other small things. He was also very reluctant (to the point of me giving up listening to his excuses and attempts to divert the conversation away from that topic) to show me any of the paperwork / service book / previous MOT certs etc for it.
Just my experience of that one particular 'dealership'.......
I went to look at an RS4 (after a 3 hour drive) that they had in a while ago. Turned up after making an appointment a few days before, and the car hadn't even been brought out. The sales guy threw me the keys and let me start it up, but told me not to rev it as "someone did that once to one of the cars on sale and blew an engine" before proceeding to tell me how he then tried to "knock the customers teeth down his throat" for it. As for the car - it was not 'immaculate' as described - it had 4 badly worn tires (that needed replacing), needed new disks and pads all round, had a really badly worn bolster, plus a few other small things. He was also very reluctant (to the point of me giving up listening to his excuses and attempts to divert the conversation away from that topic) to show me any of the paperwork / service book / previous MOT certs etc for it.
Just my experience of that one particular 'dealership'.......
I've been hunting for an S8 for a while now. I saw the Stirling one and passed over it straight away.
Bear in mind that everyone has their personal ideal spec, but for me, that one crossed a number of boxes. For example: silver. These are bigs cars and light colours don't help them hide that. Black is funereal, so it was always going to be daytona grey for me. Bose is good, but spec wise B&O is "must have". That's a pre 08 car, so pre face lift. The exterior changes are subtle (rear lights, which can be retrofitted as plug and play items, and rectangular front fogs, which can't). A big interior change was 4 zone climate became standard - this one doesn't have it as an optional (a small one was DAB radio).
And ceramics. These divide opinion. I didn't want them to the extent that they were a deal breaker. They squeal, and they need heat in them to work properly. You need to take them off and weigh them to work out how worn they are, and some googling tells you that they can crack (=instant death). And they cost 2.5k per corner to replace. You can swap them for steels, but AIUI you have to swap out the master cylinder too.
On the upside, you get no brake dust, and when you really need them they will park the car on it nose. But I don't think the standard brakes are not up to the job.
Other toys I particularly wanted were AMI, tv tuner and rear blinds. A glasss sunroof is nice as it lightens the cabin. Advanced parking is surprisingly useful.
Bear in mind that everyone has their personal ideal spec, but for me, that one crossed a number of boxes. For example: silver. These are bigs cars and light colours don't help them hide that. Black is funereal, so it was always going to be daytona grey for me. Bose is good, but spec wise B&O is "must have". That's a pre 08 car, so pre face lift. The exterior changes are subtle (rear lights, which can be retrofitted as plug and play items, and rectangular front fogs, which can't). A big interior change was 4 zone climate became standard - this one doesn't have it as an optional (a small one was DAB radio).
And ceramics. These divide opinion. I didn't want them to the extent that they were a deal breaker. They squeal, and they need heat in them to work properly. You need to take them off and weigh them to work out how worn they are, and some googling tells you that they can crack (=instant death). And they cost 2.5k per corner to replace. You can swap them for steels, but AIUI you have to swap out the master cylinder too.
On the upside, you get no brake dust, and when you really need them they will park the car on it nose. But I don't think the standard brakes are not up to the job.
Other toys I particularly wanted were AMI, tv tuner and rear blinds. A glasss sunroof is nice as it lightens the cabin. Advanced parking is surprisingly useful.
As above, spec is quite poor (as are many S8s TBH) with no B&O, heated rears, blind pack, ACC etc etc
Have a look online at Parkers or similar which lists options and work out what you need and what you can live without and go from there.
The comments above about ceramics are correct - in extremis they are great, but if a bill for £4k+ to replace a pair of front discs fills you with dread then avoid. You can retrofit steels but it also isn't going to be cheap and will require a new master cylinder and recoding of the ABS module
Have a look online at Parkers or similar which lists options and work out what you need and what you can live without and go from there.
The comments above about ceramics are correct - in extremis they are great, but if a bill for £4k+ to replace a pair of front discs fills you with dread then avoid. You can retrofit steels but it also isn't going to be cheap and will require a new master cylinder and recoding of the ABS module
mustdash said:
Personally I would steer well clear of 'Stirling Performance'.
I went to look at an RS4 (after a 3 hour drive) that they had in a while ago. Turned up after making an appointment a few days before, and the car hadn't even been brought out. The sales guy threw me the keys and let me start it up, but told me not to rev it as "someone did that once to one of the cars on sale and blew an engine" before proceeding to tell me how he then tried to "knock the customers teeth down his throat" for it. As for the car - it was not 'immaculate' as described - it had 4 badly worn tires (that needed replacing), needed new disks and pads all round, had a really badly worn bolster, plus a few other small things. He was also very reluctant (to the point of me giving up listening to his excuses and attempts to divert the conversation away from that topic) to show me any of the paperwork / service book / previous MOT certs etc for it.
Just my experience of that one particular 'dealership'.......
I've called up in the past about an E63 AMG and Range Rover Supercharged. I asked specific things known to be weaknesses on both vehicles, one being the replacement cost of front disks on the E63 and I wanted to know if they'd been done. They didn't know and never found out or called me back when they said they would. Told me all I needed to know about the quality of their service to potential customers.I went to look at an RS4 (after a 3 hour drive) that they had in a while ago. Turned up after making an appointment a few days before, and the car hadn't even been brought out. The sales guy threw me the keys and let me start it up, but told me not to rev it as "someone did that once to one of the cars on sale and blew an engine" before proceeding to tell me how he then tried to "knock the customers teeth down his throat" for it. As for the car - it was not 'immaculate' as described - it had 4 badly worn tires (that needed replacing), needed new disks and pads all round, had a really badly worn bolster, plus a few other small things. He was also very reluctant (to the point of me giving up listening to his excuses and attempts to divert the conversation away from that topic) to show me any of the paperwork / service book / previous MOT certs etc for it.
Just my experience of that one particular 'dealership'.......
Zanderman said:
Hi All,
I am considering an Audi S8 as they seem to represent huge value for money at the moment. I have had a C63 and XFR and whilst I really liked both they were both a bit mental in anything other than dry weather. The Audi seems like a good way of still having the comfort, performance and 4 wheel drive.
Can you have a look at this S8 and let me know your thoughts, anything dodgy looking or not there spec wise? Dont know the dealer so any thought son them would also be good.
http://www.sterlingperformance.co.uk/used-cars/aud...
Also any owner experiences with the S8 would be really helpful and appreciated!
Thanks!
Dropped you a note as may be selling in due course.I am considering an Audi S8 as they seem to represent huge value for money at the moment. I have had a C63 and XFR and whilst I really liked both they were both a bit mental in anything other than dry weather. The Audi seems like a good way of still having the comfort, performance and 4 wheel drive.
Can you have a look at this S8 and let me know your thoughts, anything dodgy looking or not there spec wise? Dont know the dealer so any thought son them would also be good.
http://www.sterlingperformance.co.uk/used-cars/aud...
Also any owner experiences with the S8 would be really helpful and appreciated!
Thanks!
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