Even before that starring role in the film you all know about with Jean Reno and Robert De Niro, the original S8 was something of a landmark car for Audi. Using entirely aluminium construction made it light and consequently fleet of foot in a way big Audis had never been; using a stonking great V8 made it properly quick in a way big Audis had never been, even the old D1 V8. Handsome, plush and understated, the S8 set the template for Audi flagships for many years to follow.
This particular one stuck out in Readers’ Cars this week for its scandalously low purchase price: it may have required some work, but £3k really isn’t much money at all. PHer ‘fastgerman’ – otherwise known as Neil, with a taste in cars that can probably be guessed – describes the S8 as a “fine motor car”, with plenty of fellow PHers similarly effusive about it. While the first month was expensive, with discs, pads, tyres and a service required, the car is of course now running much better. Well, apart from the low rpm hesitation. And the rubber squeaking sound from the passenger side. And the potential need to service the gearbox...
Still, purchasing an S8 for a tiny, tiny fraction of its original price was never going to be plain sailing. Having come from a leased car, Neil knows all about the appeal of a regular payment for something new and shiny, with maintenance taken care of. But those are never as interesting, are they? We’ll be keeping up with this one intently...