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[Broomies Mate]

Never owned an Audi before, but driven lots and find them really rather bland.  This, however, should have a bit of a spark to it.

https://www.hampshiremotorhouse.co.uk/used/cars/audi-s8-s8-fsi-quattro-v10-4-door-10404/

Am I completely mental for even thinking about it? 

[Entwood]

I won't even try .. no comparison at all to the A6 Allroad .. but I have been impressed with it ever since I purchased it .... fun to drive, good handling, reliable, and when you want it to .. it goes !!!  ( 2 speeding tickets in France attests to that !!) .. and extremely reliable

If you want it, and can justify it to yourself ... go for it   

[iansoutham]

Guessing timing belt as 2007, not timing chain?

Either way, expensive and probably due changing.

Have you got option for a warranty for major components?

[Raeturbo]

Can you talk me out of this😢😢 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296595067?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=Cf433at&model=XJ&page=1&aggregatedTrim=XJR&price-from=500&make=JAGUAR&onesearchad=Used&modal=photos

[Broomies Mate]

I won't even try .. no comparison at all to the A6 Allroad .. but I have been impressed with it ever since I purchased it .... fun to drive, good handling, reliable, and when you want it to .. it goes !!!  ( 2 speeding tickets in France attests to that !!) .. and extremely reliable

If you want it, and can justify it to yourself ... go for it   

I really respect your opinions on most things, and I have read with interest your views of ownership of the A6. (more below)

Guessing timing belt as 2007, not timing chain?

Either way, expensive and probably due changing.

Have you got option for a warranty for major components?

To be honest, I've been eyeing this car up for a couple of weeks.  I've not even put a call in to the garage to ask them any questions.... but a MOT history check shows not a single advisory (except a couple of borderline tyres) in it's life.

I'm pretty sure all the 5.2's in the S6 & S8 were chain driven...... and at 116k miles, it would benefit from a change.  It's something I've factored into the first year cost of ownership.

My concern is with the general up-keep.....

I've never had a car with carbon discs, I've never owned a V10 

In general, do the brakes last as long/longer than standard steel discs?

Normal service items, like Oil, Coolant, Plugs etc wont phase me, as I (as many of us) find bargains and pick them up as-and-when rather than on the day of a service.

Being a very heavy car, are there huge bills when it comes to suspension parts etc. (I seem to recall the A4 had a whacky front strut arrangement). 

Decisions, decisions.

[Broomies Mate]

Can you talk me out of this😢😢 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296595067?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=Cf433at&model=XJ&page=1&aggregatedTrim=XJR&price-from=500&make=JAGUAR&onesearchad=Used&modal=photos

Very nice indeed, but even looking at the pictures I can smell a mixture of stale piss and Montecristo cigars! 

[Raeturbo]

Lovely 👍

[VXL V6]

Never owned an Audi before, but driven lots and find them really rather bland.  This, however, should have a bit of a spark to it.

https://www.hampshiremotorhouse.co.uk/used/cars/audi-s8-s8-fsi-quattro-v10-4-door-10404/

Am I completely mental for even thinking about it? 

As soon as I saw it I thought of the film Transporter!

[VXL V6]

Can you talk me out of this😢😢 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296595067?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=Cf433at&model=XJ&page=1&aggregatedTrim=XJR&price-from=500&make=JAGUAR&onesearchad=Used&modal=photos

...and that one makes me think of Minder. 

[Raeturbo]

Remember... it’s easy to buy, but putting them right and looking after them is the worry 🙁 Although if your financially stable enough.. don’t hesitate...  Buy it now!

[Doctor Gollum]

I hate Audis generally, and there are several reasons not to buy a rebodied Passat.

Worth watching Car Wizards videos about the RS6s that he has worked on to give you an insight into it. The engine has several issues that are designed in. Access isn't great either... Alot of engine, and most of it forward of the front axle.

With all that in mind, it's quite closely related to the Lamborghini lump, so the entry price is really appealing.

Basically, if you can afford to pay cash for it, then do it. (haggle, obviously and waving folding stuff you might blag it for £9k...) Just because... And sell it within a year.

If you can't pay cash for it, then run away...

As an analogy, if you are in Vegas and go to a casino you wouldn't throw £11k on red with your credit card. I hope

[Rangie]

Buy it & enjoy it you know you want to.

[Doctor Gollum]

https://www.fcpeuro.com/Audi-parts/S8/?year=2007&m=20&e=2128&t=5&b=5&d=785&v=

Have a look through this to give you an idea of parts costs... 

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=1179791

And this... 

Discs, pads and a set of tyres will set you back the purchase price.

[Sir Tigger KC]

Buy it & enjoy it you know you want to.

Yeh don't listen to that miserable bugger Dr G!                                                           

Just do it!                                                                      or regret it....                                                           

[Doctor Gollum]

https://youtu.be/zRk8LVP1L-U

And all four episodes of Car Trek 3

https://youtu.be/TN6E1gyb4qQ

[Nick W]

Any A8 that's working is a cracking car to borrow. But to buy??


If you're going to pay for one, then the basic V6 is plenty fast enough when it isn't emptying your wallet. And it doesn't really do anything that an A6 can't.

[deviator]

Right, the front end needs to be dismantled to do belt etc; I'm talking bumper, grill, radiator pack, crash bar - to the point you can walk up to the front of the engine.

A lot of jobs require the engine to be completely removed. Also there is a list of special Audi tools required to work on this car.

It'll be a fun car, but will cost you highly. I would certainly be tempted to spend the extra to get a third party assessment of the car. Ideally by someone who knows Audi's. I would suspect they would find a list of things that need doing.

[Nick W]

Right, the front end needs to be dismantled to do belt etc; I'm talking bumper, grill, radiator pack, crash bar - to the point you can walk up to the front of the engine.

A lot of jobs require the engine to be completely removed. Also there is a list of special Audi tools required to work on this car.

Dismantled is a little strong; most of it is moved forward on pins which are one of the special tools. It sounds worse than it is, can you imagine how bad it would be if French designers had come up with the service procedure?


Here's what a friend said about his twin-turbo A6: if it says Bosch on it, it WILL fail. And there are a lot of Bosch parts in an Audi....


Buying a Bosch part in a VAG box from an Audi dealer costs at least double what one in a Bosch box from a Bosch dealer does. They make the mechanical design and parts prices look almost reasonable. Which is terrifying when you consider the front suspension foibles. No not foibles - nightmare

[STEMO]

So....punk, do you feel lucky? Well? Do you? 

[Rangie]

If you have to ask how much it costs for various items, a sensible rule is that you can't afford it, but if you like taking chances & want a bit of a blast go for it , why don't you find a good independent to advise you & check the car over.

[Varche]

Why not buy it then sell it in six months time at say £2000 less having hopefully done nothing to it?

Could you lease a similar performance vehicle for £350 a month?

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Buy it & enjoy it you know you want to.

Yep....life is not a rehearsal.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Is this the V10 from the Gallardo?

It should certainly sound nice.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Can you talk me out of this😢😢 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296595067?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=Cf433at&model=XJ&page=1&aggregatedTrim=XJR&price-from=500&make=JAGUAR&onesearchad=Used&modal=photos

Both of my Jaaags have been reliable with the exception of central locking woes, which were fixed under warranty.

I don't count the X-Type 3.0V6 Mondeo we briefly owned as a real Jag. 4 WD bag of shit.

[Rangie]

Can you talk me out of this😢😢 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296595067?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=Cf433at&model=XJ&page=1&aggregatedTrim=XJR&price-from=500&make=JAGUAR&onesearchad=Used&modal=photos

Both of my Jaaags have been reliable with the exception of central locking woes, which were fixed under warranty.

I don't count the X-Type 3.0V6 Mondeo we briefly owned as a real Jag. 4 WD bag of shit.

.   

That's the only problems I've had with the Range Rover the central locking door actuators, one rear was faulty when I got it so had them both replaced , front passenger was temperamental so had both fronts changed when it was serviced last year, 4 new tyres required soon should be around £600- £700.

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Can you talk me out of this😢😢 https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202011296595067?advertising-location=at_cars&postcode=Cf433at&model=XJ&page=1&aggregatedTrim=XJR&price-from=500&make=JAGUAR&onesearchad=Used&modal=photos

Both of my Jaaags have been reliable with the exception of central locking woes, which were fixed under warranty.

I don't count the X-Type 3.0V6 Mondeo we briefly owned as a real Jag. 4 WD bag of shit.

.   

That's the only problems I've had with the Range Rover the central locking door actuators, one rear was faulty when I got it so had them both replaced , front passenger was temperamental so had both fronts changed when it was serviced last year, 4 new tyres required soon should be around £600- £700.

Common parts to Jaguar and RR, I imagine.

I also had a shagged door mirror motor but this was also fixed under warranty. They told me this would have cost £650.

Rear tyres are quite large 285/30/20 and about £270 each.

[Andy B]

....
Rear tyres are quite large 285/30/20 and about £270 each.

I had an advisory on a tyre on my ML last week, a bit smaller though than yours at 265/45/20 I asked at a local tyre place, they ranged from £120-odd for Landsail to over £300 each for a Michelin!! 

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

....
Rear tyres are quite large 285/30/20 and about £270 each.

I had an advisory on a tyre on my ML last week, a bit smaller though than yours at 265/45/20 I asked at a local tyre place, they ranged from £120-odd for Landsail to over £300 each for a Michelin!! 

Is this the modern day version of the infamous Wanli Ditchfinder?


Mine wears Michelin Pilot Sport 4S boots.

[deviator]

The number of expensive cars I see on the cheapest tyres money can buy is rather scary. 'I want a new car and big powah' but the small, contact patch with the road can be as cheap as possible, it's not like it's important! Is it?

[Rangie]

The number of expensive cars I see on the cheapest tyres money can buy is rather scary. 'I want a new car and big powah' but the small, contact patch with the road can be as cheap as possible, it's not like it's important! Is it?

. 

Only ever buy " named brands" of tyres fortunately a former colleagues father has a tyre shop local to me & always gives me a good price, looks like it will be Pirellis or Michelins on the Range Rover.

[ronnyd]

How much is the VED on the  Audi? 

[henryd]

How much is the VED on the  Audi? 

£580

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I pay £50.75 each month by DD for the  Tata and  Signum.

So......£609 x2.....

[ronnyd]

How much is the VED on the  Audi? 

£580

Sounds cheap for a monster V10. 

[johnnydog]

I have driven several Audi S8, both the V10 and the later V8 models. They are a superb, well engineered sports saloon, with exceptional effortless performance.
The cabin area is a luxurious place to be, spacious, extremely comfortable, and affords refined luxury performance motoring. They are no doubt a 'big' vehicle, but until you have actually driven one, you don't quite appreciate all their qualities. Running costs will be high, but if you are considering one, then presumably you have worked your sums out!
An near full Audi history suggests that the vehicle has been well maintained (no complete guarantee of course, but a good indication), and a previous owner fitting a Milktek is possibly suggests passionate ownership and that expenditure wasn't an issue.
I have had two performance Audis with ceramic brakes, and my personal opinion of them is they are superb. Mine were not 'wooden' or 'dead', as has been suggested by a topic on Pistonheads, presumably written by someone who has no actual experience of ceramics, and they worked with extreme bite right from the off. Other benefits are no rusty discs, no accumulation of corrosive hot brake dust on the alloys and of course their appearance.
With a car like that, you would entrust it to a Audi Specialist, not to your local 'Kwik' tyre and service bay with some spotty faced urchin working on it, so worries about the care (or lack of care) of the ceramics are perhaps over exaggerated.
I love the V6, V8 and other big Audis - in fact the 3.0 TDi engined A6 and Allroad made that a tremendous vehicle as another alternative.
I have been fortunate to regularly drive many, if not all, Audi models over the last 16 years, and owning 8 variations of petrol models from the 1.8 Turbo, through to 4.2 V8 RS4's, base my thoughts on those experiences....
But my ultimate car has to be the RS6 Performance....
But going back to the S8 - if you want it, can afford it and run it - go for it. A tremendous vehicle , and you'll enjoy it...!

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

I have driven several Audi S8, both the V10 and the later V8 models. They are a superb, well engineered sports saloon, with exceptional effortless performance.
The cabin area is a luxurious place to be, spacious, extremely comfortable, and affords refined luxury performance motoring. They are no doubt a 'big' vehicle, but until you have actually driven one, you don't quite appreciate all their qualities. Running costs will be high, but if you are considering one, then presumably you have worked your sums out!
An near full Audi history suggests that the vehicle has been well maintained (no complete guarantee of course, but a good indication), and a previous owner fitting a Milktek is possibly suggests passionate ownership and that expenditure wasn't an issue.
I have had two performance Audis with ceramic brakes, and my personal opinion of them is they are superb. Mine were not 'wooden' or 'dead', as has been suggested by a topic on Pistonheads, presumably written by someone who has no actual experience of ceramics, and they worked with extreme bite right from the off. Other benefits are no rusty discs, no accumulation of corrosive hot brake dust on the alloys and of course their appearance.
With a car like that, you would entrust it to a Audi Specialist, not to your local 'Kwik' tyre and service bay with some spotty faced urchin working on it, so worries about the care (or lack of care) of the ceramics are perhaps over exaggerated.
I love the V6, V8 and other big Audis - in fact the 3.0 TDi engined A6 and Allroad made that a tremendous vehicle as another alternative.
I have been fortunate to regularly drive many, if not all, Audi models over the last 16 years, and owning 8 variations of petrol models from the 1.8 Turbo, through to 4.2 V8 RS4's, base my thoughts on those experiences....
But my ultimate car has to be the RS6 Performance....
But going back to the S8 - if you want it, can afford it and run it - go for it. A tremendous vehicle , and you'll enjoy it...!

Right. That is all sorted then.

Get your cheque book out BM.

[Doctor Gollum]

https://youtu.be/7ohS1MGA26Q

[Rangie]

Surely you must have made your mind up by now ! When do the pics appear ..😁

[Field Marshal Dr. Opti]

Surely you must have made your mind up by now ! When do the pics appear ..😁

Yes.....get your arse in gear. OOF expects...

[johnnydog]

https://youtu.be/7ohS1MGA26Q

The subject of carbon build up / carbon cleaning has been debated for years on the RS forums (which cover S models too), which is a result of the injection of fuel directly into each cylinder rather than into the inlet manifold, so the valves don't get 'washed' with fuel which acts as a cleaning agent. The B7 RS4 were deemed to be more susceptible to carbon build up than the later B8 models,  but I owned mine for 6 years and didn't notice any reduction of performance. The general consensus is that the build up can be partly attributed to using cheap fuels, such as 95RON supermarket fuels, rather than 98 RON branded fuels such as Shell V Power which claim to have enhanced cleaning agents in them. Stretching its legs by driving them occasionally in the manner which they were designed for is also believed to help, plus of course regular oil changes and servicing.
Having said all that, in the video clip, if the engine is developing 150 bhp less after a 'clean' than the claimed output figure of 450bhp when new, even after a 'clean, it only improved the figure relatively marginally. I would argue therefore that there is another problem other than any carbon build up that is causing a near 33% loss on power output.
The numbers of owners that actually felt that their vehicles performance was reduced significantly due to carbon build up wasn't as high as this suggests.
The performance of the S8 is amazing however you look at it!

[Doctor Gollum]

https://youtu.be/wRGxU88GtVo

[YZ250]

To be fair, the title of this thread is called ' Can anyone talk me out of this' ............. and Al's giving it a fair go lol. 

[Doctor Gollum]

To be fair, the title of this thread is called ' Can anyone talk me out of this' ............. and Al's giving it a fair go lol. 

Well... He hasn't bought it yet

[Doctor Gollum]

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202012277426149

Cheaper too...

[johnnydog]

https://youtu.be/wRGxU88GtVo

My God......he's a happy soul
The amount of work he outlines to take the front bumper off would make you think it's an all day of a job - pulling the front bumper every few weeks? Most older Audi models need the front bumper pulling (back at least, if not off) to do the cambelt etc - it's not difficult to do either.
Bit of a doom and gloom merchant -  he probably buys most of his cars that way - with a 'sharp intake of breath' to the poor customer.
Leaking oil from the cam covers - sound familiar?
Never the less, I would say there are many more happy owners than unhappy ones that may have been to garages such as his and had their pants pulled down with any work done...
But deep pockets are needed with a car like that no matter how much enjoyment it brings...

[Doctor Gollum]

He only charges around $90 an hour... Hardly extortion. 

[johnnydog]

If it was all bad news about that era of S8, then I think there would have been a lot more topics and negative posts on the RS246 forum....

https://forum.rs246.com/viewtopic.php?f=46&t=60180&start=15

https://forum.rs246.com/viewforum.php?f=46&sid=85ca30c1131bba3edf0e40bc3d06828b

[Broomies Mate]

Thanks for all your input, especially JD..... very informative.

I was supposed to go and see / test-drive the car today, but my job in Chichester went tits-up, so didn't have the time.

I won't be able to get there until Wed/Thu next week.  I hope it doesn't sell in the meantime.

And DG, that W12 does look rather splendid!