D2 S8 Reliability? Why should I buy one?

**GFRRS3** · 04-29-2008 07:42 AM

Well within the next year Ill be buying a second Audi, I want something 2000+, with a V8, I also want something few have, and want something witha minimum 300HP. My options are a 4.2 A6 but lately Ive been drooling over D2 S8's. How reliable are they? In love with themovie ronin since it came out and just realized these cars do fit into my 10-15k budget. Ive found 3 fairly local S8's for around 15, and the vary in milage from 70-80k. How reliable are these motors in that stage of thier life. Im pretty much sold on them, what are the problems with these cars? im mechanically handy and can do any amount of work outside of the tranny or engine. How fun are they to drive? I commute about 120miles a day and would occasionally us this car for this when its nice.
Any suggestions or anything to look for when i start shopping? THX-chris

**josephanthony** · 04-29-2008 09:18 AM

Originally Posted by FTYAVANT

Well within the next year Ill be buying a second Audi, I want something 2000+, with a V8, I also want something few have, and want something witha minimum 300HP. My options are a 4.2 A6 but lately Ive been drooling over D2 S8's. How reliable are they? In love with themovie ronin since it came out and just realized these cars do fit into my 10-15k budget. Ive found 3 fairly local S8's for around 15, and the vary in milage from 70-80k. How reliable are these motors in that stage of thier life. Im pretty much sold on them, what are the problems with these cars? im mechanically handy and can do any amount of work outside of the tranny or engine. How fun are they to drive? I commute about 120miles a day and would occasionally us this car for this when its nice.
Any suggestions or anything to look for when i start shopping? THX-chris

Ironically, I just decided to keep my '02 S8 with 100K thanks to a great Indy mechanic who tells me the car's engine is "Bulletproof" and not to let the ODO clock shock me when there are many more great, fun miles to be added. I cancelled the new 328xi BMW I ordered. The exhaust system is stainless steel, they have few if any problems with suspension, bearings (unlike the A4's) and everything else is a matter of good maintenance. I would suggest if there is over 90K on any of the cars you are considering, that you determine if they have had the timing belt service performed (Cost of approx. $900.) which includes all of the belts, pullies, tensioner, water pump, new coolant, etc. This is recommended service by Audi between 90K and 103K. I just had this done, along with a couple of other things and am ready to go another 100K!

Good luck with your search.

Joseph Anthony

**GFRRS3** · 05-01-2008 08:08 AM

Thanks....I have heard that most audi 4.2s are rather bulletproof but wanted to make sure since these are HO engines compared to the regular 4.2. Cant wait to stuff one into my garage. I drive my cars very gently occasionally letting the rpms wind out. How will those 360 horses feel against my 1.8T avant?

**josephanthony** · 05-01-2008 09:54 AM

Are you kiddin' me? I had an '03 Audi A4 1.8 turbo, and believe me you will not feel more G-Force when you accelerate until you nail an S8 pedal to the floor! There is no comparison to the outstanding suspension response either. Although they look like heavy cars, it actually weighs less than my previous '02 Mercedes SL500SA. The Quattro response (no spinning tires) with the 360 horespower makes you feel like you are running on rails.

**ECSPGH** · 05-01-2008 11:53 AM

One main factor you should take into consideration, cost of wear and tear stuff. tires, brakes(rotors, pads), o2 sensors, tie rod ends, fluids, filters.

Im not sure what the fuel econ on D2 S8's are, but for a commute like the one you're talking about you might what to think about that as well. My 00' A8L averages about 26 -28 @ around 65-70 mph.

**GFRRS3** · 05-02-2008 08:45 AM

Originally Posted by josephanthony

Are you kiddin' me? I had an '03 Audi A4 1.8 turbo, and believe me you will not feel more G-Force when you accelerate until you nail an S8 pedal to the floor! There is no comparison to the outstanding suspension response either. Although they look like heavy cars, it actually weighs less than my previous '02 Mercedes SL500SA. The Quattro response (no spinning tires) with the 360 horespower makes you feel like you are running on rails.

Geez, I cant wait to get my hands on one, I currently get inbetween 28-30mpg from my avant which is good and my commute is 99.9% Highway miles, If I can avg anything around 24-25 ill be happy from the 4.2. Brakes and suspension stuff I can handle easily in my garage and have a very good relationship with my local audi dealer so basic maint. as far as timing belt shouldnt be a problem. Ive owned a few porsches in the past so Im kinda used to expensive replacement parts. My main concern is that the motor and tranny can with stand an occasional romp. How are the brakes on the s8's, They are brembos correct? Does milltek make an exhaust for this car?

**josephanthony** · 05-02-2008 05:42 PM

Yes the brakes are Brembo, and I am not sure about the exhaust question, only that they original system is SS and could only be damaged by hitting it or pothole, but not corrosion.

**CrazyEights** · 09-11-2008 01:32 PM

yea... be careful with the transmission. my d2 a8 is on a new transmission right now. i bought it at ~58k miles and now it's at 61k miles. no complaints. just be sure that whoever you're getting it from has taken great care of all basic maintenance issues, or go in expecting to spend a couple thousand in the incidentals... and yea, potholes are not our friends... i cringe every single time due to fears but yea, still fun to drive.

**nolaessate** · 09-22-2008 07:29 PM

I bought my 02 S8 with 64k miles in February after researching for about 6 months, and have put about 10k miles on it so far. I scoured the forums here, on AudiWorld, AudiFans, and AudiPages and felt that I had a good idea about value, cost, and potential weak points. I've had a number of Audis and other Euro sport sedans, but nothing like the S8. It is, quite simply, a most amazing vehicle. It corners and stops MUCH better than my TT 3.2 (the front discs look like pizza pans with stopping power you would expect from Brembos), and has a push from 100 to 140 MPH that must be experienced. It drives much smaller than you would think.

Unless you have money burning a hole in your pocket, it really doesn't require much in the way of mods. Lowering is unnecessary (mine is stock and I have difficulty getting my arm under the car), the suspension is a great combination for handling and cruising (see my TT comments), and the motor is just power forever. With the aluminum space frame and the top of the line interior, you've got an $80k car with 75% depreciation that has to be the best automotive bargain going. D2 transmission issues seem confined to A8s rather than S8s (completely different internal gear ratios, significantly higher RPM on the road) and the factory blueprinted engine seems bulletproof with reasonable maintenance.

There are 2 significant differences between the 01s and later models, with less significant differences between the 02s and 03s. 01s have a transmission w/o sport mode and have the Symphony I radio. The sport mode for 02 and 03 makes a huge difference (so much so that there are a number of 01 owners who have located and installed TCUs from later models to activate that feature). Primary differences between 02 and 03 involve color combinations (03 only in blue/silver, black/caramel, avus silver/burgundy with 100 of each combination inported) and options (all 03s have multi-function steering wheel while some of the later 02s are so equipped, every 03 I've seen or seen advertised has parktronic while about half the 02s do).

If you haven't driven one yet, find one and get behind the wheel. If nothing else, it will give you a measuring stick to use when driving any other European sedan.

**Roop** · 06-22-2013 10:38 AM

Folks- need some advice/counseling. I am considering the purchase of a 2007 fully loaded S8 with 62,500 miles on it. It has been meticulously maintained throughout its history by the selling dealer and I am buying from a friend. I've reviewed all of the maintenance records and the only items that stick out (other than the usual wheel/tire issues related to low profile performance tires in the northeast) are:

The a/c has been recharged 3x (pinhole leak somewhere?)

My mechanic (a very reputable and honest audi/mb/vw only specialist) said he "smelled anti freeze" when he did my pre purchase evaluation.

Here is the advice he gave me verbatim:

"Buying a car like this with 62k miles on it is like dating a beautiful girl with a bad drug habit. This is no different than buying a Ferrari with 62k miles on it. If you are ready for the possibility of paying well in excess of $10-$15 k to me over the next 18 -24 months then buy the car, otherwise stay away"

The dealer won't CPO the car but offered a Platinum Warranty through Fidelity but the exclusions and small print scare the sh-t out of me as so many items aren't covered.

The price of he car including 4 new snows is $36k but the seller is willing to knock off the quoted price of the 3/36 warranty of $6k.

Any advice would be appreciated- really want the car but don't want to buy a nightmare.

**((a.v.))mk-1** · 03-23-2016 11:50 AM

Imagine the worst case scenario, can you (and your wallet) stomach it? If yes, congrats you are ready to buy one!

**WasTiSLine** · 03-24-2016 06:13 AM

Originally Posted by ((a.v.))mk-1

Imagine the worst case scenario, can you (and your wallet) stomach it? If yes, congrats you are ready to buy one!

Quite the necro bump. That said, the D3 S8 is pretty damn reliable. Mine as been almost trouble free since I bought mine. The V10 and transmission are almost bomb proof. The air suspension can and will go.

**27litres** · 04-01-2016 05:43 AM

Originally Posted by WasTiSLine

Quite the necro bump.

Yep, and the OP and all the 2008 posts were talking about D2s not D3s!

**WasTiSLine** · 04-01-2016 06:59 AM

Originally Posted by 27litres

Yep, and the OP and all the 2008 posts were talking about D2s not D3s!

Have a look at the post above the guy I quoted

**27litres** · 04-01-2016 08:42 AM

Yep - 2013 that one...
I wasn't picking on you, that 2013 one was the resurrection thread that went off topic!

**WasTiSLine** · 04-02-2016 05:34 AM

Ah, ok fair enough.

**DaytonCarCare** · 08-14-2019 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by nolaessate

.....

There are 2 significant differences between the 01s and later models, with less significant differences between the 02s and 03s. 01s have a transmission w/o sport mode and have the Symphony I radio. The sport mode for 02 and 03 makes a huge difference (so much so that there are a number of 01 owners who have located and installed TCUs from later models to activate that feature). Primary differences between 02 and 03 involve color combinations (03 only in blue/silver, black/caramel, avus silver/burgundy with 100 of each combination inported) and options (all 03s have multi-function steering wheel while some of the later 02s are so equipped, every 03 I've seen or seen advertised has parktronic while about half the 02s do).

If you haven't driven one yet, find one and get behind the wheel. If nothing else, it will give you a measuring stick to use when driving any other European sedan.

I'm wondering about this "sport mode" since I have an 01 S8 now. I remember when I had my 2000 A8L I was able to activate the sport mode but coding the TCU using Ross Tech VCDS software, laptop, and USB to OBD2 cable. No TCU swap was necessary.

**DaytonCarCare** · 08-15-2019 12:41 AM

I recently purchased a 01 S8 with 160k miles and couldn't be happier. The only flaws were front cv axle boot was torn so I replaced the axle. Surprisingly a new replacement only cost $40. Also a level sensor and brake sensor amber light. Replaced level sensors from a A6 parts car at no cost and brake sensor I will address later with grounding pin 17 on cluster.

**Flown** · 10-06-2020 02:04 PM

Originally Posted by DaytonCarCare

I recently purchased a 01 S8 with 160k miles and couldn't be happier. The only flaws were front cv axle boot was torn so I replaced the axle. Surprisingly a new replacement only cost $40. Also a level sensor and brake sensor amber light. Replaced level sensors from a A6 parts car at no cost and brake sensor I will address later with grounding pin 17 on cluster.

Had any more problems with the car?

**DaytonCarCare** · 10-31-2020 12:39 PM

I didn't have anymore problems with the car. Enjoyed it for several month then sold. Since then since Covid-19 I've taken on a 99 A4 1.8t with a bad auto trans and going to do a manual conversion. Already have most the parts