Thinking of adding a D2 S8 to the garage.

[A6C5V842]

Hi all,

Just want some thought and insight into this.

Thinking of an 01 D2 S8 to add to the 6MT 4.2.

Thoughts, pitfalls, concerns?

Thanks.

G

[a4kamila6]

Is it original 6 speed? How many miles? Maintenance up to date? Thats like my dream car.

[A6C5V842]

No original 6MT's in this country, but I do have a guy who can do it.

155k miles with pretty complete history.

[a4kamila6]

If you can source one from europe or abroad just save the pennies and get an original. I mean, nothing wrong with a good swap but id rather have an original.

[rollerton]

If you can source one from europe or abroad just save the pennies and get an original. I mean, nothing wrong with a good swap but id rather have an original.

01' S8 with manual trans wouldn't even be easy to find in Europe, and even then probably not cheap enough to make it worth it to investigate when you consider what it would cost to get here. That's if they even let you bring it into the country. There are several conversions around- there was one in Seattle for around $11k that popped up for sale and looked beautiful but had salvage title for something dumb.

But to the point! You already have the 4.2 manual ..Sedan right? So you're basically getting the Bigger, tougher, faster, Uncle of the C5. I haven't had a chance to mess with an A/S-8 but from what I know about Audi there would only be a few differences that matter.
Basically the same entire powertrain with a couple differences. Reliability should be the same. GREAT engine and I'd even say the trans is GREAT! (until it breaks).
I assume the price is good? Whenever I see an S8 for sale it blows me away that people are basically throwing them in the garbage. I mean they're usually real cheap and usually have very little wrong with them. Same as the S6 I guess.

[brokenwrench]

In any case, I say go for it. That all-aluminum chassis would be worth owning on its own.

[A6C5V842]

Yeah it breaks my heart to see these phenomenal, race bread machines (nothing since the C5, B5 and D2 are) being cast aside for some gadget or trinket lead fashion and so called progress. Just makes me laugh.

Yep, this one is cheap. Less than I paid (a lot less) for this 6MT 4.2 last year.. Admittedly my C5 even now only has 110K miles on it but even with 155k the S8 should be bullet proof.

I may go look at it but the trans always bothers me. It's why I spent so long looking for this C5.

Thanks guys,

G

[CAL4.2]

No original 6MT's in this country, but I do have a guy who can do it.

155k miles with pretty complete history.

If you know of a shop in LA that can do the 6 speed swap please do share..

I'm trying to plan ahead for my Tip to fail.. It's already a bit jerky and slippy at times on upshifts.

[vlangs]

01' S8 with manual trans wouldn't even be easy to find in Europe, and even then probably not cheap enough to make it worth it to investigate when you consider what it would cost to get here. That's if they even let you bring it into the country. There are several conversions around- there was one in Seattle for around $11k that popped up for sale and looked beautiful but had salvage title for something dumb.

But to the point! You already have the 4.2 manual ..Sedan right? So you're basically getting the Bigger, tougher, faster, Uncle of the C5. I haven't had a chance to mess with an A/S-8 but from what I know about Audi there would only be a few differences that matter.
Basically the same entire powertrain with a couple differences. Reliability should be the same. GREAT engine and I'd even say the trans is GREAT! (until it breaks).
I assume the price is good? Whenever I see an S8 for sale it blows me away that people are basically throwing them in the garbage. I mean they're usually real cheap and usually have very little wrong with them. Same as the S6 I guess.

I love the D2, such a classy car. There's an A8L that parks in my garage that has NOT been maintained and it's so sad.

But super FUN FACT: When I was living in munich a couple years back I actually drove a 6mt s8 on the autobahn because by some miracle my host family had one! Still one of the more memorable trips I've had in my life, EFFORTLESS all the way up to 230kph and still had more but I was was too chickenshit to go any faster!

[Sparkstack]

Get one. Though mechanically very similar to the S6 they are much more refined.

[A6C5V842]

If you know of a shop in LA that can do the 6 speed swap please do share..

I'm trying to plan ahead for my Tip to fail.. It's already a bit jerky and slippy at times on upshifts.

The guy I know, who actually did mine (properly!) is up in Salem, Oregon. Personally I'd make the drive and get it done right first time.

[A6C5V842]

Get one. Though mechanically very similar to the S6 they are much more refined.

Yeah, it's one of the few I haven't driven in my 30+ years with Audi. I'm talking to the guy today. It's that refinement that I want. I love my manual 4.2 but the additional poise and simple quality the S8 has is very tempting.

[A6C5V842]

01' S8 with manual trans wouldn't even be easy to find in Europe, and even then probably not cheap enough to make it worth it to investigate when you consider what it would cost to get here. That's if they even let you bring it into the country. There are several conversions around- there was one in Seattle for around $11k that popped up for sale and looked beautiful but had salvage title for something dumb.

But to the point! You already have the 4.2 manual ..Sedan right? So you're basically getting the Bigger, tougher, faster, Uncle of the C5. I haven't had a chance to mess with an A/S-8 but from what I know about Audi there would only be a few differences that matter.
Basically the same entire powertrain with a couple differences. Reliability should be the same. GREAT engine and I'd even say the trans is GREAT! (until it breaks).
I assume the price is good? Whenever I see an S8 for sale it blows me away that people are basically throwing them in the garbage. I mean they're usually real cheap and usually have very little wrong with them. Same as the S6 I guess.

Agreed 100%

Yep, my C5 is very well sorted and gets better every day. I've owned dozens of impressive cars, as well as many Audi's, but this is the first one that makes me smile every time I drive it. The guy who did my trans also did inlet manifold, exhaust and various other things while the box was being swapped out. All the correct programming and flashing was done. It's a proper sleeper. However, the D2 S8 has always been a top "one day" car for me.....

[Sparkstack]

Yeah, it's one of the few I haven't driven in my 30+ years with Audi. I'm talking to the guy today. It's that refinement that I want. I love my manual 4.2 but the additional poise and simple quality the S8 has is very tempting.

My only regret is not waiting long enough for a 2003 to show up. Of course, as soon as I bought mine, a perfect one showed up about a month later.

There are some things about the A \ S8 from this period that are a head scratcher. For example compressed air operated central locking. Why? They already had electric in other models, why the extra complexity?

[A6C5V842]

^^

Is there much difference between 01, 02 and 03 S8's?

[a4kamila6]

I dont think they wanted to make it more complex, i think that pneumatic system was chosen to cut costs. Im not sure its the case but perhaps making the locks all electric would increase costs.

[Sparkstack]

I dont think they wanted to make it more complex, i think that pneumatic system was chosen to cut costs.

Possible, maybe. But an odd choice. This was the top of the line model, and there are a bazillion wires already going to each door.

[Sparkstack]

^^

Is there much difference between 01, 02 and 03 S8's?

Think of it this way. 01's had bells. O2's, whistles. 03 you got bells and whistles. It was end of the line so items that were previously options were put into the base.

[A6C5V842]

I'm pretty sure this one is maxed out on tech and options.

I was asking more from a point of did they improve anything as the years progress?

[rollerton]

My only regret is not waiting long enough for a 2003 to show up. Of course, as soon as I bought mine, a perfect one showed up about a month later.
There are some things about the A \ S8 from this period that are a head scratcher. For example compressed air operated central locking. Why? They already had electric in other models, why the extra complexity?

I have a theory about why some models were advanced in a bunch of ways while others were left with odd 'unimproved' features. The B6 A4 for example got a whole bunch of modernization and features, improvements while the other models were left a little dated. My theory is that Audi only concentrates on modernizing one platform (or maybe two or so these days since they have SO MANY models) at a time. While the other models might get a 'facelift' such as the C5 did in 02' the A4 got a complete makeover. The C5 got electric door latches and central locking in around 98-99 while the A4 kept the primitive vacuum system until the change in 02' .
I think they have design 'teams' and a timeline and probably for financial/design/ staffing? reasons they don't roll out many improvements --that would obviously cross over to most models-- all at once.
I don't know..just a theory, but the A4 got a pretty drastic modernization in 02' and redesign while while the C5 (and D2) were left a little dated. Bigger grill, double din, visible tailpipes..and not much else.

[A6C5V842]

Yep, it's a little perplexing why those sorts of "upgrades" didn't make it into a top of the line car like the S8.

I'm still getting info on the car....