D3 S8 buying advice

[IT]

Originally Posted by sarg

yup, the B8 S4 should also be on the not so shortlist, must be an auto though for SWMBO, the better mpg has its attractions, not so sure of the sound from that clip though. I do quite fancy another 8, above all else I love this forum, my favourite place to spend coffee breaks, especially compared to boxa.net which seems to be getting frequented by chavs a lot now that the prices have brought them into reach, even if they can't actually afford to run them as well as buy them

The two things I disliked most about the Boxster:

1. 6 cylinders engines sound great, but they're not V8s (okay, nor is the S8/M5 but you get my point)

2. It needed revs to make the most of it, I want something much much torquier

B8 S4 is only 6 cylinders, but the supercharger whine is a beautiful note - and brings in the power from tickover. Its one hell of an engine, dont confuse it with anything normally aspirated.....

I took a desposit on mine today, guy test drove it, grinned a lot and said he had to have it....

[IT]

Originally Posted by richardracer

I have had problems fixed under warranty (Warrantywise best available)

I want to agree here, their products and documentation looked excellent with Quentin Wilsons smiley face and promises of absolute satifaction all over the glossy brochures. The only thing that really grated me, and caused me ultimately not to extend the 3 months dealer-supplied freebie that I got was that they flatly refused to send me any sort of prices in writing and instead wanted to bibble over the phone at me endlessly.... Thats just not how I mull financial things personally....

So, I believe they are very good, but never actually signed up..

[sarg]

Originally Posted by IT

they flatly refused to send me any sort of prices in writing and instead wanted to bibble over the phone at me endlessly.... Thats just not how I mull financial things personally....

So, I believe they are very good, but never actually signed up..

Not only annoying, but also illegal - they are selling an insurance product which will be covered by the FSA regulations, which not means they must provide you with written information about the product as well an 'initial disclosure document', all of which must be sent to you within 7 days of first contact

Furthermore, Distance Selling regulations would also apply meaning that a cool-off period, probably 14 days, is mandatory

Saying all of that, I'm not a fan of warranties, preferring to self-insure - the warranty companies aren't in it to provide, they're in it to make a profit.

Other than that, thanks for the replies so far, all very helpful.

This is one of the cars I'm thinking about:

2008 S8 with ceramics and ACC

Ian, are you saying this won't have HDD nav, which would be my main reason to look for a facelift car?

I hear what you're saying about waiting for a B&O car, but I currently have no car - whilst I can borrow (or rent) a car the couple of days a week I need one, I can't go on waiting forever, will need to buy something by the end of this month, unless I look for a £250 ebay bargain with an MOT while I wait

These are the other currently shortlisted:

2007 'poverty spec'

2006 S6 Avant

just spotted this cheap S6 saloon

2005 M5

[IT]

Originally Posted by sarg

Not only annoying, but also illegal - they are selling an insurance product which will be covered by the FSA regulations, which not means they must provide you with written information about the product as well an 'initial disclosure document', all of which must be sent to you within 7 days of first contact

Furthermore, Distance Selling regulations would also apply meaning that a cool-off period, probably 14 days, is mandatory

Saying all of that, I'm not a fan of warranties, preferring to self-insure - the warranty companies aren't in it to provide, they're in it to make a profit.

Other than that, thanks for the replies so far, all very helpful.

This is one of the cars I'm thinking about:

2008 S8 with ceramics and ACC

Ian, are you saying this won't have HDD nav, which would be my main reason to look for a facelift car?

I hear what you're saying about waiting for a B&O car, but I currently have no car - whilst I can borrow (or rent) a car the couple of days a week I need one, I can't go on waiting forever, will need to buy something by the end of this month, unless I look for a £250 ebay bargain with an MOT while I wait

These are the other currently shortlisted:

2007 'poverty spec'

2006 S6 Avant

just spotted this cheap S6 saloon

2005 M5

Correct, that looks like regular 2G to me... Why so desperate for the 3G anyway? It seems quite slow and clunky from what I've seen....

The povert spec S8 is just that.

The S6 avant is ok, but you seen to be targetting lower mileage cars and paying a hefty premium. They dont magically implode at 100k miles you know, and you get way more for your money

The 'cheap' S6 saloon you refer to has been on and off Ebay for over a year. I dont know what hes messing around at. I very, very nearly bought it about 8 weeks ago and he pulled the Ebay listing with 3 minutes to run. He never answered any Ebay messages I sent him before or after and scores a fat 10.0 on my what-a-****-ometer. Not a bad looking car though, annoyingly, but the photos are at least a year old as hes always used the same ones.

Cant speak about beemers without choking....

[sarg]

Originally Posted by IT

The S6 avant is ok, but you seen to be targetting lower mileage cars and paying a hefty premium. They dont magically implode at 100k miles you know, and you get way more for your money

I'd rather have something south of 50k miles to be honest, reason is that, without doubt, they feel tighter, interiors tend to look nicer/less worn, suspension components generally okay, etc

[PsYcHe]

My PF D3 had 36k when I bought it and the interior wasn't in as good condition as my FL with 80k. As we all know, '8s will run and run (mostly), and D3s with 200k aren't that uncommon now.

[sarg]

Originally Posted by sarg

Ceramic brakes: I know they can be removed, sold on and replaced with standard brakes, but what is required? Is it simply replacement discs and pads, or do other components also need changing, such as calipers, hubs, etc?

Just reading that the ceramic brakes need different calipers, master cylinder and have a different ABS system, meaning it seems to be rather a PITA to swap to steel discs, anyone got any definitive info on this?

[Adrian E]

I'd heard that ref R8s so makes sense - perfectly do-able although a donor car with steel brakes where you can get all the bits would make life easier/cheaper.

Not sure the ABS controller needs changing - might just need reprogramming?

Speak to specialists/dealers for info - there's kits available from Audi to swap TO ceramics, so that ought to explain what you would need to swap back to steels.

[sarg]

The Audi dealer I saw this morning had less clue than I have about swapping the brakes, but nonetheless, have decided against an S8, have tested another brand's V8 which did make me grin from ear to ear.

Nothing bought yet, going for a 2nd look tomorrow with SWMBO as not sure about the colour, so might look for another colour of this particular car...