Real world differences between the D2 s8?

[Goran]

If you are interested / worried about engine mechanicals.
Some of these are positives some are negatives.
PF V8 is 4 valves per cylinder, FL is 5 valves per cylinder
PF has a more difficult timing belt replacement procedure
PF has amplifier stages for coils, one per bank, which can fail affecting whole bank. Easy replacement.
PF has cable throttle which needs adjusting from time to time, but is more responsive.
PF has no post-cat lambda sensors, only 2 lambdas vs FL's 4
PF has no Secondary Air Injection fan in the airbox and associated electronics, a pointless emissions feature
PF has no variation on intake or exhaust valves, and no chain tensioning for cam chains.

FL has a variation mechanism for intake valves, which involves a solenoid, oil pressure controlled locks and chain tension, and plastic (Nylon) chain guide rails. Each unit costs £500 rounded up. These will fail eventually but seem to be able to last a long time and may last the life of the car. Most FL cars are over 15 years old now and they all seem to be working. Across 2 or 3 forums I think there have been only 2 or 3 serious documented failures.
FL has Secondary Air Injection fan, soleniods, vacuum system plumbing, holes in the block for air to be blown into the exhaust ports, mapping on ECU. This is an expensive system, can't remember exact cost, perhaps £250 in parts to replace.
FL has post-cat lambdas which also interfere with fuel maps on ECU, only for the purpose of motinoring/babying the cats. Cost roughly £120 each.
FL has electronic throttle
FL has easier access to timing belt, good for inspection purposes if nothing else.
FL produces +20hp more than PF in S8 version of the V8, on paper. In reality, with transmission losses, etc, I wonder if its noticable at all. Some FL cars have been on a dyno and made less than factry HP.

I probably missed some features. Both engines are good and seem to last a long time with very few serious problems. I personally prefer simplicity rather than over-complication so would probably have preferred a PF engine. Saying that, there are cheaper fixes to get rid of some of the FL engines added complications.
If you want to minimise your maintenance, PF is probably the one to go for. But as with all cars, it depends on the state its in when you buy it.

[Bushido]

Thank you all for taking the time to chip in some really useful information