Viewing an S8 Tonight - Help!!

[paulrstaylor]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

Ah, you just beat me to it... Yes, it has the little bump on top of the control stalk.

I'm beginning to think that this was one of those cars that someone inside Audi had specified outside the build sheet. It also has ceramic brakes and blind-spot monitoring, but I don't see any reference to those either.

I dont think the codes on the build sticker are comprehensive - there are a lot missing from my car also

[IT]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

Ah, you just beat me to it... Yes, it has the little bump on top of the control stalk.

I'm beginning to think that this was one of those cars that someone inside Audi had specified outside the build sheet. It also has ceramic brakes and blind-spot monitoring, but I don't see any reference to those either.

This is a common confusion. Its a build sheet, not a spec sheet.

The best way to think of it is that its used to identify parts used on the car that might otherwise be difficult to identify, for service or repair work.

e.g., suspension arms, engine ancillaries, brakes, glass etc. all look very similar, but the build sheet would tell you specifically which one you need.

Stuff that is obvious to the naked eye is rarely listed on it.

This is my gut, more than any sort of factual ramble, but its always held true for me.

[Turbo Tony]

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification/hypothesis.

So today, the morning after, I'm still left with a difficult decision. It's a lot of money but also it's a lot of car. I know I would have to spend over a grand on it's first service sorting the niggles.

More than that, though, I can't help but be grateful to this board. I'm a complete newbie but the all the helpful posts on this thread and others made it possible to even consider a car like this. So thanks everyone, I really, really appreciate your help.

[IT]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

That makes sense, thanks for the clarification/hypothesis.

So today, the morning after, I'm still left with a difficult decision. It's a lot of money but also it's a lot of car. I know I would have to spend over a grand on it's first service sorting the niggles.

More than that, though, I can't help but be grateful to this board. I'm a complete newbie but the all the helpful posts on this thread and others made it possible to even consider a car like this. So thanks everyone, I really, really appreciate your help.

Glad we can help....

I can see the car you are talking about I think. ACC, Side assist, Lane Assist, Heated Steering wheel, Heated Windscreen, Ceramics, B&O, Facelift, TV, Rear blinds, Auto boot, reversing camera. Very good. All 3 keys is a nice touch.

But -

looks like the rear windows have been aftermarket tinted (personal dislike)
Its 2G MMI not 3G which is a shame
Not a fan of the Miltek (personally)
Full history, but not full 'Audi' history
Leaking back window is a bit unusual. Any other signs of crash repair ?
No sunroof. Arrgh. all that kit and they miss the best bit.... (imo)

Seems reasonably good value, especially at below the window price. Spec wise, you're unlikely to find anything to beat it.

Ceramics @ 93K could be a concern, unless the history shows and sign of them being changed, or recently checked and being ok.

ACC looks factory and no reason to believe it wouldn't work fine.

Driveway trader I assume (or layby in this case) - Doubt the warranty is worth much to you as it'll likely have a very low claims limit and/or high excess. 3rd party warranties on top end Audis are rarely any actual use, but falsely give 'peace of mind'...

[Turbo Tony]

Yup, that sounds like the one.

You obviously have very similar taste to mine... I just finished sending a text to my mate grumbling about the lack of a sunroof. I pointed out the 2G MMI to the seller too, but I think he thought I was nuts.

The tints would likely be coming off if I did buy the car. I don't see the point with the electric sun blinds and they, coupled with the Miltek and the titanium alloys make the car feel too aggressive for my taste.

That's really what I'm struggling with - yes, the mileage is higher than I'd like but the car feels like it's in good condition. The buttons have no flaking of the logos, the seats are in good nick etc. But, the exhaust, the tints and wheels just make me wonder what kind of life the car has lived.

[Turbo Tony]

Oh, I forgot to add, no, there are no other signs of accident damage. The sides look really straight and panel gaps are all even.

The service history started at Audi, then was taken to a VW/Audi specialist, although the timing chain look like it was done at a regular service place. I like that it's not a London car, so hasn't spent it's life stuck in traffic.

Ha! I spotted the keys as he walked up to me and I was impressed too.

Arrrggghhh.... decisions, decisions...

[Delboy]

Just seen the car your Looking at, nice looking example.

I think your going to be pushed to find a better appointed example as far as options are concerned and the asking price.

The money can be negotiated based on what you know already, like Ian says the warranty might not be worth much so it would be worth getting the fine print from them and going over it to see what's covered and what's not along with the other things like diagnostic fees and excesses etc

The wheels don't look bad in my opinion and it's definitely going to have been done at some point, 20 inch wheels are to kerbs like a moth to a flame so it's expected.

I've done mine twice already.

The fact that the engine may have internal surgery by some back alley outfit bothers me, and I would want to know more about that.

Brakes as Ian says are a risk so do some more digging there too, maybe pay to have the car checked over by Audi and have then inspect the brakes, it will cost mind as all the disk need to be removed and inspected and weighed to check for wear.

Or just buy it and enjoy it, it I breaks spectacularly break it up and sell it for parts.

[IT]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

Yup, that sounds like the one.

You obviously have very similar taste to mine... I just finished sending a text to my mate grumbling about the lack of a sunroof. I pointed out the 2G MMI to the seller too, but I think he thought I was nuts.

The tints would likely be coming off if I did buy the car. I don't see the point with the electric sun blinds and they, coupled with the Miltek and the titanium alloys make the car feel too aggressive for my taste.

That's really what I'm struggling with - yes, the mileage is higher than I'd like but the car feels like it's in good condition. The buttons have no flaking of the logos, the seats are in good nick etc. But, the exhaust, the tints and wheels just make me wonder what kind of life the car has lived.

A sunroof is one of those options that if you want it, there is no substitute. No retrofit. No aftermarket. Not ever. Its the one thing my RS6 didn't have, and I confess it did really grate me. Getting a good RS was more important, but still, annoyed me regularly.

The problem with 2G is that its starting to look a bit clunky and feel old. Its 2002 tech, and in the fast paced world today, it feels old now, and will feel even older to the guy that buys it off you. 3G just makes the whole thing feel quite a bit younger inside to me.

Im' not in any way bothered about the 93K miles - but - its the first V10 I've head of having needing its chains done. It might however have been part of a Power steering pump replacement, which is very believable, and the chains might come off for that. The seller might be bigging up what he things is a cambelt change but creating unnecessary worry ?

I can feel your quandary. It could be the best car ever, or take a bit of getting right.

If its tight and drives well, I wouldn't worry too much about its past. I'd be interested to know how many owners, and how long the last one had it, and / or low long it was kept after the big engine work.... That might be telling ?

[Delboy]

Hi Tony if you go back to see the car I think you should take a laptop with you and use your Vcds in normal use mode,

Then open engine 01 controller and click the box that says rediness.

You should then get a screen like in the attachment if it's not had the mil light turned of by a code reader

[1781cc]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

I know I would have to spend over a grand on it's first service sorting the niggles.

Have a look at Audi Fixed Price service schedule online, there some issues with the setup they are using, mine was quoted at £399 for the 60,000 service based on my reg number, I booked it in, got there and they said £799, I argued the toss because of the online (kept screenshots ) and they honoured it.

Which is a bargain considering there is a mountain of spark plugs and half of kuwait's weekly oil output in the sump