Viewing an S8 Tonight - Help!!

[Turbo Tony]

So...uh... yeah. I bought it.

I went to see the car again today and it just felt great and I couldn't resist. Managed to get another little bit off the price, too but I still felt a little woozy at the thought of parting with that much wonga. I'm picking it up next weekend!

One thing really odd that I noticed was that the car had no memory seat buttons for the driver. It had them for the passenger, but none for the driver. Does the fingerprint thingy remove the need for the buttons, or does my car have the interior from a LHD model?

Also, I couldn't get the lane departure warning to trigger. Going through the settings, I could change the ferocity of the vibrating steering wheel (and it confirmed by buzzing in my hands) but even when wavering like a drunk man on the motorway, I got no warning. VCDS pulled no errors for it, so I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong? The blind spot assist light was on and that system worked fine but I don't know if both systems turn on and off together.

First on the to-do list is to get her a really good service and fix that water ingress from the rear screen. I took a closer look at the screen and boot area and it looks like the ingress is a fairly recent thing - the drops all look fresh and sit on the surface, rather than penetrating the carpet, which is still dry. I've asked the seller to put a few microfibre cloths where it lands to soak up any residual moisture and stop it spreading.

I have the choice of a couple of Audi specialists locally:

Russell Audi Centre (RAC) in Kingsbury &
Audi VW Specialist Centre in Harrow

Does anyone have any experience of either of them? I've contacted RAC and they seem very helpful but their servicing prices are the same as Audi. Both say they have Audi master technicians on staff.

With the car's mileage, I think I should have someone take a look at the transmission too. I think I remember reading that one of these garages is ZF certified, but I cant remember which one!

Next is the tail light. For such a beautiful car, it's criminal to leave it with bulbs not working. I've already started my hunt for a replacement. As the fitting is going to need the removal of the boot trim, I'll take a shot at fitting a relay to close the bootlid with the remote or the driver button.

Once I've done all of that, my wallet is going to need a break so I'll move onto the little things like the couple of missing tools in the bootlid toolkit (anyone got a picture of a complete one?), luggage net and brolly holder.

Folks, I really couldn't have done it without your help, so thank you so much for all your help so far. I can't tell you how much I appreciate it.

Right, time to go on the hunt for a lightning cable for the AMI, so I can test the B&O on my drive back!

[paulrstaylor]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

So...uh... yeah. I bought it.

Congratulations

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

One thing really odd that I noticed was that the car had no memory seat buttons for the driver. It had them for the passenger, but none for the driver. Does the fingerprint thingy remove the need for the buttons, or does my car have the interior from a LHD model

I suspect it is on the fingerprint, but not 100% sure. A read of the manual will confirm.

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

First on the to-do list is to get her a really good service and fix that water ingress from the rear screen. I took a closer look at the screen and boot area and it looks like the ingress is a fairly recent thing - the drops all look fresh and sit on the surface, rather than penetrating the carpet, which is still dry. I've asked the seller to put a few microfibre cloths where it lands to soak up any residual moisture and stop it spreading

My first thought is are you sure it is a leak and not just that it's been valeted badly!? Maybe just dry it out and see if it stays that way!?

[Cornershop]

Congrats on the new car

Re servicing, M-A8 on here (aka Marcin) heartily recommends the Audi VW Centre in Harrow and I think he drives over from SE London, so i'll be trying them next (i'm in East Finchley) with my D2 S8.

I tried some other specialists in Camden and CRouch End and left with some very hefty bills, so hoping for a more pragmatic approach from these guys

Best of luck with the new motor

[tonupkid]

Just come to this thread. You have a fantastic spec there. The relevant thing (IMO) on the tyres (in addition to being quality brands) is that they are rated 99 (Y).
I'm with you on returning the exhaust to how it should be . I like the way Audi made these motors and feel uncomfortable with the idea of 'improving' on their engineering.
You now have whole week before you can plant your bum in the seat of your V10 S8. Its going to be a loooong week for you
Congratulations, and thanks for an entertaining and informative thread

[Turbo Tony]

Thanks guys, the shock of the spend is beginning to wear off (until I actually hand over the dough next week) and the excitement of bringing her home is beginning to set in.

Yes, I'm secretly hoping there is no water leaking into the boot, but I saw the fresh drops on the top of the windscreen, so I don't think I'll be as luck on that front.

I'll definitely check out the Audi VW Centre then. Thanks for the tip. I'm hoping they work out a little less dealer-like that other garages.

I've been meaning to check the load rating on the tyres each time, but I've forgotten each time. It'll have to wait until she's home now. There's two things I prefer about the standard exhaust as compared to the Milltek:

1) The Milltek drowns out the high-pitched, almost electrical buzz the car has with the standard exhaust. I love that sound!

2) The Milltek has no flaps in the system, so it's either silent when you're off the gas, or deep and rumbly when you're on it. To be fair, it's still pretty refined on the motorway, but I know I'd prefer the standard exhaust.

Actually, there's a 3) I also prefer the look of the standard exhaust.

I'm now wishing I asked the seller for the handbook (yes, it actually had a paper one!) so I can read up before next week!

[Delboy]

Congrats Tony, bet you can't wait.

The seat memory for the drivers side is done via the comfort access and fingerprint if it's working.

Even if it's not it's not a big issue as the keys take care of the seat position as soon as you unlock it.

So keep a key for yourself and another for anyone else that may drive it, get the feeling that it will be difficult for anyone else to get a look in though.

[Turbo Tony]

Gottcha, will do.

Thanks very much Del, that's a relief. You're right, I really can't wait! The best bit is, I'm taking my 10 year old nephew to pick the car up and nor he, nor anyone else in my family knows what I'm getting!

I can't wait to see their faces when they see what I got!

[Conquistador]

Congrats, sounds like you've got yourself a great car and it shouldn't give you too much trouble but I like your anticipation and readiness to sort out any general maintenance issues such as gearbox and the rear screen etc., and I'm 100% with you on the Milltek - I prefer the stock look and if anything just remove a couple of the centre silencers like I've just done (what a difference!)

The lane departure is quite intelligent I believe, in the sense that you can't trick it and force it to notify you that you are drifting out of a lane but if you genuinely are, such as if you were dozing off, then it will do its thing. It's the same in a Range Rover and S-Class with the drowsiness alert - you can't seem to trick the tech but when you do actually need it, it works well.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Turbo Tony

So...uh... yeah. I bought it.

One thing really odd that I noticed was that the car had no memory seat buttons for the driver. It had them for the passenger, but none for the driver. Does the fingerprint thingy remove the need for the buttons, or does my car have the interior from a LHD model?

No mine is the same, you can program it from the mmi so you dont have the buttons in the door pocket on driver side.
But the passenger side does.

[1781cc]

Congrats on the purchase, if your experience is anything like mine you won't regret it, lovely car, well worth the outlay and continual outlay (in fuel)

You mention lightning cable, which means your an IOS user, have a look at road trip app to accurately track you mileage/mpg - I found that interesting as it works out how much it costs you per mile in pence from odometer readings and gives you a solid MPG (the trip computer lies to you!)

I too have a little condensation on the rear screen, common knowledge seems to be seal screen seal, but lately (the last 3 weeks) she's been bone dry even though we've had rain, so I have no idea whats going on there.

Lee_S posted his experiences on here of his local Audi centre taking the glass out and resealing it for him to solve the issue, worth a good read.

Originally Posted by Conquistador

just remove a couple of the centre silencers like I've just done (what a difference!)

What did you use as replacement pipes for this? custom made? I've had two S4 V8s which I had Miltek's fitted to and loved them, hence my desire to get one for this.