im hunting for a w12 now

[daviesbike]

wow lots of messages from the heart there that are really making me think twice about the w12

so is the v10 s8 as smooth as in the suspention settings that you can have ? or whats the score in the two when it comes down to the extras like leg room and fridges ect.. ? im thinking of both pearsonal and also as im already a taxi driver i thought about setting it up as a hire for weddings vip transport ect ? would the s8 cut the mustard for an all round pleaser ?

[daviesbike]

also am i just boring in saying that the s8 interior lacks a bit of ... well character its seems bland with no wood trims it seems a more aggressive car all round unlike the d2 with its wolf in sheeps clothing look the v10 s8 seems to show off the fact that its sporting a power house under the bonnet, i do love the both cars but the price tag is some what exessive at the moment when you consider that the d3 are all alike aside from the engine and grill the a8 4.2's i have seen look very much alike inside and the workings of the adaptive air ride seems the same or am i not understanding the differences hear ?

[daviesbike]

i tryed the insurance out and there is onlu 200 quid difference in the two so thats not to bad and i have found one for 23k thats full service history ect

oh is the v10 cam belt or chain ?

[IT]

Originally Posted by daviesbike

wow lots of messages from the heart there that are really making me think twice about the w12

so is the v10 s8 as smooth as in the suspention settings that you can have ? or whats the score in the two when it comes down to the extras like leg room and fridges ect.. ? im thinking of both pearsonal and also as im already a taxi driver i thought about setting it up as a hire for weddings vip transport ect ? would the s8 cut the mustard for an all round pleaser ?

Suspension settings are the same across the D3, you either have Sport, or non sport, where sport is slightly firmer and lower ride, but you're hard pressed to notice in practise I think....

The fridge sounds good, but is a real pain - You lose so much boot space right in the middle its stupid, I would actively avoid a car with one fitted.

The S8 and W12 are different beasts all together. The LWB W12 would be obvious choice for limo work, but its unlikely to give the sporty feel you probably want - I agree its incredibly mute too, loads of power, but absolutely no sense of urgency. You can have 100 on the clock and its a complete non-event, no real sense of excitement, just business as usual, which again, is what a high speed limo should do. You'll be pressed back in your seat a little, but its far from a sporty little number,

The S8 runs on 20's, is SWB, looks more sporty, but I'm sure would pass for all but the most serious of long distance limo work.

The S8 also comes from an era where B&O was available, which would be nice to have, as the D3 bose is just a touch lacking at the top end...

The S8's are 2/3 years newer than the W12, so any issues with Lambo engine etc havnt cropped up yet, so the W12 isnt necessarily significantly better than the W12, although I hope it is.

You'll need to decide whether sporty, or comfy is your priority, as the W12 can be a bit sporty, and the S8 can be a bit limo-y, but both have their strengths and weaknesses by design.

[daviesbike]

hmmmm food for thought indeed maybe i will hand on to my pennies and save a bit more and go for the s8 then seems a good all round medium i must admit the d2 s8 even in std trim sounds nice and goes very well i think the lack of urgency as you say would provoke me into messing with it and thats not what i want, for once i want a unmolested S8 and there are a few out there for a good price with 85k + on the clock im not sure how the milage will fair but if its anything like the d2 milage is not an issue if looked after correctly ?

[briang9]

Couple of D2 S8s appeared recently with low miles Guy, both are over priced at their advertised price but should go for significantly less than any D3 in the end, but would obviously be older, and maybe not what you want

both on this thread

http://forum.a8parts.co.uk/showthread.php?t=3619

[daviesbike]

well im quite happy with the d2 i have now its well spec'd looks nice sounds great runns really well, im looking to upgrade rather than down grade so to speak that d2 s8 was nice but im not all that keen on the final ed, i like all the toys in mine i may just hold out a few months and get the v10 s8

[Adrian E]

If you're serious about using it for long distance work, rather than just pleasure, it must be worth a look at the 4.2 diesel as well? I know it doesn't have the 'right' fuel but I bet once you'd spent a few hundred quid having it mapped by a specialist there would be barely any difference in performance with an S8/W12 - at least not in the real world. I'm guessing the outright figures might suggest otherwise, but a decent diesel with a willing auto box can cover some serious ground and will work out so much cheaper to run it's just not funny any more.....

I'm sure in spec terms there's some around with the right bits to look like a sporty number

I do love the D3 S8 - followed one recently and bar the quad tailpipes you wouldn't know it was anything different to any other D3. That has appeal for me as I like the sledgehammer in a silk glove kind of thing

[Essate]

Try mine if you want "soul"!

Trust me it outclasses the S8 - every time.

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3322312.htm

[daviesbike]

mmm now thats quite nice i must admit very good spec too i have found a lovely s8 for 20k with all options b&o ceramic brakes 8 pot callipers ect and a one off interior

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-Au...#ht_2966wt_937