Spec differences between range of D2s pls?

[Bushido]

Trying to get back upto speed with the a8 models. To a relative noobie, can someone please help my understanding along of the differences between a few of the models?

What are the most important changes between the year models (pre FL and FL? Im taking that to be facelift?)

What are the real diffences between the earlier 32v and later 40v engines?

Is "the gearbox issue" we would rather not lose sleep over, common across the v8 range?

What did the s8 gain in spec over a sport?

Is the a8 2.8 quattro a car worth consideration or just almost a rep mobile / wannabe A8??

What spec / options would you never be without in the big fella??

Thanks as always, Paul

[Phil303]

I'm not sure this is the right area of the forum to elicit the best answers.

I can answer one question though; the 40v's are more powerful.

[Architex_mA8tey]

What are the most important changes between the year models (pre FL and FL? Im taking that to be facelift?)
Bumpers are different visually and there are built in headlight washers rather than fixed ones, also side repeaters are longer on FL and the mirrors are very slightly different. Internally the dash was improved with smaller mainly horizontal switches rather than the larger vertical switches of the PF and steering wheels etc improved over the years

What are the real differences between the earlier 32v and later 40v engines?
slightly more horsepower, some people say the cabled throttle on the PF is better than the remote electronic pedal of the FL version.

Is "the gearbox issue" we would rather not lose sleep over, common across the v8 range?
The gearbox issue mainly occurs with the 5 speed FL model ZF boxes, doesnt seem to happen as often on the later D3 six speed boxes or hardly ever on the PF 4 speed autos, so if you get a 4 speed PF auto then its pretty bullet proof. on FL model look for a box that has regular oil changes through its life and/or been changed/overhauled. They tend to go at between 100k and 150k miles.

What did the s8 gain in spec over a sport?
mainly a more powerful engine! also uprated brakes, but the suspension on the sport model is exactly the same as on the S8, lowered by 20mm over the standard suspension. S8 branded dials and badges etc

Is the a8 2.8 quattro a car worth consideration or just almost a rep mobile / wannabe A8??
depends on your needs I guess, a friend of mine had a 2.8 quattro and when I drove it i was impressed by how nicely it drove - may be cheaper to insure of course. I wanted a V8 engine but wasn't fussed if it was a 3.7 or 4.2 or 4.2 S8 version really

What spec / options would you never be without in the big fella??
love the sport spec and recaro seats, love the double glazing (some 2.8's didnt have this) and personally I like the half leather half alcantara seats which are warm in winter and cooler in summer

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by Architex_mA8tey

What did the s8 gain in spec over a sport?mainly a more powerful engine!

Don't forget the different gearbox ratios. Good for tearing about but rather high-revving at motorway cruise.

[Goran]

The most important changes between PF and FL?

FL - Plastic-guided variable cam timing which can break and destroy the engine. Ok, perhaps just bend some valves, still not nice.
FL - Secondary air injection motor (for emissions)in air filter box, £500+ to replace
FL - Post-cat lambda sensors
FL - fly by wire throttle
FL - 5 speed gearbox more prone to failure as Neil noted
FL - coil on plug, more reliable

PF - cable throttle, needs adjusting sometimes, more responsive (so I heard)
PF - no plastic parts inside cam head!
PF - spark plug amplifiers one per bank, often go wrong, cheap & easy to replace
PF - more durable 4-speed gearbox
PF - more difficult cam belt procedure if you are doing it yourself
PF - older, so suspension components & subframes may be more rusty than FL, depends how they were kept

If I had to do it again, I would go PF mainly because of the gearbox, the plastic chain tensioners in the cam heads, the pointless secondary air injection and the post cat lambdas which can give problems with some aftermarket cats and limit exhaust upgrade options.

S8 also gained bigger brembo brakes (although not all have brembo), thicker anti roll bars than even sport A8 version. PF S8 is 340hp, FL S8 is 360hp, I would go with PF S8.

Minor things:

FL gained RNS-D which is easy to upgrade to RNS-E.

[ainarssems]

Just to add that not all PF are 4 speed. 1994-1996 will be 4 speed, 1997-1999 will be 5 speed like FL 1999-2002.

[B@fink]

Some of the PF (mine for example) have 5 speed gearbags. The later 2.8's (again mine despite being PF ) are the more powerful 30v, the performance specs listed for all 2.8 are identical (and for the lower powered engine they just change horsepower number but 0-60 and top speed stays the same which is clearly nonsense) which means the 30v are perkier than the numbers suggest. My 2.8 has higher specification than most v8s. It's not a high speed rocket ship but never feels to struggle, 70mph is 1800rpm which isn't an effort, so it has more than enough performance, is perfectly quiet and does middle 30's mpg on a decent run. I went looking for a v8. They were all, without exception, utterly ruined with galactic mileage and no sign of proper maintenance. I was unsure the 2.8 would be a decent option, but it's a light car for its size and once I drove it I knew it would be perfectly sprightly! I bought on condition and specification, both of which were light years ahead of all the v8s I looked at. I damn glad I did.

[Bushido]

Very considered and helpful responses. Many thanks all

[B@fink]

Completely missed the favourite toy bit! Bose stereo, it sounds grand. Followed by heated chairs, during the -15c couple of years ago mine were a boon. Finally solar roof, the downside is the blower motor wears out quicker but getting into the car on a red hot summer day and it's only warm (soon reduced to cold with air con!) is not to be underestimated! Only thing I wish I had is parking sensors, it can be tricky to reverse park as you can see the boot lid at all.

[Architex_mA8tey]

I'd agree on the Bose - it does sound great