My s8 - 5 months in

[Borys]

D'like to share my experiance of s8 ownership so far.As well to encourage instead of scare people of, put a brighter light on all horror stories :-)
It has 92k on the clock with 7 previous owners, for some may seem a lot. When viewing it my main concern was its condition. Stood at dealer for a long time, perfect I abushed them with no appointment. Didn't want to start he he, jump pack out on the key it fired up. Obviesouly as battery low there were few warning lights which I pointed straight away to sales person. I'm thinking not to worry test drive should charge battery up and lets take it from there. Most important no engine light or suspension only park brake (common wasn't worried). Test drove it - brilliant no knocks, when braking no steering wobble, engine was running smooth. Of to paper work - whole front suspension bill with doscs and pads, service book ok not a fantastic folder but enough.
Negotiated price - package included 18 months warrant, two new tyres and battery. Drove it home the same day knocking of 1200£ of asking price.
First did a service as was nearly due
- oil (castrol edge) plus fliter 80quid, got oil for 66£ from Germany 10ltr of it
- air filter were K&N so just a good clean for those
Then it broke down, power steering lines failed
- two hoses 120£ plus labour, all closed in 450£ (covered by warranty)
Next was the park brake fault
- new discs and pads for rear from EBC 130£ for a set (brilliant by the way), cleaning and greasing calipers helped with clearing the fault
- later found that fault coming back when opening a boot (loosen earth cable) - fixed now
Did a set of genuine audi spark plugs 150£
- MMI update 140£ (telephone did not want to update, bluetooth issue it keeps loosing my phone, need to pair it each time ine the car-nevermind)
- rear handle for keyless go 83£ plus vat
- tmps fault I did decode it via vcds and replaced all valves with standard ones for now
Pretty much thats it
I love it to bits even doing in the town 220 miles to a tank but it is a fun car right!!!!!
Don't be affraid of these beasts not that bad as some say for me very reliable
I'll kepp this updated

[Conquistador]

In 5 months that isn't too bad. Makes me feel a bit better about my recent purchase!

Thanks for the info

[Borys]

They are really great cars
Get yourself k&n filters or pipercross - sound is amazing :-)

[Norretal]

Originally Posted by Borys

They are really great cars
Get yourself k&n filters or pipercross - sound is amazing :-)

I agree Borys, they really are great cars, rather expensive to run and maintain, but it's worth it

Tell us more about the K&N filters, have you compared the noise to "standard" and how did you feel they made a difference? Mine is due a big service soon so would consider the K&N option if it was justified.

Come on, convince me

[Borys]

It does have incredible induction noise with these filters
Really hard to explain but puts big smile on my face
You would need to hear it yourself in person to compare
Was considering some exhaust mods but with these is quite enough
Ask Guy he did recommend those straight away when I bought the beast

[Norretal]

Thanks for that, I'll look into it

[Burnzybubbles]

With my limited knowledge on the subject I'd be more inclined to buy a BMC or such like quality foam filter, supposed to give better filtration without the worry of oiling up your mafs.

Glad your enjoying your s8 though

[centurion]

let me add my experience of owning a D3 over a period of 10months to date, diesel though [4.2 TDI]...

- corroded coolant pipe leaking coolant - parts incl. new water pump 450, labour 550 [engine off].
- set of front tyres [Pirelli's], 350
- tracking - 40
- front suspension overhaul, 550 parts and labour
- set of 2 x MAFs - 150
- set of 2 x EGRs - 250
- new Osram Xenarc's - 100
- oil and filter service [all filters] - 250

and a brief but possibly costly 'to do' list [for next couple of months],
- set of 4 or possibly 8 x injectors
- remedy KESSY [MOSFET replacement]


hope that helps.

[Johnmed]

Originally Posted by centurion

let me add my experience of owning a D3 over a period of 10months to date, diesel though [4.2 TDI]...

- corroded coolant pipe leaking coolant - parts incl. new water pump 450, labour 550 [engine off].
- set of front tyres [Pirelli's], 350
- tracking - 40
- front suspension overhaul, 550 parts and labour
- set of 2 x MAFs - 150
- set of 2 x EGRs - 250
- new Osram Xenarc's - 100
- oil and filter service [all filters] - 250

and a brief but possibly costly 'to do' list [for next couple of months],
- set of 4 or possibly 8 x injectors
- remedy KESSY [MOSFET replacement]


hope that helps.

Wowza.

And there's me having DERV V8 envy. In a year I've replaced 4 tyres the day I bought it (17" 55 profile balloon things) so not bank-breaking. 4 wheel alignment (no adjustment needed) £40 as opposed to £80. Replaced the battery as a preventative measure, £124 Bosch S5 from ECP's a splash of dot 4, and two oil services at £40 ish each time. Plus 17k miles worth of fuel

[Borys]

Yep
Diesels seem to be sometimes money saving machines on paper
Considering what above was spent on 4.2tdi would cover my fuel bill fir more then a year (i do aprx 300miles a month).....
So do we "risk" to owe the s8 or similar ?
I had two w221 chasis S classes 3.0cdi and did let them go - egr,turbo, manifolds,oild cooler,dpf,injectors. Each of them I spent 3k in parts and they were still playing games. Black one had 74k on the clock and grey 54k