No worries, happy to help....

Its a myth that dealer demos have decent spec levels. The dealers have x quid to buy a few tasty options, but in reality they make bad choices as they'll never drive them ! - Ex dealer / demo just means it got ragged a lot when new imo, but they're robust enough to deal with it.....

RS world and 8 world are a bit different. RS, you absolutely need 100% full dealer history or walk away. An 8 will almost always have been run in its first few years by someone who just threw money at Audi to service it. A call to Audi customer services will confirm any genuine Audi service history on a car. If it the first 3+ years are all Audi, that's a good start.

Then, if the last couple of years stand up to scrutiny, I'd generally forgive any gap in the middle if a bargain was to be had...

Galaxies. Both acoustically, and visually. Don't get stuck with an S8 without B&O, it might as well be <insert undesirable colour here> paintwork.

Extra chrome trims inside on the doors, different start/stop button, quad zone, dab, more standard kit generally. 3G MMI is the real one to want from 2009, which came a little after the facelift.

Done think we ever did a buyers guide, but there are plenty of real world owners on here who can give you the run down.... +++

You sir are a legend, many thanks again

It looks like I'm to up my budget slightly to get exactly what I'm after...


Really good to hear that the 8s are virtually bomb proof is serviced regular and well despite mileage

Personally B&O was a must, i've had two B6 S4's with Bose and it was good, but the B&O is super clear and was an essential for me.

If you are local to MK or Northampton, I have probably seen your wide body at one of the meets arranged by Ian or Buddies? If you are then you are welcome to sit in mine, have a tinker with electronics and listen to the system.

I would say common problem areas are:

- Electronic Parking Brakes / Rear Calipers
- Power Steering Pump / Hoses
- Gearbox issues are quite rare unless they have been serviced with the wrong oil or by the wrong garage (have a look at Turbo Tony's thread)
- Fingerprint recognition sometimes doesn't work for some people
- Rear boot motor can play up
- Batteries can give loads of phantom problems when they die
- Ceramics are a £1000+ per disc replacement, although, reading after buying, it appears a lot of people haven't had issues, in hindsight I wouldn't let this put me off, at the time it did though
- Inlet manifold flaps can break, I haven't had this problem, they were upgraded late 2008 facelift, but if they go, its either replace or remove

I had mine inspected by the AA before I went up to buy the car, cost £240 - worth every penny, got a 24 page report, they checked EVERYTHING, and so far, I have had no issues other than occasional draining battery (probably because she's parked at airports for long periods and there are a lot of electrics in there)

Some people have modded theirs with wheels and aftermarket facelift rear lights - so watch for a pre-facelift with facelift lights doppleganging. I was lucky to buy mine with only one mod - a perforated RS5 leather steering wheel, its a great mod, much thicker and swisher than a stock wheel.

Woohoo search has ended :yippee:

Congrats - what did you buy?

Thank you

2008 S8!!


Got a few issues to sort, but overall very happy


I'll post a few pics and say an official hello in the welcome section


Thanks to everyone who replied and posted answers to my questions, turned out to be very helpful during the search +++

Just seen your instagram, nice cars, the fighting element interested me too, you might be interested in one of my books, probably a lot of people you recognise in there :-)

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Blunt-Force...ce+trauma+book

Ah cars and fighting arts!

We're definitely going to get along!


I'm very passionate about both


I'll take a look at the book


Hopefully put a face and name to the username at one of the coming meets

:cheers:

Eagerly waiting :D :mexicanwave:

Just posted a little intro +++. (Finally)