Nice post Dean!

In regards to your quiz question, the picture in question is definitely not the front suspension of a D2 S8, or any A series Audi.
However I don't know the rear suspension well enough to be definitive on that.

I'm erring on the side of "No, it's not your car on the hoist" (sorry, lift)... :)

Nice workshop.

I lust love colour of that D2. I really do. +++

Great thread! I don't like it when a garage doesn't update you with additional work until it's time to pay the bill. I don't have a problem paying it but it's nice to know beforehand.

I used to strip, diagnose and rebuild auto transmissions for a certain manufacturer. The 'boxes weren't as big as the A8 but your pics of all the parts stripped and on trolleys ready for the ultrasonic bath certainly bring back memories. When I was being trained I remember thinking there is no way I will ever remember how to put this back together but after doing a few it was fairly simple.

Been there; done that. Great to see inside the place again though. Nice write-up Dean! +++

I had the tour on my first visit to Mackie, which was for a full gearbox rebuild. The tour is very reassuring when you're about to spend ~3K on a full rebuild. If there's one thing it highlights, it's that Mackie is not your average gearbox repair shop.

that was an emotional rollercoaster
 

I think that write-up will create more business than they will have lost by not charging you the full 5 hrs. It looks an impressive place. Great pics.

I had my S8 gearbox serviced at Stephens Engineering in Ware. They said "Good news...normally the bolts have to be drilled out" - so looks like I dodged a bullet there.

However, I bet they won't be quoting £150 when someone else with an S8 pays a visit next time!

I think I paid about £240 all in. That was 3 yrs ago, so perhaps time for another visit. They didn't use a flushing machine though.

Did you see the fluid come out?

I didn't think beforehand that corroded bolts would be an issue.
My eyes are opened a little wider now. Almost as wide as my wallet.

I didn't see the dirty oil and in hindsight, I should have stayed around to see the state of it and any debris on the magnets. But I was enjoying the city at the time.
They said it would be about 4-5 hrs to do in total anyway which kind of persuaded me that sticking around in their small waiting room wasn't something I would enjoy.
But I would do the experience again and if I needed a rebuild, as has been done to other cars on here, I know that I would get something back that looked and performed like a brand new gearbox after I'd paid for the privilege.
Their work, from my perspective, is impressive.