Real world differences between the D2 s8?
 

yep, sorry folks...me again!

Ok, with the s8 are there any good reads on the differences between the PF and later cars?

Wiki talks about 32v V 40v engines (330 bhp v 360) and a different gearbox. Is that box fairing any better with the worry of failure?

Was Bose a standard fit on the s8?

Blimey, this all gets complicated when we are now splitting hairs between even the same basic model!! :ROFL:

Plenty here have had/driven both (me included - see sig pic) so ask away.
No, Bose wasn't standard. My PF had it, FL doesn't. Gearbox is really the same, though the controls/software (e.g. Sport mode) changed.

Despite the extra power I think the PF is a better drive as it's NOT fly-by-wire. And it's only 20bhp more.

So in essence, what would be the difference if we were stood looking at a PF and FL s8?

How do the drives compare in terms of power delivery and ride quality?

Did the PF miss any useful toys or gadgets later cars gained?

Hmmm...... :Confused:

Main cosmetic difference is the chrome trim along the tops of the bumpers on FL (and on lower front grille) and different door handles and side repeaters.
PF any RNS was rare as R-HS, FL RNS-D was fairly often fitted. Centre armrests are different, but swappable.

Headlights are different, PF has separate indicator unit where FL is one integrated chunk. Xenons very rare PF, quite common FL.
Foglights are in low grilles on FL, integrated in headlights PF.

Loads more no doubt but that's what immediately springs to mind. Lots of other small differences across the car. Wheels too (see sig pic).

Dash is very different (especially switchgear) and feels much older design (more like an 80s car than 90s) on PF

The carpets are of a higher quality *pre* facelift, a deeper pile, and as mentioned the 32v prefacelift is a direct throttle and does feel more connected.

Colour DIS in the FL helps it feel more modern, along with the chrome strips on the bumpers, standard Xenons, standard full screen Sat nav.

Later FL S8's have better brakes and the 'S' port mode on the gearbox which is worth having.

Practically speaking, the glass in the pre facelift car was virtually impenetrable to most radio frequencies, so don't bank on getting great phone / gps service.

Prefacelift only the very last handful got xenons / 5" sat nav / steering wheel gear change, so assume you'll have none of that PF.

Also, prefacelift has centre lap belt in the rear, no illumination in the rear footwells and in most cases the armrests will be broken or missing.

In summary, you can probably count on one hand the number of PF S8's that are really worth having....., so look at facelift. It would cost more, but you get a lot more car for the money.

Yes, NO!, yes but (as noted above) fixable. Just fit FL armrests which are much better.
My PF definitely had rear footwell lighting. Operated (as it should be) by the individual door, i.e. not global. But then it was a bit of a special car..... :cool:

Hmm.. Maybe.

Still, PF has no pop up center headrest, no roof airbags, no isofix, no lower front fog lights, no parking sensors (rear were optional) - the list goes on.

FL armrests are much better, but not original, and in the S8 they should be the uber rare armrests with the handsfree phone in... pre and post facelifts colours are ever so slightly different too if you want to split hairs +++

I am a bit of a purist you know... +++

My PF had rear footwell lighting in, and it wasn't even an S8! A late PF though so maybe that's why?

Yes, we all know. :ROFL:
But the question was:I've already commented on the first two. And I think the ride is unchanged.

And I'd say for the last one, actually very little though there are a lot of nice small improvements. From my own experience Sport mode on the gearbox is occasionally handy, but apart from that I'd probably rather be driving my PF S8 with its "proper" throttle. :love:

If you are interested / worried about engine mechanicals.
Some of these are positives some are negatives.
PF V8 is 4 valves per cylinder, FL is 5 valves per cylinder
PF has a more difficult timing belt replacement procedure
PF has amplifier stages for coils, one per bank, which can fail affecting whole bank. Easy replacement.
PF has cable throttle which needs adjusting from time to time, but is more responsive.
PF has no post-cat lambda sensors, only 2 lambdas vs FL's 4
PF has no Secondary Air Injection fan in the airbox and associated electronics, a pointless emissions feature
PF has no variation on intake or exhaust valves, and no chain tensioning for cam chains.

FL has a variation mechanism for intake valves, which involves a solenoid, oil pressure controlled locks and chain tension, and plastic (Nylon) chain guide rails. Each unit costs £500 rounded up. These will fail eventually but seem to be able to last a long time and may last the life of the car. Most FL cars are over 15 years old now and they all seem to be working. Across 2 or 3 forums I think there have been only 2 or 3 serious documented failures.
FL has Secondary Air Injection fan, soleniods, vacuum system plumbing, holes in the block for air to be blown into the exhaust ports, mapping on ECU. This is an expensive system, can't remember exact cost, perhaps £250 in parts to replace.
FL has post-cat lambdas which also interfere with fuel maps on ECU, only for the purpose of motinoring/babying the cats. Cost roughly £120 each.
FL has electronic throttle
FL has easier access to timing belt, good for inspection purposes if nothing else.
FL produces +20hp more than PF in S8 version of the V8, on paper. In reality, with transmission losses, etc, I wonder if its noticable at all. Some FL cars have been on a dyno and made less than factry HP.

I probably missed some features. Both engines are good and seem to last a long time with very few serious problems. I personally prefer simplicity rather than over-complication so would probably have preferred a PF engine. Saying that, there are cheaper fixes to get rid of some of the FL engines added complications.
If you want to minimise your maintenance, PF is probably the one to go for. But as with all cars, it depends on the state its in when you buy it.

Thank you all for taking the time to chip in some really useful information +++