Sell or keep?
 

Having just bought a Golf automatic for my Mum, her A8 (FL 2.8QS that once belonged to The Laird) is surplus to requirements. I've got it in storage and wonder if I should just lay it up and keep it? It's probably not worth much, hence my thoughts about storing it for a long time but I'm aware it's not an S8 so will it be worth anything in the future? I've seen Audi 100's and 200's being sold for decent money recently, even basic models, so it might be a worthwhile gamble.
I think the A8 will be a future classic but who knows. This all stems from selling my Audi Coupe GT about 12 years ago for buttons and now wishing I had kept it for all I got for it! I didn't have the space back then but I do now so should I keep the A8?

I think there's two ways of looking at this: financially, and emotionally.

Financially, given that you've said got storage, you could simply do a comparison of the cost of keeping it vs it's appreciation in value - which is a moot point, as you've said.

I think they will appreciate, but not by as much as a Coupe (or even an S8); large saloons are a lot less fashionable and desirable in the eyes of the general public, so I wouldn't bank on it being worth, say, more than £6-10k in five years time (depending on condition, history, mileage, etc). On the other hand, if it's SORNed, your maintenance and running costs are minimal.

Emotionally, would you miss it? If so, and the ££ costs are minimal, then I'd keep it, provided you've got the time/inclination to give it some periodic TLC, which can be therapy/fun, rather than a chore, if it's not your main daily car.

+1 Exactly what he said.

I'm in the same place at the moment. Only 60 something of mine left and it's been legendary truly a stalwart. I did say to my self I'd get shot when it died but bloody thing hasn't. I'll genuinely be sad to see it go. But I'm sure it's new owner will have plans.
You're in a quandary only you can decide.

Sell it. Get an S8 and keep that

IMHO, as and when the '8s start to appreciate, the S8 will be the one that fetches the serious money (even though some may argue that the 4.2 is a more practical option). And, much as I really like my old 2.8 (and might consider taking her back!), I doubt if that model will ever be a real collectors item. Consider the Escort Cosworth vs a standard Escort, for example. :)

^^ Yes, this.

No one wants a beautifully preserved 1.6L version of anything. Show us the 2.8 Ghia, the CDX or the RS and there is more excitement....

The S8 will be the collectors version of the D2 in the future, no doubt about it.

I have just bought back my FL D2 S8. I needed the funds to help with a house deposit, now that's out of the way I have bought it back to enjoy it but mainly to slowly get it back to its former glory and hold onto it. I'm pretty sure they will become quite a desirable classic in years to come. I toyed with buying various 2.8's 4.2s etc that were all really nice but i kept thinking its not an S8 and wont have that edge in a few years.

The question is what did people go Ooooh about when the car was released, did the kids and teen wish that if they had the money then they'd get that car!

That's the one to get....and it wont be a 2.8 i'm afraid.

That's a good rule of thumb, but not always foolproof - e.g. NSU Ro80, and errr....struggling to think of others ;)

Funnily enough I kind of fancied the NSU Ro80 back in the day. And in a way I've got one now. IMO if there's anywhere the design influences for the A8 came from, its that NSU

I completely agree Nick - there's a pretty clear lineage there (though I'm glad they've progressed from the rotary engine ;)..)

I don't know. The Rotary Engine has a lot of benifits and is an interesting beast. We've just had a lot more development time with more conventional engines.

In fear of going off topic on this thread slightly but, NSU made me think 2 stroke and then rotary engine being a little rare engine design choice made me think of the Napier Deltic, supercharged, uniflow scavenged, 2 stroke Diesel, 18 cylinder engine https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napier_Deltic
Would make an interesting install

When "I were a lad" and went trainspotting in the early sixties we would see these going by, incredible/unusual sound they made.

Do you mean you fear only going off slightly ?

I mean, its not unusual for you to wander off and its never seemingly caused you concern before?... :D;)

Good point well made.

And i was only trying to be polite

Fiat Coupe surely:love:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHhzDAeIObw

Fascinating, the Deltic engine. What other weird and wonderfuls are out there

Developing the off topic theme. Love that Fiat advert and here's another.
Great music, brilliant strap line. And the subtext that while Italian workmanship may be shonkey you can trust a German robot

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-fXV6KzhBbM