S8: D2 or D3
 

Right. I thought I had this straight in my head, but it turns out maybe not.

Straight choice between a mint low miles unmolested D2 S8, and a good condition well spec'd D3 S8 with similar mileage.

For now, ignore purchase price differential (although the D3 obv has a higher price).

Which one do you choose, and why?

Here is my logic (although I'm on m 2nd D2 S8), purely from point of view of future reliabiliy, and hassle free maintenance, and fun.

I would chose D3 W12

Why not D2 S8 (although I absolutely love them):
- gearbox will die, and will cost £3500 to refurb and then may die again
- plastic cam chain guides in engine are 13 years old will need replacing before failure
- timing belt job is over £1000 if done properly with all rollers, eccentric idler, etc
- at 6.3 seconds to 60 its too slow for me, I already got used to its speed
- rare but due to its age, check for rusted through front subframe, £1500 to replace.

Why not a D3 S8:
- worried about carbon build up due to FSI, although not much data out there, unlike RS4 which suffers from it badly, within 20k miles power down again after cleaning
- air suspension can fail, although now there are coilover options (I believe?)

points for:
- chain driven engine
- HP26 transmission seems more reliable than D2's transmission

Why a D3 W12:
- chain driven engine
- no FSI
- W12 appears to be a very reliable engine
- more torque than D3 S8 and faster in short wheelbase version
- HP26 transmission more reliable
- cheaper than D3 S8

points against:
- engine out for some small jobs due to tight packing in engine bay.
- air suspension (can be replaced with coilover if it fails)

D3 w12
 

Is the w12 available in the SWB?

Also according to wikipedia the W12 was available in the D2 in Europe.. not sure if with manual 6 speed box too in SWB :) .. now that would tick all the boxes apart from RHD.

I've had an Evo Integrale for 8 years so don't mind LHD... but in a larger car it may be less of an issue if not overtaking on smaller roads.

I think you may be right, perhaps UK only got long wheelbase W12. Hopefully someone else will post their thoughts too, maybe I'm being harsh about the D3 S8 maybe FSI is not an issue.
I dont mind LHD either, my current S8 is a 6-speed manual.
Lancia Delta, now that's a fast car, I bet they are expensive now, collectors item.

Only early W12s were available in SWB (into 2006 I think).

I've got PDFs of the 2006, 2008 and 2009 brochures, and they all offer the W12 in LWB only.

Head (D3) is slowly regaining control of my internal debate over heart (D2). I think that if I thought a D2 might appreciate in value somehow, it would be an even harder call...

Must be the run out of the 2005 orders that I've seen.

pre 2006 ..
 

I saw a low miles 2005 swb w12. Also has more reasonable cat tax :)

How about an early 4 speed D2 with S8 bits and Bob's... Would a 4.2 with S8 parts drive like an S8? There is an 96 4.2 on eBay which looks interesting... I like the idea of D2 ownership than D3 with 5-6 k extra invested.

I have 4 cars at the moment. 2 of them are aluminium chassised cars too but much better in the running cost stakes ... One being the best for Mpg.. 106 mpg is the best I've got in one.. and it is petrol :)

Yes the Lancia was fun but did not get used enough...

autoscout24.de
 

There are a few S8's with the 6 speed on Autoscout :)

if you put all S8 suspension + AR bars on a A8, it should handle the same. Case in point, my S8 came with A8 front suspension and self levelling rear shocks, bizzare or what. Replacing the whole suspension with S8 shocks/springs and ARB's made it feel exactly like my old S8, it reminds me of the old one very much.

Mine is a short wheelbase D3 W12 with 6 speed auto box. I do know it has different gear ratio to the long wheelbase W12's. I think its the same box as the S8 D3. I have now had a remap done on mine and although it does not have lots of extra power it does make it a lot more responsive.
I am very happy with mine and its coming up to three years that i have owned it. I would say it would be a very good choice for anybody.
There is however a big downside to owning one of these cars and it's not the servicing cost or repair cost because that is no different to any other A8.The big downside is fuel consumption. In the real world i get about 13 mpg round town and about 20 mpg on a run.This does not bother me as i do not drive it every day and when i nip to the local shops i use my company car (free fuel).
If you asked me would i have bought it with knowing what it costs to run then i would say yes i would do it again cos it puts a smile on my face every time i drive it :)

D2 S8 for me. Listen to your heart, not your head - life's too short for that! :D

Why? If you find a good one with low miles and/or a gearbox service history and look after it, then it should be OK for a good few miles. Even if it does die, you can get a remanufactured box from a reputable company like Mackies for much ls than £3.5K and it'll be better than new. That'll give you another few trips around the clock if you have it serviced properly.

And then there's the rarity value and that classic styling. As well as indications that they will increase in value soon.

The D3s are very nice, I agree, and having sat in Tonupkid's S8 at the weekend, I was tempted. But, in the end, this is a very personal opinion. However, you must have listened to your heart to want an S8 in the first place, so keep listening! +++

They're all good.

You will never escape the fear however that the D2 box will go bang. Thats the principal reason I'm highly unlikely to ever have another.

The D3 W12 SWB vs S8 argument could go on forever. On paper they seem incredibly similar, in reality they couldnt' be any more different.

The W12 is silky smooth, pulls like a train and sounds like an Aston every time you go for the (optional) starter button. Hopefully, you've found a W12 with extra kit on it as audi were quite happy to sell poverty versions, and some folk, for some reason, bought em like that.

The S8 has a sweet, free revving engine that makes the front of the car noticably lighter, making it quite 'chuckable' and the most fun to enjoy on some twisty stuff. The generous spec from the outset means its a luxury item whether you like it or not, and although a little more expensive to buy than then W12, I think is more likely to hold its value. They are FSi, but so far not hearing a lot of chat about many issues.

All D3's have air suspension, which is generally reliable. Its not rocket science to understand and fix if it fails.

Bottom line, try before you buy..... +++