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: