[richardracer]

Hi Sarg,

I have run my S8 D3 for 30k miles in 11 months now. My service costs for normal consumables/labour have been £500 for 60k service and £250 for intermediate longlife service (after 17k miles) with my local indie and genuine Audi parts to protect my warranty. I paid £700 for new Audi steel brake discs and pads all round, also indie fitted. Tyres last 12k to 15k and cost £250 to £300 per corner for Bridgestone (OE) or Yokahama. 4 wheel laser alignment is critical, failure to keep it straight wipes out tyres in less than 1000 miles (outside edges).

I have had problems fixed under warranty (Warrantywise best available) with power steering pump/hoses, rear electric brake caliper motors, suspension compressor, relay and level sensors. Good warranty highly recommended because these parts and labour are not cheap. I used Slough Audi for warranty work but be aware that labour rates are £120/hour plus VAT, so choose right warranty labour level.

I get 22mpg for 85 mph cruise on motorway 150 miles per day using super unleaded. Even driving like a nun at 70 mph only gets me up to 23 mpg, so don't expect much more. Looning/town driving can get below 15 mpg with ease. It does not like ordinary unleaded, low speed low throttle misfire sometimes.

I have a genuine VCDS and would not cope without it. I paid just uner £300 for it from UK importer. You get a cable with dongle built in. Software comes on disc, but latest version can be downloaded from VCDS site (Ross-Tech).

I have B&O stereo and have loved it. I fitted DAB radio and already had ipod connectivity with Dension 500 system, so music choice is excellent. It is a sublime place to listen for my regular 2 hour commute daily. I also value the quiet exhaust (standard not Milltek) so I can hear the sound stage/separation of teh B&O. Unbelievable for inside a car and better than my home music system!

The 2G MMI is easily updated with the correct discs. I did it in around 3 hours including bluetooth messing around. The standard phone reception is affected by double glazing I think. Signal strength is not as food as my BMW 740 was using same phone. I lose signal regularly along the M4 at Swindon and Newbury. I am looking into an Rsap adaptor which uses the external car aerial and "hijacks" the SIM card. Also looking for better phone sound quality. In car phone cradle makes no difference to signal strength or sound quality, basically a charger platform, since it uses bluetooth to talk to MMI.

The silver paint quality is excellent in my case. I spent £1000 sorting out some cosmetics/refurbing wheels and detailing in my first 3 months. My detailer said it was as hard as nails when he detailed it last year. Comes up very shiny when it is washed at weekends. The interior is a nice place to be. I have the 2 tone trim with silver/grey panels inset into black leather with leather on most panels up to windscreen height, then alcantara from windows upwards.

If you are interested in trying my car or discussing my experiences, drop me a PM. I live in Bracknell and work in Chippenham. Happy to help, they are great cars if you can afford the running costs (fuel, tyres) and have a warranty company to support the unexpected.

Good luck in your search

Richardracer