re-commisioning work

[green A8]

I've just stumbled across a very nice S8 FE in silver with the purple interior. Bought by the lady of the house in december 2001 as a Christmas present for her husband (Who clearly preferred his Rolls Royce and Aston Martin). Only used for a year and just under 4,000 miles, then simply laid up in in a garage unused from 12/02 to the day I bought it (yesterday). The car has had no work whatsoever done to it since it was serviced in 02. It was returned from the Audi dealer and parked in the garage had the battery removed and was covered with a dust sheet, and abandoned. It was never started or even unlocked in all this time. Or so the brother of the now deceased owner tells me. I have no reason to doubt him.

I had it recovered to my place via a transporter today. No attempt was made to start the engine. SO, the question is what should I replace on such a low miled engine (timing belt ect?) The car was stored on a two post lift slightly suspended. Regardless of this I will be buying five new tyres (Would you risk driving on 12 year old rubber?) Apart from that what other items am I going to need to get replaced?

I look forward to hearing your replies.

[Oli18]

Wow - barn find! . Got any pics?

Oli

[tintin]

Wow! I'm sure someone will be along shortly with guidance on specifics, but personally I'd get a full check up on the whole car - it must be worth it for such a rare beast. Sounds like quite a find, and I must confess to being slightly envious. Enjoy….

[Norretal]

I can only add another WOW.........sounds like a fantastic find, and I'm not slightly envious, I'm fully envious

I'm looking forward (very much) to seeing photos and updates on this one

Congratulations

[David's8]

What a find! Pictures are a must showing the process of bringing it back to life.

[Adrian E]

Snap on factory spec to mine!! The purple grows on you but would be really interesting to compare the colour if it's been stored in relative darkness.

Where in the country did you find this?!

I wouldn't even consider starting the engine until the cambelt covers are removed and the condition of the belt assessed in situ.

Likewise a check on the oil condition.

If the belt looks passable and the oil isn't emulsion I'd be tempted to try starting it purely to get fluids circulating and see what leaks - am sure there's advice to be had about turning the motor over by hand and a bit of oil in strategic places to prevent wear. Others may advise differently and since the belt will need doing anyway if you're going to throw money at this to do it right you might as well change the belts and water pump before trying to fire it up. The air-con will probably be empty, so put it on economy setting until you can get it gassed and see what happens - assume new seals needed.

Brake fluid will need doing and depending on the conditions its been stored in you may need new seals for the calipers, but only use or careful inspection will tell you.

Wise move on tyres - not cheap but I can post a link if you want some Michelin Super Sports at reasonably sensible money? Just make sure you take the wheels somewhere decent to have the tyres fitted - I'm assuming the wheels are still diamond cut which is not cheap to have re-done. I'm still on my original Pilot Sport spare, but it will finally be changed in the Spring when I get another pair of Super Sports fitted and can put one of the PS2s in the boot as a good spare (they were new in 2010)

My car was in a private collection before the last owner bought it - but it racked up quite a few more miles than yours (low 30s if memory serves up to 2009) and cost the last owner £7k to buy and he spent another £7k+ on re-commissioning. A cambelt service and new front brakes came to over £2k and then he got onto the unnecessary stuff like a stainless exhaust and RNS-E retrofit. Be interested to know if this was a bargain and what you plan to do with it Really difficult with genuinely low miles cars to value them as if you start using it the perceived value drops, but as a way to own a virtually brand new D2 you can't beat it and it'll still cost less than a year's depreciation on a brand new D4!

I suspect 4* classics would list this for about £20k when all up together!

Where are you based and do you have someone trustworthy to work on it?

I am genuinely very jealous lol

[Zip]

Absolutely amazing....! How the hell did you find that? Was it advertised? I am properly astonished and massively jealous. We need full before pics and a fully documented and photographed recommission please. PLEASE find an ultra trustworthy independent to help you....lots of advice right here.

Congratulations!
Zip

[The_Laird]

Well, yet another 'wow!' and a plea for piccies.

In addition to the list above, my guess is the brakes and clutch will also be knackered.

And, being more cautious, I certainly wouldn't try to start it until there was a new belt kit, new oil (including a gearbox flush) and you'd turned it first by hand.

But great find - we're all desperate for more details.

[Adrian E]

Originally Posted by The_Laird

In addition to the list above, my guess is the brakes and clutch will also be knackered.

And, being more cautious, I certainly wouldn't try to start it until there was a new belt kit, new oil (including a gearbox flush) and you'd turned it first by hand.

Clutch?!

Gearbox may be OK given the low mileage - I'd ring ZF as a precaution to see if there's an aging element to the fluid change recommendation. It's probably worth doing the gearbox oil and filter but I'd wait until the rest of the car has been properly assessed and sorted. At that mileage the oil should be fine still.

I am still exceedingly jealous - you lucky man!

[The_Laird]

Ah, yes, clutch! I was thinking about a recommission I'd done long ago on an A35!

I'd also be a little concerned about the top half of the engine and maybe stick some oil/redex/ WD40 down the plug holes. I know it's ally, but that still corrodes, just in case.

But this is one heck of a find.