What led you to your '8?

[tonupkid]

I had an Audi 100 back in the 80's. It was OK but a bit characterless so I let it go after a few months. Then along came an Audi 200 turbo that was looking for an owner at work. That was more fun but the torque steer was horrendous (Front wheel drive), so that went within a month or so.
Roll forward to 2008. Money being tight I was driving a 1995 Lexus LS400. What a car. Quiet, fast, fantastic audio, slippery seats and very limited legroom. It had one massive failing, so after its refusal to enjoy the sublime twisting roads of the Scottish Highlands I resolved to ditch it. But what to replace it with?

I favoured a Jaguar XJR or big Merc but one of my drinking companions suggested the Audi S8. Back in the 90's when Audi were pushing their new A8's I was handed a 3.7 for a long weekend to try against my then BMW 750iL. That was a fun weekend and I was left deeply impressed by the competence of Quatro. Admittedly he Beemer was a low target (LOL) but even so, the thought of that four wheel drive transmission putting down 360 horses was compelling.
Auto Trader turned up a 2002 S8, 70k'ish miles for around £4.2k. It had lived on the street and been thoroughly keyed and dented but otherwise mechanically sound.
I got the bodywork sorted and discovered I had a car full of character that ate the miles, loved bends and flattered my limited driving skills.

This car took me to my first A/S8 meet at Bruntingthorpe in Leicestershire where I met the other compelling benefit of owning an 8