couple of S8 pre-purchase questions

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by rs32

when I used the interior lock/unlock switch in the drivers door, from rear-left of car there was what seemed to be a compressor-type sound lasting about 5-10 seconds after pressing Unlock. Didn't do it after lock. It did sound a bit odd going on for so long

Haven't bothered checking from inside as I rarely use that button and have auto-lock on, but from the outside I can hear the pump going in that area for maybe 4 or 5 seconds on both lock and unlock.
Probably OK but a VCDS scan will likely throw up an error if there is a leak.

[notorious]

>> corrosion on silver trims

Polishing won't help.

>> didn't have the original Audi windscreen, spec says with shadeband but this one wasn't marked with the Audi rings and no band. Are OEM screens silly money ?

That's a pity. Check for corrosion around windscreen surround trim. I would walk away if corrosion is there.

>> when I used the interior lock/unlock switch in the drivers door, from rear-left of care there was what seemed to be a compressor-type sound lasting about 5-10 seconds after pressing Unlock. Didn't do it after lock. It did sound a bit odd going on for so long - any suggestions on what this could be ? Something powering actuators or similar ?

Leak in vacuum system. Can be difficult to fix, but doable.


Based on what you write is seems to be relatively tired example with owner who didn't car too much. It all depends on your priorities. You can find better car but it takes time. If you don't care too much about cars then buy it. If you think seriously about restoring that car to proper condition it is worth checking for better example.

[rs32]

thanks - actually the rest of the car is pretty decent for the mileage and price point, full mechanical check next week but it took me 2 visits and a few hours to find that list of things.

130k miles - Most of the paint is decent, front stone chips tidied up reasonably well, leather interior very good and will restore to that of a 60k miler, everything in terms of visible engine components very clean and no serious leaks that I can see. Suspension silent, gearbox smooth, pulls very well. Auto box was replaced 2 years ago, brakes recently done, wheels all good, all other exterior trim good, some minor trim issues inside but it's 11 years old after all ....

why do you say walk away if the windscreen trim has corrosion ? I read a few threads about this being quite common and a failing of the manufacturer part rather than anything more sinister ?

If we're talking <£500 to sort out relatively minor issues, it's not a problem given the history provided with the car. If the mechanical check comes back with unforeseen major points and e.g. the compressor/vacuum ends up troublesome then you're right but I wouldn't say it's a clunker, far from it.

[ainarssems]

He meant corrosion to the body around windscreen, not the trim itself. Most of the quick and cheap windscreen fitters does not use proper primers and adhesives to save on time and cost and just use cheap primerless one component adhesive. This can result in corrosion if paintwork under glue was damaged removing old windscreen.

[Adrian E]

Think what Notorious is suggesting is if the screen was badly fitted and they didn't prep the area when the screen was out there may be corrosion appearing around the screen surround, rather than just the trim bit

[notorious]

>> why do you say walk away if the windscreen trim has corrosion ? I read a few threads about this being quite common and a failing of the manufacturer part rather than anything more sinister ?

Sorry, I meant corrosion from under the windscreen trim. And fixing the one that comes from under windscreen is a tough job. Windscreen out, paint pinchweld, glue windscreen again.

[rs32]

right gotcha

- no issues around the trim on the actual paintwork, was one of the first things I checked all the way round. the trim itself has some bubbling but I would probably look to fit an OEM screen with the correct option code for the original build spec so the trim could be re-done at the same time.

I have a good window fitter contact so that could be the way to bring the car back to it's OEM spec.

[Adrian E]

There's various recent threads on the subject - it requires careful prep and the right padding to do the job to factory standard

[The_Laird]

Some of my trim has cleaned up quite well with Autosol - around the doors and boot.

The possible leak in the vacuum system could well be the rubber seal on the boot actuator itself. Mine went. I replaced it with one from A8 Parts. Pretty easy to do. And you can confirm if this is the fault with the boot trim removed - you can hear it leaking. I'll post a photo if that helps, but I think there's a thread of mine on this somewhere - I'll have a look.