S8: D2 or D3

[Greg66]

Right. I thought I had this straight in my head, but it turns out maybe not.

Straight choice between a mint low miles unmolested D2 S8, and a good condition well spec'd D3 S8 with similar mileage.

For now, ignore purchase price differential (although the D3 obv has a higher price).

Which one do you choose, and why?

[Goran]

Here is my logic (although I'm on m 2nd D2 S8), purely from point of view of future reliabiliy, and hassle free maintenance, and fun.

I would chose D3 W12

Why not D2 S8 (although I absolutely love them):
- gearbox will die, and will cost £3500 to refurb and then may die again
- plastic cam chain guides in engine are 13 years old will need replacing before failure
- timing belt job is over £1000 if done properly with all rollers, eccentric idler, etc
- at 6.3 seconds to 60 its too slow for me, I already got used to its speed
- rare but due to its age, check for rusted through front subframe, £1500 to replace.

Why not a D3 S8:
- worried about carbon build up due to FSI, although not much data out there, unlike RS4 which suffers from it badly, within 20k miles power down again after cleaning
- air suspension can fail, although now there are coilover options (I believe?)

points for:
- chain driven engine
- HP26 transmission seems more reliable than D2's transmission

Why a D3 W12:
- chain driven engine
- no FSI
- W12 appears to be a very reliable engine
- more torque than D3 S8 and faster in short wheelbase version
- HP26 transmission more reliable
- cheaper than D3 S8

points against:
- engine out for some small jobs due to tight packing in engine bay.
- air suspension (can be replaced with coilover if it fails)

[jonnoshore]

Is the w12 available in the SWB?

Also according to wikipedia the W12 was available in the D2 in Europe.. not sure if with manual 6 speed box too in SWB .. now that would tick all the boxes apart from RHD.

I've had an Evo Integrale for 8 years so don't mind LHD... but in a larger car it may be less of an issue if not overtaking on smaller roads.

[Goran]

I think you may be right, perhaps UK only got long wheelbase W12. Hopefully someone else will post their thoughts too, maybe I'm being harsh about the D3 S8 maybe FSI is not an issue.
I dont mind LHD either, my current S8 is a 6-speed manual.
Lancia Delta, now that's a fast car, I bet they are expensive now, collectors item.

[PsYcHe]

Only early W12s were available in SWB (into 2006 I think).

[Greg66]

I've got PDFs of the 2006, 2008 and 2009 brochures, and they all offer the W12 in LWB only.

Head (D3) is slowly regaining control of my internal debate over heart (D2). I think that if I thought a D2 might appreciate in value somehow, it would be an even harder call...

[PsYcHe]

Must be the run out of the 2005 orders that I've seen.

[jonnoshore]

I saw a low miles 2005 swb w12. Also has more reasonable cat tax

How about an early 4 speed D2 with S8 bits and Bob's... Would a 4.2 with S8 parts drive like an S8? There is an 96 4.2 on eBay which looks interesting... I like the idea of D2 ownership than D3 with 5-6 k extra invested.

I have 4 cars at the moment. 2 of them are aluminium chassised cars too but much better in the running cost stakes ... One being the best for Mpg.. 106 mpg is the best I've got in one.. and it is petrol

Yes the Lancia was fun but did not get used enough...

[jonnoshore]

There are a few S8's with the 6 speed on Autoscout

[Goran]

if you put all S8 suspension + AR bars on a A8, it should handle the same. Case in point, my S8 came with A8 front suspension and self levelling rear shocks, bizzare or what. Replacing the whole suspension with S8 shocks/springs and ARB's made it feel exactly like my old S8, it reminds me of the old one very much.