Talk me out of a D3 S8...

[p8nt]

Ive got the bug, cant stop searching D3 S8s. Most of what I'm looking at are 2008-10 and around 80k. I'm aware of the FSI carbon issue, but beyond that the vehicle seems to be moderately robust (as far as Audi goes anyway lol)

Anything else I should be aware of before I retire my C5 S6?

[AndreNY]

the biggest issue besides Engine you will have is the suspension, since its Air and almost 10 years old it will most likely fail, and those components are not cheap at all, if you want a V10 and don't mind a smaller can you can try the S6 which has regular suspension and its much cheaper then the S8

Good Luck

[Fast05stang]

D4 S8.

That was easy...

[p8nt]

Id love a D4, but that's effectively doubling my budget.

[Nick@E1motorsports]

I cant talk you out of it- especially if you put a Non Res Milltek system on it...


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[p8nt]

So it seems that apart from carbon cleaning the 5.2, the only real area of concern is the suspension. Arrnot has replacement springs in the 800ish range, and a compressor is 1200ish.

Im having trouble finding threads on suspension troubles and fixes. Are my search skills weak, or is there just not a large user group with these cars on Audizine?

[dufferdude]

I asked a similar question a few days ago and got some pretty good responses.
Have you also checked Audiworld and Quattroworld?
I'm passing on the D3 S8 I was looking at and getting a D2 S8 instead.
Info and pics will follow.

[OmaHahn]

What's your budget for future expenses? Meaning, even oil changes and spark plug changes, etc are very pricey! Unless you plan on doing all the scheduled maintenance yourself?

[richard-tx]

Get the D3. You will love the suspension unless you like the ride of a 1980's 4000. Is it worth the extra expense for the air suspension? You bet Worth every penny.

[dnovak33510]

Aerosus.com out of Germany have the replacement struts cheaper than Arnott and you can still sell Arnott your cores. I've got an 09 S8 with about 125k on it. The intake manifold is prone to failure and is an expensive part with a solid 4 digit labor bill. No real carbon. You'd up issues. Had an induction cleaning done and resolved the issue. No need to pull the intake. Other than normal maintenance being expensive (it takes like 11.5 quarts of oil) its been pretty solid. Then again every few months something comes up but that's any car this age and mileage.

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[Burley1]

Well I bought one on November 26th 2016. An 08 with 54xxx miles, one owner car. If I was given the option to buy it today, I wouldn't. I love the car, don't get me wrong, however the one thing that I didn't really do before hand was check the insurance. I figured it would be about the same as the 2006 BMW M5 I sold to get the S8. Nope, it's way more money and its because of the aluminum chassis as far as I can tell. I "afterwards" checked the cost to insure an S6, way cheaper.

Yeah I can afford the insurance but it's one of those things that pisses me off.

[Brozee]

It's all about options. If you get one you must ensure it has the full leather package with the leather on the upper doors and dash as well as the bang and Olufsen setup. Makes the car look much nicer too. Without it, it blends in with all the other a8s. I had a w12 which was amazing and so sexy to drive. However if it were an s8 I would've never sold it. The w12 was too expensive to own and maintain where the s8 would've been the sweet spot. I still have my d3 a8 at 200k and it's my favorite car. If you do standard maintenance and replace the struts when needed $2k, then everything else is okay. Engine and transmission are bulletproof.

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[Brozee]

So it seems that apart from carbon cleaning the 5.2, the only real area of concern is the suspension. Arrnot has replacement springs in the 800ish range, and a compressor is 1200ish.

Im having trouble finding threads on suspension troubles and fixes. Are my search skills weak, or is there just not a large user group with these cars on Audizine?

Compressors can be found for $300 range on Amazon and eBay all day. You don't need the oem one. I bought mine on Amazon for $340 and it's the same thing as the oem one. Paired that with new arnott struts and my car should be set for quite a while. For what it's worth me original compressor and struts all lasted 189k......!!!!!!!

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[AudiA4_20T]

Do these have the issues with the timing chains like the 4.2s?

[b7slineA4]

Ive got the bug, cant stop searching D3 S8s. Most of what I'm looking at are 2008-10 and around 80k. I'm aware of the FSI carbon issue, but beyond that the vehicle seems to be moderately robust (as far as Audi goes anyway lol)

Anything else I should be aware of before I retire my C5 S6?

Don't do it. Car has 8, 02 sensors- some you need to drop the motor to change, air shocks that are $1660\ea for the part- no conversion kits available, and the same labor rate as an R8 to fix. Extensive hands-on experience talking here. Working on one with 121K and a laundry list of problems. Electrical gremlins everywhere. I love the look, the sound with an exhaust is unbelievable, the options are extensive, but get anything with the 3.0T engine and a tune- you have already passed the power numbers of an S6 or S8. Look at this one... I didn't lower it, check the front left corner.. B&O speakers are sticking coming out of the dash, rear shade goes up and down on it's own, sun roof opened once without my request. Must be one of the most expensive VAG cars to fix when they get older. The Alternator is liquid cooled - reman unit - $733 + core. Left and right engine mounts ($824) are hydraulic filled- they are both blown (age). List goes on.



I would own one... ONLY if it wasn't my daily driver, since I've done Audi engine and trans pulls/swaps already.

[BASARAB]

Ive got the bug, cant stop searching D3 S8s. Most of what I'm looking at are 2008-10 and around 80k. I'm aware of the FSI carbon issue, but beyond that the vehicle seems to be moderately robust (as far as Audi goes anyway lol)

Anything else I should be aware of before I retire my C5 S6?

I dont think it will be less reliable than the C5. If you come to Detroit, you can test drive mine, I absolutely love this thing.

[lunamarA4]

I asked a similar question a few days ago and got some pretty good responses.
Have you also checked Audiworld and Quattroworld?
I'm passing on the D3 S8 I was looking at and getting a D2 S8 instead.
Info and pics will follow.

WOuld love the V10, but I was always afraid of all those electronics and that engine if it came to do repairs...so ...
I also got a D2 S8 3 months ago and LOVE IT...fully loaded with alcantera + 98K miles for $7500- just did the timing belt and cam tensioner myself...fairly easy to work on...and love the looks
With 3-5K in suspension, SS dual exhaust and wheels and other upgrades I will be able to have it for $12K for yrs to come

[vliou]

Hey all,

It's been years since I've owned an Audi, but thinking of buying a 2017/2018 Audi A8 3.0TFSI. I understand the engine is well into series production as it is also used in the A6. The reason I'm finally looking at Audi again is b/c of the dual injection setup on the 3.0 TFSI. I have had Audis in the past that were only Direct Injection - and heavens never again.

1) Any known major issues with the A8?
2) Are the carbon problems now non existent on the 3.0 because of dual injection?

Thank you!

[BassmasterP]

Don't do it. Car has 8, 02 sensors- some you need to drop the motor to change, air shocks that are $1660\ea for the part- no conversion kits available, and the same labor rate as an R8 to fix. Extensive hands-on experience talking here. Working on one with 121K and a laundry list of problems. Electrical gremlins everywhere. I love the look, the sound with an exhaust is unbelievable, the options are extensive, but get anything with the 3.0T engine and a tune- you have already passed the power numbers of an S6 or S8. Look at this one... I didn't lower it, check the front left corner.. B&O speakers are sticking coming out of the dash, rear shade goes up and down on it's own, sun roof opened once without my request. Must be one of the most expensive VAG cars to fix when they get older. The Alternator is liquid cooled - reman unit - $733 + core. Left and right engine mounts ($824) are hydraulic filled- they are both blown (age). List goes on.


I would own one... ONLY if it wasn't my daily driver, since I've done Audi engine and trans pulls/swaps already.

Wow, I'm sorry you had so many problems.

I just sold my '07 D3 S8 which only had 58k miles on it last week and miss it dearly. Of course, I didn't have as many miles as you, but I've had zero problems with the car and for a 10 year old car, it still has many features that most current nice cars don't have at the price point.

Prices for these cars are pretty much devalued.
For example, I sold my car for $22k. I was looking to buy a used BMW 2014 320 Xdrive with 30k miles for $24k. So, I'd be paying more up front for a much lesser car. Of course the advantage of the BMW is CPO warranty. I didn't end up getting the BMW. I stayed in the family and got a used C5 allroad.

Anyway, there is nothing like the sound and feel of the V10 engine. Even strangers came up to me a few times to tell me that "It's a Lamborghini engine!". Also, the car doesn't look or feel dated. Nobody believed it was a 10 year old car.

I originally bought the car because the D3 line is pretty robust cars with a few known wear and maintenance items that you would want to find an independent Audi specialist (or DIY) shop. Just keep up with maintenance and wear items. Air suspension will eventually need replacing after 100k, but there are nice Arnott alternatives to OEM. Suspension control arm bushings need replacing at 80-100k, trunk motors are weak and need replacing. Engine and tranny are also robust. Seems to have less of the carbon buildup issues that the V8 have. Also get a VCDS/VAG device and hang out at Audiworld D3 section as there are still very active members who can help you with any questions.

The D3 line is just so good looking and distinct from the other Audi lines.
Alternatively, a good D3 A8 or A8L with low mileage may only cost $10k or less and you get pretty much everything the S8 has at half the price. Of course it's less aggressive looking grill, trunk, suspension. Thiugh the V10 is cool, did I ever use the 450 hp? Never,. I did highway passing all in 6th gear. It's so strong, I almost never kicked down gears.

So I would vote yes, get a D3 S8/A8.
I'll probably be on the lookout for a nice low miles D3 A8 when my current car bites the dust.

[tsuter]

Do it, as long as you can afford a $2000 surprise repair at some point, of be able to lay it up for a bit while you repair it. I picked up an 09 Florida one owner car with just over 50k on it. I love it. I want the milltek exhaust, but other than that, love it. $200 oil changes are a bit pricey, due to capacity, but so be it. Gotta pay to play. Insurance for me was roughly the same as my '12 S4 it replaced. But your mileage may vary. Do the research and get your budget in line, then happy hunting. I went for an 09 as there were some issues with the earlier intakes and some gaskets that were upgraded in the later runs. And definitely go for the B&O stereo, very nice. VCDS is a must, but I already had that. There are lots of things that can go wrong, but any car is like that. Good luck hunting.

[Ceedubbu]

I have a D3 W12 and its a love hate relationship. The car is amazing and I would buy another "right" one in a heartbeat. I will echo what others say that things can and will go wrong and those can be very expensive. If you research before buying any part you can find cheaper alternatives but at the end of the day these were all very expensive cars so what do we expect. For me the repairs and their incredible cost are worth it every time I drive mine. Buy one with the understanding you are buying a unique high performance luxury car that will be expensive to fix and you won't be disappointed. Buy it expecting Chevrolet repair and maintenance costs and you are in trouble. My vote is buy it !!

[A4Qwattro]

ttt

[Sales@ECS Tuning]

I cant talk you out of it- especially if you put a Non Res Milltek system on it...


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Speaking of non resonated Milteks we just happen to have one that we are trying to move out of the warehouse. We are ready to cut a nice deal on it also. Link to it is below, PM for best price!

S8 Non Resonated Valvesonic Exhaust