911 Crazy

So by much reading and helpful input from all of you, I have narrowed my search to the 2007-09 S8. My ownership of Porsches and racing a 944 Turbo is the biggest reason for the S8 while still being able to haul my wife and 3 small kids on occasion. My questions are;

1) What years are preferable and why?
2) What options are "must haves"?
3) Is a higher mileage car just a "can o' worms" waiting to be opened?
4) I believe the 07' has a timing belt and the 08-09' has a timing chain. Is one preferred over the other?
5) I know that buying from a private party is preferred, but so many of the S8's for sale are dealer listed. Thoughts and/or warnings?
6) What if any changes/improvements were made in the later S8's?

My preference going in is to buy the newest, with the least miles and all up to date maintenance so I'll have some time to get to know the car "trouble free" for a spell. I plan to put away $2500/year for future maintenance issues. I'll drive the car about 10k miles per year. I plan to purchase between now and Spring so I have some time to be patient for the right car. My budget is in the $20-25k range so by what I've seen that should be doable.

Distance from home is not an issue as a great road trip would be fun for my 13 year old boy and me.

Thanks for everyone's helpful thoughts as my learning curve into the Audi world is quite steep. My Rennlist friends are wondering what's happened to me!

tx170754

With your budget you will probably end up with a high miles 07'. Newer S8's with low miles and documented maintenance are hard to find they are not cheap by any means and they go fast, it is a car in big demand.

MP4.2+6.0

Belt drive for cams is only pre-2007 4.2 only. Chain drive thereafter on 4.2's and always on D3 S8s and W12's.

Lots of 2007's around both because the recession crashed down starting in 2008 and because they overbuilt them at 2007 launch--I saw it at end of 2007 when they held 2008's in port for months they had such a big inventory issue. Yet fewer 2009s, and production ceased for all D3 S8s and W12s by April 2009.

2008 and later gets you facelift for any of the D3's and some other modest improvements. Sound insulation and supposedly some ride tweaks, though latter isn't obvious from any parts changes. Covered in the old 2008 press release for the launch among other places. Post facelift can also have side assist type stuff, but only if optioned up.

Jack88

I prefer the 2008 facelift, but you might get more options or less miles looking for a 2007 in your budget. As far as being a time bomb at higher mileage, I've seen two in my area up for sale in the past few months over 150,000.

Jack88

These are the only two I found reasonable distance from you and possibly doable with your budget.
2008 Audi S8-$28999
2007 Audi S8-$25500
I'm sure I speak for many of us that if you find one far away, ask and someone could have a look for you.

Jack88

Might I also suggest considering this;
2005 A8L W12-$19490

911 Crazy

Your link is tied to the A8 in Boston.

911 Crazy

Budget might be able to be extended for the right vehicle. I also believe that with a 10% or so give in a given price and the fact that 6 months from now might be when I pick one up, the $30-32k vehicle now might be closer to $25k then.

2008-09 would be preferred at this point.

Good point with the 07's. How prevalent is the massaging/ventilated seats and the ACC/lane assist?

911 Crazy

I will also travel anywhere and have a great road trip home for the right car.

tx170754

There is no massaging/ventilated seats option on the S8, ACC is so and so, lane assist OK but blind spot is a must, at least it is for me since I mostly drive the car in town..