Cespinal

Hey everyone it's been a while but i'm looking to get back into an Audi as I left my A8 for a Range Rover and am now missing it. So this time around i'm looking to buy an S8 and was just curious as to key differences between the 07-09 spread or any pros/cons or things to look out for with each different model year. Thanks in advanced and I'll keep you posted.

jago1

i tested out an 07 S8 and there was a difference in ride comfort on those 21"(actually 20s i stand corrected) S8 wheels versus my then-owned 07 A8L which was 19" sport AND vag lowered 10 mm. much more grunt and exhaust note too, so a different experience. def drive one before pulling the trigger to be sure.

MP4.2+6.0

Typically 265/35-20s. Some owners have gone to 275/35-20s like many W12's and late 4.2 sport option OE wheels. S8's do have stiffer air shock units as well as roll bars, plus the 20mm lowered sport ride height.

For OP's question, the mid life D3 refresh is 2008. Last year S8's (or W12's) were produced is MY 2009. If you find a 2008-9, the outside mirrors will be more functional, it may have side assist as a later added option, and will probably have AMI (iPod, etc. connectivity) standard. Will have the newer tail light pattern, and (I think) the later rectangular shaped fog light set up and minor grill tweaks in front. 2008 refresh also included some better sound insulation tweaks.

A lot of 2007 S8's were built and shipped for its U.S. intro, so many that they had to hold the 2008's in port for months as the recession set in and they tried to clear the way too many 2007's hanging around, particularly S8's rather than 4.2s or low volume W12s. B&O stereo upgrade could be found in any of the D3 S8 years.

Cespinal

Thanks for all your comments, i'm hoping to sell my Range Rover to then search for an S8. Based on your comments i'll try my luck with an 08-09 if I decide to take the dive.

gedis080

just one remark: 275/35-20s is a OEM size for S8 D3

Crisis3

Cespinal

What has been your Range Rover experience? I've wanted one for a long time, but the reliability reputation kept me away.

EHLO

Not according to the door jamb label (and Tire Rack).

MP4.2+6.0

Though at one point I remember Audi talking about a 275/35 fitment. The wheels are 20 x 9 and have the same offset as the ones used on the W12 or later 4.2 sports, which in turn use 275/35. 265/35 is kind of an oddball size, with fewer available choices and somewhat higher prices. On the original S8 fitment with Yoko's, the 265 was really a 275 tread width set up but with a slightly cut down sidewall. I checked them out at the time on dealer showroom cars.

1Wasserwerks

Yes to the 08-09' rectangular foglights. 07 S8 had higher production numbers so you may see more of those available. Prices are coming down quickly also. 08' production numbers had dropped off noticeably, with even smaller numbers on the 09' model. Someone correct me if I am wrong but I am under the impression that there were only 209 S8's either manufactured, or shipped to the US due to the recession. I also recall that the 08-09 had slightly different f/r differential ratio.

MP4.2+6.0

See: https://www.audiworld.com/forums/sho...php?p=24456427

Worldwide production of both the D3 S8 and W12 stopped by April 2009, and hence no 2010's were run. As a trivia point, I guess they ran off too many S8 trunk lids or needed the standard A8 tooling for something else: 2010 4.2's got the S8 integrated spoiler lip type trunk lid as a going-out-of-production last hoorah.