Kneale Brownson

Any current/previous owners of the early V8 ('90-'94) who also have an S8? Comparisons?

What were the weak points of the early S8?

BLT4SPD

.....and it's easily the best car move I have made in a long time! I guess the only thing that could even remotely be called regret is the timing of my purchase. The used car market in general is collapsing (has collapsed?) and the prices are SOOO much lower then they were a year ago. However, if you are looking to buy one now, they are EASILY the performance bargain of century. The fact that you can buy REALLY nice examples for ~$15k makes it ALMOST temping to buy another one.

As for a comparison....there simply isn't one. They are two completely different vehicles, 100% end of story! After spending some time in the S8, it seems silly to me that it is "only" 11 years newer because it feels like it's 31 years newer. The car is SOOO much smoother, SOOOO much quieter and just simply SOOO much better at doing everything. The car is so confidence inspiring on the road (be it the highway or the twisties), that I often find myself not even paying attention to the speedo (not good), where-as in the V8, I found myself slowing down first and asking questions later.

It's only marginally longer and wider, but it weighs *almost* the same (thank you Alcoa). It is also a MONSTER on the inside. Part of the reason we bought it was we wanted more room for a rear facing infant seat. In the V8 with the car seat behind the passenger seat, the wife's knees were almost touching the glove box. In the S8, *I* can easily stretch out. The other way to look at it, in the V8, 5 adults will "fit". In the S8, 5 passengers are pretty comfortable.

I do all my own wrenching and I have yet to come across anything on the S8 that was super difficult (although I haven't had to do any major wrenching). I had to do the Thermostat at ~76k and when I initially found out that I had to pull the timing belt to do it, I was in awe that Audi would move from SUCH an easy thermostat on the 32v to such a PITA on the 40v. In the end, I just did it and it turned out to be much simpler than initially thought. It opened my eyes to how easy the timing belt will be in the future....and after doing several T-Belts on various V8s, I can say it will be MUCH easier.

Oh yeah, and it gets better fuel mileage....not much, but it IS better, which is pretty impressive considering we went from 240hp (w/ manual tranny) to 360hp (w/ slushbox).

There are a couple downsides: Our insurance went up by about 50% and expect parts to be more expensive and harder to find in the used market. Although, I haven't seen anything in the way of parts that you might replace in a V8 that are THAT much more expensive that in a S8 (blower motor, heater core, timing belt parts, oil filters, etc etc etc). I also bought a Pro-Diag as I know they come in handy with the OBD-II cars....I have yet to use it.

For reference, I am comparing the following:

1991 V8 5 Speed, 3.6, Bilsteins, H&Rs, 18x9s with 245/40-18s. Bought it with 98k miles showing and sold it with 155k miles showing.

2002 S8, 19x8's with 255/40-19's, otherwise stock. Bought it with 69k miles showing.

Feel free to hit me back with any questions, but I assure you that it is one of the best moves you will make.

PaulW

I had a 91 200q, then a 97 A8, now a S8. I still love that 91 200q to death, but the electronics, the switches, the SUSPENSION, etc. are far superior in a S8.

There is no comparison.

rangervr4.2

Went from a 5000s to a 5000tq to a V8(sold it w/235m miles on it) to a 99 A8 (176m mi.) and now an '01 S8 that I purchased last December. The S8 is by far the best car I have ever owned. Even my wife, who always insisted on taking her Range Rover on trips, now prefers travelling in the S8. I've just got to find a way to block her view of the speedometer..
Phil C

JBowers

I know you've had your V8 for a long time as well as I've seen your posts on the audifans v8 list for the past countless years.

Here is a telling stat - Since the purchase of the S8 I've driven the V8 exactly three times in 2 years...and yes my wife tells me constantly that I need to sell it since I never drive it.

Anyway, I'll echo the comments of the others - the S8 is so far superior of a vehicle that there really isn't a comparison.

If you haven't yet driven an S8, don't do it! Unless of course you are ready to buy!

mAgnum8

The S8 fills that gap and much more, well the handling anyway.
HANDS DOWN S8 over V8 quattro no matter the year or size of motor (3.6 or 4.2).
Take the S8, weakenesses <Is that a word?.... and all.

Kneale Brownson

Thanks for the "support". So what do I do with my two 1990 V8s when I get the S8???