esseight

X-post from the QW D3 forum:

Knee issues have forced me to consider parting with my manual swapped D2 S8. I love the car and have put a lot into it, thinking I'd keep her forever, but things never seem to work out the way you expect. Owning a manual precludes me from getting a slushbox D2 (plus I already had one many moons ago) so I wonder if this is an opportune time to trade up. I know many of you guys had (or still have) D2's, and am curious if going to the D3 was all you hoped / expected it to be. Did any of you look at D4's and end up deciding on a D3 instead? For those in D3's now looking at D4's, are there any specific reasons you're getting out other than it's simply time to upgrade?

My target price of entry is ~$20K, which looks like it will get me something along the lines of a 2008-09 S8 with 80-90K. Assuming it's clean and well kept at this point, is there really any value in spending a little more for a year or two newer and a few thousand miles less? My primary concern is the air suspension, but what else begins to become an issue at this point? I've started doing some research and reading through this sub-forum, but any advice you can offer as I begin to look into this more seriously would be appreciated!

Jack88

Anyone looking at a D3 S8 should try a D4 A8 4.2 with the sport differential first. The D4 feels comparable in terms of acceleration, despite the power deficit, and has a lot of other advancements. It is missing that sweet V10 sound, though. In terms of the S8, the main issue is carbon fouling and keep an ear out for unusual valveline noise indicating timing chain issues.

Ste4lth

Newer and better overall design.

BASARAB

Simply because they have similar performance, D4 A8 and D3 S8 are very different cars, even from a simply emotional standpoint. I personally think pre-facelift D4 A8 are ugly as hell

BASARAB

I have a 2007 S8 with 128k miles and besides typical D3 problems, the only different major issue is intake manifold. Its about $1800 just for the part and has 100% failure rate. Looks like it lasts about 60-80k miles.

Jack88

Aesthetics are subjective, personally, I loved my D4 and I also really like my D3. I drove the D4 A8 and D3 S8 back to back a couple times, they really aren't that different dynamically. The D4 is subjectively the superior car, it has comparable performance, better equipment, far better fuel economy, and easier to find. I will say the trunk was smaller than the D3's. From an emotional standpoint, the only thing the S8 would have going for it is that it's a rarer car, unless there is some sort of personal connection to the car.

esseight

BASARAB

I would say emotion would be the only reason someone would buy a 10-12 year old V10 German car ))