the_howell

found a 2001 d2 s8 for sale that's tempting me... 147k miles for $3,500. my c7 s6 is my current daily but while it's down for maintenence I drive a rust bucket truck I hate. so I've been looking for a back up that is more inline with what I like and this s8 is ticking the boxes. i know the price is close to half of recent sales numbers but the guy seems to know bits and pieces. he's replaced some sensors and front rotors/pads and keeps oil changes up to date. however not much recorded maintenence so I'm assuming transmission and such hasn't been touched. with transmission, timing belt, and fuel pump worries is it worth it? especially as it would be my "reliable" back up car? I should add that if the tranny goes I would be very interested in a 6 speed manual conversion but that would be roughly the same as the purchase price. thoughts?

d2noob

With very little recorded maintenance, I would say skip it! Look for one that has been well maintained with records.

jfrahm

I think a lot depends on if you pay shops for repairs or DIY, and how much work you are up for.
My D2s needed a fair bit of work in the 100K-150K timeframe (fuel pump, shaft seals, CV boots, trans valve body, front end parts)
And my 2001 needed a good bit more above 150K (tailshaft seal
Worth it to me, great cars. It helps if you are on the forum and can combine work like CV boots and shaft seals (maybe front suspension); Trans flush and lower VB replacement; Timing belt and Bufkin pipe, alternator, serpentine tensioner roller.

I tell people used D2s come with an unpaid $10K repair bill. You can earn that $10K or pay it, not sure you can weasel out on it.
-Joel.

P.S. if you are doing the timing belt I think I'd suggest the cam chain pads and valve springs if you planned to get it over 200K miles.

Pushbutton_auto

ha ha, perfect

KevinGary

I would pass on it. Based on my experience 147k miles are a lot of miles for an Audi. They tend to become costly to maintain once they pass the 125k-130k mile mark.

Number48

Did you drive it yet? A test drive is worth a thousand pictures. I am on my third high-mileage D2, I buy them as my DD and for longer work trips. I do almost all my own work which is the only way I can afford to drive them. At $3500, it should only require a little maintenance. Check for leaks, vibrations, rattle on start up, "hunting" transmission in OD while slowly accelerating, stuff like that. I buy these cheap, do some work on them, put 30-40k miles then get another. I have a 2001 A8L with almost 240k on the clock and I have $3500 into it total including the buying price. My current 2003 has 194k on it, about $4500 invested total and I have it pretty much fixed to where the list is getting pretty small. It's a lot of car for $3500!!