thphon

Hi everybody,

I created this account a while ago but I think I never used it before. So first things first, my name is Leo, I'm from Argentina and I relocated to Orlando, FL almost a year and a half ago. With a little luck by the end of the week I will have sold my 98 M3 and now I'm looking for a sports sedan. My two options are S8 D2 or M5 E39, I cannot quite say why (yet) but I'm more inclined to the Audi.
I've been reading a lot about these cars, the kind of issues they can have and expected maintenance but since I don't understand much about cars I decided to ask here so you guys can help me sort things out.
Based on what I've seen so far online, I'm looking at S8's with 75k-105k miles that go for about $10k-$14k. I'll have to travel almost 1k miles so I really want to make sure the car is worth it.
I read that close to 100k miles there's a major maintenance expected (can't remember right now what), what are the kind of things I should check? I even considered to arrange to take the car to an Audi dealership to have checked it out before flying there, but none is sold by a private party so not sure if that's even an option.
Any help/advice you can give me will be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Leo

2001 S8

Hey Leo,

Good idea doing your homework! Whether the car is being sold by a dealer or private party, I would highly recommend getting the potential S8 checked out by an Audi dealer. I learned this the hard way.

As far as a pre-purchase check list, I've attached a link http://www.audipages.com/usedA8.html to a very good and detailed list of things to check before buying a S8.

Happy shopping and good luck!


2001 S8
Black on Black

thphon

Thanks for the reply.
After checking VIN numbers the best candidate so far is a 2002 S8 with 93k and they are asking $13k. I think the timing belt needs to be done at 90k, assuming this car doesn't have it, how much could it cost?
By the way, can I paste here links to listings?

Cheers,
Leo

silverd2

Audi says 105K miles for timing belt change, but most agree that 10 yrs old is good enough reason, even at much lower mileage.

Depending on where you live, dealer cost for timing belt "service" (including water pump, thermostat, rollers, etc) is between $1500-2500. A good indy mechanic should do it a bit cheaper. I've always done my own on all cars, but priced it at my local dealer...they said $1800, a couple of years ago.

If you do your own, including rental tools, just a few hundred dollars.

thphon

Thanks silverd2, although DIY is not an option for me. I barely know how to drive a car
I call the dealer and the they couldn't tell me if the timing belt was replaced or not, but luckily I found another one. It's a 2001 with 93k miles as well, they are asking $11000 and it had the timing belt replaced like 5k miles ago. The carfax says 2 owners and has 35 records (at different Audi dealerships), nothing major, mostly oil and fluid changes. I guess the timing belt was done by an indy mechanic.
I'll talk to them again tomorrow or the day after, is there anything else I should take into account maintenance-wise? Something else that should've already been done or should be done in the near future?
Is it expected for the seller (a dealer in this case) to accept to take the car somewhere for an inspection?
Sorry to make all these questions but on top of being an expensive car to maintain, I'll have to travel roughly 900 miles for this one. It seems these cars are a lot more common in the northern states, can it be because is one the few sports sedan with AWD?
Alright, enough question for a single post.

Thanks,
Leo

93SHOcar

There are some differences as you go from an 01 to an 02. 02's have sport mode in transmission (some have retrofitted this on earlier models), in dash cd changer, and perhaps less transmission problems but that is probably subject to debate. I can not stress enough th importance of getting a good Indepedent pre purchase inspection. I had dealer do one and it was virtually worthless. Fortunately had a 2 nd from an Indy Audi specialist and he clearly laid all of vehicles issues. Let us know the area you are looking and I bet someone could recommend a good shop. Personally, I would rather use the lack of timing belt replacement as negotiating point and then get it done by a shop I trust. Also, recognize that these cars can b expensive to repair. Have money set aside. Also, you may want to get in touch with BruceM. He specializes in locating these D2s and many have been very pleased. He is active on this and other forums. Good luck!

silverd2

Much better advice than I could have offered....and I fully agree with every word.

I bought my car years ago, over the phone (saw web photos and auto check report only) as a CPO with 2.5 years of Audi warranty remaining. After negotiating the price, I had it shipped to me...free shipping was part of the negotiations. By the time the warranty was up, I had the Bentley manual ( bought before the car even arrived) almost memorized. I've done all my own work on all my past VW's and Porsche's (out of warranty)...so I had no fears or concerns.

thphon

The 01 was sold the next morning I found another 02 in Fredericksburg, VA. It seems it has the timing belt done and they are willing to get it inspected by a third party. I tried to arrange for an Audi dealership but haven't heard back from them yet. If anybody can recommend a good INDY in that area, that would be great. I won't be able to fly there until next weekend so that gives me some time.
By the way, yesterday morning I sold my M3 so I'm buying an S8 for sure How can I get in touch with BruceM?
Thanks for the help!
Leo

2001 S8

That's funny, you're looking at a S8 located in Fredericksburg, VA. That's the same city I bought my S8 from four months ago.

Good luck S8 hunting.


2001 S8
Black on Black

Serlock

I would say the most important things are the engine ( timing belt etc.) and tranny, suspension is almost identical as a4/a6/a8 also must check if all electrical things are working, windows, heating, ac, seats, all of them. For the rest i dont see any problem.