fenn Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Mucho tooing and frowing between the dealer,Audi,and me the last few days-turns out that the dealer agrees that the overheating fault IS down to the thermostat,which is being duly replaced,but when they'd plugged their diagnostic test equipment in,it had shown a fault from the e.c.u.-they've shown me the printout,which shows the e.c.u. giving false readings to the gearbox,which in turn can appaently result in unneccessary gearbox changes.I must asmit that this one is a LOT juicier than the previous one,so perhaps they've got something there-I'd not told them that this one was using a lot more fuel.So we're having the thermostat replaced.and a new e.c.u. Whilst it's in,I'm having the cambelts,water pump etc. changed as a precaution,so the total bill is going to be £1,700-OUCH-but at least the car should come back well fettled! No-I didn't get a warranty off the dealer I brought it from-I was so intent in screwing a good deal for the change of my A8,and my wife,s Toyota,for the S8 and the Saab convertible,that I let him get away without any warranty,as I felt that both cars were straight and that we'd got down to rock-bottom,and I'd done a preety good deal-smart old me,eh!!!Daren't tell the wife though-she'd sniff in that particularily infuriating way wives do,and re-iterate her feelings about me and cars!-the worst of that being that I know she's right. Anyway,I'm supposed to be picking the S8 up tomorrow night,and leaving the newish A8 4.2 Quattro I;ve been using there. Found this car to be very quick-doesn't really feel much,if any,slower than the S8-maybe the S has a slightly quicker take off.and more instant pick up,but in the real world,there's not much it in I feel-the ride,at least when set on Auto,is softer-didn't get round to trying sport,and I like the paddle gear=box,although of course you quickly get bored with it and just leave it in drive most of the time.The Auto opening boot-lid is a really useful function,surprisingly-press the button as you're getting out of the driver's sea,and by the time you've reached the boot,it's open-then just press the button on the inside top sill and iy automatically closes-no more dirty hands Key-less go is good;at least now they have the little grey button on the outside door handle that you press when you leave the car=Corse you're always wondering if the door has locked,as if you're by it,it will always open-but I've had some fun with my mates,telling them it's fingerprint recognition start(you just tell them to press the starter,but don't put your foot on the brake-then when you press the starter yourself,put your foot on the brake-it's great fun-I even had one convinced that I'd programmed in my nose!) This new one seems to me to be harder to reverse,in that I seem to be lower in it than in mine,even though it's got the parking sensorsfitted-in fact-the whole car seems bigger all round than mine-perhaps I'm just imagining it as I don't know the relative dimensions. I'm still looking forward to getting mine back anyway I've been trying to find where the previous S8 has gone to,so as to maybe make a bid for it in case anyone on the site's interested in things off it,but as yet no joy-I get the distinct impression that it will somehow wind up back on the road,repaired to a lower standard but looking the part,so if anyone goes to look at a dark blue 1998 S8 that seems cheap-check the offside front wheel arch,on the inside at the top,to ensure it;s not mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Good luck with your car Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Good luck Fenn. Hope they have sorted the problem. That's 2 or 3 S8 boys on here with problems all at the same time! Drive carefully in this one please! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Glad to hear it's almost sorted... And I guess this tells you how valuable a warranty can be... My car was sound to, and tested so by an independent surveyor, yet I had a new engine, MAF, TPM valves, brakes, and some other stuff fitted under warranty. Wouldn't like to have been on my own with that... Anyway, I think you'll note the S8 is more responsive and much more planted as the D3 4.2. That one has the 6 speed box, so that gives it an advantage, but I wouldn't trade it for the S8, handling wise. The W12 with sports setup may be another kettle of fish tho... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenn Posted August 27, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 Well-I've got it back,and I'm only £1,600 poorer!-they did wash it nicely though-I wqas all ready to be pissed off,then I read the fencemaster's post-geez-that's one unlucky so and so-great sense of humour though-what's with these women,that she could leave an obviously top geezer like that? Sven-you're dead right-it certainly does confirm how useful a good warranty is-problem is-as usual I got carried away with wanting the car,and all my coolness was blown away(not that there was all that much to start with)Still.I hope now that I can have a bit of time enjoying the car-when's the next meet in the u.k.=would like to try and get to that one. I'll try and get some decent pics. done of S8 WOW as soon as I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SneakyMcC Posted August 27, 2004 Report Share Posted August 27, 2004 G'luck m8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fenn Posted August 28, 2004 Author Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 I've managed to track down my broken S8-it's gone to a salvage co. called D.Hales Salvage-rang them up to see if it would be possible to buy it back-they say the S8 will go in to auction next week,but because of it's overall condition,and apparent light damage,will fetch "top" money,maybe £7-8,000,and will then be repaired and resold-so,bearing in mind that it was reckoned that a "proper" repair,at least.one done to AUDI standard,was going to cost about £10-12,000.it's not hard to see that whoever does repair it will not be spending that sort of dosh.It may well be repairable at a much lower cost,but I wouldn't fancy trusting it(remember that it had been chipped and derestricted)-so if anybody gets offered a 1998 dark blue S8,reg,S141 PNK,vin no.WA42224DZWNO15580,then be very sure to get it professionally checked out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sven Posted August 28, 2004 Report Share Posted August 28, 2004 Good point Fenn, thanks for the heads up! "apparent light damage" Yeah, right... This borders on dishonesty, no? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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