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BMW Gods, please don't be angry with me... but I still miss S8

4K views 21 replies 10 participants last post by  clarkwgriswold 
#1 ·
Even though I had my M5 for 14 months now and love it, I miss the S8 I sold in order to get M5.
I sorted everything out on that car and put brand new BBS's on it and then M5 bug hit hard:







And now this:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2003-Audi-...m215d1cc7c7:g:wO0AAOSwafZdBRw0&frcectupt=true

Other than wheels, it's what I wanted to do with my S8. I'm a truly long time E39 enthusiast but S8 has something attractive to me that's hard to put into words.

I could technicaly own 4 cars but I can't stand car needing something a 3 older BMW's are plenty expensive to own even though I do everything myself and have lift.
 
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#3 ·
I had a 200q20v wagon. Great car. Loved the AWD. Switchable ABS. Heated seats. Leather everywhere. Added boost, suspension and brakes. Even took it to the track numerous times! ;)

This is more the equivalent of an E38 7 series. Larger inside, especially trunk and rear seats. Much more of a GT cruiser, while the M5 is much more sports sedan, bordering on sports car based on performance.

But if this pulls at your heart, then go for it. It will be easier (although more expensive) to find an E39 M5 later. They have been recognized by many as BMW's best all around sports sedan built to date. With computers, I don't see the future any brighter for people who like to actually be engaged in the driving experience.

Regards,
Jerry
 
#11 ·
You make good points and all true. My biggest impression with D2 S8 was how amazingly it handled considering where the engine is. I'm sure it's mainly due to sophisticated AWD but hats off to Audi engineers in that department.
 
#10 ·
I wish. It's probably well sorted out but this is something you want to check it out in person first, at least I would. But I have to agree that someone is taking loss on this one.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Those re-upholstered sport seats with pleated leather are tits!

I was an Audi guy initially, 200 20vt Sedan, 90 SQ, C4 S4. I lusted after the D2 S8 forever, particularly with a 6 speed swap. I actually began gravitating toward the M5 due to Audi's BS NLA practices. When consumables cant be purchased, its a problem.

The D2 S8 takes a back seat in terms of out right performance, but it's even more understated and classic looking than the M5. When the snow falls Audi's dominate the left lane, you would be shiny side down trying to keep pace in the M5.
 
#13 ·
Yes - I had a B6 S4 and felt the same thing - for a car with terrible weight distribution and the engine hanging way out in front of the front axle-line, the car handled very well. Especially in the snow - but even in the dry too. Very fun car. Mine was very rare Avant with 6MT.

 
#14 ·
I sold my B7 RS4 to get my E39 M5. It was an '08 Imola yellow w/ Ti package and Milltek exhaust. Quite a rare and awesome car. The engine in that car is a masterpiece. Minus the carbon buildup it's actually a pretty reliable engine that has torque everywhere and revs to the moon. Not to mention it's one of the best sounding engines ever, IMO. I ended up keeping the RS4 longer than I thought I was going to and didn't feel too good about letting it go. I had been wanting an E39 M5 pretty bad for a while though.

 
#16 · (Edited)
I had the miltek exhaust too - it was glorious!

The maintenance is no worse than a E39 era BMW - IMHO. Other than chain guides if needed requires pulling the motor. That's the one potential gotcha. The packaging is much worse than a RWD car and the S4 is a compact chassis not ever really designed to house that big V8. So E39 is much easier to work on.

But similar issues to the E39 with the Audis - valve cover gaskets, various sensors, window regulators. Stuff is harder to do tho - just replacing the serpentine belt requires removing the entire front bumper assembly! That's fun.

I did all my own maint and repair on both the Audi and all the BMW's I've owned. Similar issues and parts costs in my experience.

Sold my B6 with ~100K miles with a good original clutch too - just like my E39 M5.
 
#17 · (Edited)
The B6/7 S4s are a special case. Its basically the same as our timing chain issues but requires engine removal to remedy. All the jack shaft driven accessories only compound the problem. The "soft touch" interior buttons in that generation Audi are also a sticking point, they go from bad to worse pretty fast.

The Euro C4 S6+ or RS2 would be my Holy Grail Audi.
 
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