lightbulb Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 Hi, my friend is looking at buying an S8 and we have been to see a few fine examples. One query I am asking on his behalf is about the engine. The car itself was first registered in November of 1998. It is listed as having 360bhp 40v 4.2q. The engine code is AHC. Is this right, can the type of engine be determined from the engine code? A basic car info check based on number plate from my phone provided the following details: Make: AUDI Model: A8 S8 QUATTRO Colour: COLOUR NOT STATED Vehicle Engine Size: 4172 Can anyone shed some light? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 1, 2005 Report Share Posted March 1, 2005 If it is the 40 valve model, then it will have 5V on the cam covers. I do not think the 98 models were 40 valve. But cannot be sure! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carlos50 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 I have a 98 S8 and its the 32v version.The 40v engine will indeed have 5v on the covers (5 valves per 8 cylinders).Dont let that put you off.Ive drove both and couldnt tell the difference. I sold a 996 type Porsche 911 and bought my S8 for luxury purposes but i am astounded at the drive of the car.Its amazing and would give the Porsche a good go.The S8 is as acclaimed one of the best cars ever built.Tell your mate to get one.32v is fine just tell him to make sure its had an 80k miles (belt)service if its around or more than that miles cos its £1500 from the dealer. Audi history is essential.Gearbox oil changes are too or he may need a new one.this is £150 so well worth it. A new gearbox is £4-5k. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crasher Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Whilst on the subject of services and the like...Mines the 40v block, and is rapidly approaching the 50k mark. Since its on variable service intervals how often will I need to change the belt and or gearbox oil. As you can tell, a lifetime of company cars means that I never paid much attention to the care of them - just bunged them in for regular services. Now i'm in my own car I ought to keep abreast of these things Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Gearbox fluid might be every 40K. Belts should still be as the manufacturer has said. With the 40v block, I am not sure if it is still 80K. Hope that helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightbulb Posted March 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Thanks for the replies, I'll pass on the info so far. Other than the engine cover are there any other ways of knowing visually whether it is the 32 or 40v with 310 or 360bhp? Do both cars shift gear at the same revs? I think this one shifted in standard driving mode at 3300 or there abouts and at 7000 redline in sport/hi rev mode (i think). As the car is advertised as having 360bhp and 40v but information on Parkers price guide and rsmodels.net provide varying information I would like to be sure for my friends sake that he buys what is advertised Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Yes, I have noticed that MANY sellers put in that the A8 that they are selling is the 40 valve model. I think many of them just don't know the model history. Presume that it is NOT a 40 valve one. Probably no discernable gear change differences due to the ADAPTING LEARNING gearbox software. I might be wrong, but maybe ONLY the facelift models had the 40 valve engine......that might be a safer way of checking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightbulb Posted March 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 thanks for the prompt reply assuming this model is a 32v model, what are the possible bhp variations that were available around 98 for the s8, are they 310bhp and 340bhp? or just 340bhp? i can get a picture of the outside uploaded if the outer body/trim gives any clues? [edit] I have attached the picture Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 The A8 32v 4.2 was 310 BHP, the 32v S8 was 340. The A8 40v 4.2 was 320???BHP and the 40v S8 was 360BHP. No variations. ( I do have work to do, BUT I am configuring a laptop build and installing software on it - so plenty of gaps!) Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 That's a pre facelift car.....you can tell by no chrome on the bumpers....so it's a 32 valve. Also, you can look at the dash.....the center console on the 98 will have a Concert radio (or nav plus if you're lucky) where the facelift (99) will have a double DIN Symphony radio or Nav Plus..... The switches at the top of the pre facelift will be large like this: Or like this is it has the Nav Plus: And here is a facelift model, 40 valve, 1999 model year, notice how the HVAC unit is different and the switches at the top are small profile: Good luck, if I could get the negaro blue pre facelift S8, I would! If it didn't have a Nav Plus, I would get one, plus I would lower it and change the front brakes....oh, that's just me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulW Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 [ QUOTE ] ( I do have work to do, BUT I am configuring a laptop build and installing software on it - so plenty of gaps!) [/ QUOTE ] I just bought a desktop for my home office....burning the recovery DVD right now....have a 19" flat screen now with a computer that is absolutely smokin'! Why did I wait so long for a desktop? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lightbulb Posted March 2, 2005 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 lol, thanks for all the help everyone, yep the centre console didnt have nav plus and was as shown in the prefacelift dash pic looks like we got a 340 here then lol, sorry to keep ya from ur work Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 2, 2005 Report Share Posted March 2, 2005 Don't worry PW and Lightbulb, does not take much to keep me from my work! Distraactions are welcome! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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