charlie61 Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 [ QUOTE ] And I'm not confident enough to buy from an auction. At least you have SOME comeback with a dealer. [/ QUOTE ] You ought to go and have a look, auctions aren't like they used to be, arthur daley types with trilby hats on These days most of the cars sold are ex lease with FSH, you say you have some comeback with a dealer which is true but what you need to consider is you could probably have bought that S8 for under £5,000 from the auction. IMO the £2,500 saved is more likely to be a bigger safety net than some dodgy car dealers warranty Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gapthree Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 H'mm lots of opinions...so here's mine. I'd consider the following points. No matter what you pay for any make of car some one will have got a simillar one for both more and less money. Right time / place and all that. Showing 2,200rpm at 75mph its difficullt to wear our 4.2litres of V8. A8's can and do big mile's. Finding the right car with the spec you personnaly want can take an age IMO. Once you see the one you want, resistance IS futile. If you find a car that feels right then thats the one. And now to ease your concience. How much MORE car do you want for your money! All cars depreciate. Accountants generally don't buy S8's..they get overtaken by them. Errr....your currently in a Micra! No offence like. Good hunt'in Cheers G Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willg60 Posted October 6, 2005 Report Share Posted October 6, 2005 Anxious to hear how you got on.... was it a blinder ? or a dirty nail ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werejackal Posted October 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 It was pretty tatty. The suspension still hadn't been fixed, and there was trim detatching from the doors. Mechanically, it seemed smooth, but the garage owner had been out in it already, so it was already warm. The bloke who took us out for a drive also drove it, in my opinion, "like a cock" as the saying goes. It suggested to me that they're just smoking it around all of the time. The paintwork and bodywork was badly scratched and chipped. When we pulled up, the engine smelt very very warm indeed. In short, it was a 170,000 mile car, and it felt it. Strangely, the dash looked brand new, yet the seats were very worn indeed. This was the first S8 I'd driven, but I was immediately hooked. Christ, what a HUGE monster it is! If this green one I'm looking at tomorrow (hopefully) turns out to be a good 'un, I'll be buying it! As for the Micra, that's a temporary vehicle. I used to own a remapped Octavia vRS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wilfred Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Hmmm that does sound dodgy. 10 years ago I must have spent most weekends for 6 months looking for a decent BMW M635i. Its really frustrating to drive the length of the land to look at an apparently A1 motor to arrive and find its a complete lemon. Keep the faith. A decent A8 is worth the effort. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willg60 Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 aaaagh ! oh well, at least you got a flavour of what not to buy ! Keep looking, I recon more "decent" high milers are coming up now.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Shame to hear that. At least now you know what to look for. Any warm oil smells, walk away. could be all manner of things. And I think you'll find most garages will drive a car like that - to show it off a bit. And then the old 'warm engine' trick so you can't hear the tappets/valve slap and oily smoke when it starts from cold! Next time, when you arrange it, insist you hear it start from cold - accept no bollox excuse - 'Oh, just had to collect something/drop something off' etc when there is a perfectly good and economical 1.1 diesel sat next to it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 To me the ebay one looked a better bet, it looks really nice in the pictures, as long as you can confirm ownership/service history of the car I think you will be very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werejackal Posted October 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Audi Customer Services have confirmed all of the history on the eBay one, so it's sounding very promising indeed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Botang Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Cool It looks very well specced for a 97, the optional extras such as the phone kit suggest it would have been loked after well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werejackal Posted October 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Apparently it has: Solar Roof, Through Loading Kit, Towing Kit, Electric Blinds, Dipping Mirrors, BOSE, Cruise and Headlamp Washers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willg60 Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 sounds like a winner !! low mileage will be a bonus on that one too... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 [ QUOTE ] It was pretty tatty. The suspension still hadn't been fixed, and there was trim detatching from the doors. Mechanically, it seemed smooth, but the garage owner had been out in it already, so it was already warm. The bloke who took us out for a drive also drove it, in my opinion, "like a cock" as the saying goes. It suggested to me that they're just smoking it around all of the time. The paintwork and bodywork was badly scratched and chipped. When we pulled up, the engine smelt very very warm indeed. In short, it was a 170,000 mile car, and it felt it. Strangely, the dash looked brand new, yet the seats were very worn indeed. This was the first S8 I'd driven, but I was immediately hooked. Christ, what a HUGE monster it is! If this green one I'm looking at tomorrow (hopefully) turns out to be a good 'un, I'll be buying it! As for the Micra, that's a temporary vehicle. I used to own a remapped Octavia vRS. [/ QUOTE ] Good you drove that one. sounds a DOG to me, keep looking you may as I and other have, have to travel the country quite a bit,but you know the right one when you drive it, best of luck, I'll keep my eyes open for you. J Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnss8 Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 The one on ebay sounds a right decent speck, fingers crossed for you mate that it's a good one Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikw Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 Couple of points, one useful, one maybe not: 1. 'Hot' smell is not necessarily the end of the world. Leakage of oil from a transmission seal above the left hand cat is a common fault on D2 8s. With a torch you can see the oil on the underside of the cat without lifting the car, so it's easy to check. The seal at fault is cheap but you've got to drop the exhaust to replace it, so it costs ~£280 or so at a stealer, less at a specialist. Budget this into the purchase cost and you're OK. 2. The green paint looks dull in photos, especially when grubby. However, in the metal on a sunny day when it's clean it has a fabulous emerald sparkle to it. When I was looking for my A8 I quickly decided that it HAD to be green! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie61 Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 if only I had the money, sigh http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2004-04-AUDI-A8-4-...1QQcmdZViewItem Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted October 7, 2005 Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 There is a couple in echange & mart this week,lowish miles, been there for a while, make them an offer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werejackal Posted October 7, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 7, 2005 [ QUOTE ] There is a couple in echange & mart this week,lowish miles, been there for a while, make them an offer. [/ QUOTE ] I wonder if they've been there a while for a reason. Which ones specifically are you refering to? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willg60 Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 I agree with that, plus V8 seems to run pretty hot and gives off a lot of heat, I suppose cos it's such a big unit... so a mild hot smell after a blast is perfectly normal. You will know straight away if the seal on the prop has gone, cos it smells blimin awful ! I had one go on my last 8 and every time the car was stationary, say at some lights, the smell would get into the car. Smells like an oil refinary! But as NikW said, its a £300 job, so not the end of the world. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] There is a couple in echange & mart this week,lowish miles, been there for a while, make them an offer. [/ QUOTE ] I wonder if they've been there a while for a reason. Which ones specifically are you refering to? [/ QUOTE ] One for £10K 72thousand miles FSH.One for £12K later model same sort of miles FSH.They have been there a while though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 Check this for one. AUDI A8 3.7 40V Quattro AUDI A8 3.7 40V Quattro Sport , 2001 (51), tiptronic with steering wheel controls, covered 64,000 from new with a full audi main agent service history, met green complimented with full black sports leather interior, 18 alloys, 12 months mot, front fog lights, abs, esp (traction control), multi airbags, electric double glazed windows, truly amazing value for money See website for full spec, only £12,995 p/x welcome. (Turners Autos) Tel 01622 890818 [T] Price: £12,995 Distance: 93 miles | Clip | Email a Friend | Print Page | SPONSORED LINKS © Exchange Enterprises Ltd | Disclaimer | Cookie Info Theres a couple for £11999 with 69K on the clock Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie61 Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 [ QUOTE ] Check this for one. AUDI A8 3.7 40V Quattro AUDI A8 3.7 40V Quattro Sport , 2001 (51), tiptronic with steering wheel controls, covered 64,000 from new with a full audi main agent service history, met green complimented with full black sports leather interior, 18 alloys, 12 months mot, front fog lights, abs, esp (traction control), multi airbags, electric double glazed windows, truly amazing value for money See website for full spec, only £12,995 p/x welcome. [/ QUOTE ] Blimey someone's taken a serious hit on that, 50k to 13K in 4 years Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Werejackal Posted October 8, 2005 Author Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 Out of my budget. I have about £8000 to spend. I went to look at the green S8 today. I managed to haggle a decent deal with the bloke, but something was nagging at me. As I phoned for the HPI check, I bottled out and decided not to go for the car. I don't know what it was, but something was making me very, very nervous. I felt guilty about messing the bloke about, but in the end, it's my money. As soon as I decided not to buy, I felt very relieved. Right choice made, I think. Perhaps it was because I've only seen a couple of cars and I felt like I was jumping in too fast. Perhaps it was the rather too-clean engine bay, which had definately been steam cleaned. Perhaps it was the clear, golden oil that looked like it had been put in fresh a day ago. I'm going to start another thread too, because I genuinely don't know what I'm doing here. I don't know if I'm being too demanding, or if my criteria are reasonable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
willg60 Posted October 8, 2005 Report Share Posted October 8, 2005 Wise move, if in doubt, walk away... another will come along... I know how you feel having just been through the process- you've got the cash, all you want is a sound genuine motor, your not worried about the mileage, you just want to be assured its got the right history and preferably the vender isn't some numpty who thinks your head buttons up at the back.. .. 8k is still a lot of money, you dont want to throw it a car that's giving you a bad vibe ... Six months ago the cheapest S8 I saw on the Autotrader was 10k+ and now there's a few kicking around for a couple of grand less, so odds are we should start seeing a few more coming up in the 8k bracket. You did the right thing, be patient and one will come up ! good luck, i'll keep my eyes peeled for you... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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