I’ll admit that I probably have rose-colored glasses on when I look back at my V8 quattro ownership. I had enough issues with it that my wife refers to most catastrophic failures in life as “like your Audi V8” incidents. Sure, it tried to kill me a few times; but then, look at it. It’s a great looking car. And that was what kept me going as I dumped money into an example that I paid far too little for initially. Today, I find myself looking back and saying “Next time, spend a little more and get the right one”. This is something that really should extend to the rest of my car purchases, frankly – and when the opportunity to purchase a replacement Passat, I didn’t cheap out. I found a 1 owner, lower mile and fully maintained model, and I paid a premium for it. Could I have gotten one for less money with a more dubious history? Absolutely, but learn from my experiences – buying a budget Audi/Volkswagen product with the intentions of fixing it along the way as things break will certainly cost you as much as buying the nice model would have cost you. I continue to longingly look at D2 S8s with the same balance; pay for a lower mile, nice example with maintenance history versus the many that pop up for budget prices. One Ming Blue example just surfaced near me for $4,000 with the check engine light on; another for $2,500 with 200,000 miles with a blown transmission. I could get one of those, but it’s probably smarter to spend more than double that for an example with less question marks:
CLICK FOR DETAILS: 2001 Audi S8 on eBay
Year: 2001
Model: S8
Engine: 4.2 liter V8
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
Mileage: 69,876 mi
Price: $7,999 Buy It Now
2001 AUDI S8, 68K MILES, 1 OWNER, RUNS LIKE NEW, CAR DRIVES SMOOTH AND IS SUPER POWERFUL. THE CAR IS IN MINT CONDITION INSIDE AND OUT. BRAND NEW TOYO TIRES. GREAT CAR FOR THE MONEY. REAR BUMPER HAS A FEW SCRATCHES WHICH ARE NORMAL FOR THE AGE. CD PLAYER AND TAPE PLAYER WORK PERFECTLY AM/FM RADIO SIGNAL IS WEAK. EXTREMELY RARE CAR!!!!
IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO COME SEE THE CAR FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME AT
201-248-8991
Miles are right, the color combination is striking, condition appears great, there are newer tires on the wheels I like, and those seats are the sport Recaros – there’s a lot to like here. Despite that, pricing on this clean example isn’t outrageous for the model year. Were I serious about this example, a call to confirm maintenance records and a careful PPI would be in order – but it’s amazing that for $8,000 you can buy one of these super-sedans. Just be sure it’s the right one when the time comes!
-Carter
@Carter nice find for the money….though with such low miles the interior looks a little “worn” especially the rear more so than the front??? odd…
these cars when ON are really great fun…channel your inner RONIN!
but they are a freaking nightmare when stuff starts to go….
the RS6 was the only car I seriously considered trading my E39 M5 in for in 03…..
for a one owner car why no mention of service records???
Love ming blue but the gray is very wan.
These are great cars.
I have been through an audi V8 quattro 1992 and know how expensive old audis can be.
I now have a theory I am testing with a 2001 S8.
Here is the theory…..
Any car from a mainstream manufacturer made after 2000 is well made and reliable if looked after. It will have extensive online forum support and it’s faults (all cars have weaknesses) are well known and fixes documented in vidoes and pictures. Couple this to On board diagnostic OBD2 etc gives the private owner/buyer tremendous advantage in running an older cars cost effectively.
I have always liked S8s d2 and did some research. They have a weak transmission that go at 100-120k miles, a water coolant leak from the oil cooler and various blocked rain and ac drains. Found this out before I bought and came across an S8 on craigslist which had the transmission fixed but had coolant leak. Negotiated with buyer, bought for $5k and got my mechanic to fix the coolant issues using a PDF guide from internet. 4000 miles later I have a great car, no issues. Now have 135k on vehicle.
I never got the internet support for the V8 as it was too old. The newer D3 moved towards the air suspension and more electronics to deal with. So, the d2 is In a sweet spot- Internet forum support but not too sophisticated to be maintained by an enthusiastic owner and a back street mechanic.
Anyway, good luck in looking for an S8, go scratch the itch, well worth it..