Just bought 2001 Audi S8 D2 (Ronin movie). First impressions and comparisons to E39

[XAlt]

Belt>Chain without idler sprocket

[geargrinder]

137000 miles on original suspension other than tie rods! It has 17 zillion control arms

LOL. Yeah. That IS a feature of that era of the "Multi-link" Audi suspension.

Its also why they handle pretty good despite as you say the engine sticking way out the front vs. a BMW.

But they are bit costly to overhaul.

Superior front brakes (multi piston Brembos).

One of the S8 upgrades is the brakes, just like an M5 or whatever. Some say they are basically roughly same as Porsche Big Reds.

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The D2 looks and feels like a giant B5 while the E38 is not a giant E36.

Ha ha never thought of it that way. Maybe. A giant B5 with a big V8 that likes to be wrung out.

The alum chassis def makes a big difference vs an E38. I think the multilink suspension being like the B5 may account for the handling comparo.

[auaq]

Wished we also got some big brakes on our cars too.

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Sorry, double post.

[Aubergine]

Awesome find! I owned a C4 100 CS Quattro (5 speed) last winter that was in impeccable condition. It was loads of fun in the snow and the locking rear diff was great. Even with mid-range Goodyear A/S tires it ate through the snow like a beast. The downside was that while the interior was top quality, the seats were mega uncomfortable (thanks to BMW comfort seats for ruining me) and the handling left something to be desired. Now writing this I want another with winter coming...damn.

Enjoy and have some fun hooning with Quattro!

[auaq]

Are these Quattro's Torsen type diffs or something else?

[XAlt]

Are these Quattro's Torsen type diffs or something else?

Torsen.

Only AWD car fit for snowplow duty.

[auaq]

The good stuff, eh!

[jicaino]

maybe you're looking at this all wrong... sell the 528i or the X5 and do as the wise gentleman before you... make her think it's hers

[cnsorial]

maybe you're looking at this all wrong... sell the 528i or the X5 and do as the wise gentleman before you... make her think it's hers

Hahaha. That's good.


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[jicaino]

Hahaha. That's good.


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I've been married to the same woman for 22 years and I'm as old as BMW540San is... you've gotta learn some tricks along the way...

[geargrinder]

Awesome find! I owned a C4 100 CS Quattro (5 speed) last winter that was in impeccable condition. It was loads of fun in the snow and the locking rear diff was great. Even with mid-range Goodyear A/S tires it ate through the snow like a beast. The downside was that while the interior was top quality, the seats were mega uncomfortable (thanks to BMW comfort seats for ruining me) and the handling left something to be desired. Now writing this I want another with winter coming...damn.

Enjoy and have some fun hooning with Quattro!

DUDE. I'd LOVE to find some base C4 100 Quattro for a winter beater. I'd even take slushbox easily but a 5sp would be miracle. I passed on my buddies slushboxed C4 A6 Avant and he ended up Kars for Kids'ing it for a few hundred bux and I've kinda regretted it for a while now.

The earlier 100 w the push-button diff lock is the business for sure, although the later ones with ABS "Electronic Diff Lock" aka rudimentary traction control are still quite excellent, just not quite as hoon-ish as the push-button locker when the roads are layered in slippery stuff. The earlier cars are even better - center AND rear diff pushbutton lockers.

The answer to the seats thing are the C4 S4/S6 seats which - like this S8 - are factory Recaros, and are THE BOMB and will make E39 seats feel like municipal bus seats... But yes the base C4 seat would not be so great, especially if it was an old high mileage survivor. Frankly much like a beat old E39 base budget car with an extra 10yrs of age would be. My buds car had uber rare cloth seats in great shape, so while short of the S-car seats, they still felt pretty good, another thing to regret.

[Jason5driver]

I really love this car!
Best part of the movie Ronin, is at the car chase scene...!
I hope you keep both cars.
I really like the car / wheels GG posted. Awesome wheels...
Thanks!
Jason

[auaq]

Yeah, avus wheels are damng good looking.

[cnsorial]

I've been married to the same woman for 22 years and I'm as old as BMW540San is... you've gotta learn some tricks along the way...

You've been married for as long as I've been alive. I'll try to take note of your tricks for the future though


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[auaq]

I've been married too for two years ... to my M5.

[jicaino]

You've been married for as long as I've been alive. I'll try to take note of your tricks for the future though


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So I've been dead as long as you've been alive...

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[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

She kept bringing marriage up after 7.5 years together, I said no, she wouldn't ease up about it, still said no, she nagged on, so I dumped her.... Happy to report, I am a free, and happy man!!

[BimmrMeUpSnotty]

See this one? One more day to go, $9 grand, 6 speed conversion, black on black....

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-audi-s8/

[BMW540san]

See this one? One more day to go, $9 grand, 6 speed conversion, black on black....

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2001-audi-s8/

I've seen that one few days after I bought mine. Even though I'd prefer black interior I see several things I personally don't like:
Some close ups of paint are pretty disappointing. Higher miles, 5 owners, incomplete history, northern car and you simply don't know now how well was conversion done unless seeing the car first.
I've paid considerably less (due to several reasons) and it's southern, 2 owner car with all records and in really good shape.
But this is only IMO and maybe car is much better that I think.

[Rossagge]

Nice! Sounds familiar. Had an RS6, 03 of course, but also had an e39 M5, 740i and an 85 928S at the time...along with a few other toys. Anyways, decided to sell the M5 and kept the RS6 a bit longer. That beast has a timing BELT firewall side and needed to be changed every 30k! But I dug it. It was stock. But always longed for the "Ronin" S8. Still might get one someday, but I'll need the e34 to go with it! Only variation is it will be a Touring

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[geargrinder]

Nice! Sounds familiar. Had an RS6, 03 of course,

Cool. Have had a few buds w/ that one too.

Local guy manual converted his C5 RS6 but ran into brutal trouble w/ the emissions stormtroopers and had his car "flagged" in our fine state here so not sure what happened to it...

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RS6, 03 of course,....kept the RS6 a bit longer. That beast has a timing BELT firewall side and needed to be changed every 30k!

Except...

Either...

A. Somebody put your engine in backwards, or,
B. Your mechanic was ripping you off with fairy tales of how hard the job was

The C5 RS6 timing belt is very much a front-of-engine affair.

[XAlt]

Muh automaytic.

Only took them 5 years to bolt the manual in.

[Rossagge]

Except...

Either...

A. Somebody put your engine in backwards, or,
B. Your mechanic was ripping you off with fairy tales of how hard the job was

The C5 RS6 timing belt is very much a front-of-engine affair.

Haha...Geez! Fool me once, shame on me, right. Not even possible thinking about it. That was part of the reason I eventually sold it, the cost anyway.

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[auaq]

Yeah, timing belts will always be in front of the engine.