Hi Everyone,

I have very recently purchased a 1998 Audi A8 2.8 Sport V6 Auto. However, it is 'badged' as an S8 front and rear. In my ignorance, I had thought that this badge was on all Audi A8 Sport models, but it appears not. So, having browsed around for some info, I began to think that S8's were all Quattro 3.7's and 4.2's and my car was wrongly badged. Although, I found this in Google:

'For 1997 the Audi A8 comes in 2 trim lines (3 if you count the S8, a very limited production performance version). '

Anyway, here is my stupid question: What the heck am I driving? Although it doesn't really matter that much as this car is superb in all areas (IMHO), but I was hoping thatmy newtoywas the above 'limited version'. However, if there is anyone out there who wishes to slap me on the wrists and then give me some details of my own car, please feel free.

The A8 was first registered in May 1998.
Apart from the grill and rear badges, it also has an S8 badge on the steering wheel.

Looking forward to your replies - which could be fun. :-)

Regards,
Mark

 

Im not too familiar with the older model A8's but as far as i know the S model is a beast compared to any A model. For instance the A4 would have a 2.8L V6 VS the S4 with a 2.7T twin turbo, big difference.
I would assume someone slapped some badges on your car and a steering wheel and called it an S8.
The easiest way to identify it is to write down your VIN number and take it to the dealer and have them run it. It will pop up all the information you need to know, especially if its an A8 or S8.

 

I agree. I'm 99% sure you only have the badges. The big tip off is that you have the 2.8L V6. S8s never came with the 2.8L V6 as an option. They always had the 4.2L V8. So that rules out your car pretty quickly. The S8 is also a relatively low production car, so they are somewhat rare, and once again they feature only Audi's best 4.2L V8s at the time.

While the S8 is very impressive, it unfortunately isn't the "beast" of a car that the S4 is compared to a standard A4. A very well equipped A8 could have the "run of the mill" 4.2L V8, which put out 300-310 horsepower, depending on year. The S8 on the other hand could have the "exclusive" 4.2L V8 which put out about 340 horsepower. So, as you can see, at most it was a difference of 40 horsepower from a non-S to S model, but in a car as big as an A8/S8, that isn't as drastic of a change as from an A4 1.8T, which has 150 horsepower up to the big boy S4 2.7T which had a whopping 100 horsepower more, producing 250. Don't get me wrong, the S8 is beautiful and has more than enough power, but it isn't quite the monster in the closet that the S4 is.

Regardless, the S8 is a wonderful car. Since it's an S, Audi tightened up the suspension and stuffed some bigger wheels/brakes under it to make it a real road eater. It's a shame that it turns out you don't have one. That would be quite a number.

Hope I helped!

 

Speaking of the A8 as a "beast", has anyone else tried the new "Pulsestar" plugs? (enerpulse.com) In early Oct I put them in my 1999 A8 quattro just b4 our 3100 mile trip from Asheville NC to Maine-return. Acceleration is really improved! Gas mileage -- judge for yourself. Most of the trip was interstates (usually 6-8 mph over limit), with a day driving in NYC, plus a day in Phila and another day in Boston. Average mileage was 25.2 for the whole trip. (Car is rated at 25.) I'd guess that's around 6-8% improvement.