I'm thinking about trading my 01 S4 Avant with 135K for an 02 S8 with 85K.
How's the reliability with those? My S4 has been bullet proof, even with the high miles.

What should I look for? Any mod opportunities after I bring it home?

 

I'm no expert, but I'll give it a shot. From what I hear and read, the A8/S8 is pretty bulletproof, as well. For one thing, you'll never really have to worry about the engine, as the 4.2 V8 is quite robust, not to mention it's naturally aspirated, so no turbos to ever worry about! I'd say that from a durability perspective, if your S4 has been bulletproof (not the case for many people) then your S8 should be completely bomb-proof.

It's going to be quite a change from what you have now, as the S8 is quite long, and wide. As such, it won't handle quite as nimbly as the S4 Avant you have now. Officially, it's a much higher class of car, so you're moving up quite a bit.

I'm not really sure what you need to look for, perhaps someone else can chime in. Perhaps you should post a similar question in the A8 forums, as th guys there will know much more about the platform and durability issues than people here.

As far as modding goes, you've got the typical chip + exhaust, but not much more than that. A chip won't give you too much (15-20 hp), and neither will exhaust (10-15 hp). That's about as far as it goes, with regards to performance mods.
The exhaust is worth it for the sound alone, though, as the 4.2 V8 is quite sweet sounding.

Hope it helped a bit.

 

Hey I have an S6 and was looking at the S8 before the avant came up and the S8 is an awsome awsome car. Going from the small S4 to an 8 is a big move. It will be like going from an s10 blazer to a suburban. You'll love it. You will looked at rather grown up not a little street racing s***.

 

sooo your saying anyone with an s4 looks like a street racng sh*t ? hmmm lol