2001 Audi S8 review from North America

S8 buyers beware! Do not buy without reading this!!!

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Don't get me wrong, the S8 is a great car, but God help you if something goes wrong.

I ordered my car in January 2001. Six months later I received it and loved it. I had a minor accident and damaged the right front wheel and control arm after 6 months. First the car had to be shipped 800 miles to be repaired (estimated time was 3-4 weeks, tops). The car has been under repair now for 12 weeks. The mechanic has had this car half as much as I have.

Audi's part supply and delivery is a joke. I waited seven weeks for a piece of dashboard wood that was broken when they removed it (they had to take the car almost apart to repair just this area!). When it was finally delivered back to my local dealer, they left off the front fog light cover and the car had no brakes. Audi sent another wrong cover for the fogs. The dealership has yet to even determine what the brake problem is.

This is a nightmare car. I also own an antique Maserati, one of only 100 made. I can get parts quicker and more dependably for this car than I can for a brand new Audi! I shopped diligently before I bought this car. I heard the great stories about Audi. Trust me, hearing them and living them are two vastly different things.