Since the 1980s, Audi has built a strong reputation for producing high-end performance machines that work in all conditions, primarily thanks to the Quattro all-wheel-drive system. From supercars such as the R8 to practical wagons like the A6 Allroad, all kinds of models from the brand can provide a thrilling experience when called for. At the other end of the spectrum, you have the ultra-luxury sector.
The Audi A8 sedan took on the likes of the BMW 7-Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the category, and before too long, the company was looking to make a performance version of it. Named the S8, the model debuted in 1996 and spawned a total of four generations. If you’re after a modern luxury limo that can get your blood pumping, we reckon you should seriously consider the third-generation variant.
Don’t Underestimate Audi’s Full-Size Sedan
2014 Audi S8 Gray Front Angled ViewAudi
2013-2017 Audi S8
Engine
4.0L twin-turbo V8
Transmission
8-speed Auto
Power
520 hp
Torque
479 lb-ft
0-60 mph
4.1 seconds
Average Used Value
$29,491
Despite being the largest sedan in Audi’s lineup, the 2013-2017 Audi S8, known internally as the D4 generation, was equipped to compete with the fastest sports cars. The Four Rings had its work cut out to improve on this model’s predecessor, which used a Lamborghini-derived 5.0-liter V10 engine that kicked out over 440 horsepower and emitted one of the most sensual exhaust notes ever. To replace it, Audi developed a 4.0-liter V8 that waded into battle with a pair of turbochargers. The result was a commanding 520 hp, around 80 hp more than the D3 could muster, and 479 pound-feet of torque.
Despite weighing 4,685 pounds, the car’s Quattro AWD setup ensured it could leap from 0-60 mph in a blazing 4.1 seconds. A smooth and rapid eight-speed automatic transmission was on hand to transfer the engine’s might to the wheels.
The S8 Wasn’t Only Geared For The Straights
2014 Audi S8 Gray Rear Angled View DrivingAudi
Now, it’s not unheard of for large luxury sedans to come packing a load of power, since they need to accelerate as efficiently and smoothly as possible. What they usually cannot do is take a corner with the poise of a full-fat performance offering, since their soft suspension setups mean they suffer from more body roll, and don’t allow the tires to work to their full potential. Additionally, the steering and brakes are tuned to provide a silky driving experience, as opposed to an engaging one.
The S8 isn’t such a vehicle, as it comes with an adaptive air suspension that provides multiple modes for the driver to choose from. In Comfort, the S8 rides as smoothly as you’d expect a high-end luxury sedan to, but in Sport mode the whole system is stiffened up to help keep the car nice and level through hard cornering. There’s also an Audi Sport active differential provided, which uses torque vectoring to help prevent the car from understeering on corner exit.
Don’t expect it to handle like a Lotus Exige. That heavy engine placed right at the forefront of the nose causes heavy understeer in the slower stuff, a characteristic not helped by the S8’s considerable weight. Still, for a huge luxury sedan, it handles competently and offers a good drive once you’re bored of cruising to your next destination.
The S8 Has Failed To Hold Its Value
2014 Audi S8 Interior Quattro Badge on Carbon FiberAudi
Unsurprisingly for a sports sedan of such high standing, the D4 S8 was a very expensive endeavor when it was new. It retailed for $115,900 before you’d even considered glancing at the options menu, putting it well out of the budgets of many gearheads.
Spin the clock forward a decade, though, and things are very different. The average auction sale price of the model currently stands at around $34,600, a massive 70.1% decrease from its original MSRP. When you look at the wider used marketplace, this figure dips below the $30,000 mark.
For the most part, less than $30,000 would get you a car with around 80,000 miles on the clock, while less-traveled machines with closer to 50,000 on the odometer can fetch closer to $50,000. Interestingly, it seems the D4 S8 hasn’t reached the depreciation floor yet, with the car having lost a couple of thousand in average value over the last 12 months. This follows a similar pattern to its pricing behavior from years prior, too.
Tricky Maintenance Is A Key Reason For The S8’s Steep Depreciation
2014 Audi S8 pictured in gray with tan and black interiorAudi
While all high-end luxury cars tend to suffer from extreme depreciation, the S8’s case is further hurt by a tough maintenance record. The car suffers from multiple issues that are extraordinarily expensive to put right, which has scared off many used buyers from taking the risk. As a result, because no one wants to buy them at higher prices, the car is automatically devalued to the point where interested drivers can justify taking the risk of buying it.
You’d Better Take A Brave Pill Before Running A D4 S8
2014 Audi S8 4.0L Twin-turbo TFSI V8 EngineAudi
But hey, it’s so cheap, so who cares about a few problems every now and again? Well, it depends on how far your bank account can stretch before things are too expensive for your taste. The 4.0-liter engine has been the subject of several very expensive issues over the years, with arguably the most prolific being a clogged oil screen within the engine valley. Should this occur, the turbos can completely starve of oil, leading to their swift demise.
Due to the cost of replacement turbos and the labor-intensive job that requires lifting the engine from the car, you’ll have to spend upwards of $5,000 to have them replaced. In some cases, you can drop as much as $8,000 to have the job completed. Want a full service carried out? Then prepare to hand over between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on where you take it.
Furthermore, the engine’s direct injection system produces a considerable amount of carbon buildup, which can eventually cause the powerplant to hesitate and stall. To prevent this, you need to have the engine carbon-cleaned every 40,000 miles or so, which be $1,000 each time. More specialist shops can charge significantly more than this, with some bills reaching $2,000 to $3,000.
Then, there’s the air suspension to worry about, which can cost up to $4,000 depending on how many bags need replacing, or whether the compressor needs refreshing. The V8 is also known to suffer from excessive oil consumption, and a new set of piston rings is required to solve this problem.
Beyond the documented problems, the S8 is a well-engineered German bus and has proved generally reliable. It’s just very expensive to repair should these issues crop up. According to RepairPal, you’d need to part with around $1,700 a year to keep the car dependable, with owners on Reddit reporting that it has proven pretty solid when properly looked after. Folks there have reported various electrical issues, but this was because of the number of electrical creature comforts the car uses, rather than any specific area being particularly problematic.
The S8 Is Also Expensive In Other Ways
2014 Audi S8 Gray Side ViewAudi
Aside from the mechanical aspects of the S8, there are other elements to consider when running it. Firstly, the twin-turbo V8 is pretty thirsty, with it tending to average 18 miles per gallon on the combined cycle. This means you’d need to make frequent trips to the gas station, especially if you enjoy exploring the limits of the intoxicating engine.
Then, you come to insurance. According to CarEdge, you have to spend an average of $6,288 per year on full coverage, which is a commanding bill on top of the general mechanical maintenance you have to keep up with. Like most high-end luxury vehicles that have tumbled in value over time, just because the purchase price looks amazingly tempting doesn’t mean the car’s running costs have gotten any cheaper.
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Audi’s Cut-Price S8 Stacks Up Well From A Luxury Standpoint
2014 Audi S8 Black/Tan Interior Driver AreaAudi
If you can manage to swallow the considerable costs you’d have to pay to keep a D4 S8 running optimally, then you’d be rewarded handsomely not only by its pace, but also when you climb inside. The kind of luxury you get for just $30,000 is pretty mind-boggling, especially when you compare it to a new sedan, such as a 2026 BMW 3-Series. You’d have to part with $47,500 to secure a base 330i variant, which doesn’t even come with real leather seats or a heated steering wheel.
By contrast, the S8 comes with that upmarket air suspension setup, high-quality leather seats with heating and cooling, and a plush massage setting. You’d also be made to feel special by posh wood trim, while the entertainment is taken care of by a premium Bose audio system, which comes bundled with a digital TV. The S8’s cabin is quite simply another level compared to something like a 3 Series, though this isn’t much of a surprise, given that the Audi originally cost well over $100,000 when new.
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The D4 S8 is undoubtedly a huge amount of metal for the money, with the level of performance and luxury it provides for $30,000 being scarcely believable. Should the price tempt you into finding one, just make sure you’re walking in with your eyes open. The S8 is a very expensive car to keep running properly, and should your maintenance standards slip, you’ll be leaving yourself exposed to the major mechanical issues outlined throughout this piece.
If you can stomach and afford the risks, though, you’ll have to keep checking your bank account to make sure paying such a relatively small amount of cash for the vehicle wasn’t just a dream.
Sources: Audi, CarEdge, Classic.com, RepairPal.
