Logbook: Mile Markers: Audi S8
February 1, 2008
At 19,185 miles and counting, the Audi S8 has traversed
nearly 4,000 miles of road since our last update. Traveling the California
coastal regions from Sonoma County to San Diego County, the German flagship
remains the road trip favorite of the fleet.
15,379—Electrical glitches have finally taken their toll on
the $6,300 Bang & Olufsen sound system. The hydraulic lift system for the
driver’s side tweeter has stopped working.
15,640—"The air conditioner and sound system problems are
finally resolved after two full days of service at Beverly Hills Audi," writes
assistant editor Paul Meyers. Although the electrical glitches are fixed under
warranty, our pocketbook is still $450 lighter after the cost of the standard
15,000-mile service.
16,200—"It is easy to forget how swift and powerful the
V-10 engine really is," says Meyers, "but I have the speeding ticket to prove
it."
17,900—"The Audi’s smooth ride and superb handling are
perfect compliments to the coastal roads of Sonoma County," writes editorial
director Bruce Wallin. "But the car’s considerable girth also becomes evident on
the narrow highway, where you sometimes need to straddle embankments or, worse,
cliffs, to avoid oncoming trucks."
18,715—"I stopped for fuel and the release button failed to
open the filler," writes Meyers. The trunk release was also inoperable, but
after restarting the car and shutting it off again, everything returned to
working order.
2007 Audi S8
Price As Tested: $113,910
Engine: 5.2-liter V-10
Power: 450 hp at 7,000 rpm
Torque: 398 ft lbs at 3,500 rpm
Odometer: 19,185 miles
