One word... Ronin!

I always loved that car. The design, the engines, the spirit... this car has soul. I wouldn't mind owning one myself.

Less than 0.2 seconds off it’s claimed 0-60 time after 160k miles is impressive! Lovely car. Manual shifting via the gear lever in my 2019 S3 is the same - push forward for up, pull back for down, but I very rarely bother as it feels odd moving a gear lever without using a clutch.

Pure elegance. One of the best proportioned cars ever.

S8 = Ronin, no matter what generation!

Love these retro reviews!! Keep them coming.. they are way more interesting than new cars!

My brother and I bought a nice example of this S8 (1999) for about $7000 in Dubai, and still keep it today. My brother added a CarPlay stereo and spent another $1000-2000 for maintenance and detailing. It’s pretty perfect, in stock condition in dark blue with Avus wheels. A timeless, understated design that still drives like a dream today. The driving position and feel of the vehicle is very low, like a sports car. Feels light on its feet. I think the 0-60 time is in the low 5s, and the engine roars nicely when you put your foot down, like a plane taking off. A great purchase and good way to live out all of your Ronin fantasies!

Happy to say that I've owned one since 2007. Still my daily driver. Until I saw this video, I thought mine was the best maintained in the World. Now I'll have to settle for the best in Australia. Since I bought this we have had all the other luxury German brands in our family (wife), they have come and gone. I will never sell the S8, way too cool.

Check if your car was damaged with a 10% discount with Car Vertical here: www.carvertical.com/gb/landing/v3?a=watson&b=38b26e3a&voucher=watson Or just head to Car Vertical at a later date and use the Watson10 discount code!

This was the number 1 car when I was a mechanic at Audi around 2000. Still love that car but hearing it’s a old car now just hurts😅

I was selling Audi’s for a main dealer ‘97 to ‘99 and we had an S8 demo. When Merc drivers came in going on about ESP on E or S classes we’d take them up the road in the S8 and chuck it around some corners! At the time to most incredible performance for what was a big car. Great engine that naturally aspirated 4.2 👌 A de-tuned 296bhp version was also available in the standard A8 range….cracking engine as well.

How classy and elegant the first generation looks, compared to the fussy current one. Even if the tech is behind, the old one has a real presence.

I always loved the looks of these old S8's. It has a real presence, elegant car.

The fact that this is older and greater in production quality than the most cars exist today is quite astonishing

Great vehicle and the normally aspirated 4.2 liter was a really reliable engine. Audi was way ahead of the game back then.

This was the first time I saw you respecting a car and not throwing away parts. Keep on the good work!

I have the 3.7 liter version and I love this car.

Oh man, I used to have this car back in 2008. The engine was amazing indeed and the handling was quite good for a big elephant. You could make it oversteer a bit as well if you added a bit more steering angle. Miss you s8 D2!

I listened to that door closing about 5 times

Oh, this is the best looking Audi sedan ever. Loved these since I was a kid!

There is a grey one with fsh and 125k for sale for £6300. Looks decent! And plenty about without crazy miles for well under 10k. Matt's quoted prices are very inflated. For not much than 10k you can get the V10 version with 450bhp.

Is it really worth 10-15K? I paid 3250 for mine in 2009. Still got it and still love it. btw, it's not just some panels that are aluminium, it's the entire bodyshell- and most of the suspension and power train are ally too. One of the big differences between the A8 & S8, which you missed, is the gearing. The S8 is shorter geared by quite a bit. Nice video.

I had a C5 RS6 for a while. Lightly modified it sat at 530bhp and 900Nm. It was fast enough to excite, took the family in comfort, had that gorgeous V8 rumble, and at one time I picked up a 4 seated sofa in the back of it. To this day I maintain that if you only want to have 1 car on the road and want something to do everything you can do no better!

Jaguar XJR Supercharged, the late 90s / early 00's one, that's a near 400hp car you can get for less than 5k.

Hi Mat. You are one of the best in your job right now! It fits you so nice,keep up m8. Here's a subscribe.

Awesome review loved every moment of it. A 2001 E38 sport would be groovy I've always loved E38 and E31 840ci a well. Looking forward to those reviews Matt.

I'm lucky to own one like this, but 2002, 170k miles, but they wear the miles so well, you'd never know it. Less rattles in the cabin than my 2020 SQ7, no exaggeration. I get 26mpg on a decent run. Really great modern classic. Only downside is some parts are tricky to obtain.

Hi mat! Take a Drag race between old Audi S! S3 8L vs S4 b5 vs S6 c5 vs S8 d2

I’d love you to review the Volvo t5R. The yellow estate one. Was supposedly a cossie eater!

Could we see a drag race between all generations of the S8 Mat?

Man, this car is so awesome! So glad that you mentioned those things to look out for in this car to give me something to think about when or if I buy this car😄

Had a 2001 S8 for 13 years. You're right about the gearbox: Mine was rebuilt at circa 100k miles. First production auto to change up at 7000rpm.

I hope you will do more classics like this. Old jags and mercs, beemers", bentleys etc

the build quality of the big german brands during the 90's and 00's was something else. i bet a current day A8 will feel worse quality wise when it reaches the age this particular A8/S8 has today. just the other day i was driving a BMW E46 325i and it felt more robust and well put together than a current day 3 Series bmw.

My experience with the D2 A8 was epic, in 1996 January on the autobahn and I saw an indicated 273kph. I was also thrilled by the tiptronic gearbox especially in manual mode. That the up/downshift action was as odd as Matt mentioned is something I could never forget. Thank you Mr Watson

This was a classic design era for Audi that I argue they will never recapture.

One of these used to make appearances at the local track and I was always surprised how big it was, called it the mothership... Hardly won races but did put up a good fight

Man do I miss these type of videos, - I am so over the CarWow drag races this has been the first video i've watched in a couple months with Mat cause I just cant watch another drag race and brake test video and i've been around since i think 3.2 million subscribers whereas now your at what 7 mil? lol

I had three of these with manual 6 speed gearboxes... Loved them! Miss them! I had the 340hp pre-facelift btw. The last one was an exact copy as in the 1998 movie "Ronin".. a manual racing green with beige interieur S8... Sold it to a guy in the UK

Great car to review Matt, thank you. Just wanted to say that the whole, not just the body panels, is aluminium. The gear changes can adjusted via the computer software and the seats etc differ from the regular A8. There was the A8 Sport that had the same seats as the S8, and 7(?) spoke 18" wheels and lowered suspension.

I love how classy and understated yet imposing this generation of Audi's were. Much pretty it over the blingy big grilled design of today.

Matt you are on a mission to drive up prices

Thank you for doing this Video Matt! Please do the C5 S6 Avant too :D

I test drive this back in 2007. A beautiful machine.

I had one of these with a rs6 torque converter no issues with the gearbox was a machine everyone stopped and stared when it went by lol

Great video! Please, do a '97 - 2009 Saab 9-5 Aero, manual (especially a pre 2005 one). Also, a Volvo S60 T5 (around 2002), or an S60R.

Moar old fast car reviews in Mat Watson style!

Great sleeper classic, more classic tests please! Honda epic type r next?

Always loved, EVO did a review on it back in day when printing presses existed :)

please can you make a video on how you became the motoring journalist that you are now, your job would be a drem job for me and i could really use some tips and advice on how to become one. your reviews are amazing. keep it up!! :)

I like the wood on the dashboard. Wood and leather, the ideal materials for an interior.

Back in the good ole days...meaning you had to know what to look for. I love the sleeper subtle changes. Yes, I am old. 31 to be exact 🤕

Brilliant video. Would love to see a Honda Civic 1993 4 door civic VTi DOHC review & Volvo 850 R & T5-R too thanks

I've had a a D2 S8 on a 52 plate and many other D2s. Fantastic cars love them.

Love these reviews of the older stuff. And yes, Ronin.

Good on you mate good job

Loved my D2 S8, lovely light blue with black leather. Sold it for about £10k IIRC when I needed cash moving house. Still miss it :( . Edit to add - the gearbox was exactly as Matt describes, it was like it hadn't heard you the first time for kickdown, then smashes it :)

Great Video ☺️ could you do the Mercedes w211 E500 facelift 2007 or 2008?

Amazing....one of the few autos that still look sexy as hell even now👍

I have a 2001, facelifted S8, mine is original 6 speed manual. I'm never selling it, It's pure love.

Interesting and quite thorough review. A neighbour had an A8 (not S8) until recently of similar vintage - loved it. Was that a metal insert for the cupholder, or was that a hotplate as well? Al.

I have a 2008 Lexus LS460 which reminds me of the good old days. 4.6L V8 380 hp NA. 0-60 5.3s

Absolutely love these. They just look so right

Great review. How about a review of early 2000’s AMG cars. The M113 engine in the E55, Clk55, CL55 is tough and a German hot rod.

Its getting harder to find parts for the D2 A8. Regardless, I do still miss my old 2001 A8L. Such a big luxurious car.

Love the old car reviews. Way more interesting than the new stuff

I've always loved these early S8's

Love the bit of wood. Got a 3 series with cheapo brushed ali. Looking for wood trim...

love the d2! I bought a 98 a8 last year and its my favorite car I've ever owned, i wish it was easier to get parts tho...

I like that you have blessed the old school Audi with an Old school Go-Pro on the steering shroud... attention to detail... like it. Now you should have thrown a Casio on ya wrist to top it all off :)

Can you do a video with the best looking saloon car ever made, the BMW E38 7 Series. Such a cool looking car.

That is impressive performance for a car of it`s age with such mileage. Must have been well looked after over the decades.

This was the best Audi S8 design ever to me. Still looks good and I'm always looking for ones for sale. I love it's modern understated design lines.

The best! Subscribed.

Mat, you asked for other classics that may be interesting. How about the Vauxhall VX 220 Turbo? I saw one recently & it looked amazing, & very small. If I remember correctly, these cars had rave reviews. And after a quick check, there are under 200 left on the road, & amazingly less than 10 non turbos.

One of my fav Audi’s… Just love them.

Deirdre: “Larry, Can you Tell Vincent what it is you need”? Larry: “Something very fast. Audi S8 (D2). Something that can shove a little bit. I’m also gonna need a nitrous system.” #Ronin

I've had a 2003 Audi S6 with the same engine, it was a fun engine, smooth, sounded great, the down side is the gearbox indeed, it behaved like it was meant for slow, gentle driving only.

That chassis S8 is awesome! I Always loved them since the days i layed eyes on one and worked in it. I love the fact that they are underrated, hopefully we can keep it that way hahaha. This as a 6 speed manual is a perfect family car

I had a 2000 S8 and I LOVED it. I live in Norway and it's an incredible car when you're in a hurry in snowy conditions. With Nokian Hakka7's it would rocket out of roundabouts no matter with a slight wag of the tail, leaving everyone else behind in the ice and the snow. Incredibly satisfying. It flows just as easy in the snow as a smaller car, I felt. But Mat is dead on about how to attack the curves. Really tight and sporty driving position with good bolstering on the seats. The autobox went on mine from a typical drum problem with these. 5k loss :/ I had mine done with resonator-free exhaust and it scared the living daylights out of people when I gave it the beans. So fun. Unfortunately, only the pre-face 340hp version was offered in a manual. Oh yeah, and it's really easy to swap up and down on the stick and there are write-ups for it on forums.

I love it amazing video thank you !

I've owned mine for 10 years and it's a beast. Turns heads and I've been asked numerous times to sell it. It's not a cheap drive but you don't buy this car expecting 50mpg. Love it

The face lifted version are one of the most beautiful sedans ever made

Liked this review Mat.

You have to do the review of the Passat W8 is a very cool classic!!

My pal just bought the RS4 avant with the NA 4.2 and a manual box. Very, very nice.

It looks the best and I bet it drives as good as it looks.

I like this kind of vids, more please!!

Can you review a BMW e38 740i and 750i? Also, I would love to hear your opinion on the Mondeo 2.5T. Cheers.

1:22 Matthew... you working out little buddie?😯😂

Oh ! I wish you had my audi S8 for review ! Its one of a kind and it must be on youtube! It has blue interior

Mat you should do a review on an E38 7 series

Love these videos

This engine is pretty reliable compared to the 4v versions.

9:43 why helllllooooo Jill 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I used work on these and RS2 back when they were new, great cars. Feel special.

Peak torque at high revs makes for the best drivers cars

This brings memory , my mom owned this car back in 2003 and it was a beast we owned until 2007 after that an Audi A8 d3 4.0 tdi and 2 d4 2013 and 2016 4.2 tdi

The Transporter approves

Please do a review of the original Audi TT🙏 would be interesting to see a proper review of that car and it definitely is a modern classic