words: Bill, photos: alxdgr8 via Bring A Trailer
Ok, I will try to not make too many Ronin references with this post but it’ll be hard not to. If you are not familiar with the movie Ronin…I mean, as an Audi enthusiast, you should be ashamed of yourself. Aside from stars like Robert De Niro and Jean Reno, the real star was the D2 S8. Go on YouTube (if you don’t own a copy of the movie) and search for Ronin Audi S8. It will change your mind about the big Audi sedan. So if you want to experience your own Ronin fantasy, here’s your chance. This D2 S8 is on Bring A Trailer. Here’s the ad:
This 2003 Audi S8 is one of approximately 300 examples imported to North America for the model year and is finished in Avus Silver over Oxblood Red leather. The car is powered by a 4.2-liter V8 paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a Quattro all-wheel-drive system, and additional equipment includes a Torsen center differential, a glass sunroof, power-adjustable sport seats with memory, bi-xenon headlights, ST-X coilover suspension, an aftermarket ECU tune, and a Supersprint cat-back exhaust system. The car spent time in Michigan, New York, and Colorado before being acquired by the seller in 2017. Work has since included the manual transmission conversion, along with an overhaul of the brakes, new front control arms, and replacement of the timing belt, chains, and tensioners. This S8 has 205k miles and is offered at no reserve with manufacturer’s literature, partial service records and parts receipts, two key fobs, a Carfax report, and a clean Washington state title in the seller’s name.
The body is finished in Avus Silver and features a rear-lip spoiler, aftermarket window tint, European-market mirrors, mudflaps, aftermarket bi-xenon headlights, and LED taillights, turn signal bulbs, and license plate lamps. The Carfax report shows “minor damage” to the rear of the vehicle in November 2016, and the seller notes evidence of a previous front-end accident. The rear bumper was repaired and repainted in 2017, while the front bumper, hood, and both fenders were refinished by Bel-Kirk Body Shop of Kirkland, Washington in June 2021. A ding on the lower front grille is pictured in the gallery.
Complete Custom Wheel (CCW) 19″ forged monoblock wheels are mounted with 255/40 Continental ExtremeContact Sport tires. The brake system was overhauled in 2017 with EBC Ultimax slotted front brake rotors, Centric Premium rear rotors, EBC pads, and rebuilt and repainted Brembo calipers. The car has also been fitted with an ST-X coilover suspension and custom adjustable front upper control arms with B5 S4 SPC joints.
The cabin features power-adjustable Oxblood Red leather sport seats with memory settings, along with heated rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, and cruise control. The seller installed a RNS-E navigation retrofit kit with an auxiliary input, along with a shift knob from a C4 S6 and a leather shift boot. Lloyds RubberTite burgundy floor mats and a trunk liner are included in the sale in addition to a Parrot Bluetooth kit. The seller notes wear and peeling on the control stalks and door handles.
A leather-wrapped multifunction steering wheel frames a 7k-rpm redline, a 190-mph speedometer, and digital odometer showing 205k miles, approximately 22k of which have been added by the seller. The seller notes that the EPC light is illuminated and a replacement instrument cluster will be included in the sale.
The 4.2-liter V8 was factory rated at 360 horsepower with 317 lb-ft of torque and has been fitted with a Supersprint cat-back exhaust and an EFI Express ECU tune. A Supertech heavy duty valve spring kit was installed by the seller in June 2018, along with a replacement passenger-side head gasket and timing belt, chains, and tensioners. The power steering pump was also replaced in 2018, while the engine mounts were replaced in 2020.
A six-speed manual transmission was installed in place of the factory automatic gearbox in 2020 by the seller, and other modifications include a 034Motorsport adjustable short throw shifter, a TTV Racing steel single mass flywheel, and a B7 RS4 clutch. Power is sent to all four wheels through a Quattro all-wheel drive system and a Torsen center differential. The driveshaft and differential mounts were replaced in 2020. Additional modifications and service performed over the years are outlined in the gallery.
The Carfax report lists the aforementioned damage in November 2016 and displays history in Michigan, New York, Colorado, and Washington state.
There’s 205k miles that shows up on the odometer but this S8 has been gone through from nose to tail especially the timing belt, chains, and tensioners. All the high mileage parts have been replaced. The bid is up to $15,750 and there’s 4 days left with no reserve. Does this tickle your Ronin fantasies? You can find this ad and hundreds more photos HERE.
