A little Mk8 info please

n8bachelor

n8bachelor

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Hey guys, LS owner here. I'm considering getting a Mk8 as a second car (something to wrench on) and would like to know the difference in the models (gen1 vs gen2). I do not want this to be a "mine is better than yours" argument but I'd like to know the pros / cons of the different models and years. For instance, do all years come with factory airbag suspension? What are the standard options to look for? I know from this forum that the headlights are another common issue, which generation's are worse? Anything to avoid or look for specifically when buying?

Thanks in advance for the input.

Nate
 
All the years of the Mark VIII's have air bag suspension. 9 times out of 10 that will be the main issue why many of them are for sale. The Gen II's have a lot more gadgets than the Gen I, like telescoping steering wheel, neon light, HID lights. I have both Gen I and Gen II, and I like them both.
 
seats are better in the 2s than ones. 95 + 96 have din ii radio openings like the gen ii . gen ii rear lights are better flouresence trunk bar. also the gen ii are beter to hook up to the computer obd ii
 
gen 1s are faster and you can just convert to coils if you have air ride issues and you dont want to deal with leaks
 
test drive both until you find one you like...Gen 2s have alot of extra features and feels like a 2000+ car...Gen 1s are just a plain and feels early 90ish...Gen 2s looks slick...Gen 1s looks mean...all goes through the same repair and maintenance except the 1998 Gen 2s have the updated strong transmission...
 
Gen II's generally have a few more issues such as the blend door motor, though there are some gen I blend door motors starting to fail because they used grease on the internal plastic gears. As said, Gen II's have quite a few more feaures but are slower than the early Gen I's. If you want to see more on the Gen II's, here is the video owners guide from back in the day:

YouTube- 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII Owners Guide Pt 01

The other 4 parts are on Youtube.
 
I have a GEN1 and a GEN2. A bright toreador red '96 base and a pearl white '97 LSC. I love 'em both. Having driven both vigorously, I can say that the '96 is quicker off the line than the '97, but the '97 does wind out faster. It seems the GEN1's have more low end torque while the GEN2's have more torque in the upper RPM's. The '97 LSC rides much firmer and handles much better than the '96 base model. The GEN2's are definitely "classier" looking than the GEN1's. Case in point: I got more compliments the first day of driving the pearl white '97 LSC than I have gotten the whole 10 years I've owned the red '96. They're not all that different, but just enough to make people look. Personally, I like the bodystyle of the GEN1 and the interior of the GEN2. They're both wonderful cars and I am happy as a clam to have one of each!
 
Gen 2's have a nicer interior IMHO. The door pannels are nicer and the shape of the center console is better. Also as stated you get a few extra gizmos like the second gens have led turn signals in the mirror housing and also have puddle lamps under them. The antenna in the glas is nicer then a mast and the tilt/teliscopic steering wheel is nice.

Then its the little things like the opera lighting and the dampner in the glove box that give the car a nicer feel.
2nd gen air bags are better and a 98 has the best trans.

Now a 93 is faster though. :lol:

Downsides for the first gens are the IAC valve is a royal PITA to change and then there were early trans issues and the air bags are not as good. Also you cant by a hand held tuner for the first gens except the 96's but then with the 96 you have allot of 96 only parts that are hard to find and expensive when you do find them.
 
Huh, couldnt find one on Sapperfires car and the 95 I looked at a couple months back didnt have one eaither. Is it a little shock like the Second gens?




Also isnt something different on the first gen heads? I know I read about some change but cant remmeber what it was. I know the IMRC and plenum is different but forget the other thing.
 
Thanks for all the great info guys. I knew I could count on you. I find the gen2 exterior more attractive and will likely look for a '98 when it is buy time... a black one.

How does the paint hold up? Haven't read much about paint problems here...
 
n8bachelor said:
Thanks for all the great info guys. I knew I could count on you. I find the gen2 exterior more attractive and will likely look for a '98 when it is buy time... a black one.

How does the paint hold up? Haven't read much about paint problems here...
Click to expand...

Depends where you get the car. You can have rust and clearcoat or no rust and no clearcoat. Or you can get really lucky and find a garaged southern car.
 
My 97 clearcoat is pretty much gone on my roof and the paint is starting to wear away on the trunk. When choosing between models I opted for the gen 2 because in my opinion it doesn't look as aged, although some of those gen 1's are bada$$ looking!
 
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