Taurian

Ok, I'm back, as my lease is coming due! I was at Rallye in NY yesterday, and I saw 3 S550's being delivered. Black/Black, Grey/Black (with optional 19in spoke rims...hot) and Pewter. The car really does look great, destroys the 750 in the looks department.

I priced the car with Sport Package and many options, came to about $1,750 per month, no money down, tax in payment. Car listed out at $95,000. I will get at least $2,500 off the price, as I've bought over 12 cars from the dealer.

I think I'll skip the backup camera/night vision as I'm sure i will rarley use it. The P2 package plus Panorama roof and Parktronic, plus a wood wheel will do the trick.

Now...anyone familiar with the Audi S8 hitting in August? Diablo V10 engine, Bang and Olufson stereo (1000 Watts, $8,500 option) and all wheel drive (60/40 max split). All for $100,000.

Thoughts???

AMG1

It should be a car with a nice amount of performance, but when the S63 and S600 start hitting the streets, the S8 should beware of those two cars.

shoes

I think this is an easy decision since you have picked sedans at opposite points of the spectrum- it is like choosing between an SL500 and a Porche 911.

If you want sport, like the sound of highly tuned engine, get the Audi. If you want an isolated comfortable ride, get the Merc.

A tougher call would be S8 versus S63. I would always err in favor of the Merc in that case, due to better resale.

Taurian

True, but your talking about a S550 and S8 that price out $95-100K. S65 and S600 are $140K+.

The budget is $100K. Love my current S500, but may be looking for another option than a 4 door.

F_Porsche

I don't think you can be serious about the 100k on the audi.
where did you get the price?

SLK55R

I think it was either C&D or Motor Trend ... had a little article about the S8 and priced it around 100k.

NavierStokes

Say what? Diablos are V12s.

The V10 in the S8 (and the RS6) share the Lamborghini Gallardo V10 (in downtuned form).

NavierStokes

The S8 is a much better looking car, and it costs a great deal less.

In any case, Audi's "high-end" car is the W12 A8, not the S8.

2006_750Li_ED

The S8 is a completely different beast, The BMW 750Li is a more direct comparison and costs $10,000 less, and if you do a European Delivery it could cost you $15,000-17,000 less than the S550. The S550 is a brand new technology and has a potential to have many technical problems. I think that once the S550 is shipped in larger quantities and had at least a year of established reliability one should consider buying it. I do agree that the S550 has a better external design from some angles however the 2006 750Li has some better angles also. neither one of them sweeps me off my feet, both companies could have done much better. the Audi is better looking than both of them in my opinion.

ClayJ

Gotta love that V10. Now if only Spyker would drop it into a new car.....

Nevada Jack

With all due respect to Audi...the front end is a disaster in my view. The grille is totally out of proportion and featuring the license plate in the center of it gross. I guess Audi will never convince me they have changed after driving one of their disasters in the early 70's I think it was...

As far as engines and such in the Audi, BMW or MB...they are all probably great these days but what's under the hood is not why I am a car nut. How it strikes my eye and how many goodies does it have...

srknutson

I agree with the grill comment! It's huge, much larger than the current A8 grill change for 06. I think the car will be an excellent value if it sells for 100k. Something tells me it will be close but over 100k. Have you ever tried buying an S or RS from Audi? They don't put the numbers out that AMG does so each car will sell for list for the first few years. But you probably won't see everyone driving one either.

NavierStokes

Not an 8. I own an S4 and have a deposit out on the RS4.

I'd like to pick up an S8, but naw.

Taurian

So....I went to my local Audi dealer and put a deposit on a "reservation" for an S8. I've got #3 at Beiner in Great Neck, NY. I will be able to build the car in about 3 months for September delivery, I can review the prices then. I can always replace my spot, so I won't lose any money should I go with the S Class. I then went by my MB dealer, and I must say, I have a black 03 S500 and I didn't feel that the new model was THAT much better in black. Looks really nice in White and Grey.

vraa

S8 > *
Right now because of the beautiful exhaust tone compared to everything else in the line up. The W220 S55 and 65 sound too rough and all the Maserati is too small.

Taurian

Check out http://www.supercarnews.net/2007-audi-s8

coloradosclass

What sucks for me being 6'3'' I need the "L" and the S8 coming to America will not be. So I will wait for the S600 to come out in late 06' and Drive my 2001 Bentley Arnage I am picking up next week. Book is 150k and I am getting it from a distressed seller for 90K it only has 15k on her and is mint. Damn quick too!!!!

naadp

I've driven both the L and short wheel base as dealer loaner cars. Unless you're sitting in the backseat of your own car frequently, you'll never know the difference. The headroom appears to be the same, and the seats are the same in both cars.

rgbyhkr

I looked into the A8/S8 recently and decided against it. For me, the major strike was dealership distance. Every competing dealer (Lexus, MB, BMW, Jaguar, Infiniti, etc) has a location 5 minutes from me while the closest Audi one is 25 minutes away in no traffic - and there would usually be traffic on the route. That's too much of a hassle to overlook.

Beyond that, I did very much like the A8 and S8 and actually saw the S8 in person. From a looks point of view, I liked it better than the new S, BMW 7, upcoming Lexus LS, and the Jaguar XJ. The front grill is too big, but the rest of it is very attractive. You also don't have nearly as many on the road and there's something to be said for uniqueness.

The other negatives for me were small but added to the decision. The S8 will come in at just under $100K, but it is the short wheelbase version of the A8, The B&O system is intriguing, but at $8K it's very pricey. No iPod integration solution available for the A8 line yet and the system doesn't have an aux input. The factory installed Rear Seat Entertainment system is only available on the W12 and even that system can't play the sound from the DVDs through the vehicle's speakers (headphones only).

Jeff

Taurian

I would rather have the S8 as a long wheelbase version, but at the end of the day...does it really matter? I'm back and forth on that one. True, the A8 lineup doesn't offer the Ipod integration, I checked apples website.

I am going back and forth between the S550 and the S8/A8L. Leaning toward the S8.

Anyone have pics of a S550 w/Sport package in Black?

mkaresh

I've only driven the S550 and regular A8, but between these two I much prefer both the ride AND handling of the MB. The Audi feels very nose-heavy and large yet rides worse over expansion joints and the like than a BMW 3 with sport suspension (I test drove both the same day on the same road). The new S-Class in contrast feels smaller than it is and combines balanced handling with a much better ride.

One caveat: I didn't think to dig through the Audi's MMI to adjust the suspension. Judging from how it rode and handled--interesting mixture of float, nose plow, and harshness over the small stuff--most likely it was in the default middle setting.

Why no button to adjust the suspension as in the Mercedes? Ridiculous.

Most likely the S8 will have tighter handling and an even worse ride over most surfaces. It should still feel large, and will probably retain the regular A8's tendency to plow in hard turns. With a larger engine hanging ahead of the front axle, the weight distribution is probably worse. Any stats on this?

I do much prefer the looks of the Audi, though.

jprescott

http://www.densionusa.com/ will be out soon for ipod but it's not the perfect solution. I'm not a convert but I did have a 2000 S430 for 3 years. I'm in an 06' A8L now and I like it more than my old S. Very luxurious and refined. If you don't care about the "image thing" I believe that the S8 will be a bit more rewarding. One huge thing for me that people around here may not be aware of is the B&O stereo option which is only on S8 now and not quite out on an A8. This is probably the best factory installed audio system now on the market. I believe it is a 7-8k option. Very cool video:
http://www.bang-olufsen.com/audi/

JJMC617

I would take the new class over the A8 anyday. The A8 is a pretty bland car, plus I doubt the S8 will offer the same performance of the turbo charged AMG that the S is supposed to have

Taurian

The S65 is at least $50K more than the S8. The S55 isn't even in production yet. I have gone back to my Audi and MB dealer about 3 times in the last week, I am more turned off by the MB every day. Look, i'm not saying the car isn't great, I am just looking for a more sporty ride. If the Maserati didn't live in the shop, I would go for that. I'll post more after the NY Auto show.