2011 Audi A8 L
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
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From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
The side look hasn't changed much since the mid-90s; it is seriously tired. The front LED setup makes the car look sad. On the inside, Audi still hasn't figured out that less is more when it comes to controls; these red-backlit knobs and buttons everywhere are so last century.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,071
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From: NoVa
2004 S55 (SOLD, miss it every day), 2009 GL550
The side look hasn't changed much since the mid-90s; it is seriously tired. The front LED setup makes the car look sad. On the inside, Audi still hasn't figured out that less is more when it comes to controls; these red-backlit knobs and buttons everywhere are so last century.
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Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,073
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From: MIAMI FL
2006 C230 6speed/14 C63
My friend I can understand your disappointment for a car not for your needs. However I would go far from saying this is last century. A 750 and A8 are two completely different design innovations in mind. A8 is comparable to a LS460L the vehicles are built around the man with a choffer, all the"outdated" dials everywhere is having control of your kingdom from the back seat, because you can afford to be driven around while enjoying a cold drink, getting massaged, watching tv, charging your phone and toes in the A/C 
sounds pretty damn good to me.
on a side note: color would not be my choice.
sounds pretty damn good to me.on a side note: color would not be my choice.
Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 241
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From: Ohio
'10 S550 4Matic, '06 BMW M5
I had a 2004 A8L 4.2. It was fully loaded, and it was totally crap.
The new one seems to be making some big strides. I can't get with the exterior - I haven't been keen on Audi's exterior styling for some years. The interior looks great, save for the color scheme (again, not my bag). What I think is more telling is the rear passenger compartment. 4 Place seating setup aside, you'll note that both BMW and Audi have taken steps to improve the rear seat comfort quite a bit. In my opinion, the current generation S-Class is behind on this front. Maybe the next gen will remedy the problem.
In the newest iteration of the 7-Series, I'm willing to bet that upwards of 75% of the long-wheelbase models have rear compartment climate control (4 zones total) and heated rear seats. How many S-Classes have these features? Less than 15%?
I'm not a fan of four-place seating either, because I have a daughter in an infant seat, so the middle spot is the safest for her.
The new one seems to be making some big strides. I can't get with the exterior - I haven't been keen on Audi's exterior styling for some years. The interior looks great, save for the color scheme (again, not my bag). What I think is more telling is the rear passenger compartment. 4 Place seating setup aside, you'll note that both BMW and Audi have taken steps to improve the rear seat comfort quite a bit. In my opinion, the current generation S-Class is behind on this front. Maybe the next gen will remedy the problem.
In the newest iteration of the 7-Series, I'm willing to bet that upwards of 75% of the long-wheelbase models have rear compartment climate control (4 zones total) and heated rear seats. How many S-Classes have these features? Less than 15%?
I'm not a fan of four-place seating either, because I have a daughter in an infant seat, so the middle spot is the safest for her.
Senior Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 424
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From: Ohio
ML-350, Maserati Quattroporte
I sat in one recently. The interior is nicer than the S550 but I do have issues with the fact that it looks like a huge A4. The change over the prior body style is evolutionary and nice. I have mostly owned MB in the last 10 years except for my 06' A8L. I use the S now because I like change. Will probably end up with the new A8L by next year for the same reason. So my point is that ,in my opinion, the A8 is in the same category as the S550 in most ways with the exception of the stigma. It will take Audi a few years to come close to the emotional,cultural,stylistic and brand meaning of MB
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,318
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From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
Exterior gets a 5/10 but the interior is right at a 10/10...seems the best place to while away the hours this side of a Rolls Royce...W221 is 5 years old now so it has an excuse and I'm sure MB will have this more than covered when it's time for the next gen considering how good the W221 still is...
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
A 750 and A8 are two completely different design innovations in mind. A8 is comparable to a LS460L the vehicles are built around the man with a choffer, all the"outdated" dials everywhere is having control of your kingdom from the back seat, because you can afford to be driven around while enjoying a cold drink, getting massaged, watching tv, charging your phone and toes in the A/C sounds pretty damn good to me.
sounds pretty damn good to me.Actually, I think that the rear seat package in the current S Class is the most practical for everyday use. The seat controls are plain and simple; unfortunately, the rear dynamic multi-contour seats are not available in the US. What's the point of the ottoman in LS460 if an average person can't stretch there without having to move the front passenger's seat all the way forward? The various massage functions are also more of a gimmick; if you can afford a chauffeur, you can afford a masseuse as well. Unless you're in a limo, you would always be limited by the wheelbase no mater how many marketing bells and whistles you're promised.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 550
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From: California USA
2004 S55 ///AMG, 2007 E350
I have always liked the A8L. Audi interiors are the best in the industry for logical placement of button, knobs and display.
The current Audi line up has too much family resemblance and it is hard to tell one from another at a distance. No car company differentiates it's car line like MB, you can instantly tell it is an MB AND what model/Class it is.
The current Audi line up has too much family resemblance and it is hard to tell one from another at a distance. No car company differentiates it's car line like MB, you can instantly tell it is an MB AND what model/Class it is.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 517
Likes: 2
From: AZ
'10 MB S550, '11 RR HSE LUX
Not sure I like their (and BMW's for that matter) seat control buttons. First of all, they only remotely look like the seats; second, you have to lean forward (or aside) in a weird way to reach them on the center armrests. And why use plastic? I think Mercedes got it absolutely right with the seat-shaped aluminum buttons located on the doors. Hard to find anything more intuitive and ergonomic.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 10,557
Likes: 24
From: Earth
Porsche Macan S SportDesign / Ex M-B's: 11 & 10 & 06 E350's, 02 S500
Exterior is dull as nails, and waay too close to the upsetting new A4.
However, props to Audi for keeping with an evolutionary and clean/simple design in a time where cars are all trying to out-crazy each other. It's just not my taste, but I've never been a big Audi guy, although I respect 'em
Interior looks phenomenal and like a class leader via pics.
However, props to Audi for keeping with an evolutionary and clean/simple design in a time where cars are all trying to out-crazy each other. It's just not my taste, but I've never been a big Audi guy, although I respect 'em
Interior looks phenomenal and like a class leader via pics.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 58
From: Poconos, Pennsylvania
Protecting the Earth from the Scum of the Universe
Front - just ok,
side - booooring,
back - nice,
Interior - fantastic!
PS,
the back shows V12, wonder about hp/torque, overall performance.
side - booooring,
back - nice,
Interior - fantastic!
PS,
the back shows V12, wonder about hp/torque, overall performance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 0
From: NoVa
2004 S55 (SOLD, miss it every day), 2009 GL550
From Road & Track:
FSI direct fuel injection and a bump to 6.3 liters (from 6.0) bring the W-12 to 500 bhp (up from the previous engine’s 450) and 461 lb.-ft. of torque (up from 428).
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 550
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From: California USA
2004 S55 ///AMG, 2007 E350
I drove a W12 version a few years ago at an Audi event. It was very quiet, smooth with lots of power, not unlike the S600.
One more item to consider for cars in this class is service. My local MB Dealer service is outstanding while the local Audi service Dept. is one notch above Toyota or Ford, they have a long way to go with this regards.
One more item to consider for cars in this class is service. My local MB Dealer service is outstanding while the local Audi service Dept. is one notch above Toyota or Ford, they have a long way to go with this regards.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 3,008
Likes: 58
From: Poconos, Pennsylvania
Protecting the Earth from the Scum of the Universe
It's a W12, not a V12
On the side note, for 12 cylinder engine, those 500 ponies mean nothing without the proper torque. And let's admit, 461 lb.-ft. of torque is rater lame nowadays.
