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Both the Audi and the Mercedes have 20" wheels, however the 580 wheels are RFTs.
I just think the Audi suspension is better tuned and you feel bumps less than the merc.
Can’t give an opinion unless you’re running equal setups; Audi runs deeper sidewalls than S Classes and Non-RFT. Their 20” rims run 265/40 tires while S580s run 255/40 on the 20s with RFTs. I ran my S560 with Continental DWS06s 245/40 and 275/35 in the back and it was as good as the A8 on bad roads but it had a floaty feeling on the Highway that the A8 lacked. And I’m talking I ate those bumps up and speed bumps at velocity. Audi gave me the keys, said 30 mins be back do whatever you want. So that’s what I did. Then I hopped back in my 560 and instantly noticed the difference when I hopped back on the highway.
Having driven them all back to back multiple times really having a hard time making a decision between them, the S Class (at least the W222, can't speak for the 223) has a highway ride that the other flagships just don't equal. The A8 is a great riding car, and compared to the W222 on run flats I agree that it cushions impacts better at low speeds, but at speed the S Class still has a more polished ride.
I think a lot of it just comes down to personal preference. I drove the S8 and even a 7 series and decided to stick with an S Class. I did get an S63 as I really wanted two cars, a freeway cruiser/daily driver and a hot rod. Very happy with the S63 and is does have a certain presence that the other cars do not have. Plus I wanted something a little different and where I live Tesla's and Audi's are common, an S63 is not.
Between the two cars, the W222 is still the king of luxobarges. The S8 ride in my opinion is smoother than my S560. The car seems a tad quieter in the cabin too. But overall, I love my W222 more than the S8 just because of a few minor features missing on the S8. However, I didn't get the full rear seat comfort package with reclining seats that my S560 has. The infotainment system of the W222 is better than any car on the market, including the W223 from my experience. The sound system is better in the S560 even without the 3D system. The seats are better in the Audi. Despite having 21" wheels on my S8, the ride, interior noise, and tire noise is much better than the 20" setup on my S560.
Some of that is new vs used/worn too. Tires for instance, I find whenever I drive a new car I always am impressed by the lack of tire noise which is really because the tires on the new car are new. I measured both cars new with a sound meter, and they meter exactly the same, 58/59 decibels at 75 MPH. My LS460s were the same too. 7 Series was ~ 1db louder solidly sitting at 60.
That S8 is really a fun car, it'll be on my short list for sure...assuming they still make it when my time comes.
Audi have finally managed to score a decent armrest of two "butterfly" lids as Mercedes-Benz do in their cars . Those one piece moving back and forth models are deal breaker to me . I know nobody would care about it as much as I do but those little details are important to me
Happy Driving
Some of that is new vs used/worn too. Tires for instance, I find whenever I drive a new car I always am impressed by the lack of tire noise which is really because the tires on the new car are new. I measured both cars new with a sound meter, and they meter exactly the same, 58/59 decibels at 75 MPH. My LS460s were the same too. 7 Series was ~ 1db louder solidly sitting at 60.
That S8 is really a fun car, it'll be on my short list for sure...assuming they still make it when my time comes.
I want to once again emphasize that the Audi S8 definitely beats any car I've ever driven under $200K in terms of ride quality and quiet cabin. I drove the Audi yesterday approximately 100 miles and then the S class later in the evening and the contrast of sound dampening and ride quality is definitely in favor of the S8.
I want to once again emphasize that the Audi S8 definitely beats any car I've ever driven under $200K in terms of ride quality and quiet cabin. I drove the Audi yesterday approximately 100 miles and then the S class later in the evening and the contrast of sound dampening and ride quality is definitely in favor of the S8.
If something happens to my rare #3 of 3 as built Alchemy Purple Chevy SS with BMR suspension upgrades will seriously look at 2022 S8. Especially since GM removed Legacy Hughes Aircraft from Employee Discount program in 2019 after 30-years. Always liked the S8 from Ronin Movie along with that BMW and big motor Merc. Have 1911 will Travel to chase and discover what's inside that Case!
I want to once again emphasize that the Audi S8 definitely beats any car I've ever driven under $200K in terms of ride quality and quiet cabin. I drove the Audi yesterday approximately 100 miles and then the S class later in the evening and the contrast of sound dampening and ride quality is definitely in favor of the S8.
I’ll have to disagree. A W222 on Continentals is better on highways and the same over bumps. Including hard speed bumps at 15mph (tested it myself).
W223 smokes it and the W222 on good tires and 20s.
Then you can get a used Maybach for under $200k lol
If something happens to my rare #3 of 3 as built Alchemy Purple Chevy SS with BMR suspension upgrades will seriously look at 2022 S8. Especially since GM removed Legacy Hughes Aircraft from Employee Discount program in 2019 after 30-years. Always liked the S8 from Ronin Movie along with that BMW and big motor Merc. Have 1911 will Travel to chase and discover what's inside that Case!
I've not seen the movie. Will watch it this weekend.
Have you driven a W222 on Continentals non-RFTs back-to-back with the S8? Let’s even the playing field and say an S560 with MBC, since the S8 has the Audi version of it. And mine didn’t have MBC.
Can’t just say “nope” from your limited experience. W223 on non-RFTs and 20’s is miles above the 560 and Audi. Also from experience.
Have you driven a W222 on Continentals non-RFTs back-to-back with the S8? Let’s even the playing field and say an S560 with MBC, since the S8 has the Audi version of it. And mine didn’t have MBC.
Can’t just say “nope” from your limited experience. W223 on non-RFTs and 20’s is miles above the 560 and Audi. Also from experience.
I still say "nope". Will "nahh" be a better way of wording it? YOU have no idea how much experience I have with luxury cars. Enjoy your limited "experience" with your W223. There is a good reason I still have my W222.
I don't learn from videos. I learn from real experience. I had 20" Continentals on my S560 when I bought it and I replaced them with Michelins, neither of which produce the smooth, quiet ride of the S8 with 21" rims and tires from Pirelli. Purchase a 2022 Audi S8 and learn from experience before ratchet jawing on forums about cars you've never owned. I'll see you on the Audi forums. Meanwhile, I will continue to state my opinion as to how overall the W222 S560 is still the best car I've owned since the 80's when you were probably born.
Oh really cars I’ve never owned? I posted several pics of my customized Maybach S560 (just re-badged) and gave a full run-down of the difference between it and the S560 I owned for 2 months before it because I didn’t find the W222 or Audi A8 up to par for what I wanted. I owned an S450 and put 25k miles on it in 1 year. Drove my Maybach from Miami to Orlando and back. 500 miles total fyi. Owned a 2017 E300 for a year before the 450 also put 20k miles on it. I can show the myriad of pictures and videos I’ve taken of my cars on here. Oh wait I have, on the Picture Thread. You really thought I learned from videos? Lol. You must be hard of hearing by now, can’t tell the difference between a 63 and a 560. I’m usually extremely cordial on these forums but you decided to come at me personally.
I could’ve bought a 2022 Audi pretty easily with a $2.5k down payment like they took for my Maybach and were begging to give me the $7500 off rebate for at Audi. Said nah it isn’t up to my standards.
Last edited by KingdomCometh; May 7, 2022 at 09:17 PM.
Some posts deleted so let's take it easy here. The OP is sharing his experience with his new S8. This is a great car as are the Mercedes S-Class models. Competition only benefits the customer so I am glad that facelift model seems to have improved.
Ride quality is not only deeply subjective but does depend on the exact configurations and wether people discuss front and rear seat comforts. Consider this one more personal opinion shared
Some posts deleted so let's take it easy here. The OP is sharing his experience with his new S8. This is a great car as are the Mercedes S-Class models. Competition only benefits the customer so I am glad that facelift model seems to have improved.
Ride quality is not only deeply subjective but does depend on the exact configurations and wether people discuss front and rear seat comforts. Consider this one more personal opinion shared
I did try to ease it up with my now-deleted reply. Both cars are dope. Thanks for deleting mine and his where the conversation really broke down, neither of those belong in a car forum.
This is ridiculous lol, the S8 is an awesome car, and the A8L I drove had a great ride...everything I have read about the S8 mirrors his comments that it has great ride quality.
FWIW, I tried an A8L and a BMW 740i and neither one seemed any better than my S550 in ride quality. For that matter, neither did a brand new W223 S500. But hey, it's all entirely subjective.
Those who follow Consumer Reports may have noticed they rank the W223 behind these two cars in their 'top end sedan' rankings. Paraphrasing, they say the S-class has "fallen behind" the competitors.
FWIW, I tried an A8L and a BMW 740i and neither one seemed any better than my S550 in ride quality. For that matter, neither did a brand new W223 S500. But hey, it's all entirely subjective.
Those who follow Consumer Reports may have noticed they rank the W223 behind these two cars in their 'top end sedan' rankings. Paraphrasing, they say the S-class has "fallen behind" the competitors.
I’ll only corroborate that in that it’s not nicer riding than my W222 Maybach and that has the same suspension in the front as the regular W222. It does have some weird suspension in the rear and 8 more inches of wheelbase though which helps ride comfort.
Does consumer report say if the new one is a steel or aluminum unibody? The W222 is aluminum and Maybach is steel. Curious
EDIT:
W222 has aluminum unibody and an air spring suspension setup. W222 Maybach has a steel unibody and a coil spring suspension setup.
W223 has a aluminum-steel hybrid shell with air springs as well as adaptive dampers. The difference in ride with some W223s could very well be down to the adaptive dampers being calibrated differently, as they did a system update to the E63S from last gen so the adaptive dampers would be softer.
Last edited by KingdomCometh; May 10, 2022 at 08:13 PM.
FWIW, I tried an A8L and a BMW 740i and neither one seemed any better than my S550 in ride quality. For that matter, neither did a brand new W223 S500. But hey, it's all entirely subjective.
Those who follow Consumer Reports may have noticed they rank the W223 behind these two cars in their 'top end sedan' rankings. Paraphrasing, they say the S-class has "fallen behind" the competitors.
Not saying they are better, but they ride extremely well. All of these cars do.
Not saying they are better, but they ride extremely well. All of these cars do.
It’s entirely possible that varying experiences with the new W223 are down to the adaptive dampers being calibrated differently. I saw that the E63S forums for last-gen had a UI update that tremendously helped the ride.
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