tjohnson1147

My closest Audi dealer (200 miles away) has a 2013 S8 (loaded) and a 2015 A8L (loaded). Both are CPO, one owner cars. The S8 has 41k miles and the A8 has 8k miles. Both are priced the same (asking price $71,000).

I previously owned a 2013 A8L W12 and am currently test driving a different 2015 A8L with 19k miles. I really like the A8, but have never driven an S8. I like the looks of the S8 much better, but wondering if it's really worth 2 years and 30k miles for the same price?? This is a daily driver, but we also take road trips (400-500 miles per day) sometimes. It's just me and my wife most of the time, but occasionally we travel a few hundred miles with adult friends as well.

Thoughts?

Travis

BigBoy11

My prejudiced vote is the 2015 A8L. But, comfort combined with performance is more important to me than performance with comfort. Plus, chances are the 3 year old S8 has been driven a tad bit harder than a 1 year old A8L CPO or not. But, I am sure the dealer would be glad to sell you either one so test drive the S8 preferably for the weekend. Only way to know.

Jack88

I think they want a lot for that 2013. The S8 is notably quicker than the W12, but the newer A8 has the facelift. Tough call. I would at least test drive the S8 and see if its character suits you.

MP4.2+6.0

Came from a D3 W12 and went to a 2015 CPO S8.

Start with you really should decide if you want LWB or SWB. I really liked my W12 but honestly when I was done I concluded no more 4 seaters for starters. Yes there are 5 seaters, but little luck finding those well equipped and not black on black. Got burned too many times needing that final seat. And, having school age kids when I first got W12 LWB and room made sense with teens. As now empty nester, SWB is plenty fine size wise, and losing 5 inches off the land yacht is not a bad thing for not just handling, but everyday real world parking and maneuvering in the increasingly built up SF Bay Area.

As already stated D4 S8 is major power step up over D4 W12. D4 W12 is closer to 4.0T. Frankly driving S8 my reaction is way lot o' power. Almost too much as soon as you get on it for the real world of traffic. Probably I would be fine w/ 4.0T (or D4 W12 power), but I wanted fully loaded, special interior, no black on black, 5 seater, SWB, and post facelift. The intersection of all that is the S8 I chose.

I think you will do well with either. I do tend to favor low miles CPO's myself. Both can take you to 100K, but you will have more years of coverage on 2015.

If you haven't driven an S8, make sure you do. It's tighter and stiffer than A8 in variety of ways, and this from a D3 era owner who did 100K miles on his W12 with largest optional factory wheels and retrofitted S8 sway bars. I sort of laugh now when I read the D4 A8 posts about folks dialing most all the settings up to Dynamic. Not on an S8, at least mine for everyday driving... Ditto on the 21's that I backed down to 20's to get the ride better dialed in and lose a bunch of unsprung rotating pork.

ionize

I just picked up a nice well-serviced 2013 S8 CPO with 36k miles for less than $60k. White with black and B&O all new tires brakes rotors etc and 35k service. 71k $ is tooooomuch !!
PS I drove some A8L's and the S8 is the way to go if you are alligned to max performance.

tjohnson1147

That is pretty much the exact car I would be looking for (if it has Heads Up display??). Want to sell it and make a profit?? Lol

derfA8L

Heads up display introduced in the A8/S8 effective with 2015 MY.

ionize

To recoup taxes etc not much left on the bone lol. Liking the car so far, thats for sure.

My last Audi was 1982 Audi Coupe... quite a few issues, hope this one is not like that !!