Lakis

I must admit I want to purchase an A8 but after reading the board concerning the transmission and aluminum body I have been left skeptical.

Is the A8 that much better than the e320?

thanks


john

Polidori

And the aluminum body/frame on the A8 is the one thing you'll never have to worry about.

ivans A8

I think this is a wrong cars to compare to begin with. S-class from MB is something more close A8 but since they dont come in US as a 4-matic you would have to narrow your choice even more.

QuickA8

I used to drive a 2001 320 4 matic, really nice, quiter than the A8, i think it feels heavier but slower. I would say to be close you gotta find a 430 4matic those are nice.

I like the 8 better, better back seat, rear seat heaters, looks nicer..... now a new E class i dont know.

Jim II

My mom drives a 2004 E320 wagon with 4matic. I can't stand the car. The car is drive by remote control. Mercedes cars have no road feel. Before this car she had a 2000 E320 4matic wagon. I liked it better than the new one but would never trade my beat up 97 A8 for the Merc. You have to realize my A8 has 135K on it. I think it was built from several cars even though the carfax was clean. My A8 must be one of the poorest examples on the road, but you couldn't pry it out of my hands. I still look for reasons to go for a drive, after 30 months with the car.

By the way. The 2000 had a new transmision installed about two months before they traded it for the 2004. It had the same thump you'll read about in these posts.

TSHong

I would have thought the Mercedes woud have better build quality and lower maintenance, but its the opposite. I have to maintain the Mercedes since I'm in the business. Let me tell you the A8 is better in all categories including maintenance.

jago1

i've owned both '02 e430 4m and 05' e500 4m and am buying s8 after selling the e500.
only took a 1/2 hr testy in an S8 and have my new ride coming in from out of state, so i dont have a lot of compare time behind the wheel of the audi, but i can comment on the mb's..
e430 4m a more classic benz ride and more similar to a8/s8 than the e500. lighter steering , more road feel, sharp on the bumps, but comfortable at all speeds. e500 is a different animal. performs well at 90mph but irritating in normal driving conditions.
steering so tight it needs constant correction, braking modulation difficult, throttle delay, airmatic suspension wobbly at low speed. certainly more advanced car, but they lost something along the way with this drive by wire thing.
S8 test drive reminded me more of e430 by far, and love the rear htd seats too!
john.

Lakis

Thank you all for the responses. After reading some more on this forum and the E class forum I think the A8 is the way too go.

One more question? I understand there is some cosmetic changes in the 2000 but is there much of a difference from the 1999 A8? Thanks again

audivotary

better than an E320. The A8L has more power and performance than an S500, and ia a much better value.