Audi S8 vs BMW 740i vs S55 AMG ...
10-07-2001, 04:27 PM
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Audi S8 vs BMW 740i vs S55 AMG ...
... in an interesting review/comparison in the Nov '01 Road & Track
Price as tested included most available bells & whistles, including the sport package on the BMW,
BMW 740i: $70k
Audi S8: $81k
S55 AMG: $102k
The performance results (all '01 models) were remarkably similar.
Skidpad g's were within 0.02g, and slalom speeds were within 0.5 mph. In both cases, S55 > 740i > S8. I expect the S8 would have done better if it didn't have the low end tires of the trio -- especially since the S8 is the lightest, has the widest track, and is the lowest of the three.
Braking distances from 60-0 mph were within 3 ft of each other.
The AMG was about 1/2 sec quicker in the 1/4 mile. [I guess you should get something for an extra $20k.] The S8 was quicker, but by only 0.1 sec, than the 740i. Hmmm ... is this why Audi doesn't care about that unusually tall 4th gear; shifting out of 3rd occurs at about 100 mph; the S8's speed at the end of the 1/4 mile was 99.2 mph.
The one anomoly: Road & Track reported the curb weight of the S8 as 3815 lb, the test weight with driver as 3990 lb, and a 57/43 weight distribution. All the Audi literature I've seen reports a 4068 lb curb weight. ???
All three cars were highly praised ... rightfully so.
Price as tested included most available bells & whistles, including the sport package on the BMW,
BMW 740i: $70k
Audi S8: $81k
S55 AMG: $102k
The performance results (all '01 models) were remarkably similar.
Skidpad g's were within 0.02g, and slalom speeds were within 0.5 mph. In both cases, S55 > 740i > S8. I expect the S8 would have done better if it didn't have the low end tires of the trio -- especially since the S8 is the lightest, has the widest track, and is the lowest of the three.
Braking distances from 60-0 mph were within 3 ft of each other.
The AMG was about 1/2 sec quicker in the 1/4 mile. [I guess you should get something for an extra $20k.] The S8 was quicker, but by only 0.1 sec, than the 740i. Hmmm ... is this why Audi doesn't care about that unusually tall 4th gear; shifting out of 3rd occurs at about 100 mph; the S8's speed at the end of the 1/4 mile was 99.2 mph.
The one anomoly: Road & Track reported the curb weight of the S8 as 3815 lb, the test weight with driver as 3990 lb, and a 57/43 weight distribution. All the Audi literature I've seen reports a 4068 lb curb weight. ???
All three cars were highly praised ... rightfully so.
10-09-2001, 10:56 AM
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Road & Track's article was more of a puff piece...
How disappointing that Road & Track's article was more of a puff piece than analysis and criticism. The British magazines have done a much better job in evaluating the same cars.
10-09-2001, 01:51 PM
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4068 lbs sounds more correct ...
I have noticed that car magazines report erroneous weights fairly frequently. The latest Car & Driver lists the 2002 A4 3.0 quattro 6-speed at 3759 lbs. I am guessing the real number is more like 3579 lbs.
I haven't received my R&T yet, but from your summary it sounds like the S8 doesn't have a performance edge over the 740i Sport. The 740i Sport has monster sized tires (245 or 255 front, 275 back) comapred to S8's modest 245 tires. I think Audi could have done a little more to differentiate the S8 from a regular A8 (body colored lower cladding, even wider tires, etc.), similar to what they have done with the S4.
I haven't received my R&T yet, but from your summary it sounds like the S8 doesn't have a performance edge over the 740i Sport. The 740i Sport has monster sized tires (245 or 255 front, 275 back) comapred to S8's modest 245 tires. I think Audi could have done a little more to differentiate the S8 from a regular A8 (body colored lower cladding, even wider tires, etc.), similar to what they have done with the S4.
10-09-2001, 05:06 PM
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Re: 4068 lbs sounds more correct ...
As SLLA642 says, the article comes up short when it comes to a comprehensive performance/handling analysis. You get a few statistics, but that's about it; Nurburgring lap times are not included. I guess that would be too much to expect in an article on threee cars of this class.
You're probably right about about the weight, but I've already decided to check this myself. When I get a chance, I'll get my S8 weighed on a certified truck scale and let you know the results. The article does contain errors ... the reported speed in gears seems to be way off, about 10% low. Actual tach and speedometer measurements with my car agree almost perfectly with my theoritical calculation based on tire diameter, gear and final drives ratio, and engine rpm.
Last but not least, I agree that 265 or 275 tires on an S8 could have discreetly differentiated it from an A8, plus given it more of a performance edge.
You're probably right about about the weight, but I've already decided to check this myself. When I get a chance, I'll get my S8 weighed on a certified truck scale and let you know the results. The article does contain errors ... the reported speed in gears seems to be way off, about 10% low. Actual tach and speedometer measurements with my car agree almost perfectly with my theoritical calculation based on tire diameter, gear and final drives ratio, and engine rpm.
Last but not least, I agree that 265 or 275 tires on an S8 could have discreetly differentiated it from an A8, plus given it more of a performance edge.
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