'01 S8 vs '07 A8 - is it comparable perfomance, throttle responce, etc?
 

Is it possible to find in USA '07 A8 with 2MA option -"sport suspension with continious electrical regulation of shock absorber"
Also with sport front seats.

While the 01 S8 was (is) a fabulous car, I don't think they really compare ....
 

0-60: 6.3 seconds vs 4.9
Output: 360 bhp vs 450
Injection system: 07 has direct injection
Transmission: 5 speed vs 6 speed
Bias: 07 has the 40:60 front:rear variable bias
Suspension: 07 has adjustable air suspension
etc etc

The new S8 is a completely different vehicle but it is 6 years younger.

I believe he is comparing the 01 S8 to a base model 07 A8.
 

The D2 S8 still feels more responsive and faster than the 07 D2 A8 in my opinion despite the 07's 6-speed tiptronic. There is a sport option for the D3s but the package consisted of just bigger wheels, 3 spoke wheel and adaptive sport air suspension.

That's a beatiful s8 you have there, my fiance says I'll need a bigger car in the future but I think two car seats will fit perfect in the back of a d3 s8.

Yes, you are right - '01 S8 vs A8 D3 with 350hp motor.
 

On paper '07 A8 quicker
S8 D2 - 6.6 sec 0-62 mph
A8 D3 350hp - 5.9 sec.

Oops, you are right, sorry for misreading the question

Stats make sense...
 

Even against the nominal 10HP down, as I recall all the extra S8 (and S6) HP in the 4.2 generation was up above the redline of the standard 300-315HP 4.2 of the day--in the 6500-7000RPM range.

What makes all the difference will be the six speeds of the current tranny with the wider total gear range. The old standard 4.2 had a particularly low final drive ratio ("high geared" in the vernacular), though the S was a little better there, paying a fuel economy price for it. Both the added gear and likely a numerically higher final drive ratio ("lower geared" effectively--but I would have to check that) make it advantage current D3 4.2.

Also, the D2/C5 4.2 tranny (5HP24A) is a known weak spot on overall reliability. Jury is still out on that for D3's, but I think it's in on D2's. Then as soon as you think about the air suspension of the D3, the way ahead electronics and comfort package, the incrementally tighter body, the still very current look, the greater soundproofing (even more so for 08+ vintage), and a host of other things D3 is my choice now. When I bought my C5 4.2 in 2000, I looked at a then new D2 A8 and it felt more like my old C4 from 1996 inside and style wise, putting power aside on the C4 2.8 slug. But if you are at a much lower price point of course, the D2 is still a great sleeper car.