Hi Everyone,

I'm brand new to the board and I am in the beginning stages of research on my next car purchase. I'll be looking to make my purchase sometime during the first quarter of 2010. I have lurked on AW from time to time so I am not a complete stranger to the A8. My budget is $25k-$32k and due to the need for space (kids) and wanting a large luxury car that has sporty characteristics, I have narrowed my choices to an 06 A8 or an 05 S55 AMG. A distant third would be an 06 BMW 750li, but as I said it would be a distant third at best, but feel free to chime in on that too as well. I'm estimating that the vehicles I am targeting will be in my price range once I am ready to pull the trigger in a few months. We already have an SUV in the family so getting another one is not an option I'm willing to entertain.

I have driven several A8's and I love the overall package especially the interior which I feel is best in class. One of the pro's on the S55 is obviously the 493hp supercharged engine and enormous torque, but since the redesigned S class debuted in 2007, I feel the W220 model is outdated especially the electronics (nav, radio, etc.). Although the BMW just came out with the redesigned 750li this year, I don't feel like the e65 7 series is outdated and I actually like how the 750 drives. The A8 on the otherhand, still looks great in my eyes especially since the redesigned model won't be out until next year. IMO, it is a complete package in its exterior, interior and driving characteristics. I should also mention that I am only considering the S55 because of its engine. I would not consider an S500.

Hopefully, people will try to be as unbiased as possible even though this is an Audi board. Any input on these vehicles that will aid me on my decision will be greatly appreciated.

 

Why don't you look for some 07 S8's? I feel you hold the A8 in high regard and wish for a bit more Hp...the S8 would knock you over and then some...good luck!

 

Thanks for the reply 06A8! I do hold the A8 in high regard and I absolutley love the S8. Two issues: 1. I would prefer a long wheel base sedan because of the occassional kid hauling and more importantly (sorry, should have specified I am looking for an A8L) 2. the 07 S8's are still going around mid $50's and up to about $70k. Even after say a 15% depreciation hit, the 07's will be going for the mid $40's next year which is unfortunately out of my price range.

I don't necessarily need a high HP car such as the S55. That particular car intrigued me because its original MSRP was over $120k and now an 05 can be had for around $30k. The depreciation hit that car takes is insane. At that price and with that much power I feel I need to take it under consideration. At this point, I'm actually leaning the A8's direction. I spend a good portion of my day behind the wheel and I absolutely love the A8's interior and the gadgets that come along with it. I'm hoping the 07's will drop closer to my price range since Audi made quite a few improvements to the A8 that year. I guess the main reason for my post was to see if any AW members has had any previous experience with the aformentioned cars in my original post and if any comparisons can be made to the A8.

 

I love the S8, but I don't think it will be in my price range even if I go up to $40k. I also would prefer a long wheelbase car due to the occasional kid hauling. Can anyone chime in with experiences with the W220 S class, E65 7 series and A8. Why did you choose the A8 over the other or better yet if you switched from MB or BMW, what made you switch?

 

My 2c is that the MB and BMW look and feel more like a boat compared with the A8. The A8 feels that it has a more aggressive stance on the road. Looks wise, I prefer the look of Audi cars even as they get older. Compare the look of a D2 or early D3 A8 to the same age MB or BMW and the Audi still impresses where the others look their age.

My only beef with Audi is the dealer network over here in Oz leave a bit to be desired.

 

Kind of OT; The guy who started Aristocrat, the slot machine manufacturer based in Oz has a 2004 A8L. Pearl beige. He also has a Rolls but takes the Audi when he chooses to drive.

 

I will agree that a D3 A8 doesn't look aged compared to the previous generation MB or BMW especially in the interior. The A8 has a very sporty exterior stance compared to the other germans IMO and it is one of the reasons it is at the top of my list when considering my next car.

 

I can add my opinion as having had an S500 which was like the S55 in all ways but the horsepower. I had the ABC suspension and the AMG sport package from the S55. It was a beautiful car which I had always wanted to have, but I don't miss it at all after trading it for my 2004 A8. Like you, I need a big car because I have to haul the kids around. I'm also tall and don't like to have to move my seat forward when I have clients in the back seat.

I really think the S55 is kind of silly. The only real benefit of that kind of horsepower is straight-line acceleration. The car is just too big and heavy to drive it like a sports car. I tried with mine and came away dissatisfied. In a car like an M3 or even M5 I can understand getting the high horsepower, but driving a long wheelbase car aggressively in curves just doesn't cut it. It gets horrible mileage as well.

Add to that the fact that the electronics aren't as good or upgradable, the suspension isn't as good (try driving the S55 over railroad tracks - it sounds like the bottom's falling out), and the interior is far less satisfying and it's no contest for me.

I think you'll find that the A8 handles better than the S55 in most instances and you get the added benefit of AWD and a really well designed car. I'm nearing 100k on my A8 and still get compliments on it almost daily. It has also proven to be more reliable and less costly to maintain than my Mercedes was. I have added the Audi Music Interface with the Bluetooth module to my A8 and I have streaming audio from my phone which is something even the newest Benz doesn't offer.

One of the other issues I discovered when I had my Mercedes is that it carries with it some social baggage. It makes a statement of arrogance which can put some people off. I had not really considered that when I got mine and found it to be frequently uncomfortable (unless I came across an old high school rival). The Audi is far more understated in that regard. People who really know cars know you've got the best in the business -- everyone else thinks it's like a Buick or something.

Unless your best friend's a BMW dealer, I think you're right to dismiss the 7-series. I haven't seen a comparison yet which puts it ahead of the A8. Motor Trend's recent comparison still puts the newest generation behind the A8.

I hope this helps. Good luck with the search.

 

Rowlie,

Thanks so much for your reply. You pretty much summed up everything I was thinking about the A8 vs. its competition. Hopefully, I'll be posting as an A8 owner in the near future.

 

Hello All,

I was looking for input also.

Anyone have any input on the new BMW 750il Xdrive? 4.4 liter twin turbo, 400 hp, 450 ftlbs, awd, etc...

Pricy compaired to A8L, but similar to S8 (none made this model year those bastards).

Any input?

Thank you,

Looking for replacement for aging RS6....need more room.. three growing boys.

Mike