S8 vs A8 suspension comfort
 

Hello,

i was wondering if the S8 with its predictive suspension is actually more comfortable than an A8 with standard suspension?

i have driven both, but a long time from each other, and therefore I don’t remember which actually rides better.

maybe the normal A8 was a touch softer. But I cannot be certain. Usually the higher performance version will be stiffer than the normal one. But since the D5 platform has so many technology it is maybe not necessary to firm up the ride. Since the S8 comes standard with the fancy antiroll bars, rear wheel steering and active suspension. So maybe because of these technologies the S8 compensates and actually rides as well as the normal A8? Just a little thought there.

I have also read that the Facelift A8/S8 have a softer suspension than the pre-facelift. Although I haven’t heard that officially from Audi.

".The S8's chassis features a sport-tuned version of the A8's adaptive suspension.." which implies stiffer. C&D

Yes, it has to be stiffer - It's an S model and all Audi S models are firmer damped.

Have not driven or ridden in an A8, but I have an S8 without the predictive suspension. The ride is very comfortable.

To be honest I don’t really trust the auto media on such questions. I prefer the opinions of the owners or people who have spent more time in both cars.

Absolutely true. I moved from the 2019 A8L to a 2021 S8 (and most recently to a 2024 S8) and immediately noticed the difference...firmer, tighter even in "Comfort" setting. I know many in this forum love the D5 A8L and its ride & driving characteristics but I prefer the driving "feel" and ride of the D5 S8 with its added PAS. In my opinion, the previous D4 A8L's ride was a bit more firm and tighter than the D5 A8L. The D5 S8 takes it to another level---a level that I love!

Is the difference in ride comfort significant, or very little? Because from my experience I think the S8 is about 10% stiffer than the A8, not more than that.

Besides suspension differences, I think all S8s come with 21" tires (less comfortable) whereas on A8 at least some come with 20"

That sounds about right - about 15% stiffer / firmer damped on other S models. That's how I would have compared my late model S4 Avant against my A4 Avant quattro 3.0.

The ride comfort is at least in the range of 10-15% stiffer but the overall combination of ride and handling (even in Comfort mode) is very noticeable to me in a very good way. It's difficult for me to assign a % value to the difference.