Puzz1

Hi folks. Posted something similar on the D4 board. As you can see from my sig I have an A8 3.0. I've had it 3 years with approx 28000 miles. I've had the itch to get something different for some time. One consideration is an APR stage 1 tune which will dramatically turn my car into a different animal and thus keep it in place for a while longer. I would also pay off a smallish loan and drive it without a payment which has appeal. My other choice is to move on and the S6 has always been a strong consideration among a host of other sport oriented options (Macan S, M550i, S8, pano, etc). Every one of those are more exciting than my current ride but would require financial outlay.

So what would you do? Would the tune be enough to keep you engaged or would you move on? Mind you this has turned into an obsession. Can't decide what to do. The financially prudent choice is clear but....

kczach

I have a 17 S6 and my wife has a 17 A8 LWB. Her previous car was a 15 A8 SWB. She regrets getting rid of her 15 since the 17 is noticeably longer which she doesn't care for when it comes to parking.
I had a chance to drive her car on a road trip this weekend. Compared to the S6 the A8 is a better road trip car and is more comfortable. She does have the comfort seats while I have the sport seats. I think tuning the car to the 400 + hp mark would make it a lot more fun. With that being said the S6 is just more of a beast with the V8 and passing is a lot more effortless on a 2 lane highway than A8 (non tuned). From a handling perspective I think the S6 handles the twisty roads much better than the A8 but is not as good of a road trip car.
I guess it comes down to how much money you want to spend and what type of driving you do. If your A8 is in good shape I think you'll be happy doing some mods and transforming it to a more powerful car. You also have the last year of the A8 SWB's in the states.
Just my two cents.

dgbaudiphile

With the APR dealer, you can get a 30 day trial. Maybe get it tuned, drive it around for a couple of weeks and then decide? In the end, kczach is right, the A8 suspension won't be that of the S6 so if you're looking for a stiffer ride with less body roll, go for the S6. If it's off-the-line torque or passing power, the tune may give you what you want. Make no mistake - the A8 and S6 are two totally different cars when it comes to driving dynamics - even if they had the same HP. The A8 4.0L vs. an S6 is a perfect example.

Terrible_One

That's awesome. Had no idea they had a trial for the APR tune. Hear amazing things about the 4.0T with an APR Stage 1. Unlocking a BEAST.

elp_jc

I have to say the S6 is an amazing road trip car, even with sport seats (in my case). If you put the suspension in comfort, it's actually more 'floaty' than I'd want, so use it in auto. Can't imagine anybody inclined to sports cars wanting an A/S8 over an S6 on a road trip. Even my wife who b*tches about stiff ride and lack of comfort, was impressed with the S6. And I'm also no spring chicken, at 56 (wife 55). I, like many here, would have preferred the comfort setting being auto, so dynamic was more sporty, with less body roll. But with the max VCDS drop, body roll is quite acceptable for such a heavy beast, since it rides so well. Can't have everything, but this car is the closest I've ever owned to a jack of all trades.

dgbaudiphile

m444

Adding the Eurocode front & rear sway bars makes a huge difference in handling and how solid it feels. I am also lowered by 10mm with VCDS, which helps too.

19hole

Don't sell an S8 short. For a heavy car it handles quite well.