I have a 1998 A8, modify like an S, mirrors,suspension lower, s8 breakes, headers mufflers,air intake all that goodies from Hoppen in Fla. the mirrors and the xenon lights from the dealer, i had to have the windows taken apart in order to have them tinted the car may look like an S8 the sound is good the power not bad may be 325 hp with 66Kil. and I have a buyer for 50k us.The big question is it worth to trade anyone as driven the S8, on the plus side it's a real S
on the down no heating steering whell,solar sun roof...I like to hear some comments a confuse audi lover from Montréal.

If you have the money and want the car, where's the confusion? Seriously though, I'd wait and drive the '01 S8 before you make your decision. I don't know if you can compare other S8s' Since the S8 that will come to this side of the pond is not the same one they have else where in the world (different gearing, NA emmissions etc...) There is no real way to know what kind of a difference YOU will experience compared to your current car until you drive one. By the way, I'll bet the dealership can set you up with a heated steering wheel. I suspect since it is still a feature in the A8 family (available or standard on the "L" model yes?), the wiring is part of the steering wheel harness in all the 8 series cars. Couldn't hurt to ask. I'm sure it's a desirable feature in Canada. I don't know that the heating element is available in the 3 spoke Audi Sport steering wheel though.

Back in September of '99 several S8's were here in Colorado for NA emmission certifaction.
The German companies are here all the time with test mules. I've driven the S8 many times over the years in Germany and the dynamics where outstanding for this large sedan. My guess is that your modified A8 is on a parr with the dynamics of the S8 or pretty damm close. Nice!

As the A8/S8 series is in its twilight years and soon to be significantly all-new,('02) I'd set your sites on the future. The current A8 series platform has been fitted with the newest W12 6.0 450 bhp engine and is making the european auto show circuit this autumn. The A8 - W12 engined car goes on sale in the 1Q of '01 in Germany. When the newest A8 platform is completed there will be a new range of engine offerings as well.
Word around the campfire is that a bi-turbo 4.2 V8
is in development. Here at high altitude we like to hear Turbo development as the thin air reduces normally aspirated engine output by 15 -18%.

You have the current S8 allready - Kinda?
Good luck.

Mike in Denver
'00 S4
'95.5 S6 wagon
'98 911
Had a "01 S8 on order - cancelled.

I have a A8 and, aparently, like you have some doubts about the new S8. It seems that you already have a fair imitation of the S8. Look at the specks for the S8 and the A8. S model goes from 0 to 100 kph in 6.3 seconds while the A8 does it in 6.7 seconds. (From the 2001 Audi A8 brochure - Canada)
I live in Alberta and really like the Quatro and the heated seats and steering wheel. I'd really miss the heated steering wheel. I had a S6 before the current A8 and it had a heated steering wheel. I don't know why it is not part of the car. It also had a manual transmission. I really like a manual. Hate the auto - Triptronic is no comparison. The transmission is slow to change down and I find the manual selector also slow to respond. Also you can't skip gears - like in a manual setup.
Keep your A8 - try the S8, then wait for Audi to get its act together, maybe with the new 2002 models???