I have a mercedes s500 2001. i was considering trading it for an audi a8l. can anyone compare the two for me? also after reading the forum i question if it is best to wait for the 2005? my mercedes has been problem free. i love the way it drives but after five mercedes i think i'm getting bored. also i drive a landcrusier so four wheel drive for weather is not a great concern. i had an audi quatro-turbo wagon in '93. it was five speed stick.there were tons of problems with that car,i kept it one year.
thanks in advance.

for an 05, I probably would. This takes into consideration the issues of phone, MMI etc. If you can put up with the "boredom", hold out!


greenie 6625


04 A8L silver/sabre

Thank you.
I test drove one today but not long enough.
I was really not pleased with my trade-in value, of course we never are. After reading what you guys have written. I decided to wait for the '05.
The dealer had no knowledge of the phone problems.
Had no answer on the radio, this is a fresh dealership and the price was more than i expected,again,that is always the case.Have to admit though when i got back in my car it looked somewhat prehistoric. I didn't drive it long enough to tell if i liked the drive better than my car. It is so hard when the car you're driving is really great! I think the a8L is better looking than the S500 and i think the s500 looks good.thanks for your help.

Is there another dealer you can talk to? Where are you located? If you have no history with Audi, expect to pay list when you are ready. I guess youll have to "tough it out" for a while in the Benz! LOL Best wishes.


greenie 6625


04 A8L silver/sabre

I'm a long-term audi fan, but I had a '95 MB S320 during the V8 years (from '95 to '98). Then went to a '98 A8 and now '01 A8L. I never "loved" the ride of the MB but it was reliable. Although the '98 A8 is a great car, the ride/handling/power etc of the '01 was noticeably better. I attribute that to Audi ironing out the quirks in the early A8's. By that logic (and also by the postings here) after a major model upgrade I would wait for the next maintenance release, that is the '05s.

i live near charlottesville va and plan to call all of the dealerships surrounding me. that's what i did with my car and saved nearly 10k.
now i wanted alot of options that i am sure really pushed the price up. right now i am holding out for the '05. would be a different story if i disliked
what i am driving now. when will they come out?
i want the black on black with the 5 spoke wheels.

Carlin, I live in Manassas va and drive a black on black 04 with 5 spoke wheels. Looks and drives great. Purchased from Audi of Alexandria and I must say they have been a pleasure to work with.

The 04`s, I believe, started selling during the first week of June so the 05`s should be out, I assume sometime next June or in Sept.


greenie 6625


04 A8L silver/sabre