nabizzy

not sure if you're still in the market, but for anyone looking

I drove and S8 before buying the A8L

The S8 is a monster when it comes to speed, your brain cannot rationalize a huge sedan this fast. The A8 is no slouch either (I think it was road and track or something that clocked 0-60 at about 3.9 seconds) but the S8 is an absolute monster, no real contest when it comes to that.

As far as ride comfort, for me personally, the A8 felt more comfortable to sit in and drive around, perhaps because it is bigger, I am not sure though about the dimensions. I also have friends and clients I drive around at times, and the A8 suits my needs more at the moment with its long wheel base. It is very fast, I traded from an X5M with a tune pushing nearly 700 horsepower and I am not missing the speed too much, granted it is slower, but not by a huge noticeable margin when it comes to day to day driving.

The S8 has a better exhaust note, the A8L doesn't really have an exhaust note to write home about lol...but its not meant to as its a luxury limo type car.


I hope this helps anyone in my situation, the best thing to do is of course to go drive it.

nabizzy

an S8 not and S8, sorry.

MP4.2+6.0

I suspect the price delta vs. value question will get even harder when the 2015's w/ the D4 refresh finally get here. 2015 4.0T HP going up a bit, 0-60 dropping a few more tenths, and MPG's may nudge up a little from how I parse the known specs. S8 seems to be soldiering forward w/ only the styling updates but not further performance changes, hence reducing the gap there but with the ongoing price delta.

The 4.0T is already seriously fast as vehicles go (and the S8 almost ridiculously so--either well beyond D3 S8 or W12 performance), but even more so I think in coming months.

Victoryroad

With all respect, the S8, while a magnificent value and outrageously fast car, is not even close to Porsche 991 TT or TTS acceleration times, nor should anyone expect it to compete with the 991, a 3500 lb. car with 487 lb. ft of torque and 520 bhp in the base TT. Motor Trend's road test of the S8 is very instructive and it got a 0-60 run at 3.5 seconds, which seems to defy the laws of physics. Moreover, it is perhaps the best value in the automotive world. Its features compared to the A8 4.0 are quite extensive, including the sport exhaust in the 2015 S8 and head-up display. The S8 handles extraordinarily well for any weight car, much less a 4500 lb one. If one has the extra $20,000 or so, the S8 is an easy choice, particularly if one compares it to MB's or BMW's. FWIW, I decided to defer the 2015 S8 for a 2015 991 TT and keep my humble D3 A8, which remains quite capable for daily use. The refresh of the 2015 A8 and S8's will be a decided improvement, IMHO and will remain on my list to replace my A8.

Audis or VWs 4Life

The delta is really not 20 grand. Its closer to 12 grand or so once your load like for like options on the A8 vs the S8. Obviously with the S8 you are forced into buying said options but either way.

You will make 991 owners nervous (in a strait line) unless they're sporting a Turbo or Turbo S. With a chip you will leave them wondering if there is something wrong with their car that this beast (S8) stayed as close as it did. Turbo S is in the ~10.6 range where your could be in the high 10's or low 11's.

HouTexAudi

When considering what to buy, why would anyone compare an S8 with a 911 Turbo? Not only is the Porsche about $50K more, it's a 2+2 sports car. I think one of the car mags summed it up nicely by saying that the S8 is the car to have when you want to take the whole family drag racing! I absolutely love mine and I've embarrassed a number of super fast sports cars because it's a real sleeper.

Victoryroad

Not sure if you are referring to my post, but I was responding the one that said that the S8 is in 991 Turbo acceleration territory bone stock. Fact is that the S8 has a lower cd so in triple digit speed territory it will be very competitive with the base TT and quarter mile times will be very close. FWIW, I'll buy both, but decided to get the 991 TT first. Two totally different cars so any comparison between the two is ridiculous. Since I do not invite or entertain any contests on public roads, acceleration time is a personal preference. Neither would I try to "embarrass" other fast cars on the street, nor do I have anything to prove. Of course, such behavior is not safe or legal where I drive.

I want to see the refreshed D4/S8 before committing. Aside from styling changes it will have head up and sport exhaust. Two more points on topic: last time I checked there are more than a few 2014 S8's in dealer inventory around here as well as 2013 used S8's available. Second point is that yes, like for like the S8 is only about $12k more than a well optioned A8 with the sport package, but adding the B&O and full leather as well as likely up charges for new options like head up and sport exhaust and you are about $20k more.