Audi A8, S Class, 7 Series - which would be cheaper to run?

[PeteinSQ]

My colleague just bought a 2012 A8 and it looks like a great car.

In 12 months I will need to replace my leased car (m140i) and I want something completely different and something like his A8 is quite appealing.

Now he reckons his 3 litre diesel will be relatively cheap to run (or at least not much worse than an A6).

Would I be correct in thinking a similarly engined S class would be much more expensive to run and the 7 series be somewhere around the same costs as the A8?

By costs to run I don't just mean fuel - I mean tyres, servicing and other consumables.

Thanks!

[joshcowin]

The depreciation on the 7 series and Audi will probably be worse than the S-class, it would probably be your biggest cost!

[PeteinSQ]

I'd probably keep the car until it was a wreck to be honest so not too worried about depreciation. By the time they're 5 years old a lot of the depreciation should have already happened shouldn't it?

[joshcowin]

PeteinSQ said:

I'd probably keep the car until it was a wreck to be honest so not too worried about depreciation. By the time they're 5 years old a lot of the depreciation should have already happened shouldn't it?

If your planning to keep till its worth peanuts then think what will still look good in 10 years time, what car is heavier on consumables, what are the service intervals and what do they entail?

I would imagine in 10 years time spending thousands a year on a car worth £3000 wont be a good feeling, unless you have fallen in love with the car!

FWIW I like the look of this one -

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[Shiv_P]

Tyres & servicing I would say they are all probably similar
S class doesn't touch the other 2 for build quality, particularly the A8. The interior in the old generation feels a lot more cheap and nasty despite looking just as good - some of the materials and the fit and finish aren't up to scratch in the older generation W221
Engine terms I would say the A8 will be cheapest to run ebcause that engine is used in so many vehicles - Touareg, A6, A4, A5, A7, Q5, Q7 etc etc, so the parts will most likely be more readily available and/or at cheaper prices compared to the 7.
I have to admit though I am a bit biased in this respect as my dad is on his 2nd D4 A8 and they have both been really great cars

Oh and also the A8/7 series use the ZF8 speed which is used in everything from aston DB11 to bmw 318d so parts again for these or replacement boxes will be chaeper in the long run compared to mercedes bespoke gearboxes

Edited by Shiv_P on Wednesday 28th March 12:09

[PeteinSQ]

The servicing is exactly the sort of "running costs" I'm talking about.

If an A8 wouldn't be that much more than a normal car (say 100% more) then great, if it's 1000% more than I'd be reluctant to go there and would get a Skoda Superb instead.

The points that you've made about gear boxes and engines are reassuring - other consumables that I've had to worry about in the past have been things around suspension.

[ZX10R NIN]

The A8 costs more to run than an A4 so don't be duped into thinking it will cost less, than either of the other 2 run, I'd choose the S Class but depending on your budget the Jaguar XJ is well worth a look.

[Shiv_P]

PeteinSQ said:

The servicing is exactly the sort of "running costs" I'm talking about.

If an A8 wouldn't be that much more than a normal car (say 100% more) then great, if it's 1000% more than I'd be reluctant to go there and would get a Skoda Superb instead.

The points that you've made about gear boxes and engines are reassuring - other consumables that I've had to worry about in the past have been things around suspension.

Suspension will be the most expensive "running cost" if something goes wrong as all 3 run on air, so inherently much more complicated than traditional springs & dampers or even adjustable dampers. But then you get the bonus of having air suspension ie comfort in the long run
Just remember that for servicing etc at main dealer these are all flagship cars and will have servicing costs as such. For the 3.0TDI my dad usually pays around £350-500 for a dealer service
But running gear in A8/7 series is the same/similar as A6/5 series respectively (with exception of some A6 3.0 having a CVT box vs ZF 8 speed). Some of the tech as well such as MMI screen popping up etc is different as well but even an A6 has this so shouldn't be much of an issue

Edited by Shiv_P on Wednesday 28th March 19:46

[nobrakes]

I’d say the S class will be cheapest because out of these 3 it will be the taxi of choice.

There should be a few independents to choose from. The dealer maintenance program might not be that bad for basics - you can always take it to an indy for anything they flag outside the norm.

LWB versions - if your gonna get either of these 3, might as well get a big one!

[aaron_2000]

The S-Class is really a step above the other 2 IMO, I'd highly doubt it will cost more to run, it will also depreciate less. I'd imagine it will last alot longer too.

[Pistonheader101]

Try them, go down to a car supermarket and sit on them test drive them

[OGR4M]

I know this wasn’t in your shortlist - but if one of your major factors is running costs, avoid the jag XJ.

I’ve had mine less than a year, and it sunk £700 last month. £300 on ‘OK’ brand rear tyres, and £350 on a service. If you include insurance, a visual parts upgrade, and VED the amount with which I parted last month totals £1,800

2 weeks after I bought it the sunroof blind broke, and at £1100 quoted to fix it’s still broken - and on my 30-mile dual carriageway commute I average 39mpg from the diesel...

I bought mine for the looks, and the not-rare-but-not-common sightings, and I know the newer ones (mine’s 2011) are updated in various ways which make them better, but they’re just not competitive for everyday value compared to ze Germans

ETA: +1 vote for LWB - my next XJ will be, they’re just a nicer feeling when driving, and you get to ‘fnar’ when your rear passengers marvel at the window blinds and electric seats etc.

Edited by OGR4M on Saturday 31st March 09:25

[ZX10R NIN]

Those aren't big running costs the reality is that you've had to pay £350.00 for a service, tyres cost a lot on all of these cars as for the blind I've heard of them breaking on lots of cars from Fords to Ferraris it's one of those things on Pano roof cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

if you can live with having a petrol there's a car in this segment that's a good option they're very well appointed but don't have the badge.

Due to the lack of badge they've suffered the worst of their depreciation, they drive well & you're unlikely to see another in a hurry.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You'll also have 3 years of Manufacturers Warranty left so that's a whole load of peace of mind during your ownership.

[Coley88]

ZX10R NIN said:

if you can live with having a petrol there's a car in this segment that's a good option they're very well appointed but don't have the badge.

Due to the lack of badge they've suffered the worst of their depreciation, they drive well & you're unlikely to see another in a hurry.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You'll also have 3 years of Manufacturers Warranty left so that's a whole load of peace of mind during your ownership.

Oh hell no!!

Worth about £5 in 3 years time.

[briang9]

The way things are going you won't be able to give away a diesel car for free soon

[Wooda80]

I don't think that there is anything to choose between the predictable running costs of any of the cars you are looking at.

The thing that will make the difference is the condition of the particular examples that you are looking at and how lucky you turn out to be. You could buy that S-Class for £200-250 per month over 5 years depending on how you account for the cost of the money. How does that compare with your new car alternative? Sure the maintenance cost will be more but you will have an asset worth £3-5000 at the end of it.

Can always bale if you get bored or if it looks like it's about to throw a big bill.

[ZX10R NIN]

Coley88 said:

Oh hell no!!

Worth about £5 in 3 years time.

You wish they'll be a £5, the depreciation is the same as all cars of this size which means they half their value in the first 3 years.

Edited by ZX10R NIN on Sunday 1st April 22:55

[dfen5]

ZX10R NIN said:

if you can live with having a petrol there's a car in this segment that's a good option they're very well appointed but don't have the badge.

Due to the lack of badge they've suffered the worst of their depreciation, they drive well & you're unlikely to see another in a hurry.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You'll also have 3 years of Manufacturers Warranty left so that's a whole load of peace of mind during your ownership.

If that’s the only one in the country I think I used to work with the guy who owned it. Surprised the mileage is so low as he was a sales boss. Looked like an Aston from the front.

[ZX10R NIN]

dfen5 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

if you can live with having a petrol there's a car in this segment that's a good option they're very well appointed but don't have the badge.

Due to the lack of badge they've suffered the worst of their depreciation, they drive well & you're unlikely to see another in a hurry.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

You'll also have 3 years of Manufacturers Warranty left so that's a whole load of peace of mind during your ownership.

If that’s the only one in the country I think I used to work with the guy who owned it. Surprised the mileage is so low as he was a sales boss. Looked like an Aston from the front.

There's another one for sale:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...