New Shape A8 vs Old Shape S8
Discussion
Right... which is "Best"... Old shape S8 or new shape A8??
I am looking around at 'options' at the moment and have budgeted myself up to £18k to spend. I have always had a hankering for an S8 (old shape, upto 2002), but for a nice late example of one of those, I could get a new shape (2003 onwards) A8 - I would also get a choice of engines - 4.2 petrol, 4.0 diesel or 3.0 diesel...
I do prefer the look of the new shape A8, but I have always 'wanted' an S8. (And there is no way I can afford a new shape S8!!).
Thoughts?? Which is "Best"???? Which would you choose??
Are the diesel A8's any good, or is it best to just stick to the 4.2 petrol? (The thought of a 4.0 diesel, with all that torque, is enticing).
P.S. I do a lot of motorway driving, but I want something that is capable of having a bit of 'fun' with on the back roads.
I am looking around at 'options' at the moment and have budgeted myself up to £18k to spend. I have always had a hankering for an S8 (old shape, upto 2002), but for a nice late example of one of those, I could get a new shape (2003 onwards) A8 - I would also get a choice of engines - 4.2 petrol, 4.0 diesel or 3.0 diesel...
I do prefer the look of the new shape A8, but I have always 'wanted' an S8. (And there is no way I can afford a new shape S8!!).
Thoughts?? Which is "Best"???? Which would you choose??
Are the diesel A8's any good, or is it best to just stick to the 4.2 petrol? (The thought of a 4.0 diesel, with all that torque, is enticing).
P.S. I do a lot of motorway driving, but I want something that is capable of having a bit of 'fun' with on the back roads.
The diesels, the 4 litre especially are magnificent.
However your budget would get you an exceptional Final Edition D2 S8 with all the toys.
My memory is getting someone hazy and probably ever so slightly tinted with my love of the D2 A8 but the D2 did always strike me as slightly better screwed together than the D3. Possibly unjustified, probably unwarranted but its just one of those feelings you get.
D3 will be better on residuals mind you, especially the diesels.
However your budget would get you an exceptional Final Edition D2 S8 with all the toys.
My memory is getting someone hazy and probably ever so slightly tinted with my love of the D2 A8 but the D2 did always strike me as slightly better screwed together than the D3. Possibly unjustified, probably unwarranted but its just one of those feelings you get.
D3 will be better on residuals mind you, especially the diesels.
Earllier this year I changed out of the previous shape A8, albeit a 2000 2.8 to a 2004 4.2 V8 petrol.
The old car felt slightly better screwed together, and had things like leather on the arm rests on the doors instead of the rubber/plastic on the new shape. Having said that, the new A8 is better than the 7 series and possibly the new S Class in this respect (I've driven all of them).
Having said that, it did feel like it was designed in the mid 1990's (1995 at a guess?) whereas the new car feels far more modern. I'm sure the S8 is a league above what i had, but I would say that a newer model will ride and handle better.
One big improvement over the old one is the packaging of the new model. The older car is far less spacious inside.
Incidentally, I think that the new 4.2V8 is pretty quick, and should rival the old S8 for outright performance.
I can't imagine prices for old S8s falling much more given that they are more collectable.
The old car felt slightly better screwed together, and had things like leather on the arm rests on the doors instead of the rubber/plastic on the new shape. Having said that, the new A8 is better than the 7 series and possibly the new S Class in this respect (I've driven all of them).
Having said that, it did feel like it was designed in the mid 1990's (1995 at a guess?) whereas the new car feels far more modern. I'm sure the S8 is a league above what i had, but I would say that a newer model will ride and handle better.
One big improvement over the old one is the packaging of the new model. The older car is far less spacious inside.
Incidentally, I think that the new 4.2V8 is pretty quick, and should rival the old S8 for outright performance.
I can't imagine prices for old S8s falling much more given that they are more collectable.
Some good comments there, thanks guys.
As I said earlier, I have always "wanted" an S8, so that is what my heart would go for, I guess. BUT, as has been pointed out above, the design of the new A8's is far more modern, both inside and out.
I have driven both types before and while they do drive differently, they both offer essentially what I am after, but in different ways (if that makes sense?!).
Do I go for an old shape S8, which would tick the box of a car that I have always wanted to own, or do I go for a new shape A8 which, in my view, offers a better "package", and is certainly more modern, but without the emotional draw (although I assume this would grow)?... Plus I would have the choice of Diesel or Petrol!
Oh, why is choosing your next car never easy??!!
As I said earlier, I have always "wanted" an S8, so that is what my heart would go for, I guess. BUT, as has been pointed out above, the design of the new A8's is far more modern, both inside and out.
I have driven both types before and while they do drive differently, they both offer essentially what I am after, but in different ways (if that makes sense?!).
Do I go for an old shape S8, which would tick the box of a car that I have always wanted to own, or do I go for a new shape A8 which, in my view, offers a better "package", and is certainly more modern, but without the emotional draw (although I assume this would grow)?... Plus I would have the choice of Diesel or Petrol!
Oh, why is choosing your next car never easy??!!
S8 for me please!
Ronin S8
Apart from the 'cool' factor I love the discreet changes that make a normal Audi a S model. Those little touches like the wheels, badges would put a smile on my face every time I looked at it.
Financially the S8 might provide better residuals so could be wise choise as well as being the hearts choise. However, what will the runnings costs (service, maintenance and scarcer parts) be on an older S8 versus a normal new shape model?
Re diesel vs petrol-all depnds on mileage and remeber that you will pay more for the diesel and it will hold it's price better but will you cover enough miles to warrant it?
Also, don't forget that an A8 V8 is a perfect canidate for an LPG conversion. The large boot means you can have very big tank in there whilst keeping your spare wheel and having a boot. I have seen a few A8's with the conversion but not any S8's.
Article about an A8 on lpg
Just found a video of an S8 on you tube that has lpg and apparantly still manages 295kmh / 216mph!
295km/h S8 on lpg
Finally, do you want to have just another A8 and blend in with the rest or do you want to be one of those 'in-the-know' who has one what is probably Audis most discreet S model that is still oh so cool.
Ronin S8
Apart from the 'cool' factor I love the discreet changes that make a normal Audi a S model. Those little touches like the wheels, badges would put a smile on my face every time I looked at it.
Financially the S8 might provide better residuals so could be wise choise as well as being the hearts choise. However, what will the runnings costs (service, maintenance and scarcer parts) be on an older S8 versus a normal new shape model?
Re diesel vs petrol-all depnds on mileage and remeber that you will pay more for the diesel and it will hold it's price better but will you cover enough miles to warrant it?
Also, don't forget that an A8 V8 is a perfect canidate for an LPG conversion. The large boot means you can have very big tank in there whilst keeping your spare wheel and having a boot. I have seen a few A8's with the conversion but not any S8's.
Article about an A8 on lpg
Just found a video of an S8 on you tube that has lpg and apparantly still manages 295kmh / 216mph!
295km/h S8 on lpg
Finally, do you want to have just another A8 and blend in with the rest or do you want to be one of those 'in-the-know' who has one what is probably Audis most discreet S model that is still oh so cool.
only note on the S8 on B roads, its is a big car. I have seen first hand an S8 do a 540° on scottish grampians B roads at speed. Not a pleasant sight. Big car to feed round the twisties, it will do it just not a lot of room to spare. On the flipside for a big car it kept up no bother with the old school audis. just a large black drawing room in the rear view mirror all the time!
OrangeBob55 said:
Dr G said:
I can only echo the above comments on the V8 TDIs - they're awesome and as fast as an S8 in the real world.
Hmmm... Maybe I should take one out for a test drive then (I have only test driven the petrol V8).
Dino D said:
S8 for me please!
Ronin S8
Apart from the 'cool' factor I love the discreet changes that make a normal Audi a S model. Those little touches like the wheels, badges would put a smile on my face every time I looked at it.
Financially the S8 might provide better residuals so could be wise choise as well as being the hearts choise. However, what will the runnings costs (service, maintenance and scarcer parts) be on an older S8 versus a normal new shape model?
Re diesel vs petrol-all depnds on mileage and remeber that you will pay more for the diesel and it will hold it's price better but will you cover enough miles to warrant it?
Also, don't forget that an A8 V8 is a perfect canidate for an LPG conversion. The large boot means you can have very big tank in there whilst keeping your spare wheel and having a boot. I have seen a few A8's with the conversion but not any S8's.
Article about an A8 on lpg
Just found a video of an S8 on you tube that has lpg and apparantly still manages 295kmh / 216mph!
295km/h S8 on lpg
Finally, do you want to have just another A8 and blend in with the rest or do you want to be one of those 'in-the-know' who has one what is probably Audis most discreet S model that is still oh so cool.
295km/h is 184mph not 216mph!Ronin S8
Apart from the 'cool' factor I love the discreet changes that make a normal Audi a S model. Those little touches like the wheels, badges would put a smile on my face every time I looked at it.
Financially the S8 might provide better residuals so could be wise choise as well as being the hearts choise. However, what will the runnings costs (service, maintenance and scarcer parts) be on an older S8 versus a normal new shape model?
Re diesel vs petrol-all depnds on mileage and remeber that you will pay more for the diesel and it will hold it's price better but will you cover enough miles to warrant it?
Also, don't forget that an A8 V8 is a perfect canidate for an LPG conversion. The large boot means you can have very big tank in there whilst keeping your spare wheel and having a boot. I have seen a few A8's with the conversion but not any S8's.
Article about an A8 on lpg
Just found a video of an S8 on you tube that has lpg and apparantly still manages 295kmh / 216mph!
295km/h S8 on lpg
Finally, do you want to have just another A8 and blend in with the rest or do you want to be one of those 'in-the-know' who has one what is probably Audis most discreet S model that is still oh so cool.
People will believe anything on Youtube
I agree with most of the comments posted,and I was in the same predicament but I knew I wouldn't be happy with the 'old shape'. I bought a 2005 Jet Black 20" wheels-its smart without shouting flash git!.The Diesel is fantastic,mines a 3.0 and returns 33mpg average and being a Diesel doesn't require servicing so often.My only regret is that I couln't justify the 4.0 Diesel as i do 50k per year.I looked at the Phaeton and whilst nice its a bit Bland inside and the Diesel returns about 26mpg.
istoo said:
only note on the S8 on B roads, its is a big car. I have seen first hand an S8 do a 540° on scottish grampians B roads at speed. Not a pleasant sight. Big car to feed round the twisties, it will do it just not a lot of room to spare. On the flipside for a big car it kept up no bother with the old school audis. just a large black drawing room in the rear view mirror all the time!
he must have been an utter buffoon behind the wheel. i did over 200K miles in S8's over the years on every road condition from torrential rain to ice and snow in bavaria, the car was never anything less than 99 percent planted when pushing hard, only when the front tyres were very worn did the nose start to feel loose.I would personally go for a last of line old shape S8 final edition, the new non S model A8 is nice enough but physically feels "bigger" and less intimate when pressing on, also more bland. the old car is a cult classic, it looks really tough and if you get one in the right spec with 20" wheels still looks the business.
I am also in a similar boat as yourself (looking for a big, quick car). Always wanted a S8 but feel like they are looking very dated.
I love the look of the new shape A8 but cant get one in my price bracket (under £20K). That has left me with looking at the model before the new shape which looks better but still nowhere as good as the new or possibly moving to a 4.2 V8 new shape A6 which with the right options looks great!
Either that or go for something mental like an S-Type R or real comfort with s 7 series........
Like you it is making my head hurt, new car time is never a fun thing for me!!
I love the look of the new shape A8 but cant get one in my price bracket (under £20K). That has left me with looking at the model before the new shape which looks better but still nowhere as good as the new or possibly moving to a 4.2 V8 new shape A6 which with the right options looks great!
Either that or go for something mental like an S-Type R or real comfort with s 7 series........
Like you it is making my head hurt, new car time is never a fun thing for me!!
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