D2: A8 or S8

[chan110]

Apologies if u already have heard me ranting about which one to buy and asking for advice on various aspects of the car already - but I was already set on a budget and the A8 - but IT (admin - sorry to bring u up) has got me thinking on the S8 - and I have been looking at one eversince.

Of course, a nice A8+lpg was hard to find, so I can forget abt a S8+lpg.

So, my questions is:
1. Is there that much difference in the asking price of a decent D2 A8 and S8?
2. Difference in running/maintenance cost (including insurance etc)
3. Difference in the pure driving experience?

Many thks! (again)

[Singh]

Hardly anything in the price, a big difference in straight line speed. I have been up against two people in A8 4.2 quattros in my S8, one of them being driven by Ranj on here and I honestly thought he wasn't trying, but he was. Brakes on the S8 are a little better, if you get an A8 sport I think it pretty much has the S8 suspension setup, I think the S8 might have a bigger anti roll bar, but you can easily retrofit that in an hour. You might regret getting an A8, but you won't regret getting an S8. The only downside to the S8 is 24 MPG vs 30 in the A8s favour on a run.

[Adrian E]

Originally Posted by Singh

The only downside to the S8 is 24 MPG

if you drive like a nun

I'm always pleasantly surprised if I see average economy that starts with a 2 (unless that's the only digit!) - it's only happened to me twice in over a year. I see more like 16 average.

[Nollywood]

Interesting. Mine's one 21 mpg in town, averaged over a full tank, and I just drive normal. I seldom use Tip or Sport mode, doesn't really seem much point.

[Adrian E]

I do drive like a nun most of the time, as I have my 22 month old son in the car! I do quite a lot of town driving but even on longer runs I struggle to get over 20 - sometimes close, but rarely over. Mine's usually in D too.

Probably doesn't help that I don't like pottering on the motorway.....

[sarg]

Originally Posted by Adrian E

if you drive like a nun

I'm always pleasantly surprised if I see average economy that starts with a 2 (unless that's the only digit!) - it's only happened to me twice in over a year. I see more like 16 average.

Have to agree with this, you might get 27-28mpg out of a 4.2 A8 at 70mph constant on a motorway, but do you drive like this at all times. What happens when you get off the motorway?

And don't believe a thing the DIS tells you, they are way out.

For example, my 4.2 QS showed an average of around 21.9mpg, yet I typically got around 300-350 miles from a tank, depending on the trip.

The Porsche get around 275 miles from a tank, but it costs 35% less to fill it up due to the smaller tank - the Porsche doesn't have a fuel computer, so I've been working it out manually, and I'm getting around 25mpg on average, which means that in reality my 4.2 QS was returning below 20mpg on average.

Work it out yourself. Let's say when I refill the tank on an 8, I still have 10 litres left, so it takes 80 litres (roughly 17.6 gallons) - for that, my 300 miles range means the mpg from that trip was 17.04mpg. If I get 350 miles from those 80 litres, the mpg was 19.88 average.

If I am getting 30mpg, my 80 litres would give me a range of 528 miles, anyone ever got anywhere near that from any petrol A8? I think my best ever was around 450 miles from a tank on a long motorway run, which is just over 25mpg.

I've never had an S8, but no doubt the few extra HP and shorter gear ratios would make the consumption worse.

I don't agree that the prices are similar either. You could get a mint FL 4.2 QS for no more than 3k, a similar S8 in mint condition would make 5.5 - 6k.

I don't think there is much difference in maintenance costs, maybe a bit more for brake parts on the S, but not much else I don't think.

If I was in the market for a D2 right now, I would definitely only consider an S8 mind you, they are getting to an age where the S8 will probably retain a good part of its value now, but the A8 will continue to depreciate, the days of a decent 8 for less than a grand are not far away.

[RanjS8]

To be honest it depends on the importance of fuel economy...as otherwise maintenance costs are similar...for me personally the s8 is quicker than my PF quattro sport however I had a b6 s4 manual and that felt much quicker and nimble and for me personally more of a thrill to drive at speed..in the s8 it is such a comfortable car for long journeys that I almost feel too lazy to put my foot down rather just slowly make my way and enjoy the journey...

I went for the s8 as it was a final edition with low mileage and I was looking for something to keep for a number of years...plus I knew Reffro had cherished it so I had very little to worry about....

LPG on an s8 will only get you the equivalent of about 30mpg whilst LPG on an a8 sport will get you close to 40mpg...

Which ever way you go however try to get one with satnav and as many extras as possible...

[IT]

I'd expect to pay between 10% and 40% uplift for an S8.

I agree largely with the comments above, the S8 will become more collectable and will retain its value.

Also, as a facelift, its more practical, coming with standard xenons, Sat Nav etc.

There are some nice A8 4.2 sport's out there, but few and far between.

If economy is important, a 4.2 A8 will always be better, and quick enough. If you want the smug factor of driving the best of the best though, then you have to have an S8.

From what you've posted so far, LPG is one of the most important factors, and you'll find as many S8's on LPG as A8 4.2's I would imagine, so open your eyes to both possibilities and see what comes along.

The S8 may cost more to buy, but it will probably hold its value better in the long run imo....

Servicing costs will be very similar, and unless your the youthful side of 30 with a poor history, I would think the S8 insurance will be similar to the A8.

[HPsauce]

Originally Posted by IT

Also, as a facelift, its more practical, coming with standard xenons, Sat Nav etc.

Or get one of the rare late PF S8's like mine with Xenons and SatNav (OK its only RNS-C); definitely a "keeper".

[Nollywood]

Best I consistently get on my S8 is 496 miles to a full tank, so pretty good.