D4 a8...

[FireStorm]

i didnt purchase because of the quattro.

i purchased because it was easily the best luxury car for around 13k (at the time) and interior is exactly the same as a 59plate.

the toss up was between this and the 7 series the older merc just was....old...
when i sat in the A8 i just knew this was the car for me.

the quattro was totally awesome in the snow, going up super steep hills in 2ft of snow with just normal summer tyres on is awesome.

i think the lock(turning circle) is amazing considering its 4wd.

re headroom, i dont find its enough, im not exactly tall, (5.9) but i have a longish body and even with the seat on the lowest setting i touch the roof liner (mornings only) i find a 535D has more headroom.

agree on the RWD comment, my car, although an extreme example is quite frankly, dangerus to drive. it was crashed on the first day i got it by an eeger mate wanting to test drive.....(still no road tax or mot when crashed)
i say a little prayer and do a father son and holy spirit and im not even religous every time i get in the car. i love it, but it can scare me sometimes.

when pushed any RWD car can spin, and if you have no idea how to correct, your history. as A8l says, should be extra tests required for RWD cars.

[Night Train]

I'd throw my 2p's worth in at this point......

I was brought up on rear wheel drive cars (and crossply tyres)
In my 32 years of (legal) driving I've only owned 1 front wheel drive car, and that was for about 2 weeks, I couldn't wait to get rid of it - they just don't drive or feel right, about all one can do in one over RWD is yank on the handbrake & keep the power on & they're useless on the slippery stuff.

I love sideways, or 'drift' (in modernspeak) , my old Mk 1 Escort rally car was testament to that, as was my tuned XR4i, Parana Capri etc.... (doubleplus good!)


My wife's past 4 cars have been front wheel drivers, I detest them, I hate understeer that can't be corrected with a stab of throttle, as is my instinct.
I don't think its possible to beat a powerful RWD car for a 'stimulating' drive, however the S8 is winning me over in a different sort of way, just a different technique to 'kick the tail out' if required during a spurt of 'spirited driving'

As far as traction is concerned, when I lived in Essex, RWD got me everywhere, where the FWD couldn't go in the snow, we don't get much snow here, but when we did, the Mrs's car was an utter nightmare, there was no drama with the S8 whatsoever (pulled like stink), other than when stopping, it still has to obey the same laws of physics as any other car. A fair bit of fun with the ESP switched off though

I agree on headroom, I'm 6'4", but with short legs, so only a small child could sit behind me in my 8, having to have the seat at its lowest & reclined so I don't hit the headlining....

Just to be controversial, the '8' is a superb vehicle, however, for solidity, its the closest thing to my 1968 P5B Coupe (heavilly modded), though nothing like as involving to 'drive', or the sheer 'tactility' of it