New Audi A8 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jamesnj · #1 05-19-2003, 12:43 PM

What is your opinion of such a big car? I understand this new A8 is even longer than the current body style A8L,bigger even than the 745li. Would you ever consider driving such a large car?

TTaM · #2 05-19-2003, 12:54 PM

I like the looks of it alot. I would drive one sure, anytime, it can't be any harder than driving my mom's Excursion. Personally, I'd rather get the S8, but then again I would never buy an Audi. The insurance on these cars are ridiculous because of all the aluminium.

PaulG · #3 05-20-2003, 05:32 AM

Jamesnj,

I'm a hard-liner on Audis of all sizes........

Until they work out how to give them a handling repatoire, or even some sensation of what the front wheels are doing, I'll be sticking with MB.

More importantly, (at least in the UK) they depreciate faster then Fiats........

Nice looking though.............

pentoman · #4 05-20-2003, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulG

More importantly, (at least in the UK) they depreciate faster then Fiats........

I just know you wouldn't be talking about Audi in general there..?
The first generation A8, like any luxury car, depreciates heavily, probably additionally so because of the aluminium. But remember the aluminium is almost entirely advantageous, not least that some crash tests showed it safer even than a W140 S-class. Combined with its light weight, it's far better to drive than any other luxo-barge, has better economy, goes faster, and is more nimble. Are any of us here choosing luxury cars on insurance premiums over all those advantages? I guess you could...

Then look at the sheer quality of the interior, which matches anything I've ever seen from Mercedes, far suprassing anything in the '90s or today, and is probably just as good on the new shape A8.

And then decide what car feels it has the quality and 21st century engineering of a £55,000 car. The lightweight aluminium one with 86bhp/litre naturally aspirated 5 valve per cylinder V8s gets my vote over radar operated cruise control.

Our family ran a 97 4.2Q for around 15 months, sold recently (to a low mileage pristine 300E owner, who didn't like the newer Mercedes).
We never liked large, luxury cars, especially living down narrow lanes in the country and with crazy fuel prices. But this is in another world for owner/driver satisfaction compared to most other luxury cars (W140, 7-series, any L*xus). At least, until you crash it. Don't decide based on opinions of the A4 or A6..

!

And the depreciation can only be good for the likes of us, who can pick up a 1996 one with good condition and mileage for around £10k.
Edit: Did I mentioned you can have a 6-speed manual in A8 or S8?

Russ

P.S. Anyone that mentioned handling in their post hasn't driven a V8 with over 300bhp and Quattro.

Furthermore, sorry for the rant (?). I got up really early.

Our pair of Audis. The right one is a 94 with 257,000 miles, used daily, hardly ever gets serviced and runs and drives like it has 80,000 miles.

PaulG · #5 05-20-2003, 07:03 AM

pentoman,

I guess I was on a rant too...........

I just can't get on with cars that only understeer, I resent driving a car that is all the time punishing me for cornering fast!

No, I haven't driven an A8 (yet) but unless Audi have found a way to break the laws of physics (Captain) it will still be an understeerer. Now, if it had an FF transfer box and more even weight distribution...............

The A8 may pull good G, but actual cornering limits are much less significant than the car's ability to adjust it's attitude at the limit. At least, it is if you want to enjoy your driving.

Short of applying the handbrake, no Audi of my acquaintance has been able to do this.

Just my 2$ worth.

Couldn't agree more about the advantages of depreciation for us 2nd, 3rd, 4th (and more) owners though. The snag is, the depreciation just carries on going, until you resent every penny you spend on the car.

I'm speaking from experience here, I used to have a Senator.

jjrodger · #6 05-20-2003, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by PaulG
The A8 may pull good G, but actual cornering limits are much less significant than the car's ability to adjust it's attitude at the limit. At least, it is if you want to enjoy your driving.

I've driven a couple of A8 4.2Qs (not the new model) and old and new 7-ers (740i and 745i). I thought the A8 superb.

Personally, if I'm going to misjudge a corner on the public road, I'd rather be in the neutral/understeering A8 than the "adjustable"/oversteering BMW. Especially if it's wet. I'd rather back off and tuck in than change my pants and take out that hedge/tree/petrol tanker/bus queue. You shouldn't really be at the limit on the public road (and I'm a very enthusiastic driver). That adjustability thing is macho bull$hit for 99% of drivers 99% of the time.

suginami · #7 05-20-2003, 06:09 PM

This new A8 is getting superb reviews in all the car magazines.

I subscribe to 4 different car magazines, and all of them love it.

If fact, one of them writes that the A8 is the car that Mercedes should've built. It feels more like a Mercedes than the current S class.

ehmand · #8 05-20-2003, 11:31 PM

I'll take a W140 (LWB) over an A8 any day...

I went over to the Audi dealership the other day, looked at the A6 and an old A8 (don't have the new ones yet) and I was very under-whelmed.

akry · #9 05-21-2003, 04:07 AM

IMHO, Audi A8 really is a under-appreciated car.... Alot of ppl just don't pay much attention about it..... A8 is such a nice car, its interior quality alone would put early W220 to shame.... Makes early W220 feels like Chrysler than MB.....

Power wise, A8 4.2Q has plenty already, and S8 just pulls non-stop!!! Quattro works wonderfully as well in faul weather......

The only Cons about A8 are,

1. Depreciation..... Oh boy, it depreciates like rollercoaster..... Even used car buyers don't give it a second look.

2. Rear Legroom..... It's tight compare to 740iL/W140... Even A8L feels short of legroom compare to long-wheel-base of 7-Series/W140...... though still much better than Jag's XJ sedans.....

Overall, I would say, A8 is the "Lost Treasure" amoung Full-Size luxury sedan..... Ppl who actually take a look at it are in for a big surprise, but those who turn away would never know that they just missed one of the best luxury sedan on the market.....

PaulG · #10 05-21-2003, 04:42 AM

jjrodger wrote:

....Personally, if I'm going to misjudge a corner on the public road, I'd rather be in the neutral/understeering A8 than the "adjustable"/oversteering BMW. Especially if it's wet. I'd rather back off and tuck in than change my pants and take out that hedge/tree/petrol tanker/bus queue. You shouldn't really be at the limit on the public road (and I'm a very enthusiastic driver). That adjustability thing is macho bull$hit for 99% of drivers 99% of the time.

-----------------------------------------0---------------------------------

I'm not a fan of 7-series BMW and I've never driven one, but even the appallingly-compromised rear suspension geometry of a 7 series is set up to make the car understeer on a trailing throttle. That way, you should be able to get most lead-food induced "sideways moments" under control by backing off, which is a natural reaction anyway.
There is a place for understeer, but it shouldn't be the only option you have.

I'm not trying to come across as a "saloon bar Grand-Prix star", but there must be something about any car you own that makes the constant aggravation of city driving, maintennce, depreciation, jealousy scratches etc, worthwhile. I think that's where the 1% comes in...........