Jason S8

What are your opinions on the exterior styling of the current A8/S8. The model was introduced in 1994 and several magazines say it's looking dated now.

However, as the new A8 seems to look like a cross between an A4 and A6, fed with some growth hormone, what are the odds of the current A8 becoming a bit of a classic ?

Bada Bing

I think most people who are not familiar with the car will probably think that it doesn't look its price tag. I personally like its understated good looks, but perhaps it is a little too stealth. The terrible resale value perhaps has something has something to do with the plain looks. I will defintiely consider buying a used 2000 or 2001 A8 in the future, but the terrible depreciation makes a new A8/A8 L/ S8 purchase out of the question for me.

I also think the dash and door panels look a little rectangular and dated compared to newer luxury cars like the MB S-Class, Lexus LS430 and the 2002 Q45. The pre-2000 ceneter console and stack definitely looks dated now with its big row of blank buttons above the radio.

icsamerica

The current A8/S8 is a classic looking car if you ask me. Consider the 94 to 98 Cabriolets. I think they are classy and stunning cars to look at even by today's flashy standards. I routinely see distinguished people behind their wheels. Both the Audi Cabriolet and the current A8/S8 have an elegant design. The Cabriolets and current A8/S8 are similarly styled. I wouldn't be caught behind the wheel of a TT cabriolet, it's too flashy and it's styling is momentary in my opinion. You would find me behind the wheel of the classic looking 94 to 98 Cabriolets. Like a fine blue suite, the A8's style will age gracefully.<ul><li><a href="https://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/94/cab.shtml">https://www.audiworld.com/model/historical/94/cab.shtml</a></li></ul>

PaulW

I think the car is so well designed (bodywork) that it will always look good. It is balanced, understated, all proportions correct. People just don't know what it is. I just gave up my 91 200q (actually I have it for one more week) and it still looks like a new design. It will always be a classic as will the A8.

I'm considering taking the A8 and 4.2 quattro badges off, I think it will look better. My 200q didn't come with any badges, nor did the 90 and 91 V8's. It looks hot!

ryoung

Understated class makes the S8 a stealth rocket ... I love it.

Steve99A8

I have a black '99 and have considered taking the badges off as well. If I did this, would two years of fading on the paint make it obvious?

In addition to understated class, I wonder if we A8/S8 owners suffer from fewer break ins or thefts.

XERXES

Auto designing couldn't get any better than that..of course Italians have their own style, which is another absolute perfection.

silverA8L

The 2000/1 A8 has a completely new dash design than the earlier models.
If you live in Canada, and have the parktronic and rear shade option, there are no blank buttons (we have the rear fog light)...
As for pizzaz, I personally think the interior tells the whole story. It shows it's worth $70k. The new S-class uses really cheap material and nice wood trims in comparison to the A8s mixture of brush aluminum, wood and good quality material.

Check out a comparison a German car magazine did with the link provided...the A8 and the BMW 7-series...

As for badges, I actually saw an A8 in Toronto once with no badges in the rear at all (not even the Audi rings). It looks kind of weird IMO. However, the car do look a lot nicer and cleaner without the A8 and 4.2 Quattro badges...and people who doesn't know Audis will think it's an A4 &lt;g&gt;<ul><li><a href="http://mbspy.bacosys.be/mbquality.htm">Click for link</a></li></ul>

ryoung

I'd like to have one of my blank buttons converted to "On/Off" for Servometric steering.

Terrybill

a few months ago, including the rings, following the instructions in the archive. With a little light duty polishing (NAPA BUFF-EEZ buffing compound) you'd never know they were there - fading a non-issue.

I love the look and, as previously stated, no one knows what just went by them.

By the way, the exhaust tips polish up quite nicely and hold the shine.

I love this car.