Dave G

drive a 2001 S8 for me today. The S8 is a Certified/AudiAssured car at an Audi dealer, with 19K miles on it. I am (or was) considering buying it.

He has reported that the 2001 S8 doesn't feel any faster than his 1998 A8.
Should the S8 feel faster? Would the S8 not feel faster until at higher speeds?

He also noticed that the S8's brakes fade, which is in comparison to his A8 brakes.
Do any S8 owner's feel that their brakes fade? What could be wrong with that S8? This S8 has been on that dealer's lot for 6-months, only accumlating 200 miles in that time frame; could that have played a part?

He also reported that the suspension is bouncy. Do any S8 owners/drivers get that sensation?

Many KUDOS to ltooz for checking out that car for me. I spoke with the salesman at the dealership, who told me that ltooz was examining and photographing the car for me for about an hour.
Many thanks to ltooz!!!!
But I now need to sort out the issues to determine if I should buy this car.
It has the right options, but I'm concerned about the issues raised by ltooz.

Any comments from the crowd here would be much appreciated.

lash

where are u located?

tozoM8

The S 8 should be quicker because it has 20% more horsepower and shorter gear ratio.

Johnnylaw98024

I've owned both. The A8 is a great, balanced car and an exceptional used car value but it's no S8, although with suspension and brake mods I imagine it comes a bit closer. The S8 is a rocket ship surfin' the Earth. It's fast, tight, and nimble, especially given it's size. The "bouncy" feeling is a matter of perception and preference, and also depends on the quality of street upon which it is driven. I can't imagine anyone thinking it's not significantly quicker and faster off the line, around curves, on freeway on ramps and passing on the freeway. The power band builds on this thing with a sweet surge. There is a significant difference in handling capabilities and road feel. Why has it sat on the lot? 2 reasons: (1) most people with that amount of dough would rather keep up with the Jones's with a Benz or Bimmer and (2) this car is our little secret. Also, The S8, like all Audis, is extremely soft depreciation-wise, which means a bargain can be had. You should be able to get a 2001 S8 for well under $40k, despite what the dealers tell you. Hell, guy here in Seattle paid less than $30 k for one and had it shipped here, although with higher miles. I just got $41k total value from the insurance co. on my totalled 2001 S8 with 27k miles and I thought that was a gift. Yeah, hated the car so much I just bought a 2003 S8. Take a look at Autotrader on line for some great deals. Buy one, they're incredible.

Wahaudi

Having owned both I can say the S8 is definately quicker. It literally launches off the line as opposed to the A8. I think it's due to more horsepower, quicker gear ratios and how the accelerator pedal is calibrated. Also, under full-throtle it just goes and goes. The A was fast, but the S is faster.

The S8 handles much better and feels sportier. Very flat around the corners. But what you gain in handling you lose in ride quality. I felt the A8 ride was about perfect. I sometimes tire of the added "road feel" of the S. The roads around here are pretty poor at times.

The brakes have been an issue on my S8 and they were not on the A8. I drive the S8 a little harder and feel like my brake issues have a lot to do with poor dealer service. But I have seen brakes mentioned more in relation to the S than the A. They ought to be outstanding given the size of the front rotors.

Another difference is body creaks. Since the S8 is stiffer-sprung, more vibrations are transferred to body. That can shake things up a bit. My S8 is beginning to show a few more noises at 30,000 miles than my A8 did at 60.

One final note, my A8 was a '97 and my S8 is a '01. I can tell a difference. I really feel that the newer cars are better put together and overall more reliable.

Just my 2 cents worth.

TerminA8r

And torque is what you feel off the line, between 3000-4500 RPM, in everyday traffic.
The horsepower is at the high end, between 5000-7000 RPM.
How often do you rev it that high anyways, unless you are tracking the car?

1999 A8
Horsepower: 300 @ 6000 RPM
Torque: 295 ft. lbs.@ 3300 RPM
0-60 mph (0-100 kmh): 6.9 sec
1/4 Mile: 14.8 sec


2001 A8
Horsepower: 310 @ 6200 RPM
<b>Torque: 302 ft. lbs.@ 3000-4000 RPM</b>
0-60 mph (0-100 kmh): 6.7 sec
1/4 Mile: <b>14.2 sec</b>


2001 S8
Horsepower: 360 @ 7000 RPM
<b>Torque: 317 ft. lbs.@ 3400 RPM</b>
0-60 mph (0-100 kmh): 6.3 sec
1/4 Mile: <b>13.9 sec</b>

Is the S8 faster?
Sure, but ONLY by <b>.3</b> sec through the 1/4 mile
Can you really feel <b>.3</b> of a sec ????
Yes, without a doubt, especially in your valet when you pay your insurance

If it only had 20% more torque

ltooz_a6_a8_q7

The S8 is very tight since it's newer and less miles. Yes, it's pulling out of the dealer's lot very quickly (but not much quicker than my A8). The power steering is much lighter than my A8. Went over bumpy roads, the whole car moves up and down although very tightly, my A8 feels like only the suspension moved, not the chasis (bouncy?). When I got on the freeway starting at 55mph, floored it and it was definitely not much faster than my A8, it lagged on the downshift and started to accelerate like a turbo charged car (just like my A8).
The Recaro seats are nice, softer than the leather surface seats which make you feel less bumpy on rough road.
The car is a lot quieter in tire noise on rough surface than my A8 even with 19" wheels.
The brakes definitely not as good as my A8. I pressed hard, it took time to stop just like as if it just got new pads and the pads didn't set in yet. My brakes are more responsive and pedal feels much better.
I think Dave must drive both of these cars at a local dealer to see the difference, because everyone's preference is different. I like the A8 ride and the wood dash better and it's strong enough for me to be competent on the roads :-)
I'm sure I would like the 2001 A8L over this 2001 S8. This car only has 19k miles and 3 years newer, but it didn't impress me much over my old car, especially with a price tag of $45k. I'm sure Dave can get better deal with this car, they really want to sell it. May be there's something wrong with this car, but everything seemed tight and strong.
There are more blemishes on this car than my car. Someone didn't keep his car well.<ul><li><a href="http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/ltooz_audis/album?.dir=7c64">Dave's S8</a></li></ul>

ryoung

from the lower gearing alone. The S8 has a 3.73 final drive versus the A8's 2.909.

Those statistics look very strange. How is the S8 0.4 sec quicker to 100 km/hr, but only 0.3 sec quicker in the 1/4 mile?

TerminA8r

<a href="https://www.audiworld.com/model/a8/01/specs.shtml">A8</a>
<a href="https://www.audiworld.com/model/s8/01/specs.shtml">S8</a>

Because you are not able to get to the peak horsepower in 3rd gear before you reach the end of the 1/4 mile.

ryoung

If I remember correctly, the S8 hits 100 mph at the end of the 1/4 mile versus 94 mph for the A8. Once both cars are in 4th above 109 mph (not an issue on U.S. streets), the gap will get pretty big.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/17157/speed-in-gear.jpg">