D3 S8 VS D4 A8?
08-01-2013, 04:38 PM
#11
AudiWorld Member
The local dealer gave me a 2013 A8 to drive for a week while they tried to sort out the cruse control problem in my 2005 A8. It was nice at first because it was so new and crisp with a lot of more modern electronics (Bluetooth) my 2005 does not have (yet). The 2013 was crisp and quick (larger size though, not much quicker than my 2005).
But I couldn't shake this feeling that something was wrong. It felt like I was driving a glorified Toyota Camry. That's what it was! It just had this cheap feeling to me coming out of my D3. By the end of the week I was so excited to have my D3 back.
I got the same feeling driving my girlfriend's 2008 Mercedes SLK. It felt cheap compared to the D3. My D3 now has 118,000 miles on it, in mint condition, but it feels like the classic car I fell in love with day one that I always wanted. Solid German engineering. Yea it has it's quirks, but if I upgrade I am looking at W12s or S8 like you, or R8, there really just isn't anything out there currently I am seeing that compares.
Just one guy's opinion. It is all subjective to the beholder as said, I would go for the newer model D3 S8 over a D4 A8 with the 8 banger any day. Not just for engine, but also for why we by these cars, feel.
But I couldn't shake this feeling that something was wrong. It felt like I was driving a glorified Toyota Camry. That's what it was! It just had this cheap feeling to me coming out of my D3. By the end of the week I was so excited to have my D3 back.
I got the same feeling driving my girlfriend's 2008 Mercedes SLK. It felt cheap compared to the D3. My D3 now has 118,000 miles on it, in mint condition, but it feels like the classic car I fell in love with day one that I always wanted. Solid German engineering. Yea it has it's quirks, but if I upgrade I am looking at W12s or S8 like you, or R8, there really just isn't anything out there currently I am seeing that compares.
Just one guy's opinion. It is all subjective to the beholder as said, I would go for the newer model D3 S8 over a D4 A8 with the 8 banger any day. Not just for engine, but also for why we by these cars, feel.
08-01-2013, 05:25 PM
#12
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Thank you for all the quick replies. I wonder if I had posted in the D4 board whether the tide of support would be opposite. I agree with many of the sentiments about the D3 S8's. I saw an '08S8 just a few months ago and became infatuated. I haven't seen a D4 S8 in person, but the A8's I see make me think...umm...yea those are completely acceptable, but not amazing. I think the D3's got something special.
Exactly correct!
As am I, so I think my mind is made up.
As am I, so I think my mind is made up.
08-01-2013, 11:09 PM
#13
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This can't be a serious question--D3 S8 for sure no doubt.
It's the only car with a soul. There may be benefits to the D4 in mileage etc but when you're looking at this price point, gas mileage is the least of your worries. Also, the V10 is a magical sound, especially with a proper exhaust.
There is not a time I step out of this vehicle whether to the grocery store or long haul drive that I can stop smiling. No other car compares, and I'll tell you I have first hand experience with many other luxury sedans
It's the only car with a soul. There may be benefits to the D4 in mileage etc but when you're looking at this price point, gas mileage is the least of your worries. Also, the V10 is a magical sound, especially with a proper exhaust.
There is not a time I step out of this vehicle whether to the grocery store or long haul drive that I can stop smiling. No other car compares, and I'll tell you I have first hand experience with many other luxury sedans
08-02-2013, 12:33 AM
#14
AudiWorld Member
This can't be a serious question--D3 S8 for sure no doubt.
It's the only car with a soul. There may be benefits to the D4 in mileage etc but when you're looking at this price point, gas mileage is the least of your worries. Also, the V10 is a magical sound, especially with a proper exhaust.
There is not a time I step out of this vehicle whether to the grocery store or long haul drive that I can stop smiling. No other car compares, and I'll tell you I have first hand experience with many other luxury sedans
It's the only car with a soul. There may be benefits to the D4 in mileage etc but when you're looking at this price point, gas mileage is the least of your worries. Also, the V10 is a magical sound, especially with a proper exhaust.
There is not a time I step out of this vehicle whether to the grocery store or long haul drive that I can stop smiling. No other car compares, and I'll tell you I have first hand experience with many other luxury sedans
My baby is running great and there are no warning lights or messages on my dashboard...so life is good. Now I plan to run my D3 to 200,000+ miles. There are so few on the road, relatively speaking, and there is nothing out there to compare with it. "The face of a demon and the body of an angel".....(an original Car & Driver quote)
Last edited by Swissman564; 08-02-2013 at 12:45 AM.
08-03-2013, 10:50 PM
#15
AudiWorld Member
Lots of great discussion here, but maybe it's just because the D3 has a sportier look (IMHO)? The V10 sounds much, much better (take out the center resonators, replace with a X-Pipe). The APR ECU Flash is well worth it too. Check the dimensions comparison below and see if folks agree that the current S8 is just too large (or feels that way)? I was given an A8 as a loaner for mine during service by my local dealer. Nice car, but I was happy to have my S8 back.
2013
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Weight 4675 lb
Wheelbase 117.80 in
Length, Overall 202.2 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 76.70 in
Height, Overall 57.50 in
Track Width, Front 64.70 in
Track Width, Rear 64.40 in
2007/2008
Weight 4275 lb
Wheelbase 115.9 in
Length, Overall 199.3 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 74.7 in
Height, Overall 56.1 in
Track Width, Front 64.1 in
Track Width, Rear 63.6 in
2013
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Weight 4675 lb
Wheelbase 117.80 in
Length, Overall 202.2 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 76.70 in
Height, Overall 57.50 in
Track Width, Front 64.70 in
Track Width, Rear 64.40 in
2007/2008
Weight 4275 lb
Wheelbase 115.9 in
Length, Overall 199.3 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 74.7 in
Height, Overall 56.1 in
Track Width, Front 64.1 in
Track Width, Rear 63.6 in
Hi folks,
I have spent the past few weeks watching everything I can find reading tons of posts on here, but have not seen a direct comparison/debate between later D3 S8s and newer D4 A8s.
Now, I understand all the cosmetic differences and such, but the S8's V10 and the new A8's V8 seem awefully similar when you consider trading some horsepower in the D3 S8 for the more torque in the new A8. Even the 0-60 numbers are extremely close and comparable depending on who's numbers you trust. Am I wrong on any of this?
SO, assuming a very narrow price difference and similar mileage on both, what would you do and why?
I have spent the past few weeks watching everything I can find reading tons of posts on here, but have not seen a direct comparison/debate between later D3 S8s and newer D4 A8s.
Now, I understand all the cosmetic differences and such, but the S8's V10 and the new A8's V8 seem awefully similar when you consider trading some horsepower in the D3 S8 for the more torque in the new A8. Even the 0-60 numbers are extremely close and comparable depending on who's numbers you trust. Am I wrong on any of this?
SO, assuming a very narrow price difference and similar mileage on both, what would you do and why?
08-04-2013, 02:38 AM
#16
AudiWorld Member
Lots of great discussion here, but maybe it's just because the D3 has a sportier look (IMHO)? The V10 sounds much, much better (take out the center resonators, replace with a X-Pipe). The APR ECU Flash is well worth it too. Check the dimensions comparison below and see if folks agree that the current S8 is just too large (or feels that way)? I was given an A8 as a loaner for mine during service by my local dealer. Nice car, but I was happy to have my S8 back.
2013
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Weight 4675 lb
Wheelbase 117.80 in
Length, Overall 202.2 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 76.70 in
Height, Overall 57.50 in
Track Width, Front 64.70 in
Track Width, Rear 64.40 in
2007/2008
Weight 4275 lb
Wheelbase 115.9 in
Length, Overall 199.3 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 74.7 in
Height, Overall 56.1 in
Track Width, Front 64.1 in
Track Width, Rear 63.6 in
2013
EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS
Weight 4675 lb
Wheelbase 117.80 in
Length, Overall 202.2 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 76.70 in
Height, Overall 57.50 in
Track Width, Front 64.70 in
Track Width, Rear 64.40 in
2007/2008
Weight 4275 lb
Wheelbase 115.9 in
Length, Overall 199.3 in
Width, Max w/o mirrors 74.7 in
Height, Overall 56.1 in
Track Width, Front 64.1 in
Track Width, Rear 63.6 in
The D3 S8 is 4586 lbs according to AOA's 08A8_S8_MediaInfo.pdf.
08-07-2013, 01:54 AM
#17
AudiWorld Member
08-07-2013, 07:02 AM
#18
AudiWorld Super User
08-07-2013, 05:46 PM
#19
AudiWorld Member
Hehe
As you know it would have been. As has already been stated beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I like the D3 and now I like the D4's ever since they have been introduced.
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