Vs Autozeitung: A8 4.2 Q vs S500 4MATIC

[cawimmer430]

Both are great cars and I'm OK with the winner here... the Merc's luxury superiority is not enough to justify the price difference IMHO.

The PRESTIGE is, however.

MB has always practiced prestige pricing. That's one of the main reason why they charge so much. A lot of people who want MB's want the prestige - and are prepared to pay for it.

And personally, having driven both the W220 and W221, I can safely say that the W221 at least is WORTH every penny. The W220 was a good car, but you always felt that Mercedes could have done and offered a little more. Not so with the W221, it feels "complete".

 

[GTA45E]

Better in what? Trunk space?

Audi has better handling , brakes , economy and build quality-reliability (according to JD Powers initial quality survey) so if someone wants to choose an S class he doesn't need to tell us BS about the S class being objectively better cause that is simply not true.

I`d like to see some proof behind the 2007 Audi A8 being better in the JD Power 2007 Lux car ratings, better build quality!!?? proof man, then I`ll be convinced. The S550 is built like a tank inside and out. It`s fit and finish are top-notch! On top of that we (or we should know) that wheel size and tires play a mojor part in better scientific track numbers. If you put the same size wheels on the S550 it`s going to improve the numbers. Thats quit obvious!

 

[warot]

I was just trying to stick with this test, nothing else. And as I said, THEY (key part of this thread) thought the Benz is a better car, if it wasn't for the price. Simple fact.

P.S. JD Power rankings are such jokes

 

[PanterroR]

it feels "complete".

It only feels, but it'll never be complete, just like every single car on this planet...

 

[Imhotep Evil]

The PRESTIGE is, however.

MB has always practiced prestige pricing. That's one of the main reason why they charge so much. A lot of people who want MB's want the prestige - and are prepared to pay for it.

And personally, having driven both the W220 and W221, I can safely say that the W221 at least is WORTH every penny. The W220 was a good car, but you always felt that Mercedes could have done and offered a little more. Not so with the W221, it feels "complete".

Yes, but people buy S klasse (and A8s, 7ers) as taxis, hotels cars, and protocol cars.
This people have to care about profits too, and Germany has bugdet deficits problems, so I guess they're stiking with the A8s, plenty of good things offered even if it comes with less prestige.

 

[GTA45E]

It only feels, but it'll never be complete, just like every single car on this planet...

Complete.. hmm, thats more of a subjective statement and depends on the customers needs.

 

[cawimmer430]

It only feels, but it'll never be complete, just like every single car on this planet...

What I was trying to say was that it feels better equipped (and built) than the W220. The price IMO is definitely worth it. You get this car and so much more.

 

[cawimmer430]

Yes, but people buy S klasse (and A8s, 7ers) as taxis, hotels cars, and protocol cars.
This people have to care about profits too, and Germany has bugdet deficits problems, so I guess they're stiking with the A8s, plenty of good things offered even if it comes with less prestige.

Audi's prestige is rising rapidly, and there's no doubt that their cars are superior or even exceed those (technologically) of BMW or Mercedes.

The A8 is a good choice, but I don't think someone really buys an A8 for prestige purposes. Yes there is prestige in owning an A8, but it is different kind of prestige that an S-Class owner for example feels.