Alpina B7 or Audi S8

[czechchamp]

Originally Posted by Red Devil

I drove the S8 and wanted to love it, but just couldn't lie to myself. It is beautiful in every way, and every time I see one I wonder what could have been ... On the other hand, personally the way a car drives is more important than the way it looks and I'm sure the B7 drives much better. A good friend and all-around car guy/member of 6-speed has one and I'll prompt him to chime in. Good luck!

+1

[aznronin]

B7! i recently raced one with my M5 and damn that thing is fast. off the line the torque is very apparent as it took me the first couple of seconds to catch up and overtake. its waaaay faster than it looks. and you'll have something a little more uniques than the S8 (i see them everywhere)

[Denstoyz]

Id go with the S8...or you could buy my 07 S65 Renntech (its for sale)! In all seriousness I would take the S8 over the Alpina for sure. I considered the S8 for awhile and really loved the car - and definitely get the B&O system!

[Diablo79]

I've recently test-driven both the S8 and 750i. I LOVE the S8. if it wasn't for the crappy residual=high lease payments, we would have purchased one for my dad. INstead we went with a 750Li, which is really nice. (sorry, I know this was B7 vs. S8, but I wanted to share my thoughts on the S8, same as everyone else here..it's truly a wonderful beast).

[Mighty M]

I was just on cars.com visiting my brother in law in atlanta hes buying an x5, but at this one dealership they had some 4 b7s mid 80s to low 90s. for that money, that is one awesome car.

[livefast]

Originally Posted by Sean

As Jim mentioned I own the B7. In fact I seriously contemplated getting the S8 but decided on the B7 after extensive research. I should also admit that I am a recovering Bimmer-phile having once owned an E36 M3-convertible and an E39 M5. The B7, as some may know, is a 4.4 supercharged beast delivering 500hp and 516tq which is considerably greater than that of the S8. The 0-60 is circa mid-4’s which is particularly impressive given its weight. I agree with the comments offered about the disappointing interior but have resigned myself on the basis of the adage; “it is what it is”. My other car is a fairly spirited 911 and I actually like driving the B7 as much as I do the 911. I can unequivocally recommend the B& for anyone interested in an uber sedan that yields more performance than either the S8, Continental GT or S63 at a relative value price point.

Great post, but you would recommend a B7 over an S63? To each his own I guess......

[nyc123]

I had both the s8 and an s63, and was very tempted to try the alpina b7 and while I suspect it is the most fun to drive I was always turned off by the styling in and out and knowing a new body stle was on the way. Between the s63 and s8 if I had to buy 1 of the two cars again I would probably get the s8. I wish audi would bring the new rs6 sedan here as I think that would be the best of all.

[dynwolf]

Had to chime in here...

I bought an Alpina B7 for daily service back in April of this year. I drove it against the M5, S8 and E63 (didn't like the S63), and for me it was a hands-down choice. As a few other people have mentioned, ride quality and handling are excellent and feels much more involved than the S8. Granted my test drive with the S8 was only about 30 mins, while I've lived with the B7 for over three months now, but I felt the everything about the B7 was equal or superior. Handling, traction and acceleration are all (in my opnion) substantially better than the S8, and interior build quality at least as adequate. It surprised me to read someone had quibbles about the B7's build quality as I found the S8's to be a little less tactilly satisfying.

What I think has impressed me the most is how quiet both cars were on the inside while on the road. It totally shocks me how effective the sound-deadening material is, especially on the B7. When driving, if I slide the interior roof back (but don't open the sunroof glass itself) it's amazing the increase in wind noise.

The only problem I've had is my car seems to hit the bump stops over even modest speed bumps at very slow (< 5mph) speeds. Have any of the other B7 owners noticed the same thing? The handling seems ok under normal conditions, and it doesn't seem to roll excessively in corners, but it's cringe-inducing when it smacks the stops in a parking lot.

I think they're both excellent cars, but from my experiences, I'd have to recommend the B7.

JM

[SLC4S]

tough choice... I think the S8 is absolutely gorgeous and sat in one the other day with an "individual" interior that was absolutely phenomenal. That said the B7 is no joke, I think I might get the B7 if for nothing else for the exclusivity. New model will be coming soon but new a/s8 shouldn't be too far off either right?

[Tupe]

S8, no question.

[wasya152]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Choi

I'm a BMW fan over Audi, but in this case the S8. It's much more rare and special as compared to the Alpina.

are you kidding me? did you even think before you wrote this? there's only like 200 Alpina's made for the whole U.S. They are as rare as you're gonna get with this class of car. Also, has anyone driven both cars that have commented? My dad owns an Alpina B7 and my mom used to have an A8. Using that fact to judge how the S8 will perform, the audi is nowhere near the driving pleasure of the Alpina, not to mention that it's slow and heavy. My suggestion is if you want something that you will enjoy driving that can hold it s own against even supercars, get the Alpina

[45otto]

Talk about timely threads. I am considering a B7 as a new daily driver. It is my understanding that they will not be avialable for some time. new body style coming out and the B7 will not be leading the way as far delivery and availability goes.

Anyone have info on this?

[th3Stig]

I know this isn't in the consideration pool: but get an S65 and call it quits. The B7 is soon to be outdated, though exclusive, and the S8 is a good looking pig, though it is awd.

[Red Devil]

Originally Posted by wasya152

are you kidding me? did you even think before you wrote this? there's only like 200 Alpina's made for the whole U.S. They are as rare as you're gonna get with this class of car. Also, has anyone driven both cars that have commented? My dad owns an Alpina B7 and my mom used to have an A8. Using that fact to judge how the S8 will perform, the audi is nowhere near the driving pleasure of the Alpina, not to mention that it's slow and heavy. My suggestion is if you want something that you will enjoy driving that can hold it s own against even supercars, get the Alpina

Well young sir, you HAVE NOT driven both cars either. I've driven both the S8 and the A8, and they aren't near the same. The fact that it's "Daddy & Mommy" and also that you don't even say if you are old enough to drive, makes your input less valuable than the rest of us. Lucky for you, your guess about the BMW is correct, but remember to "respect your elders" and that goes for message-boards as well.

[m3rxn]

owners of the B7..post some pics please..exterior and interior.