I have finally narrowed my winter car search down to two cars. 2001 Audi S8 or 2001 S500 Sport. For the MB, I will obviously get snow tires. Anyway, I am in a bind and desprately need help, I go back and forth. Which will lose less is a 5 month period? How do they compare in performance?

-Lou

 

How about MB S500 4Matic? That'd be my choice

 

Lou...

Are you only keeping the car for 5 months? I would say the S500 would hold it's value better. A friend of mine bought the S8 when it first came out and sold it last year and took a huge hit on it. The "8" series Audi have not been popular here in the states. But for your purposes, the Quattro platform might suit your needs well.

I had a 2000 S500 and it's a nice car...Most of the things were fixed in 2001, where as my 2000 had some problems (weak A/C, airmatic dropping car to groud, little switches, etc).

 

I concur with Chris Y. in regards to Audi depreciation. It is awful. But since you are buying used, you may be able to get a good deal and not lose as much since it has already dropped in value. The S8 has AWD and is the better looking car IMHO. There are too many S classes on the road these days, I say go for the S8.

 

I can speak for NY, the MB S500 is everywhere you look and is a great looking car, but just to ordinary, the Audi S8 is very rare and is a great value to pick up a pre owned one, here I would opt for the S8.

 

my dad just got rid of his S500 cause he absolutely hated it, he's back to his passion for 7 series BMW's which can be had at great prices. He got a 2002 w/ like 10K for a little over 50k$

 

S8...

 

The big benzs and bmws (the ones without 4 wheel drive) pretty much suck in the snow.The big AMG coupe from Mercedes is a pretty nice car, but fairly expensive and probably worse than bad in the snow. I'm sure that the Audi is more surefooted.We have a short wheel base 740 Sport, which i prefer to the Banglized 7, but its no picnic in the winter, either. I thought the Audi was overpriced, and didn't hold value well, but the Benzs, even the expensive ones, are hardly the cars they used to be. I'm not really a truck guy, but if its winter slogging with room for passengers, how bout the big Rover? Or a G-Wagon, which, from what i understand, is not terribly comfortable, but if you find one at the right price (these tend to be bought by car of the month club buyers anyway), you might like it.

 

Whatever you choose make sure it has the right shoes. If the Audi has 18's they are not allseason and won't get you 10' in the snow. All wheel drive is great but the tires are what make the difference. I have a seperate set on their own rims so each winter for $30 they pull the summer set off and put the winter set on.

 

Endless hours of winter Fun

 

MB S500 4matic... HANDS DOWN!!!

 

Audi S8 - the S class just doesn´t compare. It may be a Benz, but the Audi has better fit and finish and is an all-around better car.

 

I would get an S8 or a Big Black Suburban!! 2500....thats a machine.!