38 Votes

Audi A8 quattro vs. Mercedes S 500 4Matic

nox327 submitted on 11/8/2006 Official Bell & Ross Timestamp: 3:32:26 PM

82 user comments | Category: Reviews | Source: | SOURCE: benzinsider.com

Tag Links: audi, mercedes-benz, mercedes

Audi may have had the exclusivity for over 25 years with its all wheel drive, but unfortunately, that exclusivity is virtually gone with the introduction of the 4Matic system for Mercedes.

The new S-class 4Matic was put to the test against the more "experienced" Audi A8 quattro.

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— nox327 (View Profile)

User Comments

So if you want acceleration, braking, room and comfort get the S550 4-matic.

On the other hand, if you want the sporty handling, get the Audi A8.

Of course, the S550 should win this comparison handds down considering it is much newer and loaded with new technology.

I'm excited to see what Audi will conjur up next with the upcoming A8 due out in 2009.

We should put these two cars to the test at that point in time and see who wins.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 3:58:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

you AUDI guys are a joke! you really have a conviction that those VW's in suits are to be taken seriously! you are a pathetic bunch!
— KeyserSoze (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 4:23:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

You know, in the past, Audi's were rebadged VW's. Not anymore.

You should keep your mouth shut, especially since your Lexus brand up until a few years ago was nothing more than a rebadged TOYOTA. Wait...some of them still are. RX ring a bell?
— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 4:54:05 PM | | Votes: 1

Notice how he bashed Audi as being rebadged VW's when his beloved Lexus pretty much was a rebadged Toyota until now.
— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:16:10 PM | | Votes: 5

Why is Lexus being brought up? is it possible to stay on topic...
— bmtrblu (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:44:40 PM | | Votes: 4

Go ahead Will, call me a troll. Because you're the one who doesn't understand what I was trying to do. Keysor talked shit about Audi, I gave him the truth: Lexus were rebadged Toyota's.

Notice I said "were". Are you going to disagree with that? Huh?
— BMW530i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 6:30:32 PM | | Votes: 3

Keysor, your comment was uncalled for. Audi's are not rebadged VW's. They may share some components (transmissions, engines etc.) but Audi's pretty much have their own chassis designs these days. Also, Lexus and Toyota share parts as well.

BMW530i, calm down. I understand you wanted to give Keysor a taste of his own medicine, but your post will lead to nothing more than flame wars on these boards.
— Willis (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 7:32:58 AM | | Votes: 5

S500?
I didn't think they made that anymore!
— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 4:32:52 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

the 550 engines are badged 500 in europe.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:58:10 PM | | Votes: 2

interesting
— mstangpny07 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 8:28:46 PM | | Votes: 1

your a joke KeyserSoze, if you think VWs in suits aren't on part with Mercedes-Benz or BMW.

Two words for you: R8 V10

— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 4:44:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

wrong 2 words every amg product except maybe the r class will blow the doors of an r8 exotic 2 seater sports cars that pretty sad.....perfect point to show that audi cant compete in that area, an m5 midsize luxury sedan that weighs how many pounds will outrun the r8, an e63 would outrun and these heavy sedans, a corvette would outrun it with less horsepower....., you make a list as long as that article of cars that would outrun a $100,000 2 seater exotic that costs less money or are heavy sedans, comeone its fast as a ctsv, a 300 srt8 is only 3 tenths of a second slower its a full size sedan with the same horsepower the r8 is a good looking car but it stops there, an audi model-all looks, no substance...
— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:59:55 PM | | Votes: -5

"wrong 2 words every amg product except maybe the r class will blow the doors of an r8 exotic 2 seater sports cars that pretty sad"

Umm, no. The R8 hasn't been driven yet, for one thing. Audi's 0-60 times are always about half a second slower than in reality. Expect 4.0-4.2 seconds for 0-60-- in the R8 V8. And, unlike the ungainly M6, it's a true sportscar. It weighs about 1000lbs less. What you said is pure biased ignorance, a common indulgence of BMW whores.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:52:45 PM | | Votes: -1

Those two words will end all doubt that Audi is a VW in a suit when it achieves performance numbers in the range of the Ferrari F430, Lamborhini Gallardo, Corvette Z06, Porsche 911 Turbo and other highly acclaimed super cars.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 4:49:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0

Not to mention Audi owns Lamborghini. Let's all just chill and have this talk in say 8 months?
— ThaR8Don (View Profile)

Posted on 11/10/2006 1:42:47 AM | | Votes: 1

screw the awd, be a man and get the real beast.. 750li
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:05:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

The 750Li is probably the LEAST competitive car in this class... nice try.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:53:32 PM | | Votes: 0

Will, please shut up about the interior..you sound like a 14 yr old (Nut)
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:06:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

I wouldn't have expected it to turn out any other way. Could you imagine Merc losing with a brand new model? I'm actually surprised they only one this competiton buy 8 points. Considering the A8 is 4 years old I'ld say it's still hangin in there. All these luxury car companies do is leapfrog one another. This is great for any one shopping in this segment. Merc and Lexus are now in one cycle while BMW and Audi are in another.

I test drove the S550 Monday. Great car. Everything was perfect except the dash. Looked like a video game. Totally out of place in this segment, IMO. Still, I think I would lean towards the S8. It's not much more expensive than the S550 but much less common, if common is the right word for a $90,000.00+ vehicle
— iown1 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:09:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

AmazingBimmer shut up, your comparing a one year old car in the newly designed S-class to one that came out 4 years ago with the Audi A8.

The A8 only lost by 8 points.

Wait and see what Audi will churn out with the next generation A8 and then let's see that comparison.

I can't wait for the R8 with V10
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:24:26 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Just like audi fans when they compar a 6 years old M3 to a year old RS4.
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 6:41:26 PM | | Votes: 1

Not exactly, 528i, but close.

The RS4's platform (B6 A4 is the actual platform, B7 is just a re-skin) is only two years older than the E46 platform. It's just a new engine. And an inotxicating driving experience.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:55:21 PM | | Votes: -2

*The B6 is only two years YOUNGER than the E46 platform. Damn typos...
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:55:54 PM | | Votes: -1

Just like you continue with the superiority trip with your 8 year old, probably used 528i. We're not impressed.
— AUDIMAN4 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 12:16:40 AM | | Votes: 0

I don't really have to impresse you, or do I..and alos I got my bmw brand new unlike some fakers here..
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 2:58:46 AM | | Votes: -1

Did anyone notice how in that first picture these two cars are parked so close to each other?

G
— RefuG (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:32:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Go Mercedes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:41:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4

Audi will always be a more exclusive brand than Lexus. The top selling Lexus models are the ES and RX, two models based off the Camry. Audi has no models in it's lineup based off of VW's.

So, the A8 loses one comparison test. It's an aging sedan in a very competitive segment. Despite this, I can assure you that the A8 will continue to outsell the LS in international markets.
— AUDIMAN4 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:44:40 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Completely agree, about both points. It's unfortunate that pretender brands are constantly brought up on posts with two real automobiles.
— bmtrblu (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 5:47:35 PM | | Votes: 0

audiman, 2/3 audis are based on vws, the tt (although very differently engineered), the a3 and the q7.

this article has nothing to do with lexus, and audi lost. i'd expect it to, it's older and the s class has always been the best in class.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 6:02:38 PM | | Votes: 3

The A3, I'll give you that. But it's still an unbelievable car.

TT? It's now 70% aluminum, totally re-worked from the GTI platform.

Q7 is stretched six inches. You could just as easily say it's based on a Porsche.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:57:23 PM | | Votes: 0

I guess Will is right. A handful of you always want to make every topic about Lexus only to unsuccessfully make the German brands look better. It's childish. Everyone knows that all of these brands are great brands on their own.

AUDIMAN4 & BMW530i,
The funny thing is that as of now, there are more Audis based off of VWs, Skodas, and don't forget the Lambo, than there are Lexi based off of Toyotas. If you were truly intelligent, you would have been able to realize this and left Lexus alone, and kept your credibility.

The S-Class won because it is the superior car in nearly every aspect that counts in this segment: size, luxury, technology, etc. Also it's 4Matic system is just as advanced as Quattro. Superior car, superior price, simply superior.

Come the next A8, then we'll talk.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 7:12:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Wait, what did you say? You lost me after, "Will is right."

No one is arguing that Lexus isn't a great brand. That's all it is, though. A brand. It's not a great series of cars, is all.

The problems people have with Will are with Will, not Lexus, and are way off-topic to begin with.
— audiot (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:32:40 PM | | Votes: 0

Lexus is obviously a great "brand." Champagne glasses, ball bearings, the classic Lexus ads put the brand on the map, and the marketing machine has done a great job of keeping Lexus in the luxury conversation ever since. I don't think anyone on this site begrudges Lexus its marketing genius. It's when people go look at the cars and are underwhelmed, that's the problem.

How to respond to a relentless one-dimensional flame-artist like yourself? It's not possible.
— audiot (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 1:03:16 AM | | Votes: 3

My comment about Lexus being a strongly recognized "brand" of luxury cars but not a strong maker of cars that the top tier of luxury buyers want, is an insightful comment. The hay that Lexus lovers make is with sales, #1 this and that, but that's all due to marketing and talk of the strong Lexus presence in the US. Smoke + mirrors. It is you, freakazoid, who has not been able to counter that insight with anything but the usual robot sputterings.

Take yourself into Comp USA for a tune-up!
— audiot (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:23:12 AM | | Votes: 1

idiot thinks the a8 is 4 yrs old.. as far as I can tell, it came out in its current iteration with a new grille etc. in 2004 as a 05 model. more idiocy.
— AmazingBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 7:23:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

The only difference between the new grille and the old grille is... drum roll... the grille, idiot.

That's just groping for ways to say the A8 won because it's not as good.

It came out in summer 2003.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:59:16 PM | | Votes: 0

The only difference is the grill. The actual body of the car and interior space along with features remained the same.

Therefore it is essentially the same car that came out 4 years ago.

More useless posts by AmazingBimmer.

If you don't think a car with just a new grille in the front but with the same body shape, interior room, dimensions and features is a different car altogether your a moron.

So, yes, your posts are a waste of time AmazingBimmer.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 7:29:51 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Does any one know of a web site that discusses the merits of cars?
— iown1 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 7:49:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

BUT IM SCARED OF LEXUS AND ITS LS430L. AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
— Carboy (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 8:30:33 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -5

And in the end it comes down to the fact that there are Audi people and there are MB people.

Like that is a surprise on this site.

I don't agree that the 4Matic system in MB is superior to the Quattro system, and one comparison is not going to cut it.

Personally, I'd take the A8 because I still don't like the interior or exterior of the S-Class. And this is just another media outlet that made the comment more luxurious, with no basis to start from.

And who brought Lexus into this??
— Mark (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 8:36:02 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

what about when the chrysler group gets this 4 matic?
that will be a sweet sweet day.

so far we all now know that the a8 compared is a 4 yr old model and the MB is a brand new design. it does not really matter. audi chose not to update their system not MB. that being the case it is also impossible to say if the new a8 will be inferior or superior to the MB when it is aging. sure you can speculate but you could also look like a giant ass...

when air bags came out did all auto makers wait till they redesigned their models to equip them? hell no, they were introduced as a feature the next year no matter if they were updating them or not. why cant audi use new technoledgy they have found on their existing cars? why would they wait and be "inferior"? maybe because it doesnt matter what audi does, they [MB]will still be one step ahead of them.

maybe someone can dig up a test done when the a8 first was introduced and the MB was aging in its generation.
— bigslick83 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:13:10 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

Take a look at this

Basic price 76.700 € 93.380 €

For the price of the base S550 you are just couple of thousand of Euros away from the S8. The S8 would have been a completely different aniaml. Still the A8 has been out for much longer.
— chewy (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:20:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

The 550 is over priced..
— 528i (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 3:01:42 AM | | Votes: 2

Yeah Finally one of you admits it. I'm not particularly a Lexus fan either, but Will is, and should be respected because of it. Instead, whenever he says something, instead of an intelligent response, you revert to "Lexus sucks, Lexus is a Toyota" and then the stupid personal attacks, as you just acknowledged. I have yet to see Will personally attack anyone before they attacked him.

Will, don't think I'm automatically 100% on your side, I like Japanese cars AND German cars AND even a few American cars, and British ones too. You should learn to be more sensitive to German car fans. Yes, they get annoying and silly at times, but you should learn to ignore their ignorance.
— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 9:53:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4

"...but you should learn to ignore their ignorance."

LOL worst redundancy all day!
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 10:41:15 PM | | Votes: 1

Read the guy's posts and you'll see the robot in full glory. His is not a representation of a "side" but that of a typical inciter. Go read any non-Lexus post and see what he writes. His is the sympathy of Gollum.
— audiot (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 1:05:34 AM | | Votes: 1

see! i don't like lexus, but that has nothing to do with toyota. i just don't like all of their cars. the lexus is a toyota argument doesn't affect me too much.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:06:58 AM | | Votes: 1

Your Lexus comments--of which I have found none today, just counters what I have posted--are based on stats. As someone mentioned recently, you are a bit of a stat whore. You twist stats about Lexus to the point where there isn't any argument and therefore no counter-argument. Take the point about you saying Mercedes is cribbbing from Hyundai. That is an unsubstantiated claim, and yet you say you make verifiable comments that need to be respected? Good thing you have so many Autospies accounts so you can boost your own comments. As I recall, you had 4 or 56 -5 boosts here yesterday. You're quite popular!
— audiot (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:27:16 AM | | Votes: 1

for me the best car in the world were always the S class,and mercedes my favorite brand.....but lexus today has more quality than mercedes, interior or exterior, and design is relative, but i like a lot IS, GS and LS, lexus has more technology and less problems than any car in the world!!!... how they do it?!! i dont know, but MB should follow the example
— benfica (View Profile)

Posted on 11/8/2006 11:32:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

FYI Guys: If you don't like Audi's and You think they are SLOW, then you must not be fan of the VW GROUP (VW-Audi-Bentley-Lambo-Bugatti-Skol). In today's competitive automotive climate Married Brands are Identical twins w/differant niches. The day's of individualism are gone. So to think Audi's are slow is to say you think Lambo's are slow. To say U think Audi Quattro is useless is to say all-wheel drive Bentley's aren't a vast improvement on the performance of Bentley's of yore.
I guess what I'm trying to say is. If you love Corvette's because of there power, don't be shocked when a Cadillac XLR blows by you doing 165mph. Just smile and say, "Damn, Corvette's pretty twin sure can move."

And for the record, The new Audi R8 abilities have been tuned down, so that big bro Lambo has room to breathe. AND the Million Dollar Bugatti uses the Audi Dual Clutch System.

Peace
myspace/iCaRRtel
— infoCaRRtel (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 12:17:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Audi A8, Mercedes S500 (550), BMW 750, etc. We are comparing amazing vehicles to amazing vehicles. I can't even imagine owning one personally.
— neutral (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 1:07:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3

And with that attitude you probably never will - get a backbone!
— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 10:49:02 AM | | Votes: 1

what attitude? -the right one?
Grow up first
— CarNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/10/2006 1:12:07 PM | | Votes: 1

The S class has always been the most superior car in its class..It basically invented that segment, and has lead it ever since..For me I would rather have a previous generation S class over the current Audi A8..
— theman (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 2:02:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

Wow look at the front end of the Audi and the size of the panel gaps especially around the hood - it hardly signals quality.

Strange how the new Merc S550 is starting to morph into the old model - I find it hard to differentiate them on the street unless I focus on the street metal around the wheels
— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 10:48:04 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1

"Strange how the new Merc S550 is starting to morph into the old model - I find it hard to differentiate them on the street unless I focus on the street metal around the wheels"

i know exactly what you mean. from a distance (anything over 20 metres) it is quite hard to tell them apart unless you look closely. from the back it's easier, but still, it's strange how such an apparently radical design can blend with the old one so well.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:09:33 AM | | Votes: 2

"Wow look at the front end of the Audi and the size of the panel gaps especially around the hood - it hardly signals quality."

What?

#1: It has no panel gaps.

#2: It STILL, easily, has the best interior in class. Best-looking, best-feeling, best materials, most luxurious... and that's all that matters in this class. Sportiness is just a bonus- but the A8 has that going for it, too.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:24:50 PM | | Votes: 1

The S-class is a better car in this comparison, if the engine didnt give it away already.. only comment i have is about AWD... NEVER will a 4matic be better than Quattro!! NEVER

I still rather have the Audi.. parked alongside, Sclass just doesnt look as good in my eyes.
— CarNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 4:34:08 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

I would never take a mercedes over an Audi especially the S-class. The interior is simply not nice, the only nice thing about it is the courtesy light along the whole dashboard, other than that, there isn't ONE thing that's nicer in it than the Audi. The picture of the Audi from the exterior is just not nice this time as the site seems sort of biased towards mercedes. I've been in both cars but I havent driven the S-class.
Audi is the german car I like the most.
— ToyotaLexus (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 7:55:48 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

If the S class ever becomes as reliable as Mercedes claims it has become [never?] then I will buy one.
— MercBasher (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:22:05 PM | | Votes: 1

The A8 has bad rims in that picture, yes. The 19s (12-spoke) are oh-so-classy, especially in black.

I agree about the interior. There's not much out there under $100K that can claim to have better furnishings... I guess the Range Rover, but the reliability is dismal, and so is the mileage.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:26:31 PM | | Votes: 2

This is a hard choice,which car is more of a piece of unreliable garbage??Hmmm I would have to say the Audi,becuase it just looks too much like a VW Phaeton!!
— 2JZSoarer (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:09:31 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2

You still spew out some of the dumbest crap on this website.

You and AmazingBimmer are at the top of my list.
— S4cabriofox (View Profile)

Posted on 11/9/2006 11:27:20 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

Range Rover interiors are nice but they don't come close to what the A8 offers in terms of luxury interiors.
— GermanNut (View Profile)

Posted on 11/10/2006 12:30:06 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2

oh i don't know....the audi has better materials, but the rangie's looks exquisite.
— Rupert (View Profile)

Posted on 11/10/2006 9:34:48 AM | | Votes: 0

Everytime I read the comments on this site, it reminds me of home w/ my three 8 year olds...arguing over absolutely nothing. Mercedes owners hate Lexus, BMW, Audi...Lexus owners think their cars are the best, BMW owners hate Mercedes, Lexus, Audi...Audi owners have a Napolean complex...........me I own a 2005 BMW 645ci, 2001 s430 and a 1999 Infiniti Q45t..I love all of my cars, but the Merc has given me the most problems..the bimmer is pretty new...and the Q has been trouble free since new..(i did have to put in o2 sensors)
Most of the people I know that own Lexus don't have many problems at all...what I'm saying is love your car..everyones tastes are different...someone reading this might even be a hyundai fan
— ryaajus (View Profile)

Posted on 11/10/2006 10:33:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

Hey,hey,hey... I am a Hyundai fan, I own a 2005 Accent,
2001 Santa Fe and a 1999 Azzera. Wanna trade?
— flychronic (View Profile)

Posted on 11/11/2006 2:24:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

The A8 handles like a dream. Audi Quattro is excellent! In regular Drive mode, its acceleration is smooth and the car hugs turns with an understated grace.

Shifting into "S" mode, or even Tiptronic, and the car turns into an entirely different breed of Luxury. Brake reaction is much quicker and more sensitive. Turning, difficult terrain, rain, and almost everthing else is enhanced.

Now the S 500 4Matic is also great but is no comparison to the security I get from driving an A8. Then again, I've only been thrown around on the backseat of my dad's Benz.
— missyuni (View Profile)

Posted on 11/29/2006 10:32:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1

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Audi A8 quattro vs. Mercedes S 500 4Matic

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