Chris_B Posted March 21, 2006 Report Share Posted March 21, 2006 OK, a bit of a strange poll, I know. I had thought it was pretty much going to be an S8, and that was that, but I've driven both the Q7 and the RS 4 now, and suddenly I'm not so sure. The Q7 is a barge, even compared to the A8, but it has bags of room, amazing offroad capability for a "soft-roader" and fully loaded has more toys than Hamleys and Toys-R-Us put together. It's just such a damn practical vehicle, especially for the odd photography day-trip where park-anywhere ability and great in-car visiblity mean a lot. The S8 is the daddy of grand touring Audis, but it's expensive. My company will pay for it, and I'd expect a decent discount, but the high list price means high company car tax - £2240 a year more expensive than a fully-loaded Q7. Practicality for everyday driving and passenger hauling is fine, and it'sgot a decent enough sized boot for luggage for me & the missus, but it doesn't quite make it as a four-people-with-luggage hauler. The RS 4 Cab is completely impractical, but what fun! I know the Cab won't be the best handling or most practical of the RS 4 bunch, but I'd be buying it just for dry days with the top down and the burble of the V8 filling my ears. I'd option up just about everything on it, so it would list around the same as the Q7, but probably with not so much discount available. Assuming that all three would possibly cost similar amounts (regardless of list price) due to varying discounts, the only real cost implication is tax, the S8 being £2240 a year more expensive to have than the other two. Given that, what would be your recommendation? Remember, I will probably just do whatever I feel like regardless of what the poll results are, but you lot might be able to provide some insight that I'm struggling to find myself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crasher Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Given the choice of the 3 i'd go for the S8 as i'm not keen on the Q7 and the RS4 is a non-starter for me and my mileage. However, i had been looking at the new S6. When you spec that up it comes out stupidly expensive. So was looking at other, non-audi, alternates. Have you considered the Range Rover. Not the sport (not a real one) but something like the 4.4 Vogue HSE? Have you seen the equipment level on that as standard. Its vast. Thats the sort of spec i would have expected top of the range Audi's to come with as standard, rather than wringing everly last drop out of the poor punters. I've not driven one yet (the test drive is this weekend) so i won't commit my funds just yet, but its certainly in my pick list now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Doe Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Plain and simple.......S8 Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 You know Chris, I am going through exactly the same process.. I pulled my RS4 saloon order and have put my name down for an Avant.. but i can't help thinking that a Q7 would suit the family better.I would go with the diesel and would spec it up quite nicely. It will seat 7, be comfortable on tours of Europe and has a certain prestige. Another thing i can't get my head around is £55,000 for an A4.. even if it is the best thing Audi have ever produced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I'd go S8 as well - it has something about it in terms of (expensive) classy image that the Q7 will never have. IMO the RS4 cab is hugely overpriced, and that's before options - even Audi sales people are admitting that! No practicality at all in the RS4 either - if you have the bucket seats it might as well be a 2 seater, no rear legroom at all. As you already have an allroad in the family then you have practicality covered, and, again it's a personal opinion, but the Q7 appears from the pictures to be, shall we say not that pretty - not the style that is associated with Audi. My big concern with the S8 as well as the purchase cost, would be the likely collossal depreciation which even a well discounted new price will not avoid (look at the previous model), but if the company are bearing the lease or purchase cost then you can offset this to some degree. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I'd go for the S8. It will cost you more in tax but its a fantastic car. I just don't do 4x4s, its that time that you come up behind somebody and they leave you dead round the twisty bits despite what engine you have. What about the fuel equation as well, the S8 might be better than a fully loaded top of the range Q7. I think 4x4s and gas guzzling cars are going to be under the spotlight today and fuel isn't going to get any cheaper. Maybe get the S8... enjoy it whilst you can and think about getting a A8 4.2 Diesel next time to save you lots of pennies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golfer Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Q7 is the obvious choice for the practical minded, RS4 dated interior and not worth 55K and you will soon become bored with it. S8 great car if you can get a 20% discount as I have on my ordered A8 4.2TDI for september, BUT we will BOTH LOOSE money on these cars ( less so if we keep them 2+years) to the tune of £650/700 a month. Q7 will also loose at the same rate ish, so now we know whatever model we buy we are going to cry a bit, make your choice between Q7 AND S8 and like me enjoy every min of ownership. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nikw Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Yes the S8 is by far the most expensive option, but I would also expect it to be the most satisfying, the one you'll still love in twelve months time and look back at each time you park it. Personally speaking, a saloon RS4 would best suit my needs but if funds permitted it would be the S8. An aspirational car if ever there was one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 I've got a S4 Avant and a Cab and have a Q7 coming. I looked at getting an RS4 Avant but didn't like the lack of memory seats and folding mirrors but more importantly my S4 Avant and Cab together (both B6's) would only just buy the RS4 Avant. Personally I would take the Q7 as a co. car (3.0 diesel) and get a 2nd hand S4 Cab (04 for £28k) or A8 4.2 petrol (04 for £33k) for weekend use....but that's not what you are asking so have an S6....but that's not what you are asking so...I don't know (I voted for the Q7). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruiser647 Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 S8. And you won't get people moaning about your 4X4 off-roader that NEVER goes off-road. (not that you'd care, but hey) And the S8 looks sublime..........V10.....suits you sir!!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crasher Posted March 22, 2006 Report Share Posted March 22, 2006 Fortunately living out in the sticks as i do i know that i'd be off-roading - have even taken my S8 out for some gentle field shredding I note that a lot of you are in the fortunate position to have several cars. Unfortunately the car i have has to cater for my daily commute (150+ miles) plus my weekend use/pleasure - do have the luxury to afford a separate car for each. I do like the look of the new S8, but cannot justify the expense to myself (let alone the Wife). A second-hand W12 or 4.2tdi are both viable prospects given their current market prices. Just thought id throw in the rangey as its very well specced, and (for me personally) fuel economy comes third place to comfort and enjoyment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Thank you all for your input! I spoke to my dealer today, and the bad news on Q7 is that ordering one today might not have it arriving this year! Apparently there's so many on order that the current estimated delivery is sometime in December. Not only does this mean having to hang on to the W12 until it's closer than I'd like it to be to warranty expiry, but it also implies there will be a lot of Q7s around, mostly 3.0Ds apparently, but that does mean a Q7 becomes part of the crowd. If I placed a deposit on an RS 4 Cab today, I might see it in September, possibly. If I hang on until the order book officially opens (and prices are set in stone), that might then become next year as well. I don't think there's a shortage of S8s. I have been offered a discount on an S8, but I'm going to push for more as that is based on an S8 with ceramic brakes and nothing else, and I'd like the reversing camera and possibly the TV tuner (although that's an £850 option - £119 a year in tax!). I know that I'll still pay tax on the list price, but a bit more discount will make the tax and the depreciation that little bit more palatable. So, it comes down to what the dealership can do to nibble away at that S8 price; I might consider putting a deposit cheque down on an RS 4 Cab, but I really don't know that I could live with it every day for a couple of years having had the S8, RS 6 and W12, and I'm still a little worried that they will become a target for carjackers and crooks, where a debadged S8 would retain a modicum of discreetness. I might even have to consider going off-brand I don't want a Range Rover, tried one and didn't like it. I might have to look around and see what else is reasonably well covered for service and support in my area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 Not sure what you are saying about the Q7. You can't get one until its been out for five months so its in demand so the residuals should be good. Mine's due in July so I could do you a swap! Why not the S6? Much cheaper than an S8 and hardly any slower. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daz Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] If I placed a deposit on an RS 4 Cab today, I might see it in September, possibly. If I hang on until the order book officially opens (and prices are set in stone), that might then become next year as well. [/ QUOTE ] Chris, The offical order book for the RS4 Cab opened last Thursday (16th) for deliveries starting in July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Not sure what you are saying about the Q7. [/ QUOTE ] There might be a lot around Lincoln, and I'm vain enough to enjoy having a car that's an uncommon sight on the road... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] The offical order book for the RS4 Cab opened last Thursday (16th) for deliveries starting in July. [/ QUOTE ] Hmmm, well if my dealer thought they could get a deposit cheque off me for one, they'd have been snapping my hand off for one, so I'm not sure why I've been told they're not available to order yet. It was something to do with not being on the online ordering system yet if I remember rightly. Oh well, I should find out more next week when the dealer general manager is back in and we see if there's any further price reduction they can make on an S8. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huss Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 [ QUOTE ] I might even have to consider going off-brand [/ QUOTE ] The new XK8 hard not softytop. Go see one in the flesh Chris - you will not be disappointed .. huss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 23, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I had considered it, love the looks of it, but MrMe says his Jag experience was a bit ropey. Still, I guess a lot of that is down to how good your dealer is. A test drive of an XK8 can't hurt in the making-Audi-dealer-sharpen-his-pencil stakes anyway, can it? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted March 23, 2006 Report Share Posted March 23, 2006 I'd be tempted to wait for the XKR if you went that route Chris. The standard XK8 isn't that quick. A friend had the previous model XKR, anf that was impressive in a straight line, great supercharger noise. But, huge car, no room for more than two inside and tiny boot, so may not suit your photo gear needs. I still think the S8 has got to be a wonderful car to have, although the new S6 may make it seem expensive? Dare I say it, have you considered an M5? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] Dare I say it, have you considered an M5? [/ QUOTE ] A BMW? I did look at an M5 before getting the W12, but I just didn't like it inside at all. Plus which, I actually use indicators, and I don't know if they're available as an option, are they? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CarMad Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Have a look at this.. sounds great. German S8 review. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Yeah, I've seen that already and have a copy of it (and several others) at home. It sounds incredible. I've been thinking about the spec, and with stuff like powered boot and door closers, tyre pressure monitor, leather pack II, alcantara roof lining etc, it's specced really well against the W12 SWB, and cheaper too. If I get an acceptable deal offered, I think it will be the S8, with ceramic brakes and reversing camera, probably in Daytona Grey. If the deal doesn't work out, I just don't know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merlot Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 Can you get the £7-10k off the S8 like other A8's seem to have? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tizzy Posted March 24, 2006 Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Dare I say it, have you considered an M5? [/ QUOTE ] A BMW? I did look at an M5 before getting the W12, but I just didn't like it inside at all. Plus which, I actually use indicators, and I don't know if they're available as an option, are they? [/ QUOTE ] I did say "dare I say" - lateral thinking, in that they have both got a V10, and the M5 is cheaper. But you're dead right on the tacky interior and the I-Drive system drove me insane when I drove the 530d. Let's hope our "friends" at Lincoln Audi are in a sensible mood when you come to negotiate the deal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris_B Posted March 24, 2006 Author Report Share Posted March 24, 2006 I'm hoping to be able to get around £10k off list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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