Comparison tests MB S-Class vs Audi A8 vs BMW 7 series review

[sako97]

I own the D4 A8 since 2014 and in many of my ski trips I've rented the S W222.

I can say that I noticed a bit more cost cutting in S class, especially door panels and trunk area. Some switch gear in the S class like the sun visor are carried over from a 2004 CLK, my AMG GT has the same old things, which is silly.

The ride obviously is more comfortable in the S class, however less dynamic and too boaty for my liking. My A8 feels like a smaller car.

I also drove the 7 Series for a couple days and I really liked the drive train, very responsive and dynamic, couldn't notice that it's a diesel engine.
I even considered buying it but I can't justify the 60k euro over my current car, it just doesn't feel like a major departure, maybe because of the black interior.

The new A8 is a well engineered car but interior is too spaceship.

Seems like you'd like the Panamera, especially in regards to a dynamic ride.

 

[Rolf]

No kidding coming from an MB fanboy.
But just ask @sako97, Mick cannot even have an opinion on the 7er because he has no long term experience with it.

If I was a MB fanboy I wouldn't be driving a Volvo now and then driving my previous E90 BMW for nearly 9 years...LOL. I am just highlighting one of our main members experiences with all 3 cars. Maybe we can also ask @Betty Swollocks for his honest opinion on interior quality that he has experienced with driving the S-class, 7-series and maybe new A8 also, and he is not biased towards any one brand or car.

 

[Deleted member 1071]

... But BMW is (still) also about dynamics, handling, directness. Imo, it would make sense to make the future 7er lighter (lower unsprung mass), smaller, sharper, more precise, and to introduce a new segment paradigm that builds upon driver/passenger orientation and the luxury of "lightness".

Which leaves me recalling the E3 2500/2800/3.0/3.3L sedan. Also known as the "Bavaria" to North Americans. Presented in 1968, it was BMWs' first "luxury sedan segment" entry since the "Barockengel" 501/502 (discontinued in 1962). The E3 was the more compact, far sportier, far more agile and arguably technically more innovative alternative to the W108/109 M-B 280S-300SEL-not to mention Opels' large KAD sedans. It made quite a splash in its' segment, while never managing to topple the M-B from the highest step on the unit sales podium.

An uncle of mine had a metallic dark blue 3.0Si back in the early 1970s'. To state that his driving style was "spirited" would be an understatement. Tremendous car that was...

 

[Betty Swollocks]

If I was a MB fanboy I wouldn't be driving a Volvo now and then driving my previous E90 BMW for nearly 9 years...LOL. I am just highlighting one of our main members experiences with all 3 cars. Maybe we can also ask @Betty Swollocks for his honest opinion on interior quality that he has experienced with driving the S-class, 7-series and maybe new A8 also, and he is not biased towards any one brand or car.

Hi Rolf.

I don't go into quite so much detail with regards interior quality as some on the forum. Sometimes I find it hard to see what people are talking about when comparing fit and finish, and surface materials. However, the old A8 was clearly below the S-Class and 7 Series. I haven't yet driven the new A8 but I did sit in it at the Geneva show in March. I wasn't impressed by the finger prints on the touch sensitive surfaces, so whether the quality was good or not, it didn't have that feeling when seeing lots of marks everywhere.

Having driven the S-Class and 7 Series quite a lot over the last few years, for me the MB is on another level entirely to the 7 Series for giving a sense of occasion when behind the wheel. It's a description I've used before, but the 7 Series just feels like a bigger 5 Series. The S-Class feels like a model in itself. It just wafts everywhere. For me it's one of the best cars I have ever driven. Period. I've tried four different engines, but the new S 400 d is just sublime for crossing a continent. It's hard to believe it's about to be replaced.

 

[Rolf]

Hi Rolf.

I don't go into quite so much detail with regards interior quality as some on the forum. Sometimes I find it hard to see what people are talking about when comparing fit and finish, and surface materials. However, the old A8 was clearly below the S-Class and 7 Series. I haven't yet driven the new A8 but I did sit in it at the Geneva show in March. I wasn't impressed by the finger prints on the touch sensitive surfaces, so whether th...

Thanks Betty for the great response. Cheers mate, its always good to hear your opinion as I know you have driven so many of these luxo liners over the years. BTW how is your fuel consumption database coming on?

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Thanks Betty for the great response. Cheers mate, its always good to hear your opinion as I know you have driven so many of these luxo liners over the years. BTW how is your fuel consumption database coming on?

Oh it's constantly being updated. It has 80 cars in it as of now. I haven't added anything to that thread I created for a long time now, but maybe I'll find the time. So, so busy at the moment.

 

[klier]

Thanks Betty for the great response.

Particularly when it exactly floats your boat.... (and with boat I probably mean S class)

I am just highlighting one of our main members experiences with all 3 cars.

I know, I was just highlighting how some members apparently can have an opinion because of XX reason, and some others are met with critique and questions for having their own opinion. It's utterly pathetic.

"My opinion is worth more because I have ample experience and you don't even though I don't know you and we live like 6000 miles apart."

 

[Betty Swollocks]

Particularly when it exactly floats your boat.... (and with boat I probably mean S class)

To be fair to Rolf, it WAS a great response.

 

[Rolf]

Particularly when it exactly floats your boat.... (and with boat I probably mean S class)



I know, I was just highlighting how some members apparently can have an opinion because of XX reason, and some others are met with critique and questions for having their own opinion. It's utterly pathetic.

"My opinion is worth more because I have ample experience and you don't even though I don't know you and we live like 6000 miles apart."

You have your opinion and I have mine, so don't bitch and moan and be happy! I don't like XX anyway, prefer XXX.

 

[klier]

To be fair to Rolf, it WAS a great response.

LOL

 

[GTA45E]

Hilarious

I would not waste my time convincing trolls.
I doubt he has even sat in one of these briefly to give an assessment.
Only forms opinions based off reviews from journalists who might also have a bias opinion.

 

[JusticeCar]

I don't think I've seen anybody post with such authority on subjects they have seemingly zero experience.

You mean excluding yourself, of course. LMAO!

 

[SKY]

As far as I (personally) am concerned, I wholeheartedly agree with that. I absolutely admire the E65 (only in pre-facelift guise, however) and I acknowledge its immense contribution to the segment and maybe even to modern cars in general. However, this iteration might have taken just a little too much risk and deviated a bit too far from the BMW formula...

Isn't what BMW is doing with the G11 LCI a strep in that direction?

At least I hope with the new design chief coming from Skoda (which has had several great designs IMO) certain things change for the next 7er.

 

[hovabongZA]

Will repeat this again ...the interior/exterior of the 7er is going to age far better than the A8 and S class. I can’t wait to see what BMW is going to do with the 7er LCI.

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[Grosser]

Nope

 

[hoffmeister_fan]

Will repeat this again ...the interior/exterior of the 7er is going to age far better than the A8 and S class. I can’t wait to see what BMW is going to do with the 7er LCI.

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Seeing a 7er in action over the weekend that's specced almost exactly like the one in the video, I was quite smittened. If I had the need and the means for a large luxo barge, I'd get one like that. Probably pre-owned just to cushion the significant depreciation hit. It's a pity that we only get the LWB version in the States.

 

[Merc1]

Will repeat this again ...the interior/exterior of the 7er is going to age far better than the A8 and S class. I can’t wait to see what BMW is going to do with the 7er LCI.

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Considering that the S_Class is older and has already as gracefully as a car can age vs the 7-Series which is apparently in need of a drastic facelift just to keep it relevant, I'd say you don't have a clue here.

M

 

[hovabongZA]

Seeing a 7er in action over the weekend that's specced almost exactly like the one in the video, I was quite smittened. If I had the need and the means for a large luxo barge, I'd get one like that. Probably pre-owned just to cushion the significant depreciation hit. It's a pity that we only get the LWB version in the States.

The SWB 7er does look better than the LWB,it will age as well as the E38 really good looking car especially in M760li trim.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Will repeat this again ...the interior/exterior of the 7er is going to age far better than the A8 and S class. I can’t wait to see what BMW is going to do with the 7er LCI.

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They absolutely blast the A8 in this review. So out of keeping with other reviews, particularly the comments about ride quality, that you actually question the objectivity of the reviewers or if they just had a complete dud of a car.

 

[tristatez28lt1]

It’s Autocar.