"Stephen Clark" > wrote in message
...
> I have actually seen a couple of new 2005 A6's while test driving an S8 at
> the dealer. A few reasons a new A6 4.2 might be desirable over the old S8:
>
> 1) Nearly the same horsepower ( 330 vs.. 360 ) and less weight. Also has
> chain driven camshafts rather than timing belts. Eliminates or minimizes
> expensive maintenance.
>
> 2) Vastly improved navigation system, integrated into the MMI in the
center
> dash. A nice 7" color screen, and DVD-based rather than CD-based. The old
S8
> nav system is a PITA to use, and it has no screen at all, just arrows in
the
> auto-check window.
>
> 3) And, of course, less mileage! Longer warranty period ( 4yr/50K miles ).
> The A6 impresses me as a larger, more luxurious, and better equipped car
> than its predecessor, and it even has a larger trunk than the S8. I asked
> the Porsche sales manager and the Audi sales manager why anyone would buy
> the A8, and they were speechless! The interior design is far superior to
the
> old A6 or A8/S8. Sport seats are included that are very similar to the S8
> sport seats. The CD changer is in the glove compartment rather than the
> trunk, and the integrated phone is detachable from the armrest to function
> as a portable cell phone.
>
> Gee! I guess I've sold myself.....


Thanks very much for this feedback. I'm thinking some of the same things,
but not quite all. I'm not crazy about the nose on the new A6, and I don't
think the photos of the interiors are quite as nice as the split
suede/leather on the S8. And the "panache" of a "supercar" won't be there.

However, I also think that 30 hp is offset by lighter weight, and I like the
idea of the new car warranty.

Thanks for your thoughts.