Hey guys, my dad finally decided to lease a new car. He's absolutely not a car person and wants me to pick one for him.
Currently, I'm down to 2007 MB S550 or Audi A8. I really like the both stylings, but never had an experience with them. I see S550 little bit more expensive similarly equipped, but those price gap isn't that big.
Do you guys have anything that I need to know or suggestions about these two cars? which one would you lease if it were you?
btw, I'm also thinking about CLS, maybe because I want to drive it : ), but not sure if it's for my dad.
Anything would be appreciated.

 

price not being a factor i'd get the s550 hands down. that car is just fucking pimp

 

Both are very nice. Why wouldn't he drive them both and then decide? After all, he'll be making the payments, right?

 

Why isn't the 7 series in the mix? Fuck the MB, 7 series or A8

 

I don't like the 7 series' look, neither does he. Somehow, I think they look cheap to me.

 

He will, but then I"m sure he's going to like them both. and before he does that, I want to know if there's anything to know about them.

Well, by how much is the monthly payment gonna be different? I said that price wouldn't matter because I thought it wouldn't be that much different. any idea?

 

If it were me I would test drive both, see what lease deals each company is offering... then make a decision...

 

that's a shame, you should drive both and see if you can get over the look. Nothing as boring as driving a S class IMO.

 

Maybe because one of my friend drives 745i. Since I see and get to drive his car very often, it doesn't look any special to me. But when I see S550 and A8, which I don't usually see on the street, I can't take my eyes off them.

 

You guys are 100% right. I've done that too when I bought my 3 previous cars, and 3 other family cars. But, like I said, I don't have any experience with such an expensive car (well,to me) nor heard about them a lot, I'm a bit afraid?
Plus, I wanted to know something that I wouldn't catch on the test drive, such as reliability, or major problems.

 

Well, reliability isn't MB's or Audi's strong suit....

 

S550

 

A8 Ftw

 

The 550 is pretty pimp, but for the same money, I'd take the S8.

 

i'd roll the A8 for sure...

mercedes benz is to common... he will just another old dude in a benz

the A8 isnt so common / very stylish / luxury / Far superior interior imho go look at an A8 and get a chance to sit inside Gurantee you will love it if hes into luxury cars

 

Not sure how the A8's rates and residuals are currently, but at 07 introduction the residuals came in like 7 points or so lower than the last quarter 06 model year.

So, the more expensive S550 was actually leasing out about the same as the A8.

Could very well still be the case.

That said, I would go with the S550.

 

I have driven both (unfortunately not for my own purchase, but my brother's!) and there is simply no comparison. Get the benz. At my suggestion, we went to the Audi dealer just to compare before he bought the benz. I have to say it was not even close. Benz by a mile

 

The only advantage to the A8 is the nicer interior. Plain and simple, the S550 is a better car and it should be.

MSRP wise its higher than the A8 and its a new model.

The D3 A8 came out in 04.

Not to mention, it doesn't matter how uncommon the A8 is....its been out long enough that people don't give a shit anymore (at least in major metro areas). Even with the facelifted big nose.

 

$6K more (7% over the S550) for the Audi S8 with the V10 under the hood.

 

I would take the A8 out of those two hands down btw have you considered the Lexus LS 460? thats a nice car too.

 

A8LLLL for the win.

 

if you guys havent seen Top gear on s550. go check it out! S550 over A8 anyday...

 

Get the benz

 

ohsnap saying to get an MB over Audi.. its a cold day in hell.

I say 550.

 

S550 for me

 

Ironically as a park-ride rail commuter, there is an area in the lot where a W221, an E66 and a D3 L are parked adjacent to each other. Stylewise, the wife and I agree: MB S-class FTW. However, I have driven a D3 (Audi event) and we both loved it.....but it just seems to lack the "visual presence" of the W221 and E65/66.

 

s550 ... best huge luxo on the road

 

um, s550 pwns the 7

And thats comming from someone that would LOVE to have a new 7

 

Screw them both, get a Bentley Continental GT. Sure, it's significantly more, but that car will really turn heads and snap necks.

 

go spend some time in both and tell me if you come back w/ the same conclusion.

 

I spent some time in both about a month ago and would still take the S550 over the 750i.

That being said, I would take a Jaguar SuperV8/XJR before the MB or Audi.

 

S550, it just looks amazing.

 

Nice cars, but unfortunately don't hold a candle to the MB.

 

Wow, thanks for the inputs. I liked A8 better before, but damn! that S550 is growing more and more in me.
Here's the situation. I heard that Audi covers every maintenance for free (except for tires) while MB's maintenance cost being way high. So after all these, S550 would cost at least 1.5 times more than A8 does. Is this true? If it is, price gap is very considerable for him now.

 

s550

 

What do you give a shit about free maintenance for? You're leasing the car.

They exclude tires, what else matters?

What, no free oil changes on the Benz? Big deal.

 

S550 for my taste

 

This is exactly what I was thinkin' Dan. BTW- that'd be the day I let my son pick out my 100K ride.

 

A8.

I absolutely love that car.

 

With that alone I would take the audi. Let me tell german cars are EXPENSIVE to maintaine. They lots of times have to import parts and its going to be costly to replace some of them. Also the MB is brand new which means they probably sitll havent worked out all the bugs. The A8 has been around for a few years so its bugs are probably good to go.