The 2020 Audi S8 starts at $129,500

"LJ909" (lj909) 11/22/2019 at 12:13 • Filed to: 2020 Audi S8

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All new for 2020, Audi’s super sedan soldiers into 2020 all new to do battle with other executive super saloons like the S63, and M76 0i. Here’s the pricing/option breakdown.

Previous S8’s only came in a standard length wheelbase. This time around, the S8 only comes in L extended length. The S8 gets powered by a turbocharged 4.0 L V8 putting out a monstrous 563 horses and 590 lb/ft of torque through a Quattro AWD system and a rear sport tuned diff. All this gets paired to an 8 speed auto with Tiptronic.

The S8 also gets a mild hybrid system with a 48 kw battery. 0-60 is claimed to be 3.8 seconds and I believe it. This thing sounds amazing too.

Standout standard features include:

Predictive active suspension

Q uattro® sport rear differential

Dynamic all-wheel steering (!)

Bang & Olufsen® 3D Premium Sound System with 17 speakers, 16-channel amplifier and 730 watts

Head-up display with navigation systems information

With this being a 6 figure luxury super sedan, exterior paint options are plentiful. There are 12 different exterior colors. All are no charge. There is one $3900 option of an Audi exclusive paint color. However, its not clear if this is a single paint color option, or if this is some sort of customization that allows you to paint the exterior in a color of your choice and design. So I stuck with Black of course.

There are 3 wheel options. The standard wheel is a 20” 5 spoke 5 design. All other wheel options are 21”. 2 are $1200 options ( one 5 spoke Y design and another 10 spoke wheel design). The third wheel design is 21” as wheel but is part of something called Black Optics package. These wheels are $1800 and I selected them.

We all know Audi does some of the best interiors and the S8 doesn’ t disappoint . Its gorgeous . Standard seats are Sport seats available in 5 different 2 tone quilted leather choices/dash coverings/headliners:

Black: Seats dash and carpet with Silver headliner

Merlot Red: Seats with Black dash and carpet and Silver headliner

Nutmeg Brown: Seats with Black dash and carpet and a Silver headliner

Saiga Beige: Seats with Black carpet and dash and Silver headliner

Sarder Brown: Seats with Black dash and carpet and Silver headliner

All are no cost options. I chose the Merlot Red for a more sporty interior. Dash coverings are no cost as well but there are only 2. The standard trim is a Carbon Vector (carbon fiber look trim) with the only option being Piano Black Wood inlays which are so dark they could be lacquer.

The main interior option is a rear seat executive package. For $7,750 it turns the S8 into a fast ass limo:

Rear passenger relaxation seat with footrest and heated foot massage function (eliminates front passenger seat massage function and limits front passenger seat to 10-way power adjustment)

Heated and ventilated outboard rear seats with massage function

Power outboard rear seats with fixed leather-wrapped full-length center console (four-seat configuration)

Heated and ventilated 22-way power comfort front seats including lumbar adjustment, seat memory and massage functions

Front and rear seat comfort head restraints

Rear heated surfaces (Rear door armrests and center console)

Rear seat smart remote control

Rear Matrix LED reading lights

Folding productivity tables in center console

Rear wedge-style floor footrests

Safety package, rear (center rear airbag and illuminated seat belt buckles)

I added this because having a heated armrest and center console along with illuminated seat belt buckles is damn impressive. Adding this package however requires an additional $3250 for a rear seat connectivity package (more on that in a bit) adding on $11k to the price.

There are quite a few options and packages for the S8 to make it even pricier and sportier:

Piano black Interior Package : No cost. Covers the gear selector, roof grabs and upper dash inlays in piano Black gloss trim.

Red Brake Package : $500 for red brake calipers with S badging on the front and rear brakes.

Gray Ceramic Brake Package : for an eye watering $9,900 this package outfits the S8 with ceramic brakes with Gray calipers front and rear.

Black Optic Package : $1,800. Aforementioned when I selected the 21”wheels, it also includes 265/40 all season tires and Black optic exterior package and high-gloss black exterior mirror housings.

Cold Weather Package : $800. Includes front heated surfaces ( door arm rests and center console armrest) along with heated rear seats and an adaptive windshield wiper system. Whatever that means. Surprisingly this package can be selected with the Executive Seating Package even though that package already includes heated surfaces but no wiper system.

Rear Seat Connectivity Package : $3250. Mentioned before as it has to be selected with the Executive Package. Upgrades the rear seat further by including a rear seat tablet entertainment system with dual screens, a surprisingly outdated rear seat DVD changer, rear center console power outlet and Audi music interface with dual USB ports.

Drivers Assistance Package : $2750. Audi’s suite of driving aids. Requires the Executive Package for some reason.

Black Alcantara Headliner : No charge

Full Leather Package : $5500. Swaths the interior in Nappa leather with contrasting stitching on the center console, airbag hub on the wheel, upper and lower dash including the glove box door, door pockets, arm rests and upper door panels, front and rear head rests and lower seat and backrest covers. This will ensure no kids will be able to ride in your car.

Nigh Vision : $2300. Wo rks in conjunction with the LED headlights and includes both pedestrian and large animal detection .

Bang &Olufsen 3D Advanced Sound System : $5900. With 1290 watts, it has 23 speakers.

I added every package except the Piano Black interior package, Red Brake package (of course because you can only select either the Red or Gray ceramic brakes), the Drivers Assistance Package and the full leather interior. All in, an even more loaded S8 will set you pack $162,195. Crazy money but most likely worth every penny for this luxury cruise missile.

Saracen > LJ909 11/22/2019 at 12:57

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This also more less confirms that the RS6 and RS7 will start at $130k, since historically the base RS7 is almost the same price as the S8.

Sovande > LJ909 11/22/2019 at 13:17

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Gotta pay for that ridiculous grille somehow.

Arrivederci > Saracen 11/22/2019 at 13:36

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And even though I knew that was coming, it still makes me a little sad.

Shift24 > LJ909 11/22/2019 at 14:02

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But the M8 G ran Coupe starts at 130k, looks much better and 600hp

Yes I get its about rear passenger comfort and the rs7 is a closer comparison but even so just so much better looking than 90% of Audi’s line up

It's a competition but still

Tripper > Shift24 11/22/2019 at 14:14

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Ew, I’ll have the RS7 please.

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/22/2019 at 14:20

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I do wish mine was the long wheelbase option, but then again I get to sit upfront.

Wonder how many years before these are selling for 30K. Took mine about 6-7  years to go sub 30k.  But then again, it didn’t start nearly as high from the original MSRP.  I can’t imagine spending that kind of money on a car.  But I’m glad someone does.  That way I can snap it up after the warranty runs out and the resale drops off the cliff.

LJ909 > Saracen 11/22/2019 at 15:05

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Pretty much. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if they charged slightly more for RS7 this time around. 

Shift24 > Tripper 11/22/2019 at 15:07

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Unless it’s an Avant I could take a total pass on Audi. But this is coming from a guy who thinks this was the best looking sedan until the 8 gran coupe 

LJ909 > Shift24 11/22/2019 at 15:08

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I totally agree. This thing will be more fun to drive too when corners come. While the S8L has th e passenger comfort thing nailed, that long wheelbase is going to be felt with sporty driving. No amount of awd systems and sport tuned rear diffs can change physics.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > LJ909 11/22/2019 at 15:32

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There is one $3900 option of an Audi exclusive paint color. However, its not clear if this is a single paint color option, or if this is some sort of customization that allows you to paint the exterior in a color of your choice and design.

Option B.

Also, gimme.

Tripper > Shift24 11/22/2019 at 15:37

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I prefer the Merc/Audi equivalent but they’re honestly pretty difficult to distinguish. T his is coming from a guy who think s there is no better car than a BMW right up until the F chassis. Now BMW’s look and feel like every other luxury brand, in some cases they feel worse. I think they are all trash now. The only exception is the M2, that car is good, but I’m still not sold on the looks, and while better than most the electronic rack is still noticeable. I still think the BRZ is the best electronic rack I have driven.

LJ909 > Thisismydisplayname 11/22/2019 at 16:22

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Yea the long wheelbase is nice, but with the L and combine that with the executive package, it turns into a car not to be driven but one to be driven in. And there’ s just too much power under the hood for that.

I’ m thinking it’ll take 6 -10 years for prices on these things to come down to attainable levels. So early to mid 2030's. There’ s a lot of tech here though so they might hold on to some value. Older models have come down though. For instance, I think you can pick up ‘13 S8's for about $33-37k. ‘15-17 still command money though $60-71k. The old Lambo sourced V10 models can be had for cheap as hell though.

7:07 > LJ909 11/22/2019 at 16:27

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Looks like that brake rotor hub is about to get fertilized...

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/23/2019 at 04:40

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Yeah mine is an ‘09, so the older v10.  I’d be a bit scared to jump into the twin turbo waters, but I guess it’s not too much different.  I’ve been battling carbon buildup on the intake side of mine and now the electrical gremlins have started to show up, but for the money, I still don’t know of what can replace it.  The ride, the power, size, it’s a really great package.  Those new ones aren’t as pretty on the outside, but the interior is top notch.  

LJ909 > Thisismydisplayname 11/25/2019 at 01:35

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How are the repair costs on it? Is it exotic car levels or just typical German flagship money? Which is still pricey but not exotic like.

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/25/2019 at 12:30

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It seems like every part is $1000. Air struts used to be $1000 a corner, the headlights are $1000 new, and the wiring gets so heat damaged and brittle, that you’d have to buy new to fix the issues.

But there are quite a few options out there now for replacement parts in general, so it’s not always so bad. There is a fair amount of parts sharing with the A8 or the S6s too, so sometimes it’s relatively reasonable. Oil change from the dealer is a $400 deal, but sourcing premium synthetics will run over $100. 12 liter oil capacity.

I’ve definitely had second thoughts multiple times, but it’s still a great driving experience and great performance for the money. I have looked at something to replace it and I’d want to go with a SRT Durango to offer enough seating for all 4 kids and still give me the performance I desire. But those are at the 60k mark, and I can not justify that kind of cost. And there isn’t anything else out there that I’d trade it for, except maybe a newer generation of the same. But it takes a special kind of person to willingly drive a 10 year old Sporting German vehicle. And by special, I mean hide the forks kind of special.... so yeah it’s not for the faint of heart, or budget conscious individual.

What really gets me is the registration costs and insurance.  Insurance isn’t too terrible all things considered, but the registration is based on original MSRP In Michigan, so I pay twice as much for my car and we do for my Wife’s Pacifica.  And I paid less for my car than we did for the van.  And insurance will just write it off of a wreck is too bad, doesn’t take much to total one of these out.

LJ909 > Thisismydisplayname 11/25/2019 at 12:54

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Wow. Yea you are right it takes a special kind of person to drive something like that. But its a special car. I was going to say you should considering getting rid of it at this point. But its just so damn unique and great and I don’ t think we will see something like it again that its hard to part with. i know for me it would.

Thisismydisplayname > LJ909 11/25/2019 at 22:31

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Believe me, it’s crossed my mind many times. But then I try to figure out a replacement and, yeah, not happening. And then there’s those highway on-ramp tips to 7 grand and all is forgiven. That car will cruise at 85-90 without even breaking a sweat. The front end has some rubber bushings that are getting tears, so it’s not as stable as it was a year ago, but then neither am I ;). Another $1000 for control arms and all that should solve that issue, but it’s not bad enough yet to bother.

Off to the Indy shop tomorrow to get the misfires diagnosed.  It’s been down for a couple days and I already miss driving it.