Tell him to get an E63 or wait for the new RS6. Or get an RS4.

 

I would go with the S8 hands down, looks WAY better inside & out. S8 is the better overall package as a sedan IMO .

 

S8 hands down. M5 is too fawking ugly, plus BMWs are dollar a bucket these days.

 

Well looks is a personal thing, so thats really up to which one your friend prefers.

The M5 is faster (more hp and less weight) than the S8. It'll handle better as well.

However, the S8 is a much more luxurious car. It's in a different class from the M5. The S8 was meant to compete with S-class AMG, 760Li, Quattroporte size sedans. The new RS6 will be a head-to-head competitor with the M5.

I'd personally take the S8 because it is more exclusive, luxurious, and classy looking (IMO).... and because I've always gotten horny over the new generation Audi A8's.

 

I like both. It would depend on whether you're more of a sporting driver or prefer more luxury. The M5 has to be faster and I'm sure handling is very sporting as would be for a bimmer. The design has grown on me so much that my once beloved E39 no longer lights my fire. I like different and the E60 desing definitely is different.
The S8 is a fast luxo barge. Fit and finish most definitely is luxury oriented. Handling can't be up to bimmer standards but it is a luxo barge and shouldn't have to be. It's beautiful in it's simplicity.

I would choose the M5 only because I like a sporty ride...firm and tight with some luxury. I also like the look of the M5.

Can't go wrong with either.

 

I would take an S8, ( or an A8 ) hands-down, especially if you often won't be on dry pavement. There are many reasons, IMO, to choose the Audi over the BMW. Better paint job, better overall build quality, ( although all German-designed cars are weak in elestronics ), a beautiful interior with MUCH better fit-and-finish inside, a more-solid body structure, less-arrogant dealerships and salespeople, and, of course, the advantages of the Audi Quattro All-Wheel-Drive.
The BMW's non-Active Steering system wins out over the Audi's in superb road feel, its grille is not goofy-looking and oversized like the Audi's, and of course the brute power of its 500 HP V10 ( computer-limited to 400 under normal conditions ), but those three things, IMO, do not overcome the Audi's other advantages.

 

Thanks to everyone for all the input , i will pass it on to him and hopefully it'll go well

 

If m5 did not look like a hundai, it would be a better buy. I'd get S8. Besides it has Quatro setup.

 

Apples and Oranges. M5 woudl be a much funner car to drive, yet the S8 is a notch or 2 above the M5 in terms of class and luxary. M5 will get you more attention while the S8 has a bit understated tone. The only problem I can think of with the S8 is the resale value.

 

BMW M5 for me. I lean more towards Sport than Luxury though. 5 Series Luxury is more than enough for me.

 

the 5 is ugly, but i love its performance, the S8 is much much better looking and classier. S8 without flinching!

 

Wow, talk about a hard choice... Having driven both, I would choose the S8 over the M5 by a very slim margin. The previous posts in this thread are really spot on - the two cars are each better in distinct areas. The one thing that pushes toward the S8 is the distinct styling - the M5 looks too much like a 5 series to me. I could pick out an S8 much easier from other Audi's. Also, the feature list on the S8 is IMO a little better (not to say you'd make a decision like this on value ). Very interesting debate!

Javier

 

Don't know about the ride but that S8 looks hot.

 

It's Butt Ugly.... but.... it's going to be very tough for anything to beat M5 !!

 

While I respect the engineering that went into the M5, it looks too much like a normal 5-series. For some, this is a benefit for the "sleeper car" factor, but most guys willing to spend $90K on a super sedan want to make a bit of a statement. The M5 is just too subtle- it's like a normal 5-series, only with "more ugly" on it.

The S8 is a gorgeous car. I'm still a little wary of their build quality, but this goes for all German marques. Most people with $90K sedans ALSO have a sports car, so all-out performance isn't the only consideration when choosing a car like this.

Besides, if purchased new, either will have a warranty; just be prepared to end up in a 325i or A4 loaner car from time to time.

For a bit more money, my **** is in a Maserati Quattroporte.

Any of these three cars would be good short-term ownership cars.
Just be sure to get out of them before the warranty expires.