Compare the2022 BMW M8VS 2021 Audi S8

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 offers optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The S8 doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The M8’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The S8 doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the M8 and the S8 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, all wheel drive, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, rearview cameras, available blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the M8 for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Audi only pays for the first scheduled maintenance visit on the S8.

There are over 15 percent more BMW dealers than there are Audi dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the M8’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2020 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 18th in initial quality. With 49 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 32nd.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks BMW 10th in reliability, above the industry average. With 19 more problems per 100 vehicles, Audi is ranked 20th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2021 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW 2 places higher in reliability than Audi.

The M8’s 4.4 turbo V8 produces 54 more horsepower (617 vs. 563) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

As tested in Car and Driver the BMW M8 is faster than the Audi S8:

The M8’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The S8 doesn’t offer launch control.

The M8 stops much shorter than the S8:

For better traction, the M8 has larger tires than the S8 (F:275/35R20 & R:285/35R20 vs. 265/35R21).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the M8 is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S8.

The M8 Gran Coupe handles at 1.02 G’s, while the S8 pulls only .94 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the M8 Competition Coupe’s turning circle is 3.3 feet tighter than the S8’s (39 feet vs. 42.3 feet).

The BMW M8 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 to 1000 pounds less than the Audi S8.

The M8 Gran Coupe is 1 foot, 5.2 inches shorter than the S8, making the M8 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The M8 Gran Coupe has .8 inches more front headroom and .6 inches more front legroom than the S8.

The M8 Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S8 (15.5 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

The M8’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The S8 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that BMW service is better than Audi. J.D. Power ranks BMW 8th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 4% lower rating, Audi is ranked 12th.

The M8 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The S8 doesn’t offer a remote starting system.

The M8’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The S8’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The M8’s optional Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. The S8 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

The BMW M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Audi S8 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.