Compare the2024 BMW 8 Series Gran CoupeVS 2023 Audi S8

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 8 Series Gran Coupe 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, 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 all wheel drive, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors and rear cross-path warning.

BMW pays for scheduled maintenance on the 8 Series Gran Coupe for 3 years and 36,000 miles. BMW will pay for oil changes, air filter replacements, cabin filter replacement, brake fluid replacement, inspections, 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 8 Series Gran Coupe’s warranty.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the 8 Series Gran Coupe first among large premium cars in their 2023 Initial Quality Study. The S8 isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that BMW vehicles are better in initial quality than Audi vehicles. With 29 fewer problems per 100 vehicles, JD Power ranks BMW higher than Audi.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 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 above average in long-term dependability. With 5 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Audi is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that BMW vehicles are more reliable than Audi vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks BMW third in overall reliability. Audi is ranked 6th.

The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s standard 4.4 turbo V8 produces 49 more horsepower (612 vs. 563) than the S8’s 4.0 turbo V8 hybrid.

On the EPA test cycle the 8 Series Gran Coupe gets better mileage than the S8:

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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.

For better traction and acceleration, the 8 Series Gran Coupe has larger standard rear tires than the S8 (275/35R19 vs. 265/35R21). The Alpina B8 Gran Coupe’s rear tires are larger than the largest rear tires available on the S8 (285/30R21 vs. 265/35R21).

The 840i Gran Coupe’s standard 275/35R19 rear tires provide better handling because they have a lower 35 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the S8’s standard 40 series tires. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s optional 275/30R20 rear tires have a lower 30 series profile than the S8’s optional 35 series tires.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the 8 Series Gran Coupe can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The S8 doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 has active sway bars, which help keep it flat and controlled during cornering, but disconnect at lower speeds to smooth the ride and offer greater off-road suspension articulation. This helps keep the tires glued to the road on-road and off. The S8 doesn’t offer an active sway bar system.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe M550i/Alpina B8 offers an available active suspension system, which counteracts cornering forces actively, limiting body roll and improving handling and stability. Audi doesn’t offer an active suspension on the S8.

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the 8 Series Gran Coupe is 2 inches wider in the rear than the track on the S8.

For better maneuverability, the 840i Gran Coupe’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the S8’s (40.4 feet vs. 42.3 feet). The M850i Gran Coupe’s turning circle is .9 feet tighter than the S8’s (41.4 feet vs. 42.3 feet).

The BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1100 pounds less than the Audi S8.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is 8.7 inches shorter than the S8, making the 8 Series Gran Coupe easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the 8 Series Gran Coupe uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The S8 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

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

The 8 Series Gran Coupe has a much larger trunk than the S8 (15.5 vs. 12.5 cubic feet).

The 8 Series Gran Coupe’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 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe 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 S8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 8 Series Gran Coupe’s standard adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The BMW 8 Series comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Audi S8 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe is available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive configurations. The S8 doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

The 8 Series Gran Coupe will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the 8 Series Gran Coupe will retain 42.41% to 44.47% of its original price after five years, while the S8 only retains 40.38%.

The BMW 8 Series outsold the Audi A8/S8 by almost five to one during 2022.