Compare the2024 BMW M8VS 2023 Audi S8

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The M8 offers an optional Active Park Distance Control that uses rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically applies the brakes to prevent a 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, 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 M8’s warranty.

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 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).

The M8’s 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.

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 2.3 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 7th in service department satisfaction (above the industry average). With a 1% lower rating, Audi is ranked 8th.

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.

Laser headlights, standard on the M8, produce their light by firing blue lasers through phosphorus, a process that uses one-half the power of the S8’s LED headlights. Laser headlights can have double the range of LEDs with a much smaller surface area.

The S8’s cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The M8’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 M8 comes in coupe, convertible and sedan bodystyles; the Audi S8 isn’t available as a coupe or convertible.

The M8 will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the M8 will retain 42.81% to 46.57% 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.