Audi A8 vs Mercedes-Benz S-Class
Value retention, real cost and monthly money, compared on the same 2026 South African data.
Too close to call on resale: both keep about 54% of their value over three years. Decide on the deal, not the badge.
Both curves, one chart
Head to head
| A8 | S-Class | |
|---|---|---|
| New price (from) | R 2 759 000 | R 2 652 260 |
| ±Monthly instalment | R 48 223/m | R 46 357/m |
| Retained after 1 year | 76% | 76% |
| Retained after 3 years | 54% | 54% |
| Value after 3 years | R 1 485 413 | R 1 427 945 |
| Lost to depreciation (3y) | R 1 273 587 | R 1 224 315 |
| Value after 5 years | R 1 028 238 | R 988 458 |
| Our tier | Luxury flagship & exotic | Luxury flagship & exotic |
Audi A8 →
Audi's limousine never matched the S-Class or 7 Series for local sales, and from the 2022 facelift only the performance S8 remained on the South African price list at R2.76 million. Used cars offer enormous spec for the money. Values fall hard and fast, which is typical of the segment.
Known for: understated aluminium limousine
Mercedes-Benz S-Class →
Every generation of the S-Class lands in SA as the technology flagship of the whole market. New buyers are mostly chauffeur-driven executives, while used buyers get limousine luxury for a fraction of list price because depreciation is brutal. Running costs on older examples can sting.
Known for: flagship tech and chauffeur luxury
Common questions
Which holds value better, the Audi A8 or the Mercedes-Benz S-Class?
They are close to inseparable: 54% vs 54% retained after three years. Buy on price, spec and the deal you can get, not on resale.
Which is cheaper to own over three years?
Depreciation is the biggest ownership cost. The Audi A8 loses about R 1 273 587 over three years and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class loses about R 1 224 315. Fuel, insurance and servicing can narrow or widen that, but the depreciation gap is the number to start from.
What do they cost per month?
On typical finance (10% deposit, 72 months, 11.75%), the Audi A8 runs about R 48 223 per month and the Mercedes-Benz S-Class about R 46 357, before fees and insurance.
Keep going
Modelled estimates on a retail basis; spec levels and real transaction prices vary.