Orange Audi R8 V10 Plus Spyder
Discussion
I’ve been really tardy with keeping up with new cars on here. I thought I’d add and document the R8 I bought last Christmas.
I’ve documented a number of cars including the GT3 and GT4. I wanted a change from the GT4. Something that would be great for road trips, was special, had great sound, performance and preferably an open top.
I narrowed down the search to the Gen 2 R8 and McLaren. I wanted hassle free ownership and from all the research I did, I wasn’t ready to make the plunge into McL (yet).
So I set my budget (willing to pay top price for the right car - and I did!), and started searching.
All the stock at Audi was either poorly spec’d or drab. I’ve come from PTS Porsche and the last one was a viper green example so wanted something a bit exciting!
I managed to find what looked like a great example in Solar Orange. Very highly spec’d and low ownership. Did the deal over the Christmas break and collected it soon after.
The drive back was incredible. Top down in January weather hearing that V10 scream and bark was the highlight on the way back to North Wales where I live.
Spec
- V10 Plus Pack (Ceramics etc)
- Audi Sport Pack (Sports Exhaust, Mag ride, Dynamic Steering)
- Sound & Comfort Pack
- Full leather pack
- Titanium black styling pack
- 20” Black 10 spoke
- Sports Seats - Comfort
- Fine nappa diamond
- Tech pack
- Individual paint - Solar Orange
More to follow; I have done some changes since collecting it.
Grin says it all
Tucked up after a 5 hour drive home
I’ve documented a number of cars including the GT3 and GT4. I wanted a change from the GT4. Something that would be great for road trips, was special, had great sound, performance and preferably an open top.
I narrowed down the search to the Gen 2 R8 and McLaren. I wanted hassle free ownership and from all the research I did, I wasn’t ready to make the plunge into McL (yet).
So I set my budget (willing to pay top price for the right car - and I did!), and started searching.
All the stock at Audi was either poorly spec’d or drab. I’ve come from PTS Porsche and the last one was a viper green example so wanted something a bit exciting!
I managed to find what looked like a great example in Solar Orange. Very highly spec’d and low ownership. Did the deal over the Christmas break and collected it soon after.
The drive back was incredible. Top down in January weather hearing that V10 scream and bark was the highlight on the way back to North Wales where I live.
Spec
- V10 Plus Pack (Ceramics etc)
- Audi Sport Pack (Sports Exhaust, Mag ride, Dynamic Steering)
- Sound & Comfort Pack
- Full leather pack
- Titanium black styling pack
- 20” Black 10 spoke
- Sports Seats - Comfort
- Fine nappa diamond
- Tech pack
- Individual paint - Solar Orange
More to follow; I have done some changes since collecting it.
Grin says it all
Tucked up after a 5 hour drive home
Edited by christurbo on Sunday 18th February 09:43
Thanks for the comments guys, I will comment on the performance in a later thread.
First job was to confirm wifey’s approval of the purchase (she did!)
The paintwork is incredible being treated to a ceramic coating.
Ceramics on point too.
Onto some subtle changes.
I agree with the comments, the silver and the black/carbon parts didn’t go. So instead of going full silver, I decided on the other option instead. Black.
So I ordered a full set of black badges from Audi (shocked at the price!) and got to work fitting them.
The window surround, although well made in aluminium didn’t go with the look I wanted. So it was booked into APM Customs for a black gloss wrap. They did a superb job and you couldn’t tell it had been wrapped (which is tough on a Spyder).
Coming from GT3/4s I’m used to an aggressive front end with a splitter larger than late Jimmy Hill’s chin. The R8 has no chin. So I got to work on that and after a bit of research ordered a CT gloss carbon front splitter. The quality matched the rest of the carbon on the car (which is everywhere). So looks pretty much OEM.
As you can see it’s pretty aggressive. The fit is perfect, it clips into the OEM slots and uses OEM bolts too. It’s not budging!
The R8’s styling looks a lot more integrated now and how would have wanted it from factory.
That’s all for this post but more to come.
First job was to confirm wifey’s approval of the purchase (she did!)
The paintwork is incredible being treated to a ceramic coating.
Ceramics on point too.
Onto some subtle changes.
I agree with the comments, the silver and the black/carbon parts didn’t go. So instead of going full silver, I decided on the other option instead. Black.
So I ordered a full set of black badges from Audi (shocked at the price!) and got to work fitting them.
The window surround, although well made in aluminium didn’t go with the look I wanted. So it was booked into APM Customs for a black gloss wrap. They did a superb job and you couldn’t tell it had been wrapped (which is tough on a Spyder).
Coming from GT3/4s I’m used to an aggressive front end with a splitter larger than late Jimmy Hill’s chin. The R8 has no chin. So I got to work on that and after a bit of research ordered a CT gloss carbon front splitter. The quality matched the rest of the carbon on the car (which is everywhere). So looks pretty much OEM.
As you can see it’s pretty aggressive. The fit is perfect, it clips into the OEM slots and uses OEM bolts too. It’s not budging!
The R8’s styling looks a lot more integrated now and how would have wanted it from factory.
That’s all for this post but more to come.
Next update I did was on the steering wheel.
I detested the paddle shifters. They are so cheap to touch and look at, stubby and small, I did not enjoy using them. They could have at least installed some nice aluminium shifters like on the GT3 / BMW M cars.
I did some research and found some direct replacement carbon shifters in gloss carbon to match the full carbon interior trim.
Fitting them was involved, I found it harder to remove the R8 wheel / trim than on other cars I’ve owned. Once disassembled it was pretty straight forward to install.
They feel great in hand and are of a great quality with no flex. They extend out more and are longer than OEM so easier to grasp, they also actuate positively with a nice tactile click.
Makes flicking up and down through the gears and hearing that V10 scream so much more pleasurable.
Old paddles - straight off a bargain family hatch
This was fun to remove
New shifters
Completed
Perfect day for a blast
I detested the paddle shifters. They are so cheap to touch and look at, stubby and small, I did not enjoy using them. They could have at least installed some nice aluminium shifters like on the GT3 / BMW M cars.
I did some research and found some direct replacement carbon shifters in gloss carbon to match the full carbon interior trim.
Fitting them was involved, I found it harder to remove the R8 wheel / trim than on other cars I’ve owned. Once disassembled it was pretty straight forward to install.
They feel great in hand and are of a great quality with no flex. They extend out more and are longer than OEM so easier to grasp, they also actuate positively with a nice tactile click.
Makes flicking up and down through the gears and hearing that V10 scream so much more pleasurable.
Old paddles - straight off a bargain family hatch
This was fun to remove
New shifters
Completed
Perfect day for a blast
Still trying to make time to update this retrospectively. I also have 2 other ‘kind of interesting’ type cars to update on here. God help me.
So the R8 needed a service mid last year which seemed to be pretty minor with mainly fluids. If I recall the cost was pretty reasonable too and comparable if not cheaper than GT3 and GT4 prices considering it’s a V10. This was completed at Chester Audi to retain full stamps and make warranty claims that little bit easier.
They did a full health check which was ‘excellent’. No play in the suspension, leaks, undertray damage, faults. Ceramic discs in excellent condition and pads less than 10% worn with the parking brake at 0% (no surprise there!). Tyres around the 6mm mark so a while to wait until swapping to Michelin from the Pirellis (which have been great).
I was quite pleased with that and it inspired confidence in this big V10 lump of a car.
As you can see I drive it in all conditions which is manageable with the Quattro.
Nothing some Bilt Hamber products can’t sort out
So the R8 needed a service mid last year which seemed to be pretty minor with mainly fluids. If I recall the cost was pretty reasonable too and comparable if not cheaper than GT3 and GT4 prices considering it’s a V10. This was completed at Chester Audi to retain full stamps and make warranty claims that little bit easier.
They did a full health check which was ‘excellent’. No play in the suspension, leaks, undertray damage, faults. Ceramic discs in excellent condition and pads less than 10% worn with the parking brake at 0% (no surprise there!). Tyres around the 6mm mark so a while to wait until swapping to Michelin from the Pirellis (which have been great).
I was quite pleased with that and it inspired confidence in this big V10 lump of a car.
As you can see I drive it in all conditions which is manageable with the Quattro.
Nothing some Bilt Hamber products can’t sort out
The joys of EU legislation / regs…..
One of the reasons one buys a sports car with a V10 high revving naturally aspirated engine (with a drop top), is to experience the spine tingling roar it produces as you rip up to the redline. Something you will NEVER tire of, believe me (and that’s coming from a GT3).
So why are Audi trying their hardest to remove one of the key features of EXISTING owned (not just new) cars?!
They tried to do a ‘routine’ software update on the R8 when it was in for previous service. I like details so asked them what was specifically done within the update rather than just nodding away as I handed the keys over. They didn’t know so I asked for the tech to bring up the release notes. Turns out its only purpose is to alter the noise/volume the R8 produces out of the exhaust.
My car has the sports exhaust update (which is incredible), I flat refused the update. They then made me sign a disclaimer, all very formal. Since then I have had 3 separate calls from their service team each stating there is an urgent update required on my car, again, when challenged it was the same update.
Anyway, something for Gen 2 R8 owners with the sports exhaust upgrade to be wary about. Also for new buyers on the market to check for as you will be missing out if it has been done!
This car is just incredible.
One of the reasons one buys a sports car with a V10 high revving naturally aspirated engine (with a drop top), is to experience the spine tingling roar it produces as you rip up to the redline. Something you will NEVER tire of, believe me (and that’s coming from a GT3).
So why are Audi trying their hardest to remove one of the key features of EXISTING owned (not just new) cars?!
They tried to do a ‘routine’ software update on the R8 when it was in for previous service. I like details so asked them what was specifically done within the update rather than just nodding away as I handed the keys over. They didn’t know so I asked for the tech to bring up the release notes. Turns out its only purpose is to alter the noise/volume the R8 produces out of the exhaust.
My car has the sports exhaust update (which is incredible), I flat refused the update. They then made me sign a disclaimer, all very formal. Since then I have had 3 separate calls from their service team each stating there is an urgent update required on my car, again, when challenged it was the same update.
Anyway, something for Gen 2 R8 owners with the sports exhaust upgrade to be wary about. Also for new buyers on the market to check for as you will be missing out if it has been done!
This car is just incredible.
Slippydiff said:
And this is possibly the reason why they’re so desperate to mute your car :
Title is pure clickbait, but the subject matter must be a huge cause for concern for those business who service, maintain and upgrade performance cars :
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7tbfDJraxjM&pp=y...
Edit to add further link :
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-is...
Of course your exhaust is an officially sanctioned OE manufacturer upgrade, but if the car now breaches the 75 decibel limit …
I can see why I am being hounded now and also signing disclaimers. Sad world we are in. Title is pure clickbait, but the subject matter must be a huge cause for concern for those business who service, maintain and upgrade performance cars :
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7tbfDJraxjM&pp=y...
Edit to add further link :
https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/motoring-is...
Of course your exhaust is an officially sanctioned OE manufacturer upgrade, but if the car now breaches the 75 decibel limit …
Edited by Slippydiff on Saturday 9th March 09:04
Don’t get me wrong, I am supportive of the removal of the ‘pop bang maps’ some people seem to be remapping onto their cars as these are too excessive and unauthentic.
JAMSXR said:
It’s a beautiful thing. I’ve always been a 911 fanboy but having recently taken my first dive into Audi ownership (RS4) I think I’m leaning towards an R8. No chance while I have little people around, but I can dream.
I’ve had the GT3 and GT4, both amazing cars. I’d say they are more bang for your buck for track work. If you’re doing higher % of road trips then the R8 just ticks more boxes for me. Love the RS4 I had a B8. What have you got? I also had a C7 RS6.
JAMSXR said:
Agreed, definitely seems to be a case of right tool for the job. I bet it’s almost worth it for the V10 soundtrack alone. Throw in impeccable road manners and stunning looks and you’ve got a winner.
It’s a B9.5 Vorsprung, definitely not the raucous V8, but a fabulous thing nonetheless. I’ve owned a Bi-turbo C63 estate, which did have a few sessions on track, but from my perspective, it’s not a patch on the Audi as a road car.
Have you found a sweet spot setting for the dynamic steering? I’ve got it on the RS4 and haven’t pushed on enough to come to a conclusion.
Nothing beats a fast German whip..... It’s a B9.5 Vorsprung, definitely not the raucous V8, but a fabulous thing nonetheless. I’ve owned a Bi-turbo C63 estate, which did have a few sessions on track, but from my perspective, it’s not a patch on the Audi as a road car.
Have you found a sweet spot setting for the dynamic steering? I’ve got it on the RS4 and haven’t pushed on enough to come to a conclusion.
I only drive it spiritedly so is not a daily, I live to use 'Performance Mode - Dry' - limited traction control and everything turned up to max!
Edmundo2 said:
Hi Chris. Car looks great..
Please could you give me a few comparisons vs the GT4. I was looking at getting into a 981 GT4 in the coming months but R8 V10 really appeals too.. Both seem to have pros and cons...The GT4 gearing being one and the R8 lack of steering feel another...I appreciate both may be a bit over hyped or not too big a deal depending on an owners expectation..
The car would be used for weekend blasts only.. The other option I was contemplating was Boxster Spyder as I half way house.., ( its main problem for me being the excessive poppy/farty mapping ).
Any info appreciated,
Cheers,
Ed
Hi Ed. They are very different packages which can both do similar jobs. Coming from the GT3 the GT4s engine was not special enough for me to keep it. It ticked all the boxes for the looks (it was viper green) chassis and feel, but I soon came to realise the engine is the heart of what makes you get up at 5am on a Sunday morning to enjoy a blast. Please could you give me a few comparisons vs the GT4. I was looking at getting into a 981 GT4 in the coming months but R8 V10 really appeals too.. Both seem to have pros and cons...The GT4 gearing being one and the R8 lack of steering feel another...I appreciate both may be a bit over hyped or not too big a deal depending on an owners expectation..
The car would be used for weekend blasts only.. The other option I was contemplating was Boxster Spyder as I half way house.., ( its main problem for me being the excessive poppy/farty mapping ).
Any info appreciated,
Cheers,
Ed
I could have gone back to a GT3, but I was intrigued by the Huracan / R8 package.
I test drove a V10+ with the top down and sports exhaust on full chat and god….. I had to have one! The sound (and feeling) is immense. Power is incredible and with aids off in performance - Dry it can be a handful, you just need to drive it different from the Porsches. It turns in quickly but it isn’t as sharp as a GT car as you can imagine. I’d say the GT cars are geared to track work where the R8 can do nearly everything else better.
I’ve had it over a year now (still writing up my experience as you can see) and I still grin like I just collected it from the dealership. That’s strange for me as I change cars more times than pairs of socks.
My advice would be to test drive both then make your mind up. PS. My friend had the 718 Spyder and it’s a lovely car.
I think I have a readers cars thread on here for the Viper Green GT4.
Edmundo2 said:
Thanks Chris… I’m hoping that on the basis I’ve never owned a GT3 a GT4 engine might still feel special enough. My other concern is the size of the Audi..I’ve driven a gen1 v10 and it didn’t feel huge however my favourite local weekend runs are generally bigger b-roads so the smaller the car the better hence a cayman/boxster is poss a better option. However as you suggest I’m sure the V10 motor is just such an event that it could potentially outweigh nearly all other factors… I guess I’ll have to try both.
Thanks
You do that! Just so you know I live on the best roads in North Wales and a lot of them are quite narrow (if you’ve been then you know), the R8 is just fine. Let me know how you get on but make sure you drive the R8 without most of the nannies on as it does feel a lot different when they are not. Thanks
You can’t go wrong with any of your choices.
Update
So the weather gods in Wales decided that it was going to be a dry day, so I decided to get the R8 out of its hibernation for a proper day of touring the Welsh roads. As some of you may have followed on the other thread I’ve been getting my b road kicks from my Mini GP. So it was interesting for the senses to compare against the R8 as I haven’t driven it for so long.
Cut a long story short, it’s like everything had been turned up to 11! It’s faster, louder (massively so), faster turn in (probably due to the adaptive steering), grippier, and with the top down just sheer driving pleasure! I even loved the smell of the freshly muc-spread fields …. Sign that summer was on its way.
I couldn’t resist some photos
So the weather gods in Wales decided that it was going to be a dry day, so I decided to get the R8 out of its hibernation for a proper day of touring the Welsh roads. As some of you may have followed on the other thread I’ve been getting my b road kicks from my Mini GP. So it was interesting for the senses to compare against the R8 as I haven’t driven it for so long.
Cut a long story short, it’s like everything had been turned up to 11! It’s faster, louder (massively so), faster turn in (probably due to the adaptive steering), grippier, and with the top down just sheer driving pleasure! I even loved the smell of the freshly muc-spread fields …. Sign that summer was on its way.
I couldn’t resist some photos
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