RE: Audi R8: PH Buying Guide
Discussion
LHRFlightman said:
Thank you. 
You just cheered up an otherwise fairly mundane morning in the office!! Great sounding engine, and I'm saying that coming from a loud TVR Cerbera AJP V8..!
I've always liked the R8 - good looking (in particular the spider) and the idea that you can get a mid engined proper manual car. Although I "get" that flappy-paddle dual clutch gearboxes can bang home the next gear in a decimal point of a nanosecond, give pub-bores a lower 0-60 clock time (really? How many times have you REALLY done a full-bore standing start in YOUR OWN car?), etc etc etc - for me they just remove a thoroughly enjoyable human - car interaction..... Yup - flappy paddle might be quicker, but a good manual will always be more enjoyable when got just right (that heel and toe perfect downshift? unnecessary in a high tech world perhaps, but still bloody good fun...). Ferrari have removed the manual option on new cars, at least Audi still offers it!!
For a more useable (day to day) option - the Audi R8 ticks a lot of boxes.......
scherzkeks said:
mrclav said:
Not everyone wants an oversteer prone, rear-engined car.
The R8 is a better chassis, no question (but there is hardly anything "wrong" with a Turbo S). Personally, I'd have just about any modern Porsche over an R8. I think it is one of Audi's true styling disasters, and the mid-engined handling experience can be had in a Boxster/Cayman for thousands less.
And seriously? You're going to compare a Boxster/Caymen to an R8? While you're at it why don't you compare an Elise to an R8 as that too gives you a the mid-engined handling experience for thousands less. Or maybe an old MR2? Come on, none of these cars are in the same class.
Personally, I like the fact that the R8 exists because it gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a Porsche.
Edited by mrclav on Tuesday 7th October 11:03
irfan1712 said:
can i just ask,
if the early R8's use the 4.2 from the b7 RS4, would they not too suffer from the 'coking' problems that the RS4 is riddled with? i.e when most used rs4's are chucking out 100bhp or so less due to carbon build up and require 'decoking' for the full 420bhp?
or is it not so the case with the 4.2 R8's....?
Irfan
They do suffer coking issues like the RS4 no question. My RS4 was one of the first RS4's to really show coking as I was piling on the miles (100K in mine) and I had some emissions issues early on that started to show the coking issue. Audi had my car for a few weeks to try and review the options, but they cleaned the engine twice in my time. They were never that quick either relatively, certainly not 410-420bhp quick and twice on rolling roads I saw 366bhp and 380bhp, which frankly was at the higher end of the numbers for the RS4!if the early R8's use the 4.2 from the b7 RS4, would they not too suffer from the 'coking' problems that the RS4 is riddled with? i.e when most used rs4's are chucking out 100bhp or so less due to carbon build up and require 'decoking' for the full 420bhp?
or is it not so the case with the 4.2 R8's....?
Irfan
This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AFQkmkLOk
Housey said:
They do suffer coking issues like the RS4 no question. My RS4 was one of the first RS4's to really show coking as I was piling on the miles (100K in mine) and I had some emissions issues early on that started to show the coking issue. Audi had my car for a few weeks to try and review the options, but they cleaned the engine twice in my time. They were never that quick either relatively, certainly not 410-420bhp quick and twice on rolling roads I saw 366bhp and 380bhp, which frankly was at the higher end of the numbers for the RS4!
This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AFQkmkLOk
I'm fairly certain the comments on that video just gave me cancer.This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AFQkmkLOk
Did someone mention R8 V10 v 911 Turbo v GTR..... ??
(Think the presenter might be a a familiar name to PH....)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBdGFTQ85Aw
(Think the presenter might be a a familiar name to PH....)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iBdGFTQ85Aw
irfan1712 said:
can i just ask,
if the early R8's use the 4.2 from the b7 RS4, would they not too suffer from the 'coking' problems that the RS4 is riddled with? i.e when most used rs4's are chucking out 100bhp or so less due to carbon build up and require 'decoking' for the full 420bhp?
or is it not so the case with the 4.2 R8's....?
Irfan
Having owned and worked on my RS4 for 6 years and also completed a de-coke myself, i can speak with some knowledge of this issue... if the early R8's use the 4.2 from the b7 RS4, would they not too suffer from the 'coking' problems that the RS4 is riddled with? i.e when most used rs4's are chucking out 100bhp or so less due to carbon build up and require 'decoking' for the full 420bhp?
or is it not so the case with the 4.2 R8's....?
Irfan
There's also a huge discussion thread(s) on RS246 about this and it's generally agreed amongst the non-scare mongers that the issue is greatly exaggerated. It is a direct injection issue, in that the fuel mix helps the ports and valves from building up deposits. However, just about every de-coke i've read about (Especially when 100bhp down stories), the workscope includes fixing other issues, primarily leaks in the vaccuum system, which is often the reason why power is down. I did my de-coke after 45k miles, it wasn't that bad and ran the same 30-80mph run in 3rd gear as before.
The intake system is different between the RS4 and the R8, so the R8 does breathe more effectively, but i would have to have the V10
Well, I owned a V10 spyder for 3 years, covering 25k miles, recently replaced for a 458 spider, so I guess my view must count for something.
The R8 was a complete joy to own - great to look at, fabulous to drive. Reliable except for replacement magnetic dampers due to leaking, covered under warranty (Would be very expensive if paid for, so look out for this).
The great thing about this car is how easily you can drive very quickly, with lovely little movements from the back end without being too scary. It makes you feel like a proper driver. Only complaint would be a marginally slow turn-in with a tendency for slight understeer - for this type of car.
The 458 is a superb car too and I'm loving it, but I have to say it is not nearly as solid at really high speeds. I'm probably doing 20mph less in it on any road than I managed in the R8 (but still enjoying the experience immensely). Whether this is good or bad, decide for yourself!
The R8 was a complete joy to own - great to look at, fabulous to drive. Reliable except for replacement magnetic dampers due to leaking, covered under warranty (Would be very expensive if paid for, so look out for this).
The great thing about this car is how easily you can drive very quickly, with lovely little movements from the back end without being too scary. It makes you feel like a proper driver. Only complaint would be a marginally slow turn-in with a tendency for slight understeer - for this type of car.
The 458 is a superb car too and I'm loving it, but I have to say it is not nearly as solid at really high speeds. I'm probably doing 20mph less in it on any road than I managed in the R8 (but still enjoying the experience immensely). Whether this is good or bad, decide for yourself!
Housey said:
This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
The F80 M3 is a a very good package, as good as the RS4 B7 saloon was in 2006/7. And manual option on the M3 matches the excellent gearbox of the RS4.Mermaid said:
Housey said:
This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
The F80 M3 is a a very good package, as good as the RS4 B7 saloon was in 2006/7. And manual option on the M3 matches the excellent gearbox of the RS4.jon- said:
Housey said:
They do suffer coking issues like the RS4 no question. My RS4 was one of the first RS4's to really show coking as I was piling on the miles (100K in mine) and I had some emissions issues early on that started to show the coking issue. Audi had my car for a few weeks to try and review the options, but they cleaned the engine twice in my time. They were never that quick either relatively, certainly not 410-420bhp quick and twice on rolling roads I saw 366bhp and 380bhp, which frankly was at the higher end of the numbers for the RS4!
This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AFQkmkLOk
I'm fairly certain the comments on that video just gave me cancer.This video shows how quick the new M3 is, but I am surprised how slow the R8 looks in comparison. The V8 engine sounds lovely no question, but I am not confident it is anywhere near as powerful as Audi makes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9AFQkmkLOk
Not a great buyers guide. Not enough about potential costs (brakes/mag ride issues very expensive) or potential reliability issues. A google search will reveal all. Don't buy without a proper warranty is the best advice. V8 is a beautifully balanced car for people who care more about driving/handling than willy-waving.
Ex Boy Racer said:
The great thing about this car is how easily you can drive very quickly, with lovely little movements from the back end without being too scary. It makes you feel like a proper driver. Only complaint would be a marginally slow turn-in with a tendency for slight understeer - for this type of car.
This is what made the B7 RS4 so accomplished I feel, the way it dealt with UK roads was sublime.Daniel1 said:
As for those thinking that the cooking V8 model with just 400bhp isn't enough for a car like this and will therefore only consider the V10 - let me throw this into the mix - my car did a 12.5 1/4 mile at Santa pod (with launch control) - so was definitely no slouch.
but they are driving Gods remember Lost soul said:
Daniel1 said:
As for those thinking that the cooking V8 model with just 400bhp isn't enough for a car like this and will therefore only consider the V10 - let me throw this into the mix - my car did a 12.5 1/4 mile at Santa pod (with launch control) - so was definitely no slouch.
but they are driving Gods remember The V8 isn't slow, but as proven in videos above, it's not exactly fast anymore when compared to the latest fast saloon cars.
The V10 punches harder, the engine is truly special, and the extra power makes an excellent chassis even more exploitable.
mrclav said:
You're absolutely entitled to your opinion regarding the styling but I'd say you're in a minority. You said you'd pick any modern Porsche over an R8. I'd pick an R8 over any Panamera or Cayenne. I think the Panamera is one of Porsche's true styling disasters but the sales tell me I'm in a minority too!
And seriously? You're going to compare a Boxster/Caymen to an R8? While you're at it why don't you compare an Elise to an R8 as that too gives you a the mid-engined handling experience for thousands less. Or maybe an old MR2? Come on, none of these cars are in the same class.
Personally, I like the fact that the R8 exists because it gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a Porsche.
The original line of argumentation was that vs. the Turbo S, you buy the R8 for the handling. I would agree. But it would not be a reason to buy (for me), as the handling is available for less.And seriously? You're going to compare a Boxster/Caymen to an R8? While you're at it why don't you compare an Elise to an R8 as that too gives you a the mid-engined handling experience for thousands less. Or maybe an old MR2? Come on, none of these cars are in the same class.
Personally, I like the fact that the R8 exists because it gives people a choice. Not everyone wants a Porsche.
Edited by mrclav on Tuesday 7th October 11:03
As for the styling. I can't find one angle that looks well resolved. It works a little better when the "blade" is color matched, but I still don't personally care for it. I think the Panamera looks unconventional, but great. Even the Cayenne looks pretty nice in GTS or Turbo trim.
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