RE: Audi R8: PH Buying Guide
Discussion
scherzkeks said:
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.
A couple of years ago i briefly flirted with the idea of getting an R8.
I found a lot of the cheaper cars had hidden histories and quite a few had been clocked.
These cars disappeared and re-appeared on auto trader over the months with different details.
I found the interior to be too similar to any other Audi and i was never sure about the squat 'stretched TT' look and the fact that they largley appealed to the 'yoofs'.
So I eventually abandonded the idea of buying one.
However,
I would say that if I had the money now i would buy one and park it away for a few years, because like the BMW E46 M3 coupe, come a few years from now, good clean examples of these cars are going to be hard to find and quite desirable.
Also on the now grown up 'yoofs' most wanted list.
I think the car will age very well and become a much admired classic.
I found a lot of the cheaper cars had hidden histories and quite a few had been clocked.
These cars disappeared and re-appeared on auto trader over the months with different details.
I found the interior to be too similar to any other Audi and i was never sure about the squat 'stretched TT' look and the fact that they largley appealed to the 'yoofs'.
So I eventually abandonded the idea of buying one.
However,
I would say that if I had the money now i would buy one and park it away for a few years, because like the BMW E46 M3 coupe, come a few years from now, good clean examples of these cars are going to be hard to find and quite desirable.
Also on the now grown up 'yoofs' most wanted list.
I think the car will age very well and become a much admired classic.
Shame that a tribute to the Audi R8 has been derailed by a 996 Turbo S v Audi R8 argument. I don't see how the two can be compared. The Porsche is older and therefore further down the deprecation curve. A 2007 Audi R8 v 2007 997 comparison would be fairer. I also don't believe that a 996 TurboS will leave the R8 behind round the corners. In all the test articles I have read involving professional road testers, the R8 has held its own very well against 911s of various descriptions on twisty roads and on twisty tracks. This site even had a video on it not long ago of Chris Harris lapping faster In the V10 version than a 997 Turbo S, despite a straight line speed deficit!
macky17 said:
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.
I'm looking to buy an R8 and have done a fair amount of googling - and generally speaking they seem to be very reliable? Are you able to add any more detail to your post, please?If anyone has any other buying tips they would be gratefully received. If anyone is thinking of selling please PM me.
Not sure if I'd added my tuppence already as I do like to post on anything r8 related
3 months into owning a stunning red v10 r8 with bucket seats and a very hi spec
An amazing car pure and simple, Ive owned a long line of fast cars including m3s/m5/gtr/997/c63 etc etc and the v10 r8 is better than all.of rhem as an overall package
I simply love this car and aside from a Ferrari 458 which is way of out of my league pricewise, I cannot think of a replacement
3 months into owning a stunning red v10 r8 with bucket seats and a very hi spec
An amazing car pure and simple, Ive owned a long line of fast cars including m3s/m5/gtr/997/c63 etc etc and the v10 r8 is better than all.of rhem as an overall package
I simply love this car and aside from a Ferrari 458 which is way of out of my league pricewise, I cannot think of a replacement
This might be of interest to anyone watching R8 prices getting more and more attainable, and thinking about jumping in....
Originally written Nov 2018
So a year ago this week I treated myself to a pretty extravagant 40th birthday present as my (almost) daily driver. I'd lusted after owning a V8 since falling in love with cars. And as anyone who's turned 40 will know there's a lot of internalising about how you're doing against your life goals.
Also about a year ago there was a discussion on here about the R8 as a daily driver, and how ruineous it would be! At the time I promised to report back , so here goes, for those interested:
Show me the money
Let’s start with the costs. One year of ownership and about 6,000 miles has cost £2,250 (a health check, 4 new tyres, replacement rear brake light and a £875 service) plus road tax and insurance costing £1,100 combined, plus fuel which I’d estimate has cost an eye-watering £2,300. So £5,650 all in. I’m clutching to the fact that’s less than £1 a mile, but it’s obviously a good chunk of money. And that’s without anything major needing replacing. The tyres I actually couldn’t find cheaper than the price Audi quoted. The rear brake light replacement was something like £230 and I felt Audi weaselled their way out of this being covered under the used approved warranty. It was a bit of a grey area that for the sake of £230 would have created immense brand loyalty and goodwill, that they missed by a country mile.
High running and maintenance costs are thankfully offset by very little depreciation over the last year. So overall, it’s probably been cheaper to run than if I’d picked up a brand new A3, which would lose a lot of value over the first few years.
No problems as a daily driver
Some of you would argue 6,000 miles in a year is hardly a daily driver. And I do have use of another car. But the term 'daily driver' for me is as much about how easily it could be used daily - not that you necessarily would.
Anyways, I think the R8 excels in this area. For a wide, low supercar/sports car (won't get in to that debate) it remains an easy daily driver. Visibility is good, there is no scraping over bumps/ramps/inclines if taken at sensible speeds. I had more issues getting a MK1 TTR over bumps than I have had with the R8 – the front splitter gives great clearance for this type of car, and none of the horror stories I’ve heard around Gallardos and the need for front-lift for speed bumps, car parks and driveways. There were a number of videos on YouTube with owners saying they had to plan their routes in advance to make sure the roads were compatible - rubbish. It's an easy car to drive through town, or down country lanes. It's manoeuvrable at low speeds, and easy to place when parking. Rear parking camera is superb. Go easy on the peddle and it feels more like 200BHP than 430BHP, and power delivery is smooth however heavy you are on the peddle, making it a civilised car to drive when you need it to be. It’s wide, and the doors are wide, and I’m pretty wide too – so you do have to think a little about parking spaces, but it has never stopped me from going somewhere or being able to park once I got there. No different to other big cars like Rangies.
It is thirsty though. Especially if you keep it a gear or two lower than it needs to be, to keep it in its peak power range and to get a howl from the engine. I’ve maybe averaged mid-teens. So get used to filling it up.
Sense of occasion
Time and familiarity with the car obviously means it doesn't feel quite as special as it did. But I still get exciting at the thought of taking it for a drive, I still take the long/fun route from A to B, it still makes me look back everytime I’m walking away from it. Dropping down low in to the seat feels great, and purposeful. It sets the mood for the drive you're about to have. The sound of the V8 remains something wonderful. More subtle, but (for me) far more special than trick exhausts on smaller engines. I love the ‘stealth’ look (mine is black with a dark grey sideblade) – but admit that pretty much any colour makes the car look more special (and easier/better to photograph!). I also think the R8 is a thing of beauty - far, far more so than the latest design (and it's recently revealed facelift). I think the design has aged very well.
Dealership experiene
The car was bought from the Audi used approved network and so has been looked after by Audi dealerships. They’ve been ok, but no stand out service. No more special than I experienced owning Toyotas or Peugeots. The dealership experience alone has created no brand loyalty to Audi, and indeed their weaseling out of replacing the rear brake light under the warranty is a grey area and, I think, showed a flaw with franchised dealerships. Audi UK don't appear to have any clout with how the dealerships behave - at least not from what I saw. And I escalated it to the executive customer service team within Audi UK. That aside the rest of the time they've been perfectly ok - nice coffees, prompt attention from their team when booked in for a service, etc. But no stand outs.
Reminders you’re driving something a bit different
Struggling to source a tyre and find anywhere local outside of the dealer network able to change a tyre reminds you the car is relatively low volume and relatively unique. Halfords, Kwik-Fit, Black Circles, F1 Autocentres and all the other usual suspects were all unable to help. Most didn't have the Audi-rated version of the tyre I needed in their ordering systems. And as far as I am aware not all Audi dealerships are set up to service the R8 (they need to be Audi Sport centres), and I have struggled to find good local independents familiar with the R8.
Community
Great online community via both r8talk.com and R8 owners club on Facebook, but a shame (but not a surprise) that there is very little in the way of R8 owners meets. I’m jealous of friends with Porsches and the incredibly active clubs, but obviously there are a few more 911s on the road than there are R8s. And just a little bit more history!
Public reaction
This was one of my biggest concerns. I don’t like standing out. So I’d no desire to own this car to say “look at me, look at me”. It nearly put me off. I'm pleased to say that whilst the car does get noticed, it has only been in a positive way. I’m surprised by how many non-petrolheads know what it is, when they wouldn’t have a clue what model of Ferrari had just driven past. Public reaction has only been positive – I’ve had countless conversations at petrol stations with folk wanting to know a bit about the car, and no issues in traffic or being let out at junctions. Kids pointing and shouting "that's an R8" is lovely. It's been a constant reminder of how lucky I am to be able to own a car like this.
Interestingly the car gets very little interest or enthusiasm at car meets, which I don’t mind – I’d rather spend the time looking around everyone elses cars than talking about my own - but whilst the general public seem quite interested in it (and know what it is) the car community seems less interested. Not sure why that is?
What next
And here's the weirdest thing I've come across through owning this car. I've no halo car to move on to. And whilst that should be really awesome, it's also really weird. I can't remember any time since being in to cars that I've been in that position. Aside from a Defender or 964 (with no rationale explanations for either), I can't think of a single model out there that draws me back to the classifieds to drool over. My hours spent on Autotrader have literally fizzled to nothing!
I've absolutely no idea what I'd move to. I don't like the V10, a Ferarri or Lambo would not offer me more of anything I currently feel I am missing, I don't want a 'sensible' hatchback/saloon/estate, no matter how quick, have no desire to lose a load of cash through depreciation.
So for now, I'm "stuck" with the R8. Not a bad place to be and something I'd wholeheartedly recommend for your own midlife crisis
Originally written Nov 2018
So a year ago this week I treated myself to a pretty extravagant 40th birthday present as my (almost) daily driver. I'd lusted after owning a V8 since falling in love with cars. And as anyone who's turned 40 will know there's a lot of internalising about how you're doing against your life goals.
Also about a year ago there was a discussion on here about the R8 as a daily driver, and how ruineous it would be! At the time I promised to report back , so here goes, for those interested:
Show me the money
Let’s start with the costs. One year of ownership and about 6,000 miles has cost £2,250 (a health check, 4 new tyres, replacement rear brake light and a £875 service) plus road tax and insurance costing £1,100 combined, plus fuel which I’d estimate has cost an eye-watering £2,300. So £5,650 all in. I’m clutching to the fact that’s less than £1 a mile, but it’s obviously a good chunk of money. And that’s without anything major needing replacing. The tyres I actually couldn’t find cheaper than the price Audi quoted. The rear brake light replacement was something like £230 and I felt Audi weaselled their way out of this being covered under the used approved warranty. It was a bit of a grey area that for the sake of £230 would have created immense brand loyalty and goodwill, that they missed by a country mile.
High running and maintenance costs are thankfully offset by very little depreciation over the last year. So overall, it’s probably been cheaper to run than if I’d picked up a brand new A3, which would lose a lot of value over the first few years.
No problems as a daily driver
Some of you would argue 6,000 miles in a year is hardly a daily driver. And I do have use of another car. But the term 'daily driver' for me is as much about how easily it could be used daily - not that you necessarily would.
Anyways, I think the R8 excels in this area. For a wide, low supercar/sports car (won't get in to that debate) it remains an easy daily driver. Visibility is good, there is no scraping over bumps/ramps/inclines if taken at sensible speeds. I had more issues getting a MK1 TTR over bumps than I have had with the R8 – the front splitter gives great clearance for this type of car, and none of the horror stories I’ve heard around Gallardos and the need for front-lift for speed bumps, car parks and driveways. There were a number of videos on YouTube with owners saying they had to plan their routes in advance to make sure the roads were compatible - rubbish. It's an easy car to drive through town, or down country lanes. It's manoeuvrable at low speeds, and easy to place when parking. Rear parking camera is superb. Go easy on the peddle and it feels more like 200BHP than 430BHP, and power delivery is smooth however heavy you are on the peddle, making it a civilised car to drive when you need it to be. It’s wide, and the doors are wide, and I’m pretty wide too – so you do have to think a little about parking spaces, but it has never stopped me from going somewhere or being able to park once I got there. No different to other big cars like Rangies.
It is thirsty though. Especially if you keep it a gear or two lower than it needs to be, to keep it in its peak power range and to get a howl from the engine. I’ve maybe averaged mid-teens. So get used to filling it up.
Sense of occasion
Time and familiarity with the car obviously means it doesn't feel quite as special as it did. But I still get exciting at the thought of taking it for a drive, I still take the long/fun route from A to B, it still makes me look back everytime I’m walking away from it. Dropping down low in to the seat feels great, and purposeful. It sets the mood for the drive you're about to have. The sound of the V8 remains something wonderful. More subtle, but (for me) far more special than trick exhausts on smaller engines. I love the ‘stealth’ look (mine is black with a dark grey sideblade) – but admit that pretty much any colour makes the car look more special (and easier/better to photograph!). I also think the R8 is a thing of beauty - far, far more so than the latest design (and it's recently revealed facelift). I think the design has aged very well.
Dealership experiene
The car was bought from the Audi used approved network and so has been looked after by Audi dealerships. They’ve been ok, but no stand out service. No more special than I experienced owning Toyotas or Peugeots. The dealership experience alone has created no brand loyalty to Audi, and indeed their weaseling out of replacing the rear brake light under the warranty is a grey area and, I think, showed a flaw with franchised dealerships. Audi UK don't appear to have any clout with how the dealerships behave - at least not from what I saw. And I escalated it to the executive customer service team within Audi UK. That aside the rest of the time they've been perfectly ok - nice coffees, prompt attention from their team when booked in for a service, etc. But no stand outs.
Reminders you’re driving something a bit different
Struggling to source a tyre and find anywhere local outside of the dealer network able to change a tyre reminds you the car is relatively low volume and relatively unique. Halfords, Kwik-Fit, Black Circles, F1 Autocentres and all the other usual suspects were all unable to help. Most didn't have the Audi-rated version of the tyre I needed in their ordering systems. And as far as I am aware not all Audi dealerships are set up to service the R8 (they need to be Audi Sport centres), and I have struggled to find good local independents familiar with the R8.
Community
Great online community via both r8talk.com and R8 owners club on Facebook, but a shame (but not a surprise) that there is very little in the way of R8 owners meets. I’m jealous of friends with Porsches and the incredibly active clubs, but obviously there are a few more 911s on the road than there are R8s. And just a little bit more history!
Public reaction
This was one of my biggest concerns. I don’t like standing out. So I’d no desire to own this car to say “look at me, look at me”. It nearly put me off. I'm pleased to say that whilst the car does get noticed, it has only been in a positive way. I’m surprised by how many non-petrolheads know what it is, when they wouldn’t have a clue what model of Ferrari had just driven past. Public reaction has only been positive – I’ve had countless conversations at petrol stations with folk wanting to know a bit about the car, and no issues in traffic or being let out at junctions. Kids pointing and shouting "that's an R8" is lovely. It's been a constant reminder of how lucky I am to be able to own a car like this.
Interestingly the car gets very little interest or enthusiasm at car meets, which I don’t mind – I’d rather spend the time looking around everyone elses cars than talking about my own - but whilst the general public seem quite interested in it (and know what it is) the car community seems less interested. Not sure why that is?
What next
And here's the weirdest thing I've come across through owning this car. I've no halo car to move on to. And whilst that should be really awesome, it's also really weird. I can't remember any time since being in to cars that I've been in that position. Aside from a Defender or 964 (with no rationale explanations for either), I can't think of a single model out there that draws me back to the classifieds to drool over. My hours spent on Autotrader have literally fizzled to nothing!
I've absolutely no idea what I'd move to. I don't like the V10, a Ferarri or Lambo would not offer me more of anything I currently feel I am missing, I don't want a 'sensible' hatchback/saloon/estate, no matter how quick, have no desire to lose a load of cash through depreciation.
So for now, I'm "stuck" with the R8. Not a bad place to be and something I'd wholeheartedly recommend for your own midlife crisis
I witnessed the its practicality shortcomings recently. A couple pull up in a white R8 opposite me in motorway services car park. Looks like they are away for a long weekend. They exited the car along with some of their belongings which spewed out onto the tarmac. A few minutes later they return with weekend shopping, just one full bag, from M&S and then spend 15 minutes re-packing the car. The only remaining space for bulky items was the passenger's lap. I guess prospective owners have to factor this in.
Costs dont seem too bad, but I try and compare them to something else I would actually drive, how much more is it costing me and looking at that, its probably not much different o running a new A3, like he says than running an A3 as it hasn't really depreciated versus say £300 a month in depreciation/Lease/PCP, thats a big head start.
It will have depreciated a bit, but not that much, suppose the clincher is if something really spendy happens.
I love Man Maths
It will have depreciated a bit, but not that much, suppose the clincher is if something really spendy happens.
I love Man Maths
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff