Hooning a R8 on UK "B" roads

Hooning a R8 on UK "B" roads

Author
Discussion

Turbofun

Original Poster:

1,396 posts

208 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Hi Guys,

I currently have a 996 turbo and looking to have a bit of change and an R8 could be in my sights, has anyone hooned a R8 on UK "B" roads, please can share your thoughts and experiences?

JuniorD

8,624 posts

223 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Peculiar question. What do you expect to hear?

blueg33

35,844 posts

224 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
A car speficically for hooning on B roads (within the limit of course) You must have a very narrow use band for your cars smile

IMO R8 is a bit too wide, Evora S, Evora 400 or Cayman GTS or GT4, or 911 GT3 would be my choice, but an Exige would also be interesting.


GetCarter

29,377 posts

279 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
I've owned a 996 turbo and R8.

...and done LOTS of 'B' roads here in the Highlands.

Porker is quicker. R8 much more fun.

See my website for more.

blueg33

35,844 posts

224 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
GetCarter said:
I've owned a 996 turbo and R8.

...and done LOTS of 'B' roads here in the Highlands.

Porker is quicker. R8 much more fun.

See my website for more.
I wish we had your lack of traffic here - tried an R8 and a Gallardo on our B roads and both were a tad too wide when stuff came the other way

Nedzilla

2,439 posts

174 months

Friday 27th February 2015
quotequote all
Got a V8 R8 and it is a great car for hooning on a British B road. I certainly don't find it too wide and it has just the right amount of power to be able wring its neck through a few gears without worrying about going to prison.
Had a 600bhp GTR before. Great car but just too fast and too capable for a British B road to get any enjoyment from.

dvshannow

1,580 posts

136 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
Nedzilla said:
Got a V8 R8 and it is a great car for hooning on a British B road. I certainly don't find it too wide and it has just the right amount of power to be able wring its neck through a few gears without worrying about going to prison.
Had a 600bhp GTR before. Great car but just too fast and too capable for a British B road to get any enjoyment from.
As is a gt3 and R8, for a public road hoon though Imo you want a rawer car that will feel more alive away from the limit, a 996tt is a terrible car for that, why not something like a cayman gts or evora.

Dr G

15,170 posts

242 months

Saturday 28th February 2015
quotequote all
They are indeed a tiny bit too wide and a tiny bit too low for narrow, poorly sighted roads but when the road opens out even a tiny bit they're fantastic fun. The V8 is a lovely engine to put through its paces and the way its character changes as revs rise and fall is very addictive.

They're firm but quite compliant and feel very planted, the suspension only ever seems to run out of ideas on really big, harsh bumps. The normal jittery stuff and cracks don't worry it. I've driven them with and without mag ride, both flow well down a country lane but the mag ride car feels slightly better isolated from vibration and harsh road surfaces. Steering is direct and well weighted, placing the car is easy. I don't like the Pirellis a lot came on but the Michelin equivalent is excellent.

The manual box is initially tricky to finesse but incredibly rewarding once you've nailed it; for a big engine there's less inertia than you might expect so it's easy to over-rev when matching for down changes. Going down to second the gate needs less effort than you might expect as well. After a few miles in them though you'll find yourself running up and down the box just for the hell of it. R-Tronic is nowhere near as bad as internet BS would have you believe, it's crap for manoeuvring and tight spaces but on the move is actually pretty good fun. It isn't a conventional auto and needs to be driven more like a manual to get the best from it.

Compared to a 996 turbo the performance isn't as easy but it is very rewarding and engaging. You give up nothing in usability either. Plenty of people use R8s daily.

Turbofun

Original Poster:

1,396 posts

208 months

Monday 2nd March 2015
quotequote all
Dr G said:
They are indeed a tiny bit too wide and a tiny bit too low for narrow, poorly sighted roads but when the road opens out even a tiny bit they're fantastic fun. The V8 is a lovely engine to put through its paces and the way its character changes as revs rise and fall is very addictive.

They're firm but quite compliant and feel very planted, the suspension only ever seems to run out of ideas on really big, harsh bumps. The normal jittery stuff and cracks don't worry it. I've driven them with and without mag ride, both flow well down a country lane but the mag ride car feels slightly better isolated from vibration and harsh road surfaces. Steering is direct and well weighted, placing the car is easy. I don't like the Pirellis a lot came on but the Michelin equivalent is excellent.

The manual box is initially tricky to finesse but incredibly rewarding once you've nailed it; for a big engine there's less inertia than you might expect so it's easy to over-rev when matching for down changes. Going down to second the gate needs less effort than you might expect as well. After a few miles in them though you'll find yourself running up and down the box just for the hell of it. R-Tronic is nowhere near as bad as internet BS would have you believe, it's crap for manoeuvring and tight spaces but on the move is actually pretty good fun. It isn't a conventional auto and needs to be driven more like a manual to get the best from it.

Compared to a 996 turbo the performance isn't as easy but it is very rewarding and engaging. You give up nothing in usability either. Plenty of people use R8s daily.
Thanks for all your replies, I'm now leaning towards the V10 manual .....

Turbofun

Original Poster:

1,396 posts

208 months

Thursday 2nd April 2015
quotequote all
Turbofun said:
Dr G said:
They are indeed a tiny bit too wide and a tiny bit too low for narrow, poorly sighted roads but when the road opens out even a tiny bit they're fantastic fun. The V8 is a lovely engine to put through its paces and the way its character changes as revs rise and fall is very addictive.

They're firm but quite compliant and feel very planted, the suspension only ever seems to run out of ideas on really big, harsh bumps. The normal jittery stuff and cracks don't worry it. I've driven them with and without mag ride, both flow well down a country lane but the mag ride car feels slightly better isolated from vibration and harsh road surfaces. Steering is direct and well weighted, placing the car is easy. I don't like the Pirellis a lot came on but the Michelin equivalent is excellent.

The manual box is initially tricky to finesse but incredibly rewarding once you've nailed it; for a big engine there's less inertia than you might expect so it's easy to over-rev when matching for down changes. Going down to second the gate needs less effort than you might expect as well. After a few miles in them though you'll find yourself running up and down the box just for the hell of it. R-Tronic is nowhere near as bad as internet BS would have you believe, it's crap for manoeuvring and tight spaces but on the move is actually pretty good fun. It isn't a conventional auto and needs to be driven more like a manual to get the best from it.

Compared to a 996 turbo the performance isn't as easy but it is very rewarding and engaging. You give up nothing in usability either. Plenty of people use R8s daily.
Thanks for all your replies, I'm now leaning towards the V10 manual .....
Well I went and did it !!!

I picked up a Red V10 Manual on Saturday and then crawled around the M25 home. Sunday took it for a good local drive and found the car is intoxicating. The drive-ability is great and pleasantly very different form the Turbo which after driving them for 8 years its a great change.
I dont feel it as a big car at all... seems to wrap its self around you, the ride is very compliant on "normal" which is great around the locals road.
Then there's the engine which sounds amazing, revs very easily and the clunk-click of the gear box just all adds up to a wonderful experience.driving