Anyone with a V8 R8?
Discussion
I'm thinking of getting one later this year with the intention of keeping it for a year or so just a big itch that I'd love to scratch.
I'd bee looking at something 2008ish sub 50k on the clock. Are they generally pretty reliable or can they be money pits? I work in the trade but dont know anything about the R8!
Are there any R8 specifica forums out there I cant seem to find any?
I'd bee looking at something 2008ish sub 50k on the clock. Are they generally pretty reliable or can they be money pits? I work in the trade but dont know anything about the R8!
Are there any R8 specifica forums out there I cant seem to find any?
I think you'll only be disappointed.
The 4.2 V8 suffers from carbon build up issues and if it has never been carbon cleaned, the power on them reduces substantially. They've never made their claimed 414hp even when new, owners were lucky to get a base standard 400. After a few years with the carbon build up on the valves, this can drop to below 350hp. They are in the most expensive tax bracket and they guzzle fuel.
2008 car is getting on a bit now too, dated interior and tech.
Good points, it's a good looking car and is fun to drive, it's just with a probable 350ish HP, you'll soon get pissed with its performance (or lack of)
The 4.2 V8 suffers from carbon build up issues and if it has never been carbon cleaned, the power on them reduces substantially. They've never made their claimed 414hp even when new, owners were lucky to get a base standard 400. After a few years with the carbon build up on the valves, this can drop to below 350hp. They are in the most expensive tax bracket and they guzzle fuel.
2008 car is getting on a bit now too, dated interior and tech.
Good points, it's a good looking car and is fun to drive, it's just with a probable 350ish HP, you'll soon get pissed with its performance (or lack of)
I test drove an R8 V8 two or three weeks ago. Lovely car. I would only buy one from a franchised dealer though. Remember, it's still a 2007 car inside apart from a couple of 2013 facelift updates such as a glossy sat nav surround and an AMI socket where the 6CD changer would have been.
Although the graphics are better on the facelift cars, the DVD sat nav is old tech, ie: no different to my ol man's 2006 S4.
However, a lovely car and I really want to get the one I test drove but I must be sensible. The one I sampled was a manual. For reference, there was a 2008 R8 V8 in black with beige leather, manual, with about 40K or 50K miles on the clock going for £43,000 at West London Audi. It wasn't on the Audi Used Car website for too many weeks. Cannot remember if it had B&O or not. One thing I've noticed is that there are a few 2013/2014 cars on the net with very low (standard) spec, ie they might have cruise control but that's it.
Although the graphics are better on the facelift cars, the DVD sat nav is old tech, ie: no different to my ol man's 2006 S4.
However, a lovely car and I really want to get the one I test drove but I must be sensible. The one I sampled was a manual. For reference, there was a 2008 R8 V8 in black with beige leather, manual, with about 40K or 50K miles on the clock going for £43,000 at West London Audi. It wasn't on the Audi Used Car website for too many weeks. Cannot remember if it had B&O or not. One thing I've noticed is that there are a few 2013/2014 cars on the net with very low (standard) spec, ie they might have cruise control but that's it.
MitchyRS said:
I think you'll only be disappointed.
Pinch of salt needed here; maybe even a spoonful.I think you'll be anything but disappointed. In fact I'm more or less sure of it.
What's remarkable about the R8 is how little its dated considering that it's from 2007. The styling both inside and out neatly toes the line between looking fresh/different and maintaining the subtle smartness that comes with most Audis. Kept in clean condition they have hardly aged at all.
The navigation is an older system but with new maps still works plenty well enough. Not having 7 digit postcode entry is at worst a very slight hindrance. It is not the nightmare the internet will tell you.
Interior wear is a slight issue; mainly the driver's seat bolster and gear knob. A leather man will have the seats looking new for a small outlay and the gearknob doesn't like wedding rings. Either live with it or replace it, they're not that expensive.
The exhaust heat shields get rattly quickly. A decent exhaust fabricator will fix them for not much. Either this or throw a Milltek on, a lot of cars end up with these anyway.
Dampers on mag ride car have suffered some leaks, request a new MOT on purchase as the dampers are ~£600 each.
Front discs good for 40k ish but they are expensive, ~£1400 with pads.
All will end up with some cosmetic paint, they're very low and get marked/chipped easily. Make sure paint isn't hiding a nasty.
High level brake light creaks (it's behind your head). Easily fixed with a tiny bit of foam padding.
Coking; yes, this is an issue. All direct injection cars suffer from this, particularly smoky things like that R8. A car that has been used and driven hard is a better bet than a detail geeks 5,000 miler. They like being exercised.
Clutches are strong but won't put up with abuse or idiot drivers. There's no reason a 40k mile car cannot have a perfect, original clutch if its been driven with a smidgen of respect.
Oil. Yup, buy some spare and keep it handy. Expect to use about a litre in 1,000 miles. More if exercised.
They'll do high 20s on a smooth run, expect to average 20-22. Full fat 98 RON or better, please.
Get navigation, heated seats, bluetooth and parking sensors. I prefer the alcantara over full leather. Bang & Olufsen is excellent. Mag ride is excellent but cheaper without as there's a perception that everyone needs it (rightly or wrongly).
Ask away if there's anything further you'd like to know. They're wonderful, wonderful cars and residuals continue to be rock solid.
Overall they're very reliable.
Dr G said:
Pinch of salt needed here; maybe even a spoonful.
I think you'll be anything but disappointed. In fact I'm more or less sure of it.
What's remarkable about the R8 is how little its dated considering that it's from 2007. The styling both inside and out neatly toes the line between looking fresh/different and maintaining the subtle smartness that comes with most Audis. Kept in clean condition they have hardly aged at all.
The navigation is an older system but with new maps still works plenty well enough. Not having 7 digit postcode entry is at worst a very slight hindrance. It is not the nightmare the internet will tell you.
Interior wear is a slight issue; mainly the driver's seat bolster and gear knob. A leather man will have the seats looking new for a small outlay and the gearknob doesn't like wedding rings. Either live with it or replace it, they're not that expensive.
The exhaust heat shields get rattly quickly. A decent exhaust fabricator will fix them for not much. Either this or throw a Milltek on, a lot of cars end up with these anyway.
Dampers on mag ride car have suffered some leaks, request a new MOT on purchase as the dampers are ~£600 each.
Front discs good for 40k ish but they are expensive, ~£1400 with pads.
All will end up with some cosmetic paint, they're very low and get marked/chipped easily. Make sure paint isn't hiding a nasty.
High level brake light creaks (it's behind your head). Easily fixed with a tiny bit of foam padding.
Coking; yes, this is an issue. All direct injection cars suffer from this, particularly smoky things like that R8. A car that has been used and driven hard is a better bet than a detail geeks 5,000 miler. They like being exercised.
Clutches are strong but won't put up with abuse or idiot drivers. There's no reason a 40k mile car cannot have a perfect, original clutch if its been driven with a smidgen of respect.
Oil. Yup, buy some spare and keep it handy. Expect to use about a litre in 1,000 miles. More if exercised.
They'll do high 20s on a smooth run, expect to average 20-22. Full fat 98 RON or better, please.
Get navigation, heated seats, bluetooth and parking sensors. I prefer the alcantara over full leather. Bang & Olufsen is excellent. Mag ride is excellent but cheaper without as there's a perception that everyone needs it (rightly or wrongly).
Ask away if there's anything further you'd like to know. They're wonderful, wonderful cars and residuals continue to be rock solid.
Overall they're very reliable.
Lot of info there thanks for that. I'm personally not at all bothered what the satnav screen is like I would never use it. Its an itch I want to scratch for 12 months or so. So really just after a nice one in the right spec for resale later. Has to be a manual. That and ideal colour choice of Ibis White otherwise I'd be pretty flexible. I think you'll be anything but disappointed. In fact I'm more or less sure of it.
What's remarkable about the R8 is how little its dated considering that it's from 2007. The styling both inside and out neatly toes the line between looking fresh/different and maintaining the subtle smartness that comes with most Audis. Kept in clean condition they have hardly aged at all.
The navigation is an older system but with new maps still works plenty well enough. Not having 7 digit postcode entry is at worst a very slight hindrance. It is not the nightmare the internet will tell you.
Interior wear is a slight issue; mainly the driver's seat bolster and gear knob. A leather man will have the seats looking new for a small outlay and the gearknob doesn't like wedding rings. Either live with it or replace it, they're not that expensive.
The exhaust heat shields get rattly quickly. A decent exhaust fabricator will fix them for not much. Either this or throw a Milltek on, a lot of cars end up with these anyway.
Dampers on mag ride car have suffered some leaks, request a new MOT on purchase as the dampers are ~£600 each.
Front discs good for 40k ish but they are expensive, ~£1400 with pads.
All will end up with some cosmetic paint, they're very low and get marked/chipped easily. Make sure paint isn't hiding a nasty.
High level brake light creaks (it's behind your head). Easily fixed with a tiny bit of foam padding.
Coking; yes, this is an issue. All direct injection cars suffer from this, particularly smoky things like that R8. A car that has been used and driven hard is a better bet than a detail geeks 5,000 miler. They like being exercised.
Clutches are strong but won't put up with abuse or idiot drivers. There's no reason a 40k mile car cannot have a perfect, original clutch if its been driven with a smidgen of respect.
Oil. Yup, buy some spare and keep it handy. Expect to use about a litre in 1,000 miles. More if exercised.
They'll do high 20s on a smooth run, expect to average 20-22. Full fat 98 RON or better, please.
Get navigation, heated seats, bluetooth and parking sensors. I prefer the alcantara over full leather. Bang & Olufsen is excellent. Mag ride is excellent but cheaper without as there's a perception that everyone needs it (rightly or wrongly).
Ask away if there's anything further you'd like to know. They're wonderful, wonderful cars and residuals continue to be rock solid.
Overall they're very reliable.
I'd heard they were pretty robust things but its always good to know the common things to look for.
blueg33 said:
I sat in one in the Audi showroom in 2007 on the day I picked up my new A6, I was disappointed then, much of the tech was actually older and less good than the stuff in the A6.
I also think that they look a tad dated now, but personally I also fancy one for a year.
All of it's older than an A6; electrically they're (more or less) an A3 from 2004.I also think that they look a tad dated now, but personally I also fancy one for a year.
RNSE-3G is an easy retrofit and not expensive now either. Well worth it if you're using the nav regularly.
R8s ***need*** a few options to work best. A 'base' interior is very dull compared to a car with steel pedals and leather/carbon goodies.
The best looking R8 interior we've had was black silk nappa buckets with purple stitching, all of the carbon goodies and stainless pedals. It felt really special to sit in.
Here you go OP- http://www.r8talk.com/
I had a V8 R8 for 18 months a few years back. I spent nothing on it apart from fuel and a little oil.
It was reliable, comfortable (I did a few 400 mile trips with just a pit stop for fuel and never felt anything but relaxed getting out) and when you wanted to it could be a lot of fun on twisty B roads.
There are a lot of badge snobs who will tell you it's boring but, whilst it may not be as 'exciting' as a Gallardo, I found it great fun. The added bonus of it's ability to tootle around town like a Golf, or cruise like a big BMW when needed, only added to the ownership enjoyment for me.
I bought mine used with about 10k miles on the clock and sold it 18 months later with around 8k miles added. I sold it for £2,000 less than I bought it for.
I had a V8 R8 for 18 months a few years back. I spent nothing on it apart from fuel and a little oil.
It was reliable, comfortable (I did a few 400 mile trips with just a pit stop for fuel and never felt anything but relaxed getting out) and when you wanted to it could be a lot of fun on twisty B roads.
There are a lot of badge snobs who will tell you it's boring but, whilst it may not be as 'exciting' as a Gallardo, I found it great fun. The added bonus of it's ability to tootle around town like a Golf, or cruise like a big BMW when needed, only added to the ownership enjoyment for me.
I bought mine used with about 10k miles on the clock and sold it 18 months later with around 8k miles added. I sold it for £2,000 less than I bought it for.
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