RE: Audi R8 V10 Performance meets R8 V8
Discussion
Durzel said:
Nope, and therein lies the point.
Gallardo/Huracan with the same engine is and will always be considerably more expensive, even for older MY cars. Why? Because they have that ineffable quality that makes them bonafide supercars, which is why everyone lusts after them...
Latest Audi TTRS (and Mk2) with a fairly modest (and simple) remap would bother it in pure performance terms, and the interior is all but identical. People (owners mostly) will say that that's not comparing apples with apples, but whichever way you cut it you'd get 90% of the performance for 1/3rd of the price. Can you say that about any other supercar manufacturer range?
It's a super car for sure, but it's as much a supercar as a 911 GT, Nissan GTR, Merc SLS, etc is, which is to say it is almost exclusively amongst owners of them.
That said in terms of everyday practical, daily driver terms this is about as good as it gets, certainly performance wise, and not standing out too much. The earlier cars are a bargain now for what you get.
If water the R8 is a much nicer car, proper NA V8, manual, great chassis. You can’t use either in anger for very long on the roads and all of them will get hammered on a track day by 10K worth of Caterfield etc. Gallardo/Huracan with the same engine is and will always be considerably more expensive, even for older MY cars. Why? Because they have that ineffable quality that makes them bonafide supercars, which is why everyone lusts after them...
Latest Audi TTRS (and Mk2) with a fairly modest (and simple) remap would bother it in pure performance terms, and the interior is all but identical. People (owners mostly) will say that that's not comparing apples with apples, but whichever way you cut it you'd get 90% of the performance for 1/3rd of the price. Can you say that about any other supercar manufacturer range?
It's a super car for sure, but it's as much a supercar as a 911 GT, Nissan GTR, Merc SLS, etc is, which is to say it is almost exclusively amongst owners of them.
That said in terms of everyday practical, daily driver terms this is about as good as it gets, certainly performance wise, and not standing out too much. The earlier cars are a bargain now for what you get.
90% of the performance from a fatty turbocharged lump in a dressed up Golf, that’s how I see it anyway. So, not for me.
Genuinely love the R8, not sure how tough they are, but it can’t be a worse proposition than a 911 to own?
Great article! I am biased but I love the original R8. I agree with the car using ‘too much oil’, I get through LOADS!
I just released a video (made with a couple of friends) on the original R8 if anyone is interested in watching it. We have had some great feedback and it fits in nicely with this article.
https://youtu.be/xfqJmPwd0zg
I just released a video (made with a couple of friends) on the original R8 if anyone is interested in watching it. We have had some great feedback and it fits in nicely with this article.
https://youtu.be/xfqJmPwd0zg
I usually like they newer model in a lot of cases but the original R8 looks so right.
Just left as standard and not tarted up to make it look a bit gangster like so many are it looks fantastic, they are dropping out of that ownership now as they move to the newer ones.
Its funny how people talk like the V8 is slow, its not, its just that newer stuff has moved on so much, a manual V8 is very appealing.
Just left as standard and not tarted up to make it look a bit gangster like so many are it looks fantastic, they are dropping out of that ownership now as they move to the newer ones.
Its funny how people talk like the V8 is slow, its not, its just that newer stuff has moved on so much, a manual V8 is very appealing.
Contrary to everyone on here I love is the starkness of the mk2 design and its angular look, the other thing I really like is its interior.
I believe that lack of a screen in the central binnacle means it'll date better and I notice the Chiron shares this feature too. Having the infotainment screen directly in front of the driver is a much better position now ergonomically. Personally, I'd not even consider buying a mk1 now as its interior really looks old-hat to me although I admit externally it's dated rather well (I never liked the LED 'spots' in the headlights on the pre-facelift models though).
Currently mulling over whether to go for a R8 mk2 convertible or an AMG GT convertible as the 'summer chariot'... Thoughts anyone?
I believe that lack of a screen in the central binnacle means it'll date better and I notice the Chiron shares this feature too. Having the infotainment screen directly in front of the driver is a much better position now ergonomically. Personally, I'd not even consider buying a mk1 now as its interior really looks old-hat to me although I admit externally it's dated rather well (I never liked the LED 'spots' in the headlights on the pre-facelift models though).
Currently mulling over whether to go for a R8 mk2 convertible or an AMG GT convertible as the 'summer chariot'... Thoughts anyone?
I think the what made the original great was it came out of the blue with a unique look.
And it drove superbly from reading all the reports.
If you see one on the streets now it still looks really cool.Cars will always get faster and grippier ( why? ) but they don't get better looking in general. They now have big front spliters and pretend diffusers that you will never need to us, just for that link to motorsport....
This has classic stamped all over it. You see one on the road today and it still looks mega. As someone above said the back has not aged, neither has the front. Indeed, with this trend for big grills the front of the original R8 just looks better and better, showing how low you can make a front aspect when the car is mid engined.
Audi went through a great design phase without big front grills, sadly now lost.
And it's still fantastic to drive no doubt, not all artificial..
And it drove superbly from reading all the reports.
If you see one on the streets now it still looks really cool.Cars will always get faster and grippier ( why? ) but they don't get better looking in general. They now have big front spliters and pretend diffusers that you will never need to us, just for that link to motorsport....
This has classic stamped all over it. You see one on the road today and it still looks mega. As someone above said the back has not aged, neither has the front. Indeed, with this trend for big grills the front of the original R8 just looks better and better, showing how low you can make a front aspect when the car is mid engined.
Audi went through a great design phase without big front grills, sadly now lost.
And it's still fantastic to drive no doubt, not all artificial..
Edited by Gandahar on Saturday 30th March 13:36
I've just acquired a very nice 2008 R8 V8. 20k miles. Black. I had been told that they now drive and feel like an old car. Two people told me that. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, in my opinion, they were wrong. They drive really well. The gearbox is slick and accurate (when warm) with its satisfying clickety action through the metal gate. The engines full of character, very drivable from low rpm, pulls well through the revs and sounds like a proper V8. Could do with being a tad louder. Its quick but not so fast as to be too fast to enjoy.
Handles well, rides well, is built well.
The biggest negative is the very dated infotainment system but I've looked into it and it can be replaced with the latest double DIN Android unit to bring it bang up to date. I've currently just plugged a cheap £10 Bluetooth receiver into it so can now play music from my phone. The sound quality of the system is excellent. Bang and Olufsen I believe.
The original plan was to put it straight back up for sale but it's so good that I'm going to hang on to it for a while. Ive just sold a 991.2 GT3, had a Huracan before that, Turbo S before that, Gran Turismo etc. The V8 R8 is on a par as an over all experience. Not as fast but still huge fun. Bargain supercar.
Handles well, rides well, is built well.
The biggest negative is the very dated infotainment system but I've looked into it and it can be replaced with the latest double DIN Android unit to bring it bang up to date. I've currently just plugged a cheap £10 Bluetooth receiver into it so can now play music from my phone. The sound quality of the system is excellent. Bang and Olufsen I believe.
The original plan was to put it straight back up for sale but it's so good that I'm going to hang on to it for a while. Ive just sold a 991.2 GT3, had a Huracan before that, Turbo S before that, Gran Turismo etc. The V8 R8 is on a par as an over all experience. Not as fast but still huge fun. Bargain supercar.
I think the original styling is far better, and at the time was different, and a little daring with the coloured blade that runs just behind the B pillar, and was a stand alone model in it's own right (style wise). Whereas the latest one is generic and shares too many styling cues with the TT , and just doesn't look special enough compared to the original, to my eyes that is.
Durzel said:
Nope, and therein lies the point.
Gallardo/Huracan with the same engine is and will always be considerably more expensive, even for older MY cars. Why? Because they have that ineffable quality that makes them bonafide supercars, which is why everyone lusts after them...
Latest Audi TTRS (and Mk2) with a fairly modest (and simple) remap would bother it in pure performance terms, and the interior is all but identical. People (owners mostly) will say that that's not comparing apples with apples, but whichever way you cut it you'd get 90% of the performance for 1/3rd of the price. Can you say that about any other supercar manufacturer range?
It's a super car for sure, but it's as much a supercar as a 911 GT, Nissan GTR, Merc SLS, etc is, which is to say it is almost exclusively amongst owners of them.
That said in terms of everyday practical, daily driver terms this is about as good as it gets, certainly performance wise, and not standing out too much. The earlier cars are a bargain now for what you get.
You can by an imprezza for £5k and tune it up to supercar speeds. Who cares. Nasp v10 5.2 is about a bit more than 0-60. TTRS interior may pass a resemblance but owning and driving and looking at them are worlds apart. One is based on a Golf, one is based on a Lamborghini. Gallardo/Huracan with the same engine is and will always be considerably more expensive, even for older MY cars. Why? Because they have that ineffable quality that makes them bonafide supercars, which is why everyone lusts after them...
Latest Audi TTRS (and Mk2) with a fairly modest (and simple) remap would bother it in pure performance terms, and the interior is all but identical. People (owners mostly) will say that that's not comparing apples with apples, but whichever way you cut it you'd get 90% of the performance for 1/3rd of the price. Can you say that about any other supercar manufacturer range?
It's a super car for sure, but it's as much a supercar as a 911 GT, Nissan GTR, Merc SLS, etc is, which is to say it is almost exclusively amongst owners of them.
That said in terms of everyday practical, daily driver terms this is about as good as it gets, certainly performance wise, and not standing out too much. The earlier cars are a bargain now for what you get.
foxsasha said:
I've just acquired a very nice 2008 R8 V8. 20k miles. Black. I had been told that they now drive and feel like an old car. Two people told me that. I was pleasantly surprised to find that, in my opinion, they were wrong. They drive really well. The gearbox is slick and accurate (when warm) with its satisfying clickety action through the metal gate. The engines full of character, very drivable from low rpm, pulls well through the revs and sounds like a proper V8. Could do with being a tad louder. Its quick but not so fast as to be too fast to enjoy.
Handles well, rides well, is built well.
The biggest negative is the very dated infotainment system but I've looked into it and it can be replaced with the latest double DIN Android unit to bring it bang up to date. I've currently just plugged a cheap £10 Bluetooth receiver into it so can now play music from my phone. The sound quality of the system is excellent. Bang and Olufsen I believe.
The original plan was to put it straight back up for sale but it's so good that I'm going to hang on to it for a while. Ive just sold a 991.2 GT3, had a Huracan before that, Turbo S before that, Gran Turismo etc. The V8 R8 is on a par as an over all experience. Not as fast but still huge fun. Bargain supercar.
Good post. I’ve had 911’s, GranTurismo, Boxsters. The R8 v8 is special. Have Put a titanium exhaust on and am presently half way through completely removing and replacing the whole b&o stereo. Handles well, rides well, is built well.
The biggest negative is the very dated infotainment system but I've looked into it and it can be replaced with the latest double DIN Android unit to bring it bang up to date. I've currently just plugged a cheap £10 Bluetooth receiver into it so can now play music from my phone. The sound quality of the system is excellent. Bang and Olufsen I believe.
The original plan was to put it straight back up for sale but it's so good that I'm going to hang on to it for a while. Ive just sold a 991.2 GT3, had a Huracan before that, Turbo S before that, Gran Turismo etc. The V8 R8 is on a par as an over all experience. Not as fast but still huge fun. Bargain supercar.
Gorgeous car, fantastic drive, perfect level of power for the roads, still beat an a45 off the lights last week
If it isn’t a supercar it’s damn close and certainly way more so than a 911
Don't understand why people keep comparing current TTRS etc to it saying they are quicker - that's not the point.
Interesting to see that this is the 2nd article ive read in as many weeks showing that the original is a better drivers car than the new one (John Barker previously in Evo 257 mag).
You see that's what it's all about - a proper drivers car with fabulous steering and a manual gearbox.
I'd love an original R8 however have just recently bought an RS4 B7 with the same engine - again a fabulous drivers car. Would I take a new TTRS / RS3 instead ? Would I hell. These cars are modern classics - no way will I ever own a car without a manual gearbox.
The biggest problem I now have is justifying paying twice as much for an original R8 than what I paid for the RS4.
Interesting to see that this is the 2nd article ive read in as many weeks showing that the original is a better drivers car than the new one (John Barker previously in Evo 257 mag).
You see that's what it's all about - a proper drivers car with fabulous steering and a manual gearbox.
I'd love an original R8 however have just recently bought an RS4 B7 with the same engine - again a fabulous drivers car. Would I take a new TTRS / RS3 instead ? Would I hell. These cars are modern classics - no way will I ever own a car without a manual gearbox.
The biggest problem I now have is justifying paying twice as much for an original R8 than what I paid for the RS4.
RSgeoff said:
Don't understand why people keep comparing current TTRS etc to it saying they are quicker - that's not the point.
Interesting to see that this is the 2nd article ive read in as many weeks showing that the original is a better drivers car than the new one (John Barker previously in Evo 257 mag).
You see that's what it's all about - a proper drivers car with fabulous steering and a manual gearbox.
I'd love an original R8 however have just recently bought an RS4 B7 with the same engine - again a fabulous drivers car. Would I take a new TTRS / RS3 instead ? Would I hell. These cars are modern classics - no way will I ever own a car without a manual gearbox.
The biggest problem I now have is justifying paying twice as much for an original R8 than what I paid for the RS4.
Do you have a link to the review please.Interesting to see that this is the 2nd article ive read in as many weeks showing that the original is a better drivers car than the new one (John Barker previously in Evo 257 mag).
You see that's what it's all about - a proper drivers car with fabulous steering and a manual gearbox.
I'd love an original R8 however have just recently bought an RS4 B7 with the same engine - again a fabulous drivers car. Would I take a new TTRS / RS3 instead ? Would I hell. These cars are modern classics - no way will I ever own a car without a manual gearbox.
The biggest problem I now have is justifying paying twice as much for an original R8 than what I paid for the RS4.
the side profile ruined it for me in the original R8.
the contrast was added because without it, it looked bloated and very slab sided and even with contrast it didn't look that great.
no complaints on the drive except the brakes were typical audi being over servoed that made heel and toe difficult .
looks 4, chassis 8
the contrast was added because without it, it looked bloated and very slab sided and even with contrast it didn't look that great.
no complaints on the drive except the brakes were typical audi being over servoed that made heel and toe difficult .
looks 4, chassis 8
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