Discussion
So I’ve owned a manual V10 coupe for the last 7 years and really loved the car. Daily drove it for the first 3 and since then it’s been for fun and road trips. Always kept an eye on other cars that have come up for sale but nothing has appealed without substantially upping the budget. Then a couple of months ago a V12 vantage came up for sale locally. Had a short test drive, liked it, especially the sound but it was a lot less composed then the r8 and could notice the extra weight plus lower redline. So walked away from that but it did spike my interest for something slightly different and noticed this GT spyder that had been sitting around for a while.
It’s a 2012 car, Singapore import and 117ks vs my 09 88ks. First issue was the R-tronic gearbox. I’ve only ever had manuals and while the wife has had 2 Audis with DSG boxes I’ve never enjoyed them. But the r8 community has had many fans of this gearbox despite being almost universally slated by the motoring press. Test drive booked and first impression of the gearbox was I liked it. Tips were to drive it in sport, manual and lift off slightly on gear changes. Did that and to me it retains the involvement/control of a manual without a clutch to manage.
2nd issue was the high kms and being from Singapore. I know someone who imported a gallardo and had endless issues with it. So requested the service record and was pleasantly surprised. Has had 3 owners, first was the managing director of Audi Singapore for 2 years then the next 8 an Audi enthusiast who toured the car round SE Asia with monthly trips to Sepang raceway in Malaysia with a service after each track day. 3rd owner was in NZ where they did a massive service once purchased plus ceramic coated it and installed a Larini exhaust. So this all sounded pretty good to me and also got a PPI done by Audi as ceramic brakes and clutch were big ticket items that could be of concern. These both got the thumbs up and while an oil leak and AC issue were identified dealer agreed to resolve these.
So that left me with the 3rd issue, selling my car. Dealer offered to do a straight swap but I thought my car was worth more, being one of 4-5 manuals in New Zealand. Listed it online and then went down a few rabbit holes on the GTs. Seems these are rated as the best version of the R8. Serious weight reduction plan, lots of bespoke parts, unique chassis setup and uprated engine. Lots of carbon fiber everywhere and this particular car had most options ticked on it and probably cost $150k (NZD) more than my coupe did when new. I had a little bit of interest on mine but nothing close to an actual buyer and 2 months since the test drive I went in and agreed to the straight swap.
Now having had 2 decent drives under my ownership I’m very happy with the swap. It’s got all the aspects I love about the R8 and I now get this roofless. Sound has always been a highlight and the Larini exhaust is hilarious, verging on obnoxious but I love it. The downchanges grin inducing. Weight wise I’d say the spyder is probably bang on the exact weight of my coupe and has an extra 40hp and feels a bit quicker. Hoodup it’s nicely insulated, so fine for road trips and with the bucket seats and me having a long torso/short legs means I can fit a decent sized bag behind the seat plus 2 in the front so almost the same space as the coupe.
My coupe was completely factory standard and don’t think I’ll do anything on the spyder except tint the side windows. The attention this car attracts is a bit more noticeable. I’m now off overseas for a month after having the car for 3 days so a decent roadtrip will be high on the agenda when I’m back.
It’s a 2012 car, Singapore import and 117ks vs my 09 88ks. First issue was the R-tronic gearbox. I’ve only ever had manuals and while the wife has had 2 Audis with DSG boxes I’ve never enjoyed them. But the r8 community has had many fans of this gearbox despite being almost universally slated by the motoring press. Test drive booked and first impression of the gearbox was I liked it. Tips were to drive it in sport, manual and lift off slightly on gear changes. Did that and to me it retains the involvement/control of a manual without a clutch to manage.
2nd issue was the high kms and being from Singapore. I know someone who imported a gallardo and had endless issues with it. So requested the service record and was pleasantly surprised. Has had 3 owners, first was the managing director of Audi Singapore for 2 years then the next 8 an Audi enthusiast who toured the car round SE Asia with monthly trips to Sepang raceway in Malaysia with a service after each track day. 3rd owner was in NZ where they did a massive service once purchased plus ceramic coated it and installed a Larini exhaust. So this all sounded pretty good to me and also got a PPI done by Audi as ceramic brakes and clutch were big ticket items that could be of concern. These both got the thumbs up and while an oil leak and AC issue were identified dealer agreed to resolve these.
So that left me with the 3rd issue, selling my car. Dealer offered to do a straight swap but I thought my car was worth more, being one of 4-5 manuals in New Zealand. Listed it online and then went down a few rabbit holes on the GTs. Seems these are rated as the best version of the R8. Serious weight reduction plan, lots of bespoke parts, unique chassis setup and uprated engine. Lots of carbon fiber everywhere and this particular car had most options ticked on it and probably cost $150k (NZD) more than my coupe did when new. I had a little bit of interest on mine but nothing close to an actual buyer and 2 months since the test drive I went in and agreed to the straight swap.
Now having had 2 decent drives under my ownership I’m very happy with the swap. It’s got all the aspects I love about the R8 and I now get this roofless. Sound has always been a highlight and the Larini exhaust is hilarious, verging on obnoxious but I love it. The downchanges grin inducing. Weight wise I’d say the spyder is probably bang on the exact weight of my coupe and has an extra 40hp and feels a bit quicker. Hoodup it’s nicely insulated, so fine for road trips and with the bucket seats and me having a long torso/short legs means I can fit a decent sized bag behind the seat plus 2 in the front so almost the same space as the coupe.
My coupe was completely factory standard and don’t think I’ll do anything on the spyder except tint the side windows. The attention this car attracts is a bit more noticeable. I’m now off overseas for a month after having the car for 3 days so a decent roadtrip will be high on the agenda when I’m back.
macron said:
Oof, love it!
Presumably difficult to use the power on normal NZ roads if stories of speeding woe are true? Going to track it much?
Think I will have to get it on track at least once to let it really go.Presumably difficult to use the power on normal NZ roads if stories of speeding woe are true? Going to track it much?
I’m in the South Island, with lots of empty roads so can choose the odd time to unleash it.
Its Just Adz said:
That looks great! Will sound awesome with the Larini too.
I liked the R-Tronic, its not as bad as people say. As you mentioned, you just have to treat it differently than a DSG box.
Yep the gearbox is a funny one, maybe if you tried to drive it as an automatic it would be worthy of the contempt but I’d have it any day over a DSG. Few people are also converting the rtronics to manual so a potential future option.I liked the R-Tronic, its not as bad as people say. As you mentioned, you just have to treat it differently than a DSG box.
The R-Tronic slamming is (and always was) based largely on people regurgitating drivel. Learning to drive them well isn't difficult and doesn't take long, if anything it's slightly easier than learning to be smooth in the manual with its very light flywheel.
My preference in an R8 is the manual but I've spent time in R-Tronic on road and track and driven correctly they work well. Not great for low speed/parking maneuvers, but you can't open the doors in a standard parking space anyway.
You've bought yourself a cool thing there; keep us updated
My preference in an R8 is the manual but I've spent time in R-Tronic on road and track and driven correctly they work well. Not great for low speed/parking maneuvers, but you can't open the doors in a standard parking space anyway.
You've bought yourself a cool thing there; keep us updated
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Edited by MajorMorar on Thursday 21st March 08:27
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