R8 V10

[ScienceTeacher]

I've always quite liked the idea of these. I own a 996 Turbo (which I like) and had a couple of regular C2s before that. I saw an Audi ad that suggested that they offered a warranty and servicing package on second hand cars. I used the Hartech scheme for my Carreras and it worked well for me. I don't like the idea of mega bills for the R8 and there don't seem to be many Audi specialists. I live in Abingdon and popped into a local main dealer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I was met with gruff dismissal. I was told that R8s were very expensive to service (£1000 a year, goodness me) and that they did not offer these packages on second hand cars out of network (not sure of the legality of that, but anyway). They also said they did not sell any cars over a year old (good luck with that). I was not offered a brochure on the new car and was told they did not do them as they were expensive. A customer sitting in a new R8 told me that the turbo powered engine (yep) was faster (yep) than a McLaren's. Berk. These cars are not for enthusiasts. I was met with a sour discourtesy and disinterest and will stick gladly with the pork - silly me for looking.

[UpTheIron]

Strange, but you get idiots in every profession.

I bought mine independently, could have got an Audi warranty but didn't and recent 'big' service was well under £1k at a main dealer and would have been cheaper still at a indie.

Don't be put off, a very different proposition to a 996TT but a much sharper performer imho.

[ScienceTeacher]

Pleased to get a counterpoint. I was clearly cross as I like the blasted things. You use main dealers. Can they repair things? My limited experience is that they replace things.

[Nuttcase]

Sorry to hear about your experience but I would not give up just because you have met a couple of n0bbers at a dealership. (I've had similar experience at a Porsche dealership, let's say in the Greater Manchester area) The v10 is one of the few remaining high capacity engines, is generally robust and makes one of the best sounds of any car you can buy. Thanks to hefty depreciation in the initial years, you can pick up a good gen2 for less than £90k.

Any R8 listed in the used approved network will come with at least one year warranty or longer if the car is less than two years old. I'm not aware of Audi offering a service package for the R8, but you can certainly extend the warranty beyond the original three years - it's an insurance type product offered by VW Financial Services. Typically costs about £1800 if you are taking out a new warranty and ~£1200 to extend an existing warranty. Routine servicing costs are similar to high end Porsches at the main dealers anything from £600 to £1200 - same range that a friend pays for his 991.1 GT3 servicing. You are also very close to probably the foremost authority on R8s in the UK - that is RIcky Elder at REPerformance in Swindon, who does everything from routine servicing to engine rebuilds and turbo installs.

If you are looking at the gen2 (end 2015+) I would avoid the first 2016 model year if the car has magnetic ride, as it's under-damped and was upgraded for the 2017MY. If you have specific questions, feel free to drop me a PM - I'm on my second R8 and loving it, and will help you as best I can.

[bigmowley]

Agree with the above. My dealership experiences have been OK so far. First service was £600, at Sytner Coventry.
I jumped ship into a new R8 RWS instead of paying overs for a 991GT3 Gen 2 when my lovely Porsche dealer declined to sell me one. Think they did me a favour I have not had a single worry about stitching colour and leather dashes for nearly 2 years now.

Fab car, its a keeper. I've done a few tweeks to make it more track focused and its Ace. Gratuitous picture:




Still in the Porsche fold though, new Spyder arrives at dealer this week. Happy days.

[robj4]

Another shout to go and see Ricky Elder at REP.
He dreams about his hospital lab engine rebuild room in his sleep and has a wealth of knowledge on all things R8 and much more besides.

[ScienceTeacher]

Gents, thanks for the positive stuff. Glad to hear of a decent specialist and I appreciate the offer of more advice. Sounds like there are some enthusiasts out there after all!

[Kevin-sz0nv]

I have a 996 Turbo and GT3. I bought my series 1 manual R8 V10 spider a year ago and I love it. Not had one fault typical Audi and with my aftermarket exhaust it sounds fantastic. I still love the 996 especially the Turbo as its a tip so a nice everyday car where the GT3 and R8 are more of weekend fun car. The R8 is a superb car I can't recommend them highly enough especially the manual.
I've tarted the interiors up I always do I hate all black.

[jakesmith]

ScienceTeacher said:

I've always quite liked the idea of these. I own a 996 Turbo (which I like) and had a couple of regular C2s before that. I saw an Audi ad that suggested that they offered a warranty and servicing package on second hand cars. I used the Hartech scheme for my Carreras and it worked well for me. I don't like the idea of mega bills for the R8 and there don't seem to be many Audi specialists. I live in Abingdon and popped into a local main dealer. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I was met with gruff dismissal. I was told that R8s were very expensive to service (£1000 a year, goodness me) and that they did not offer these packages on second hand cars out of network (not sure of the legality of that, but anyway). They also said they did not sell any cars over a year old (good luck with that). I was not offered a brochure on the new car and was told they did not do them as they were expensive. A customer sitting in a new R8 told me that the turbo powered engine (yep) was faster (yep) than a McLaren's. Berk. These cars are not for enthusiasts. I was met with a sour discourtesy and disinterest and will stick gladly with the pork - silly me for looking.

Don't write off a car because the franchised garage near you is crap
R8 is a fantastic car and gen 1 drives as nicely as a comparable 997 but in a package that looks a lot more exclusive
There are specialist indis about - not as many as Porsche though
Excellent car I can't recommend it strongly enough - it is a drivers car, a very comfortable to drive around in, looks quite exotic but much more discreet than some others

[davejones]

Main dealers can vary so much..... - I was also seduced by the Audi R8 and eventually bought my gen 1 Manual V10 Spyder last year from a Main Audi dealer who couldn't have been better - the car was eight years old and had been known to the dealer from new - it came with a full Audi warranty and although it had only done 12k miles had a new set of Pirellis fitted (I was told this was because Audi wouldn't warranty a car with tyres older than 4 years.....) It's a great piece of kit, I've done a number of long journeys in it, it's very comfortable and that engine is just superb!
I'm fortunate to have a few toys to play with including a 550 Maranello and a 996 gen 2 GT3, when the sun is out however, the R8 with the hood down is the car of choice. Running costs are reasonable the only problem I've had with my local dealer is to make sure the R8 trained mechanic is available when it needs a service! Sadly Manuals are getting rare in the dealer network, and the gen 2 car shape is not to my taste but they are a great value supercar in my opinion - a lot of people dismiss them because of the mainstream badge and rather anonymous looks but believe me they are a great car.

[ScienceTeacher]

Thanks for this encouraging post! I need to try one out now..

[Terminator X]

bigmowley said:

Agree with the above. My dealership experiences have been OK so far. First service was £600, at Sytner Coventry.
I jumped ship into a new R8 RWS instead of paying overs for a 991GT3 Gen 2 when my lovely Porsche dealer declined to sell me one. Think they did me a favour I have not had a single worry about stitching colour and leather dashes for nearly 2 years now.

Fab car, its a keeper. I've done a few tweeks to make it more track focused and its Ace. Gratuitous picture:




Still in the Porsche fold though, new Spyder arrives at dealer this week. Happy days.

Rare car that, didn't Audi struggle (are struggling) to sell them all?

TX.

[bigmowley]

Terminator X said:

Rare car that, didn't Audi struggle (are struggling) to sell them all?

TX.

I read somewhere that there are only 35 registered in the UK. Which makes it very special indeed. I wouldn’t mind betting that they never sold the 1000 of them worldwide.
It was cracking value for money when I bought it. Mine was about £117K. I’ve spent about £20K on Audi Sport Parts as well as a few bespoke bits and bobs. However it’s now a brilliant track car and with 605BHP it’s damm fast as well. Apart from the ground clearance which is a bit abysmal at the moment it’s fine on the road as well. I use it regularly as a daily. I just need to jack it up a bit on the coil overs and do a winter geometry set up.

[jakesmith]

bigmowley said:

Terminator X said:

Rare car that, didn't Audi struggle (are struggling) to sell them all?

TX.

I read somewhere that there are only 35 registered in the UK. Which makes it very special indeed. I wouldn’t mind betting that they never sold the 1000 of them worldwide.
It was cracking value for money when I bought it. Mine was about £117K. I’ve spent about £20K on Audi Sport Parts as well as a few bespoke bits and bobs. However it’s now a brilliant track car and with 605BHP it’s damm fast as well. Apart from the ground clearance which is a bit abysmal at the moment it’s fine on the road as well. I use it regularly as a daily. I just need to jack it up a bit on the coil overs and do a winter geometry set up.

You can make your own version of it I was reading on R8Talk, by removing the rear wheels or something