Discussion
Finally I am lucky enough to be in a position where I can now afford an older R8.
I have read all the reviews I can and apart from the practicality (and to be honest you don’t buy a car like this for this reason) there doesn’t seem to be any inherent problems. I am looking at getting the manual version around 2008 – 2009 model with up to 35K on the clock.
Is there any advice from owners or previous owners who can give me any advice on the good & the bad. Anything to look for when going to view one?
Thanks for your help
I know there are all sorts of options going for the price bracket I am in but had my heart set on the R8 since I first saw it. Hoping it lives up what I think it will be.
Scott
I have read all the reviews I can and apart from the practicality (and to be honest you don’t buy a car like this for this reason) there doesn’t seem to be any inherent problems. I am looking at getting the manual version around 2008 – 2009 model with up to 35K on the clock.
Is there any advice from owners or previous owners who can give me any advice on the good & the bad. Anything to look for when going to view one?
Thanks for your help
I know there are all sorts of options going for the price bracket I am in but had my heart set on the R8 since I first saw it. Hoping it lives up what I think it will be.
Scott
Wrong place. Ask here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Pioneer said:
Wrong place. Ask here: http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
That full thread doesn't really answer anything for the OP. What is your budget OP?
scott36 said:
R8Steve - 50k would be the top of the budget
TISPKJ - Yes I read that post. Seems like miles don't make too much difference but would rather say as low as possible or am I worries about nothing?
I didn't read whole thread as not particularly of interest but remembered being one recently on R8.TISPKJ - Yes I read that post. Seems like miles don't make too much difference but would rather say as low as possible or am I worries about nothing?
As ever buy the best you can afford, not sure why anyone would want a manual though but that's just me.
Buy the red car at McLaren Ascot before I do would be my advice
I have a fairly high mileage R8 V10 having just gone through 41k, 12k in less than a year of my ownership, the cars only got better with the mileage and they like to be driven.
My dealer drove mine after about 5 months into my ownership and was impressed how much the car had "opened" up and revved more freely
My dealer drove mine after about 5 months into my ownership and was impressed how much the car had "opened" up and revved more freely
cgt2 said:
scott36 said:
R8Steve - 50k would be the top of the budget
TISPKJ - Yes I read that post. Seems like miles don't make too much difference but would rather say as low as possible or am I worries about nothing?
Would it be worth pushing another 10-15k and getting into a V10?TISPKJ - Yes I read that post. Seems like miles don't make too much difference but would rather say as low as possible or am I worries about nothing?
Somebody pointed out on the Aston forum recently that when new owners posted that they'd bought a V8, they were immediately told they should have bought a V12.
Life is way too short for waiting all the time, and once you save enough for a V10, well - only another £10k would get you X, Y or Z and you'd be stupid not to save a bit more.....
If you can do it now, then my advice is do it. Nobody knows what tomorrow brings and if you get hit by a bus next week which would you rather - that you'd started saving more for the V10 or that you'd been driving around in a V8?
Nothing stops you from trading up to the V10 later.
Life is way too short for waiting all the time, and once you save enough for a V10, well - only another £10k would get you X, Y or Z and you'd be stupid not to save a bit more.....
If you can do it now, then my advice is do it. Nobody knows what tomorrow brings and if you get hit by a bus next week which would you rather - that you'd started saving more for the V10 or that you'd been driving around in a V8?
Nothing stops you from trading up to the V10 later.
davek_964 said:
Somebody pointed out on the Aston forum recently that when new owners posted that they'd bought a V8, they were immediately told they should have bought a V12.
Life is way too short for waiting all the time, and once you save enough for a V10, well - only another £10k would get you X, Y or Z and you'd be stupid not to save a bit more.....
If you can do it now, then my advice is do it. Nobody knows what tomorrow brings and if you get hit by a bus next week which would you rather - that you'd started saving more for the V10 or that you'd been driving around in a V8?
Nothing stops you from trading up to the V10 later.
A good point well made. 50k will get you a nice V8 now and they are holding their money, even, dare i say, rising.Life is way too short for waiting all the time, and once you save enough for a V10, well - only another £10k would get you X, Y or Z and you'd be stupid not to save a bit more.....
If you can do it now, then my advice is do it. Nobody knows what tomorrow brings and if you get hit by a bus next week which would you rather - that you'd started saving more for the V10 or that you'd been driving around in a V8?
Nothing stops you from trading up to the V10 later.
I've driven both and the V10 does sound a lot better and it is faster but it doesn't mean the V8 is a bad car, far from it!
Hi Scott
I'm going to chime in... My V8 R8 has 99k on the clock yes 99k don't be too put off by mileage these cars can handle it the engine is probably the best all round I've owned and I've had Maserati's and M5 etc it's got a lovely low growl and they pull very well
Mine will still do 20+ MPG on a good run they are awesome cars and a pure joy to own personally I love the characteristics of a V8 and the price bracket so chose that over a V10 which id had previously in my M5 anyway.
I'm going to chime in... My V8 R8 has 99k on the clock yes 99k don't be too put off by mileage these cars can handle it the engine is probably the best all round I've owned and I've had Maserati's and M5 etc it's got a lovely low growl and they pull very well
Mine will still do 20+ MPG on a good run they are awesome cars and a pure joy to own personally I love the characteristics of a V8 and the price bracket so chose that over a V10 which id had previously in my M5 anyway.
Scott
I looked at many R8 V8's before buying mine.
I had a couple checked and walked away.
Problems that I came across were:
Mag ride, shocks leaking
Oil coolers and associated pipe work leaking.
Air con condenser failure, that's ending out I believe.
Some early cars suffered corrosion, the one I bought actually had this problem but Audi repaired it under warranty..
These issues were found on a number of cars I viewed.
I guess if you are buying privately a good service history is essential, if you are buying from a garage a good warranty is piece of mind.
Mileage wasn't a personal concern for me, a decent spec and maintenance records were a priority.
Happy hunting, I bought an 09 with 28,000 miles and I love it, I would like a Spider in the future.
I looked at many R8 V8's before buying mine.
I had a couple checked and walked away.
Problems that I came across were:
Mag ride, shocks leaking
Oil coolers and associated pipe work leaking.
Air con condenser failure, that's ending out I believe.
Some early cars suffered corrosion, the one I bought actually had this problem but Audi repaired it under warranty..
These issues were found on a number of cars I viewed.
I guess if you are buying privately a good service history is essential, if you are buying from a garage a good warranty is piece of mind.
Mileage wasn't a personal concern for me, a decent spec and maintenance records were a priority.
Happy hunting, I bought an 09 with 28,000 miles and I love it, I would like a Spider in the future.
Edited by DJR 7 on Tuesday 1st March 20:50
Scott
I looked at many R8 V8's before buying mine.
I had a couple checked and walked away.
Problems that I came across were:
Mag ride, shocks leaking
Oil coolers and associated pipe work leaking.
Air con condenser failure, that's ending out I believe.
Some early cars suffered corrosion, the one I bought actually had this problem but Audi repaired it under warranty..
These issues were found on a number of cars I viewed.
I guess if you are buying privately a good service history is essential, if you are buying from a garage a good warranty is piece of mind.
Mileage wasn't a personal concern for me, a decent spec and maintenance records were a priority.
Happy hunting, I bought an 09 with 28,000 miles and I love it, I would like a Spider in the future.
I looked at many R8 V8's before buying mine.
I had a couple checked and walked away.
Problems that I came across were:
Mag ride, shocks leaking
Oil coolers and associated pipe work leaking.
Air con condenser failure, that's ending out I believe.
Some early cars suffered corrosion, the one I bought actually had this problem but Audi repaired it under warranty..
These issues were found on a number of cars I viewed.
I guess if you are buying privately a good service history is essential, if you are buying from a garage a good warranty is piece of mind.
Mileage wasn't a personal concern for me, a decent spec and maintenance records were a priority.
Happy hunting, I bought an 09 with 28,000 miles and I love it, I would like a Spider in the future.
Edited by DJR 7 on Tuesday 1st March 20:54
scott36 said:
DJR 7
That is some good advice. Was probably going to try and stick with a dealer for the warranty (for the reason you point out).
The problems you mention. Were they easily spotted or did you get a professional to check?
I bought a 2012 V10 which had about 3k miles on it and it had already had the oil cooler pipe work and air con condenser replaced under warranty. Actually I believe the oil cooler pipework was a recall item. An approved dealer will be able to print out all the warranty/recall work undertaken off their system.That is some good advice. Was probably going to try and stick with a dealer for the warranty (for the reason you point out).
The problems you mention. Were they easily spotted or did you get a professional to check?
The mag ride shocks leaking is a common thing and are part of the pre-sale check that Audi undertake. I think replacement are covered under warranty. When I bought mine I paid the list price (it was priced fairly) but on the condition that they gave me 2 years warranty and 2 years servicing which IMO was nice to have.
The R8 really is a good, well sorted and fun car but having driven both I had to have the V10. I don't really follow values since I sold mine but if your budget will stretch to a V10 it is the one to go for although the V8 is a lovely engine.
Scott
Big E's confirmed what I've said really.
I'm not really mechanically minded so I took a buddy along with me.
The car I purchased has had the air con condenser replaced, all four shocks, oil cooler and associated pipe work, parking sensor control unit, window regulator and the rear high level brake light.
This was all carried out under warranty, the paint corrosion is more common than I thought, some times it goes un noticed, check inside the leading edge of the bonnet, bottom of the doors, edges of the rear quarters. This again was done under warranty after I purchased the car, be warned, Audi will check paint depth and if the car has had any remedial works they are very reluctant to carry out warranty work.
A private purchase will save you some money, as long as you invest in a good warranty you'll be ok.
Big E's confirmed what I've said really.
I'm not really mechanically minded so I took a buddy along with me.
The car I purchased has had the air con condenser replaced, all four shocks, oil cooler and associated pipe work, parking sensor control unit, window regulator and the rear high level brake light.
This was all carried out under warranty, the paint corrosion is more common than I thought, some times it goes un noticed, check inside the leading edge of the bonnet, bottom of the doors, edges of the rear quarters. This again was done under warranty after I purchased the car, be warned, Audi will check paint depth and if the car has had any remedial works they are very reluctant to carry out warranty work.
A private purchase will save you some money, as long as you invest in a good warranty you'll be ok.
Edited by DJR 7 on Friday 4th March 15:03
There are also some good buying tips in this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
V8 or V10 I don't think you'll be disappointed. Manual box is lovely and the one to go for IMO. Other attractive options include the lighting pack, carbon side blades, B&O stereo (really good) and mag ride. Parking sensors are a must and heated seats a bonus. Cabin ambiance can be improved with carbon pack, extended leather or alcantara headlining.
The V8 can suffer from the "coking" issue like the RS4 which can sap some power - but it's not particularly expensive to get it removed (£300-400 or so I think, every few years).
If there is any play in the rear suspension arms (V8), try and get them replaced with a goodwill contribution from Audi - they don't make the parts for the V8 so use the V10 ones now which are fairly expensive.
Running costs have been reasonable to date, and prices are firm (and have been for at least a couple of years).
I've had mine for about a year now and really love the car. It is a great all-rounder.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
V8 or V10 I don't think you'll be disappointed. Manual box is lovely and the one to go for IMO. Other attractive options include the lighting pack, carbon side blades, B&O stereo (really good) and mag ride. Parking sensors are a must and heated seats a bonus. Cabin ambiance can be improved with carbon pack, extended leather or alcantara headlining.
The V8 can suffer from the "coking" issue like the RS4 which can sap some power - but it's not particularly expensive to get it removed (£300-400 or so I think, every few years).
If there is any play in the rear suspension arms (V8), try and get them replaced with a goodwill contribution from Audi - they don't make the parts for the V8 so use the V10 ones now which are fairly expensive.
Running costs have been reasonable to date, and prices are firm (and have been for at least a couple of years).
I've had mine for about a year now and really love the car. It is a great all-rounder.
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