My Gallardo LP560 ownership experience
Discussion
Hey Folks,
So I am 6 months in to my LP560 ownership experience and I thought I would share my thoughts on here, when I started to look at this model I was trying to hoover up as much info as possible, so hopefully this is handy for some folks who are considering...
The Market
The Gallardo has been around a while with the earlier cars released in 2003, and the final edition models on a 2013 plate. The cars are divided into 2 categories Pre-LP and LP, with the later LP cars being released from 2008. I found the LP market had a good choice of models from specialist supercar dealers while some of the earlier cars were available from a host of 'prestige' car sellers. The main consideration for me when looking was to find a vehicle that had been well cared for, that meant either main dealer or specialist dealer service history. They are about but considering most of the LP models are 10yrs old its becoming rarer. With LP cars now falling into the £70-90k bracket some are likely to suffer from poor maintenance, skipped services and mask potential problems, as always its better to buy on condition.
Driving Experience
This car likes to make a noise...many claim the earlier 5.0 Lamborghini engine is better than the later 5.2 Audi sourced unit, I was unable to compare them but I am not disappointed with the sound of my LP (caveat - when the valves open). On cold start they bark into life and after about 20 seconds should settle into a steady idle, the valves won't open again until you over around 2.5k rpm. On the move the single clutch gearbox works well and is smooth if you anticipate the upshift and lift off a little, you soon get used to it. On the charge the gearbox is fine, common advise is to leave the car in manual and sport mode to help prolong the life of the clutch (which as it happens is much more robust in the LP models). The steering is quite numb a slow speed and it has a weight to it, as you build up speed it lightens up and you get a better feel of the car, on a fast dry road the car has plenty of mechanical grip but its still possible to upset the balance of the car with an ill timed upshift mid-corner. The Spyder model amps up the experience another notch for me, having the ability to drop the rear window to hear the noise, and then when the weather is right go full top down. Buffeting with the top down is at an acceptable level, and improves with the side windows up (I have travelled at motorway speeds and can easily converse with the passenger)
What's to like
- Overall reliability of the car has been excellent and there seems to be little evidence in forums of major problems (especially with the well sorted LP cars)
- The sound of that V10 on full chat is excellent, and for those of you wondering if its alike to the R8, its not exactly the same as the Lamborghini used a different header design which does change the sound characteristics
- The public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, lots of people want to talk to you and thumbs up on the road (never had that in the 911)
- The LP560 actually has quite a small footprint, its not as wide a car as you may think, it's the same width as a Porsche 992 but shorter by 15cm
- There are plenty of good independents about now offering service and maintenance for these vehicles, its not necessary to pay the Lambo tax
- Values are holding steady but have not seen the jump that say the Ferrari 458 has in the last couple of years (they are still a relative supercar bargin)
- I love all the old school analogue instruments for oil pressure, temperature and battery level, there is something quite pleasant about looking at proper analogue dials
- Its clear that the Audi parts bin was raided, but there is enough flamboyance in the design to give it its own character, I consider the Audi parts and engineering add to the overall solidity of the car
What's not to like
- If your a tall person (over 6ft 2') you are probably going to struggle with headroom (at least in the Spyder)
- The foot peddles are canted over to the left, you get used to them but it feels odd at first
- The Spyder has no space behind the rear seats for storage, its actually pretty poor on overall luggage space
- The valves shut shortly after cold start and the car is much quieter than you may expect until you the stab the throttle a bit (can be fixed with controllers and aftermarket exhausts)
Things you need to know
- The LP engine is dry sump and needs to have the oil accurately read, expect to top up every 1k miles
- The seats can rub on the bulkhead if you have the Spyder and create an annoying squeak (again this is a problem if your very tall)
- Initially the steeply raked windscreen feels odd, trust me you will get used to it very quickly
- Many of the consumables are Audi parts (such as brakes) and can therefore can be sourced much cheaper than through Lamborghini
- The tank is good for 300miles at a cruise, 200 when pressing on a little (its easy to get 15mpg average if you try)
Overall my experience has been very positive, I am glad I took the plunge and have put 3k miles on my car in 6 months. The LP560 always appealed to me when I was younger and the ownership experience did not disappoint. I had an R8 in the past and this car puts that in the shade by some margin, not just as a drivers car but as an overall experience.
I still think the side profile of the Gallardo is one of the best supercar shapes of that era
So I am 6 months in to my LP560 ownership experience and I thought I would share my thoughts on here, when I started to look at this model I was trying to hoover up as much info as possible, so hopefully this is handy for some folks who are considering...
The Market
The Gallardo has been around a while with the earlier cars released in 2003, and the final edition models on a 2013 plate. The cars are divided into 2 categories Pre-LP and LP, with the later LP cars being released from 2008. I found the LP market had a good choice of models from specialist supercar dealers while some of the earlier cars were available from a host of 'prestige' car sellers. The main consideration for me when looking was to find a vehicle that had been well cared for, that meant either main dealer or specialist dealer service history. They are about but considering most of the LP models are 10yrs old its becoming rarer. With LP cars now falling into the £70-90k bracket some are likely to suffer from poor maintenance, skipped services and mask potential problems, as always its better to buy on condition.
Driving Experience
This car likes to make a noise...many claim the earlier 5.0 Lamborghini engine is better than the later 5.2 Audi sourced unit, I was unable to compare them but I am not disappointed with the sound of my LP (caveat - when the valves open). On cold start they bark into life and after about 20 seconds should settle into a steady idle, the valves won't open again until you over around 2.5k rpm. On the move the single clutch gearbox works well and is smooth if you anticipate the upshift and lift off a little, you soon get used to it. On the charge the gearbox is fine, common advise is to leave the car in manual and sport mode to help prolong the life of the clutch (which as it happens is much more robust in the LP models). The steering is quite numb a slow speed and it has a weight to it, as you build up speed it lightens up and you get a better feel of the car, on a fast dry road the car has plenty of mechanical grip but its still possible to upset the balance of the car with an ill timed upshift mid-corner. The Spyder model amps up the experience another notch for me, having the ability to drop the rear window to hear the noise, and then when the weather is right go full top down. Buffeting with the top down is at an acceptable level, and improves with the side windows up (I have travelled at motorway speeds and can easily converse with the passenger)
What's to like
- Overall reliability of the car has been excellent and there seems to be little evidence in forums of major problems (especially with the well sorted LP cars)
- The sound of that V10 on full chat is excellent, and for those of you wondering if its alike to the R8, its not exactly the same as the Lamborghini used a different header design which does change the sound characteristics
- The public reaction has been overwhelmingly positive, lots of people want to talk to you and thumbs up on the road (never had that in the 911)
- The LP560 actually has quite a small footprint, its not as wide a car as you may think, it's the same width as a Porsche 992 but shorter by 15cm
- There are plenty of good independents about now offering service and maintenance for these vehicles, its not necessary to pay the Lambo tax
- Values are holding steady but have not seen the jump that say the Ferrari 458 has in the last couple of years (they are still a relative supercar bargin)
- I love all the old school analogue instruments for oil pressure, temperature and battery level, there is something quite pleasant about looking at proper analogue dials
- Its clear that the Audi parts bin was raided, but there is enough flamboyance in the design to give it its own character, I consider the Audi parts and engineering add to the overall solidity of the car
What's not to like
- If your a tall person (over 6ft 2') you are probably going to struggle with headroom (at least in the Spyder)
- The foot peddles are canted over to the left, you get used to them but it feels odd at first
- The Spyder has no space behind the rear seats for storage, its actually pretty poor on overall luggage space
- The valves shut shortly after cold start and the car is much quieter than you may expect until you the stab the throttle a bit (can be fixed with controllers and aftermarket exhausts)
Things you need to know
- The LP engine is dry sump and needs to have the oil accurately read, expect to top up every 1k miles
- The seats can rub on the bulkhead if you have the Spyder and create an annoying squeak (again this is a problem if your very tall)
- Initially the steeply raked windscreen feels odd, trust me you will get used to it very quickly
- Many of the consumables are Audi parts (such as brakes) and can therefore can be sourced much cheaper than through Lamborghini
- The tank is good for 300miles at a cruise, 200 when pressing on a little (its easy to get 15mpg average if you try)
Overall my experience has been very positive, I am glad I took the plunge and have put 3k miles on my car in 6 months. The LP560 always appealed to me when I was younger and the ownership experience did not disappoint. I had an R8 in the past and this car puts that in the shade by some margin, not just as a drivers car but as an overall experience.
I still think the side profile of the Gallardo is one of the best supercar shapes of that era
Edited by jdwoodbury on Tuesday 26th October 15:11
Edited by jdwoodbury on Wednesday 12th January 15:02
That is an identicle spec to my 1st Gallardo, even down to the black calipers.
Lovely car in the correct spec as above, always a positive response with that car.
If you want to drive around with a silly grin on your face, fit a larini clubsport exhaust.
That is all the supercar you really need to be fair.
Nice write up, and a very nice car!!
Lovely car in the correct spec as above, always a positive response with that car.
If you want to drive around with a silly grin on your face, fit a larini clubsport exhaust.
That is all the supercar you really need to be fair.
Nice write up, and a very nice car!!
Nice write up.
Small correction though, facelift was 2013. No Gallardos were actually made in 2014, only a handful of late registered 2013 cars. Also I've seen a few 2013 registered cars that are actually 2012 models.
Facelift is easily identified by the different front and rear bumpers etc.
Small correction though, facelift was 2013. No Gallardos were actually made in 2014, only a handful of late registered 2013 cars. Also I've seen a few 2013 registered cars that are actually 2012 models.
Facelift is easily identified by the different front and rear bumpers etc.
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