Audi R8 advise

[PompeyReece]

electron16 said:

Hi, what is the best option for standard servicing of my R8 V8 ?. I note that many owners prefer to use a good specialist, which I've used for a battery change (not a simple replacement !) etc. but now it needs a service at 22,000 miles. I'm very happy with the specialist, but thinking of the future when I need to sell.
Most buyers will expect to see an Audi dealers stamp. Not sure if a non-Audi dealer stamp would put 'uninformed' buyers off ?

Personally if you're only keeping the car for 1-2 years I'd use a dealer, as much as it pains me to suggest it

If keeping it for longer, an good indie's stamp is fine for me.

One of the most important things for me when buying a car is that it's been serviced - too many cars have service gaps which puts me right off.

Also depends on your location - if you live in Swindon or close there's only one option.

[paddy1970]

electron16 said:

Hi, what is the best option for standard servicing of my R8 V8 ?. I note that many owners prefer to use a good specialist, which I've used for a battery change (not a simple replacement !) etc. but now it needs a service at 22,000 miles. I'm very happy with the specialist, but thinking of the future when I need to sell.
Most buyers will expect to see an Audi dealers stamp. Not sure if a non-Audi dealer stamp would put 'uninformed' buyers off ?

There is only one indie that I will trust with my R8: Ricky Elder at REP. He is well known and his stamps will be worth more than an Audi dealer. Most R8 owners knows his reputation. Otherwise, I would stick to the Audi dealership.

[electron16]

Thanks for your comments guys, probably choose the specialist as they are enthusiasts and I can be sure they will do a good job.

[GroundZero]

Hijacking a recent R8 thread.......(sorry).....

I'm also considering an R8 V10 and was wondering what the carbon build up severity is on cars that have done certain mileage.

For those in the know, please correct if wrong but the various models of the V10 R8 are below (I think).
Gen-1: 2010 - 2012
Gen-1 Facelift: 2013 - 2015
Gen-2: 2016 - Present

Two questions:
(1) Was the manual gearbox available in the Gen-1 Facelift model years?
(2) I believe the Gen-2 had changes to the engine to include port-injection, thus removing the carbon build up that plagues direct-injection engines. Did the Gen-1 Facelift receive such engine changes?

[jakesmith]

Hi
Gen 1 facelift was available as manual or S-tronic
Gen 2 I haven’t heard about that engine redesign
Carbon buildup is a non-issue. Have it cleaned every 30,000 miles or so. That’s probably once every 5-6 years for a typical R8 and it costs £500. You’d spend more than that changing the water pump and timing belt on a Golf over the same timeframe but unlike the Golf example, the carbon issue won’t destroy your engine if it isn’t done on time.

[ricky.rep]

Hello Chaps,

Thank you for the kind words from those who have mentioned me & REPerformance.

Things to watch for:

Mag ride is the worst part - we swap these for R8 passive units and is a common swap now.
AC compressors - never replaced one for a genuine failure, normally mis diagnosed condensers (V8 is engine out, V10 engine in to swap).
Early V8's have issues with rear ball joints which require full suspension swap (discontinued parts).
V10's leak from the oil pump drive.
Clutch is expensive to replace, the pedal should be very light - if not the release bearing is on its way out.
Carbon build will be awful on V8, much better engine software on the V10 means it isn't as big an issue.

Other than that they are pretty solid, just do your homework and buy a good one.

Early V8 R-Tronics are pretty slow to change, the software was much better on the V10's.

There are only 7 (left of 9) R8 V10 Gen 1 Plus in manual - we look after them all but 1 and I know of one for sale atm.

If you are choosing, Gen 1 V10 manual......last of the V10 supercars!

If you need any help please feel free to give me a shout!

Cheers Ricky

[ricky.rep]

jakesmith said:

Hi
Gen 1 facelift was available as manual or S-tronic
Gen 2 I haven’t heard about that engine redesign
Carbon buildup is a non-issue. Have it cleaned every 30,000 miles or so. That’s probably once every 5-6 years for a typical R8 and it costs £500. You’d spend more than that changing the water pump and timing belt on a Golf over the same timeframe but unlike the Golf example, the carbon issue won’t destroy your engine if it isn’t done on time.

The engine has differences from Gen 1 to Gen 2, 2 major differences inside.

The main external one is the Gen has 20 injectors instead of 10.

Cheers Ricky

[jakesmith]

ricky.rep said:

Hello Chaps,

Thank you for the kind words from those who have mentioned me & REPerformance.

Things to watch for:

Mag ride is the worst part - we swap these for R8 passive units and is a common swap now.
AC compressors - never replaced one for a genuine failure, normally mis diagnosed condensers (V8 is engine out, V10 engine in to swap).
Early V8's have issues with rear ball joints which require full suspension swap (discontinued parts).
V10's leak from the oil pump drive.
Clutch is expensive to replace, the pedal should be very light - if not the release bearing is on its way out.
Carbon build will be awful on V8, much better engine software on the V10 means it isn't as big an issue.

Other than that they are pretty solid, just do your homework and buy a good one.

Early V8 R-Tronics are pretty slow to change, the software was much better on the V10's.

There are only 7 (left of 9) R8 V10 Gen 1 Plus in manual - we look after them all but 1 and I know of one for sale atm.

If you are choosing, Gen 1 V10 manual......last of the V10 supercars!

If you need any help please feel free to give me a shout!

Cheers Ricky

THanks RIcky... why can't there be improved software for the R8 (& B7) if software addresses the issue in the V10?

[MalcQV]

Not sure if I should start a separate post and I may well do.
I'm currently in a Ferrari 360 and fancy a change. I considered a few cars but I keep coming back to an R8. I would like a V10 and the R-Tronic is most likely within my budget. I have seen a Spyder V10 manual and though normally my exotic Sports Cars (let's not start a 'no it isn't a supercar rant ) are all coupes, well the three Ferraris have been but I am warming to and quite like the idea of an R8 Spyder and it is within my budget (besides I'm ditching an old Z3 too so this will cover that base) assuming I get what I'd like for my 360.

I think I am reasonably informed on what the potential problems might be. My next thought is specialists. I have had plenty to choose from in Manchester for my Ferraris I've owned and I can't fault any of the particular two I have used. However they do not cover R8's even though one has maintained a Gallardo or two.

I guess I should not rule out Audi dealers though I recall there are only some equipped to deal wit R8's?

My first question is are there any specialists in the North West? Second question; I guess it depends where I buy a car from in the country but does anybody favour any particular company to do PPI's North, Middle or South of the UK? Always been plenty of help on hand for this on Ferraris. I'm not sure RAC or AA PPI's are right for this. I would never have considered one for a Ferrari.

I do still need to move my 360 on so currently it is all speculation. I sat in my 360 last night and started to have second thoughts

Edited by MalcQV on Thursday 18th February 10:20

[R8Reece]

MalcQV said:

Not sure if I should start a separate post and I may well do.
I'm currently in a Ferrari 360 and fancy a change. I considered a few cars but I keep coming back to an R8. I would like a V10 and the R-Tronic is most likely within my budget. I have seen a Spyder V10 manual and though normally my exotic Sports Cars (let's not start a 'no it isn't a supercar rant ) are all coupes, well the three Ferraris have been but I am warming to and quite like the idea of an R8 Spyder and it is within my budget (besides I'm ditching an old Z3 too so this will cover that base) assuming I get what I'd like for my 360.

I think I am reasonably informed on what the potential problems might be. My next thought is specialists. I have had plenty to choose from in Manchester for my Ferraris I've owned and I can't fault any of the particular two I have used. However they do not cover R8's even though one has maintained a Gallardo or two.

I guess I should not rule out Audi dealers though I recall there are only some equipped to deal wit R8's?

My first question is are there any specialists in the North West? Second question; I guess it depends where I buy a car from in the country but does anybody favour any particular company to do PDI's North, Middle or South of the UK? Always been plenty of help on hand for this on Ferraris. I'm not sure RAC or AA PDI's are right for this. I would never have considered one for a Ferrari.

I do still need to move my 360 on so currently it is all speculation. I sat in my 360 last night and started to have second thoughts

Unsure on specialists in the north west however Ricky at RE Performance in Swindon is the top guy to go to down South.

Alternatively I had the RAC do a PPI on an R8 (AA don't do them for R8's last time I checked) for £500 which was helpful/comprehensive as the car was a long way from me. I've also used QS Tuning in Haywards Health for a PPI and the subsequent ownership experience has proved them good to their word.

[MalcQV]

R8Reece said:

Unsure on specialists in the north west however Ricky at RE Performance in Swindon is the top guy to go to down South.

Alternatively I had the RAC do a PPI on an R8 (AA don't do them for R8's last time I checked) for £500 which was helpful/comprehensive as the car was a long way from me. I've also used QS Tuning in Haywards Health for a PPI and the subsequent ownership experience has proved them good to their word.

Thanks, most I have looked at on Autotrader and here tend to be in the South. So for PPI that's good. From your experience did the RAC's PPI seem thorough e.g. checking for misting on struts and frame cracking (although the latter is rare I believe)?

[R8Reece]

MalcQV said:

Thanks, most I have looked at on Autotrader and here tend to be in the South. So for PPI that's good. From your experience did the RAC's PPI seem thorough e.g. checking for misting on struts and frame cracking (although the latter is rare I believe)?

The frame cracking I would check for but is extremely rare - if a frame is cracked it’s had a front end shunt. Would not put me off but unsure if RAC would check it (see below).

Yes, the RAC was very thorough but you ought to confirm with the engineer performing the PPI if there’s anything you want checking. The leaking struts are relatively easy to access, the frame requires removal of the boot liner so I think unlikely the RAC will check it.

[GroundZero]

R8Reece said:

if a frame is cracked it’s had a front end shunt.

Apparently frame cracking was an engineering weakness that could arise from simply going over a large enough pot hole in the road at certain trigger speed.
Or driving over some significant debris, or raised kerb or the like.

It results from a quick enough shock going up through the suspension struts where the top mount area of the frame does not have the design resilience to absorb the vertical forces.

What is also generally unknown is whether cracking can arise from a repeated occurrence of less severe shocks (such as road bumps at a certain speed, or from trackdays running over apex kerbs etc). Something that may not be apparent at the time but can cause stress cracking over time.

Generally speaking if the car has not had front end impacts on the suspension as described above there is a very low probability that there will be any cracking. But of course it becomes more of an unknown as the years press on and as mileage on those cars builds up.


Just to correct the "front end shunt" from the quote above - a front end shunt would unlikely create the cracking that is often attributed to the 1st Gen R8 as it would not provide the vertical forces that do this. A front end shunt would apply longitudinal forces to the bulkhead for which, depending on the severity can create any number of other issues, but not the specific "frame cracking" that is reported from the suspension strut mounts.

[R8Reece]

GroundZero said:

Apparently frame cracking was an engineering weakness that could arise from simply going over a large enough pot hole in the road at certain trigger speed.
Or driving over some significant debris, or raised kerb or the like.

It results from a quick enough shock going up through the suspension struts where the top mount area of the frame does not have the design resilience to absorb the vertical forces.

What is also generally unknown is whether cracking can arise from a repeated occurrence of less severe shocks (such as road bumps at a certain speed, or from trackdays running over apex kerbs etc). Something that may not be apparent at the time but can cause stress cracking over time.

Generally speaking if the car has not had front end impacts on the suspension as described above there is a very low probability that there will be any cracking. But of course it becomes more of an unknown as the years press on and as mileage on those cars builds up.

Just to correct the "front end shunt" from the quote above - a front end shunt would unlikely create the cracking that is often attributed to the 1st Gen R8 as it would not provide the vertical forces that do this. A front end shunt would apply longitudinal forces to the bulkhead for which, depending on the severity can create any number of other issues, but not the specific "frame cracking" that is reported from the suspension strut mounts.

Thanks for the comprehensive correction. I was being generic and trying to suggest outside forces would cause a frame crack vs it will happen under normal driving. You put it far better and more detail than I.

[MalcQV]

Thanks folks.
I will look into that a little myself. Frame issues were potentially from 2006 - 2011 models?

I think where possible I'd rather use an independent for the PPI.

[R8Reece]

MalcQV said:

Thanks folks.
I will look into that a little myself. Frame issues were potentially from 2006 - 2011 models?

I think where possible I'd rather use an independent for the PPI.

Yes, those dates sound about right although being a pedant, the first R8's were registered in 2007 :-)

Good luck with your search, do keep this thread updated with your progress.

[Trev450]

MalcQV said:

Thanks folks.
I will look into that a little myself. Frame issues were potentially from 2006 - 2011 models?

I think where possible I'd rather use an independent for the PPI.

There were a few 2010 cars that had the frame gussets fitted by the factory, but if you are looking 2011 onwards they should all have been done.
An indy is definately the route to take for PPI's especially if you intend to use them post purchase.

[MalcQV]

Thanks for the info. With the few Ferraris I have owned I've always used an independent but main dealers in that case were rarely an option.

From my experience with Ferrari I'd prefer to use and indie as you do strike up a good relationship. Staff rarely change.

The only indie I have found near me is SuperCarClinic in Bolton.

[Raven Flyer]

GroundZero said:

R8Reece said:

if a frame is cracked it’s had a front end shunt.

Apparently frame cracking was an engineering weakness that could arise from simply going over a large enough pot hole in the road at certain trigger speed.
Or driving over some significant debris, or raised kerb or the like.

It results from a quick enough shock going up through the suspension struts where the top mount area of the frame does not have the design resilience to absorb the vertical forces.

What is also generally unknown is whether cracking can arise from a repeated occurrence of less severe shocks (such as road bumps at a certain speed, or from trackdays running over apex kerbs etc). Something that may not be apparent at the time but can cause stress cracking over time.

Generally speaking if the car has not had front end impacts on the suspension as described above there is a very low probability that there will be any cracking. But of course it becomes more of an unknown as the years press on and as mileage on those cars builds up.


Just to correct the "front end shunt" from the quote above - a front end shunt would unlikely create the cracking that is often attributed to the 1st Gen R8 as it would not provide the vertical forces that do this. A front end shunt would apply longitudinal forces to the bulkhead for which, depending on the severity can create any number of other issues, but not the specific "frame cracking" that is reported from the suspension strut mounts.

I'm not sure who told you this but it is a direct contradiction to what I have been told by the UK's most experienced R8 technician (REP).

REP have not seen one single R8 with frame cracks, that was not also involved in a front end crash.

The problem started in the US and when checking the cars there, the victims had also had front end crashes.

This is one of the biggest scare mongering non events to ever circle the internet.

[MalcQV]

Raven Flyer said:

I'm not sure who told you this but it is a direct contradiction to what I have been told by the UK's most experienced R8 technician (REP).

REP have not seen one single R8 with frame cracks, that was not also involved in a front end crash.

The problem started in the US and when checking the cars there, the victims had also had front end crashes.

This is one of the biggest scare mongering non events to ever circle the internet.

Interesting.