Discussion
jakesmith said:
The one I bought had a full folder of invoices and fully stamped book all from Audi, £1000’s spent. Thing is I wanted exactly that one for a number of reasons and I rolled the dice on it without an inspection. Much of that spend was upgrades and discretional and any car can have shocks that start misting 5 minutes after passing an inspection.
My car is a case in fact of what you're saying. Had a ppi done and within a 1k miles both rear dampers were misting.jammy-git said:
Any of these PPI services give you any sort of warranty or guarantees?
I'm not aware of any that do but worth asking. Personally I took my chances without as I was buying a lower mileage car, not sure if I'd be so relaxed with a high miler despite how reliable these cars generally are.
Long term the issue is Audi parts pricing /availability from non oe as not many parts seem available outside main dealers.
200Plus Club said:
I'm not aware of any that do but worth asking.
Personally I took my chances without as I was buying a lower mileage car, not sure if I'd be so relaxed with a high miler despite how reliable these cars generally are.
Long term the issue is Audi parts pricing /availability from non oe as not many parts seem available outside main dealers.
Yes not many pattern parts. Despite the jibes about being a tarted up TT this doesn’t translate to reasonable part prices. I bought 3 relays that was £70, expected them to be more like £5 each. And the air con stopped working but rather than an engine out job to change the compressor it was a pressure switch common with the Passat that cost about £20. Outside of that everything is bespoke to the R8 and bloody expensive. I can’t imagine that I’d have spent more money even running a 430 Ferrari over 18 months to be honest unless it needed a new engine. Personally I took my chances without as I was buying a lower mileage car, not sure if I'd be so relaxed with a high miler despite how reliable these cars generally are.
Long term the issue is Audi parts pricing /availability from non oe as not many parts seem available outside main dealers.
jammy-git said:
Any of these PPI services give you any sort of warranty or guarantees?
I've never heard of any company offering a warranty with their PPI. Most indies will only give you a verbal report however the only place I've heard of giving a written and documented report (the next best thing after a guarantee) is the RAC - AA won't do R8's last time I checked.I used the RAC to inspect a car up north after putting a deposit down as the dealer told me "this is one of the best R8s I've seen" over the phone. Suffice to say the report (the full blown report with photos) showed he was a lying through his teeth - the report listed defects as long as your arm and would've cost me £1,000's to fix. Suffice to say that £500 was the best £500 I've ever spent. Have a look here especially if the car isn't local to you.
https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspect...
Indie PPIs are around £200 and IMHO you'd be nuts not to get one done.
PompeyReece said:
jammy-git said:
Any of these PPI services give you any sort of warranty or guarantees?
I've never heard of any company offering a warranty with their PPI. Most indies will only give you a verbal report however the only place I've heard of giving a written and documented report (the next best thing after a guarantee) is the RAC - AA won't do R8's last time I checked.I used the RAC to inspect a car up north after putting a deposit down as the dealer told me "this is one of the best R8s I've seen" over the phone. Suffice to say the report (the full blown report with photos) showed he was a lying through his teeth - the report listed defects as long as your arm and would've cost me £1,000's to fix. Suffice to say that £500 was the best £500 I've ever spent. Have a look here especially if the car isn't local to you.
https://www.rac.co.uk/buying-a-car/vehicle-inspect...
Indie PPIs are around £200 and IMHO you'd be nuts not to get one done.
One problem with doing a PPI yourself on an R8 is that the frame crack issue requires removal of some plastic trim panels to inspect if you're bothered about that, and no seller is going to let you rock up & do that on their driveway - an RAC inspection or indi garage is a different thing. And the weeping oil / PAS / clutch pipes require removal of the under chassis trays so same applies.
jammy-git said:
From what I've read, the thought that the frame cracking is a common issue is a misconception anyway?
It is indeed far from being a common issue. The time involved in checking, however, (an hour at most) would be money well spent if it meant avoiding purchasing one with the issue, especially given the cost of effecting a repair.200Plus Club said:
:-)
The bills looming on some cars will easily top 5-10k maybe more especially if you let Audi price you the parts and labour.
I viewed a 60k mile car that had literally one service in 40k miles and that was a 150 quid oil change at a back street garage.
I walked away from 2 that were the same. One was a dark blue Spyder in Essex. A bit shabby but there was movement on the price to get closer to £60k. Mileage was high 30s so above average but only two owners. On checking with Audi, only ever had one service in 6 years. The owner had no other service paperwork but was sure it had been serviced! The car even had an Audi warranty, which would have had any claim rejected due to the history. Walked away.The bills looming on some cars will easily top 5-10k maybe more especially if you let Audi price you the parts and labour.
I viewed a 60k mile car that had literally one service in 40k miles and that was a 150 quid oil change at a back street garage.
Another in a non Audi dealer in Derby. 2013 Estoril Blue Spyder V10 up for £66k but 'would negotiate'. It looked stunning. 5 owners, only seen by Audi once, no other history, needed brakes all round and even had an outstanding Audi safety recall. I didn't walk away, I ran away.
I also saw some immaculate ones, including some owned by PH members. These cars were all perfect and with full histories. I bought one of these, at more than my budget, but the right money for the car. 2 prev owners, Audi service every year and Audi MOT every year.
I put an Audi warranty on it (£1400) but nothing has gone wrong or needs replacing.
Edited by Raven Flyer on Wednesday 20th May 16:26
Raven Flyer said:
I walked away from 2 that were the same. One was a dark blue Spyder in Essex. A bit shabby but there was movement on the price to get closer to £60k. Mileage was high 30s so above average but only two owners. On checking with Audi, only ever had one service in 6 years. The owner had no other service paperwork but was sure it had been serviced! The car even had an Audi warranty, which would have had any claim rejected due to the history. Walked away.
Another in a non Audi dealer in Derby. 2013 Estoril Blue Spyder V10 up for £66k but 'would negotiate'. It looked stunning. 5 owners, only seen by Audi once, no other history, needed brakes all round and even had an outstanding Audi safety recall. I didn't walk away, I ran away.
I also saw some immaculate ones, including some owned by PH members. These cars were all perfect and with full histories. I bought one of these, at more than my budget, but the right money for the car. 2 prev owners, Audi service every year and Audi MOT every year.
I put an Audi warranty on it (£1400) but nothing has gone wrong or needs replacing.
...and that is a good example of how to buy a supercar.Another in a non Audi dealer in Derby. 2013 Estoril Blue Spyder V10 up for £66k but 'would negotiate'. It looked stunning. 5 owners, only seen by Audi once, no other history, needed brakes all round and even had an outstanding Audi safety recall. I didn't walk away, I ran away.
I also saw some immaculate ones, including some owned by PH members. These cars were all perfect and with full histories. I bought one of these, at more than my budget, but the right money for the car. 2 prev owners, Audi service every year and Audi MOT every year.
I put an Audi warranty on it (£1400) but nothing has gone wrong or needs replacing.
Edited by Raven Flyer on Wednesday 20th May 16:26
Too easy to get emotionally attached and overlook service history/other indicators that on a normal day would have you running to the hills.
PompeyReece said:
Raven Flyer said:
I walked away from 2 that were the same. One was a dark blue Spyder in Essex. A bit shabby but there was movement on the price to get closer to £60k. Mileage was high 30s so above average but only two owners. On checking with Audi, only ever had one service in 6 years. The owner had no other service paperwork but was sure it had been serviced! The car even had an Audi warranty, which would have had any claim rejected due to the history. Walked away.
Another in a non Audi dealer in Derby. 2013 Estoril Blue Spyder V10 up for £66k but 'would negotiate'. It looked stunning. 5 owners, only seen by Audi once, no other history, needed brakes all round and even had an outstanding Audi safety recall. I didn't walk away, I ran away.
I also saw some immaculate ones, including some owned by PH members. These cars were all perfect and with full histories. I bought one of these, at more than my budget, but the right money for the car. 2 prev owners, Audi service every year and Audi MOT every year.
I put an Audi warranty on it (£1400) but nothing has gone wrong or needs replacing.
...and that is a good example of how to buy a supercar.Another in a non Audi dealer in Derby. 2013 Estoril Blue Spyder V10 up for £66k but 'would negotiate'. It looked stunning. 5 owners, only seen by Audi once, no other history, needed brakes all round and even had an outstanding Audi safety recall. I didn't walk away, I ran away.
I also saw some immaculate ones, including some owned by PH members. These cars were all perfect and with full histories. I bought one of these, at more than my budget, but the right money for the car. 2 prev owners, Audi service every year and Audi MOT every year.
I put an Audi warranty on it (£1400) but nothing has gone wrong or needs replacing.
Edited by Raven Flyer on Wednesday 20th May 16:26
Too easy to get emotionally attached and overlook service history/other indicators that on a normal day would have you running to the hills.
jakesmith said:
I’m just going to list what my 2008 v8 has needed in the first 18 months of ownership. It presently needs the oil cooler and clutch pipes doing which is £1500 once lockdown is over, they are weeping. Common fault. Once that is done the car is tip top.
Upgrades:
Carbon blades £1500
Stereo £2000
Retrofit cruise £400
Retrofit heated seat £400
Exhaust £2500
Maintenance:
4 tyres £1000
Maff, filters, carbon clean, brake fluid £1100
Battery £140
Service £600
Fix air con, brake light, strut, aux belt, brake switch £1200
Repair exhaust valve, lambda probe £750
Replace bad relays £75
Replace bonnet (70% goodwill from Audi) £900
Service £600
Fix cooling fan, 2 new struts, hand brake pads, rear fog lamp assembly, wiper blades £2400
None of this is that unusual on a 12 year old car. The struts are a bargain compared to the mag ride ones. I’ve always bought older cars as I prefer something better and the cost of repairs is still lower than depreciation on a newer car. Once they settle down and you address everything they are fine and I often keep them many years. Every car I’ve had has been like this. I can’t cheer anyone on buying an older R8 thinking it can be run on A3 money as I don’t believe that to be realistic even if some lucky ones or buyers of very low mileage cars have managed it.
Just thought I'd update this, just had it serviced, oil, filter, cabin filter, brake fluid, gearbox oil, front & rear diff, 3 new oil pipes, new clutch pipe, repair PAS pipe. £2600Upgrades:
Carbon blades £1500
Stereo £2000
Retrofit cruise £400
Retrofit heated seat £400
Exhaust £2500
Maintenance:
4 tyres £1000
Maff, filters, carbon clean, brake fluid £1100
Battery £140
Service £600
Fix air con, brake light, strut, aux belt, brake switch £1200
Repair exhaust valve, lambda probe £750
Replace bad relays £75
Replace bonnet (70% goodwill from Audi) £900
Service £600
Fix cooling fan, 2 new struts, hand brake pads, rear fog lamp assembly, wiper blades £2400
None of this is that unusual on a 12 year old car. The struts are a bargain compared to the mag ride ones. I’ve always bought older cars as I prefer something better and the cost of repairs is still lower than depreciation on a newer car. Once they settle down and you address everything they are fine and I often keep them many years. Every car I’ve had has been like this. I can’t cheer anyone on buying an older R8 thinking it can be run on A3 money as I don’t believe that to be realistic even if some lucky ones or buyers of very low mileage cars have managed it.
Needs rear lower ball joints now which is going to be eye watering if I can't get the V8 parts that apparently Audi discontinued.
They may be cheap servicing if they're newer & lower miles but the older ones are not cheap to run at all in my experience (of 1). Consistently £3k-£5k+ a year in essential work
I've no experience of this but you can purchase the ball joints separately here,
https://www.vps-eu.com/product-page/audi-r8-ball-j...
https://www.vps-eu.com/product-page/audi-r8-ball-j...
Edited by Trev450 on Wednesday 10th February 20:05
Example of costs to run:
Bought a 2012 plate with around 30,000 miles in 2017. Ran it for 2.5 years and another 30,000 miles.
Cost £5,000 over that time for a couple of services, 5 new tyres, one magride (£1,000), a couple of MOT, replacement central rear brake light, and replacement brake warning sensor.
So about £178 a month, skewed higher in my case by the replacement tyres and that magride failure.
On the plus side insurance was only around £600 (road tax sadly the same!).
Fuel efficiency maybe around 15-18 mpg.
Depreciation was very low. I seem to recall a couple of grand.
Fully costed including fuel, insurance, road tax, everything I spent to maintain the car and depreciation it cost me £14,093.
Will let you be the judge if whether that's good value for money 😁
Bought a 2012 plate with around 30,000 miles in 2017. Ran it for 2.5 years and another 30,000 miles.
Cost £5,000 over that time for a couple of services, 5 new tyres, one magride (£1,000), a couple of MOT, replacement central rear brake light, and replacement brake warning sensor.
So about £178 a month, skewed higher in my case by the replacement tyres and that magride failure.
On the plus side insurance was only around £600 (road tax sadly the same!).
Fuel efficiency maybe around 15-18 mpg.
Depreciation was very low. I seem to recall a couple of grand.
Fully costed including fuel, insurance, road tax, everything I spent to maintain the car and depreciation it cost me £14,093.
Will let you be the judge if whether that's good value for money 😁
Edited by NewNameNeeded on Thursday 11th February 18:05
jakesmith said:
jakesmith said:
I’m just going to list what my 2008 v8 has needed in the first 18 months of ownership. It presently needs the oil cooler and clutch pipes doing which is £1500 once lockdown is over, they are weeping. Common fault. Once that is done the car is tip top.
Upgrades:
Carbon blades £1500
Stereo £2000
Retrofit cruise £400
Retrofit heated seat £400
Exhaust £2500
Maintenance:
4 tyres £1000
Maff, filters, carbon clean, brake fluid £1100
Battery £140
Service £600
Fix air con, brake light, strut, aux belt, brake switch £1200
Repair exhaust valve, lambda probe £750
Replace bad relays £75
Replace bonnet (70% goodwill from Audi) £900
Service £600
Fix cooling fan, 2 new struts, hand brake pads, rear fog lamp assembly, wiper blades £2400
None of this is that unusual on a 12 year old car. The struts are a bargain compared to the mag ride ones. I’ve always bought older cars as I prefer something better and the cost of repairs is still lower than depreciation on a newer car. Once they settle down and you address everything they are fine and I often keep them many years. Every car I’ve had has been like this. I can’t cheer anyone on buying an older R8 thinking it can be run on A3 money as I don’t believe that to be realistic even if some lucky ones or buyers of very low mileage cars have managed it.
Just thought I'd update this, just had it serviced, oil, filter, cabin filter, brake fluid, gearbox oil, front & rear diff, 3 new oil pipes, new clutch pipe, repair PAS pipe. £2600Upgrades:
Carbon blades £1500
Stereo £2000
Retrofit cruise £400
Retrofit heated seat £400
Exhaust £2500
Maintenance:
4 tyres £1000
Maff, filters, carbon clean, brake fluid £1100
Battery £140
Service £600
Fix air con, brake light, strut, aux belt, brake switch £1200
Repair exhaust valve, lambda probe £750
Replace bad relays £75
Replace bonnet (70% goodwill from Audi) £900
Service £600
Fix cooling fan, 2 new struts, hand brake pads, rear fog lamp assembly, wiper blades £2400
None of this is that unusual on a 12 year old car. The struts are a bargain compared to the mag ride ones. I’ve always bought older cars as I prefer something better and the cost of repairs is still lower than depreciation on a newer car. Once they settle down and you address everything they are fine and I often keep them many years. Every car I’ve had has been like this. I can’t cheer anyone on buying an older R8 thinking it can be run on A3 money as I don’t believe that to be realistic even if some lucky ones or buyers of very low mileage cars have managed it.
Needs rear lower ball joints now which is going to be eye watering if I can't get the V8 parts that apparently Audi discontinued.
They may be cheap servicing if they're newer & lower miles but the older ones are not cheap to run at all in my experience (of 1). Consistently £3k-£5k+ a year in essential work
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