Audi R8 True Running costs

[viper paul]

Hi BAT you old bugger, well best so far on a mixed run has been 22 mpg so not quite as bad as the Viper can be but in France the SRT once did 30 mpg.

But the sound of the car and the handling with the 4 wheel dive is superb and the build quality just makes you want to go out and sit in it.

In short it has sort of ruined the Viper experience, but this saturday I intend to run the R8 in the morning and the Viper in the afternoon that should put a smile on my face and re-kindle the interest.

[tomvcarter]

Go for the E92 M3, its just as fast as the R8 (identical time on the Nurburgring), much faster than the Aston, and more fun to drive as its so tail happy, all it needs is aftermarket exhaust and then it will sound better than the R8 too.
You can get a great on for c£35,000 these days, and miss out on all the depreciation!

[hy789]

kingstondc5 said:

Hi people,

Thanks again for the information, just one more question (for the time being), i dont suppose theres any specialist insurance brokers for the R8 is there or are the insurance comparison websites the best bet?

Thanks again

i use first point for my gallardo and they specialise in finding deals for this type of car, they just re-newed my policy @ £1050, which i thought was reasonable for a 30 year old single guy - definitely worth a call...

[viper paul]

True but would you really want to sit in an M3 just for the pleasure and it may be tail happy but in the UK roads which are mainly wet any BMW can not match the Quattro for grip and safety.

Plus what one would you rather look at??

[V10 BAT]

Thanks mate,now i really want one.I`d like to think the insurance
was cheapish,being that i am an old bugger
As for the m3,no way would i sell my vette and look at that,however an r8..
..the nightmare has begun,and i really dont want to sell the viper.
cheers guys.

[Sarnie]

Are there any aftermarket exhaust set ups like a Tubi for example?

[steve z]

Sarnie said:

Are there any aftermarket exhaust set ups like a Tubi for example?

Milltek do one and there are some You Tube clips with R8s fitted with them if you do a search.

[steve z]

kingstondc5 said:

Hi people,

Thanks again for the information, just one more question (for the time being), i dont suppose theres any specialist insurance brokers for the R8 is there or are the insurance comparison websites the best bet?

Thanks again

My insurance is £700 through Adrian Flux on here. 39 years old with clean licence living in Newport, South Wales. Price was no different to my Cayman S.

Make sure you have a Tracker or such like fitted though.

[j3gme]

steve z said:

Sarnie said:

Are there any aftermarket exhaust set ups like a Tubi for example?

Milltek do one and there are some You Tube clips with R8s fitted with them if you do a search.

Have a look on hear about disconnecting the exhaust valves http://www.r8talk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1822

[Freddie328]

I've also been looking at buying one and have seen one that has had front discs and pads replaced at less than 10,000 miles. Is this normal or does it suggest that the car has been hammered?

[steve z]

Freddie328 said:

I've also been looking at buying one and have seen one that has had front discs and pads replaced at less than 10,000 miles. Is this normal or does it suggest that the car has been hammered?

Hammered! 10k miles for discs is very low (owner could have been scammed by the dealer of course).

[tomvcarter]

viper paul said:

True but would you really want to sit in an M3 just for the pleasure and it may be tail happy but in the UK roads which are mainly wet any BMW can not match the Quattro for grip and safety.

Plus what one would you rather look at??

Might be true, but at half the price...
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1320314.htm
This ones a looker...

[Daniel1]

viper paul said:

Hi BAT you old bugger, well best so far on a mixed run has been 22 mpg so not quite as bad as the Viper can be but in France the SRT once did 30 mpg.

But the sound of the car and the handling with the 4 wheel dive is superb and the build quality just makes you want to go out and sit in it.

In short it has sort of ruined the Viper experience, but this saturday I intend to run the R8 in the morning and the Viper in the afternoon that should put a smile on my face and re-kindle the interest.

bloody hell my car average is 13.8mpg for 4,000 miles

[predding]

Thread resurrection but after 6 months of ownership, thought I would add my six cents..

Aesthetics - stunning, sometimes go out and lift the garage door just for the hell of it. Only car I have ever used silicon spray on the underbody (black plastic rear diffuser) parts. Sad but true
Engine - firing up (in garage) and rolling down the road is like coming out the pits at LM. All the windows open and running 'pre-flight' checks (tyres, temp, oil, magnahelics all warming up). Sorry can't help it.
R-Tronic - being an oldie, chose it and thoroughly enjoy 'driving' the car. Its def a Marmite subject but you do get huge retardation on lift-off reducing brake wear. The exhaust blip on Manual can become a bit wearisome
Insurance - ditto (oldie), I checked out 7-8 specialists and came right back to where I started with Priveledge - £360 Fully comp (needs Tracker) with the rest ranging from £560 to >£1000 (Surrey and garaged on 7500 miles max per year
Fuel consumption - average ~24 - best was 25.4. Tyres, brakes and oil, no excessive wear but wheels do need constant cleaning of brake dust (common Audi problem) and always use wheel protectant polish after washing
I admit I don't push my cars (fast and smooth), rather more enjoying the journey than the extremities.
Luggage - better than I thought it would be in the front boot
Ownership experience - 9/10. Sat Nav and controls annoy intensely esp after superlatively intuitive BMW iDrive system.
Quality of plastics fascia is just embarrassing for a car of this level. Seats are superb.

Had thought about trading in for Cayman GTS in a year or so but car is actually becoming a classic IMHO (like the UR Quattro which I also have). Bottom line is will probably keep it. Plus it's Misano Red with Beige interior so a bit of a looker :-)

Just need to find a really good servicing & MOT dealer now - reading other threads and RS246 forum, seems like Camberley Audi could be worth a try.

Edited by predding on Tuesday 16th September 07:23

Edited by predding on Tuesday 16th September 07:24

Edited by predding on Tuesday 16th September 07:24

[anonymous-user]

predding said:

Thread resurrection but after 6 months of ownership, thought I would add my six cents..

Aesthetics - stunning, sometimes go out and lift the garage door just for the hell of it. Only car I have ever used silicon spray on the underbody (black plastic rear diffuser) parts. Sad but true
Engine - firing up (in garage) and rolling down the road is like coming out the pits at LM. All the windows open and running 'pre-flight' checks (tyres, temp, oil, magnahelics all warming up). Sorry can't help it.
R-Tronic - being an oldie, chose it and thoroughly enjoy 'driving' the car. Its def a Marmite subject but you do get huge retardation on lift-off reducing brake wear. The exhaust blip on Manual can become a bit wearisome
Insurance - ditto (oldie), I checked out 7-8 specialists and came right back to where I started with Priveledge - £360 Fully comp (needs Tracker) with the rest ranging from £560 to >£1000 (Surrey and garaged on 7500 miles max per year
Fuel consumption - average ~24 - best was 25.4. Tyres, brakes and oil, no excessive wear but wheels do need constant cleaning of brake dust (common Audi problem) and always use wheel protectant polish after washing
I admit I don't push my cars (fast and smooth), rather more enjoying the journey than the extremities.
Luggage - better than I thought it would be in the front boot
Ownership experience - 9/10. Sat Nav and controls annoy intensely esp after superlatively intuitive BMW iDrive system.
Quality of plastics fascia is just embarrassing for a car of this level. Seats are superb.

Had thought about trading in for Cayman GTS in a year or so but car is actually becoming a classic IMHO (like the UR Quattro which I also have). Bottom line is will probably keep it. Plus it's Misano Red with Beige interior so a bit of a looker :-)

Just need to find a really good servicing & MOT dealer now - reading other threads and RS246 forum, seems like Camberley Audi could be worth a try.

Edited by predding on Tuesday 16th September 07:23

Edited by predding on Tuesday 16th September 07:24

Edited by predding on Tuesday 16th September 07:24

Superb write up, and sorry for the necro, but have you still got this car Paul?

Anything else to add to it?

Prices seem to be firm and they're at a point where I could afford an 07/08 manual with circa 70k miles on the clock. Couldn't see them losing all that much in the next few years - if any - but I would be putting around 7-8k miles per annum through one.

[PompeyReece]

wingman0401 said:

Superb write up, and sorry for the necro, but have you still got this car Paul?

Anything else to add to it?

Prices seem to be firm and they're at a point where I could afford an 07/08 manual with circa 70k miles on the clock. Couldn't see them losing all that much in the next few years - if any - but I would be putting around 7-8k miles per annum through one.

Prices seem to be holding (just about) but I've noticed R-tronic cars being £1000-£2000 cheaper than the 6 speed manuals.

Apart from that I echo the OP's comments. R8 ownership is sublime - as a first supercar the exhaust will probably be initially fine but if you're used to a screaming banshee or something more vocal, an exhaust upgrade is usually the first mod.

If you're thinking of buying one, head over to R8talk.com - loads of info on there and multiple threads about buying advice. You may see lots of posts on major issues affecting the R8 but don't let this put you off. There are many, many more owners that experience a thrilling ownership experience without any of the issues (i.e. mag ride, AC compressor) so just consider the negatives amongst the context of the huge amount of positives.

[Trev450]

Another regular of R8talk.com here. As already said, it is a haven for good advice and friendly chat.

[James_B]

As I’ve written elsewhere, I bought a 2009 / 58 Coupe with all the options for £39k three years ago and have just traded it in 8,000 miles later for about £41k against an R8 Plus.

Three years driving, and the appreciation has covered all of the costs along the way.

[anonymous-user]

I've been reading up through the R8Talk forum and it seems to be a fantastic resource.

The only thing that worries me that I've been made of aware of by visiting the forum is the frame crack issue...sounds, brutal?

[Trev450]

wingman0401 said:

I've been reading up through the R8Talk forum and it seems to be a fantastic resource.

The only thing that worries me that I've been made of aware of by visiting the forum is the frame crack issue...sounds, brutal?

It is a major issue if it happens but it is a vary rare occurence. The general view is that it is usually caused by either hitting a huge pothole or through body damage as a result of an accident.

The best approach is to examine a car prior to purchase and so long as it is ok, consider having the bracing plates fitted to prevent the issue happening.