Audi R8 V8 running costs

[quattroghini]

Morning all

I recently sold my 911 C2S and I am looking to buy an R8 but before I take the plunge I was wondering if anyone could help me establish what the running costs are for this car.

I am looking for information on the following...

Front brake pads and discs
Rear brake pads and discs
Clutch replacement

I am not (too) concerned on the servicing costs, its just the irregular costs like those listed above.

Also, as a side note, are there any major known problems with the R8 that I should look out for?

[Dr G]

Front brake discs and pads are just over a grand, the same on the rear roughly half.

I don't know clutch cost because we've not done one yet; this includes a couple of 50,000 mile cars and a couple that see very regular track use.

Major issues? Not really, they're incredibly well behaved by any standard. There are little things to be aware of (R8 talk forum is excellent). Wheels are an arse to refurb, high level brake light can squeak, bolster wear, mag-ride dampers are very expensive if one fails (not common), oil consumption fairly high...

[quattroghini]

BUMP...... can anyone else shed any light on the running costs please?

[Mclelland77]

I had to get my clutch done a couple of weeks(lots of miles covered ;-)) after purchasing the car from an independent dealer. The car had covered circa 26,000 miles so was expecting to do it relatively soon anyway so was more than happy with the dealers assistance in paying the vast majority of the cost. My advice is to use genuine Audi parts but not a main dealer to install, I used an independent VAG specialist in Harrow and I've been more than happy since. On the matter of price main dealers are circa £3500 (comparable to my previous Gallardo) where as the independent was just over £2000, 5k miles later no issues whatsoever with car except oil consumption as previously mentioned ;-) hope this helps.

[quattroghini]

Mclelland77 said:

I had to get my clutch done a couple of weeks(lots of miles covered ;-)) after purchasing the car from an independent dealer. The car had covered circa 26,000 miles so was expecting to do it relatively soon anyway so was more than happy with the dealers assistance in paying the vast majority of the cost. My advice is to use genuine Audi parts but not a main dealer to install, I used an independent VAG specialist in Harrow and I've been more than happy since. On the matter of price main dealers are circa £3500 (comparable to my previous Gallardo) where as the independent was just over £2000, 5k miles later no issues whatsoever with car except oil consumption as previously mentioned ;-) hope this helps.

Thanks Mclelland, are you saying the total cost for the supply and fitment of a clutch was just over £2k from the indy?

Also, could you let me know what VAG indy you use in Harrow as I am not too far from there myself. Do they have lots of experience with the R8?

[Mclelland77]

quattroghini said:

Thanks Mclelland, are you saying the total cost for the supply and fitment of a clutch was just over £2k from the indy?

Also, could you let me know what VAG indy you use in Harrow as I am not too far from there myself. Do they have lots of experience with the R8?

Yes the total cost was just over £2k although they didn't supply the clutch the car dealer purchased it and had it sent to them directly but I found out how much they paid. They're called 'Audi VW Specialist centre' but I can't confirm their experience with the R8 although let's face it that engine has been around in other audis for a while and they're also linked to AmD if that helps. One last thing to mention is they told me they had to change the ribbed belt which made sense whilst they were working on it and only charged for an hours labour, I put the car on a ramp and checked that this work had been done and it had, my point is they could have charged more and not even done the job if they were untrustworthy, most customers wouldn't know?!? I'll still use main dealer for the service stamp for resale but any other work and I'll be straight back to Harrow!

[walclare]

Anyone got a used R8 clutch they are willing to sell me? I want to look at a kevlar version.

[Dr G]

They're exchange items so unless a non-gen has been fitted the worn item goes back to Audi.

[walclare]

Many thanks, looks like ebay job then!

[barrieeld]

just a bump on this but when or has anyone replaced the clutch on the r-tronic model? what costs are involved there?

Also anything else different from this model to the manual in terms of costs?

I test drove one the other day and thought its gear changing was pretty lousy but the auto is suited more to my driving.

[prg123]

Hi,

I currently have an R8 (looking to replace it soon). It is the V8 version, I have had it nearly three years and the only thing I have paid for in that time is tyres (which are around £200 each), and standard servicing. The car hasn't had any other problems except for an issue with re-fittment of the under tray when it had been back in for recall work.

Oil consumption is about 1 litre every 1500 miles or so which I was surprised about as all other cars I have ever owned have not required a top up between services, but I have spoken to Audi and this engines tolerance is 1 litre every 1000 miles so mine is within tolerance.

The manual gearbox is a little bit stiff when cold, but other than that a great car to drive and easy to live with.

My petrol consumption according to the computer is between 16-21MPG.

My car is Daytona grey with tan leather which I think is quite an unusual interior colour as most I had seen were in a dark colour. I like the contrast but in hindsight I think I would have preferred a brasher colour than Daytona grey.

BTW - Buy one (mine?) mine has done 29,000ish miles

Hope this helps

- Pete