Audi R8's
Author
Discussion

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,839 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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I was kind of hoping these would start migrating down into my price range, they seem to be going back up, remember seeing the odd one under 40 grand, now seem to start at 45 ! am talking the V8 here.

I drove one a while back and though I am no Audi fanboy I thought it was great, a lot more engaging than I expected, I keep noticing them more now, I cant afford one at the moment but it looks to me like a good place to put money if you have it, I cant see prices dipping by any huge amount any time soon.

They look and feel very well made, not heard of any reliability horrors, servicing may be quite pricey, mpg isn't an issue but would anticipate high teens on average.

I wonder how much three years ownership would cost, relative to buying something new ?


photosnob

1,339 posts

148 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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J4CKO said:
I was kind of hoping these would start migrating down into my price range, they seem to be going back up, remember seeing the odd one under 40 grand, now seem to start at 45 ! am talking the V8 here.

I drove one a while back and though I am no Audi fanboy I thought it was great, a lot more engaging than I expected, I keep noticing them more now, I cant afford one at the moment but it looks to me like a good place to put money if you have it, I cant see prices dipping by any huge amount any time soon.

They look and feel very well made, not heard of any reliability horrors, servicing may be quite pricey, mpg isn't an issue but would anticipate high teens on average.

I wonder how much three years ownership would cost, relative to buying something new ?
I've heard general servicing is the cheapest out of all cars in the class.

Depends on what you buy new, and how much you use it. Also depends on what goes wrong. But an old r8 and if the engine goes pop you are mega money down. Buy a new Dacia and if they engine goes pop they give you a new one. If you are worried about the costs it's probably not the car for you.

Pentoman

4,835 posts

293 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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I've been curious about these for a while and looked at one recently.

They're completely different to any other Audi - in a good way - and are a welcome alternative to the usual choices.

For me the looks are a strong point, even with opposition like the Vantage and 997. The interior and quality are so-so. Arguably the biggest weakness is the badge. It could easily be dismissed as another understeering, turbocharged DSG equipped first-class seat, but it's so much more. Haven't driven it yet, though, and have heard mixed things.

djc206

13,579 posts

155 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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One of the guys at work had an original 2007 R8 V8 that he picked up in about 2010-11 I think. The only thing that went wrong was a couple of rattles developed which Audi fixed for free. Servicing wise I'm told that the V8 is about the same to service as most RS models for routine oil and filters services. I've heard that pads and discs for the front would be about a grand but then front pads alone on my RS5 were over £250 at a main dealer.

For £45k it's a lot of car.

djc206

13,579 posts

155 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
Pentoman said:
I've been curious about these for a while and looked at one recently.

They're completely different to any other Audi - in a good way - and are a welcome alternative to the usual choices.

For me the looks are a strong point, even with opposition like the Vantage and 997. The interior and quality are so-so. Arguably the biggest weakness is the badge. It could easily be dismissed as another understeering, turbocharged DSG equipped first-class seat, but it's so much more. Haven't driven it yet, though, and have heard mixed things.
Manual is the way to go with these. I've only driven the V10 in manual and r tronic guises. The r tronic is an awful bit of kit, hated every moment. The manual was a peach, such a satisfying clunk as it slots home. I believe the newer cars come with the s tronic gearbox which is much better but obviously less engaging

legless

2,039 posts

170 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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A friend of mine has had one from new in 2008, and currently has 76k on it, having been used as his DD.

Not a single thing has gone wrong with it in that time, and the only things he's spent money on are tyres, fuel and servicing.

The only slightly disappointing aspect of the V8 models is the straight line performance. My friend's V8 R8 gets annihilated in a straight line by the likes of XFRs, E63s and M5s. Quick cars granted, but it's a little galling to be so convincingly trounced by saloon cars.

GetCarter

31,263 posts

309 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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Costs are pretty high... tyres are silly size and silly money, plus tax, insurance, etc.

Great car though... servicing is not Aston money and feels more Le Mans than GT, and ASTONISHINGLY grippy.

TVR1

5,478 posts

255 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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Edited by TVR1 on Sunday 7th September 12:23

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,839 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
legless said:
A friend of mine has had one from new in 2008, and currently has 76k on it, having been used as his DD.

Not a single thing has gone wrong with it in that time, and the only things he's spent money on are tyres, fuel and servicing.

The only slightly disappointing aspect of the V8 models is the straight line performance. My friend's V8 R8 gets annihilated in a straight line by the likes of XFRs, E63s and M5s. Quick cars granted, but it's a little galling to be so convincingly trounced by saloon cars.
Yeah, they are fast but aren't perhaps super car fast (V10 notwithstanding), I thought it was relatively gutless low down but had a decent, if not apocalyptic top end shove, an M135i is only a second behind 0-100 mph, with a remap it would possibly be quicker, that said, still has a lot going for it, if you want faster there is always the Nissan GTR at similar money.

Its a bit of a pipe dream at the moment, am thinking when (if ?) the kids become financially independent it may be an option, depending on the depreciation, that is the killer for me, if it cost three grand to run for a year I can stomach that, but not losing ten on the value each year. Most cars depreciate but bought right, certain ones can weather it better than others.

Insurance was the heady sum of £447 biggrin that was the cheapest but loads at £500 ish, tax is £500, MOT £40 so a grand as a starter, then whatever it needs in terms of servicing, tyres, brakes etc (Front pads are only £65, disks are a lot more tho), fuel economy would imagine based on what I have read that it isnt much worse than my 350Z, i.e. high teens, low twenties and needs SUL.



As for if you have to ask the price, probably not the car for you, that may be correct, doesnt stop me looking, I think that sometimes cars like this arent quite as horrendous as people imagine.













Jasandjules

72,606 posts

259 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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No matter what, I can never get over the concept that this is simply a TT on steroids. I've seen quite a few on the roads now and they are quite understated though.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,839 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
Jasandjules said:
No matter what, I can never get over the concept that this is simply a TT on steroids. I've seen quite a few on the roads now and they are quite understated though.
A mid engined TT with a V8 in the middle, though i agree they do look a bit like a TT Plus, see them together and they make TT's look small, weedy and a bit dumpy.

Axionknight

8,505 posts

165 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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Jasandjules said:
No matter what, I can never get over the concept that this is simply a TT on steroids. I've seen quite a few on the roads now and they are quite understated though.
You need to, because they really aren't.

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,839 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
I did scare the instructor in the one I went in, they are quite tail happy considering they are 4wd and have ESP, I was pushing my luck a bit, getting my moneys worth, the back started to slide, I gathered it up, no big deal, the ESP allows a bit of fun, unlike my 350Z.

Came away mightily impressed, had expected it to be a bit of a cold fish in supercar terms, but it isnt, made the Ferrari 360 I drove feel a bit lame, sure they arent, but the R8 just seemed to me, a better car.


trowelhead

1,867 posts

151 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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I'm assuming you drove the r8 as part of a supercar experience track day?

I did the same, drove a gallardo then the r8. Vastly preferred the r8 (this was the v8 so I'm sure the v10 is better still)

I'm always checking the prices of these - there was one up for 35k at one point although it looked a bit of a dog (dodgy wrap, badges removed etc) although at the moment there seems to be none under 42k.

I would be undertaking some serious man maths if these ever creep into high 20s or low 30s...

I can't see running costs being too bad tbh. Probably lower than a gtr or e60 m5 etc

GetCarter

31,263 posts

309 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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trowelhead said:
I'm assuming you drove the r8 as part of a supercar experience track day?

I did the same, drove a gallardo then the r8. Vastly preferred the r8 (this was the v8 so I'm sure the v10 is better still)

I'm always checking the prices of these - there was one up for 35k at one point although it looked a bit of a dog (dodgy wrap, badges removed etc) although at the moment there seems to be none under 42k.

I would be undertaking some serious man maths if these ever creep into high 20s or low 30s...

I can't see running costs being too bad tbh. Probably lower than a gtr or e60 m5 etc
As for me (who owned one), it's more expensive than a new BMW M (having owned a couple of them), so one needs to think £2k to £4k per year to keep it from new, and much more if it breaks after warranty.

Great car, but not cheap. (MUCH cheaper than the Aston mind)

Triumph Man

9,605 posts

198 months

trowelhead

1,867 posts

151 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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GetCarter said:
As for me (who owned one), it's more expensive than a new BMW M (having owned a couple of them), so one needs to think £2k to £4k per year to keep it from new, and much more if it breaks after warranty.

Great car, but not cheap. (MUCH cheaper than the Aston mind)
Just checked your profile - yours was stunning great colour combo!

J4CKO

Original Poster:

46,839 posts

230 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
quotequote all
Triumph Man said:
He is rather excitable, did he used to work here ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UX3J4PE-_s

Impasse

15,099 posts

271 months

Sunday 7th September 2014
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They were on the list as a potential purchase for me a couple of years ago. As a vehicle, they are a much better and more logical choice than a V8 Vantage, especially as an every day car.
I bought the Aston.