R8 boot (bonnet) space
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Discussion

Shnozz

Original Poster:

30,666 posts

301 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Been mulling over an R8 in the last few weeks and had a proper nose around one over the weekend. No doubt a lovely car but a few things that concerned me.

The space under the bonnet seems pretty woeful. And this comes from someone who has toured in an Exige in the past! It makes the boot space on the Evora look spacious. In the real world do owners have any issues? Do you buy tailored luggage? Is there any weight issues if you stow a lot in the front in terms of lowering the nose and having ground clearance issues on speed bumps etc (my old Boxster would ground at the front if all the luggage was stuck in the front boot and not balanced with the rear boot).

The car seems wide and I have to park in a communal car park. Whilst the width in itself doesn't eliminate it - the doors are probably the widest I have known! How do you cope with an R8 in a normal car park? Is it problematic?

I wasn't bowled over by the interior, which (perhaps unsurprisingly) reminded me of the ex's old TT. That said, the manual geargate is a thing of beauty and its not a deal-breaker.

Trev450

6,770 posts

202 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
I've just swapped out of a Cayman into an R8 and yes there is definately less storage space. I haven't filled the boot yet but don't expect any issues with ground clearance or handling. There is some additional space behind the seats you may not be aware of, as for the wide doors, not much you can do about that really.

Gusto

608 posts

263 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Lots of space behind the seats on the shelf for stuff too... Space under the bonnet is small but I did get my wife in there. I don't think I ever needed any more space for what I used the car for.

Long doors are a bit of a pain, but I just found spaces on end of rows etc. I trust myself to be able to get out of a space more than I trust Debbie and her delightful offspring parked next door.

Shnozz

Original Poster:

30,666 posts

301 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Thanks chaps. Seems that the storage is perhaps a non-issue.

As for the doors/width, the problem is it will be parked in an apartment car park so I am not free to pick and choose where I park. I must say the Evora could be "tight" but that was largely to having to open the doors fully to clamber over the high sills. Whilst they are not an issue in the R8, the length of the door did astound me! I cannot remember opening the door of anything that massive, apart from a stable..

Dr G

15,987 posts

272 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Some of the interior surfaces in a standard or low-specification car can be a little plain looking.

Try and find one with one of the optional leather or carbon packs.

anonymous-user

84 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
I did a week touring in mine with the Mrs. Soft bags and using the parcel shelf provide more than enough room, if a little snug smile

Hughesie

12,796 posts

312 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Ive got a full set of black leather bags for sale for the Audi R8 front bonnet - I paid £650 for them a year or so ago for a tour as its easier to know what to pack - someone make me an offer smile

Housey

2,079 posts

257 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
You can get by with soft bags. I did the NC500 with my wife in mine just after I bought it (wrong car, frankly, hot hatch land) but we managed to pack for 5 nights. Cabin baggage fitted into the hold, lighter bag on top of that and then bits around the side. As has been said you can leave stuff on the rear parcel shelf, but not much and there are on mine 2 speakers there which obviously will be covered. It's not epic for space, I think a week for a couple who pack lightly is about its limit.

Housey

2,079 posts

257 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Hughesie said:
Ive got a full set of black leather bags for sale for the Audi R8 front bonnet - I paid £650 for them a year or so ago for a tour as its easier to know what to pack - someone make me an offer smile
6 pounds?

hehe

AndrewD

7,659 posts

314 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Hughesie said:
Ive got a full set of black leather bags for sale for the Audi R8 front bonnet - I paid £650 for them a year or so ago for a tour as its easier to know what to pack - someone make me an offer smile
Gen 1 or 2?
Audi or other make?

Housey

2,079 posts

257 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
AndrewD said:
Hughesie said:
Ive got a full set of black leather bags for sale for the Audi R8 front bonnet - I paid £650 for them a year or so ago for a tour as its easier to know what to pack - someone make me an offer smile
Gen 1 or 2?
Audi or other make?
I was ere first and it was a strong offer, you can't compete.

AndrewD

7,659 posts

314 months

Monday 19th September 2016
quotequote all
Housey said:
I was ere first and it was a strong offer, you can't compete.
If it is for your old jalopy then you're welcome to them hehe

Hughesie

12,796 posts

312 months

Tuesday 20th September 2016
quotequote all
AndrewD said:
Gen 1 or 2?
Audi or other make?
Genuine Audi ones - fitted my 2012 spyder.

Andrew - Happy for you o have a butchers and see if they fit your lovely new machine smile

will_

6,035 posts

233 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
quotequote all
You guys aren't trying hard enough!

I've done two two-week European trips in an R8, with luggage for two, with no problem. We got 22 bottles of wine in the car on the way back the first year, and 36 the second year (that was a bit of a squeeze I admit).

Maybe I have a very understanding other half!

Shnozz

Original Poster:

30,666 posts

301 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
quotequote all
will_ said:
You guys aren't trying hard enough!

I've done two two-week European trips in an R8, with luggage for two, with no problem. We got 22 bottles of wine in the car on the way back the first year, and 36 the second year (that was a bit of a squeeze I admit).

Maybe I have a very understanding other half!
Or an alcoholic one wink

Useful tips thanks all. Still in the mix smile

will_

6,035 posts

233 months

Friday 23rd September 2016
quotequote all
Shnozz said:
Or an alcoholic one wink

Useful tips thanks all. Still in the mix smile
The booze was for me!

Seriously, compared to (say) a 911 with the rear "seats" the R8 isn't particularly practical. However, the shelf behind the rear seats is pretty useful, and the boot is fairly deep.