Discussion
Having just sold my B7 RS4 convertible, i am on the hunt for something else.
My wife loves the R8 (would be an early V8), as do I, however, I am concerned that as the engine is the same as the RS4, and the interior is as dated, will I enjoy it quite as much? I know it's a different car, however...
Also, seems quite a few expensive issues with them, such as clutches every 25k or so, are they THAT bad to own?
What about selling on? I am notoriously bad with cars and get bored within 3-6 months, will these hold there money ok, and sell reasonably well?
My wife loves the R8 (would be an early V8), as do I, however, I am concerned that as the engine is the same as the RS4, and the interior is as dated, will I enjoy it quite as much? I know it's a different car, however...
Also, seems quite a few expensive issues with them, such as clutches every 25k or so, are they THAT bad to own?
What about selling on? I am notoriously bad with cars and get bored within 3-6 months, will these hold there money ok, and sell reasonably well?
I have a manual V10 on it's original clutch at nearly 50k miles.
I've had a lot of work done this year (covered by extended warranty luckily) - a rear damper replaced and a catalytic converter (very rare to fail apparently) - parts weren't hugely expensive but it was done at a main dealer so the labour cost was high. It's £500 to replace the battery (again labour as the front of the car has to come apart) however it's possible to do yourself (will find out myself this weekend)!
R8's are covered by Audis fixed price servicing if it helps. Other than this year I've had no problems at all.
R8 V8
https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing-maint...
I've had a lot of work done this year (covered by extended warranty luckily) - a rear damper replaced and a catalytic converter (very rare to fail apparently) - parts weren't hugely expensive but it was done at a main dealer so the labour cost was high. It's £500 to replace the battery (again labour as the front of the car has to come apart) however it's possible to do yourself (will find out myself this weekend)!
R8's are covered by Audis fixed price servicing if it helps. Other than this year I've had no problems at all.
R8 V8
https://www.audi.co.uk/owners-area/servicing-maint...
We have an RS4 B7 loon (owned for 7 years) and a white R8 V8 manual (owned for 3 years and currently listed in the classified section).
Though the performance is very similar the R8 certainly feels quicker, mainly I think this is because your sphincter is so much closer to the road in the R8 !
The R8 also holds the road better as the c of g is so low and tyres wider. That said to me the RS4 gives more back in terms of feel than the R8, which is slightly more remote. Accordingly i feel more confident hustling the RS4 than the R8, which can also feel wide on country roads (though I think the stiffer loon will hustle country roads a lot better than your cab).
The noise the R8 makes is just epic though, it's like pressing the sport button on the RS4... and then pressing it again!
All the above relates to the road, I haven't tracked either of them.
In summary they are similar but different, a bit like brother and sister. If you want a step change in performance over the RS4 you need a V10... but unless you're a hooligan or track user you won't often make use of that extra power.
Though the performance is very similar the R8 certainly feels quicker, mainly I think this is because your sphincter is so much closer to the road in the R8 !
The R8 also holds the road better as the c of g is so low and tyres wider. That said to me the RS4 gives more back in terms of feel than the R8, which is slightly more remote. Accordingly i feel more confident hustling the RS4 than the R8, which can also feel wide on country roads (though I think the stiffer loon will hustle country roads a lot better than your cab).
The noise the R8 makes is just epic though, it's like pressing the sport button on the RS4... and then pressing it again!
All the above relates to the road, I haven't tracked either of them.
In summary they are similar but different, a bit like brother and sister. If you want a step change in performance over the RS4 you need a V10... but unless you're a hooligan or track user you won't often make use of that extra power.
Edited by Martin-G on Friday 12th May 01:47
Has anybody sold one? We fancy one for a short period, say 6 months, just to say "we had one". Don't want all that money tied up for too long, plus I get bored, and reality kicks in when I realise I use the thing once a week for 20 minutes or something...need to know I can get out of it without doing my nuts, and reasonably quickly.
rufmeister said:
the interior is as dated, well?
It isn't, really. The shapes of the dash and the way the driving position makes you feel mean that older satnav, radio etc. don't really register. There are lots of subtle, aftermarket options to make the ICE more modern too. Keep your eyes peeled for extra leather/carbon goodies; like all Audis the interior really needed a good wave of the options stick to make it the occasion it's supposed to be.rufmeister said:
Has anybody sold one? We fancy one for a short period, say 6 months, just to say "we had one". Don't want all that money tied up for too long, plus I get bored, and reality kicks in when I realise I use the thing once a week for 20 minutes or something...need to know I can get out of it without doing my nuts, and reasonably quickly.
This is a conversation that can go on for pages and pages.You have to factor in that you're going to need to pay the dealer a margin (call it £5k) and some maintenance on what is a £90,000 car. If you are happy that you can buy a 50 grand car and sell it on in the very low 40s you'll be absolutely fine. If the process costs you less it's a pleasant bonus. The obsession with "losing" money on sports cars can really detract from the enjoyment of ownership.
rufmeister said:
I am concerned that as the engine is the same as the RS4
This is the place the engine was supposed to be and the experience in the lithe, athletic R8 is surprisingly different to the RS4. The gearchange adds to that feeling too. I took a B7 RS4 owner out at Combe in a V8 R8 and he was genuinely surprised by how different it was despite having the 'same' engine. Assuming the motor is healthy, the way it picks its skirt up over 5k is much more of an experience in the smaller car.Buy a well maintained car in a tasteful colour combination and stay on top of taking care of things. You won't "lose" any money but you will have to spend something to pay for the enjoyment and use you have out of the car. The retail prices are likely to remain fairly stable.
I've just gone from a C6 RS6 to an S7, so just a thought. Less money used than a V8 R8, out of the box other than top speed performance is the same 0-60. Tech wise and interior it's light years ahead and it has more space. Down side is looks and 'specialness' for sure but I'm very happy with it and will hopefully be even happier after the trip to MRC.
Love the R8 V8 and was considering one of the cheaper ones, it was just for me how dated the interior looks that turned me off. Very different cars I know so just a suggestion as they are similar money.
Love the R8 V8 and was considering one of the cheaper ones, it was just for me how dated the interior looks that turned me off. Very different cars I know so just a suggestion as they are similar money.
Don't... let m even considering c6 RS6...but it's the specialness of the R8 that draws me.
I love the RS6 for the pure aggression and power, but fancy something "special" in the looks department.
I'm considering Camaros and Challengers also, but I reckon should I need to sell it, I'd struggle.
I love the RS6 for the pure aggression and power, but fancy something "special" in the looks department.
I'm considering Camaros and Challengers also, but I reckon should I need to sell it, I'd struggle.
i've been stunned tbh with how much attention (positive) the R8 gets, as in dads/lads coming up to talk, kids waving, yooofs filming it, that sort of thing. the 993 before it only got talked about by Porsche aficionados!
I'd heard talk of the R8 being "bland", maybe people had one without a proper exhaust on it, theres no way mine could be described as bland, the induction roar and exhaust tone are intoxicating from 5k revs, i'm looking for tunnels and places to listen to it ! :-)
my take on it is i spent £50k, if i get back £45k in a year or two its been fun, if i actually sell, i might not until proper bored, i was thinking a year might do but so far i wouldnt sell it if you asked now.
my next car will possibly be a Lister Bell Lancia Stratos "homage", so its in that line of special car for me having an R8.
I'd heard talk of the R8 being "bland", maybe people had one without a proper exhaust on it, theres no way mine could be described as bland, the induction roar and exhaust tone are intoxicating from 5k revs, i'm looking for tunnels and places to listen to it ! :-)
my take on it is i spent £50k, if i get back £45k in a year or two its been fun, if i actually sell, i might not until proper bored, i was thinking a year might do but so far i wouldnt sell it if you asked now.
my next car will possibly be a Lister Bell Lancia Stratos "homage", so its in that line of special car for me having an R8.
rufmeister said:
The white one? What a beauty!
Did you have a warranty on it? Any mag ride issues?
That's the spec and colour for sure, just a bit rich for me, but that said, life's too short and all that.
Yep... it's the one with a phone box behind it that matches the brake calipers. No and No - PM sent.Did you have a warranty on it? Any mag ride issues?
That's the spec and colour for sure, just a bit rich for me, but that said, life's too short and all that.
Sorry can't work out how to insert a link to the ad, must be my age!
BentleyR8 said:
I haven't done the battery myself, but from what I can see it just a case of removing all the plastic trim and carpet. I'm sure I remember someone saying to make a note of all the fixings you remove as I don't think they are all the same even if they make look it.
This link from R8talk may be helpful - http://www.r8talk.com/forums/5-general-discussion/...Martin-G said:
I know - I'll add a photo instead:
White with carbon blades is always nice, that was my first choice before i saw the Sepang Blue one i bought.stuff to look for thats mega pricey
working AC
clutch slip
stress fractures on front structure at bulkhead/strut tops. (rare but has happened apparently)
one of my tail lights has a minor crack, i'm still looking for one as new is about £800 and second hand from £400 ish by the look. nothing is cheap on these cars, saying that a pair of oe air filters from Audi was £105 which wasnt bad i thought.
spec wise you need all the toys if poss, ie reversing cam, sat nav, extended leather, carbon blades, carbon interior, carbon engine covers (rare), as much of the above as poss makes it more desirable.
Yes to all the above options (other than Carbon engine covers).
In addition: Parking sensors front and back, Mag ride, B&O sound system with CD changer, Phone prep, Alcantara, s/s pedals, extended illumination package, auto lights, auto wipers, auto rear view mirror, cruise control, heated electric seats, red calipers.
Only a few it doesn't have: carbon covers, tyre pressure monitor, hill hold, garage door opener
In addition: Parking sensors front and back, Mag ride, B&O sound system with CD changer, Phone prep, Alcantara, s/s pedals, extended illumination package, auto lights, auto wipers, auto rear view mirror, cruise control, heated electric seats, red calipers.
Only a few it doesn't have: carbon covers, tyre pressure monitor, hill hold, garage door opener
Honestly they are fabulous lol.
I've got Hill hold, mag ride, telephone prep, cruise, auto dip mirror, TPS, everything really, it was a £98k audi demo car. The engine bay is hydro dipped carbon effect tho, everything else is real carbon oe. I bought it in feb with 11,800m on the clock. It's already on 13k :-)
Try and get one with a quality exhaust tho, that would be my no1 priority after carbon blades etc.
Non mag ride is hard to find, it's a worry having the mag dampers tbh but there are some cheaper options than buying them new from audi thankfully. Still expensive mind!
I've got Hill hold, mag ride, telephone prep, cruise, auto dip mirror, TPS, everything really, it was a £98k audi demo car. The engine bay is hydro dipped carbon effect tho, everything else is real carbon oe. I bought it in feb with 11,800m on the clock. It's already on 13k :-)
Try and get one with a quality exhaust tho, that would be my no1 priority after carbon blades etc.
Non mag ride is hard to find, it's a worry having the mag dampers tbh but there are some cheaper options than buying them new from audi thankfully. Still expensive mind!
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