R8 V8 to R8 V10 Plus
Discussion
I thought that I’d never sell my R8, but on the way home from picking up the new sensible family car last night I tried a Mark 1 V10 Plus.
It really did feel special, a decent amount better than mine in every area. Nicer interior, nicer steering, better gearbox, better brakes, etc. so I’ve agreed a price to change over.
Does anyone else on here have one, and is there anything I should know?
I never took the V8 on the track but think that I might arrange to take this one to the Nurburgring, to get to know it properly.
It really did feel special, a decent amount better than mine in every area. Nicer interior, nicer steering, better gearbox, better brakes, etc. so I’ve agreed a price to change over.
Does anyone else on here have one, and is there anything I should know?
I never took the V8 on the track but think that I might arrange to take this one to the Nurburgring, to get to know it properly.
I have a Gen 1 V10 non-Plus. Most of the issues you would have been aware of with the V8 are the same with the V10. A/C compressor failure is less of a worry though as it can be changed with the engine in place, unlike the V8 which requires engine removal.
With regard to taking it on track, I would not go to the Ring unless you know the place reasonably well. It is not a venue to be learning a new car. You would be much better to do a few airfield type track days first where there's plenty of room for 'errors'.
With regard to taking it on track, I would not go to the Ring unless you know the place reasonably well. It is not a venue to be learning a new car. You would be much better to do a few airfield type track days first where there's plenty of room for 'errors'.
James_B said:
It really did feel special, a decent amount better than mine in every area. Nicer interior, nicer steering, better gearbox, better brakes, etc. so I’ve agreed a price to change over
Interesting. The plus came with ceramic brakes so can understand enhanced braking but would be interested to hear about fundamentals like steering, interior and the gearbox. I thought, probably incorrectly, the steering and the interior was mostly the same?The gearbox is a double clutch in the newer car, the interior is just a bit updated, although the seats are a big improvement, and of course the suspension is different, the V8 having different spring rates and dampers.
Turn-in is faster, I think is the best way to describe the change in steering. It’s not a slower rack as far as I know, but it seemed to load up less on the way into a bend.
Sound and acceleration are obviously very different from the smaller engine.
I took the old one out today, and will definitely miss it. It’s been completely free motoring, and is a car I really love.
I bought it to replace the B7 RS4 that I used to have, and it’s done the job admirably.
Turn-in is faster, I think is the best way to describe the change in steering. It’s not a slower rack as far as I know, but it seemed to load up less on the way into a bend.
Sound and acceleration are obviously very different from the smaller engine.
I took the old one out today, and will definitely miss it. It’s been completely free motoring, and is a car I really love.
I bought it to replace the B7 RS4 that I used to have, and it’s done the job admirably.
Dblue said:
The plus has carbon interior, different suspension set up (no switchable dampers), s ironic double clutch
and usefully 50kg lighter as well as more powerful.
Can't comment on the steering beyond praising the steering on my plus, no idea if its better than other gen 1 R8s
I don’t know if it’s objectively better, but I prefer it.and usefully 50kg lighter as well as more powerful.
Can't comment on the steering beyond praising the steering on my plus, no idea if its better than other gen 1 R8s
For me, the S1 Elise is the ultimate in terms of steering feel, something about the way the front would dart for the apex with the first movement of the wrists. The new Audi isn’t quite there, but it’s closer than a 1,600kg 540bhp car has any right to be.
I have a 2014 V10 plus and its a mighty thing, took it to the ring at end of August and had a blast although taking it somewhere less intimidating beforehand like Bedford would be a good idea. Only thing I wish mine had were the bucket seats, the standard sports seats didn't hold me in as tight as I'd have liked around the Ring, strange that so many people didn't spec the buckets as they were a no cost option on the plus. Other than that I've done about 5k miles in a little over a year, couple of times to Germany and once to Wales were the main miles...engine is a masterpiece and the S tronic gearbox suits it perfectly, the interior is a bit dated but the carbon parts certainly elevate things and overall build quality is excellent. The sat nav is truly awful though feels ancient the one time I tried it but I normally use Waze anyway so no biggie. The only thing about the car I dislike is that you can't stream music over bluetooth, so if you're using the phone for Waze you have to make do with radio, not so great on longer journeys. Amazing how much positive attention the car still gets...most people really like it.
RSbandit said:
I have a 2014 V10 plus and its a mighty thing, took it to the ring at end of August and had a blast although taking it somewhere less intimidating beforehand like Bedford would be a good idea. Only thing I wish mine had were the bucket seats, the standard sports seats didn't hold me in as tight as I'd have liked around the Ring, strange that so many people didn't spec the buckets as they were a no cost option on the plus. Other than that I've done about 5k miles in a little over a year, couple of times to Germany and once to Wales were the main miles...engine is a masterpiece and the S tronic gearbox suits it perfectly, the interior is a bit dated but the carbon parts certainly elevate things and overall build quality is excellent. The sat nav is truly awful though feels ancient the one time I tried it but I normally use Waze anyway so no biggie. The only thing about the car I dislike is that you can't stream music over bluetooth, so if you're using the phone for Waze you have to make do with radio, not so great on longer journeys. Amazing how much positive attention the car still gets...most people really like it.
Agree 100% with RSBandit.I've had my 2015 Gen 1 V10 plus for over 2 years now and love it. It's my only car so gets used every day and i'm struggling to think of anything i want to change to. A McLaren would be the obvious choice, but it's too extreme for an everyday car. I especially like the bits that make up the Plus model, the brakes are awesome but take time to get used to and the suspension is not too firm me, so i don't think the OP would regret going down this route.
Guffy said:
RSbandit said:
I have a 2014 V10 plus and its a mighty thing, took it to the ring at end of August and had a blast although taking it somewhere less intimidating beforehand like Bedford would be a good idea. Only thing I wish mine had were the bucket seats, the standard sports seats didn't hold me in as tight as I'd have liked around the Ring, strange that so many people didn't spec the buckets as they were a no cost option on the plus. Other than that I've done about 5k miles in a little over a year, couple of times to Germany and once to Wales were the main miles...engine is a masterpiece and the S tronic gearbox suits it perfectly, the interior is a bit dated but the carbon parts certainly elevate things and overall build quality is excellent. The sat nav is truly awful though feels ancient the one time I tried it but I normally use Waze anyway so no biggie. The only thing about the car I dislike is that you can't stream music over bluetooth, so if you're using the phone for Waze you have to make do with radio, not so great on longer journeys. Amazing how much positive attention the car still gets...most people really like it.
Agree 100% with RSBandit.I've had my 2015 Gen 1 V10 plus for over 2 years now and love it. It's my only car so gets used every day and i'm struggling to think of anything i want to change to. A McLaren would be the obvious choice, but it's too extreme for an everyday car. I especially like the bits that make up the Plus model, the brakes are awesome but take time to get used to and the suspension is not too firm me, so i don't think the OP would regret going down this route.
Its true that the Audi is a very usable thing but a Lambo is very Audi like in many ways. Build quality on a par, the engine more vocal and just as epic.
I'd argue the V10 engine in the R8 is more exotic than anything in a McLaren albeit not as powerful as the 650/720s unit, having said that I would like to run a McLaren at some point. Ferrari's twin turbo V8 sounds much nicer than the McLaren one and of course the Lambo just dials the R8 noise up to 11. The new R8 would be the obvious choice given the huge upgrade in interior tech but I still think the front end isn't as nice as the older car. To the OP think the plus is worth the stretch anyway given all the extras over the standard V10, the ceramic brakes are so powerful and the engine bay looks great with the carbon trimmings, less so without.
RSbandit said:
I'd argue the V10 engine in the R8 is more exotic than anything in a McLaren albeit not as powerful as the 650/720s unit, having said that I would like to run a McLaren at some point. Ferrari's twin turbo V8 sounds much nicer than the McLaren one and of course the Lambo just dials the R8 noise up to 11. The new R8 would be the obvious choice given the huge upgrade in interior tech but I still think the front end isn't as nice as the older car. To the OP think the plus is worth the stretch anyway given all the extras over the standard V10, the ceramic brakes are so powerful and the engine bay looks great with the carbon trimmings, less so without.
Mac V8 is not that bad , revs to 8k + and produces serious grunt. Its about torque as much as horsepower, and Macs are featherweight by comparison . Sounds a bit industrial perhaps but my one criticism of the Audi is its a bit too quiet.RSbandit said:
I have a 2014 V10 plus and its a mighty thing, took it to the ring at end of August and had a blast although taking it somewhere less intimidating beforehand like Bedford would be a good idea. Only thing I wish mine had were the bucket seats, the standard sports seats didn't hold me in as tight as I'd have liked around the Ring, strange that so many people didn't spec the buckets as they were a no cost option on the plus. Other than that I've done about 5k miles in a little over a year, couple of times to Germany and once to Wales were the main miles...engine is a masterpiece and the S tronic gearbox suits it perfectly, the interior is a bit dated but the carbon parts certainly elevate things and overall build quality is excellent. The sat nav is truly awful though feels ancient the one time I tried it but I normally use Waze anyway so no biggie. The only thing about the car I dislike is that you can't stream music over bluetooth, so if you're using the phone for Waze you have to make do with radio, not so great on longer journeys. Amazing how much positive attention the car still gets...most people really like it.
Thanks.The lack of music’s a bit annoying, I like the way I can stream things in the M3.
I’ll maybe stick an iPod through the Aux input.
James_B said:
Thanks.
The lack of music’s a bit annoying, I like the way I can stream things in the M3.
I’ll maybe stick an iPod through the Aux input.
I did that when I first got mine but found it easier to upload my tunes to an SD card and play them through the MMI. One of the few negatives about the car is the ancient music/nav system, but the engine sound makes up for it.The lack of music’s a bit annoying, I like the way I can stream things in the M3.
I’ll maybe stick an iPod through the Aux input.
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