R8 V10 inspection in Norfolk
Discussion
Fingers crossed!So, bit of an update....
Inspection went well, couple of minor bits but nothing unusual for an 8 year old car. Overall I'm not massively enamored with the RAC though. Claimed they couldn't do an oil test as it doesn't have a dip stick. 30s of googling showed that it does unless I'm being an idiot. They refused to send the bloke back out to do it unless I paid £125 or something ridiculous.
Biggest PIA about the whole thing is the fact that the car was financed and on SOR. Garage wanted a 50% deposit before the owner would clear the finance (from his own pocket, not with that money), I pushed back as it was not a garage I was familiar with, didn't want to hand over mucho cash to strangers, and I can only collect on weekends so there's no opportunity to ring up, clear finance on the day etc. Anyway, long story short, owner decided to clear the finance in advance of his own back and I got confirmation the other day. Can see it from his side as you only want to go to the hassle of doing that if you're entertaining a serious buyer (and of course they don't know me from Adam either), but equally, selling an 8 year old car with outstanding finance at a small non-specialist outfit doesn't massively instill confidence in the punter.
Anyway, notwithstanding all of that, it's seems to have turned out okay in the end (famous last words!) - I'm picking the car up on Sunday, so rather excited to say the least
Inspection went well, couple of minor bits but nothing unusual for an 8 year old car. Overall I'm not massively enamored with the RAC though. Claimed they couldn't do an oil test as it doesn't have a dip stick. 30s of googling showed that it does unless I'm being an idiot. They refused to send the bloke back out to do it unless I paid £125 or something ridiculous.
Biggest PIA about the whole thing is the fact that the car was financed and on SOR. Garage wanted a 50% deposit before the owner would clear the finance (from his own pocket, not with that money), I pushed back as it was not a garage I was familiar with, didn't want to hand over mucho cash to strangers, and I can only collect on weekends so there's no opportunity to ring up, clear finance on the day etc. Anyway, long story short, owner decided to clear the finance in advance of his own back and I got confirmation the other day. Can see it from his side as you only want to go to the hassle of doing that if you're entertaining a serious buyer (and of course they don't know me from Adam either), but equally, selling an 8 year old car with outstanding finance at a small non-specialist outfit doesn't massively instill confidence in the punter.
Anyway, notwithstanding all of that, it's seems to have turned out okay in the end (famous last words!) - I'm picking the car up on Sunday, so rather excited to say the least
Right, so finally some time to put pen to paper!
Very first impression i had was that i'd forgotten just how much I missed an open gate gearbox! Love the clack clack as you change and really reminds me of my old F355 and 550.
Compared to my prev 997 GTS (which this replaces) it rides much better - normal PASM on the road was firm but okay, PASM in sport was unusable anywhere but on track, and then it didn't seem to be stiff enough. Switching to sport suspension on the R8 makes a noticeable difference as well but is manageable on the road. If I was a bit younger I'd prob use it more, as it is, leaving things softer unless it's a lovely bit of smooth tarmac is prob what I'll do. The firmer setting is not as well judged as the 981/991 PASM Porsches I've owned/driven, but then it is a generation older.
V10 engine is mega and shows up everything that is wrong with modern turbo lumps. There's plenty enough to be getting on with for everyday quick driving at low/med revs, but work harder and you're amply rewarded. It puts down the power much better than my old E90 M5, sounds great, loud but not too much. And chasing after that 8.5 grand redline is so much fun.
Love the looks, esp the red. Given that it's not an outrageous design I think a louder colour is a good offset to that. Love the carbon blades and interior detailing. And that open gate gearbox is worthy of another mention. Very smooth with nice ratios. Cabin is simple, but very nice. Maybe a bit plain, but since it's not a Gallardo it doesn't matter. Simple cabin in the Lambo annoys me inordinately.
I've not chucked it around properly yet or explored it's limits, but it certainly grips and goes in the corners. Feels lighter than it's quoted1620-odd kg or whatever.
Steering has good feel, not as chatty as my current 993 or old 997.1 GT3, but better, or at least on par with 997 GTS.
Overall, and it sounds funny saying this about a relatively modern baby Supercar, it feels a bit old school which I really enjoyed on the drive home. There's no flappy paddles, no sport button to change throttle map, and you basically leave the suspension button alone, so you just get in, turn the key, and it's just you, 3 pedals and a f
king outrageous V10 which is a refreshing change.
Negatives? Well before i start, i'll poach a line from steve sutcliffe: the car is great to be clear, but we're "deep into fine detail", more as a compare and contrast than any serious criticism. So...
Brakes are a bit over assisted for my personal taste, prefer a firmer pedal, and the flywheel feels really light, could stand to hold revs a bit more when coming off gas (feels like it was optimised for paddleshift), both mean it's tricky to heel/toe, but it may be just a question of practice. Gas pedal also feels a bit over sensitive/imprecise when rev matching esp at low rpm, but may be part of the "light flywheel" thing.
Nav is also a quite st but that was always going to be the case. Nose feels a bit less tied/agile down during direction changes than my last 3 modern Porks (all rwd), but it's only a small difference.
Door handles on inside flex a bit when you pull them, and the steering wheel does not particularly encourage a quarter to 3 grip, feels a little odd to me there. Cup holder placement again optimised for paddle shift: put a can in there and I constantly hit it with my left elbow when swapping cogs.
Overall what is interesting is that despite it being a VAG car, it's not quite up there on the little details that Porsche is so good at. But it's very close, and arguably makes it feel a bit more special. I've never felt like i was driving a Supercar in any Pork I've owned, whereas the R8 feels slightly rawer, brawny and more exciting. More Supercar And it's red, I'm told they go faster 
Overall, very pleased with the purchase Can't wait to get some fun roads under her and explore her limits a bit on track
Very first impression i had was that i'd forgotten just how much I missed an open gate gearbox! Love the clack clack as you change and really reminds me of my old F355 and 550.
Compared to my prev 997 GTS (which this replaces) it rides much better - normal PASM on the road was firm but okay, PASM in sport was unusable anywhere but on track, and then it didn't seem to be stiff enough. Switching to sport suspension on the R8 makes a noticeable difference as well but is manageable on the road. If I was a bit younger I'd prob use it more, as it is, leaving things softer unless it's a lovely bit of smooth tarmac is prob what I'll do. The firmer setting is not as well judged as the 981/991 PASM Porsches I've owned/driven, but then it is a generation older.
V10 engine is mega and shows up everything that is wrong with modern turbo lumps. There's plenty enough to be getting on with for everyday quick driving at low/med revs, but work harder and you're amply rewarded. It puts down the power much better than my old E90 M5, sounds great, loud but not too much. And chasing after that 8.5 grand redline is so much fun.
Love the looks, esp the red. Given that it's not an outrageous design I think a louder colour is a good offset to that. Love the carbon blades and interior detailing. And that open gate gearbox is worthy of another mention. Very smooth with nice ratios. Cabin is simple, but very nice. Maybe a bit plain, but since it's not a Gallardo it doesn't matter. Simple cabin in the Lambo annoys me inordinately.
I've not chucked it around properly yet or explored it's limits, but it certainly grips and goes in the corners. Feels lighter than it's quoted1620-odd kg or whatever.
Steering has good feel, not as chatty as my current 993 or old 997.1 GT3, but better, or at least on par with 997 GTS.
Overall, and it sounds funny saying this about a relatively modern baby Supercar, it feels a bit old school which I really enjoyed on the drive home. There's no flappy paddles, no sport button to change throttle map, and you basically leave the suspension button alone, so you just get in, turn the key, and it's just you, 3 pedals and a f
king outrageous V10 which is a refreshing change.Negatives? Well before i start, i'll poach a line from steve sutcliffe: the car is great to be clear, but we're "deep into fine detail", more as a compare and contrast than any serious criticism. So...
Brakes are a bit over assisted for my personal taste, prefer a firmer pedal, and the flywheel feels really light, could stand to hold revs a bit more when coming off gas (feels like it was optimised for paddleshift), both mean it's tricky to heel/toe, but it may be just a question of practice. Gas pedal also feels a bit over sensitive/imprecise when rev matching esp at low rpm, but may be part of the "light flywheel" thing.
Nav is also a quite s
t but that was always going to be the case. Nose feels a bit less tied/agile down during direction changes than my last 3 modern Porks (all rwd), but it's only a small difference. Door handles on inside flex a bit when you pull them, and the steering wheel does not particularly encourage a quarter to 3 grip, feels a little odd to me there. Cup holder placement again optimised for paddle shift: put a can in there and I constantly hit it with my left elbow when swapping cogs.
Overall what is interesting is that despite it being a VAG car, it's not quite up there on the little details that Porsche is so good at. But it's very close, and arguably makes it feel a bit more special. I've never felt like i was driving a Supercar in any Pork I've owned, whereas the R8 feels slightly rawer, brawny and more exciting. More Supercar
And it's red, I'm told they go faster Overall, very pleased with the purchase
Can't wait to get some fun roads under her and explore her limits a bit on track Trev450 said:
Nice write-up Mario149. You have summed up the R8 quite comprehensively especially given that you are only recently into ownership of one.
I agree about the brakes feeling over-servoed, but most cars will feel like that to some extent after getting out of a P car. Know also what you mean about the light flywheel but you will quickly adapt to that and heel & toe is a delight as you only require a small roll onto the throttle pedal to get the job done.
One of my major gripes that you haven't mentioned is the lack of memory seats. They give you 18 way adjustable and as soon as someone else drives the car you are back to base point.
Anyway, enjoy it in good health and maybe we will see you on one of the R8 Owners Club meets.
Thanks Trev - memory seats not an issue, only I get to drive I agree about the brakes feeling over-servoed, but most cars will feel like that to some extent after getting out of a P car. Know also what you mean about the light flywheel but you will quickly adapt to that and heel & toe is a delight as you only require a small roll onto the throttle pedal to get the job done.
One of my major gripes that you haven't mentioned is the lack of memory seats. They give you 18 way adjustable and as soon as someone else drives the car you are back to base point.
Anyway, enjoy it in good health and maybe we will see you on one of the R8 Owners Club meets.
Another little update.
I think I'm about 1.2k miles or so into ownership now, and managed to do a good few on track at a couple of charity events. Everything from my June update still stands, only things I'd add are:
1) there is no way round the probs with heel and toeing, so I've basically given up. Flywheel appearing to be so light, the car being a bit heavy for its class, and also that it's not rear engined like I'm used to would appear to mean it's a bit of a moot point. At no stage have I managed to unsettle the rear (even on track) under braking in a reasonably straight line - the clutch engages, the revs fly up, no dramas. Not elegant, but it works.
2) same for the 4wd system. Basically, it seems even with TC etc off, you can just plant your right foot coming out of a corner, the back lets loose (but you have to try really hard!), you get a bit of a slide on, you start to correct, then torque is shuffled around by witchcraft, you fire out of the corner, no dramas. Arguably not as satisfying as stting yourself in say a 993 as it lets go, you feel it go wider than planned, catch it then breathe again....but, there is something to say for making over the limit a bit more accessible for an enthusiastic amateur.
3) cup holder position is still terrible
4) bought an up to date nav CD. Nav is still terrible, although at least it now knows all the roads. Can't wait until me and my biz partners get our app launched to sort this.
5) I must be getting younger, I'm now craving a bit more noise from the exhaust once it's finished its "cat warm up" growling. Although bystanders last night when I was collecting a kebab from van seemed happy enough
6) looking at a live remap to try and unleash Lambo-level ponies - bloke I've used in the past for my 993 is doing some research to see what might be possible. To be clear, the car doesn't need to be any faster, it just erks me that it might be artificially stifled. And if I'm going to average 17mpg or so, I might as well have max amount of power on tap.
Any way, the fun continues
Edited for speelung
I think I'm about 1.2k miles or so into ownership now, and managed to do a good few on track at a couple of charity events. Everything from my June update still stands, only things I'd add are:
1) there is no way round the probs with heel and toeing, so I've basically given up. Flywheel appearing to be so light, the car being a bit heavy for its class, and also that it's not rear engined like I'm used to would appear to mean it's a bit of a moot point. At no stage have I managed to unsettle the rear (even on track) under braking in a reasonably straight line - the clutch engages, the revs fly up, no dramas. Not elegant, but it works.
2) same for the 4wd system. Basically, it seems even with TC etc off, you can just plant your right foot coming out of a corner, the back lets loose (but you have to try really hard!), you get a bit of a slide on, you start to correct, then torque is shuffled around by witchcraft, you fire out of the corner, no dramas. Arguably not as satisfying as s
tting yourself in say a 993 as it lets go, you feel it go wider than planned, catch it then breathe again....but, there is something to say for making over the limit a bit more accessible for an enthusiastic amateur.3) cup holder position is still terrible
4) bought an up to date nav CD. Nav is still terrible, although at least it now knows all the roads. Can't wait until me and my biz partners get our app launched to sort this.
5) I must be getting younger, I'm now craving a bit more noise from the exhaust once it's finished its "cat warm up" growling. Although bystanders last night when I was collecting a kebab from van seemed happy enough
6) looking at a live remap to try and unleash Lambo-level ponies - bloke I've used in the past for my 993 is doing some research to see what might be possible. To be clear, the car doesn't need to be any faster, it just erks me that it might be artificially stifled. And if I'm going to average 17mpg or so, I might as well have max amount of power on tap.
Any way, the fun continues
Edited for speelung
Edited by Mario149 on Sunday 2nd September 15:30
SMG on the M5 was awful, wouldn't go near an R-tronic personally. Old tech will feel old. Whereas a good manual will always be good
To be clear, you can still rev match on the R8 with a bit of practice, you just can't do it while on the brakes.
As a car it's slightly imperfect compared to say a 997.2 911, but it has more presence and more character in spades on a daily basis. Different strokes and all that. I love 911s, and will no doubt be back in modern one in the future, but the R8 V10 is a riot and you can't fault it at the current price point.
To be clear, you can still rev match on the R8 with a bit of practice, you just can't do it while on the brakes.
As a car it's slightly imperfect compared to say a 997.2 911, but it has more presence and more character in spades on a daily basis. Different strokes and all that. I love 911s, and will no doubt be back in modern one in the future, but the R8 V10 is a riot and you can't fault it at the current price point.
Superleg48 said:
Mario149 said:
6) looking at a live remap to try and unleash Lambo-level ponies - bloke I've used in the past for my 993 is doing some research to see what might be possible. To be clear, the car doesn't need to be any faster, it just erks me that it might be artificially stifled. And if I'm going to average 17mpg or so, I might as well have max amount of power on tap.
Great write up and updates. I love to hear about owner feedback as they settle into their new acquisitions! I just want to be clear though, the R8 V10 is NOT the same engine detuned as the Lamborghini V10. There are many aspects of the Lambo V10 internals that are different. I have to make this observation purely because I interpreted your comment as implying it was simply detuned Lambo Engine. Apologies if this was not the case or intention. You should be able to get some gains from a map though and would recommend it. It is not just about “going faster” but changes to the delivery of and increases to Torque change the driving characteristics for the better.
I had Viezu Technologies remap my SL2 Gallardo, after I popped on a Lambo Super Trofeo Exhaust System and took it to just over 590BHP, but also increased Torques and smoothed out the Torque curve across the Rev range. Made a huge difference to the way the car drives and so much for the better. Interestingly, max BHP and Torque now arrives at about 7500 rpm, where red line is 8250. I never like to red line anyway, so happy to be shifting up slightly lower where the conditions allow.
The V10 symphony is something else though. People need to experience it to truly appreciate it.
As for delivery, the benefit that my 993 saw from a remap was mega - soooo much smoother, forget the nice little power/torque increase throughout the range, I'd have done it for that alone. So as you say, not just the peak figures that matter!
NewNameNeeded said:
Mario149 said:
Lots of stuff
Great read and thanks for popping back with a followup. Does the R8 feel like a keeper? I always enjoy reading ownership experience and it was interesting to read your views vs previous Porsche's you've had. 
Longest I've had a car is 5.5 years and that's my current 993. The more modern stuff seems to come and go. Not that I don't love them individually, just that there's so many cars to experience that it seems a waste to keep one for too long unless there's a very good reason. I prefer to "lose" one and experience something new, rather than obsess over one and potentially miss an awesome ownership experience. Given loadsa money to spunk away though, I'd re-buy a few, make them *totally* mint replacing anything that looked even slightly on the way out and keep them indefinitely if it was feasible - an F355 would be a prime case in point. A manual coupe one of them with bottomless funds strikes me as about the best all round road-use sports car you could own.NewNameNeeded said:
Shaoxter said:
Did you test an R Tronic version?
Definitely worth a test drive. Very much a marmite gear box but most of the criticism seems to be lazy journalism from writers who haven't spent any time getting to know the box. It's not great in auto. For a smooth change you have to ease off the gas when you change gear, and in auto you can't easily time when the car will change gear so you don't know when to lift off the pedal, and so it's quite jerky. Not so bad during spirited driving but awful in crawling traffic.
Simple solution is to always have it in manual mode and use either the gear stick or paddles to change gears. In this mode I think it's perfect for the car, and just a bit more engaging than the full auto S Tronic. Gear changes seem instantaneous to me.
Trev450 said:
Mario149 said:
6) looking at a live remap to try and unleash Lambo-level ponies - bloke I've used in the past for my 993 is doing some research to see what might be possible. To be clear, the car doesn't need to be any faster, it just erks me that it might be artificially stifled. And if I'm going to average 17mpg or so, I might as well have max amount of power on tap.
You are quite correct in that they are reined-in and it is done by restricting the opening of the throttle butterflys. I had Ricky install an APR map on mine and it released around 65 bhp and 30 ft lb torque. It has made a noticible difference and the improvements are across the rev range and not just at the top end. Well worth doing imo.Edited by Mario149 on Sunday 2nd September 15:30
OP here, another bit of an ownership update
Did my first wet track day in it a couple of days ago on Brands Indy and it was a riot. Especially as we were giving passenger rides which always makes it mnore fun. Very confidence inspiring, almost as easy to chuck around as my old 997.1 GT3 in the wet. Spent the whole time being a bit of a lout and coming sideways out of Druids and Graham Hill Bend. Clark was great as well: get to the apex and on the power gently and you'd start off with a bit of understeer, then you'd give it a bit more and feel it go neutral, then a bit more and feel transition into a very satisfying degree or 2 of oversteer while doing 90+. Mega fun.
Ended up on the grass on the RHS coming out of Druids once after a bit of a tank slapper when the track was half way between wet and dry, but luckily it was a controlled exit so I just mowed the lawn for a bit and rejoined. That was the only mess up in 130 laps or so, so I can't complain.
Track days in the dry in it are fun, but there are better cars for that as the R8 feels a tad ungainly and too grippy. But for a wet track day, 10/10 would highly recommend
Few piccies Quality is better if you open the links
Love this shot, car looks wide, low and menacing!
Doing some gardening....of course it bloody had to be caught on camera didn't it!
Did my first wet track day in it a couple of days ago on Brands Indy and it was a riot. Especially as we were giving passenger rides which always makes it mnore fun. Very confidence inspiring, almost as easy to chuck around as my old 997.1 GT3 in the wet. Spent the whole time being a bit of a lout and coming sideways out of Druids and Graham Hill Bend. Clark was great as well: get to the apex and on the power gently and you'd start off with a bit of understeer, then you'd give it a bit more and feel it go neutral, then a bit more and feel transition into a very satisfying degree or 2 of oversteer while doing 90+. Mega fun.
Ended up on the grass on the RHS coming out of Druids once after a bit of a tank slapper when the track was half way between wet and dry, but luckily it was a controlled exit so I just mowed the lawn for a bit and rejoined. That was the only mess up in 130 laps or so, so I can't complain.
Track days in the dry in it are fun, but there are better cars for that as the R8 feels a tad ungainly and too grippy. But for a wet track day, 10/10 would highly recommend
Few piccies
Quality is better if you open the linksLove this shot, car looks wide, low and menacing!
Doing some gardening....of course it bloody had to be caught on camera didn't it!
Edited by Mario149 on Friday 2nd August 11:22
Edited by Mario149 on Friday 2nd August 12:37
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff