Audi R8 V8 advice
Discussion
Fella’s a little advice appreciated.
Recently I’ve had several TVR’s and an M4, but I’ve been toying with the idea of R8 for a while now as a weekend toy….all have been weekend cars , aside from the M4.
So I’ve seen a few recently and finally put a deposit down on a V8. Yes I totally deliberated over the V8 v V10 but I need to be sensible with the budget for this one. I’ve driven it and it handles and drives extremely well, with no obvious alarm bells except the mags showing misting on last two MOT’s. The history checks out, the mileage is low in the 30’s and its been consistently serviced pretty much all by Audi until very late on. The interior is like new and the paint and wheels/ tyres are in great condition.
But although I’ve read up on them, I don’t have intimate knowledge and experience of R8’s.
Firstly the mags…I’ve seen some of the options and refurbs available etc…but how do the R3 nitrons stack up, has anyone fitted these? Are there are any that I can fit that I don’t have to delete on/ can still use the button?
The discs are a little lipped, pads good and it brakes very well without judder…For now these are fine but what manufacturer was the OEM and wheres best to buy to get a good deal when the time comes?
How concerned should I be about chassis cracks on an early R8…this is 2007 (57) theres no history showing or signs of damage.
Air con is nice and cold. Apparently the rads were changed but I cannot see this detailed…is this a standard change at Audi after a point?
Clutch feels very good, no noises or slipping and bite is positive, gear changes are smooth…its a manual box. I can’t see any clutch change on the history though so how do these fair generally under normal driving styles i.e spirited driving some of the time, rather than always thrashed?
It does look like its been kept inside mostly and I cannot find any signs of rust on door sills, bonnet etc as mentioned elsewhere…no rust anywhere actually.
Anything else I should be aware of? and does 37k seem fair bearing in mind all the above?
Thanks in advance.
Recently I’ve had several TVR’s and an M4, but I’ve been toying with the idea of R8 for a while now as a weekend toy….all have been weekend cars , aside from the M4.
So I’ve seen a few recently and finally put a deposit down on a V8. Yes I totally deliberated over the V8 v V10 but I need to be sensible with the budget for this one. I’ve driven it and it handles and drives extremely well, with no obvious alarm bells except the mags showing misting on last two MOT’s. The history checks out, the mileage is low in the 30’s and its been consistently serviced pretty much all by Audi until very late on. The interior is like new and the paint and wheels/ tyres are in great condition.
But although I’ve read up on them, I don’t have intimate knowledge and experience of R8’s.
Firstly the mags…I’ve seen some of the options and refurbs available etc…but how do the R3 nitrons stack up, has anyone fitted these? Are there are any that I can fit that I don’t have to delete on/ can still use the button?
The discs are a little lipped, pads good and it brakes very well without judder…For now these are fine but what manufacturer was the OEM and wheres best to buy to get a good deal when the time comes?
How concerned should I be about chassis cracks on an early R8…this is 2007 (57) theres no history showing or signs of damage.
Air con is nice and cold. Apparently the rads were changed but I cannot see this detailed…is this a standard change at Audi after a point?
Clutch feels very good, no noises or slipping and bite is positive, gear changes are smooth…its a manual box. I can’t see any clutch change on the history though so how do these fair generally under normal driving styles i.e spirited driving some of the time, rather than always thrashed?
It does look like its been kept inside mostly and I cannot find any signs of rust on door sills, bonnet etc as mentioned elsewhere…no rust anywhere actually.
Anything else I should be aware of? and does 37k seem fair bearing in mind all the above?
Thanks in advance.
m4tti said:
Phil, how much are they asking for this V8. If it’s over 40k I’d hold fire. There’s been a couple of v10’s on the Facebook groups coming up mid 40’s and they’re only going one way over winter.
How’s things Matti? You’ve still got your R8 then…not ventured back into the TVR ownership?! 
37k mate….thing is I really wanted low miles and a keeper…not seen too many V10’s at lowish miles in the mid forties and I want a coupe….but if there is and its manual or S then def of interest.
Hi M4tti….sorry for the late reply.
I seemed to remember you were talking of moving some while back….new garage
…..always good! Did you manage to build a double width? So what motor have you got now or whats in the pipeline? Also question is would you buy another R8 and if so which one?
Low miles in the 30’s and below yes…I def want coupe and a manual but not seen anything V10 close to mid 40’s apart from one that looked nice but was high 60’s miles.
I’ve got the DCT in the M4 and don’t get me wrong its rapid change and saves the left foot..but it just makes me want a manual in an R8…or I’m heading for the slippery TVR slope again…which incidentally I really enjoyed and never say never, but if I was to get another it would be a griff….the speed six experience was a PITA!
But subject to a positive inspection on the V8 thats where I’m headed right now and hopefully by months end. I totally get the V8 V10 debate and is it a supercar, but actually I’m pretty excited to just own one right now and if I love it enough I’ll either sell and head down the V10 route when the times right or maybe turbo it…its not like I haven’t done that before!
I seemed to remember you were talking of moving some while back….new garage
…..always good! Did you manage to build a double width? So what motor have you got now or whats in the pipeline? Also question is would you buy another R8 and if so which one?Low miles in the 30’s and below yes…I def want coupe and a manual but not seen anything V10 close to mid 40’s apart from one that looked nice but was high 60’s miles.
I’ve got the DCT in the M4 and don’t get me wrong its rapid change and saves the left foot..but it just makes me want a manual in an R8…or I’m heading for the slippery TVR slope again…which incidentally I really enjoyed and never say never, but if I was to get another it would be a griff….the speed six experience was a PITA!
But subject to a positive inspection on the V8 thats where I’m headed right now and hopefully by months end. I totally get the V8 V10 debate and is it a supercar, but actually I’m pretty excited to just own one right now and if I love it enough I’ll either sell and head down the V10 route when the times right or maybe turbo it…its not like I haven’t done that before!
TBCReece said:
Apart from the lack of carbon & the silver blades (not to everyone’s liking) that is great.
There are some manual v10’s on AT live since June and still not budged.
Thanks for the heads up and it does look like a good car, but I don’t like the R8 in silver…just personal opinion, I’m sure many others do.There are some manual v10’s on AT live since June and still not budged.
@Griffith4ever - Thats really helpful thanks.
I’ve been wondering which passives I should go for should the car pass the test everywhere else. The fact that yours drive’s and handles so well now its properly set up, is good to hear!
The exhaust is a bit of a subjective taste I guess, but whether its a V8 or a V10, it needs to sound as good as it looks and coming from TVR’s I’m used to “good” loud. Capristo, Quicksilver SS and F1 seem to have good responses…not heard the Miltek option.
I’ve been wondering which passives I should go for should the car pass the test everywhere else. The fact that yours drive’s and handles so well now its properly set up, is good to hear!
The exhaust is a bit of a subjective taste I guess, but whether its a V8 or a V10, it needs to sound as good as it looks and coming from TVR’s I’m used to “good” loud. Capristo, Quicksilver SS and F1 seem to have good responses…not heard the Miltek option.
akadk said:
Surely the GT or Plus or just standard R8 passive shocks are the go to seeing as they are OEM
I’ve been told that the V10’s don’t work well with the very early R8 due to spring and damper rate…I’ll bow down to better knowledge but it was from a knowledgeable and reliable source. Standard OEM non mags I guess yes, although I’m not sure what was used and if they are still available direct from Audi or another?
m4tti said:
I would drive it Phil, until the shocks fail. When they do, get them refurbed. The mag ride system is very good, and what ever passive you fit, it won’t be as good for road use, especially over the crap road surfaces in the south east.
The mag ride is awesome down the lanes, the body stays absolutely level as the thing tightens itself up and down. No passive will do that.
Point taken and ideally I would like to keep it factory Matti…I’ve mailed Negengast PL to check the cost….I’m assuming that the €3168 they quote is before the €1600 refund for the swap…if it is and they last 3-4 years, then it seems reasonable.The mag ride is awesome down the lanes, the body stays absolutely level as the thing tightens itself up and down. No passive will do that.
Griffith4ever said:
Well, I can't argue with the performance of the Mags as I don't have them, nor can you argue over the performance of standard coil overs (passive is a bit of a misnomer) as you don't have them, but I can tell you that the coilovers are absolutely great on Somerset and Devon B road, and the car does not lean one jot going round fast corners.
Standard coilovers are still used in almost every race car out there - so they still have some life in them yet :-)
More critically, most feedback shows you'll be repacing them often. Misting is not just a "problem" but endemic, hence they often get "deleted". Most R8 owners have the budget to get them replaced as they fail, and a lot choose not to, which tells you something.
Still, getting the odd one refubed (in Poland) here and there is not the end of the world if you like them.
Again a fair point. Certainly food for thought, on one hand I like the idea of fit and forget (especially if the handling is still there) but at the same time I would like to keep it on mags if the refurb is cheap and reliable enough. I could buy new, but I just can’t justify that cost unless the issue of premature leaking was resolved…which is isn’t. Standard coilovers are still used in almost every race car out there - so they still have some life in them yet :-)
More critically, most feedback shows you'll be repacing them often. Misting is not just a "problem" but endemic, hence they often get "deleted". Most R8 owners have the budget to get them replaced as they fail, and a lot choose not to, which tells you something.
Still, getting the odd one refubed (in Poland) here and there is not the end of the world if you like them.
Griffith4ever said:
Champion! Report back how you find it! :-)
It was hacking it down all day so I’ve not had a chance to put it through its paces at all yet….I didn’t want to stick it in a hedge before getting it home 
From what I did experience on the drive, it sounds bloody great, the power delivery feels very smooth and plenty low down even at part throttle. Pulling from 3rd or fourth from 3k -4k wasn’t earth shattering but maybe thats because I didn’t drop down another gear…. Love the gated manual!
The interior felt very roomy all round, I didn’t really feel disappointed with the interior as is pointed out on many reviews, for me its a nice place to be even if its typical Audi.
The magride when in sport mode really seemed to smooth out the ride and it felt more focused and engine responsive…or maybe the latter is just in my head.
The media unit/ sat nav is bloody awful so I’m going to go the RTA route like others I think and retain for future originality.
It looks so good from every angle…not many cars I feel that way about
mikiec said:
Nice one, I was similar. Made an offer on a V8, didn’t get there so some manmaths later got the V10 manual. That was 5.5 years ago! still can’t find anything comparable to change it for.
Good to know and glad you love yours so much! Did you ever release the held back Hp and Torque with a tune or have you kept it factory?
m4tti said:
Believe it or not Phil, that is my old R8 Presumably this is from the dealer in the new forest.
Paintwork was immaculate.
It is Matti…one and the same which means you now have a Ferrari right! Presumably this is from the dealer in the new forest. Paintwork was immaculate.
We agreed on new discs and pads on the front and a sensible drop on price…nice guy Brandon and he has a good set up over there!
As you know the paint is lovely…interior is excellent…couple of marks on the alloys and the scuff plates on the sills but I’ll sort those….you took good care of it mate and I’ll do the same!
Trev450 said:
Very nice.
I appreciate you not wanting to bin it on the way home from collecting it, but when the conditions are right you will find that it doesn't come into it's own until you are past about 5K rpm. Once you've taken it to the redline you will have a stupid grin on your face for hours after and will want to do it again and again.
Can’t wait Trev!I appreciate you not wanting to bin it on the way home from collecting it, but when the conditions are right you will find that it doesn't come into it's own until you are past about 5K rpm. Once you've taken it to the redline you will have a stupid grin on your face for hours after and will want to do it again and again.
Griffith4ever said:
As said by someone above - not much happens below 4k. It needs to be on the revs for instant insanity. You wait till you floor it all the way - hang on in there, do it in 2nd and 3rd - once you sail past 6k you'll have to restrain yourself from changing up. Let it run. It's bloody mental.
I was the same when I collected mine. Long wet drive and was a little undewhealmed with the pick-up mid revs, but at the same time I knew I was only playing with 1/2 to 2/3rd of the revs. Next day I got a chance to spank it and bloody hell! - it's just relentless. I literally laughed, semi hysterically. I had an instant, "ahhh - so that's what nearly 600Bhp feels like!"
God only knows what a charger or turbo’s do to it then! But yes you could feel that it wants to be wound up…bring on the dry….and the spring and summer months….I’ve had enough of winter already and its not started yet I was the same when I collected mine. Long wet drive and was a little undewhealmed with the pick-up mid revs, but at the same time I knew I was only playing with 1/2 to 2/3rd of the revs. Next day I got a chance to spank it and bloody hell! - it's just relentless. I literally laughed, semi hysterically. I had an instant, "ahhh - so that's what nearly 600Bhp feels like!"
mikiec said:
Kept it stock. Have looked into but never got round to;
Throttle controller lots of praise for this
Titanium exhaust. Stock is around 40kgs and titanium around 10kg so you get back about 1/2 of the weight increase of the v8
Def weight saving is good….I was looking at this:Throttle controller lots of praise for this
Titanium exhaust. Stock is around 40kgs and titanium around 10kg so you get back about 1/2 of the weight increase of the v8
https://www.qstuning.com/products/apr-stage-1-ecu-...
So I’ve had a few weeks with the R8 now and the underwhelming feel in anything above 2nd gear seems to have been solved by changing the burnt out solenoid for the changeover on the flaps…only opening at 16% previously…..I even managed to get a dry day and its some serious acceleration now
I’ve decided to take it to Ricky in Jan at some point to carbon clean, plugs, air and fuel filters and a remap…not that it doesn’t feel fast enough as it is!
I also went to Reece at RTA as suggested above for his kit and the head unit and I’m going to swap over today. He’s been incredibly helpful so far, so once done I’ll upload some shots and narrative of the before and after…I know thats been done before, but I just think its nice to feedback positives for everyone and to keep it current.
One thing this car does for me is scratch the itch that many other cars can’t….not in a broad way at least. The performance, the aesthetics, the gated manual involvement, the comfort, the everyday usability, the noise of course….just….what a car!! The only thing I don’t like is the bloody judder on lock….I’d be interested to know if anyone has managed to improve this at all?
I’ve decided to take it to Ricky in Jan at some point to carbon clean, plugs, air and fuel filters and a remap…not that it doesn’t feel fast enough as it is!
I also went to Reece at RTA as suggested above for his kit and the head unit and I’m going to swap over today. He’s been incredibly helpful so far, so once done I’ll upload some shots and narrative of the before and after…I know thats been done before, but I just think its nice to feedback positives for everyone and to keep it current.
One thing this car does for me is scratch the itch that many other cars can’t….not in a broad way at least. The performance, the aesthetics, the gated manual involvement, the comfort, the everyday usability, the noise of course….just….what a car!! The only thing I don’t like is the bloody judder on lock….I’d be interested to know if anyone has managed to improve this at all?
Gassing Station | Supercar General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff