R8 Buyers Guide
Discussion
Evening All,
I'm seriously thinking of moving to an R8 (Probably V8 Coupe), much as I'll be devastated to sell my stunning TVR it's time for a change. Can any of you PH owners point me in the direction of a buyers guide, tips, issues/mod's to look out for etc?
Sorry if this is a regular post on here folks.
Cheers.
I'm seriously thinking of moving to an R8 (Probably V8 Coupe), much as I'll be devastated to sell my stunning TVR it's time for a change. Can any of you PH owners point me in the direction of a buyers guide, tips, issues/mod's to look out for etc?
Sorry if this is a regular post on here folks.
Cheers.
It's actually not *that* regular a subject by virtue of their not going very far wrong. They are unusually painless for the sector.
Oil consumption - lots of it, this is normal.
Servicing, they leave the factory on longlife (>19k) but they should be serviced annualy/10k with keen use.
Tyres are relatively expensive
Brakes are expensive (just over a grand for new fronts)
Exhaust heatshields get a bit rattly
The high level brake light squeaks/rattles (fixable, little foam insert)
They pick up chips very easily, make sure any paintwork is cosmetic and to a good standard (a lot get damaged)
Bit of wear on driver seat is normal (scuffs are easy to repair to a high standard)...
...likewise scratches on sills and trims... ...and door edged (they're very long).
No you don't need mag ride, yes they are cheaper without, no mag ride does not just make the suspension harder. Just sold one without and could have sold it 4 times over, just bought another without.
Also make yourself a coffee and spend some time reading around on R8 talk, it's a very active community and if you sift through the usual forum nonsense (as on here I suppose!) there is a lot of useful info there.
Oil consumption - lots of it, this is normal.
Servicing, they leave the factory on longlife (>19k) but they should be serviced annualy/10k with keen use.
Tyres are relatively expensive
Brakes are expensive (just over a grand for new fronts)
Exhaust heatshields get a bit rattly
The high level brake light squeaks/rattles (fixable, little foam insert)
They pick up chips very easily, make sure any paintwork is cosmetic and to a good standard (a lot get damaged)
Bit of wear on driver seat is normal (scuffs are easy to repair to a high standard)...
...likewise scratches on sills and trims... ...and door edged (they're very long).
No you don't need mag ride, yes they are cheaper without, no mag ride does not just make the suspension harder. Just sold one without and could have sold it 4 times over, just bought another without.
Also make yourself a coffee and spend some time reading around on R8 talk, it's a very active community and if you sift through the usual forum nonsense (as on here I suppose!) there is a lot of useful info there.
Skipe said:
Evening All,
I'm seriously thinking of moving to an R8 (Probably V8 Coupe), much as I'll be devastated to sell my stunning TVR it's time for a change. Can any of you PH owners point me in the direction of a buyers guide, tips, issues/mod's to look out for etc?
Sorry if this is a regular post on here folks.
Cheers.
You appear to be having the exact same thoughts as me. I'm test driving one the 24th of this month on an extended drive - going to be VERY hard to tear myself away from my T350 (particularly in 4.3 spec) but I want something a little more useable all year, without the warming up pallava, and something the wife can drive if needed (she hates the TVR).I'm seriously thinking of moving to an R8 (Probably V8 Coupe), much as I'll be devastated to sell my stunning TVR it's time for a change. Can any of you PH owners point me in the direction of a buyers guide, tips, issues/mod's to look out for etc?
Sorry if this is a regular post on here folks.
Cheers.
Thanks for the tips everyone, good to see the PH forums are still predominantly full of good guys. I wonder what I would of had from the 911 lot 
I'm pretty sure I don't need a V10, but I do want a coupe and not an auto. That is about all I'm certain on at present! I like the idea of the exhaust upgrade as going from my Spitfire sounding TVR is going to be hard enough as it is.
Dr G - Thanks for all the detail, really appreciate it.
Tony - When we've both sold up do you want to arrange some joint ex-TVR councilling sessions?
I'm pretty sure I don't need a V10, but I do want a coupe and not an auto. That is about all I'm certain on at present! I like the idea of the exhaust upgrade as going from my Spitfire sounding TVR is going to be hard enough as it is.
Dr G - Thanks for all the detail, really appreciate it.
Tony - When we've both sold up do you want to arrange some joint ex-TVR councilling sessions?
The 430.................Brilliant, quick,loud,turns heads and a lot less like an R8 more like a TVR, as in the experience/theatre of the drive.
No disrespect to the R8 (mine was a manual)that two was quick, very reliable and also turned heads, but not quite in the league of the 430 IMHO
No disrespect to the R8 (mine was a manual)that two was quick, very reliable and also turned heads, but not quite in the league of the 430 IMHO
j3gme said:
The 430.................Brilliant, quick,loud,turns heads and a lot less like an R8 more like a TVR, as in the experience/theatre of the drive.
No disrespect to the R8 (mine was a manual)that two was quick, very reliable and also turned heads, but not quite in the league of the 430 IMHO
I've gone the other way. I went from an '08 F1 F430 to a V8 R8. My ones got the mag-ride and R-tronic. I originally wanted a manual R8, but after driving the R-Tron, I chose the latter, more so for the flappy-paddles. Whilst the F430 was absolutely brilliant (agree with Chris) and it turned heads etc etc, it spent most of it's time tucked up in the garage. I've done more miles in the R8 then I did in 2years in the F430. Yes, I agree it does not have the road presence of the F430, nor the exhaust note, nor the speed ..... but it's still an awesome drive and the maintenance/servicing is considerably cheaper. Oh, and if you want it to turn even more heads, lower it and put some serious alloys on it! See below...No disrespect to the R8 (mine was a manual)that two was quick, very reliable and also turned heads, but not quite in the league of the 430 IMHO
The Mag Ride on the TTS is brilliant, I don't know if its the same deal on the R8 but I'd at least try one with it before you decide what to do.
I think the R8 has wonderful road presence actually, there's something very cool and even perhaps subtle in my mind about something with so common a badge but being so much wider, lower, and more purposeful.
I'm disappointed with the 991 C2 that I previously owned, so an R8 might be on my own agenda soon because I think they are maturing well and I'm hopeful that they are indeed a 'big TT' daily proposition.
I think the R8 has wonderful road presence actually, there's something very cool and even perhaps subtle in my mind about something with so common a badge but being so much wider, lower, and more purposeful.
I'm disappointed with the 991 C2 that I previously owned, so an R8 might be on my own agenda soon because I think they are maturing well and I'm hopeful that they are indeed a 'big TT' daily proposition.
GetCarter said:
I do. (Except when I need to take the dog!)
I use mine considerably more than I ever used the F430 but, in my opinion, using it "every day" would detract from the driving pleasure and exhilaration you get when you haven't driven it for a week or so. But, that's just my opinion.My manual V8 R8 was my only car for about 15 months.
I used it every day going to the shops, b road hacks and a few long (500 mile plus) trips and it never missed a beat.
I did Scotland in one go from Dorset and got out feeling as relaxed as anything. It's an immensely comfortable car and sounds superb.
I had the mag suspension and would always have it as I liked the fact that it would react to my driving style - firm when pushing on and soft when cruising.
It liked to drink fuel and oil but the oil consumption did slow after about 10-12000 miles.
Everyone loved it too - always had people chatting to me or just smiling.
I used it every day going to the shops, b road hacks and a few long (500 mile plus) trips and it never missed a beat.
I did Scotland in one go from Dorset and got out feeling as relaxed as anything. It's an immensely comfortable car and sounds superb.
I had the mag suspension and would always have it as I liked the fact that it would react to my driving style - firm when pushing on and soft when cruising.
It liked to drink fuel and oil but the oil consumption did slow after about 10-12000 miles.
Everyone loved it too - always had people chatting to me or just smiling.
I'm looking at swapping in my 997 2S for either an R8 or GranTurismo S. The R8 seems the sensible choice. The Masser hasn't the best reliability record (and that comes from being an ex-TVR owner too). any other recommendations on spec would be useful. Is there much diff between the V8 and V10s?
I used mine daily and yes it did take away the special feeling but you can use them everyday. So I stopped using it ecveryday.
They are not quick at all out of the box. I installed a Miltek and had it mapped to improve things and it did considerably!
They look and sound fantastic but the best option is mag ride, it really helps focus the car more when pushing on.
After 2.5 very happy years Im selling it. I wouldnt get the v10 though, there just isnt enough in it to warrant the extra money.
But what next? Its a tough one to beat!
They are not quick at all out of the box. I installed a Miltek and had it mapped to improve things and it did considerably!
They look and sound fantastic but the best option is mag ride, it really helps focus the car more when pushing on.
After 2.5 very happy years Im selling it. I wouldnt get the v10 though, there just isnt enough in it to warrant the extra money.
But what next? Its a tough one to beat!
Used my R8 as a daily driver for everything and did 38k miles in 3 years without any problems.
Only complaint would be fuel consumption, as averaged 16mph over the 3 years.
Best upgrade is to change the exhaust to something with a little more sound but without being excessively loud, such as the Milltek non-resonated one combined with a re-map. I also changed the wheels to 20" HRE P40's which had repainted in Audi carbon black to match the carbon blades, which gave the car a more aggressive look than standard. Recently sold the car, and will be selling the wheels soon, if anyone interested?
Only complaint would be fuel consumption, as averaged 16mph over the 3 years.
Best upgrade is to change the exhaust to something with a little more sound but without being excessively loud, such as the Milltek non-resonated one combined with a re-map. I also changed the wheels to 20" HRE P40's which had repainted in Audi carbon black to match the carbon blades, which gave the car a more aggressive look than standard. Recently sold the car, and will be selling the wheels soon, if anyone interested?
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