Wednesday 18th October 2017

Audi R8 V8 manual: Spotted

The sensible supercar? For this price, it could well be

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Believe it or not, the Audi R8 has been with us for over a decade. Eleven years to be exact; plenty of time for it to have built multiple variants, including the V10, which pushed the model well into supercar territory. But it didn't start there: Ingolstadt's original goal for its mid-engined masterpiece was to pinch some of Porsche's buyers - and to that end it plumbed in as much usability as it could into its breath-taking design.

This included the first engine. While its Lamborghini-badged sibling got a 5.0-litre V10 from the beginning, Audi wisely opted to graft on the 4.2-litre V8; a unit already proven in the B7 generation RS4, and only in need of a dry sump to befit its new home behind the driver's seat. The match - obviously complimented by the rear-bias all-wheel-drive system - was one made in heaven.

Its 420hp sounds relatively humble now (given the proximity of the latest TT RS) but its pairing with the R8's space frame construction and a particularly feel some sort of traction, delivered one of the great driver's cars on the early 21st century: compliant, biddable and sound tracked not only by a naturally-aspirated V8, but also the swashbuckling noise of an open-gaited six-speed manual 'box.

Throw in the relative practicality and comfort of a high-end Audi interior, and the R8 looked good value even at launch. Today, with starting prices significantly lower than the RRP of a range-topping TT, the model is an outrageous steal. True, there are some to be avoided - but there are also plenty like this 2008 car presented in Silver with oxygen silver side blades over the standard black.

With full Audi service history and only 44,000 miles on the clock, you'd like to think it's virtually immune to depreciation - in fact, keep it for long enough and we rather think it might start going the other way. And when you consider what else you could have for the same ballpark (a Cayman S or a Mustang perhaps?) none offers the cache or the deft ability of the first R8. Only those running lights might put you off - and that's surely the worst kind of nit-picking

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AUDI R8
Engine: 4,163cc, V8
Transmission: six-speed manual, quattro all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 420@7,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 317@4,500rpm
MPG: 20.7
CO2: 349g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 44,000 miles
Yours for: £40,995

See the original advert here

[Debaser]

Love these, though they are surprisingly impractical (the boot is way smaller than in a 911, and apart from that there's only a shelf behind the seats for storage).

Agree with the power comment - they can feel underwhelming under acceleration, though I think they are more impressive when it comes to high speed acceleration. For a car with 'only' 420hp it'll accelerate when over 150mph well enough.

[Shnozz]

I agree re the practicality and it's part of the reason I ruled one out. I don't need to carry a fridge but even a weekend away would be pushing it, let alone a European jaunt. Add to that the mahoosive barn doors in a normal car park.

Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.

[cerb4.5lee]

Always liked these, especially with that manual and I'd love a go in one to see what they're like to drive, I've gone off N/A engines over the last few years and worry it might leave me a little flat...but really hope it won't.

[Krikkit]

Shnozz said:

I agree re the practicality and it's part of the reason I ruled one out. I don't need to carry a fridge but even a weekend away would be pushing it, let alone a European jaunt. Add to that the mahoosive barn doors in a normal car park.

Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.

I don't think they're directly comparable really. OK they're both handsome Audis with 400+hp, but I bet the drive is chalk and cheese.

[PistonBroker]

These do seem very good VFM.

My day-dreaming has gone next level recently and I've started up a spreadsheet tracking prices of stuff I fancy. An early R8 just like this one is well on the radar.

I've always wanted 911, but the reality is I'll scratch my Porsche itch with Boxster/Cayman first and these almost seem like a more logical progression from those. Running an R53 MINI as a stopgap has revealed any perception of a 911 being more practical because it has back seats is wrong as my 8yo just moans about lack of space!

[J4CKO]

Think we have become a bit power addled and these are seen a bit of a "Civilian" kind of choice, they are still, by all standards, a fast car, ok a Golf R might give you a fright but who really gives a toss, a bespoke, spaceframed, mid engined V7 junior Supercar vs a fast Golf, depends whether you just want the maximum acceleration to humble/embarrass or whatever other point you want to make, but it isnt a racetack and one will stay at what you pay for it more or less, the other wont. Nothing wrong with the Golf R, but next to one of these ?

In Supercar terms, its the bottom rung, but it still is one, driven them a couple of times against the usual suspects, made a 360 feel a bit of an old woofer in comparison I thought, 996 Turbo felt fast but inert and ran out of ideas, I expected the R8 to be a bit aloof but it was a right loony thing, and I though it was decently fast, a bit gutless low down but it still felt pretty super, all got a bit crazy with 720's and 488's, just how fast do you really need to go to enjoy a drive ?


Dont think they have dated either, still looks fresh, amazing how 355's have gone top 100k plus, I think the R8 could possibly appreciate a little, they never seem to go much under 40k unless ruined or sketchy.

[cuda]

Never forget these were originally designed by BMW before Audi nicked the team and design...

Somewhere deep in a Munich facility is a fully badged up BMW R8.

[thegreenhell]

J4CKO said:

Dont think they have dated either, still looks fresh

Seriously? They were never a looker, but that looks absolutely gopping now.

[Durzel]

Shnozz said:

Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.

That it's biggest problem imo, the TTRS is so accomplished that it infringes on what ought to be a halo car.

Krikkit said:

I don't think they're directly comparable really. OK they're both handsome Audis with 400+hp, but I bet the drive is chalk and cheese.

I'm willing to bet that they are directly comparable. The switchgear and seats on the Mk2 TTRS and Mk1 R8 are identical for one thing. Apart from being lower down in the car I think you'd struggle to feel much difference to a fettled TTRS.

Personally, if I'm paying supercar money, i want it to feel suitably theatric (i.e. unique).

Edited by Durzel on Wednesday 18th October 13:03

[JohnGoodridge]

cuda said:

Never forget these were originally designed by BMW before Audi nicked the team and design...

Somewhere deep in a Munich facility is a fully badged up BMW R8.

Source please? I have always thought that the R8 was the car that BMW should have built. After all they had a V8 and a V10 to put in it.

[tgclowes]

In my search for a 'high powered' manual sports/super car these were way up there but for some reason the one I drove left me feeling a bit dry. Manual box is great but the rest just felt like I was in a low-down B7 RS4, sound included. I should imagine the V10 is much more exciting but that's a whole different price bracket.

[anonymous-user]

I don't really get these or where they should fit as a used 40k toy purchase; power Nissan GTR, looks AM V8 Vantage, all rounder Porsche 911, wafting Bentley GT and I know it is subjective but the interior looks too much like any other Audi, not for me.

[chedixon]

I very nearly went for one of these too but decided on an M4 in the end. I love the R8, its a beautiful car but the practicality was a compromise too far and I know the M4 can be considered a marmite car but I've really clicked with it.
I got all the practicality and more power than I'll ever need for the same money.

[Dave Hedgehog]

Durzel said:

Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.

until you come up to a corner and the TTRS understeers off the road, if you want to prove how much of a man you are by tailgating everyone get a GTR

R8 is 100 times nicer to drive than the TT, especially the later ones, the V8 makes a fantastic noise with the sports exhaust and is more than quick enough for real world driving

[Ares]

cuda said:

Never forget these were originally designed by BMW before Audi nicked the team and design...

Somewhere deep in a Munich facility is a fully badged up BMW R8.

mmmmmmm....more like a chav'd up Audi.

[P.Griffin]

Shnozz said:

Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.

I'd be amazed if someone considering a mid engined supercar actually gives a second thought to luggage space and general practicality. If they have to compromise, the default choice is a 911, probably not a car that has a small displacement turbo charged front engine. You also can't make a fair comparison between a car that was first released in 2006 and another 10 years later.

[Krikkit]

Durzel said:

Krikkit said:

I don't think they're directly comparable really. OK they're both handsome Audis with 400+hp, but I bet the drive is chalk and cheese.

I'm willing to bet that they are directly comparable. The switchgear and seats on the Mk2 TTRS and Mk1 R8 are identical for one thing. Apart from being lower down in the car I think you'd struggle to feel much difference to a fettled TTRS.

Personally, if I'm paying supercar money, i want it to feel suitably theatric (i.e. unique).

I think in a straight line you might vaguely not notice much difference, but as soon as you get on track or down a twisty road it'll be night and day.

Some of the switchgear may be the same, but the rest is a completely different ball-game.

[anonymous-user]

Krikkit said:

Durzel said:

Krikkit said:

I don't think they're directly comparable really. OK they're both handsome Audis with 400+hp, but I bet the drive is chalk and cheese.

I'm willing to bet that they are directly comparable. The switchgear and seats on the Mk2 TTRS and Mk1 R8 are identical for one thing. Apart from being lower down in the car I think you'd struggle to feel much difference to a fettled TTRS.

Personally, if I'm paying supercar money, i want it to feel suitably theatric (i.e. unique).

I think in a straight line you might vaguely not notice much difference, but as soon as you get on track or down a twisty road it'll be night and day.

Some of the switchgear may be the same, but the rest is a completely different ball-game.

Yes I think it's fair to say that a transverse engined heavily boosted five pot car based on a model that can sell profitably for £30k is probably going to feel quite unlike a mid engined NASP V8 that shares a platform with a Lamborghini and was designed to sell for what, £80k?


I suppose the electric window switches are what define how a car drives though?

[hondansx]

Yeah, there is a clear difference being in and driving the two cars. Not to mention the presence the R8 has over the meek looking TT.

[Ares]

P.Griffin said:

Shnozz said:

Then you have to consider there is a very practical, 4(ish) seat TT-RS with a luggage swallowing hatchback and a very similar interior that, with a quick remap, is sat 2" off your bumper. Made the R8 a hard car to justify, even if it has many attributes that neither the TT-RS nor other cars of that price range have.

I'd be amazed if someone considering a mid engined supercar actually gives a second thought to luggage space and general practicality. If they have to compromise, the default choice is a 911, probably not a car that has a small displacement turbo charged front engine. You also can't make a fair comparison between a car that was first released in 2006 and another 10 years later.

Thing is, the R8 was the practical supercar, so these considerations are a potential issue.