2009 Audi R8 - Manual

Highlights

• Desirable manual transmission

• 4.2 V8 model

• Full service history

• New brake pads and discs

• Stainless ECU-controlled Valvetronic TCK exhaust 

Overview

Audi makes a great company car – it’s the brand’s lifeblood, serving aspiring executives all over the world. But not everyone who has an Audi as a company car is doing so because they like to race between board meetings and sales pitches in a cossetting, premium interior.

 Take Iron Man, for example. He had an Audi as a company car, too – but being Iron Man, he wasn’t drawn in by the allure of an A4 SE with Tiptronic transmission, stratified fuel injection or not. No, for him, in his daytime guise as Tony Stark, there was only one Audi for the job. An R8. 

 Indeed, it was Hollywood that brought the R8 to our attention, with the first hints at its appearance appearing with Will Smith at the helm in the 2004 box office hit, iRobot. The iRobot begat the RSQ concept car, and in 2007, the RSQ became the R8 – Audi’s first supercar. 

 Based on the architecture of the Lamborghini Gallardo, the mid-engined R8 had superb pedigree, and was initially offered with a Lambo V10 on display through its rear window as well, but when the company knocked a couple of cylinders off to fit a 4.2 V8, it was also able to knock a massive chunk off the list price, bringing the Neckarsulm-built sportster down to Porsche 911 levels of affordability. 

 It has other things in common with the 911, too – not least its VW Group parentage, but also its ability to look like a supercar, behave like a supercar, sound like a supercar, but to do so with abject precision, admirable levels of luxury and surprising refinement. It may not be as loud and proud as a Lamborghini or Ferrari, but that’s a big part of its appeal, for here is a car that you can use every day, gathering admiring looks, but without being too extroverted. 

 It’s a cool car, with a cabin that builds on years of Audi design brilliance to remind you that this is a wholly engineered car, and not one that’s just about looks and dynamics. 

 If you want to embrace your inner Iron Man – and who doesn’t? – then here’s a great way to do it, as this one looks exactly the same as the car driven by the film and comic book hero. Silver with black side strakes. Understated, but drop-dead gorgeous in the same breath. 

 The vendor loves their performance cars and makes a hobby out of bringing them up to scratch – with this example, carrying out various enhancements to make what was already a good car one of the very best. But with the job list complete, it’s time for another car to join the collection, so here’s your chance to grab a really nice example of the R8 in its purest form.   

History and documentation 

• Registered March 1st 2009

• V5C in the name of the vendor

• MOT valid until February 26th 2026 – no advisory notices

• Two keys

• Original Audi book pack and manuals

• Service history as follows: 2011 @ 8,386 miles (main dealer), 2012 @ 13,549 miles (main dealer), 2013 @ 18,088 miles (main dealer), 2014 @ 21,851 miles (main dealer), 2015 @ 33,408 miles (main dealer), 2016 @ 42,655 miles (main dealer), 2017 @ 51,322 miles (specialist), 2018 @ 57,299 miles (specialist), 2019 @ 60,815 miles (specialist), 2023 @ 71,310 miles (specialist), 2025 @ 73,470 miles (specialist)

• All servicing and modifications backed up by a file of invoices that corroborate the work carried out 

Interior

• Black leather upholstery in excellent condition, some minor creasing to driver’s side seat squab and bolster commensurate with age and use

• Electric, heated seats 

• Full factory carbon interior pack including door cards and dash surround 

• Engine bay LED pack

• Three-spoke multifunction flat-bottom steering wheel

• Audi Nav plus

• Air-con

• Front and rear parking sensors

• Switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP),

• Carpets and door cards in good order 

Exterior

• Iconic Avis silver with carbon black side strakes

• Bodywork brought up to scratch by vendor with localised paintwork to remove previous stone chips

• Satin black 19-inch twin five-spoke alloy wheels

• New Michelin Pilot Sport tyres on the rear, good Davanti Sports fitted in 2024 by the previous owner upfront

• Appears to be in good order underneath

• Very well-specced and presented car 

Mechanical 

• 4.2-litre V8

• Desirable six-speed manual ‘open-gate’ transmission, clutch works fine with no slipping

• 414bhp

• 0-60mph in 4.3 secs

• Top speed 187mph 

• New brake pads and discs

• Full carbon clean at RE Performance

• Induction kit and full stainless valve-tronic exhaust by TCK, which is controlled through the ECU as Audi intended rather than a plastic fob 

• The vendor reports that the exhaust note sounds great and really opens up over 4,000rpm

• Switchable Electronic Stability Programme (ESP)

• Audi Magnetic Ride suspension with sports button (replaced by previous owner under warranty - proof of receipt and subsequently inspected 

Summary

 Civilised yet stupefyingly quick, the Audi R8 is a great bridge between supercar and daily driver; happily doubling up to be both if needed. It’s a car that has a real sense of occasion, not least because of its incredible styling and that beefy V8 being visible through the rear window.

But at the same time, it’s a refined and comfortable car, with all of the accoutrements you’d expect from a high-end Audi, packed into a cabin that oozes design details at every curve or angle. It’s a wonderful thing – and this well-presented, properly cared-for car is a great example.

To arrange a viewing, click the 'Book Viewing' button located under the 'Place Bid' button. Viewings can be booked up until the day before the auction ends, after which the option will change to 'Contact Seller' for further enquiries. This seller is located in Middlesex.