Questions from a first time R8 buyer
Discussion
Hi all,
Just sold my V8 Vantage and looking to go for a Audi R8 V10 as the next buy.
A lot of people seem to be suggesting it's best to try and go 2014 onward on these to avoid some of the most known issues but to be frank they exceed my budget as I'm looking to spend between 50/55k on the next car. That really seems to limit me to cars between 2009/2012 really, millage dependent. Therefore it seems like i'm buying at the risky end of the market so I wondered if anyone could offer me feedback on the below questions to aid me in my buying process.
- From what I can see Mag ride is standard on all v10's? Am I right in this assumption?
- If the above is correct I would normally get any vehicle inspected before buying. Can an inspection tell you how soon the Mag Suspension is likely to go? If not is there a rough ball park on millage as to when it's likely to happen?
- same question on the AC compressor that everyone seems to get in a flap about. Can these be assessed at all? What kind of millage is normal to see them let go at?
- What millage do the Manual clutches tend to need replacing at? The normal 35/50k miles?
- If you go auto is there much difference between the R tronic or the S tronic? If so what are the real day to day differences?
- What millage do the clutches tend to need replacing on the R and S tronic's?
Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered!
Just sold my V8 Vantage and looking to go for a Audi R8 V10 as the next buy.
A lot of people seem to be suggesting it's best to try and go 2014 onward on these to avoid some of the most known issues but to be frank they exceed my budget as I'm looking to spend between 50/55k on the next car. That really seems to limit me to cars between 2009/2012 really, millage dependent. Therefore it seems like i'm buying at the risky end of the market so I wondered if anyone could offer me feedback on the below questions to aid me in my buying process.
- From what I can see Mag ride is standard on all v10's? Am I right in this assumption?
- If the above is correct I would normally get any vehicle inspected before buying. Can an inspection tell you how soon the Mag Suspension is likely to go? If not is there a rough ball park on millage as to when it's likely to happen?
- same question on the AC compressor that everyone seems to get in a flap about. Can these be assessed at all? What kind of millage is normal to see them let go at?
- What millage do the Manual clutches tend to need replacing at? The normal 35/50k miles?
- If you go auto is there much difference between the R tronic or the S tronic? If so what are the real day to day differences?
- What millage do the clutches tend to need replacing on the R and S tronic's?
Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered!
I bought a manual with no inspection. An inspection won’t tell you when the mag ride shocks will leak..
The air compressor isn’t an issue on v10’s, the pressure sensor is.
The dry sump pipes in the passenger footwell corode and become a risk of leaking. I replaced mine shortly after buying.
I’m fairly mechanically savvy having my own ramp, and having rebuilt engines but to be honest, I phoned Audi and asked them when things had been done as it had full Audi history, just to verify.
Their work was worthless but that’s another story entirely
People will come on here and flame me claiming it’s the Carlos fandangos, but really it’s like any other Volkswagen.
Chill out find one you like, my seller drove me about which let me know enough about the car than driving myself in an unfamiliar car, if that makes sense.
The air compressor isn’t an issue on v10’s, the pressure sensor is.
The dry sump pipes in the passenger footwell corode and become a risk of leaking. I replaced mine shortly after buying.
I’m fairly mechanically savvy having my own ramp, and having rebuilt engines but to be honest, I phoned Audi and asked them when things had been done as it had full Audi history, just to verify.
Their work was worthless but that’s another story entirely
People will come on here and flame me claiming it’s the Carlos fandangos, but really it’s like any other Volkswagen.
Chill out find one you like, my seller drove me about which let me know enough about the car than driving myself in an unfamiliar car, if that makes sense.
Edited by m4tti on Thursday 23 May 23:20
Edited by m4tti on Thursday 23 May 23:24
I've gone in the opposite direction with a twist. R8 v10 into a twin track of a V8 Vantage for everyday and a McLaren 12c for fun.
The R8 is a fantastic machine and in my nearly 3 years with it was just about the only significant non-routine expense was the front mag ride dampers. I was able to get a pair of reconditioned (looked like new) from a well know Polish supplier on an exchange basis for about only £800. Fitted them myself but an indy would do it for very little as its a simple job. Slowest bit was taking the wheel arch liners off which had about 1000 fastenings (ok, about 20).
Only other issue was a small oil leak from an exposed pipe which is a well know corrosion issue and fairly cheaply sorted.
Mag ride is brilliantly effective and you will know when it has gone by the feel of the car. If it doesn't feel beautifully soft over bumps its likely to be shot. Was very obvious indeed (in feel and noise) going over the most modest of obstacles. When functioning it cushions beautifully.
Really isn't the nightmare expense you would be led to believe though only if you do it outside of Audi who charge a pretty penny I believe.
AC is a big deal on V8s I recall (engine out fix) but not on the v10.
Mileage is no issue for these cars. I took mine from 20k to 45k and it never missed a beat. I still miss the sound in tunnels.
Is much quicker than the Vantage and much more of an occasion.
The R8 is a fantastic machine and in my nearly 3 years with it was just about the only significant non-routine expense was the front mag ride dampers. I was able to get a pair of reconditioned (looked like new) from a well know Polish supplier on an exchange basis for about only £800. Fitted them myself but an indy would do it for very little as its a simple job. Slowest bit was taking the wheel arch liners off which had about 1000 fastenings (ok, about 20).
Only other issue was a small oil leak from an exposed pipe which is a well know corrosion issue and fairly cheaply sorted.
Mag ride is brilliantly effective and you will know when it has gone by the feel of the car. If it doesn't feel beautifully soft over bumps its likely to be shot. Was very obvious indeed (in feel and noise) going over the most modest of obstacles. When functioning it cushions beautifully.
Really isn't the nightmare expense you would be led to believe though only if you do it outside of Audi who charge a pretty penny I believe.
AC is a big deal on V8s I recall (engine out fix) but not on the v10.
Mileage is no issue for these cars. I took mine from 20k to 45k and it never missed a beat. I still miss the sound in tunnels.
Is much quicker than the Vantage and much more of an occasion.
from a grandson of those from ballymena. Home of the neisson 
Ballymena is motor sport central, fuel in the veins territory. I had my R8 mapped at Kells by a mentalist who himself is currently driving one.
Id happily recommend the R8 v10 and used it as a daily driver with no more trouble than you would get with an A3 or A4. Big sense of occasion, much more so than the V8 Vantage. And much, much better as a drivers car.
Very thirsty though. That 90 litre tanks goes down quickly.
12c is fantastic. Ludicrously (scarily) fast and performance wise a big step up from the manual v10. That said the engine in R8 is exquisite and acoustically amazing. Not sure its a car for getting your hands dirty on though under the skin most cars can be spannered! Only had it for about 4 months but loving it. Only time will tell if the gamble of no dealership network on the entire island of Ireland works out.
Id happily recommend the R8 v10 and used it as a daily driver with no more trouble than you would get with an A3 or A4. Big sense of occasion, much more so than the V8 Vantage. And much, much better as a drivers car.
Very thirsty though. That 90 litre tanks goes down quickly.
12c is fantastic. Ludicrously (scarily) fast and performance wise a big step up from the manual v10. That said the engine in R8 is exquisite and acoustically amazing. Not sure its a car for getting your hands dirty on though under the skin most cars can be spannered! Only had it for about 4 months but loving it. Only time will tell if the gamble of no dealership network on the entire island of Ireland works out.
And, I’ve got a ramp, and at the end of the day they’re all nuts and bolts. But when I do work Iike to follow things by the manufacturers book.
Did you have a capristo exhaust on your v10??? To be honest not much compares beyond v12.
Another thing putting me off the Mclaren. Need to sort the decat
Did you have a capristo exhaust on your v10??? To be honest not much compares beyond v12.
Another thing putting me off the Mclaren. Need to sort the decat
No, the R8 was the only car I didn't change the standard exhaust on. Its a b
h of a job, entire rear of the car has to come off and the standard car sounds lovely.
McLaren has the Factory Sports Exhaust fitted and it sounds great - but its no v10 acoustically. That said, you can't hear the car you are leaving behind you :-)
h of a job, entire rear of the car has to come off and the standard car sounds lovely.McLaren has the Factory Sports Exhaust fitted and it sounds great - but its no v10 acoustically. That said, you can't hear the car you are leaving behind you :-)
Shaun Dunman said:
Hi all,
Just sold my V8 Vantage and looking to go for a Audi R8 V10 as the next buy.
A lot of people seem to be suggesting it's best to try and go 2014 onward on these to avoid some of the most known issues but to be frank they exceed my budget as I'm looking to spend between 50/55k on the next car. That really seems to limit me to cars between 2009/2012 really, millage dependent. Therefore it seems like i'm buying at the risky end of the market so I wondered if anyone could offer me feedback on the below questions to aid me in my buying process.
- From what I can see Mag ride is standard on all v10's? Am I right in this assumption?
- If the above is correct I would normally get any vehicle inspected before buying. Can an inspection tell you how soon the Mag Suspension is likely to go? If not is there a rough ball park on millage as to when it's likely to happen?
- same question on the AC compressor that everyone seems to get in a flap about. Can these be assessed at all? What kind of millage is normal to see them let go at?
- What millage do the Manual clutches tend to need replacing at? The normal 35/50k miles?
- If you go auto is there much difference between the R tronic or the S tronic? If so what are the real day to day differences?
- What millage do the clutches tend to need replacing on the R and S tronic's?
Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered!
It's a duplicate of answers to your thread on R8Talk.com but for others potentially looking at R8 ownership, here you go Just sold my V8 Vantage and looking to go for a Audi R8 V10 as the next buy.
A lot of people seem to be suggesting it's best to try and go 2014 onward on these to avoid some of the most known issues but to be frank they exceed my budget as I'm looking to spend between 50/55k on the next car. That really seems to limit me to cars between 2009/2012 really, millage dependent. Therefore it seems like i'm buying at the risky end of the market so I wondered if anyone could offer me feedback on the below questions to aid me in my buying process.
- From what I can see Mag ride is standard on all v10's? Am I right in this assumption?
- If the above is correct I would normally get any vehicle inspected before buying. Can an inspection tell you how soon the Mag Suspension is likely to go? If not is there a rough ball park on millage as to when it's likely to happen?
- same question on the AC compressor that everyone seems to get in a flap about. Can these be assessed at all? What kind of millage is normal to see them let go at?
- What millage do the Manual clutches tend to need replacing at? The normal 35/50k miles?
- If you go auto is there much difference between the R tronic or the S tronic? If so what are the real day to day differences?
- What millage do the clutches tend to need replacing on the R and S tronic's?
Thanks in advance for any help that can be offered!
- Yes
- Unlikely although you ask an inspector to check for signs of oil on the shocks. Unfortunately a ball park mileage doesn't exist - they can fail at any time
- A compressor replacement on a V8 is an engine out job, on a V10 it can be replacement with the engine in. Again, can fail at any time
- All depends on driving style I guess. However they're not the weakest part of an R8 and I've seen cars on their original clutch in the 60k miles
- Yes. R tronic is a single plate clutch (so effectively a manual with paddles and should be driven as such), S-tronic is dual plate so sharper, faster gear changing. Really have to drive both to see what you prefer but R-tronics are subject to issues from drivers not aware of how to use them (see previous comment on how to use them)
- I have a manual so not 100% sure but again, my impression is it can vary - all dependent on usage/wear etc.
Definitely don't discount the R Tronic until you try it.
I've driven with both and I think the R Tronic suits the car perfectly. Auto mode is a bit crude for normal driving, but I leave it in manual mode all the time and change gears with the paddles.
For me the S Tronic is too refined for the type of car the R8 is.
I've driven with both and I think the R Tronic suits the car perfectly. Auto mode is a bit crude for normal driving, but I leave it in manual mode all the time and change gears with the paddles.
For me the S Tronic is too refined for the type of car the R8 is.
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