Mid life crisis car.

[Kev78]

Been looking a gt3’s. Can’t afford a 991.2 and don’t want a 991.1 due to engine issues.

For the money a 15/16 R8 v10 plus makes more sense. Does the V10 have any major flaws?

Checked the Audi forums but they are all really quiet and most r8 on there are brand new.

Thanks

[Trev450]

Failure of the magnetic dampers is the only real fault.

Suggest you have a look over on r8talk.com. Although mainly US based, there are quite a few of us Brits there and it is without any doubt the most active of any R8 forum.

[Kev78]

Trev450 said:

Failure of the magnetic dampers is the only real fault.

Suggest you have a look over on r8talk.com. Although mainly US based, there are quite a few of us Brits there and it is without any doubt the most active of any R8 forum.

I’ve read they are a nightmare on early cars. I was hope they would be different on the mk2.

I’ll take a look at r8talk.

They seem to be a lot of car for £85k. The fact it’s usable year round is a bonus living in the nw. Don’t think I’d be using a gt3 often in cold, wet conditions.

[anonymous-user]

Is the R8 really useable all year round? A friend had one as a daily driver, got rid of it within a year as it was a pain with long doors in parking spaces being a major issue, limited interior space if you went shopping, etc.

I would seriously think about whether the R8 really is suitable as a daily driver.

A GT3 is definitely not a daily driver as they are hard-core cars built for the driving experience rather than creature comforts, that is not to discount 911's completely as they are the most suitable super car as a daily driver. I would use my C4S everyday if I could but it is wasted on the commute.

[NewNameNeeded]

gottans said:

Is the R8 really useable all year round? A friend had one as a daily driver, got rid of it within a year as it was a pain with long doors in parking spaces being a major issue, limited interior space if you went shopping, etc.

It's certainly no VW Golf but in nearly two years of ownership I've never had a problem parking it, or with parking spaces and the door width. I've never had an issue with speed bumps, etc. either. I've driven on narrow winding country lanes and into London. I've parked it in multistorey car parks and supermarket car parks without problems. It's very easy to place, visibility is surprisingly good and steering is light. I had more issues with door width and tight spaces with an Evoque, and more problems with ramps/speed bumps in a mk1 TT.

The storage under the bonnet isn't bad, and there is always the passenger footwell!

Worst thing I've found with driving it all year round is visibility in heavy rain, particularly on fast roads. Being just that little bit lower than an ordinary car the windscreen is within the spray from the wet road, rather than above it so it's like driving through a heavy fog. Manageable but not fun.

Oh and the engine compartment glass takes an age to demist.

Comprises I've had no problems living with to enjoy driving a mid-engined junior supercar / sports car.

[anonymous-user]

Kev78 said:

Been looking a gt3’s. Can’t afford a 991.2 and don’t want a 991.1 due to engine issues.

For the money a 15/16 R8 v10 plus makes more sense. Does the V10 have any major flaws?

Checked the Audi forums but they are all really quiet and most r8 on there are brand new.

Thanks

My mate has a 991.1 GT3 and has been spanked around the UK and Europe non stop from new. Zero issues.

[Kev78]

gottans said:

Is the R8 really useable all year round? A friend had one as a daily driver, got rid of it within a year as it was a pain with long doors in parking spaces being a major issue, limited interior space if you went shopping, etc.

I would seriously think about whether the R8 really is suitable as a daily driver.

A GT3 is definitely not a daily driver as they are hard-core cars built for the driving experience rather than creature comforts, that is not to discount 911's completely as they are the most suitable super car as a daily driver. I would use my C4S everyday if I could but it is wasted on the commute.

991.2 GT3 would be my dream daily but they are silly money. The RS would be a bit too hardcore but they are crazy money anyway.

I think the gen 2 R8 would be ok. In comfort mode they are fine around town. I’m using my Amarok as a daily since I sold my car and it’s fine in car parks once you get used to the size. Everything has cameras and sensors now anyway.

[Kev78]

MDMA . said:

My mate has a 991.1 GT3 and has been spanked around the UK and Europe non stop from new. Zero issues.

I couldn’t afford to take a chance with so much cash. This will be a once in a lifetime thing for me. I worry about the long term value once the 10 year warranties expire.

Cool car though.

[mikiec]

No real issues using my R8 as a daily, except I walk further as always try and park it away from other cars.

The magnetic shocks may fail but probably a minimal risk on a lower mileage car and if they did I’d just replace them with passive ones.

Just do it

[anonymous-user]

Kev78 said:

MDMA . said:

My mate has a 991.1 GT3 and has been spanked around the UK and Europe non stop from new. Zero issues.

I couldn’t afford to take a chance with so much cash. This will be a once in a lifetime thing for me. I worry about the long term value once the 10 year warranties expire.

Cool car though.

You can continue the Porsche warranty for upto 15 years or 125,000 miles, my 997.2 C4S continues to provide enjoyment and still surprises me with the amount of grip and grunt available.

I could have bought an R8 instead but the 911 IMHO just outclasses it, the more cooking 911 versions may not have the same level of power but I think they reward more in the driving experience. Being honest 911's are flawed with the engine hanging out the back and as much as Porsche have tried to reduce the effect of the weight, they can still bite which makes them interesting to drive. I test drove a Cayman to compare it against a 911 but realised the mid-engine layout (same as the R8) was very competent but ultimately would be less rewarding to drive.

Does the R8 give you the driving experience you want?

I agree it is a lot money you are proposing to spend but are you going to worry about the value of the car all the time, maybe spending less on a higher mileage car that you can enjoy without the financial worry would be a better option.

[Edible Roadkill]

I just bought a v10 r8 2 weeks ago.

Plan to keep for much longer than a year but basically looked at a few and went for the best condition / spec / low miles / owners car i could get but still under 50k.

Ended up with a 2009 car with every optional extra (carbon blade/bay/interior, ceramic brakes, wingback seats, alcantara headlining.....etc etc) one owner and 26k miles from Audi and with a years warranty.

Additional years warranty is available to buy later on if I feel exposed.

This is a 3rd car and just for sunny day fun so I doubt I’ll be adding to the mileage much, walking round the car just looking at how nice it is I cannot imagine it’s value sliding by much.

Oh and I went for the RT over the 6MT gearbox, drove both and didn’t like the manual as much hype as the motoring journalists gave it i much preferred the auto & it’s faster!