Considering going from Z4MR to R8. Thoughts? (UPDATE: Bought a V10 R8!)

[NorthernSky]

As mentioned, the 'mag ride' should definitely be checked and if possible buy one which has just had a full service and health check. But you'd do that as standard if considering such a purchase right?

I have had my eye on this one, it's been for sale for months - initially a private sale but it seems the guy caved in and sold it to this dealer. Still, 41000 for this seems very appealing. Mega low miles and such a gorgeous rare green colour too.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201806047156973?postcode=bb120hr&model=R8&sort=sponsored&colour=Green&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly%20New&onesearchad=New&make=AUDI&advertising-location=at_cars&price-from=35000&radius=1500&price-to=45000&page=1

Let us know how you get on!

 

[mr.tourette]

nice write up.. there's no doubt they are one of the most handsome cars ever built.. friend of mine had one for 2 years, v10, drove it a couple of times and by christ it was fast.. he gave it up for a chevy camaro of all things but that was a very nice looking thing too in an altogether different way

 

[Yorkie Z]

Fantastic write up Markos, thanks for sharing

 

[ocrx8]

Fantastic write up Markos, thanks for sharing

+1 enjoyed reading this! I’d love one 8)

 

[Havard]

I must be one of the few that doesn’t appreciate this car. True, it is a thing of beauty and the V8 sounds great.

I looked long and hard at these while I had money burning a hole in my pocket. Just like the V8 Vantage, I couldn’t justify the outlay for a car that could cause a bill for £4 - 5k at the drop of a hat. Also, I found that on the few occasions I have driven one, it hit me quite quickly that I could get bored of the drive.

I was lucky enough to drive a number of cars back to back a few years ago and after trying a Ferrari 360, Gallardo, R8, V8 Vantage and a 997 911, the latter two were the only ones I would shell out my hard earned for.

I am fan of Audi for day to day cars as my company A4 never missed a beat over 60k miles and I would have another for that reason. I did however lose interest as the drive was fairly boring. It’s a shame they can’t transfer this reliability to their performance models as the RS4 and R8 were discounted from consideration due to mainly faults with suspension and coking up.

Maybe the PH lot are biased but people generally give an honest opinion of what happened to them as long as they are not selling the car at the time.

Good luck.

H

 

[Vanne]

I like em, and they are fast (V10) drove one on the track a few laps... But... but they are a dime a dozen where I live. Every chav and his dog has one. And that HORRID cockpit and interrior.
I wouldent trade mine for one. :thumbsdown:

 

[markos]

I haven't driven any of the other supercars so difficult for me to compare to similarly priced AMs or 911s etc, but my guess would be it might lack a little drama for some as it's a very refined car. Magride in some ways doesn't help as when in normal mode the ride is so supple, perhaps too subtle for such a high performance car. But those looks!! :heart: :heart: :heart:

As for potential bills, I think when you're in a performance car that costs £80k+ when new you've got to accept a big bill/s might come your way at any point, especially in a mid-engined car where access to some parts is time consuming (ie engine out!).

I have had a go in a 2015 V10+ and that thing is an absolute beast, would be hard to describe that as too refined or lacking drama once you floor it, the performance is utterly incomparable to the V8 version :evil:

 

[Mister T]

I've got a 4.7 Vantage and a Z4M Coupe. I haven't really driven the Z since I got the Aston!

 

[shuey]

So I’ve been lucky enough to have driven an r8 v10 R-tronic over the course of a week and a bit, on a couple of separate occasions. As well as a few other supercars.

The time I first drove the R8, I was coming from a manual 240bhp Leon cuppa MKII. So naturally anything over a 100 bhp than what I was use to would have felt awesome.

Was pretty surprised tho was how easy it was to drive, and how quickly I was flinging the car around, (after about an hours driving). The engine was mind blowing, especially taking it all the way up revs... the sound is intoxicating... and all you want to do is floor it. I even got the back out - after a couple of days. I usually go for manuals when buying a car, but I’m not sure I would have wanted a manual with so much power, primarily because of the amount of power on acceleration... I actually thing the manual may have made it less fun (but can’t say for sure).

In terms of comparison - so I’ve driven 4 other supercars again for a good few days in each car after the R8. The 458, a Huracan, an AMG GT, and the Nissan GTR. Out of all them, the R8 felt like the car I could most comfortably drive day to day, not get tired and also have fun without having to concentrate too much. The GTR I was really disappointed with out of the lot (I know, I know, - but I think I was given a dodgy rental that wasn’t looked after - and the sound from engine was literally non-existent) even though the car was fast (but didn’t feel fast). The Huracan was just as easy to drive, and very similar in feel to the R8 (obviously both same-ish underneath) but the noise from the Huracan was another level compared to the R8 V10.

The AMG GT felt the most special sitting inside, and also the least throwable and most daunting to drive quick. It also felt like it had the most power, and kept you on your toes driving it, managed to spin up the rears pretty relatively easily. Looks wise I thought it was absolutely stunning, and it’s probably the car I’d want to own - more to do with the challenging drive, the looks and how hunkered down you feel inside... versus the usability of the lambo and r8.

The 458 felt special but I’d say that being a Ferrari nut. It took me a while to get use to it. I felt that the 458 had a lot more to give even though I was pushing it quite hard after the first day of driving it.

The r8 was the only car I felt you could come to 90% of its limit on the road, and really feel like you were pushing it. Followed by lambo closely. The AMG gt, 458, and GTR felt like they had way more to give on the road, so would prob make for better cars to track.

Anyway not sure if that helps... but if you are going for an r8, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed in the slightest and it’s prob the car that’s most easy to drive day to day but also have an awesome amount of fun when you want to.

Lastly just to give u a bit of context - I tend rent supercars out on weekends whenever I’m in Dubai, so none of these cars, I’ve owned, - but have driven each car for a good few days (except the Merc).

 

[Babw]

I've been very tempted to sell both my GTR and Z4M for a gen 1 R8 V8 manual possibly a convertible.

A friend has owned a V10 convertible since new for about 8 years and it's taken daily driving easily with regular maintenance. I think he has over 70k miles in his and apart from the horrible R-tronic it's a fantastic car with the engine in the right place.

 

[Yorkie Z]

Come on JT, how was the test drive?

 

[markplant]

To the op, I've just scanned this thread an didn't see it mentioned so here goes
There's a known issue around the front strut tops which will crack the main frame , you won't see this without taking the front trunk liner out , and on one side the wiper linkage is still in the way, according to the YouTube video I'll link to in the US the insurance companies will total loss on a car with this , even though to look you wouldn't see anything wrong, there is a strengthening kit available , I'm unsure if this only effects certain years
https://youtu.be/QOlvG1QbCDU

 

[ChrisT70]

I just sold this earlier in the year for £46k.was very high spec, 18k miles, 2009, full carbon and extended leather, special order colour in 2009 for a v8 (sepang blue metallic with titanium finish rims), 3k stereo upgrade (1200w) and a switchable eisenmann exhaust which was absolutely stunning.
It was a £94k car back in the day when specd up apparently.
All I can say is it got more positive attention than any other car I've had including a 993 S. It went well, gripped well, fab sounds and just had presence.
2 yr service at Audi was £768 and lasted 2 days. Mag ride shocks can be sorted for under 2k. Frame cracks are rare and not after 2009 apparently.
V10 if you can stretch is even better.
R8 clutch is £4k or so fitted with engine out on a v8. A.c. pump fail is engine out. Rare fail tho.

Spec and condition are everything, there are dogs out there in the low 30's now and run by people who can't afford to run them properly.
I'd have another tomorrow and I might yet go v10.

 

[JT_0306]

Come on JT, how was the test drive?

Sorry for the silence. Mental week or so since I saw the R8 :headbang:

Thanks everyone for the various posts. Some really great write ups, helpful hints and interesting points on the R8. This forum is a great community

Yorkie – how have you been enjoying the MR? I hope it has lived up to expectations and not given you too many headaches?

SEEING THE R8, IN SUMMARY: I wasn't blown away, which I think I need to be given the price tag. However, the context is important (more below - blast in the sun in the MR on the way there, then a quick look at the R8 Couple in the wet). I think I need to give it another go.

More details below for those who want them.

A BLAST IN THE MR ON THE WAY THERE ANCHORED MY EXPECTATIONS. I LOVE THAT CAR:
I started the day leaving London in the sunshine with the roof down in the MR. Although I was mainly on motorways most of the way to the R8, it was a glorious day and there were a few opportunities to give it a blast – including some tunnels. It was a great reminder of how much I love having the roof down, how special the engine is and how awesome the sound is (I’ve got an Eventuri Intake and H&S exhaust – which I love). The Z4M is special

I APPRECIATED BUT DIDN’T LOVE THE R8:
By the time I reached it the weather was grey and raining. I had limited time, as did the dealer. It looked great and it certainly has something special/supercar-esk about it. Can’t deny loving a V8. However, it didn’t appeal to me more than the MR. If anything, I didn’t feel as strongly about it. I think there are two main reasons:
1 / Size and comfort. It felt more spacious inside than the MR. I felt further away from the far door of the car, further back from the windscreen and further away from the corners of the car. There are benefits to this for those who appreciate them. But to me, I just felt a bit less connected to the car / it felt less intimate then the M. It was also a bit more comfortable. In particular, the seats felt a bit more ‘loungy’. Again, there are benefits to this but, for me, it added to the sense of feeling a bit less raw.
2 / Coupe and sound isolation. Hard to know to what degree to difference in sound is due to being in a coupe vs. the setup of the R8 specifically. Regardless, after the blast in the MR on the way, this felt a bit more muted and less ‘sharp’ which again removed some of the raw exhilaration for me.
Some smaller points: I found the slim steering wheel a bit lacking after the chunky M wheel, which I have always loved. The gated shifter is cool, but I didn’t think “I have to have this!”. The rear of the car seemed a little ‘bulbous’ after the MR (I have a thing about the curve of the MR boot lid, the lights and the MR rear generally – I just love them).

VARIOUS OPTIONS FROM HERE:
I left a bit deflated, but recognised it wasn’t the ideal opportunity for the R8. I loved getting back in the MR. I felt like I did the first time I got in one. And started thinking about how the money saved could go towards many other exciting things (cameras, drones and other toys).
As I have reflected on it more, I have four main thoughts:
1 / I should try an R8 V8 again, when my enthusiasm comes back.
2 / I can’t get the idea of a convertible V10 manual R8 out of my head. Most of the time I think that is just a step too far financially (it would start to eat into house money). But sometimes I think you only live once, it is possible at the moment, and I have a window of 1-2 years before I expect to have kids and this all goes out the window. I would say there is a 5-10% chance of me going crazy and doing it.
3 / There are other cars that may better meet my needs. I would love to try an Evora. But I would want to get into an S or ideally 400, which is getting into R8 V10 money so faces the same issue mentioned above. And it is not convertible – which I am increasingly convinced is something critical to me. Another potential is a V8 Vantage, but I suspect that won’t be raw enough for me. Or going in the other direction away from the M. I am finding myself watching Exiges and Caterhams more on YouTube now.
4 / Continue enoying loving the M and save the money for a great ‘dad-mobile’ when the time comes. Perhaps I could find a 10-year-old E9X, or an AMG estate rather than a Mondeo/A4/equivalent :evil:

Thanks for reading.

 

[MrPT]

Great write-up.

5 / Suspension, brakes, lightweight seats, lightweight alloys. Lots more stuff you can do the Z4MR which will make it even better.

 

[Mister T]

I think you should definitely try a 4.7 Vantage with the Sports Pack.

 

[JT_0306]

Great write-up.

5 / Suspension, brakes, lightweight seats, lightweight alloys. Lots more stuff you can do the Z4MR which will make it even better.

Thanks! And indeed. Some of that is on my to-do list

 

[JT_0306]

I think you should definitely try a 4.7 Vantage with the Sports Pack.

Thanks. I'll have a look around!

 

[Mister T]

I think you should definitely try a 4.7 Vantage with the Sports Pack.

Thanks. I'll have a look around!

If you're anywhere near Oxford I can take you out in mine

 

[Vanne]

20170604_123728-2124x1195.jpg

I just sold this earlier in the year for £46k.was very high spec, 18k miles, 2009, full carbon and extended leather, special order colour in 2009 for a v8 (sepang blue metallic with titanium finish rims), 3k stereo upgrade (1200w) and a switchable eisenmann exhaust which was absolutely stunning.
It was a £94k car back in the day when specd up apparently.
All I can say is it got more positive attention than any other car I've had including a 993 S. It went well, gripped well, fab sounds and just had presence.
2 yr service at Audi was £768 and lasted 2 days. Mag ride shocks can be sorted for under 2k. Frame cracks are rare and not after 2009 apparently.
V10 if you can stretch is even better.
R8 clutch is £4k or so fitted with engine out on a v8. A.c. pump fail is engine out. Rare fail tho.

Spec and condition are everything, there are dogs out there in the low 30's now and run by people who can't afford to run them properly.
I'd have another tomorrow and I might yet go v10.

I don't get this, you get a thorough bred of an engine frame combination, and then Chuck in a 3k radio...

Complete waste of money. Only one song should be playing on that radio, and that's the note of that glorious power house.

I guess people use these things for other things than what they are made for, which is spirited driving. :thumbsdown:

4k clutch in comparison to our cars is crazy. Parts are the lower part of 1k us and then you can pretty easily drop and replace it yourself.

Thinking of pulling my aircon out ATM. Weighs a lot that stuff..

Beautiful cars , shity interiors and even worse dash and controls. :headbang: Awesome engines though and sorted frames. But yeah sounds like maintenance is even a worse nightmare that the special m tax our cars attract if you can't swing your own spanners a bit.