Thoughts on new motor please...

Naan_H

Naan_H

Naan_H

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Hi everyone hope you are well.

I've been contemplating on getting a new car for a few months now. I sold my 2019 F-Pace SVR in September for a profit. Part of the reason was that Jaguar invited me to try the new 2021 facelift SVR - it was so much better in every way than the one I had so decided to get rid asap while the price was high.

Since then my brother decided to buy a Huracan LP 610-4 convertible and quite honestly I'm just blown away by it. I literally use any excuse to go round and be driven around in it. It really is epic and the sound of that V10 with the top down is intoxicating.

So i feel like i need at least a V10 for now. I cant stretch to Lambo prices but am seriously considering an R8 V10 plus circa 2015/2016 (facelifted model). What are these like to run / service? @Housey I recall you owned the pre-facelift version, but I can't see any members with the facelifted version.

I've never been a fan of Audi's and friends who have owned one always seem to have problems. But I really like the R8. From looking at reviews I can't see many bad words against an R8 V10 plus in terms of reliability and bang for buck.

Early examples seem to be £85k +, do any of you more knowledgeable folk know what prices may be like in 1-2 years time? I've only really started looking and have no idea what the prices of these were like last year.

The wife preferably wants a 4 seater car for us all to go out in; we have 2 young kids and have 2 other cars to generally cart us around (both EVs) so I'm thinking of being selfish for 1-2 years with the R8 before maybe changing back to the facelifted SVR (I have seen one for sale that has caught my eye however).

Any other cars to consider in this price range - AMG GT ? DB11?
 
If you did want to go down the 4 seater route then the V12 S65 AMG is still a great luxury coupe with a lovely sound and nice performance.
 
Can’t answer on the latest version but can’t imagine it’s much different to the one I had.

A good starting point is RE Performance, here is their YouTube channel.

https://youtube.com/c/REPerformanceUK

I’ve seen Ricky develop from a small shop in Reading to something much more. He isn’t just someone who adds parts like so many of the modern tuners, he is much more detailed in his knowledge and goes into a much more detailed engineering level, as his videos show.

My take is the engine is pretty bullet proof. Some issues with top end oil leaks, mine had one and needed fixing by my dealer under warranty. My gearbox failed and that was a 23k bill but that was again covered under warranty and not common.

My version had fixed dampers, not normal for any R8 but one less thing to worry about. I did not like the sports steering on the new car but that is subjective but I would try and find one without that if I was buying.

Brakes are hugely expensive to replace but you’d be into serious miles or track work to get a car of that age needing discs but you are around 12-15k for discs.

But if you have no issues it is relatively inexpensive to own. Tyres are a grand and serviced 600 - 2000
 
The pre facelift V10+ Gen 2 R8 is incredible. I very nearly ended up in one instead of the NSX.

I had a shocking dealership experience and similar to you I’m not really into Audis.

Plus the usual footballers, “influencers etc” all have R8’s/Huracans so the image put me off massively.
 
The only time they become ruinous is when something big goes and you have no cover. Most of the time something big doesn't go wrong but should it then yes, you are gonna get bummed to some level.

New engine would be £40K+ (see RE link above as he covers that and the differences on Lambo/R8 -minimal to nothing as they get newer), rebuild who knows, but £10k minimum for a roper job, £20k feels more real. Gearbox rebuild (if you can find the bits) £10K, new £20K+

BUT, highly unlikely you'd need either so just running costs (fuel, tyres, services, brakes) and the prices can be reasonable.

I got a full set of MPSS4S on my R8 for £850 for example, decent that.

BUT, you need to be prepared for big bills just in case. Cars are pretty solid, not sure I have heard of a V10 going pop, I have heard of them needing work mind.
 
Housey said:
Can’t answer on the latest version but can’t imagine it’s much different to the one I had.

A good starting point is RE Performance, here is their YouTube channel.

https://youtube.com/c/REPerformanceUK

I’ve seen Ricky develop from a small shop in Reading to something much more. He isn’t just someone who adds parts like so many of the modern tuners, he is much more detailed in his knowledge and goes into a much more detailed engineering level, as his videos show.

My take is the engine is pretty bullet proof. Some issues with top end oil leaks, mine had one and needed fixing by my dealer under warranty. My gearbox failed and that was a 23k bill but that was again covered under warranty and not common.

My version had fixed dampers, not normal for any R8 but one less thing to worry about. I did not like the sports steering on the new car but that is subjective but I would try and find one without that if I was buying.

Brakes are hugely expensive to replace but you’d be into serious miles or track work to get a car of that age needing discs but you are around 12-15k for discs.

But if you have no issues it is relatively inexpensive to own. Tyres are a grand and serviced 600 - 2000
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Thanks for the detailed reply. Any idea roughly what mileage brakes / discs need replacing ? I wouldn't be taking it on the track.

I will either be getting one with some Audi warranty on it, or will take one out a warranty through Audi if needs be.

NathWraith said:
The pre facelift V10+ Gen 2 R8 is incredible. I very nearly ended up in one instead of the NSX.

I had a shocking dealership experience and similar to you I’m not really into Audis.

Plus the usual footballers, “influencers etc” all have R8’s/Huracans so the image put me off massively.
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What happened with the dealer ? I cant see many that are being sold by Audi (Approved Used) within my sort of price range/spec I'm looking for. I prefer the Gen 2 over the newer performance; i think the newer one looks awful from the front end.
 
Regarding the brakes what is people's take on that? - bare in mind it was an early example but the only experience of the R8 I have I really wasn't impressed by the brakes - not quite sure how to describe it but how they operated felt out of sync with the driver - I had a really hard time gauging my input vs the response I wanted.
 
Naan_H said:
Thanks for the detailed reply. Any idea roughly what mileage brakes / discs need replacing ? I wouldn't be taking it on the track.

I will either be getting one with some Audi warranty on it, or will take one out a warranty through Audi if needs be.
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I did a charity day for Asda at Bruntingthorpe where I estimate i did 30 runs to around 170mph with some hard braking together with some track use so probably not represent normal. I got around 30k from pads, 40k normal and discs 70-80k assuming ceramic which you want as superb. Issue moves to the fluid if you track them as it overheats and becomes the week point. I got a flat pedal at the Ring but that was me overdriving it a touch to get past slow stuff.
 
I would be very interested to hear how you compare the experience of the R8 to the huracan, very similar engine. I would love to know if you think the huracan is worth the £50k (ish) premium over the R8.
 
Building Candy said:
I would be very interested to hear how you compare the experience of the R8 to the huracan, very similar engine. I would love to know if you think the huracan is worth the £50k (ish) premium over the R8.
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Unfortunately breaking my ankle and tearing nearly all my ligaments on 31st Jan has put an end to the search at the moment; ill be unable to walk for a good 2 months now. A shame as I had pretty much lined up a couple to see at the beginning of this month. cant stop myself browsing the new auto trader ads that come up hoever!

Le Clandestin Brun said:
Nope. Just assume it drives like most performance SUV's and probably not as well as the X5 or Cayenne. Although a quick Google shows its a smaller SUV than I originally thought.
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I can safely say I felt I could push the SVR much harder than the Huracan into a corner, without the fear if ending up in a hedge. The SVR is so well planted into the road, it rally surprises you with how good the handling is for an SUV. I wouldn't expect a Cayenne or X5 to handle as well given they are much larger cars.
 
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