R8 beter than an rs4 ?

[sock]

Two days ago I purchased a rs4 saloon for the wife to use and for me to thrash about when I please. I've been driving a new disco d4 to work for over 5 months now so this might be why I am absolutely gob smacked at how this rs4 dismantles our local back roads.

After several years of porsche ownership gen 1and 2 c2s and a stint in a 997 gt3 for nearly a year , I had decided to buy the new 911 which is due out next year. But I'm stuck. In two days of thrashing this rs4 I've fallen for the secure feeling of the 4wd which feels totally different to a 911 c4s. I love the fact the V8 is the centre point to the whole car . The interior though dated has an air of quality that reminds me of an old 993. It's just bloody fantastic !

So the reason I'm posting this in the r8 section is does it get any better with an r8 v8/v10 ? Tbh on the back roads the v8 in the rs4 is fast enough, but does the v10 offer anything above the v8 apart from the extra performance?

Does the r8 take it one step further as right now if it gets better I want it !



Regards

Sock

[Andyuk911]

try R8Talk for an answer

[R8BND]

It's different.... The balance of having a mid-engine vs front is very noticeable. The acceleration and speed is not too much different.
The 4wd system in the R8 is less refined, which is fun for that 'sports car experience', but in the rain I'd sometimes rather be in my RS4 again.

[ecain63]

I found the R8 to be a little too 'safe' at speed. I had one (V8) for an Audi weekend driving experience in 2008 along with a B7 RS4 saloon and a TTS. No matter how i tried, my limits always appeared before the R8's did. Maybe it was my driving, but i have a bit of track experience from my Hot Hatch racing days so i can lean more towards the car. The RS4 was similar in performance, but as has been said, the front mounted V8 makes for a totally different experience at speed. The TTS was excellent too. Plenty of point and squirt performance and light enough to throw out of shape when needed.

R8: Excellent for the Supercar newcomer (future Ferrari owner) as its a good safe learning curve.
RS4: Brilliant for the 'handling' enthusiast and back road terrorist.

[alphamail]

R8: Excellent for the Supercar newcomer (future Ferrari owner) as its a good safe learning curve.
RS4: Brilliant for the 'handling' enthusiast and back road terrorist.

You are of course talking about the V8 R8.

The V10 is in a different league...

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xkgD-Pepc1o

[ShaneyB]

My boss has had 3 RS4's, 2 R8 V8's, 1 x V10 Spyder (White) and has just ordered another V10 Spyder (Black). He loves both to bits but felt the RS4 is far more useable (and obviously practical). When I rolled into work in my B7 he was genuinely jealous.
He chose the V10 (again) over a Gallardo and F430 which is a pretty good advert for the R8 in my book.

[bakerj17]

Had RS4 B7, 996, 997, 355, M3 etc etc.....

R8 is best by far. Image is great, you get admiring comments from people, not jealous comments you get in Lambo's and Fezza's. It's much more special than a 997, more of a sense of occasion and a rarer sight on the road.

R8 feels faster than RS4 as you are lower. In my opinion it's much more fun and easier to get the back end out in a controlled way due to the way the 4wd is split in favour of the rear. It's special inside too.

New 911 is also tempting for me, but from what I have seen of spyshots it's much more of the same. I have the V8 and it's plenty fast enough - a lot of reviewers perfer it over the V10. That said I prefer the looks of the V10 and will be getting one soon!

Advice: Go and test drive one and see for yourself, I bet you buy one after

[alphamail]

I've had an R8 V10 Coupe for a year now. Just got back from a dibble to Epernay - the first time I have had the opportunity to really go for it and I have to say, it is a pretty amazing balance of form and function.
I agree with bakerj17 - compared to the Lambo's and Ferraris, it's a car that doesn't evoke feelings of resentment from the general public - all I have had in the last year is compliments, oh, apart from a guy digging a road who shouted "should have bought a Lamborghini" it was at that point I realised I had made the right decision.
I had a C6 RS6 before which I regret selling (should've kept for the missus), however, maybe in a straight line there's not much difference, I would however be surprised if the RS could manage the corner speed of the R8, although I have to say I'm no expert.

[Brooner]

I did the Audi advanced experiance a few year back now got to play in TTS S5 R8 V8 RS6 Sallon and having a B7 RS4 the stright line speed of the R* and RS4 is much and sutch but the R8 would definatly eat the corners and have the edge on the RS4.
As for the V10 to the RS6 the RS6 is fantastic point and squirt performance but it's such a heavy car you have to scrub alot of speed off at the cornrers.
If i had the mony i would be going for an R8 the V10 a bit out of my price range at the moment but i would miss the practicality of the RS4 and it is a graet back road eater

[Bonzo]

Having had my RS4 Avant for 4 years, the time had come for a good old mid-life crisis and plump for the R8 V10. To directly compare the two is not really the thing to do as they are so different. The RS4 is by far the most practical machine, delivering fabulous performance with room for 5 plus their bags. The R8 just delivers the performance, but in such a different way to the RS4. Stretching itself in third gear it just seems to go on and on, without a let up in the g-forces being applied. Round the corners, the only thing I think would come close would be the much lighter Cayman R.

Then there is the gawp factor, which the RS4 had when newly out. The R8 is sufficiently unusual that people like to look at it - fortunately in an admiring way and not by keying it. That was initially a bit disconcerting, but you get used to it.

Try the V8, then try the V10 - there really is a significant difference. If you can live with the impracticality of owning a two seater, go for it if you can.

I still think fondly of the old RS4 though - if they hadn't stopped making them, I'd have had another in a heartbeat.

[goron59]

I traded my B7 RS4 for an R8 V8 yesterday, but have only done about 100 miles in the 8.

I find the R8 easier to drive at sensible speeds, but less pull in the higher gears, so it encourages you to leave it in 2nd and 3rd for longer.
I find it a bit quieter, but the sound is quite different. I like it. Especially in tunnels
It really does turn heads, with approving nods and glances, rather than jealous looks, as has been said above. I've had people say things like "I hate Audis and Audi drivers, but that is one nice car."

Handling wise, it's no nice to have a nose that turns in when you want without having to kill loads of speed.

Loving it so far, but still need to figure out how to get me + the missus + luggage on a two week Euro road trip!

[HYFR]

having done over 500 miles in mine, after having x3 B7's ... undoubtedly yes 100% its miles better

[overboostts]

Having driven both, I feel that the R8 is faster due to the positioning of the driver in the cabin. As for the RS4, it is overall a heavier car, but FWIW, not much slower then the R8. But the characteristics are Different on the track owing to the CG. I would take the RS4 over the R8 though. The RS4 still has the raw feel, which i like.

[HYFR]

Have you 'driven' both or 'owned' both

I'm the later, and you must be on crack if you seriously think an RS 4 is better than an R8

[eightfoot]

Have you 'driven' both or 'owned' both

I'm the later, and you must be on crack if you seriously think an RS 4 is better than an R8

i,ve had mine about a month now,wanted my rs4 back after the first few day but now i am starting to enjoy it as i have found out how to drive it (not like an rs4) only niggle i,ve got is that the clutch pedal and footrest dont work very well if you have size 13 feet just need to find a bit of time to modify the footrest then i should be sorted.