New R8 V10+??

[Palmball]

Hi W8PMC, I recognise you from PH land. I had an M6 a couple of years ago followed by an SLS, AMG GT and now my new R8 V10+. Absolutely love the R8, and I've never typically been an Audi advocate (so all the more ironic I've also gone and bought a late RS4 Avant, just to get my last hit of a reasonable modern N/A V8!).

The R8 is all about THAT drivetrain. The BMW/AMG's were good, but they were still boosted engines and all the benefits / compromises that brings. Very little compares to the sensations and responses of a screaming N/A engine, especially when mated to one of the most superb dual clutch transmission that you'll come across. The sounds, sensations and responses are spectacular and a clear step up from the (not dissimilarly priced) AMG GT.

Whilst I've not driven a 991 TT, I did have a 997.2 TT a few years ago which to be frank, I found an extremely boring (if admittedly effective) point and shoot device. I have no doubt a Macca of some sort will be dynamically better than the R8 but I suspect I'd not be able to notice this benefit as much as I do the R8's superior drivetrain. Also, as this is my daily driver the R8 is more appropriate as it'll be better built and have more advanced technology. Ultimately, I didn't really consider a Macca or a 991 TT as a viable option to replace my AMG but I did seriously look at a Ferrari F12 (I even put a deposit on one) but once I'd tried the R8 it was, to me, the better car in almost every way.

I actually intended to swap my AMG GT for a late Gen-1 R8 LMX, just to get that drivetrain. But the interior and tech put me off compared to the über modern AMG so my only way forward was a Gen-2 which has a tremendously modern, minimalistic and yet really luxurious interior (I'm a big fan of the interior which in my opinion leapfrogs everything I've had before).

Quite frankly, the R8's performance is outrageous. Ignore the official 0-60 of 3.2 secs, it's regularly tested at 2.8 and pretty much in line with the 991. Get above 60 and it pulls away from the 991 (by 120mph, it's over a second ahead). If you're used to a car that can accelerate to 60 in high-3's / low 4's like I was, you need to consider that 2.8 seconds is around 25% faster and it feels absolutely gut wrenchingly fast.

Handling wise, this Gen-2 appears an improvement from the LMX I drove, which itself I thought was a very dynamically accomplished car (indeed, it was a drive of a friends earlier R8 V10 a year previous which put the R8 on the map for me). However, I found the Gen-1 a bit understeery on turn-in (much as I did the 997 TT) whereas this Gen-2's totally revised quattro system is initially much better balanced, and then nicely rear biased as you push harder. The Dynamic Steering gets a bit of a hard time in the press but I have no issue with it whatsoever, and I certainly prefer it to the helm in my M6 which was always that car's weak spot for me (and it's certainly nothing like the Dynamic Steering in my RS4 which really isn't great at all). The car rides really well for a car of this type (in fact, really well full stop; it's VERY compliant), body control is great and handling very flat. Dynamically, the Macca's may well be better but honestly, there is nothing wrong with the R8 whatsoever.

Here's a few pics of mine in the relatively subtle black I ended up buying....

[q7_Not_So_newbie]

Hi W8PMC, I recognise you from PH land. I had an M6 a couple of years ago followed by an SLS, AMG GT and now my new R8 V10+. Absolutely love the R8, and I've never typically been an Audi advocate (so all the more ironic I've also gone and bought a late RS4 Avant, just to get my last hit of a reasonable modern N/A V8!).

The R8 is all about THAT drivetrain. The BMW/AMG's were good, but they were still boosted engines and all the benefits / compromises that brings. Very little compares to the sensations and responses of a screaming N/A engine, especially when mated to one of the most superb dual clutch transmission that you'll come across. The sounds, sensations and responses are spectacular and a clear step up from the (not dissimilarly priced) AMG GT.

Whilst I've not driven a 991 TT, I did have a 997 TT a few years ago which to be frank, I found an extremely boring (if admittedly effective) point and shoot device. I have no doubt a Macca of some sort will be dynamically superior but I suspect I'd not be able to notice this benefit as much as I do the R8's superior drivetrain. Also, as this is my daily driver the R8 is more appropriate as it'll be better built and have better useable technology. Ultimately, I didn't really consider the Macca or 991 TT as a viable option to replace my AMG but I did seriously look at a Ferrari F12 (even out a deposit on one) but once I'd tried the R8 it was, to me, better in every way.

I actually intended to swap my AMG GT for a late Gen-1 R8 LMX, just to get that drivetrain. But the interior and tech put me off compared to the über modern AMG so my only way forward was a Gen-2 which has a tremendously modern, minimalistic and yet really luxurious interior (I'm a big fan of the interior which in my opinion leapfrogs everything I've had before).

Quite frankly, the R8's performance is outrageous. Ignore the official 0-60 of 3.2 secs, it's regularly tested at 2.8 and pretty much in line with the 991. Get above 60 and it pulls away from the 991 (by 120mph, it's over a second ahead). If you're used to a car that can accelerate to 60 in high-3's / low 4's like I was, you need to consider that 2.8 seconds is around 25% faster and it feels absolutely gut wrenchingly fast.

Handling wise, this Gen-2 appears an improvement from the LMX I drove, which itself I thought was a very dynamically accomplished car (indeed, it was a drive of a friends earlier R8 V10 a year previous which put the R8 on the map for me). However, I found the Gen-1 a bit understeery on turn-in (much as I did the 997 TT) whereas this Gen-2's totally revised quattro system is initially much better balanced, and then nicely rear biased as you push harder. The Dynamic Steering gets a bit of a hard time in the press but I have no issue with it whatsoever, and I certainly prefer it to the helm in my M6 which was always that car's weak spot for me (and it's certainly nothing like the Dynamic Steering in my RS4 which really isn't great at all). The car rides really well for a car of this type (in fact, really well full stop; it's VERY compliant), body control is great and handling very flat. Dynamically, the Macca's may well be better but honestly, there is nothing wrong with the R8 whatsoever.

Here's a few pics of mine in the relatively subtle black I ended up buying....

What a beautiful machine. The iron in seeing beauty in a mechanical object. All deeds allowing, the R8 V10+ will be my 1st supercar, I then I plan on moving onto the the Aventador SV in late early 2018. (childhood dream to own a Lamborghini MUST be met).
But Audi is where my heart is.

[W8PMC]

Considered the 540 too? If you can resist going for the insanely expensive Caron packs, hell of a car for the money

I prefer the spec on the 570S so the price difference is more than worth it for the extra toys & power. I know i'll get slated for this comment but if i was buying a McLaren i'd not want the very bottom of the range as i'd always look at the 570S & 650S wishing i'd dug a little deeper. The 570S obviously has the improved performance, but also comes with the Ceramics as standard & although i've not seen a physical 540C yet as they've not hit the showrooms, the 570S just looks more imposing & closer to it's bigger brothers.

I'd not be speccing carbon packs as have never been into trinkets, perhaps the upgraded hi-fi & parking cameras, but that would be it options wise.

[W8PMC]

R8 and TTS are the same money give or take though granted you'll get a discount on the R8.

I've driven one and whilst the engine is as good as always the rest is meh. Looks OK, though I'd say the old car was better and the interior doesn't come close to the 911. In my opinion the R8 is overpriced.

Id be looking at 570 as the alternative if I didn't need the seats. But I've concern on Mac residuals as they are constantly shovelling new models out of the door. Used 650 makes more sense at this price point.

They are very close in price, however the TTS is far better spec'd as standard, although oddly enough the 570S looking far simpler in the cabin, doesn't really want for much.

Every time i think about alternatives i come back to the TTS as being the more competent all rounder as it's going to be cheaper to run than the 570S (by a long way). Standard service on the 570S is £1500, whereas the TTS is less than half that. Not checked insurance costs but the TTS was only £300 a year more than my F10 M5 which isn't bad for a car worth double the price.

Having spent last night checking the available reviews, the 570S is pitched directly at the 991 TTS & it's quoted as being the more engaging drive, however that takes nothing away from the TTS as it's probably the better ownership proposition.

Saw a couple of R8/TTS head to heads & very little in it, although the TTS was quicker across the spectrum, however not by a huge margin & in the real world probably nothing in it. I'd also guess the running costs/insurance will be similar so just the 570S being a bit steep. That said, i think the new R8 unless spec'd with the bigger wheels & a carefully chosen colour is the least attractive of the 3 with the 570S being the best looking by far (obviously looks are a personal thing). The draw of a n/a V10 is real however, hence why i now feel it should be considered.

Hoping to get an extended R8 drive in the next couple of weeks & taking the 570S out on Friday. The TTS extended drive will be early March.

[W8PMC]

HI Mate
i know we spoke about this over at PH, but the 991TS is a very different car to the V10+
The 911 is all about insane boost, and the performance in a straight line is absurd. It's better screwed together inside than any audi, and the interior is a lovely place, plus you get semi usable rear seats.
Even more so than the V10+, you could easily drive it every day and it's pretty quiet inside, even considering the road noise from the tyres.
The engine's a brute, but the sound isn't great to be honest. You can throw them around more than you'd expect, and they're a lot more fun than most people seem to assume. Porsche Depreciation is a killer though, and you only have to see what 2014 991TS cars are trading at now to feel that pain.

The V10+ is a noisy beast, and the sound and driving experience is certainly not as 'every day comfortable' as the 911, but when you're on it, I'd say it's a more rewarding car, and sounds and feels every bit a super car. I've had a few days in a V10+ now, and driven an Huracan too, and there's very little in it when the Audi has the sports exhaust.
A porsche carries a certain image though, just in the same way an Audi does, which is way below the market perception of the McL.
I've not driven a 570, so have no idea how they compare.

I can tell you than a V10+ isn't very deer proof though as I found out the hard way during the loan of a demo car

10599164_10156459650220529_6265217655841817957_n.jpg

There's some good deals on V10+'s out there at the moment too, and cars are available for pretty quick delivery.
Not sure what the lead time is on a 570, but I expect you'll be waiting >1yr on a new order, and maybe >6 months on a 991.2 Turbo S.
Best bet is to arrange decent test drives close together so you can get some comparison.
McLaren is the brand that will carry the image, and the other two are comparable to each other in pub bragging rights, I'd assume, but still a long way from the McL for Kudos.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I personally think a V10+ in the right colour is a better looking car than the slightly awkward looking 570. Mcl hit the design nail with the 675LT, but everything else they produce in their lower ranges, including the rather ugly 650s, has weird proportions and look pretty disjointed other than from dead straight on.

Ouch. How did the deer get on?

The lead time (which surprised me) is only 4-5 months currently on the 570S & the same applies to the Gen II Turbo S. Not sure about the R8 as have my dealer checking this out for me currently.

The 570S is the most expensive of the 3 & the R8 the cheapest. Roughly £20k between the R8 & the 570S, however Audi as we know would likely be able to offer a better deal on the R8 than either McL or Porsche.

I'm trying to ignore depreciation as excluding cars such as the GT3/RS, they'll all depreciate by the same levels with only the 570S perhaps fairing better but that's an unknown. The 991 Turbo S will always sell as it's Porsche's pinnacle car so always a market for them.

[W8PMC]

But I've concern on Mac residuals as they are constantly shovelling new models out of the door. Used 650 makes more sense at this price point.

Agreed. How pissed off would you be having taken delivery of your MP4-12C, only for the 650 S to arrive. And who would buy a five year old MP4 now you can have a faster, brand new 540 for the same price? 540 (and 570) could well have great residuals - I cannot see them dipping below 100k price point for a very long time indeed, or ever dipping below [five year older] MP4s.

PS. Used 650 is 170k+ isn't it?

12C is a different proposition to a 570S. Its Carbon tub, trick suspension, trick aero blah blah blah. They have stopped depreciating and are now rising in price - they are incredibly rare.

The 540 / 570 will, in comparison be produced in much higher numbers than the 12C and will dip below £100k in time, but likely level off at £80k with some years and miles on the clock

I'm not a fan of the 12C's looks & felt it got dealt a harsh blow when the 650S arrived. The 570S actually has an improved Carbon Tub over the 12C & 650S, it's lighter, more functional & even McL refer to it as Carbon Tub V2. Agreed though the 570S doesn't have the trick suspension or Aero, however even listening to what McL wanted to achieve it was a usable high end Sports car, not a garage/track queen super car so the exclusion of these 2 factors is deliberate & again in some reviews the more standard setup is preferred on road.

The future figures are pretty much unknown which is a risk & McL don't offer a GFV which was a worry, however they say they don't on any car in the range.

[W8PMC]

I'm not sure about Mac, all a bit Ron Dennis for me. I like 911 as its all straight forward. Use as a daily, OK to service, insure etc etc.

FF, or F12 if feeling super flush.

I really do think the new Turbo S is going to win overall as just does everything so well & being brutally honest is still the benchmark car.

Not feeling huge love for the Ferrari's as although probably the best from a depreciation perspective, i don't think i could live with the fear of maintaining one. Hoping to do 15k miles per annum & to get an FF in budget it would be over 3yrs old & thus in extended warranty. I also think the FF would be too fragile for track with it's very trick AWD system.

Also the running costs would likely be on another level even to the 570S.

[W8PMC]

120-130k puts you into low mileage 991 GT3 territory and that's where my money would go...ooohhh that engine .

I thought a decent example is still commanding close to £150k? Although a stunning machine, the Turbo S is the better overall car for day to day use including track days. If my requirement was more track days & less day to day then assuming the ridiculous inflated prices were more balanced, a GT3 would be very high on my list.

My man maths can't stretch to paying £150k towards a used example of a car that cost at most £115-120k new 2yrs ago. I also think the bubble on Gen 1's will burst very soon when the Gen II's arrive later this year.

[bam_bam]

Hi W8PMC, I recognise you from PH land. I had an M6 a couple of years ago followed by an SLS, AMG GT and now my new R8 V10+. Absolutely love the R8, and I've never typically been an Audi advocate (so all the more ironic I've also gone and bought a late RS4 Avant, just to get my last hit of a reasonable modern N/A V8!).

The R8 is all about THAT drivetrain. The BMW/AMG's were good, but they were still boosted engines and all the benefits / compromises that brings. Very little compares to the sensations and responses of a screaming N/A engine, especially when mated to one of the most superb dual clutch transmission that you'll come across. The sounds, sensations and responses are spectacular and a clear step up from the (not dissimilarly priced) AMG GT.

Whilst I've not driven a 991 TT, I did have a 997.2 TT a few years ago which to be frank, I found an extremely boring (if admittedly effective) point and shoot device. I have no doubt a Macca of some sort will be dynamically better than the R8 but I suspect I'd not be able to notice this benefit as much as I do the R8's superior drivetrain. Also, as this is my daily driver the R8 is more appropriate as it'll be better built and have more advanced technology. Ultimately, I didn't really consider a Macca or a 991 TT as a viable option to replace my AMG but I did seriously look at a Ferrari F12 (I even put a deposit on one) but once I'd tried the R8 it was, to me, the better car in almost every way.

I actually intended to swap my AMG GT for a late Gen-1 R8 LMX, just to get that drivetrain. But the interior and tech put me off compared to the über modern AMG so my only way forward was a Gen-2 which has a tremendously modern, minimalistic and yet really luxurious interior (I'm a big fan of the interior which in my opinion leapfrogs everything I've had before).

Quite frankly, the R8's performance is outrageous. Ignore the official 0-60 of 3.2 secs, it's regularly tested at 2.8 and pretty much in line with the 991. Get above 60 and it pulls away from the 991 (by 120mph, it's over a second ahead). If you're used to a car that can accelerate to 60 in high-3's / low 4's like I was, you need to consider that 2.8 seconds is around 25% faster and it feels absolutely gut wrenchingly fast.

Handling wise, this Gen-2 appears an improvement from the LMX I drove, which itself I thought was a very dynamically accomplished car (indeed, it was a drive of a friends earlier R8 V10 a year previous which put the R8 on the map for me). However, I found the Gen-1 a bit understeery on turn-in (much as I did the 997 TT) whereas this Gen-2's totally revised quattro system is initially much better balanced, and then nicely rear biased as you push harder. The Dynamic Steering gets a bit of a hard time in the press but I have no issue with it whatsoever, and I certainly prefer it to the helm in my M6 which was always that car's weak spot for me (and it's certainly nothing like the Dynamic Steering in my RS4 which really isn't great at all). The car rides really well for a car of this type (in fact, really well full stop; it's VERY compliant), body control is great and handling very flat. Dynamically, the Macca's may well be better but honestly, there is nothing wrong with the R8 whatsoever.

Fantastic first but you still get a FON.
Also, clear your garage, it's filthy.

[Graeme4130]

Hi W8PMC, I recognise you from PH land. I had an M6 a couple of years ago followed by an SLS, AMG GT and now my new R8 V10+. Absolutely love the R8, and I've never typically been an Audi advocate (so all the more ironic I've also gone and bought a late RS4 Avant, just to get my last hit of a reasonable modern N/A V8!).

The R8 is all about THAT drivetrain. The BMW/AMG's were good, but they were still boosted engines and all the benefits / compromises that brings. Very little compares to the sensations and responses of a screaming N/A engine, especially when mated to one of the most superb dual clutch transmission that you'll come across. The sounds, sensations and responses are spectacular and a clear step up from the (not dissimilarly priced) AMG GT.

Whilst I've not driven a 991 TT, I did have a 997.2 TT a few years ago which to be frank, I found an extremely boring (if admittedly effective) point and shoot device. I have no doubt a Macca of some sort will be dynamically better than the R8 but I suspect I'd not be able to notice this benefit as much as I do the R8's superior drivetrain. Also, as this is my daily driver the R8 is more appropriate as it'll be better built and have more advanced technology. Ultimately, I didn't really consider a Macca or a 991 TT as a viable option to replace my AMG but I did seriously look at a Ferrari F12 (I even put a deposit on one) but once I'd tried the R8 it was, to me, the better car in almost every way.

I actually intended to swap my AMG GT for a late Gen-1 R8 LMX, just to get that drivetrain. But the interior and tech put me off compared to the über modern AMG so my only way forward was a Gen-2 which has a tremendously modern, minimalistic and yet really luxurious interior (I'm a big fan of the interior which in my opinion leapfrogs everything I've had before).

Quite frankly, the R8's performance is outrageous. Ignore the official 0-60 of 3.2 secs, it's regularly tested at 2.8 and pretty much in line with the 991. Get above 60 and it pulls away from the 991 (by 120mph, it's over a second ahead). If you're used to a car that can accelerate to 60 in high-3's / low 4's like I was, you need to consider that 2.8 seconds is around 25% faster and it feels absolutely gut wrenchingly fast.

Handling wise, this Gen-2 appears an improvement from the LMX I drove, which itself I thought was a very dynamically accomplished car (indeed, it was a drive of a friends earlier R8 V10 a year previous which put the R8 on the map for me). However, I found the Gen-1 a bit understeery on turn-in (much as I did the 997 TT) whereas this Gen-2's totally revised quattro system is initially much better balanced, and then nicely rear biased as you push harder. The Dynamic Steering gets a bit of a hard time in the press but I have no issue with it whatsoever, and I certainly prefer it to the helm in my M6 which was always that car's weak spot for me (and it's certainly nothing like the Dynamic Steering in my RS4 which really isn't great at all). The car rides really well for a car of this type (in fact, really well full stop; it's VERY compliant), body control is great and handling very flat. Dynamically, the Macca's may well be better but honestly, there is nothing wrong with the R8 whatsoever.

Fantastic first but you still get a FON.
Also, clear your garage, it's filthy.

That's an impressively clean garage. I can barely see the walls in mine, and the floor is covered in rubbish, oil and mud.
Nice write up though, and welcome. FON

[Graeme4130]

HI Mate
i know we spoke about this over at PH, but the 991TS is a very different car to the V10+
The 911 is all about insane boost, and the performance in a straight line is absurd. It's better screwed together inside than any audi, and the interior is a lovely place, plus you get semi usable rear seats.
Even more so than the V10+, you could easily drive it every day and it's pretty quiet inside, even considering the road noise from the tyres.
The engine's a brute, but the sound isn't great to be honest. You can throw them around more than you'd expect, and they're a lot more fun than most people seem to assume. Porsche Depreciation is a killer though, and you only have to see what 2014 991TS cars are trading at now to feel that pain.

The V10+ is a noisy beast, and the sound and driving experience is certainly not as 'every day comfortable' as the 911, but when you're on it, I'd say it's a more rewarding car, and sounds and feels every bit a super car. I've had a few days in a V10+ now, and driven an Huracan too, and there's very little in it when the Audi has the sports exhaust.
A porsche carries a certain image though, just in the same way an Audi does, which is way below the market perception of the McL.
I've not driven a 570, so have no idea how they compare.

I can tell you than a V10+ isn't very deer proof though as I found out the hard way during the loan of a demo car

10599164_10156459650220529_6265217655841817957_n.jpg

There's some good deals on V10+'s out there at the moment too, and cars are available for pretty quick delivery.
Not sure what the lead time is on a 570, but I expect you'll be waiting >1yr on a new order, and maybe >6 months on a 991.2 Turbo S.
Best bet is to arrange decent test drives close together so you can get some comparison.
McLaren is the brand that will carry the image, and the other two are comparable to each other in pub bragging rights, I'd assume, but still a long way from the McL for Kudos.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I personally think a V10+ in the right colour is a better looking car than the slightly awkward looking 570. Mcl hit the design nail with the 675LT, but everything else they produce in their lower ranges, including the rather ugly 650s, has weird proportions and look pretty disjointed other than from dead straight on.

Ouch. How did the deer get on?

The lead time (which surprised me) is only 4-5 months currently on the 570S & the same applies to the Gen II Turbo S. Not sure about the R8 as have my dealer checking this out for me currently.

The 570S is the most expensive of the 3 & the R8 the cheapest. Roughly £20k between the R8 & the 570S, however Audi as we know would likely be able to offer a better deal on the R8 than either McL or Porsche.

I'm trying to ignore depreciation as excluding cars such as the GT3/RS, they'll all depreciate by the same levels with only the 570S perhaps fairing better but that's an unknown. The 991 Turbo S will always sell as it's Porsche's pinnacle car so always a market for them.

Unfortunately, the deer didn't come off too well
Parts bill alone for the car was £9k+, but luckily, I only had to pay the first £50 of that.
Dealer was surprisingly ok about it. Luckily, over the same weekend, they'd loaned an S3 to someone, who'd let his drunk and uninsured mate 'take it for a spin' who'd subsequently written it off, so my deer incident was not looking too bad in the overall scheme of things.

If you're serious about the 570, is it worth hanging on for the spider ? I'll assume with the carbon tub that none of the driving experience will be diminished, and you'll have a cooler looking car if you're into that sort of thing. Residuals on hard top cars are likely to take a dive as soon as the spider comes along too. Look what happened to hard top 650 Cars when everyone realised the spider was just as good a drive and loosely within the same purchase ball park. I think their sales were something like 10-15% of call cars taken compared to the convertible.

[W8PMC]

Hi W8PMC, I recognise you from PH land. I had an M6 a couple of years ago followed by an SLS, AMG GT and now my new R8 V10+. Absolutely love the R8, and I've never typically been an Audi advocate (so all the more ironic I've also gone and bought a late RS4 Avant, just to get my last hit of a reasonable modern N/A V8!).

The R8 is all about THAT drivetrain. The BMW/AMG's were good, but they were still boosted engines and all the benefits / compromises that brings. Very little compares to the sensations and responses of a screaming N/A engine, especially when mated to one of the most superb dual clutch transmission that you'll come across. The sounds, sensations and responses are spectacular and a clear step up from the (not dissimilarly priced) AMG GT.

Whilst I've not driven a 991 TT, I did have a 997.2 TT a few years ago which to be frank, I found an extremely boring (if admittedly effective) point and shoot device. I have no doubt a Macca of some sort will be dynamically better than the R8 but I suspect I'd not be able to notice this benefit as much as I do the R8's superior drivetrain. Also, as this is my daily driver the R8 is more appropriate as it'll be better built and have more advanced technology. Ultimately, I didn't really consider a Macca or a 991 TT as a viable option to replace my AMG but I did seriously look at a Ferrari F12 (I even put a deposit on one) but once I'd tried the R8 it was, to me, the better car in almost every way.

I actually intended to swap my AMG GT for a late Gen-1 R8 LMX, just to get that drivetrain. But the interior and tech put me off compared to the über modern AMG so my only way forward was a Gen-2 which has a tremendously modern, minimalistic and yet really luxurious interior (I'm a big fan of the interior which in my opinion leapfrogs everything I've had before).

Quite frankly, the R8's performance is outrageous. Ignore the official 0-60 of 3.2 secs, it's regularly tested at 2.8 and pretty much in line with the 991. Get above 60 and it pulls away from the 991 (by 120mph, it's over a second ahead). If you're used to a car that can accelerate to 60 in high-3's / low 4's like I was, you need to consider that 2.8 seconds is around 25% faster and it feels absolutely gut wrenchingly fast.

Handling wise, this Gen-2 appears an improvement from the LMX I drove, which itself I thought was a very dynamically accomplished car (indeed, it was a drive of a friends earlier R8 V10 a year previous which put the R8 on the map for me). However, I found the Gen-1 a bit understeery on turn-in (much as I did the 997 TT) whereas this Gen-2's totally revised quattro system is initially much better balanced, and then nicely rear biased as you push harder. The Dynamic Steering gets a bit of a hard time in the press but I have no issue with it whatsoever, and I certainly prefer it to the helm in my M6 which was always that car's weak spot for me (and it's certainly nothing like the Dynamic Steering in my RS4 which really isn't great at all). The car rides really well for a car of this type (in fact, really well full stop; it's VERY compliant), body control is great and handling very flat. Dynamically, the Macca's may well be better but honestly, there is nothing wrong with the R8 whatsoever.

Here's a few pics of mine in the relatively subtle black I ended up buying....

That does look good & i wish my garage looked half as clean/tidy as that. Mine's full of bikes, kids outdoor toys, tyres for the M5, a tractor mower & patio furniture.

Will certainly be taking the R8 seriously & hope to get one for a couple of days soon.

[W8PMC]

HI Mate
i know we spoke about this over at PH, but the 991TS is a very different car to the V10+
The 911 is all about insane boost, and the performance in a straight line is absurd. It's better screwed together inside than any audi, and the interior is a lovely place, plus you get semi usable rear seats.
Even more so than the V10+, you could easily drive it every day and it's pretty quiet inside, even considering the road noise from the tyres.
The engine's a brute, but the sound isn't great to be honest. You can throw them around more than you'd expect, and they're a lot more fun than most people seem to assume. Porsche Depreciation is a killer though, and you only have to see what 2014 991TS cars are trading at now to feel that pain.

The V10+ is a noisy beast, and the sound and driving experience is certainly not as 'every day comfortable' as the 911, but when you're on it, I'd say it's a more rewarding car, and sounds and feels every bit a super car. I've had a few days in a V10+ now, and driven an Huracan too, and there's very little in it when the Audi has the sports exhaust.
A porsche carries a certain image though, just in the same way an Audi does, which is way below the market perception of the McL.
I've not driven a 570, so have no idea how they compare.

I can tell you than a V10+ isn't very deer proof though as I found out the hard way during the loan of a demo car

10599164_10156459650220529_6265217655841817957_n.jpg

There's some good deals on V10+'s out there at the moment too, and cars are available for pretty quick delivery.
Not sure what the lead time is on a 570, but I expect you'll be waiting >1yr on a new order, and maybe >6 months on a 991.2 Turbo S.
Best bet is to arrange decent test drives close together so you can get some comparison.
McLaren is the brand that will carry the image, and the other two are comparable to each other in pub bragging rights, I'd assume, but still a long way from the McL for Kudos.
beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I personally think a V10+ in the right colour is a better looking car than the slightly awkward looking 570. Mcl hit the design nail with the 675LT, but everything else they produce in their lower ranges, including the rather ugly 650s, has weird proportions and look pretty disjointed other than from dead straight on.

Ouch. How did the deer get on?

The lead time (which surprised me) is only 4-5 months currently on the 570S & the same applies to the Gen II Turbo S. Not sure about the R8 as have my dealer checking this out for me currently.

The 570S is the most expensive of the 3 & the R8 the cheapest. Roughly £20k between the R8 & the 570S, however Audi as we know would likely be able to offer a better deal on the R8 than either McL or Porsche.

I'm trying to ignore depreciation as excluding cars such as the GT3/RS, they'll all depreciate by the same levels with only the 570S perhaps fairing better but that's an unknown. The 991 Turbo S will always sell as it's Porsche's pinnacle car so always a market for them.

Unfortunately, the deer didn't come off too well
Parts bill alone for the car was £9k+, but luckily, I only had to pay the first £50 of that.
Dealer was surprisingly ok about it. Luckily, over the same weekend, they'd loaned an S3 to someone, who'd let his drunk and uninsured mate 'take it for a spin' who'd subsequently written it off, so my deer incident was not looking too bad in the overall scheme of things.

If you're serious about the 570, is it worth hanging on for the spider ? I'll assume with the carbon tub that none of the driving experience will be diminished, and you'll have a cooler looking car if you're into that sort of thing. Residuals on hard top cars are likely to take a dive as soon as the spider comes along too. Look what happened to hard top 650 Cars when everyone realised the spider was just as good a drive and loosely within the same purchase ball park. I think their sales were something like 10-15% of call cars taken compared to the convertible.

Poor Bambi. Not a great weekend for that Audi dealer then.

Not big into rag tops as i'd be in that soft ar$e camp of only de roofing when the weather's lovely. I live in West Lancs so lovely weather isn't a thing that happens often. As a strange twist, McLaren have just announced the 570GT. Not sure it's viable as the car is £10k more expensive but loses the Ramics, Sports Zorst & a little performance, but gains some luxury, a Pano roof & other nice road car creature comforts. Not sure that would be for me but will take a look.

[Ian_C]

Fantastic first but you still get a FON.
Also, clear your garage, it's filthy.

That garage!

[Ian_C]

Considered the 540 too? If you can resist going for the insanely expensive Caron packs, hell of a car for the money

I prefer the spec on the 570S so the price difference is more than worth it for the extra toys & power. I know i'll get slated for this comment but if i was buying a McLaren i'd not want the very bottom of the range as i'd always look at the 570S & 650S wishing i'd dug a little deeper. The 570S obviously has the improved performance, but also comes with the Ceramics as standard & although i've not seen a physical 540C yet as they've not hit the showrooms, the 570S just looks more imposing & closer to it's bigger brothers.

I'd not be speccing carbon packs as have never been into trinkets, perhaps the upgraded hi-fi & parking cameras, but that would be it options wise.

Fair enough. As you say, the 540 loses the ceramics and [from memory] about 45 lb ft. If you don't want many additional options but want the ceramics, the 570 makes sense.

And I don't care what anyone says, a 570 with say 7k of options is always going to have better residuals than a 570 with 27k options. £150k brand spanking new, same 0-100 mph as a £10 million McLaren F1, bargain