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Well a lad I know has just got himself a V8 R8 and wondered how they compare in real life? His R8 is boggo on about 25k miles and my B7 is a fresh stage 2 running 436bhp. Of course the size difference is apparent but what, compared to the saloon about 100kg lighter? In a straight line I can't see there being much difference if any unless someone can correct me?

I can confirm from experience - on a closed circuit *cough* (sorry, I have a cold) - that a stock RS4 is a dead match for an early V8 R8 with an approximate 30mph rolling start.

2 up in the R8, 4 up in the RS4.
No idea as to the gearbox, mileage or true weight of the car (ie. if it was stuffed full of luggage).

The R8 V8 manual I drove a few years ago felt slightly quicker off the mark, and the sensation of speed was greater.
Mid range felt about the same, but again the sensation was greater.
I put this down to sitting lower in a wider car. O/T, I adored that "click-clack" gearbox, too!
Handling would favour the R8.
These were OEM spec cars.

Your car being modified, should mean it be noticeably quicker in straight line, the OEM cars being so similar.

I once had a couple of laps against a MRC'ed RS4 round the Nürburgring.
On the massive, fully open straight he just walked away from me.
I often nudge 160mph by the end of that straight and he was indicating around 170mph.

Darren

Thanks for that Darren.

He had no idea my car had the exact same engine as his until I told him this morning. If my big clumsy saloon pulls on his little super car, or even keeps up he is the kind of guy who probably will sell up.

I hope I haven't opened up a can of worms here and get jumped on by 15 R8 owners

Thanks again Darren

chris_m wrote:I hope I haven't opened up a can of worms here and get jumped on by 15 R8 owners

Don't worry, R8 owners don't keep anything heavy in their handbags, you'll be fine.

They are pretty similar but the R8 just has the edge due to weight and aero

All I'll say is an R8 looks exotic but in the original guise with the V8 certainly didnt set any worlds on fire. The R Tronic box also leaves a lot to be desired unless its the latest S tronic

Looks like he is in for a little surprise then.

bam_bam wrote:

chris_m wrote:I hope I haven't opened up a can of worms here and get jumped on by 15 R8 owners

Don't worry, R8 owners don't keep anything heavy in their handbags, you'll be fine.

Ha ha!!!!

bam_bam wrote:

chris_m wrote:I hope I haven't opened up a can of worms here and get jumped on by 15 R8 owners

Don't worry, R8 owners don't keep anything heavy in their handbags, you'll be fine.

just there tins of hairspray

Wouldn't mind the v10 though, hairdressers car or not.

chris_m wrote:Wouldn't mind the v10 though, hairdressers car or not.

The S tronic gearbox makes it a different car regardless of engine

Deano_123 wrote:

chris_m wrote:Wouldn't mind the v10 though, hairdressers car or not.

The S tronic gearbox makes it a different car regardless of engine

There is that. I would love that setup in my Rs4. It would solve all of my problems.

I remember racing a black R8 down the M23 to Brighton on a sunny summers day in my Stage 2 MRC'd up Misano Red RS4. I would honestly I out accelerated him every time. The chap was a little older and was not happy. He may well have been carboned up to high heaven though.
As for a brand new stock RS4 B7 vs brand new stock R8 at the time, I would not like to say.

YouTube is your FRIEND!!!







I'm sure I read the B7 was slightly quicker off the mark, even up to a certain speed.

Even the ET time on the Inters run, the RS4 is quicker.

All well and good, but I've done it myself many times, I was in the RS 4 saloon.

Its very close, but the R8 just pulls away ever so slightly