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Does anyone use their R8 as a daily? I just wondered what they are like all weathers etc? Are they just as useable/reliable as most other audis? It's just pi$$ing down this morning but can't resist using it yet lol.

chris_m wrote:Does anyone use their R8 as a daily? I just wondered what they are like all weathers etc? Are they just as useable/reliable as most other audis? It's just pi$$ing down this morning but can't resist using it yet lol.

You could happily use an R8 as an everyday car. They're as reliable as anything else in the Audi range, and things like window demisters, wipers and heated seats should work just as they should, which you can't say for many other super cars

Only had my car since last month, but I intend to use it as much as I can, while the RS 4 get it's first winter break in 8 years. Will be putting winter tyres on next week to make things a little bit easier. I find the traction's not as good as the 4 and a little tail happy.

Graeme4130 wrote:

chris_m wrote:Does anyone use their R8 as a daily? I just wondered what they are like all weathers etc? Are they just as useable/reliable as most other audis? It's just pi$$ing down this morning but can't resist using it yet lol.

You could happily use an R8 as an everyday car. They're as reliable as anything else in the Audi range, and things like window demisters, wipers and heated seats should work just as they should, which you can't say for many other super cars

Thanks for the reply mate. I can't fault the car so far, it's some piece of kit.

yes absolutely its a daily driver

just watch out for snow, the tyres are too wide and the quattro isn't as good as RS quattro for snow

but otherwise, use it every day !!

easily the most reliable Audi I every owned

nij wrote:Only had my car since last month, but I intend to use it as much as I can, while the RS 4 get it's first winter break in 8 years. Will be putting winter tyres on next week to make things a little bit easier. I find the traction's not as good as the 4 and a little tail happy.

I've found this mate, the rs4 had much more traction. All due to the power and torque difference I suppose. I think the R8 is very tail happy and not just in first and second either. I'm loving the car!

HYFR wrote:yes absolutely its a daily driver

just watch out for snow, the tyres are too wide and the quattro isn't as good as RS quattro for snow

but otherwise, use it every day !!

easily the most reliable Audi I every owned

That's all I need to hear

chris_m wrote:

nij wrote:Only had my car since last month, but I intend to use it as much as I can, while the RS 4 get it's first winter break in 8 years. Will be putting winter tyres on next week to make things a little bit easier. I find the traction's not as good as the 4 and a little tail happy.

I've found this mate, the rs4 had much more traction. All due to the power and torque difference I suppose. I think the R8 is very tail happy and not just in first and second either. I'm loving the car!

its default setting is 70/30 or 80/20 (i don't recall exactly) rear/front split, so its not where near the 60/40 torque distribution of the RS 4, add in a mid engine layout, and it drives very differently to a quattro Audi and much more like a RWD car ... but once you've drive a big power RWD you realise just how much quattro grip the V10 has in all weather !

HYFR wrote:

chris_m wrote:

nij wrote:Only had my car since last month, but I intend to use it as much as I can, while the RS 4 get it's first winter break in 8 years. Will be putting winter tyres on next week to make things a little bit easier. I find the traction's not as good as the 4 and a little tail happy.

I've found this mate, the rs4 had much more traction. All due to the power and torque difference I suppose. I think the R8 is very tail happy and not just in first and second either. I'm loving the car!

its default setting is 70/30 or 80/20 (i don't recall exactly) rear/front split, so its not where near the 60/40 torque distribution of the RS 4, add in a mid engine layout, and it drives very differently to a quattro Audi and much more like a RWD car ... but once you've drive a big power RWD you realise just how much quattro grip the V10 has in all weather !

I didn't really think that through properly did I? Ha.

70/30 rings a bell and like you say, I'm comparing a mid engined supercar to a family saloon. My old m3 is bad enough...

The R8 is up to 80/20 split but no less than 60/40 so is always rear end bias. It will always be more of a handful with reduced traction but you can change the settings to keep it towards the more conservative split. In auto mode with traction on this should be the case; with traction off the 80/20 split is favoured.

The B8.5 RS4 is up to 60/40 split but is generally 50/50 giving that more balanced feel in the wet/snow. I can confirm with traction of it can still be tail happy but to the point iof smoking the rear tyres like its possible in the R8. B7 where also 50/50 but B5 were 60/40

The Quattro systems are pretty simular, pacakaging and transaxle considered and are traditional Quattro rather than the not so good (but still ok) Haldex system found on transversely mounted engined cars (A1/S1, A3/S3 & TT)

No

Taken from Audi's website

quattro® All-Wheel Drive

With quattro®, optimal power delivery to the wheels is managed automatically and continuously for superior handling and phenomenal grip – even in less than perfect driving conditions. For R8, a unique Viscous Coupling system is utilized, creating a rear-biased torque split of 15:85. Up to 30% of the drive torque can be routed to the front wheels to ensure phenomenal traction and virtually slip-free acceleration.

My test car had over 70,000 miles on it and that was in all weather, even carried a 6ft christmas tree in it.

Remember the R8 does not have active or adjustable torque split, the front diff can only take 120nm of torque as the front assembly has a fluid coupling in it. This is why any dyno centre needs to either use a mechanically linked dyno or remove the prop to stop it blowing the front diff up.

I hope this helps.

Cheers Ricky