Just had a long drive in an R8 and:-

[paulslacey]

Great car easy to drive once you get used to the gated box gearchange looks superb sounds great engine revs well fit and finish is superb as is the stereo but,

Was a bit dissapointed didn't seem as quick as the road tests implied, handled well but really..............I prefer the RS4, nearly as quick four seats and as the R8 salesman got told by his race driver, when he was at the launch at the 'Ring' pity we have an RS4 in front be hard to get past.

Just seems more sporty, now wonder if there will ever be an R8 RS ????

[R8BND]

I find my R8 a better drive to be honest. The balance through corners is so much better than the RS4, and if you keep the revs above 4K the smile will never go from your face
Powerwise it's very similar, and I would expect to have a hard time passing an RS4 until some corners appear. Even then it would be close... I've not done any track days in mine yet so I'll have to get back to you on that one.

The R8 is quieter inside, even at speed (220kmh on an autobahn and you can talk without raising your voice) and I find the seats more comfortable than the RS4 buckets - Jon will disagree with me on this, but my bad back likes the R8 better.....! Even after a 5 hour drive to Holland at the weekend (including an "interesting" detour thanks to Sat Nav) I had no real driving fatigue.

I seem to get a better mpg too, which is a pleasant surprise!

[Contigo]

But what's the point in having a car that looks supercar (it's stunning) but doesn't deliver supercar performance.

When I drove one I loved it but as above complete lack of performance for the mullah and the type of car etc..

If they stuck a Lambo V10 engine in there with over 550bhp (maybe the RS6 engine) then it will finish it off nicely.

[R8BND]

It does do supercar performance, albeit at the "slower" end of the scale.
I use my car everyday so anything Italian was out, and I've never been interested in Porsches. The R8 was an easy choice to make for me, I drove it for about 30 mins as was totally sold.
Plus, it has sensible service intervals and will probably do 250K miles without too much problem. Not very supercar-ish I know, but with limited funds the only sensible choice.

The other important point is that my 2006 RS4 was depreciating around £800/month (according to "the book") but my R8 is worth the same as I paid for it..... so far anyway! I'm guessing that will change when the V10 finally starts production.

[SR71]

"Limited funds" and "R8" in the same sentence...had to chuckle at that!



I have to say I really enjoyed the drive I had in the one I took out - the sound and interior were superb.

I'm sure you could stiffen up the RS4 to behave like the R8 although, agreed, the engine is ultimately in a compromising location.

But like Contigo, I believe the car should have had a bit more "under the hood" so to speak....nothing less than 500hp.

FWIW, the Audi dealer I spoke with yesterday said RS4 residuals were "rock solid" whatever that means....

[R8BND]

Well, funds are limited now I've spent £89K on a car!

You'll never get over the front engine characteristics of the RS4, but I agree some tweaking does help to get around it.
I reckon someone will soon have a remap or similar to open up the R8's motor... It'll deliver way more (as will the RS4), although finding somewhere to use it could prove interesting. Personally I find it more than enough for everyday, and I want it to still be running ok in many years time when the warranty has long disappeared.
The pursuit of more horsepower is all ok, but I'll personally be spending my money on advanced driving courses rather than engine mods. Having said that, I will be after a drive in a V10 when it appears!

[Contigo]

It's a great car R8BND I know that but as I said If I had the money to spunk on one I'd want M6 performance and more. The problem is that the R8 was driven after being in my B5 with remap and it just didn't feel quick at all. I'm still green with envy though

[R8BND]

I know what you mean.... I had a similar feeling when I got out of my RS4 to drive the R8. However, once you get into it you realise how quick it actually is. Very deceptive....

As for the M6.......... The engine is in the wrong place, it's rear wheel drive not awd, too heavy, and I wouldn't want to be seen in it either !
Remember the Top Gear test on the Isle of man?

[Contigo]

It goes like the stink though and handles well. I agree bout the deceptive power of the R8 though it's just up to speed before you know it as is the B7 RS4.

[R8BND]

I have to be really careful driving about in it actually..... it's very easy to get to speeds that can get you banned!!

[ghoonk]

Well, funds are limited now I've spent £89K on a car!

You'll never get over the front engine characteristics of the RS4, but I agree some tweaking does help to get around it.
I reckon someone will soon have a remap or similar to open up the R8's motor... It'll deliver way more (as will the RS4), although finding somewhere to use it could prove interesting. Personally I find it more than enough for everyday, and I want it to still be running ok in many years time when the warranty has long disappeared.
The pursuit of more horsepower is all ok, but I'll personally be spending my money on advanced driving courses rather than engine mods. Having said that, I will be after a drive in a V10 when it appears!

You're right. If anything, the RS4 has a great motor as it is, and what I'd really like to do is to eliminate that persistent understeer without compromising ride comfort.

The RS4 is deceptively quick, with that revvy V8 that just eggs me on -- at 4000 rpm, it's saying, "come on, rev me! what are you, CHICKEN?"

[Contigo]

DIP ME!

And AGAIN!

DIP ME!

[RS4SH]

You have to admit the R8 does feel special compared to an RS4 even though it's not much quicker in a straight line. I blagged a drive in one when I bought my RS4 and was amazed by the balance and poise. Sounds great too. It definitely deserves more power though. When it gets the V10 I think 911 Turbo sales will take a hit.

Unfortunately the one I drove wasn't a manual so I did look like a prat as I learched out of the garage onto the main road - stupidly sensitive throttle when pulling away!

[Contigo]

Of course it feels special, it bloody well should for ~85k. It's a dream machine really and drives like a dream. I'd definitely go for the manual, it just feels so right on a car like that and the gaited selector looks

[paulslacey]

Must agree with both sides superb car enjoyed the drive loved the fit and finish. Plus it is quick it does handle well but not as solid through the corners as the RS4 got to add that having owned an S4 bfore Audi did a superb handling job.

Small vid never push a Viper on the track in an R8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gQLM-K9TwWM