Is a pre-owned Audi R8 coupe trustworthy? The R8 is exquisitely constructed and has the typical high-quality Audi experience. However, compared to other brands, Audi has a larger percentage of reported issues and has consistently performed poorly in our most recent customer satisfaction and dependability assessments.
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Which year of Audi R8 is the most dependable?
Quality and consistency are the watchwords when it comes to Audi. In contrast to other automakers who spend a few years to iron out the flaws in a design, Audi is one of the few automakers that manages to produce high-quality releases straight out of the gate.
One of Audi’s most popular models, the R8 also comes in a supercar variant that is a great choice if you’re searching for a high-performance car.
However, if you want something that will last and live up to your highest expectations, keep an eye out for the Audi R8 years to avoid.
The Audi R8 will be examined in more detail, along with its typical issues, dependable models (and why certain variants work so well), and other topics.
Audi R8 Years You Should Avoid
There aren’t any particular years you should stay away from when it comes to the R8. The R8 has a reputation for being one of the most reliable models ever, thus even the first few years of the new model’s existence saw strong performance and positive customer feedback.
However, there is one year that we recommend avoiding if at all possible. This release has a few extra problems, making it the only year of the Audi R8 to stay away from. In fact, this may be the only Audi R8 year to avoid, barring exceedingly uncommon issues with the model that we’ll describe in the next section:
2008
Yes, the only year we’d advise you to steer clear of is the one the R8 first on the market. Even the 2018 model, which underwent a supercar transformation, displayed remarkable consistency and toughness.
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Common Problems With The Audi R8
Even if the Audi R8 performs admirably in almost all parameters, there are still a few unusual issues that consistently appear. Along with a few other typical vehicle issues that affect the majority of cars, suffers from these issues roughly equally rarely each year.
Bearing Failures
Because of the high speeds that R8s can attain, bearing failures are among the most catastrophic issues that might arise. It is possible for other types of parts to fail in a variety of ways very fast when a bearing is beginning to wear out and starts to create friction rather than reducing it.
That alone is a serious issue. Additionally, replacing bearings can be a labor-intensive process, which increases the cost of the repairs; alternatively, your mechanic may advise replacing the entire item rather than just the internal bearings.
Fortunately, this problem is also exceedingly uncommon, so the majority of Audi R8 owners won’t ever need to be concerned about premature bearing failure.
Wishbone Failure
Another significant issue that is reported to affect some R8 cars is wishbone failure. In this case, a portion of the suspension that aids in weight distribution, momentum management, and maintaining vehicle coordination has failed.
However, wishbone problems can range from simple suspension issues to the wishbone itself actually shattering and becoming unstable. The computer itself may malfunction and fail to sync properly.
Very few Audi R8 owners will need to be concerned about wishbone failure because it is an extremely rare problem, similar to the bearing issue with the Audi R8. However, depending on the type of failure and the timing of the failure, wishbone failure can be serious, difficult to repair, and even hazardous.
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Ignition Coil Failure
One of the less serious problems that Audi R8s can experience is ignition coil failure. Even though it happens more frequently than the other two issues we’ve mentioned, premature ignition coil failure in your Audi R8 is still uncommon.
Your engine may misfire or sputter when starting up or accelerating if your ignition coil fails. The ignition coil is also among the simplest common issues with Audi R8s to fix, despite this. A defective or damaged ignition coil is simple to swap out, and this usually addresses the issues right immediately.
Other engine parts may occasionally be harmed by ignition coil failure, however this usually happens when the ignition coil isn’t fixed right away.
Reliable Audi R8 Model Years
What about the remaining Audi R8 models? We’ve already discussed the Audi R8 model years to stay away from. Since this car has such high scores from both professional reviewers and consumers, there aren’t any R8 models that are genuinely known for being unreliable.
The fact that Audi doesn’t make many modifications between model years contributes to some of that stability. Audi only makes minor surface and feature changes from year to year because the engineering and parts are sound and function well together.
That’s advantageous because it contributes significantly to the abundance of dependable Audi R8 models. These dependable model years are as follows:
- 2009
- 2010
- 2011
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
- 2017
- 2018
- 2019
There are a few factors to consider regarding the R8’s string of dependable years. Due to the R8’s conservative attitude to changes, neither the incidence of problems nor the number of trouble years are very high.
Fortunately, it also implies that any new Audi R8 vehicles that are introduced will probably be just as reliable, strong, and powerful as earlier generations.
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Which Audi R8 Models Are Good Used Vehicles?
There aren’t any really subpar Audi R8 cars available right now if you’re thinking about buying one. If you’re searching for an older vehicle that is still a terrific value even used, the 2008 model is still going strong. There are a few minor upgrades in more recent models, but there aren’t many significant structural differences between previous and newer models of the R8.
That also implies that if you’re searching for a more efficient vehicle, you don’t necessarily need to attempt to acquire the newest releases. Even vintage Audi R8s continue to deliver outstanding performance, fuel economy, and other attributes of a high-performance car.
Get a Curated List of the Best Used Cars Near You
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How dependable is the R8 V10 Audi?
The Audi R8 is a fairly dependable vehicle, but like any German vehicle, it is not without its share of problems, particularly electrical ones.
The magnetic suspension shocks that can leak and render a used R8 (both V8 and V10) useless are arguably one of the most significant faults to watch out for. What’s even worse is that the majority of used R8s fall into this range, meaning that this problem can start to exist below 20k miles. For this reason, it is crucial that you conduct a PPI before purchasing. If you do acquire a car that is under warranty, this can usually be remedied under the warranty clause, but if it doesn’t, you’re out of luck and would be better off investing in a new set of V10 plus coilovers (which aren’t cheap by any means either).
R-Tronic clutches can soon deteriorate if they are operated improperly or in conjunction with launch control. However, you can always acquire a clutch life reading at a PPI to be sure. Manual clutches should last a little bit longer. Otherwise, the cost of a new clutch, including labor and materials, might reach $5,000.
The air conditioning unit failing is another issue that is known to arise. In most cars, this is a straightforward easy fix, but with the R8, things get incredibly difficult and expensive if not covered by warranty. Fortunately, the V10 does not require engine removal like the V8 does only to fix this component.
The Audi R8 is fairly indestructible except from a few small hiccups, although individual results may vary. Do your homework in advance and always obtain a PPI.
Is buying a R8 worth it?
The Audi R8: A Good or Bad Car? Yes, the Audi R8 is a quality vehicle. A throaty V10 engine with plenty of power and hair-raising acceleration is standard on all variants. The R8 rides comfortably and handles well.
Is the Audi R8 a reliable everyday vehicle?
A surprisingly good alternative for a daily driver is the Audi R8. The two seats are comfy and roomy enough to make a short or even a long commute bearable, but the interior isn’t very big and it’s not a viable alternative if you want to have more than one passenger.
Purchasing a secondhand R8 will help reduce your anxiety regarding mileage increases, but the vehicles are unusual enough that you may log miles without worrying about the vehicle’s value depreciating.
Does the Audi R8 have issues?
Despite the R8’s status as a supercar and its possibly demanding use, few issues have been documented. Although a few V8s experienced bottom-end bearing failures, in general, the engines are (metaphorically) impenetrable. Oil lines can corrode, and defective ignition coils can lead to misfires, so keep an ear out for any strange noises.
Nissan GT-R2007 to 2021
The sixth-generation Nissan GT-R is the first supercar on our list of the most dependable models (R35). Nissan’s brutally swift Godzilla, one of the fastest vehicles to ever leave Japan, has been in production since 2007 and can produce between 480 and 565 horsepower.
Since Nissan components are so widely available and labor rates are typically average for the brand, many owners claim that maintenance costs are not significantly higher than those of a typical automobile.
Motor Trend estimates that the 5-year cost of ownership of a new GT-R will cost you $9,000 in maintenance and $2,000 in repairs.
Overall, that works out to $11,000 over the course of five years, or just under $2,000 a year. This is not too terrible for a supercar that can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just three seconds.
Aston Martin V8 Vantage2009 to 2016
This Aston Martin boasts contemporary James Bond styling and incredible performance. It has a V8 engine that generates 380 to 420 horsepower for less than $40,000 for some older models, which is a remarkable deal for a vehicle that originally cost over $120,000.
Imagine getting an Aston Martin for less than you would pay for a brand-new, top-of-the-line Toyota Camry.
Its dependability has also proven unexpectedly good, as evidenced by the numerous accounts of people who regularly drive their Vantage with little problems.
For instance, renowned auto journalist Doug Demuro notably kept track of all of his expenses when owning a V8 Vantage for a year. Freddy “Tavarish Hernandez, a journalist for Jalopnik, also talked about his experiences with a 2017 V8 Vantage that he purchased for only $36,000.
He mentioned that the oil changes at the dealer cost about $300, which isn’t too outrageous for a supercar, and that the front engine area was very simple to reach.
Although this generation of the Vantage made its debut in 2006, we believe the ideal years to focus on are 2009 and up because that is when Aston Martin started to fix some of the issues.
These included things like upgrades to the O2 sensors and the caliber of the interior leather.
Ferrari F4302006 to 2009
On our list of the most dependable supercars, a Ferrari appeared! Although earlier Prancing Horse models may have had a bad reputation for quality, the F430 has shown to be very dependable and reasonably inexpensive to service.
It was the first Ferrari to use an engine timing chain rather than a belt, which were more prone to failure and needed maintenance every 15,000 miles.
There are still some issues to be aware of. The major problems some owners had were with the motor mounts and the exhaust manifold.
The F430 was introduced in 2005, although we advise looking for a 2006 model or later because that year saw a change to the F1 hydraulic pump.
A 2008 or 2009 model would be ideal because that year Ferrari improved the exhaust manifold.
In any case, unlike earlier models, the F430 is a contemporary Ferrari that can be driven on a daily basis.
Audi R82006 to present
In 2006, Audi released the R8, marking their entry into the supercar industry. Since then, they’ve built about 40,000 R8snearly twice as many as the majority of the vehicles on this listin two generations.
Audi has been able to refine the R8 through mass production, making it one of the most dependable supercars available for purchase either new or used.
But what gives it its superpowers? The first-generation R8 had a 420 horsepower V8 and a massive, Lamborghini-sourced V10 that arrived in 2009 and produced 525 horsepower.
But the R8’s cutting-edge electronics can eventually break down. The magnetic suspension shocks’ potential leakage has been one of the main problems. The cost to replace the shocks at each corner of the car might range from $5,000 to $10,000, depending on the price of the parts and labor.
The R8 is a superb used value as well as a reliable option for a new supercar because the engines have been considered as being comparatively indestructible.
Lexus LFA2010 to 2012
Without a Lexus, no ranking of the most dependable supercars is complete. Toyota’s luxury brand is known for its high quality, and the company’s foray into the market for supercars only served to reinforce this image.
The LFA made its dbut in 2010, and Lexus only produced 500 units globally. It was one of the priciest Japanese automobiles ever sold, with a base price of $375,000 (which many dealerships were able to markup due to the exceptionally low availability).
The incredible 4.8-liter V10 used in the LFA, which was put through rigorous testing at the Nurburgring, produced 553 horsepower.
It was constructed with the same renowned Lexus quality that the company has developed over the course of more than 30 years. LFAs are a great choice for a dependable supercar, according to a luxury sports car broker who spoke with Motor Trend and who specializes in LFAs. He highlighted that service charges have been relatively affordable while services are straightforward compared to other supercars.
Ford GT2005 to 2006, 2017 to present
If you can find a Ford GT, it’s one of the most dependable supercars you can buy. Prices for second generation models of the Ford GT have recently surpassed $1 million, suggesting that both generations of the car are continuing to appreciate in value.
The fact that their engines are simply tweaked copies of the power plants used in millions of Fords worldwide contributes to their status as a premium automobile.
For instance, Ford’s EcoBoost engine, which is used in mass-produced vehicles like the F-150, Focus, and Taurus, was adapted for the second-generation GT. This has made it possible for Ford to perfect its winning formula and be sure that the engine in the GT is long-lasting.
Doug Demuro also owned a GT for 13 years, and during that time, he spent slightly about $17,000 on maintenance and repairs.
That amounts to just $1,300 annually, which is quite affordable for a vehicle that generates 550 horsepower.
Acura NSX1997 to 2005
Despite having a relatively low power output, the renowned Acura NSX manages to make this list of the most dependable supercars. Be that as it may, the NSX is every bit as capable as any other vehicle on our list.
Its interior was modeled after the cockpit of an F-16 fighter jet, and it was built with the assistance of Formula One driver Ayrton Senna.
Even though the first-generation NSX only produced 270 horsepower, that is still quite a feat considering it is powered by a 3.0 liter V6. It also made up for its limited output with its small weight, nimble handling, and high-quality construction.
In fact, the NSX was one of the first supercars that was considered reliable enough to be driven on a daily basis.
The NA2 generation, which began in 1997 when Acura made some performance enhancements to increase output to 290 horsepower, is what we believe to be the ideal target years.
Although this older car’s parts are becoming a little more pricey, routine maintenance is still reasonably priced. According to Repair Pal, a routine tune-up only cost $354.
That is an advantage of being created and constructed by the engineering and production team of Honda.
A man who regularly rides his NSX and took it on a cross-country road trip was also profiled by Road and Track for his voyage (even through the snow). His NSX maintained its reliability after 172,000 kilometers without any problems. The only thing he noticed was how quickly his back tires degraded.
Lexus LC2018 to present
The newest supercar from Lexus is also regarded as one of the most dependable ones on the market right now. With a gigantic 5.0-liter V-8 engine that produces 471 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, the LC500 was introduced in 2018.
Another option is a hybrid model that combines a V6 gasoline engine with two electric motors.
There is no doubt that the LC will maintain Lexus’ reputation for producing dependable automobiles, which the company’s reputation for reliability is only growing.
Given that Lexus is frequently cited as the most dependable brand on the market and that their first supercar has shown to be incredibly dependable, we believe that the LCs are equally well-made and should give owners many miles of stress-free enjoyment.
Porsche 911 Turbo1975 to present
The Porsche 911 Turbo tops the list of world’s most dependable supercars. No other manufacturer on this list produces as many narrowly targeted sports vehicles as Porsche.
In actuality, since 1963, they have created over 1 million 911s, providing them experience unequaled by any other company.
This claim is also supported by studies and surveys. For the second time in the last three years, J.D. Power ranked the 911 the most dependable car on the market.
The 911 Turbo has a bigger engine that gives it supercar-level acceleration while maintaining the same robustness of the base 911 models. One of the fastest cars that Car and Driver has ever tested is the most recent 992 Turbo S, which produces 640 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to 60 mph in under 2.2 seconds.
We estimate that the 911 Turbo would cost around $12,000 in maintenance and repairs over the course of 5 years, which is in line with Edmunds’ estimate for the 911 Carerra. Given the incredible performance the 911 Turbo provides, $2,000 to $3,000 a year is a very modest expense.