Gen 1 R8 v. F80

[RowanBuds]

I'm getting to the new car stage of life again and am really only considering 2 cars next. Either going to be a 2012/2014 V-10 R8 or an individual '18 M3.

I really like my F80, and think if I had ordered it in the 6 speed I wouldn't be looking to replace it.

I've spoken to some who have driven the F80 in DCT and MT extensively and the response from 6MT owners has been heavily skewed towards "Wow, I couldn't believe this is the same car as mine" regarding power delivery and the viciousness of the DCT . It seems to have left them somewhat disappointed in the performance of the manual comparatively.

So - two questions here:

Anyone who has owned / extensively driven a DCT and then went to a 6MT F8x - can you speak to going from one into the other?

Anyone had a good deal of seat time in a 10cyl 6MT R8 and F8x - Would you even hesitate to go R8 if cost wasn't a consideration?

I just can't do a 911.......I know it's usually the correct answer in just about any price segment, but not for me.

[JuanK20]

F80 and R8 are just 2 totally different cars. It's hard to compare. There are too many factors. Is this car going to be a daily? Do you enjoy long drives? If so, F80 all the way.

Also, If you're like me, and get bored of cars easily, depreciation will be a big factor. F80's are not holding their value too well. If you're planning to sell in a few years you'll probably get more money back with the R8.

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by JuanK20

F80 and R8 are just 2 totally different cars. It's hard to compare. There are too many factors. Is this car going to be a daily? Do you enjoy long drives? If so, F80 all the way.

Also, If you're like me, and get bored of cars easily, depreciation will be a big factor. F80's are not holding their value too well. If you're planning to sell in a few years you'll probably get more money back with the R8.

Pretty close to my same thoughts re: depreciation here.

Car will be a weekend toy. Not daily driven, but occasionally taken to work if weather is nice. Always garaged, and will be well maintained. Wouldn't buy it without a good 3rd party warranty either, so the running/maintenance costs aren't a huge concern on this choice.

I do enjoy long drives, but really don't think that's something the R8 doesn't excel at. I've done a handful of multi-thousand mile road trips in my F80 and it's been superb - BUT. The steering feel leaves much to be desired. And, my god, that sound. I know, it's gotten better over time, grown on people, and isn't as bad as say a 4-cylinder, but still. It's not delivering what I'm looking for on that front and is one of the primary reasons of me wanting to change cars. That and the transmission choice.

Really am most concerned with deciding to go with another F80 but in a 6-speed and being disappointed in it compared to my DCT in terms of adrenaline kick/violently quick putting on speed.

I'm give or take 80% leaning R8, but having some complex's internally:
A. Getting over that mental threshold of dropping 6 figures on a car.
B. Can I really deal with the attention that driving an R8 may bring?


Those are the big hurdles at the moment, and the ones making me contemplate just doing another F80. In my mind though, as said earlier, is resale. If I do another F80 in the spec I'd want, I'm looking at somewhere around 84-87K. That car in 3-4 years will be worth maybe 52k. That's nearing a 40k loss over 3-4 years. To me, on a low mileage R8 bought at lets say 105k, shouldn't ever be a 65k car (As long as under 50k miles when I'm done with it).

Yes it's a bigger check on day 1. But, the F80 in my mind will never appreciate much over its value now, and I could easily see the manual R8 begin its upward curve in the next 2 years.

[Who's on first]

I can chime in on your 1st question.

Opposite direction though.

I had a 6MT F82 for 17,xxx miles.

I now have a DCT F82 with 23,xxx miles.

I miss the 6MT.

[FriskyDingo]

If you get the R8 with a manual, this isn't even a debate, imo. That car is absolutely sublime. Easily able to be driven daily or on a long trip, and orders of magnitude more visceral and thrilling than an F80, imo. It's worth it for the manual and N/A V10 alone. The last of a dying breed that I think will appreciate greatly in the future.

If you have the means, R8 all the way. No way will you regret it.

[JTO24]

I'm in the R8 camp as well; especially if it's just going to be a weekend car.

[///F80M3]

New generation R8 is where it's at.

[neilum]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

I'm getting to the new car stage of life again and am really only considering 2 cars next. Either going to be a 2012/2014 V-10 R8 or an individual '18 M3.

I really like my F80, and think if I had ordered it in the 6 speed I wouldn't be looking to replace it.

I've spoken to some who have driven the F80 in DCT and MT extensively and the response from 6MT owners has been heavily skewed towards "Wow, I couldn't believe this is the same car as mine" regarding power delivery and the viciousness of the DCT . It seems to have left them somewhat disappointed in the performance of the manual comparatively.

So - two questions here:

Anyone who has owned / extensively driven a DCT and then went to a 6MT F8x - can you speak to going from one into the other?

Anyone had a good deal of seat time in a 10cyl 6MT R8 and F8x - Would you even hesitate to go R8 if cost wasn't a consideration?

I just can't do a 911.......I know it's usually the correct answer in just about any price segment, but not for me.

hey fellow bergen county'er... If you don't need 4 doors, R8 all the way.

F80 is probably faster but overall driving experience of course isn't the same. One has to come up from a 3 series and the other a mid engine dedicated sports car.

I only have an F80 because I have kids and need 4 doors. If I didn't need the room I wouldn't be in an M3, as good as it is.

[rob p]

R8 without a doubt.

If you have any concerns about depreciation get the manual v10 and you probably won't lose a penny in 3-4 years. Higher buy in but you will lose quite a bit on the M so the justification is there.

The R8 manual is also one of my next car choices, either that or a 911.

[fusionchicken]

R8 hands down. The engine is behind your head.

[aajjcc]

LFA for better v10 sound

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

New generation R8 is where it's at.

Out of my comfort zone $-wise, and needs to be a 6 speed.

Originally Posted by aajjcc

LFA for better v10 sound

WAY out of my comfort zone $-wise, and needs to be a 6 speed. If budget weren't a factor, it'd be a CGT all day.

Originally Posted by rob p

R8 without a doubt.

If you have any concerns about depreciation get the manual v10 and you probably won't lose a penny in 3-4 years. Higher buy in but you will lose quite a bit on the M so the justification is there.

The R8 manual is also one of my next car choices, either that or a 911.

That's the plan, V-10 manual.

Thanks all - I know it seems an easy decision, but there are some factors at play here, namely 6MT F80 compared to the DCT; and then the whole six-figures, and another ten or more racks on top of the initial hundred thing..

[RowanBuds]

Originally Posted by neilum

hey fellow bergen county'er... If you don't need 4 doors, R8 all the way.

F80 is probably faster but overall driving experience of course isn't the same. One has to come up from a 3 series and the other a mid engine dedicated sports car.

I only have an F80 because I have kids and need 4 doors. If I didn't need the room I wouldn't be in an M3, as good as it is.

Fully understood - btw, I'm hoping we get some nice driving weather around here soon. Car's been parked for a full month now.

Don't think the F80 would be quicker than the R8 at all, but yes dynamically it'd be a wholly different animal.

I have no need for 4 doors, so practicality/utility is no concern in the fun car any longer.

[dnanrub]

Buddy of mine has the r8v10 - driven it a few times and it's magical. If I had the choice in front of you, I wouldn't hesitate on the r8.

If you end up with the R8 check out the akrapovic - the noise it makes is awesome

[neilum]

Originally Posted by RowanBuds

Fully understood - btw, I'm hoping we get some nice driving weather around here soon. Car's been parked for a full month now.

Don't think the F80 would be quicker than the R8 at all, but yes dynamically it'd be a wholly different animal.

I have no need for 4 doors, so practicality/utility is no concern in the fun car any longer.

My bad I thought you were looking at the V8 R8. Missed that detail.

I would get the V10 R8 without a second thought. And yes the V10 R8 is in another league performance wise...

[KevinM]

The manual V10 R8 will be a classic. Not too many to choose from however. If I didn't want/need stealth for my line of work, I'd be all over one. I thought about one as my "fun" car, but I don't want to sell my Z4M coupe and I'm out of garage space.

[48Laws]

Originally Posted by ///F80M3

New generation R8 is where it's at.

North of $200k, too.

[cwhands]

I know you track your F80 - Times will suffer without the DCT but I feel like connection & enjoyment will improve. The real issue with the 6MT is that wonky torque management system.

It's easy for everyone on here to tell you where to spend your money - that R8 will be $$$ maintenance wise from my understanding. Lots to consider all around. Edit: just read the post about the warranty you'd be getting.

Switch it up with the R8 maybe?

[azn_fcuk]

R8 is such a sexy car... and the v10 is the icing on the cake.
Sensibly as a daily I find the f80 much more convenient and very respected in the roads...
If it was a weekend boot around or if you were a weekend barstar warrior then the R8 all day long.

I enjoy the f80 for the all in one meal deal.

[adc]

If you’re not planning to track it or daily drive it, then another vote for the manual V10 R8. The looks, the sound, the experience...

I do think they will eventually go up in value but you may have to wait 4-5 years.


I am thinking an Individual M3 as my next car, and depreciation is a concern. However I plan to get it heavily discounted and do Euro Delivery as well.

[RowanBuds]

Here's the update. Going to keep my '15. Lots of $ already into it. Mileage is low. Buyout is a happy number. And I know the entire history.

Couldn't get my build approved the way I wanted it; not settling on spec for a newer one when the one I have is very well equipped.

Did the "what car compares with it at the 53-58 range?" Thing. Come up with nothing really gripping me without spending significantly more.

Will allow me to bump up my non-tax deferred retirement accounts significantly and leave some capital flexibility in the event I find something else that catches my fancy.

[NoMoreAudi]

Looks like you already made your decision but I have a 2nd gen R8+ as a WW and there is no comparison. The 2 best things about the R8 (there are more than just 2) are the orgasmic engine sounds at the higher RPMs (inside and outside) and the transmission. It is so smooth, precise and surprisingly quick. The car really begs to be driven hard.

I always enjoy listening to music when I drive but the music only plays in the R8 if I'm stopped at a light.

2017 + can be had for 20-30k off msrp (new). I don't know about the 2018... but I recommend buying used with 1 or 2 years left with a warranty.

There's a lot of videos on youtube about the car... but like anything, you have to drive it to really appreciate it.