Does anyone feel like I do?

[woodranch]

Having a RTronic 2012 V-10 has brought me great joy.Now I see the 2013 will have the dual clutch system which makes shifting seamless.For all of you that have the RTronic and heard its constant griping and negative reviews, are we in for a huge hit on our resale value of our cars in the future.Are any of you still truly happy you have the RTronic over the new dual clutch system.According to Motor Trend the 2013 is a huge improvement over the current RTronic.Feel a little bummed I did not hold on for a year but I am sure many of you forum members can shed some positive light on this situation! Looking forward to hearing many of your thought because you are in the exact situation as myself.

[Jeff]

A couple weeks ago I had a chance to drive the new RS5, which basically has the R8's V8 and the new dual clutch automatic. The experience was completely underwhelming and even realizing that the RS5 is and never will be an R8, I have no interest in the dual clutch in an R8. (I have the dual clutch in my 2010 S4, and for what I wanted that car to do the transmission is exactly correct.)

The dual clutch in the RS5 was simple too smooth. It's disengaging -- it separates you from the car. The R8, even with the R tronic -- which I have -- is a manual transmission car. The R tronic just removes the clutch. Those who complain about the R tronic suffer from the mistaken conclusion that the R tronic is an automatic transmission. It isn't. It's a manual that you can shift really really fast and never miss a gear. (Note to Audi - shouldn't have included the "A" mode.)

I've driven both the R tronic and standard clutched manual in the V8 R8. The regular clutched version is a great gearbox -- smooth clutch, wonderful feel when shifting, a delight to drive. But I definitely prefer the R tronic and I would gladly buy it again. If a new R8 is in my future, and the choice is between a manual and a dual clutch automatic, right now I'd go with the manual. It's simply a more engaging driving experience, and that is, after all, why we love the R8 over something like the RS5, wonderful as it is in its own right.

[Dr. G]

This is an interesting subject. It kind of reminds me of how, although slower, 6 speed 911 turbos always felt faster to me than the PDK - even though that is absolutely not true. With the car falling off boost during shifts with the 6 speed you end up getting a surge when re-engaging gears and rebuilding boost. I would get smoked by a PDK car, but would definitely enjoy feeling the turbo surges more in a 6 speed car.

From a performance and smoothness standpoint the S tronic will be much better than the R tronic. It all depends on what you're looking for. I will say that with the discounts available on the remaining '12s I would consider the R tronic to be a bargain. Considering people are getting 20K off sticker, if the R tronic is worth 10-20K less than it would have because the S tronic is coming I think I'm good with that.

[andyhofer]

right now I'd go with the manual. It's simply a more engaging driving experience, and that is, after all, why we love the R8 over something like the RS5, wonderful as it is in its own right.

Only ever driven one non manual stick shift car and hated it. Have to agree, I would always go for a manual stick shift as it connects me to the car as stated above, much more engaging.

[mmaturo]

I shall soon have an R8 GT to go with my RS5....but I went ahead and did the 2012 R tronic mainly since it is the proven transmission in the car and I am ok with it being a bit abrupt as this is a supercar after all. My RS6 was a rolling disaster in the transmission department so buying the first year of a new transmission in a car is not my idea of fun (I had 4 transmissions in my RS6 over 5 years). As for the RS5 leave the thing in dynamic and more importantly in sport mode and it is fantastic...just had a blast with the car on the track at Daytona (24 hour of Daytona course) this past weekend...it was always in the right gear and section of the power band...it is extremely well programmed. The car comes alive on the track. It is a very intuitive box and I am sure will be great in the R8 but I guess I would rather wait a year or two to make sure they hold up to the extra hp of the V10.

[Nudenut]

I love my R-Tronic, drive it as a manual and it is rewarding and engaging.

As said, I also have driven the S-Tronic in TTRS/RS5 and S4 and as good as it is, I found it soulless.

That is not sour grapes but driving is all about feel and in the same way the R-Tronic robs something from the MT lovers the ST leaves me cold.

[mstams]

I have the S-tronic in my RS5 and think it's fantastic. I would agree that in the normal mode it can be a bit boring although silky smooth. I drive exclusively in Dynamic mode and love the experience. The sound of the high RPM's, the feel of the engine braking, and rumble of the downshift blips is nothing like a traditional automatic in this mode. My guess is that in the R8 it will be very similar. The main difference will be the silky smooth Auto mode (which most owners will never use) that was not present in the R-tronic -- so I see it as a value-add. To me, the automated vs. manual debate is a totally separate issue from R-tronic vs S-tronic.

BTW - The V8 and the S-tronic are actually different in the R8 vs. RS5.

[SebringSilver]

I love my R-tronic. There's nothing wrong with it at all. If the S-tronic is as good as they say, I'll consider getting one on an all-new 2nd-generation R8 when it comes out. In the meantime, my R8 will continue to give me many months (perhaps years?) of motoring enjoyment, R-tronic and all.

[randombloke]

Big fan of the r-tronic too for the kind of driving I do, but I think it's inevitable that the s-tronic will be seen as the way to go as it is what people expect coming from a traditional automatic - or from a manual and wanting seamless fast shifts and better slow speed shifts.

Car journalists have always had a problem with single clutch automated manuals - they seem to always want to view them through the prism of a torque converter auto.

I just love the mechanical feel that the r-tronic retains, that the s-tronic dials out by its very nature.

[woodranch]

Thanks guys, you are making me feel better already!