R8 New Delivery -- First Impressions

[ozmunky]

Folks

New to the forum and also the R8.

Taken delivery month ago of new R8 black with sigma blades and most options.

Anyone seen these little things before :

(i) when turning full lock in a car park there is a juddering sound and vibration feeling especially when cold embarrasing in front of passengers -- know its power steering/quattro related somewhere -- but it should be smooth
(ii) clutch pedal travel is a bit far -- can it be adjusted to take up earlier -- heard they are auto adjusting -- makes for adjusting seat position every time
(iii) changing from 2nd to 3rd isnt very confident feeling and feels not quite right sometimes although there is a knack to it
(iv) tappet rattle in engine (still being run in and not taken above 5000rpm yet)

Also suprising how low the gear ratios are -- first gear is almost not needed and could probably do with a taller 6th as well.

Have had squeaky brakes like other threads but seems to have settled.

Car definitely runs better on 99 Octane grade fuel eg Shell V-Power etc.

Agree that its probably not an everyday car -- not for London anyway.
As you can see just getting used to it -- but great car all the same!

[gazza1]

Congrats with the new R8 and welcome to the forum.

A couple of points you raised are similar to my R8.

Occasionally I will get a slight judder when turning depending on the surface of the road..but I have been advised that this is normal for this car.

Clutch pedal on mine is spot on and never have a problem.

Agree your comments on gear ratio's..particularly 3000 revs at 110kmh in 6th.

Changing gears does take some practice with this car..but must say I love this shifter.When I change it always feels positive with no vagueness,this is regardless if its a lazy change or snap change.I should also mention I just had my manual gearbox changed which concerned me a bit as the change prior to the changeover was fabulous..but its even better now.

I must say when I first got my R8 I was surprised by "tappet rattle" but has gone with 9000k on the clock.

Never had squeaky brakes...ever!

98 octane really should be the minimum you use.

[V8DHA]

Hi and congrats on what can only be described as an excellent choice of motor. Juddering on tight lock when driving slowly is probably the limited slip diff on the front axle. Quite normal it seems. I put up with the judder in preference to parking too quickly! Enjoy your car.

[harrison]

Congradulations !........ Maybe with some more practice you will be rid of that jutter .I have the automatic though and once I got the hang of it I am able to do three point turn arounds just like every one else (with more sedate cars).

[swansailor]

Hi and congrats on what can only be described as an excellent choice of motor. Juddering on tight lock when driving slowly is probably the limited slip diff on the front axle. Quite normal it seems. I put up with the judder in preference to parking too quickly! Enjoy your car.

The issue of the juddering from the front wheels has been discussed on this forum in the past. When I first experienced it on my new car I called Audi and was told that it is normal and is the result of the the front steering geometry. See: Do you have the same R8 issues?

[ozmunky]

Thanks Chaps for the warm welcome and the informative comments.

Looking thru the threads here, there are some excellent posters and hope I can contribute in some way. Some of the knowledge, particularly from the US is very impressive indeed.

With respect to the juddering on full lock, I have arranged for a second opinion from Audi UK via one of their R8 tech specialists here in London.

I will post the results of my visit and any comments (I suspect they will say whats already been posted).

Kind Regards

Munky

[Vincent]

Congrats on the new R8.
I agree with you on the short gear ratio. Makes wonder how they claim top speed of 185mph.

[dk996tt]

hope that is a problem that can be easily rectified. my R8 just came into the dealer and i am waiting for them to put the clear bra on it before i pick mine up.

[09R8]

dk996tt, what color and options did you get?

[randombloke]

congrats, I'm sure you'll love the car.

as has been said above, the judder is normal - I've attached audi's own notes on it.