v8 to v10

[riverflyer]

I did a search but did not find the answer. Have any of you guys owned a v8 and then switched to the v10? I would like to hear the firsthand good and bad(if there is any). I have a fair amount of seat time in the 8 but none in the 10 and do not know anyone who has one.
I am seriously considering selling my tt and getting the r8 and wondering if the 10 is worth the premium. thanks, John

[CPBRI]

Haven't driven the V8, but judging by the interest in turbo-charging it and the desire for more power, I'd say the V10 is the way to go.

Can't go wrong with either model, but the extra oomph from the V10 is worth it.

[riverflyer]

I have a couple of big hp cars for the sheer speed thing. I had an Aston V8 and the R8 is similar in that its a beautiful car that handles well, is fun to drive, has a good chasis and great exhaust note. Its easy to live with AND to look at but not "fast".
I was expecting the 10 to be a big step in performance numbers and its really not, so thats why I ask. Its an upgrade but modest and probably not as quick as the turbo'ed v8, although I am just guessing from experience with other cars.

[R8SAUDI]

I have both cars silver v8 and white v10.
NO Comparison.
SURE V10.
I Hate to ride the v8.
Even the slite diffrences on the look made the v10 looks much much better.

[peterh]

I had a V8 for 2 years and went into a V10 just a few weeks ago. HUGE difference. The V10 is really a different car. I was too originally worried if the $ premium to get into a V10 was worth it, but after the first few drives, it was evident that it was (to me)

My first V10 drive was at Infineon - and had several expereinces there before with the previous V8's. Within the first few minutes the difference in power was stunning. I will say I feel that the suspension on the V10 is ever-so slightly "softer", even with the sport button set on. This is a minor thing and really only something you might notice when really pushing it on the track.

For me, the upgrade was worth it. I also switched form a 6MT to a R-Tronic and am 100% happy that I went that road. It seems some significant software updates had been done on the newer R-tronics as they seem much smoother.

[riverflyer]

Peter,
What year was your v8? I heard the rtronic software was upgraded at some point. I wonder if the v10 software was upgraded again?

Would love to see some pics of the velvet purple, sounds like an interesting color.

[hmp10]

I had an '08 R8 for two years, which I traded in January to order a V10. I picked up the V10 in Chicago this week and drove it back down to Naples, FL. It retained everything I loved about the V8 -- the handling precision, the stiff structure, the slick 6-speed manual shifter, the comfort -- but it added the power I missed in the V8.

I had worried whether I'd have the discipline to stay below 6000 rpm during the first 600 miles as the break-in requires. I now have 1550 miles on the car and cannot find a public road that safely allows me to break 6000 in any but the first two gears. I loved the V8, but you really had to get into the revs to extract real power, and I occasionally bounced off the rev limiter accidentally. With the V10, I don't get anywhere close without really trying.

What most astonished me, though, was the pulling power in 6th gear. I'd be going 80 mph on the interstate and, when an opening presented itself, I'd sometimes punch it without downshifting. I'd be passing 120 before I knew it if I didn't pay attention . . . even on an upward incline.

Perhaps the passage of time has muddied my memory, but this car seems to pull like the SL55 AMG I had with 516 lb/ft of torque and which felt like a locomotive.

Worth the price difference? Yep. Every penny of it.

[riverflyer]

Thanks for the good answer. I could almost feel the drive due to your enthusiasm!
Any v10's traveling the coast hiway north between SF and Oregon this summer???
Please stop and take me for a ride.

[peterh]

Peter,
What year was your v8? I heard the rtronic software was upgraded at some point. I wonder if the v10 software was upgraded again?

Would love to see some pics of the velvet purple, sounds like an interesting color.

My V8 was one of the very first ones delivered in 2008. It was a 6MT though so didnt have much time in the R-tronics other than on the track in Sonoma at the Audi Driving Experience. Everything I heard, they were quite jerky for day-day around town driving. The V10 I know has had software upgrades for the R-Tronic and Im quite happy with the feel of the shifting.

[akionan]

I'm hoping to upgrade to a V10 soon as well. My main motivation is to get a newer car and it seems only logical to step up to the V10. Love my R8 V8, but more power seems to always be a good thing. If anyone is interested in purchasing my 2008 R8 V8, head over to the for sale section.