R8 newbie seeking help

[decksurgeon]

Hi there everyone!

I just bought the R8 V8 without any testdrive or any experience with supercars before. Had been driving a BMW 7,5,3 series all my life and would like to try a supercar once in my lifetime.

So now, as much as I am excited waiting to take delivery soon, I am abit concern about how to drive this monster.

I know I bought the basic Auto version and not manual transmission, so here goes my silly question - do I drive it by engaging the gear shift to D to go forward and R for reversing it.

Please pardon me if I sounded rookie.

[the_buch]

It sounds like you got the R-Tronic, so spend a few minutes reading the relevant section of the manual which does a good job on this explanation. Then go out and practice a bit - you can't break it :-)

Yes to R for reverse and it's A for automatic in the forward direction. You will quickly realize you can do a lot better picking the shift points yourself with the + or -. And, you will soon get the subtlety of feathering the gas pedal when shifting figured out.

Enjoy and congratulations!

[decksurgeon]

Thank you very much!

Yes, it's a R-Tronic version.

I will try out the features in the cars once I take delivery.

[KfabR8]

Welcome to the wonderful world of R8 ownership and the site.

How do you drive this monster? With GUSTO!!

I bought mine the same way - found it, bought it, went to Houston to pick it up and drove it home. Had only seen pictures of it. Probably one of the best, most enjoyable off the hip moments of my life.

Don't baby the engine new. Break it in fairly hard and it will reward you with less oil consumption (R8's tend to go through about a quart every 4-5K, so don't be worried when it throws the "I want oil" light at you the first time.) Once again, the search function is your friend.

Do a search on driving w/the R-Tronic transmission. I've only experience it once and did not enjoy it (both of the R8s I've owned have been MT6), but from what everyone says, take the time to learn how to drive the transmission and it will reward you with great shifts, quick gear changes and fun, fun, fun.

Here's a recent thread on aspects of driving with the R-Tronic.

Here's a thread on the driving differences between the two transmissions.

Would you please put your location in your profile? There are many markets and often questions are specific to a location. It can help in the long run. Thanks.

Once again, welcome and ENJOY!!! This is a killer forum; everyone here's an R8 junkie and you'll discover that the help available is second to none.

Oh, and just because I'm a pain in the arse about this - ditch the Pirelli P-Zeros as soon as you can and put Michelin PS2s on it. Much better rubber.

[SSIIICK]

Congratulations. You're going to love it. We are here if you have any questions. Oh, and post some pics when you take delivery.

[decksurgeon]

Thanks guys! Appreciate your help very much.

One more thing, for curiosity sake, how to I get the fuel cap to open? I heard its like tapping your fingers on the side blade or something.

[RS4Cab]

Thanks guys! Appreciate your help very much.

One more thing, for curiosity sake, how to I get the fuel cap to open? I heard its like tapping your fingers on the side blade or something.

Are you pushing the release button first?

[KfabR8]

The trunk and fuel cap release are right there by the door pull on the driver's door. Just above the mirror control and window controls.

Push the button, feel like an F1 car (last year) as your fuel door pops open and you wheel to a stop at the pump.

[decksurgeon]

Alright, will go check it out. Thought I saw a video somewhere on the net with the driver tapping his fingers on the side blade where the fuel cover at, and that fuel cap just pop open sexily. I must be dreaming.

[M3R8]

I bought my V10 without ever driving an R8, met the dealer and took the car, instant pleasure and immediate "at home" feeling. The car drives just wonderful.

It felt like I was driving it for years already on the first day, a few days later it felt like I was driving it forever.

Took it up a nice curvy mountain road, first drive was pretty fast, the second one was supremely better.

My main problem with the car is that I find it quite difficult to cruise at anything lower than 200km/h (125mph) on the highway

Have fun!