New member needs some input

[shezmon]

Hello fine Gentlemen and ladies (if any)
I am a newbie at this forum, looks very interesting and helpful. I have been in a debate for a long time for a super car. I have been torn between an r8 or a gallardo. I currently have an 09 bmw m5, for those who don't know its a v10 and is a very strong sedan. I want something that'll make me not miss my m5 too much.
Maintenance cost is also a factor between a lambo and Audi, Any insight? What kind of things should i be looking for if i go for an r8? should i buy from private party or dealer? What kind of warranty does it come with? any major issues w/ certain years? Thanx in advance for your inputs.
I have seen some in person but never had a chance to ride in one, i wonder if i go to audi whether they allow for a test drive.
Thank you again
Kevin.

[M3R8]

Kevin, most of your questions have been answered in this forum and you should try the search function to do some reading.

That said, the M5 is a great sedan, but the R8 is not a sedan by any means... It's a two seater with very little luggage space.

If you want a supercar, the V10 is a supercar can can be easily beefed up to unimaginable power levels (that you won't need) should you get bored with it.

From what I know the maintenance would be very similar to what you're used to on your BMW.

Buying private has the good old known risks attached to the deal, if you know about those and can watch out, you can probably get a better deal than buying a used car from a shop.

No major issues with any years, buy what you can afford... the newer the better obviously, and V10 rather than V8 if you can afford it.

An Audi dealer with used cars on the floor, or with a test car as well as a private person looking to sell should allow you a test drive, especially if you drive in with your M5.

Bottom line the R8 and M5 are totally different cars, if you like big sedans and all that goes with them, you might miss it. It just depends what kind of person you are, what your daily needs are, if you have another car or not, all of this is stuff we can't decide for you

I would not consider an M5 as it's a big sedan and I have no need or desire driving a boat on the highway.

[mark25]

Welcome to the forum An R8 and a Gallardo are a million miles away when it comes to service cost. For instance you can put an R8 on a longer service plan which means it only needs servicing every 15,000 - 20,000 miles. A gallardo by comparison will need servicing every 7,500 miles. The actual cost of each service will vary drastically also, allow on average £2,500 for each lambo service where as my last R8 service was only £500. Not to mention the dreaded clutch change, some members on this forum have managed to get over 40,000 miles out of their original clutch! A lambo clutch will last 12,000 miles on average and cost £5,000 to change! Dont get me around I love the Gallardo, i just love the freedom the R8 gives you as you dont need to worry so much and can just enjoy driving it! I am only 25 but my local Audi treated me very well when it came to test drives. I also test drove a Gallardo and it felt so similar to the R8 it was spooky!

[R8Spyderman]

I would not consider an M5 as it's a big sedan and I have no need or desire driving a boat on the highway.

You were doing fine. Why did you have to flame him at the last second? How unwelcoming a comment that was!

[M3R8]

You're right in a way, although it was just a personal view not just about that particular car but the entire segment, like the MB E55... The M5 is a great highway machine for those who need or like big cars.

And my apologies if it offended the OP, it wasn't really my intention.

[randombloke]

More dealers means easier access to servicing and as mentioned above it's incredibly reasonable in terms of running costs. That's one of the main factors for me that swings it to the r8 over other cars in the same sector and the reason I'm going v8>v10 rather than changing to a different marque.

the m5 is certainly not a direct like-for-like to the r8, and I trust you'll be going v10 on the r8 so you shouldn't feel a drop in straight line pace like you'd have with the v8 (I came from m6 to r8 and it was noticeable). The big differences with an r8 are the way it feels and handles the moment things get twisty, the grip and the way it looks special rather than being a hot version of an everyday sight.

It has a real sense of occasion and presence that the bmw m's don't have imo.

the obvious loss is in practicality - if you don't have other cars to fill the lugging role of the m5 - for people and stuff - then you'd have to give serious thought to how that compromise would work out for you.

there are enough r8's out there and old enough that you should have no real problem getting a test drive if you roll up in an m5 and can talk-the-talk showing it's not just an idle whim.

[SebringSilver]

I have been torn between an r8 or a gallardo.

Are you talking new or used? I think the older Gallardos are starting to look quite dated now, and I would really try to get into an LP560-4 if you really do decide to go the Gallardo route. If you're going to use this as a daily driver (to replace the Bimmer), the R8 wins hands down. It may not pack quite the same wallop (R8 4.2 vs. Gallardo; or R8 5.2 vs. LP560-4), but it more than makes up for that by being infinitely more user friendly.

I've come up against many an M5 in my AMG days, and they're amazing cars. But I think you'll really enjoy the switch to a proper sports car. Happy shopping!

[FiftyPence]

Member SBFV10 on here has both an M5 and an R8, you should contact him for more info.

[SSIIICK]

I want to mention the Audi Care that is available for both the R8 4.2 and R8 5.2. It's basically the same warranty you have with your M5. All the services are covered up to 50,000 miles (only thing you pay for with the R8 is clutch, brakes, tires). If you are looking to purchase new, the Audi Care is about $1,000. If you are looking for pre-owned, the Audi Care is transferable. I would probably go with the V10 R8 over the Gallardo, but if they were sitting in front of me it would certainly be a tough decision.

[LAT]

I have both the M5 and the R8 V10. There is not much to compare other than that they are both well made German cars.
My M5 is my daily driver even in winter with snow tires. It is big, seats four comfortably and is one of the fastest sedans out there.
The R8 is every bit a supercar, I could not use it as a daily driver for all the reasons stated Plus I can park the M5 anywhere and no one will notice.