Life Cycle

[TCC5]

Greetings,

I am interested in getting a R8 but a little concerned a complete redesign will be coming soon. What is the typical life cycle for audis before a complete redesign and also what is the life cycle after a refresh/facelift. I'm reading possible facelift soon for the R8 but I would hate to purchase the facelift model and in a year or two a compete redesign. TIA!

[NVRL8R8]

Not this again! Lol. There has been SOO many threads about this lately.
Here's my advice... Live for today, as tomorrow is never guaranteed!

Speculation is a minor 'face lift' may come for 2013 model (slight head and tail light changes possibly). Not enough to NOT go ahead and "seize the day" if you will.

[timborama]

You forgot about the DSG. Worth the wait, "Patience is a virtue."

[zondar]

Life cycles? I only have one. If I died in a year while waiting, I'd have looked down or up from wherever I was and I'd be royally ticked off that I hadn't been driving my car instead of waiting!

But, if it's that important to you, you should wait. You have my permission. Indeed, there ought to be a minor face-lift in a year or two. Definitely within 3 years for at least a new shape for the arc of LED's. That would be big news! And a DSG within at least 5 years, maybe 6 tops. Of course, the V10 will be history and the V8 (or make that a V6?) will be turbocharged and will sound like it's breathing through a straw. But hey, life cycles are serious stuff. WAIT!

[TCC5]

Thanks for the info. This will be my first Audi although I did place an order for a S5 in '08 but backed out as the dealer advised it will take awhile to build at that time. I know MBs usually have a life cycle of 7 years before a total redesign. Just checking to see what Audi's typical life cycle is before a redesign. Definitely looking forward for the S-Tronic (although many prefers the R-Tronic)and eventhough I would like to get the V10, looks like rumors of possibly V8TT will replace it. I was looking at getting the SLS but wanted something different as I've had MBs most of the time and the R8 V10 Spyder fit the bill. Another possibility was to wait for the 991TT in 2 years (whenever the turbo comes out) but my buddy with a 911 Turbo says his 997TT is not exotic enough and to go for the R8 instead. Looks like I'll continue to check for updates in the coming months and hopefully by next year's Geneva auto show we'll have more answers.

[mngolfer]

I have an early 2004 A8 as well as the R8. Audi came out with a new "facelift" A8 model in 2011. That is about all the reference points I have for Audi.

My A8 has 172K miles on it. I would not trade it for a new one it is that good.

[technomania]

Audi started the R8 back in 2006, so if 2012/2013 the facelift is coming out, do the math ..

[soho]

You should definitely wait. I heard that for 2013, you no longer have to press the Park Assist button to manually turn it on when desired. It's a huge inconvenience.

[jy7785a]

audi is just starting to take orders on the r8GT spyder so there is likely a year left in the life cycle

[harrison]

How many years did Porsche produce the 911 for, before the major facelift?? Just yesterday I visited a friends' shop and noticed an awesome wide-body 911 that looked 2005 but was actually based on a '69 chassis.Volkswagen Auto Group controlls Audi and a few other brands --but Porsche actually OWNS 51% of VAG. (last time I checked a few months ago) So, there could be a few more years before the R8 body panels change drastically. Which will benefit the R8 owner. Ferrari tries very hard to come out with new models very quickly. A Ferrari owner should be ready to move up to a newer improved version --but fast.