R Tronic Newbie Tips.....

[woodranch]

Merry Christmas all...I will be getting my new R8 at the end of this week.It is the 5.2 R Tronic. If you all with experience could give me any advice or tips on how to drive the R Tronic to the best of it's abilities, I would be very appreciative.I had a BMW M6 for a few months and had to get rid of it because my wife complained it was way to herky jerky.Maybe my fault, I did not drive correctly.However, I cannot trade this car in if I am not driving correctly.So please give me all tips and knowledge...Thank You Again!

[2-th-max]

I have a M3 SMG II and also get complaints from my wife about the jerky nature of the BMW transmission. She however likes the Rtronic. I have found the Audi to be much smoother during daily driving. I believe part of this is due to the massive tourque difference. My advise is to drive the Rtronic in manual and enjoy.

[randombloke]

I don't think it bodes too well if your wife thought the m6 was jerky. The bigger, lazier engine of the m6 and the improved smg III made a big difference over the smg II of the e46 m3.

I wouldn't say the r-tronic is any smoother than the smg III of the m6. The r-tronic does seem to sit a bit better in the v10 than the v8 though.

To drive it smoothly, you really need to be lifting off the gas a little when you change gears manually using the paddles/stick.

[thebishman]

Going down the 'box there is no need to 'lift' as the car will blip the throttle for you to match revs. To markedly increase smoothness when changing up, a slight lift of the gas pedal helps tremendously. Driving in 'normal' mode instead of 'Sport' will increase smoothness during routine, street driving as it increases clutch engagement/disengagement time. Don't do a WOT shift up in Sport mode as your wife will freak!! It feels/sounds like the car has been slammed with a baseball bat; (and I love it!! lol). Congrats on the car btw.
Bish

[SebringSilver]

I'm with thebishman...I love the feeling of being slammed into the seat.

[ignomini]

I've always felt the RT shifts more smoothly in sport mode. Pedaling the gas on upshifts is probably a better tip for normal shift mode, not sport mode. As others have said, no need to play with the throttle on downshifts, just pull the paddle and enjoy the sound.

One thing to be clear about with smooth shifting, the more power you apply, the bigger the jolt when you shift. There is no escaping this. I recently took my sister for her first ride in the V10. After accelerating at max effort through 3rd gear, her seat belt was stuck and she had to unlatch it to get the ratchet to let go. She said it was a defective belt. I say she was pushed into the seat so hard under acceleration that the belt retracted some, then during the 2-3 shift she got thrown forward hard enough against the belt that the ratchet grabbed. Because she started out compressed into the seat, she was "trapped" by the belt.

Although speeding up shift times reduces the jolt, a car capable of generating large acceleration will cause the occupants to be tossed around when the drive is cut during a shift. If you don't want your wife all pissed off, save the aggressive driving for when she's not in the car. And, learn how to feather the throttle for when she's with you.

[mngolfer]

I think it takes a couple of weeks to get used to driving the R-Tronic. Most people have a pretty steep learning curve so it becomes very easy to drive in either sport or normal modes. I only use manual mode. The auto mode is two orders of magnitude worse to drive, but it keeps getting better. The early reviews really hammered the RT. They only drove it in auto mode.

I see you are from Woodranch. I have played the golf course there many times. I love the course. I played if before the club house was built.

[woodranch]

MNGOLFER Woodranch is a great Track.You played it at a great time..right when it was built..Now it is like a muni because American Golf runs it.Thanks for all of your help and guidance and feel free to add any more info even if it seems insignificant.Experience is the best teacher...

[mngolfer]

Advice...get to know Desperado and Harrison. Track your car. Go to the Audi driving experience at Infineon Raceway. Become active in the local Audi club.

I am hoping to bring my car to some track events on the West Coast next year.