Help! After 3 weeks I don't want my r8 anymore

[andyh]

Hi all,

I've been lurking on here a while and actually owned an r8 for about 3 weeks. It's and 08 plate Ice Silver v8 with 15k on the clock. I bought the car as an approved used Audi in the uk.

I have a few problems with the car, first it uses 1 litre of oil every 350 miles. There is some noticeable blue smoke from the exhaust when revving the engine cold. From what I've read here this is above what is considered normal. Second I have the bucket seats and the drivers side bolsters won't stay inflated for more than a few minutes. Third the rear bumper has a loose/broken fin and finally there is a patch of dodgy paint also on the rear bumper where the clear coat is peeling. These things combined have somewhat tainted the experience as the car feels like a bit of a lemon.

In addition to the above since buying the r8 my patner has unfortunately lost her license on medical grounds and hence it would make sense to only have 1 car that is suitable for family use.

On top of all this, and I can't believe I'm saying this, I don't enjoy driving the r8. I consider myself a petrol head but this car is just too much hard work for me to use as an everyday car. My respect to those of you that can but I actually prefer to pick up the keys to my partners auris than the r8 when popping out. For me the car has been an enormous let down.

After a weeks holiday and much deliberation I phoned the dealer to tell them this car is not for me and have arranged a meeting for Monday to discuss the options.

I am worried they are going to try and offer me book price on the r8 as part exchange which will be considerably less than what I paid. Are there any legal experts here that can inform me of my legal position taking into account the problems I also have with the car?

Many thanks in advance for any advice.

[prez]

You need an expert on the baker act.


Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

[M3R8]

He's in the UK, so no "baker act", but all of his problems with the car, aside from not actually enjoying driving it, seem to me all manageable and should be dealt with by the dealer who sold it.

I wouldn't consider a used car with those problems a "lemon" at this stage, well before anyone has attempted to fix those issues.

You need an expert on the baker act.


Sent from my Autoguide iPad app

[blackspyder]

im not up on used cars but im sure you get 30days to reject a car for a "fault".
This doesnt include changing your mind, so if its returned for that reason i would expect book value to be offered.

I know what you mean i'm not really feeling the R8 either - i got mine in December

[drifting]

Most dealers have a 30 day exchange plan as long as you haven't bumped the millage up to much, You normally have to have one of the dealers stock car tho.

You should have all the problems fixed by the dealer.

What don't you like?

The V10 I had was pretty much the perfect car I drove it almost everyday in most weathers was no harder to drive than a golf or focus. I sold it to buy a 458 thats twitchy and scary and I miss the R8 so much I brought another one and I plan to use that everyday unless the snows too deep

[andyh]

The dealer does have a few cars in stock I would have as a replacement so I'm hoping we can do a deal. I'd rather this than going down the route of trying to either reject the car or have all the little niggles resolved. The dealer is an hours drive away so don't want to be back and forth like a yoyo.

In respect of my dislikes of the car... Clutch is either on or off so you have to either gun it or stall when pulling off from a stand still. Gearbox requires you to be "rough" with it to select gears properly, you can't for example just push the lever in with 2 fingers as you would on a golf say. Very hard to drive smoothly with transparent gear changes. Can't get over speed humps on many roads I'd like to be able to get down. Parking it is a pain. Don't like the looks and stares. Juddering on full lock. Rubbish radio reception. Too fast for road use ie if you do redline gear changes in first and second your are nearly going fast enough to lose your license or not make the next bend. Would make a great track toy but I wanted a car I could use in the real world.

[drifting]

The dealer does have a few cars in stock I would have as a replacement so I'm hoping we can do a deal. I'd rather this than going down the route of trying to either reject the car or have all the little niggles resolved. The dealer is an hours drive away so don't want to be back and forth like a yoyo.

In respect of my dislikes of the car... Clutch is either on or off so you have to either gun it or stall when pulling off from a stand still. Gearbox requires you to be "rough" with it to select gears properly, you can't for example just push the lever in with 2 fingers as you would on a golf say. Very hard to drive smoothly with transparent gear changes. Can't get over speed humps on many roads I'd like to be able to get down. Parking it is a pain. Don't like the looks and stares. Juddering on full lock. Rubbish radio reception. Too fast for road use ie if you do redline gear changes in first and second your are nearly going fast enough to lose your license or not make the next bend. Would make a great track toy but I wanted a car I could use in the real world.

I'm not trying to be funny but 80% of things you dislike are normal super car traits. Never had problems with my manual lovely and smooth maybe you need a new clutch?. You don't need to red line it the pedal on the right controls how fast you go mine would happy sit around 30 . I can't get over speed bumps in a bmw 320 hire car in some places you just find ways around them. You might have to have the car repaired before you can take it back I think there may be a clause in there :S.

I wouldn't bother getting another car like the R8 ferrari,Porsche(decent ones), lambo and so on are all a lot hard to live with than an 8

Maybe you should look for diesel I can recommend the Bmw 320 M-sport coupe tho its not good over speed bumps.

[andyh]

I accept that many of my dislikes are super car traits. I must also concede a super car is not for me. I had 3.0 tdi a5 before and wish I could have it back.

My driving style sees me obtain the desired speed through full use of the rev range and then select the correct gear to maintain the speed. I find I am using first, second and then block changing to 5th or 6th. The middle of the gearbox is next to useless for road use.

[M3R8]

Get a golf.

I accept that many of my dislikes are super car traits. I must also concede a super car is not for me. I had 3.0 tdi a5 before and wish I could have it back.

My driving style sees me obtain the desired speed through full use of the rev range and then select the correct gear to maintain the speed. I find I am using first, second and then block changing to 5th or 6th. The middle of the gearbox is next to useless for road use.

[drifting]

I accept that many of my dislikes are super car traits. I must also concede a super car is not for me. I had 3.0 tdi a5 before and wish I could have it back.

My driving style sees me obtain the desired speed through full use of the rev range and then select the correct gear to maintain the speed. I find I am using first, second and then block changing to 5th or 6th. The middle of the gearbox is next to useless for road use.

I have had an A5 tdi not a bad car had it for a while till I moved. You have to learn to drive fast cars I mean the R8 its very controlled compared to a lot of supercars. There is no need to go to the red line all the time. I don't know the V8 very well but there is no need to bound on the limiter then slam the box maybe its your driving style you need to adjust rather than the car been wrong.

Forgot to add to my post above when you have a powerful car you have to have a strong clutch to keep that power contained else you will have to change the clutch every 5 mins so you do tend to get quite a stiff feel.

good luck with your dealer anyway.