[HowieR8]

I'm a believer that cars have very distinctive personalities, even ones that are identical in specs and production year. This could account for all the differences in shift characteristics and feel but it should not be so dramatically different in yours.

Your S-Tronic should shift instantaneously, up or down, regardless of being in auto or manual mode. Mine certainly does. But as Ez pointed out, it is possible to confuse the gearbox sometimes with conflicting throttle input and brakes.

For example, hit the brakes and then go hard on the throttle and it'll sometimes hesitate in auto mode to shift until the dual clutch decides which gear to engage. But this doesn't happen in manual mode.

If yours is having delayed downshifts almost always, time to get it check out by your R8 tech.

I've always noticed slow automatic downshifts under certain conditions and delayed manual downshifts almost always in my 2015 s-tronic. Sport mode is definitely more responsive. Once you've touched those paddles you're in manual mode until you "tip" the stick to auto.

 

[ezmaass]

I'm a believer that cars have very distinctive personalities, even ones that are identical in specs and production year. This could account for all the differences in shift characteristics and feel but it should not be so dramatically different in yours.

Your S-Tronic should shift instantaneously, up or down, regardless of being in auto or manual mode. Mine certainly does. But as Ez pointed out, it is possible to confuse the gearbox sometimes with conflicting throttle input and brakes.

For example, hit the brakes and then go hard on the throttle and it'll sometimes hesitate in auto mode to shift until the dual clutch decides which gear to engage. But this doesn't happen in manual mode.

If yours is having delayed downshifts almost always, time to get it check out by your R8 tech.

Howie, this is spot on.

I've been able to confuse the gearbox only a handful of times - try accelerating and then suddenly downshift. My understanding is that the DCT is guessing what the next likely gear will be, so if you do something counter-intuitive, you can cause it to lag as it swaps gears.

 

[yellowpad]

I agree...something is wrong with that 2015. I love my car....shifts perfectly and never go into manual by itself. EVER!

Fred, I think there's something wrong with the 2015 S-Tronic gearbox you tested. The most obvious being the transmission popping into manual mode when stopped. This doesn't happen with the S-Tronic.

This could explain why the transmission kept dropping in and out during your test drive.

On the 2017 R8, the observation is spot on. This car likely has the variable-ratio Dynamic Steering option that makes the steering light at low speeds. This was the main thing that caught my attention driving it around the track.

But the dynamic steering was a bit disconcerting at times when it varied at different speeds. Still prefer the steering on the Gen1 with the constant solid feel at low and high speeds.

 

[HowieR8]

I'm too scared to see what will happen if I accelerate and downshift at the same time so I will take your word for it Ez.

The S-Tronic is a brilliant transmission but not infallible so a lag can happen here and there while it decides in that split second which gear to use.

But 99.9% of the time, it's lightning fast and seamless. Behaving more laggy than this very likely indicates a problem with the gearbox.

Op, let us know if your 2nd test car behaves differently? Cheers.

Howie, this is spot on.

I've been able to confuse the gearbox only a handful of times - try accelerating and then suddenly downshift. My understanding is that the DCT is guessing what the next likely gear will be, so if you do something counter-intuitive, you can cause it to lag as it swaps gears.

 

[ingsteve]

Rtronic in manual mode is a better preference.

 

[frederickg]

It's been a while since my last post but I've been busy.

One night while I was working, One of my online Audi R8 Searches sent me a listing for a 2014 Audi R8 V10 in the Sepang Blue Color I was looking for.

She was beautiful, Diamond Stitched Seats, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Ceramic Brakes...Everything I had on my checklist.

I replied to the add and set up an appointment to take her for a drive. What a drive it was...She purred like a V10 Kitten.

I kind of had my R8 on the back burner as my daughter is getting married next year and then there she was... oh so pretty.

Since I've wanted one for a while, I had already set aside funds for my new ride and just needed to let my wife know I found the one.

That night at dinner I told my wife, that while I was really actively looking for one, This one will all the specs I was looking for showed up in my Inbox and I test drove it today.

I showed her the pictures I had and that I would be taking another drive in it with her on Saturday.

On Saturday we went for a drive. I knew it was the one. The only thing to do before pulling the trigger was getting a PPI.

I scheduled the PPI this Wednesday and checked out the car on a lift with the R8 Tech. He removed panels and showed me the structure and everything is good.

After that, I pulled the trigger and brought her home.

I found out is that it already has the Stasis Exhaust and Radar Detector/Laser Jammer installed which is really a plus.

 

[MAR8]

Congrats, she’s a beauty. Sepang is a great color too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[ThunderDent]

Congrats! I got happy when I saw you got the car at the end!

Sepang is a great color. Had it on my SQ5 for several years now and never tire of looking at her.

Enjoy!!

 

[Ballvice]

Congrats on 2 things -

1 - the car is awesome and beautiful. Welcome to the family.

2 - you married the right women ?

My wife bought the tickets to Texas to pick up our car while I was in the phone putting the car on hold.

Score!!!!!

 

[tampa_m5]

Congratulations! Gorgeous color on the R8!

 

[old phart]

Congrats on the car and the awesome wife.

 

[Nosferatu]

Congrats! I'm always a sucker for a blue car...

 

[ccapozzoli]

It's been a while since my last post but I've been busy.

One night while I was working, One of my online Audi R8 Searches sent me a listing for a 2014 Audi R8 V10 in the Sepang Blue Color I was looking for.

She was beautiful, Diamond Stitched Seats, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Ceramic Brakes...Everything I had on my checklist.

I replied to the add and set up an appointment to take her for a drive. What a drive it was...She purred like a V10 Kitten.

I kind of had my R8 on the back burner as my daughter is getting married next year and then there she was... oh so pretty.

Since I've wanted one for a while, I had already set aside funds for my new ride and just needed to let my wife know I found the one.

That night at dinner I told my wife, that while I was really actively looking for one, This one will all the specs I was looking for showed up in my Inbox and I test drove it today.

I showed her the pictures I had and that I would be taking another drive in it with her on Saturday.

On Saturday we went for a drive. I knew it was the one. The only thing to do before pulling the trigger was getting a PPI.

I scheduled the PPI this Wednesday and checked out the car on a lift with the R8 Tech. He removed panels and showed me the structure and everything is good.

After that, I pulled the trigger and brought her home.

I found out is that it already has the Stasis Exhaust and Radar Detector/Laser Jammer installed which is really a plus.

View attachment 229102

Congratulations. I had that car bought but never finished the transaction. I was able to find another one. Very easy to deal with owner.

The owner's was a bit tough to deal with. Glad you were able to make it work.

Sent from my LG-LS998 using Tapatalk

 

[frederickg]

I also got the Platinum Care Warranty for 6 Years so I don't have to sweat any breakdowns - It wasn't cheap but worth the peace of mind.

It already has the Stasis Exhaust and the Radar/Laser Detector installed so now I just need to install my 4K DashCam.

 

[Begarrett]

My 2014 V10+ 's Stronic has worked flawlessly since I took ownership. I've experienced NONE of the problems you've listed. KNOCK ON WOOD!!! Sounds like that '15 you drove had some issues.

 

[ezmaass]

It's been a while since my last post but I've been busy.

One night while I was working, One of my online Audi R8 Searches sent me a listing for a 2014 Audi R8 V10 in the Sepang Blue Color I was looking for.

She was beautiful, Diamond Stitched Seats, Carbon Fiber, Carbon Ceramic Brakes...Everything I had on my checklist.

I replied to the add and set up an appointment to take her for a drive. What a drive it was...She purred like a V10 Kitten.

I kind of had my R8 on the back burner as my daughter is getting married next year and then there she was... oh so pretty.

Since I've wanted one for a while, I had already set aside funds for my new ride and just needed to let my wife know I found the one.

That night at dinner I told my wife, that while I was really actively looking for one, This one will all the specs I was looking for showed up in my Inbox and I test drove it today.

I showed her the pictures I had and that I would be taking another drive in it with her on Saturday.

On Saturday we went for a drive. I knew it was the one. The only thing to do before pulling the trigger was getting a PPI.

I scheduled the PPI this Wednesday and checked out the car on a lift with the R8 Tech. He removed panels and showed me the structure and everything is good.

After that, I pulled the trigger and brought her home.

I found out is that it already has the Stasis Exhaust and Radar Detector/Laser Jammer installed which is really a plus.

View attachment 229102

Congratulations! The car looks beautiful - looks like you snagged a great facelift model!