officially in the market for an R8 - just how "bad" is R tronic?

2397 Views 32 Replies 29 Participants Last post by ka6772, 6 d ago

R8wvy

Discussion Starter · 1 mo ago

I have been lurking for about 6 months reading the ins and outs about what cars to buy, potential issues, etc. Now that i am really looking with intent to buy, how problematic truly are R-tronics. I understand obviously the manual and s-tronic are most desirable. There are thousands of automatic pre facelift owners how has your experience been? Should i just steer clear of them completely? any advice you wish you would have known before buying one? im just curious for anyones .02 on the topic.

I know this could be a redundant topic, but really ive read through most posts here and if anyone wants to share a new opinion thats what im looking for. Thanks

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Stärke

· #2 · 1 mo ago

I'm firmly in the camp that R tronic has been unfairly maligned. Each flavor has it's adherents and honestly, none of the choices are bad. Figure out what you are looking for in a car and then go for it. I have driven stick cars for most of my driving life. I thought it would be nice to have a paddle shifted car this time around. I have enjoyed every minute of it and have no regrets regarding my choice.

I think understanding how each shifting mechanism works is important to being able to operate that particular gearbox. So my guess is that some of the criticism of R tronic is due to people not really knowing how to use it correctly. If you come from a manual transmission background, my guess is that you would understand how to use the R tronic almost immediately.

So the real issue is whether you want to enjoy the manual shift car and pay the current premium to do so. Or are you looking for the paddle shift ease of use. If so, are you looking for the higher performing, more modern S tronic, or is that difference completely lost on you. The R tronic is not going to be as quick and smooth as the S tronic, but believe me, it's a very effective shifting mechanism.

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Reactions: 5

usmma96

· #3 · 1 mo ago

I have a manual R8, but I will say this, I’ve had/have friends that have F1 Ferrari 360/430’s and for the most part they feel like they have the inferior transmission and are just waiting for it to cost them $5000-$20000++ to repair. I’ve had my R8 for 6 years now and met a lot of R-Tronic owners and most/all of them have no complaints about the RTronic, and none of them have had any mechanical issues with it.

Reactions: 1

Ross_AudiMonterey

· #4 · 1 mo ago

R8wvy said:
I have been lurking for about 6 months reading the ins and outs about what cars to buy, potential issues, etc. Now that i am really looking with intent to buy, how problematic truly are R-tronics. I understand obviously the manual and s-tronic are most desirable. There are thousands of automatic pre facelift owners how has your experience been? Should i just steer clear of them completely? any advice you wish you would have known before buying one? im just curious for anyones .02 on the topic.

I know this could be a redundant topic, but really ive read through most posts here and if anyone wants to share a new opinion thats what im looking for. Thanks

are you still in the market for an R8?

Reactions: 1

rwtzero

· #5 · 1 mo ago

I love mine.

Reactions: 1

dertizjos

· #6 · 1 mo ago

Rtronic is an excellent transmission with VERY undeserving reputation. Alot of fun and reliable.

Reactions: 1

SprtsCrDad

· #7 · 1 mo ago

I think the key misunderstanding is that an Rtronic is not really an automatic transmission. It is a manual with a robotic clutch that will shift automatically. The problem is that the automatic shifts are known to be delayed and jerky. As long as you drive the Rtronic in manual mode, it shouldn’t be different from the Stronic in manual mode and is effectively a two pedal manual. If you want to regularly drive in automatic mode, the DCT Stronic is a far superior transmission that offers quick and smooth shifts between the gears. It’s also great in manual mode. Personally, I’ve never driven a manual car, so the manual mode is something I only use occasionally. The DCT was, therefore, a must for me.

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d2w

· #8 · 1 mo ago

I have R-Tronic in my 2009. I am driving an R8. So I am not unhappy.

A DSG/S-Tronic would be better if I could afford it. Can you afford it? If you can then get one over the R-Tronic.

If you're a 'manual-guy' then just go directly to the manual and don't mess about. Any flavour of auto will constantly annoy.

If you're ambivalent (or poor like me), then don't let the R-Tronic put you off an otherwise awesome car.

Reactions: 2

skar829

· #9 · 1 mo ago

Agree, R-Tronic has an underserved reputation. You should test drive it longer than 15 minutes and expect that this robotic mechanism is shifting the forks and actuating the clutch for you. I actually made a recent video highlighting the characteristics of the R-Tronic transmission and talked about the ownership and operating experience w/ an R-Tronic owner, being objective as much as a possible.

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Ewarren423

· #10 · 1 mo ago

I love my Rtronic.
I've had it in both v10 and v8 flavors.
You just need to drive it as if you were driving a manual with a little feathering off the gas as it shifts.
It's not dual clutch / PDK smooth but that makes it more fun!!!

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dinkman

· #11 · 1 mo ago

i think OP was more asking about reliability of the rtronic as opposed to who prefers it over other transmission types (that horse has been beat to death on this forum

)

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skar829

· #12 · 1 mo ago

dinkman said:
i think OP was more asking about reliability of the rtronic as opposed to who prefers it over other transmission types (that horse has been beat to death on this forum )

I see.

If it's regarding reliability:

Transmission reliability itself is same as manual version since they're 95% the same internally.
R-Tronic system can fail and will need either:
1. Rebuilt R-Tronic unit with better seals and/or new solenoids
2. Pump rebuilt/replacement
3. Accumulator replacement
The R-Tronic harness may need to get replaced due to the pin terminals corroding. Audi issued a service bulletin to replace the harnesses with more corrosion resistant terminals.
R-Tronic relay can burn out too so you will need to replace the relays for the R-Tronic system.

I would definitely save up money for an R-Tronic system rebuild if you get an R-Tronic car.

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Nagengast

· #13 · 1 mo ago

There are transmission tunes to make R-Tronic slightly quicker, but regardless of transmission, you still have the beautiful body and great engine, whether it's 4.2 or 5.2. @SRM Autosports carries them if you are interested.

Best of luck with your search! Should your car need new magnetic ride shocks - contact me directly and I'll be happy to help with a new set.

-Raf

Reactions: 2

cgfen

· #14 · 1 mo ago

I'm a relatively new reight owner.
I really like the s tronic (dual clutch trans) in my 2014 car.
much much better than the PDK in our 09 Carrera, (but a 2014 Porsche with PDK has better trans than our 09 also.........)
But if I were looking now, I'd likely shop for a nice r tronic car and convert to full 6 speed manual, unless a "real" 6 speed car fell into my lap.

sorry, can't speak to reliability.

Reactions: 1

cgfen

· #15 · 1 mo ago

Ross_AudiMonterey said:
are you still in the market for an R8?

You are quite interested in selling stuff aren't you?
Please consider contributing technical or brand information in addition to querying for sales.

Reactions: 4

hari-bhari

· #16 · 1 mo ago

i love my s-tronic. i test drove an r-tronic and did not like it. i posted about my experience and the r-tronic squad rained hell upon me

but yea get a longer test drive in and see if you like it

Reactions: 1

Stärke

· #17 · 1 mo ago

dinkman said:
i think OP was more asking about reliability of the rtronic as opposed to who prefers it over other transmission types (that horse has been beat to death on this forum )

That's a good point and I really didn't address it in my comment above. I did say that I have no regrets and I suppose that could cover the reliability question. I've had no issues thus far. 2010 V10 34K miles.

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cnick01

· #18 · 1 mo ago

It's fine. I had a TCU tune and a pedal commander and the car was sharp. I got used to it pretty quick and it was a good time. Sold the R8 for an e-gear gallardo - wow, the Gallardo was TERRIBLE by comparison. Such a sloppy, bucking mess. R8 was 10x better, which is ironic because the transmissions are the same.

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R8-Stuff

· #19 · 1 mo ago

cnick01 said:
It's fine. I had a TCU tune and a pedal commander and the car was sharp. I got used to it pretty quick and it was a good time. Sold the R8 for an e-gear gallardo - wow, the Gallardo was TERRIBLE by comparison. Such a sloppy, bucking mess. R8 was 10x better, which is ironic because the transmissions are the same.

Earlier Gallardo 5.0s were terrible

Reactions: 1

DrewThio

· #20 · 1 mo ago

i came from SMG in BMWs. R-tronic is a big improvement (in my opinion)

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