Audi R8 (second generation) buying guide

The car launched in 2017 in two forms: the V10 with 502 hp and 398 lb-ft, and the V10 Plus with 602 hp and 413 lb-ft. The Plus has fixed sport suspension, carbon fiber aero parts and ceramic brakes with 15.0-inch front discs. Our listings track the V10 Plus Coupe separately. The fixed dampers matter because Magnetic Ride is the known failure point on cars with the optional dampers.

A rear-drive R8 V10 RWS arrived in 2018 as a limited edition of 999 units, with 540 hp and 398 lb-ft. It was not offered in 2020. There was no 2019 model year R8 at all, ahead of the mid-life update. You can see the RWS Coupe market on its own page.

For 2020 the V10 Plus became the V10 Performance, and the standard V10 Coupe got 562 hp. In 2021 the entry coupe and Spyder went rear-wheel drive with 532 hp and the non-Performance quattro cars were dropped, so a quattro from 2021 on has to be a Performance. The rear-drive Performance later got 562 hp too. The Performance Coupe is the one to look at for all-wheel drive in the late cars. CarsCounsel rates reliability across the generation as generally excellent and puts the 2020-2023 facelift years among the best to buy.

Two limited runs close the story. The Decennium was built in 222 units worldwide, 50 for the USA. The 2023 R8 GT is a run of 333, 44 lbs lighter, with 602 hp and 413 lb-ft, a black intake manifold, carbon Aero kit, gooseneck rear wing and modified gear ratios in the dual-clutch. See the GT Coupe page and the standard V10 Coupe. The naturally aspirated R8 ended with the 2023 model year.

Dampers come first because the sources put the biggest repair figures on them; the gearbox and engine faults follow.

Magnetic Ride dampers

The optional dampers are known to fail and leak. Performance Car Intelligence says leaks can start from around 30,000 miles and that the units cannot be rebuilt. The V10 Plus has fixed dampers that avoid the problem.

S tronic shudder

The dual-clutch can shudder at low speed from clutch wear or worn adaptation values. Repeated launch control can speed clutch wear, so ask how the car was used.

Mechatronic failure

The S tronic mechatronic unit can fail when its electronics are damaged by heat. The car drops gears and shows a gearbox warning.

Intake valve carbon

The direct-injected V10 builds carbon on its intake valves. You get rough idle, hesitation and misfires, and the valves need periodic cleaning.

Oil consumption

AUDIR8 notes that Audi's documentation allows up to roughly 1 quart per 1,000 miles. A sharp rise to 1 quart per 300 miles suggests worn rings or valve seals. On early cars the oil-separator (PCV) system can also fail, causing oil use, leaks and a whistle at idle.

Fuel pump followers

The high-pressure fuel pump followers can wear and score the camshaft lobe.

Rod bearing failures

Connecting rod bearing problems that caused engine failure did occur, and Audi covered them. Ask for evidence of any such work on the car you are viewing.

Brake click and control arms

Brakes can click at slow speeds when switching between forward and reverse. There is a TSB (#2047140/3), and the fix is double-stick tape on fresh front pads, which can fail from heat. Control arms can wear quickly and cause judder through the steering wheel.

CarsCounsel says annual maintenance often runs $1,500 to $3,000. audir8.ca prices a set of summer tires at $1,600 to $2,400.

Dampers carry the biggest figures in the sources. audir8.ca puts OEM Magnetic Ride replacement at $4,800 or more per corner, with coilovers for all four corners at $3,000 to $5,000. exoticcarhacks.com quotes aftermarket coilovers at $2,000 to $6,000 plus labor. Carbon-ceramic brake replacement is described as very expensive, though the sources give no figure.

AUDIR8 says a well-maintained steel-brake car is arguably the smarter choice if you do not track it, because it is much cheaper to own.

Start with 2020 to 2023 cars, the years CarsCounsel lists among the best, and prefer a V10 Plus if you want fixed dampers. Be warier of early cars, which the sources link to oil-separator failures and MMI glitches, and confirm the gearbox recall work was done on any 2017-2018 or 2021-2022 car.

Insist on a specialist inspection and a clean gearbox scan, and look at how the car was used, since launch control and track days wear the clutch. On a Magnetic Ride car, ask for receipts showing the dampers were replaced, since leaks can begin from around 30,000 miles.