Lazy to retype, this is taken from my posting @ IA.
Shopping Experience #1
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Just had a day of running around in the R8 V10, courtesy of a PI buddy of mine. Car was a 2009 Sepang Blue unit with 21,000 km on the clock and almost all gadgets including an R-tronic gearbox. Left my Honda Stream there as collateral, not very equal but hey, the Streams a pretty good car.........
1st impression was good, car looks is unrivalled in the showroom. The only other machine that looks as good in there was a white Gallardo Spyder (more on that later). Had a good look around, car was in good condition with the typical rust at the bottom from the British weather. Took key and was told to go have fun with it.
1st impression inside, not too bad. Looks quite classic, may actually have long lasting appeal. Only let down was the RNS-E media unit which is not as good as the newer MMI's in the newer Audi's. Pushed start button and Holy $%^! The sound is just incredible! Nothing beats a V10 in that department except possibly another V10 or V12! Almost wanted to just get out of the car and book it on the spot but fortunately promised the wife we'd go breakkie after collecting the car, so left the showroom without coming back down.
Turned into Tun Razak at midday on Sat and immediately became apparent that the R-tronic gearbox is rubbish in both auto and manual mode in slow traffic. It reminded me of my first test drive of the original 156 Selespeed with Ron way back. This feels exactly the same except with much, much more power. Considered returning the car disgruntled but again breakkie beckoned. Finally got to Telawi and the amount of stares that I was getting was frankly unnerving. Had breakfast, discoursed with the wife on where to go and she suggested doing the Penchala route for short trial since we had to go back and play with the boys ASAP.
Did exactly that, crawled along the road to Hartamas as abang was sitting under the bridge as usual, reached the turn off to Penchala, set it to manual mode, gunned it like it wasn't my car (which it was not!) and that was when everything about the car became JUST right! Almost everything was awesome with the exception of the acceleration which felt mild even though it was quick. Handling, perfect, sound, check, coolness, check. Did 2 rounds and then wife took over, 1st try, jerky cos she didn't release the gas t gear change, after that it was all systems go!
Finally swapped back to me and too LDP back and into the crawl yet again...Took it out again once more before returning the car the next day. Discussions was short between me and the missus:
She: How do you think it compares to the RS4?
Me: It was ok..faster for sure
She: Is it worth the extra $$$ better or just ok?
Me: Just ok...
She: actually I thought my Cayman is better to drive and the manual is so much nicer than the R8 shift.
Me: Agreed.
End of story, R8 V10 R-tronic is out of the game. Might still KIV if I can find one that is full MT to try out but that's almost like finding an honest politician in M'sia. Will arrange for test of the turbo once I find some time. Keep u guys updated if anyone interested in reading my rant.
