The 2008 Audi R8 V-8 recently listed for sale on eBay is a dream car with 65,000 miles on the odometer. The loaded one-owner car is offered for $73,000. That's about half what it cost new.
The R8 had a recent oil change, carbon clean, and injector replacement. It received new spark plugs, coil packs, a coolant expansion tank, and fuel injectors. The seller added new Pirelli tires 3,000 miles ago.
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Gated Manual Transmission
For extra amusement, the R8 has a gated six-speed manual transmission. Gated transmissions feature a shift lever with physical slots for shifting into and out of gears. Gated shifters have long been a hallmark of Italian supercars. With the R8’s Lamborghini heritage, it’s not surprising to find it here too.
When's the last time you saw a gated shifter?
This R8 was loaded from the factory with a number of pricey options, bringing the bottom line to $127,545, according to the window sticker included with the sale.
- Enhanced leather interior ($5,500)
- Premium option package ($3,500)
- Satellite navigation system ($2,000)
- Bang & Olufsen sound system ($1,800)
- Carbon side “blade” styling feature behind each door ($2,000)
The Audi R8’s handling won high praise from the racing fraternity.
For most of the car's life, the paint was hidden beneath a vinyl wrap. The seller recently removed the covering and polished the original paint. The only reported issue is air conditioning that “isn’t very strong.” Mercifully, the seller doesn’t resort to the cliche “just needs a recharge” as AC issues are typically a bit more involved than that.
Lamborghini Performance with German Styling
This R8 was ordered black on black.
Audi introduced the two-seat, mid-engine, all-wheel-drive R8 in 2006. It was initially based on the Lamborghini Gallardo - opens in new window or tab. platform, and then the Huracán - opens in new window or tab.. The lightweight car uses aluminum monocoque construction, which keeps weight down to 3,439 pounds. The R8 was considered space-age when launched, with the first production LED headlamps - opens in new window or tab. on any car. There were also convertible versions, called Spyders, but not until 2008 (when Audi introduced motorsport variants).
The car on offer is the 4.2-liter V-8 version, with 420 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. It could reach 62 miles per hour in just 4.6 seconds—lightning fast for the times. There was also the R8 5.2 FSI with a V-10.
The motoring press praised the R8 upon introduction. Le Mans winner Jacky Ickx - opens in new window or tab. called it “the best-handling road car today.”
The V-8 is mid-mounted, offering 420 horsepower.
Audi debuted the second generation of the Huracán-based R8 (Type 4S) in Geneva in 2015. Now strictly V-10 powered, the V-8 was dropped. A Spyder debuted in 2016, and a high-performance variant came in 2017 (offering up to 612 horsepower). The R8 RWS offered rear-wheel drive.
Audi R8: a Dying Breed?
With just 65,000 miles on the odometer, this Audi R8 should hold its value.
The R8 was always an exclusive car, with just 38,869 sold globally between 2005 and 2019. Of those, 8,136 made it to the US.
Take note: The next R8 will likely be all-electric, and probably called the Rnext. It will either be on Audi’s own platform or an alternate version from Porsche. Both companies in the VW Group have done extensive work in electrification. The new R8 isn’t likely to appear before 2029.
Meanwhile, with just 65,000 miles, this R8 should be set for a while.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.