Common Audi R8 Maintenance Issues and How to Avoid Them | GVE London – Blog

An R8 looks good, sounds good and drives like the flagship supercar of the brand; which it is, so fits. However, just like every other car, as a responsible owner, you must time-service your Audi R8 to avoid running into the common issues found in it. In this blog post, we’ll highlight said common issues and let you know how to avoid them.

Carbon Build-Up: A Quiet Performance Killer

One of the most frequent issues found within the R8, especially the older V8 models, which many owners might not be aware about, is the build-up of carbon on its intake valves. You see, while direct injection engines are indeed quite efficient, they don’t clean the valves the way port injection does. So, as one can imagine, over time, the gunk builds up and essentially starts to coke your engine.

What that results in is rough idling, sluggish performance and poor fuel economy. Thankfully, though, cleaning it isn’t too difficult. You need to do something called walnut blasting. It’s exactly what it sounds like—using fine walnut shells to clean the valves without tearing everything apart. If you’re serious about Audi R8 servicing, make this part of your regular check-up every 40,000 to 50,000 km.

Transmission Problems in Early R-Tronic Models

Again, if you’ve got one of the earlier R8 models with the R-Tronic transmission, you’ve probably already felt the jerky shifts it tends to do at times. Yes, it is common, and your car, specifically is not broken. These early automated manual gearboxes can suffer from wear on the clutch and actuator, especially if they’ve been driven hard (and let’s be honest—they have). Depending upon your driving style, every 30,000 to 40,000 km, a rebuild or switch to manual might be more cost-effective in the long run, but you’re going to need the assistance.

Read Also: Audi R8 Oil Change & Maintenance Schedule: Everything You Need to Know

Brake Wear and Rotor Issues

We often fail to realise that a supercar isn’t impressive for going fast; it’s impressive for going fast whilst providing a sense of control. Arguably, the ability to stop is more important than going fast. The R8 is heavy and fast, and people drive it fast, so this often means hard braking. Carbon ceramics last longer but cost a small fortune to replace. Standard steel brakes are cheaper but will need attention more often. Regular Audi R8 maintenance should include checking brake pads, fluid, and rotor wear. Avoid cheap aftermarket parts. When it comes to brakes on a car like this, quality matters.

Conclusion

As Auto Express puts it, “Regular, documented servicing is vital for long-term reliability with the R8″. The biggest mistake you can make as an owner is waiting around till something goes bad. Supercars are less forgiving than your regular daily drive. So, come on down to GVE London and we’ll ensure your Audi R8 stays in top condition. We’ll go beyond mere oil changes. The technicians at our supercar service centre ensure your car stays running as good as the day it came out of the showroom.  Furthermore, being enthusiasts, we not only perform the usual repairs and service but can work on customisation, modifications and detailing as well. To know more, hop on a call with us today!