Impromptu Poll - Z4 vs R8

[Huz-Z]

So, the other day I was driving home from work around 5:00 pm in the Z4 through a residential area of town when I came upon a busy four-way stop. I glanced up and across the intersection from me was a gleaming black Audi R8. This thing looked totally mean; I imagined that if Darth Vader were ever to buy a car, this menacing beast sitting across from me would have been his choice. “I really should have washed the Z last night” I thought, as I contemplated the flow of traffic in front of me and the group of about eight 10 to 12 year olds waiting to cross in front of me. As they began to cross the street, I wasn’t at all surprised when a couple of them looked over at the Audi and said “hey guys – look at the wicked R8!”. I smiled to myself, hoping the Audi driver would appreciate that most sincere of compliments. I wasn’t expecting the next bit when the remaining six kids ignored the “Tie-Fighter Advance on wheels” across from me altogether, and each of them, one by one, commented enthusiastically on the Z with things like “nice car mister” and a thumbs up. Definitely a nice moment. So, with a wave and a really big smile, I was off.

Made my day!!

[bjbstewart]

Yeah, beautiful car the R8. I sat in one at the dealership last year, and was taken back at how something so amazing on the outside could look so pedestrian on the inside. Thought I was in a Camary or something. The sales guy said "you want to hear it?" and started to hand me a key. I looked at him indigently and said "what's that"? :-)

Not about to spend $140k on a car that needs a key to start...

[zgood4u]

Yesterday driving back to work from lunch a V10 R8 was cruising behind me and then came alongside, sweet ride and the V10 sounds F'in killer. Guy was a bit of a d-bag though, looked straight ahead and his license plate was obvious R8 V10

[NickyC]

If I had the money to spend in that range, the R8 would be so far down the list of which car to get.

[inTgr8r]

^ this
i can appreciate the performance but it never did appeal to me

[MYovichZ4]

Originally Posted by Huz-Z

I wasn’t expecting the next bit when the remaining six kids ignored the “Tie-Fighter Advance on wheels” across from me altogether, and each of them, one by one, commented enthusiastically on the Z with things like “nice car mister” and a thumbs up.

Had a similar experience walking back to the zed with the top down at Walgreen's. Group of teens giving the thumbs up and commenting on the awesome car, while ignoring the new Maserati Ghibli driving right in front of them.

[PLCZ4MC]

458 special or 650 spyder over R8??

[Exist]

^ I would take both over the R8.

[whatcubed]

Both are in a different snack bracket, no?

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by bjbstewart

Not about to spend $140k on a car that needs a key to start...

I assume you are joking but the R8 doesn't need the key in the ignition. It is push button start but has a proximity key like all key less cars do these days.

The R8 is my dream car. I like it better than almost anything out there. I like the performance it has while maintaining the luxury feel inside. The visible engine just makes it even better...

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by chickdr

I assume you are joking but the R8 doesn't need the key in the ignition. It is push button start but has a proximity key like all key less cars do these days.

The R8 is my dream car. I like it better than almost anything out there. I like the performance it has while maintaining the luxury feel inside. The visible engine just makes it even better...

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

But 6 out of 8 eight kids in a random scientific survey prefer the E85 Z4 over the R8!

[PLCZ4MC]

Originally Posted by whatcubed

Both are in a different snack bracket, no?

Do not think so the R8 has a V10 engine and has the Plus obtion too. I am pretty sure it is competition against the 458 Italia maybe not the Special. And same with Mclaren the C12 and maybe not the 650, but putting all 3 toguether I would take 458 or even C12 over the R8 V10 plus. All 3 great looking super cars tough. ( not sure if R8 is a super car tough).

[David70]

With the title "Z4 vs R8" and a Z4 owner, to me the R8 is another league. Mid engine V-10 compared to front engine inline 6. Would love to have an R8.

[Huz-Z]

Originally Posted by David70

With the title "Z4 vs R8" and a Z4 owner, to me the R8 is another league. Mid engine V-10 compared to front engine inline 6. Would love to have an R8.

The title of this thread is quite tongue in cheek. Oh there's no question about the relative performance capabilities of the two cars in the title of this thread and one would be foolish to try and equate the two.

The intent here was to relate a personal experience in a homorous way and demonstrate that the E85 / E86 Z4 or Z4M, although out of production since 2008, is a fine looking automobile that can still turn heads, even when there is a more modern very high performance European sports car in close proximity. It may have bugged the bejeepers out of the R8 owner to see my car getting the lion's share of attention, which was immensely satisfying for me, particularly as my car, while appreciated and pampered, isn't the newest or the greatest anymore. But I know what that R8 is capable of and trust me, I'm not going up against the guy on a track any day soon.

However, I do know that when driving off, Audi-man had a bit of a scowl on his face while I was grinning from ear to ear. So if its driving pleasure you're after, I beat him to the checkered flag by a country mile that day.

[jdoublehcubed]

Its a nice car, I think they did a much better half with the lines on the back half than the front half.

I would be happy to have one, but like others have said, there are a lot of other cars I would buy first for that much money.

[Swashplate]

The interior of the R8 is a travesty. The whole car is lame. You can fix slow with fast but lame is permanent.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by Swashplate

The interior of the R8 is a travesty. The whole car is lame. You can fix slow with fast but lame is permanent.

Really? I guess it is in the eye of the beholder. I love the interior.

[chickdr]

Originally Posted by David70

With the title "Z4 vs R8" and a Z4 owner, to me the R8 is another league. Mid engine V-10 compared to front engine inline 6. Would love to have an R8.

I would be happy with the cheaper 430hp V8 version...

[SlickShift]

I was fortunate enough to drive an R8 a couple years ago. The driving experience is pretty fantastic. I remember the steering being so direct and precise. I personally wouldn't own one though (if I had that kind of money). I just never really fell in love with the looks. If I had ~$150K to spend it would be on a used F430.

[ZStig]

interior looks pretty good in that picture

[GuidoK]

It still looks very audi, not 'very special' audi. The gearknob is nice (and that it has a gearknob... is nice)

But it looks probably better than the sistercar gallardo interior (but that car looks better on the outside).

If you look at bmw's last supercar, the z8, it was completely different and specially styled compared to the rest of the lineup.

[dubsesd]

both are amazing cars in their own way. my dad has a v8 r8 and i drive it at least once a month since i detail it for him and i really enjoy driving it....but, i really enjoy getting into my car as well and driving it back home later