Audi R8 4S
Weaknesses, engine ratings and buying advice
620 PS
R8 V10 Performance · Benzin
Daily usable and still a supercar
Legendary!620 PS
5.2L V10 FSI Benzin
5 weaknesses
Good ChoiceBody Variants
The Audi R8 4S is available as Coupé and Convertible — choose your body type for specific insurance data:
Generations
Engine Overview
The Audi R8 4S is available with 5 engine variants — from 540 to 620 hp. 1 variants had engine changes — the model year is crucial.
Further-developed V10 with 397 kW in the second R8 generation. Even higher-revving and more efficient thanks to the latest-generation petrol direct injection.
- !! Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains) from 120,000 km
Gen2 V10 5.2 FSI has four timing chains. Chain tensioner pressure loss possible with overly long oil change intervals. Less common than Gen1 due to improved seal materials; remains a risk factor if neglected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start; disappears after a few seconds; if neglected, permanent chain rattle - !! Recall 34J1: Gearbox Oil Vent Hose Fire Risk (2018)
NHTSA recall 18V639000 for R8 model year 2018. Gearbox vent hose can lose oil at high speed, which may ignite on hot engine parts. Dealers replace single hose with double hose free of charge.
Symptoms: No driver-noticeable symptom; possible smoke from engine bay during high-performance driving - !! S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2) from 80,000 km
7-speed S-Tronic (Gen2 onwards) shows clutch judder and shift shocks if gearbox oil change (interval: 60,000 km) is neglected. Mechatronics total failure costs 3,000–5,000 €. Mixing ATF+MTF internally causes irreversible total failure.
Symptoms: Judder and shudder on pull-away or slow driving, shift hesitation or hard shift shocks, gearbox warning in instrument cluster
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Further-developed V10 with 397 kW in the second R8 generation. Even higher-revving and more efficient thanks to the latest-generation petrol direct injection.
- !! Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains) from 120,000 km
Gen2 V10 5.2 FSI has four timing chains. Chain tensioner pressure loss possible with overly long oil change intervals. Less common than Gen1 due to improved seal materials; remains a risk factor if neglected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start; disappears after a few seconds; if neglected, permanent chain rattle - !! Recall 34J1: Gearbox Oil Vent Hose Fire Risk (2018)
NHTSA recall 18V639000 for R8 model year 2018. Gearbox vent hose can lose oil at high speed, which may ignite on hot engine parts. Dealers replace single hose with double hose free of charge.
Symptoms: No driver-noticeable symptom; possible smoke from engine bay during high-performance driving - !! S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2) from 80,000 km
7-speed S-Tronic (Gen2 onwards) shows clutch judder and shift shocks if gearbox oil change (interval: 60,000 km) is neglected. Mechatronics total failure costs 3,000–5,000 €. Mixing ATF+MTF internally causes irreversible total failure.
Symptoms: Judder and shudder on pull-away or slow driving, shift hesitation or hard shift shocks, gearbox warning in instrument cluster
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
V10 Performance with 456 kW. Most powerful naturally aspirated variant with sharpened tune. The performance benchmark among naturally aspirated engines.
- !! Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains) from 120,000 km
Gen2 V10 5.2 FSI has four timing chains. Chain tensioner pressure loss possible with overly long oil change intervals. Less common than Gen1 due to improved seal materials; remains a risk factor if neglected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start; disappears after a few seconds; if neglected, permanent chain rattle - !! S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2) from 80,000 km
7-speed S-Tronic (Gen2 onwards) shows clutch judder and shift shocks if gearbox oil change (interval: 60,000 km) is neglected. Mechatronics total failure costs 3,000–5,000 €. Mixing ATF+MTF internally causes irreversible total failure.
Symptoms: Judder and shudder on pull-away or slow driving, shift hesitation or hard shift shocks, gearbox warning in instrument cluster - ! Elevated Oil Consumption at High Mileages from 150,000 km
Gen2 V10 occasionally shows elevated oil consumption at high mileages due to ageing valve stem seals. Better than Gen1 due to new manufacturing tolerances. No valve carbon from dual injection, so oil not contaminated by residue.
Symptoms: Slightly increased oil consumption, occasional blue smoke on cold start
+ 3 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Final 5.2 V10 FSI in the R8 4S facelift with 620 PS. Audi's most powerful production naturally aspirated engine and farewell to the high-revving V10.
- !! Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains) from 120,000 km
Gen2 V10 5.2 FSI has four timing chains. Chain tensioner pressure loss possible with overly long oil change intervals. Less common than Gen1 due to improved seal materials; remains a risk factor if neglected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start; disappears after a few seconds; if neglected, permanent chain rattle - !! S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2) from 80,000 km
7-speed S-Tronic (Gen2 onwards) shows clutch judder and shift shocks if gearbox oil change (interval: 60,000 km) is neglected. Mechatronics total failure costs 3,000–5,000 €. Mixing ATF+MTF internally causes irreversible total failure.
Symptoms: Judder and shudder on pull-away or slow driving, shift hesitation or hard shift shocks, gearbox warning in instrument cluster - ! Elevated Oil Consumption at High Mileages from 150,000 km
Gen2 V10 occasionally shows elevated oil consumption at high mileages due to ageing valve stem seals. Better than Gen1 due to new manufacturing tolerances. No valve carbon from dual injection, so oil not contaminated by residue.
Symptoms: Slightly increased oil consumption, occasional blue smoke on cold start
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
5.2-litre V10 FSI with 610 PS for the performance variant — naturally aspirated with 40 valves. Very reliable with correct servicing; intake valve carbon build-up from FSI technology possible from 50,000 km. Oil changes every 10,000 km mandatory; check recall completion (fault governor seal) before purchase.
- !! Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains) from 120,000 km
Gen2 V10 5.2 FSI has four timing chains. Chain tensioner pressure loss possible with overly long oil change intervals. Less common than Gen1 due to improved seal materials; remains a risk factor if neglected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start; disappears after a few seconds; if neglected, permanent chain rattle - !! Recall 34J1: Gearbox Oil Vent Hose Fire Risk (2018)
NHTSA recall 18V639000 for R8 model year 2018. Gearbox vent hose can lose oil at high speed, which may ignite on hot engine parts. Dealers replace single hose with double hose free of charge.
Symptoms: No driver-noticeable symptom; possible smoke from engine bay during high-performance driving - !! S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2) from 80,000 km
7-speed S-Tronic (Gen2 onwards) shows clutch judder and shift shocks if gearbox oil change (interval: 60,000 km) is neglected. Mechatronics total failure costs 3,000–5,000 €. Mixing ATF+MTF internally causes irreversible total failure.
Symptoms: Judder and shudder on pull-away or slow driving, shift hesitation or hard shift shocks, gearbox warning in instrument cluster
+ 4 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
V10 FSI in the R8 4S RWD with 540 PS and rear-wheel drive only. Most purist R8 variant for drivers who prefer oversteer.
- !! Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains) from 120,000 km
Gen2 V10 5.2 FSI has four timing chains. Chain tensioner pressure loss possible with overly long oil change intervals. Less common than Gen1 due to improved seal materials; remains a risk factor if neglected.
Symptoms: Metallic rattle on cold start; disappears after a few seconds; if neglected, permanent chain rattle - !! S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2) from 80,000 km
7-speed S-Tronic (Gen2 onwards) shows clutch judder and shift shocks if gearbox oil change (interval: 60,000 km) is neglected. Mechatronics total failure costs 3,000–5,000 €. Mixing ATF+MTF internally causes irreversible total failure.
Symptoms: Judder and shudder on pull-away or slow driving, shift hesitation or hard shift shocks, gearbox warning in instrument cluster - ! Elevated Oil Consumption at High Mileages from 150,000 km
Gen2 V10 occasionally shows elevated oil consumption at high mileages due to ageing valve stem seals. Better than Gen1 due to new manufacturing tolerances. No valve carbon from dual injection, so oil not contaminated by residue.
Symptoms: Slightly increased oil consumption, occasional blue smoke on cold start
+ 2 more engine weaknesses + vehicle weaknesses
Vehicle Weaknesses
| Weakness | Cost | |
|---|---|---|
| Magnetic Ride Damper Failure — Gen 2 The Gen 2 R8 also has reports of failing Magnetic Ride dampers and the 'Damper Control Fault' warning. Cost: around €900 per damper plus fitting. Symptoms: 'Damper Control Fault' message, suspension no longer switches between comfort and sport mode, harsh unsprung impacts from 50,000 km | High |
Top Reported Issues
Alternatives
BMW 2er G42
Sports Car (2021–2025)
BMW M3 G80
Sports Car (2021–2026)
BMW M4 G82
Sports Car (2021–2026)
BMW M4 G83
Sports Car (2021–2026)
Chevrolet Corvette C8
Sports Car (2020–2026)
Toyota GR Yaris GXPA16
Sports Car (2020–2025)
Explore more
Known Problems and Issues +
A total of 38 weaknesses have been documented for the Audi R8 4S (2015–2023) — 30 engine-related and 8 vehicle-related. Typical issues affect Suspension, Gearbox, Brakes, Electronics. Considered reliable: CMSA (5.2L V10 FSI), DMWA (5.2L V10 FSI), DKAB (5.2L V10 FSI).
R8 (CSPB, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains), Recall 34J1: Gearbox Oil Vent Hose Fire Risk (2018), S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2). Power: 540 PS.
R8 (CSPB, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains), Recall 34J1: Gearbox Oil Vent Hose Fire Risk (2018), S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2). Power: 549 PS.
R8 (CMSA-449, 2015–2019) — Be Careful: Chain Tensioner Pressure Loss (4 Timing Chains), Recall 34J1: Gearbox Oil Vent Hose Fire Risk (2018), S-Tronic Mechatronics / Clutch Pack Wear (Gen2). Power: 610 PS.
What to watch out for with the Audi R8? See the detailed listing of all engine and vehicle weaknesses in the sections above.
Frequently Asked Questions
What problems and weaknesses does the Audi R8 4S have? +
What should I look for when buying a used Audi R8 4S? +
Which engine is recommended? +
Which Audi R8 4S engine is the most reliable? +
Which Audi R8 4S engine is the most fun? +
Is the Audi R8 4S worth buying used? +
What horsepower variants are available for the Audi R8 4S? +
Last updated: February 2026 · All information without guarantee