i actualy have both cars.
the above post is a fair reflecion on what each represents
Unless its a spirited drive, i take the keys to the R8 almost every time.


I ran both on a circuit, same day, same tyres and back to back. i wanted to know the gap. Both cars wheel aligned before the day.
Believe it or not, there was exacly 1 second in it - GT3's favour.
I actualy think if the R8 had some better seats, a harness and some more camber adjustment in the suspension, the gap may not have been there.
Stock suspension in the R8 didnt allow more than -1 degre of camber.

The GT3 FELT a lot quicker.

 

I wonder then how would a C2S/ C4S would stack up? Seems like the R8 would get the nod!

 

Go with the V10 R8. You will be way happier on the street and will run with all the fast cars(F430, 911 Turbo, Lambos, Z06) at the track.

If you're 90% track and 10% street then the GT3RS is definitely your weapon of choice.

 

The more reasonable comparison would be a 997 Turbo versus an R8 (don't know about the 10 cylinder version). The 997 TT is a great daily driver for those of you who want a comfortable but fast experience while driving. Me, I always opt for the GT3RS or Ruf as a daily driver,

 

even at 70% street, I'd take the R8. I would be surprised if the V10 wasn't as quick, if not quicker than a Gt3/RS around most circuits.

 

Motor Trend used both cars, albeit in different years for their "Best Handling Cars" comparo. In 2008 in addition to their instrumented measurements, MT had pro driver Max Angelelli run the GT3 round Laguna Seca for timed laps ~ and reported a "best" time of 1:39.517 (Max also ran the Corvette ZO6 at 1:40.9 and a Cayman S at 1:47.5.)

This year for 2009 (Ocotber issue), MT repeated their tests, this time with Randy Pobst as their pro test driver. Included in this years car selection were both an R8, and a PDK equiped 2009 Cayman S. The R8 turned a laptime @ 1 second off (I think this years time for the R8 was something like 1:40.3) that of Max in the 08 GT3.

That's pretty close, and I'm assuming the GT3 was most likely on the factory OEM tire, Pilot Sport Cups, while the R8 was on "regular" street rubber.

FWIW, I've got an R8, don't want to track it much, but I have some, and it is, from the ****pit, deceptively quick where corners are involved. It is also, as others in this thread have noted, exceptionally easy, by comparision to drive. I've only very limited experience in a GT3, and that being a 2004 996 version, . . . . but for most people, on most tracks I'm pretty sure the R8 would easily handle 99% of most drivers in a stock 04 GT3 with very little drama (at least in the R8 cabin.)

mike

PS Oh yes, in the "ride around town" looks & comments department, there is no comparison as far as the "attention" getting factor. To most people, the GT3 is "just another one of those Porsches." The R8 can be a royal pain in the rear attention magnet. FWIW, I am shelving my GT3 search for the moment, and potentially rethinking my tire/wheel selection choices for the R8 :-)

 

The R8 would get the nod, except for ergonomic factors other than driver seating & comfort. There is litterally NO room for anything much more than a driver & a passenger in the R8. Front trunk space is pretty close with in my guesstimation the Porsche maybe having a slight bit more room. Rear seat area? There is really NONE in the R8. You can slide a set of golf club on to the shelf behind the seats, but the space is nothing compared to the 997. Last but not least, the Porsche does have provision for a roof rack system. That ain't going to happen with the R8

 

Audi R8 vs Porsche 911 Carrera 4S 997.1

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/A...-4S_132846.htm

 

no disrespect to gt3 owners, but many cannot drive their cars to the limit. i've seen Cayman S pilots running circles around those drivers in the gt3, and I'm sure there is no doubt which car is quicker. problem is mid engine cars are just easier to drive and lesser cars such as CS or R8 will outrun poorly driven gt3

I drive CS and I have no personal experience with the gt3 and R8, but my educated guess is that well driven gt3 is going to be way faster then 4.2 R8 on the track.
Anyway, R8 is great looking car, but personally I'd get gt3 hands down.

 

that was a fun video, going sideways and all but not really how you drive the cars on the track to get the best possible time. lot more fun though

 

watch that 5th gear video from 1:15, tiff mentions that the c4s is equipt with the power package option. for whatever thats worth. so its not just the reg c4s, i believe the power pack adds another 25 hp

 

R8 is in the same performance tier as an M3 or RS4. It only looks like a supercar. But performance wise, it's not. Without counting for driver skill, GT3/RS is faster, no question.

 

yes and no.
yes re luggage perhaps (if you dont have a cage).
in terms of passenger space and comfort - R8 is much roomier inside.

 

GT3 is faster and i have proved it.
R8 is in a different league to an M3 though, at least on a circuit....

 

keep in mind they compared it to first gen C4S 997. Audi R8 is a newer platform so to be fair it should be compared to 997.2 DFI C4S IMO