The figures below were computed by an earlier build of the
analysis and do not carry
later corrections to it. Refreshing this case file recomputes them from the same cars.
BaT files wheels, seats, engines and memorabilia under the same model page as
the cars. 3 such listings were
removed before any figure below was computed — e.g. No Reserve: Five-Piece Audi R8 Luggage Set by Audi design; No Reserve: Four-Piece Audi R8 Luggage Set & Literature; No Reserve: Two-Piece Audi R8 Luggage Set by Audi design & quattro Chronograph.
The gated V10 R8 has quietly firmed up — median $134,000 across 141 BaT sales, $137,000 over the last 12 months (+9.6%) — but the spread from a tired 50k-mile Spyder to a 10k-mile facelift coupe is now more than $100,000, and MagneRide, A/C compressors and accident-repaired cars are where the money leaks out.
$145,000 ·
$136,000 ·
$116,000 ·
$121,000 ·
$175,000 ·
$142,000 ·
Median sold
$134,000
141 sales
Typical range
$117,000–$157,000
middle 50%
Last 12 months
$137,000
+9.6% year over year
Sell-through
84%
27 reserve not met
All-time high
$218,000
The market
168 completed BaT auctions, 141 sold, 83.9% sell-through — a high clearance rate that tells you reserves on this model are generally realistic. The sold median is $134,000, mean $137,287, with the interquartile range running $117,000 to $157,000 and extremes of $72,000 to $218,000. The last 12 months median $137,000 against $125,000 for the 12 months prior, +9.6%. That is a genuine recovery, not a bubble: the 2021 median was $156,000 (n=32), it bled down to $132,500 (2022), $130,500 (2023) and bottomed at $119,000 in 2024 (n=22) before recovering to $137,000 in 2025 and $136,500 across 16 sales so far in 2026. Commenters in the 2022-23 threads were blunt about it — lindbrosracing on 14k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed: "The manual gearbox phenomenon is cooling off and reality is coming back to the market." That correction is now over.
The transmission breakdown is uninformative here (all 81 analysed cars are manual — this is the manual cohort) so ignore it. Colour data is worth reading with care: Ibis White median $139,898 (n=18) and the two Daytona Gray groupings at $139,500 and $137,000 sit above Phantom Black Pearl $130,500 (n=12), Ice Silver Metallic $116,000 (n=9) and Brilliant Red $107,000 (n=10). But the Red cohort is contaminated by high-mileage and damaged cars — the 70k-mile $81,400 coupe and the 69k-mile No Reserve: 2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed at $87,500 were both red — while red on a good car does fine: 28k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed, a one-owner 28k-mile car, took $141,000. Treat colour as worth roughly ±5-8%, not ±25%.
Sell-through behaviour also tells you where the ceiling is. Reserve-not-met results cluster tightly just below the money: $118,000, $120,000, $123,000, $126,000, $137,000, $140,000, $152,500, $155,997, $173,000. Several then sold quietly afterwards — 25k-Mile 2010 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed bid to $119,000 RNM and closed post-auction at $125,000; One-Owner Supercharged 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed failed at $95,000 on BaT and reportedly made $127,000 through Manheim. Manual conversions are the one segment where bidders reliably hold back: $72,000, $96,000, $112,000, $116,000 twice, with two conversions failing at $95,000 and $96,000.
Every completed auction. Filled = sold, hollow = reserve not met. Line = median sold price per year.Median sold price per year; the vertical line spans that year’s low to high.
What moves the price
sub-10,000 indicated miles premium +20-50% over a 25-35k-mile equivalent
any accident, airbag deployment or "severe damage" Carfax entry discount -20-35%
49k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed, carrying a May 2017 "severe" front and front-right Carfax entry with no repair documentation, made $94,000. No Reserve: 2011 Audi R8 Spyder V10 6-Speed, with two moderate accidents inside a year and airbag deployment, made $81,500 — List-Renn: "'Severe' damage on a CarFax entry- with or without airbag deployment, would give any serious bidder pause." 25k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed failed at $120,000 once multi-panel repaint and water-damaged door cards surfaced. By contrast a properly documented Audi-certified repair costs less: 20k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed, with a 2012 airbag-deployment accident repaired at an Audi aluminium facility plus paint meter readings and an Audi PPI, still made $136,000 against a $141-142k band for clean 28-31k-mile cars.
odometer-discrepancy or rollback flag on Carfax discount -25-35%, or no sale at all
2010 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed carried an April 2019 rollback notation (seller blamed a km/mile clerical error) and made $80,499 — Socalnsx: "It's pretty clear the shady carfax showing milage discrepancy torpedoed this sale…got a gated v10 for less then clean v8 models." 2012 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed, showing 19,663 → 13,936 → 19,641 mile entries, failed at $104,000; daveco96, who owns the same spec, added that the seat bolsters showed wear inconsistent with 26k miles. The same flag resurfaced on 2012 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed which sold for $121,000 only after the seller claimed it was cleared.
heavy or irreversible modification (RWD conversion, forced induction, cat-less exhaust, air suspension) discount -15-30%, and sharply narrower buyer pool
tasteful, named-brand suspension/exhaust (Öhlins by Ahlman, Capristo, Tubi, Fabspeed) with OEM parts retained premium neutral to +5%
This is the one modification category the market tolerates. 31k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed on Öhlins TTX and a Top Gear valved exhaust made $142,000, above the median for its mileage; 9k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed on Fabspeed-installed Öhlins made $167,000, with RNLabas endorsing "the Öhlins by Scott Ahlman Performance are unquestionably the BEST suspension possible for this platform." No Reserve: 14k-Mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed with a MagneRide delete and Ahlman Stage 2 still made $187,000.
Mileage against sold price across the 81 deep-analysed cars.
Median by exterior colour
Colour
Median
Cars
Ibis White
$139,898
18
Daytona Gray Pearl Effect
$139,500
6
Daytona Gray Pearl
$137,000
5
Phantom Black Pearl
$130,500
12
Ice Silver Metallic
$116,000
9
Brilliant Red
$107,000
10
Cuts with fewer than 5 cars are left out of the two tables above:
Phantom Black Metallic (exterior colour, 3 cars), Panther Black Crystal (exterior colour, 1 car), Suzuka Gray Metallic (exterior colour, 4 cars), Phantom Black (exterior colour, 2 cars), Brilliant Black (exterior colour, 1 car), Phantom Black Pearl Effect (exterior colour, 2 cars), Lava Gray Pearl Effect (exterior colour, 1 car), Teak Brown Metallic (exterior colour, 2 cars), and 4 more. A median of two or three cars is not an
estimate of anything, and sorted beside a real one it reads as a price difference that the record does
not actually support.
Known issues
majorMagnetorheological (MagneRide) damper leakage — the single most-discussed liability on this car
raised or documented on roughly 25 of the 100 cars reviewed; effectively universal as a question in every thread
joshg1, who owns a near-identical car, on 15k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed: "ALL of them will fail, pretty much guaranteed… Everyone in the R8 owners group said i was lucky to make it that long" — his first failed at 15k miles. On 28k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed, ELW_Z8 and mtphoto jointly concluded "with nearly 14 years and 30k miles its very unusual for them to have not had to be replaced yet." 45k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed disclosed a weeping left-rear and priced the three options for bidders. LawDog repeatedly demanded written proof across 24k-Mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed ("Considering this is typically a $4k–$6k repair, this is vital info") and 15k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed, which then failed at $126,000. RNLabas offers the counterpoint on 18k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed: performance is often maintained well past the onset of seepage, so it is a cost-of-ownership item rather than a defect.
Check: Get all four corners photographed and, better, wiped clean and re-inspected on a lift for weeping around the shaft seal; demand written invoices if any have been replaced (Carfax often records them). Budget $3,000-6,000 per corner OEM, or $6,600+ plus labour for an Öhlins/KW conversion; refurbished OEM units from Nagengast run near $1,000 a corner. An undocumented original set on a 12-15-year-old car is a pending bill, not a clean bill.
documented as already replaced on at least 15 of the 100 cars; raised as a known failure point in a dozen threads
dewilhite1948 on 23k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 Coupe V10 6-Speed: "Having the AC compressor done recently is big, I paid over $4k when mine went out!" — that car's replacement cost "north of $5k." Geewagens on 2010 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed: "the two biggest Achilles heels are the AC (if you google you will see the frequency and cost of AC repairs to early R8s) and the frame cracking issues" — that car had an undiagnosable seasonal leak and made only $80,499. 6k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed had its compressor replaced twice in 2014 alone.
Check: Confirm cold output at idle in heat, and ask specifically whether the compressor has been replaced and when. A replaced unit is a positive; an original compressor on a 12-15-year-old car is a $4-5k contingency. On the V10 the condenser is reachable without dropping the engine (unlike the V8) — worth confirming with the shop.
major if present, but statistically rareFront strut-tower / A-pillar aluminium spaceframe cracking on pre-late-2009 builds
raised on at least 8 of the 100 cars, always on 2009-early-2010 examples
On 17k-Mile 2010 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed the frame question dominated the thread and the car failed reserve at $118,000; Jeremy's post-mortem was blunt — "The biggest thing costing money is the seller's absence." Worse, DSprague reported in that same thread that his car cracked with "no impact" and "insurance refused coverage… Metromile claimed it is a known issue for the R8." No Reserve: 39k-Mile 2009 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed was confirmed by the seller to have no reinforcements. 31k-Mile 2010 Audi R8 V10 6-Speed drew skalakman's photo analysis showing reinforcements not installed on the passenger side.
Check: Establish the production date, then physically inspect the front strut tower area with the wiper arm and cowling out of the way. RNLabas quantified it on 12k-Mile 2010 Audi R8 Coupe V10 6-Speed: "approximately 13,000 R8 Audi Space Frames were constructed prior to the production running change in late 2009… Around 45-50 actual documented cases" — 0.4%. Reinforcement parts 427805883/884 entered production 23.11.2009 and can be verified against the VIN in Audi ETKA.
documented repairs on at least 10 of the 100 cars, frequently on sub-30k-mile examples
26k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed had the left valve cover gasket replaced in 2022, timing covers resealed in 2022 and the oil pump resealed in 2025. 25k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed lists timing covers resealed and valve cover gasket 2022, then oil pump assembly and seals in March 2025. 2015 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed had spark plugs, coils and the left valve cover and gasket done in December 2024. G8TD_V10, reporting on 45k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed, listed his own 53k-mile car's history as "1 leaky oil pump… another small oil leak… coolant tank expansion leak… 1 leaky front Magride shock… AC condenser… otherwise just normal maintenance." That is a fair statement of the ownership profile.
Check: Pull the engine-bay covers and look at the valve covers and timing cover joints; inspect the underbody with shields off; check the engine-cover glass for oil fogging. Ask for invoices — these jobs recur in the records with startling regularity at 20-30k miles.
moderate to major depending on extentInterior door-card leather delamination / warping — expensive to fix properly
raised on 5 of the 100 cars, and it destroyed one sale outright
25k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed failed at $120,000 with delaminated door cards; mark1Gti's post-auction verdict linked it to the 2017 Carfax damage: "the door cards for sure got when and I don't think would have been fixed well. Needed replacement," with repair estimates of $20k+ at a shop plus $10k at the Audi dealer. NSY64 in that thread thought the no-sale was prudent. 41k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed disclosed "separated trim on the right door panel"; 6k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed disclosed early leather separation and a warped right door despite 6,000 miles.
Check: Run a hand over the upper door cards and dash for ripples, lifting and separation. Ask whether the car has ever sat with water intrusion. Parts are dear — Dubya quoted "$4000+ each" for panels, one seller quoted $1,500 to repair one side, $3,000 for both.
Check: Read every DOT code. Then price a full fluid service — transmission, differential, coolant, brake and clutch — because ultra-low-mile cars are frequently still on factory fill. On 1,300-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed, qbn_vw: "With this lack of use, I'd expect all fluids to be done (trans, coolant, brakes, differential) before delivery since it's definitely not a good thing that it's still on the factory fill minus the engine oil."
moderateClutch — actually robust on the gated cars, but a $13k bill when it comes
queried on at least 10 cars; documented replacements on 6 of the 100
The specialist view is reassuring. Third_Pedal, who has converted 50+ R8s, on 17k-Mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed: "the clutch should last to around 100k on a manual car. It's a twin disk and very robust"; and on 41k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed: "120k miles on a local 2015 v10 we service, still going strong. In the manual cars, 50k miles on the clutch is where you might start to expect slipping – if it's been driven poorly." svoshop on 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed: "Unlike the paddle cars, the gated cars don't suffer from short clutch life." But the bill is real: 24k-Mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed had a $13,000 clutch, flywheel and slave cylinder job after a transporter loaded it in third gear. 2015 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed had its clutch done at ~27k miles, which materially helped it to $175,000.
Check: Drive it: pull hard in a high gear from low revs and look for slip; feel where the pedal bites. Sellers almost never measure it — expect "we have not measured the clutch, but it feels great" (17k-Mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed). Ask for an invoice if replacement is claimed.
Check: Ask whether a walnut-blast/decarbon has been done and at what mileage. Expect it as a maintenance item somewhere between 40k and 80k miles, earlier on cars driven gently at low rpm.
Check: Confirm the expansion-tank recall and the tensioning strap were completed; look for pink residue around the tank and pump area, and for oil/coolant fogging on the engine cover glass.
Check: Cycle the top fully, check seams, stitching and weather-strip condition, and look at the headliner for holes. Fold creases are normal; tears and holes are not.
moderate as a pricing risk, even when benignCarfax data errors and unexplained service notes that scare bidders
raised on at least 8 of the 100 cars
2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed at $121,000 had Carfax swinging between four and five owners with an erroneous 2026 transfer entry. 6k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 6-Speed contained a customer report of an "unusual metallic clank" the seller could not replicate — GT3Suds: "I would imagine nothing else has been done to try to replicate it again?" 29k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed had invoices mentioning a supercharger twice on a car the seller insisted was never modified; Shumdit: "The math ain't mathing…"
Check: Read the full Carfax line by line, not the summary. Chase any service note you don't understand before bidding — the "transmission rattle at idle" on 31k-Mile 2010 Audi R8 V10 6-Speed turned out to be covered by Audi TSB 2031910/2 and confirmed normal by another owner; "head gaskets and cylinder heads replaced 2019" on the same car was never explained at all.
Verify the car is a factory 6MT, not an R-tronic conversion, before anything else. Get the build sheet/ETKA decode — RNLabas routinely does this from the VIN in BaT threads — and cross-check the PR codes. A conversion is worth 15-25% less even when beautifully done.
Establish the production date and, for anything built before late November 2009, physically confirm the front strut-tower reinforcement plates (parts 427805883/884) and inspect the towers with the cowling and wiper arm clear. Photographs through a wheel arch are not sufficient.
Have all four MagneRide dampers wiped clean and re-inspected on a lift for weeping, and demand written invoices for any prior replacement. On a 12-16-year-old car with no damper history, price in $12,000-20,000 and treat the seller's "they ride great, no leaks" as unverified.
Confirm A/C compressor history. Replaced = money already spent in your favour; original = $4,000-5,000 contingency. Test the system cold at idle in real heat, not for ten seconds in a video.
Pull the engine-bay covers and look hard at valve covers, timing cover joints, oil pump area and the underside of the engine cover glass for oil fogging. These leaks recur constantly on sub-30k-mile cars.
Drive the clutch properly — high-gear roll-on for slip, note the bite point. Sellers virtually never measure it. Then budget $13,000 if the car is over 40k miles with no clutch record.
Read every tyre DOT code and every sidewall. Aged tyres are the norm even on freshly serviced cars; on ultra-low-mile examples also budget a full fluid service (trans, diff, coolant, brake, clutch) because factory fill is common.
Get paint meter readings on every metal panel — four per panel — and compare them. Bidders on this model routinely catch repaints this way: the 10-mil driver-side rear quarter on 8k-Mile 2014 Audi R8 V10 Plus Coupe 6-Speed, and the 9.37/6.86 readings flagged on 14k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed. Note that PPF inflates readings, so establish where film is.
Inspect the upper door cards and dash for ripples, lifting and delaminating leather. Door panels are $4,000+ each and their condition was the direct cause of one $120,000 no-sale.
On Spyders, cycle the roof through full open and close, check the headliner for holes, and inspect the hydraulic pump — 2012 Audi R8 GT Spyder V10 6-Speed Conversion needed a complete top assembly and pump.
If the car has an ECU tune, check emissions readiness and, where relevant, that catalysts remain — and if there is a transferable Fidelity Platinum warranty, confirm in writing that no powertrain or software modification gives the adjuster grounds to deny a claim, as RedLine55 pressed on 20k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed.
Ask whether an intake decarbon/walnut blast has been performed and at what mileage, especially on cars driven gently.
Ask the seller
Is this a factory 6-speed or a conversion? If a conversion, who did it, when, at what mileage, and do you have the receipts and the selector calibration documentation? (The seller of 36k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed Conversion could only say a "Euro shop in the Boston area" did it with no receipts.)
Have the MagneRide dampers ever been replaced? Show me the invoice, and show me all four shafts wiped clean on a lift today.
When was the A/C compressor last replaced, and by whom? Does the system hold charge through a season or does it need topping up?
When was the clutch last inspected or replaced, and has anyone actually measured it — or does it just "feel great"?
What is the production date, and can you confirm from Audi ETKA whether the front strut-tower reinforcements are recorded against this VIN? Will you send photographs of the towers with the cowling out of the way?
Show me paint meter readings — four per panel, including the roof — and tell me exactly where PPF is applied and when it went on.
Explain every Carfax entry, including any "minor damage" notation, any repossession, any owner-count anomaly and any odometer flag. What was actually repaired, by whom, and do you have the repair order?
How long have you owned it, and how many miles have you added? (Quick flips are everywhere in this record and bidders punish them.)
Are there two keys, the original window sticker, the stamped service booklet, and the OEM parts for every modification — exhaust, wheels, shocks, head unit, grille?
On a low-mileage car: when were the transmission, differential, coolant, brake and clutch fluids last changed, as opposed to the engine oil?
Has the intake ever been decarboned/walnut blasted, and at what mileage?
On a Spyder: does the top cycle fully without hesitation, and are there any holes in the headliner or tears in the seams?
Will you permit a pre-purchase inspection by an independent R8 specialist, and will you deliver the car to them? (Sellers who refused — 15k-Mile 2015 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed's seller declined contingency and was away during bidding — routinely left money on the table.)
Sellers who cannot or will not produce paint meter readings before bidding closes. On 25k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed the readings arrived only after the reserve had failed, and the follow-up commentary tied them to undisclosed multi-panel repaint.
Odometer rollback or mileage-discrepancy flags, however plausible the explanation. Both cars carrying one either sold at a 30% discount or failed to sell.
Ultra-low mileage with zero documented mechanical exercise. 29k-Mile 2012 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed shows where that ends: storage corrosion, a clutch, then a seized engine during the clutch service.
Irreversible or emissions-hostile modification: RWD conversion, cat-less exhaust, air suspension, supercharger with no dyno sheet or documentation. Twin-Turbocharged 2010 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed failed at $104,000 principally because it cannot be registered in emissions states.
An absent or evasive seller during the final hours. Jeremy's summary on 17k-Mile 2010 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed — "The biggest thing costing money is the seller's absence" — was borne out by a reserve miss at $118,000, and the same pattern sank 53k-Kilometer 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed.
A prior PPI known to have turned up problems. jman8 on No Reserve: 2014 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed: "His PPI turned up quite a few issues such as a leaking valve cover and oil pump, worn out brake rotors, leaking mag ride, missing trim under the front bonnet." The car came to auction anyway and made $87,500.
Budget
Driver-grade, $80,000-110,000: a 2010-2011 coupe or Spyder with 40,000-70,000 miles, or a well-sorted conversion, or a clean car carrying a documented accident. Examples: 45k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed at $110,000 (with a known weeping rear damper), 44k-Mile 2011 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed at $105,000, No Reserve: 39k-Mile 2009 Audi R8 V10 Coupe 6-Speed at $108,500 — the last of which needs $15,000-20,000 of paint per RammJaeger. At this level assume you will spend $15,000-25,000 on dampers, A/C, tyres and oil-side leaks in the first couple of years.
The highest sale in the data set and 59% above the median. A 1,300-mile time capsule, one of ~36 MY12 US manual Spyders, with the original window sticker at $174,025 MSRP. Note what you are actually buying: still on factory-fill transmission, differential, coolant and brake fluid, and with MagneRide dampers of entirely unknown condition. sgtiger's warning in the thread deserves repeating — "Now people with modified high mile examples think this auction is representative of a trend. It's not."
The ceiling for facelift coupes: one of only 18 MY14 V10+ 6MT coupes in the US per RNLabas, the only one in Brilliant Black, with CCBs. Even so it carried a 10-mil paint meter reading on the driver-side rear quarter the seller dismissed as a tilted meter, original 2013 tyres, and a weak driving video he admitted was inadequate. DonnieBrasco claimed he paid "almost $250K" privately for a comparable car, so there may be headroom above this.
By far the strongest pre-facelift result — roughly $50k above the band for 15-22k-mile 2011 coupes — achieved at no reserve. Ibis White over black Nappa, full carbon options and white gauges, 11k miles, and it had already made $182,000 on BaT in March 2021. Proof that a genuinely exceptional spec plus no reserve can beat a reserve-protected auction.
The floor of the entire data set. 68k miles, an owner-performed R-tronic-to-manual conversion (not by a recognised specialist), MagneRide deleted for Audi Sport fixed suspension, an ECU tune of uncertain emissions status, and a no-reserve format — sold for roughly 25% less than the seller paid a year earlier. awkwardpickle called it a "New record low for a gated V10 R8 on BaT"; NSY64 called it "a sorrowful financial disaster." Everything the market discounts, stacked in one car.
70,000 miles, a $17,000 used replacement engine installed in May 2024, and a material conflict over why the original engine died — the seller said it was started without oil during service, while VanBraun199 found a record of it being blown at a Daytona track event in December 2019. Add a 2014 repossession, a repainted hood and door-panel delamination. A replacement engine of unclear provenance is worth roughly a 40% haircut.
A textbook illustration of what a paperwork problem costs. An April 2019 Carfax odometer-rollback notation (seller's explanation: kilometres recorded as miles), plus an A/C leak no Audi dealer could diagnose and unresolved suspension/traction-control warning lights. Socalnsx: "got a gated v10 for less then clean v8 models."
The most instructive no-sale in the set. Factory-original paint verified at 5.0-5.5 mils across all panels, 8,000 miles, one of 51 MY14 manual coupes, and confirmed by RNLabas as the only Brilliant Red over Titanium Gray example for the year — and still only $173,000. That is the realistic ceiling for a non-Plus facelift coupe without CCBs, regardless of one-of-one colour claims.
Failed at $66,000 — about half the going rate for a 33k-mile manual V10 Spyder. Thirteen owners in ten years, Air Lift air suspension, a rear fender liner cut for exhaust clearance, nine missing driveshaft cover bolts the seller implausibly claimed had been removed for inspection, and near-total seller silence. Tommyhil5_0: "With important questions unanswered I believe those of us whom were serious are stand off ish at this point."
Verdict
This is the last gated, naturally aspirated V10 with all-wheel drive and a usable cabin, roughly 700 manual coupes and 326 manual Spyders in the US across the whole run, and the market has finally stopped pretending it is just a used Audi: +9.6% year on year, 83.9% sell-through, and a firm $134,000 median. The sweet spot for someone who intends to drive it is a one- or two-owner 2011-2012 coupe or Spyder at 20,000-30,000 miles with invoices for the dampers and A/C compressor, at $125,000-145,000. That car is genuinely usable — multiple owners in these threads report 50,000-120,000 trouble-free miles and $600-a-year maintenance — and its known failure points are finite, identifiable and cheaper than any Italian equivalent. If you want the version that appreciates rather than the version that drives, you must pay $173,000-213,000 for a 2014-2015 facelift or a sub-10,000-mile pre-facelift, and you should be ruthless about paint meter readings and original tyres at that level. Avoid the $80,000-110,000 band unless you are prepared to fund a $20,000 catch-up, and discount conversions by a fifth no matter how good the shop. Do not pay factory-manual money for a conversion, and do not pay clean-car money for an undocumented accident.
Several caveats. The transmission median table contains only the manual cohort (n=81), so it says nothing about a manual premium over R-tronic — that comparison is outside this data. The colour medians are drawn from a subset of 81 analysed cars and are badly confounded with mileage and condition: Brilliant Red's $107,000 median (n=10) is dragged down by 69,000- and 70,000-mile cars, not by the paint, and every colour group with fewer than five cars has deliberately been withheld and should not be read as a premium or discount. Body-style pricing is not separately computed; my coupe-vs-Spyder inferences come from reading individual results, and the two overlap heavily. Production figures throughout — 717 or 720 or 743 V10 manual coupes, 326 Spyders, 51 MY14 and 35 MY15 coupes, 18 MY14 V10+ — come mainly from one commenter, RNLabas, who cites Audi of America and DOT sources and is corroborated by others; they are credible but not independently audited, and one thread (Suzuka Gray Metallic 2011 Audi R8 V10 Spyder 6-Speed) had two owners disputing a "one of" claim outright. All failure-rate impressions are drawn from what commenters raised in 100 threads, which over-samples cars where something was wrong and reflects opinions of strangers; the MagneRide, A/C and oil-leak patterns recur often enough, and are corroborated by specialists like Third_Pedal and by documented invoices, that I would treat them as established. Frame cracking is the opposite case — much discussed, quantified by RNLabas at roughly 0.4% of pre-late-2009 frames, so a real risk on early cars but not a common one. Finally, the 2026 sample is only 16 cars, so the +9.6% trend is directionally solid but the current-year median should not be read to the dollar.
Bidding patterns
These are patterns, not findings. A public auction
record cannot show intent, and everything below has ordinary explanations — specialists and
dealers bid on many cars of one model, enthusiasts run up cars they end up losing, and new
accounts are usually just new. Read them as places to look closely, not as accusations.
Screened 100 bid ladders
· 24 with something to note · 2 repeat-bidder patterns · thresholds set against this model's own auctions (typical closing window is 42% low-history bidders)
· usernames masked for public viewing
b••••••e bid on 3 of n••••••s's cars, winning none
Common for a dealer or marque specialist who follows one seller's inventory.
It is also the shape worth checking, so here are the listings:
37 bids from 15 accounts ·
sold $136,000 ·
winner a••••••s · underbidder m••••••0
watchUnderbidder placed much of the ladder — mattbarber100 placed 12 of 37 bids (32%) and did not win. Enthusiastic losing bidders are common; a very high share is still worth reading the thread for.
watchClosing bids came almost entirely from accounts with no posting history — 18 of 18 bids in the final 15 minutes (100%) came from accounts with under 25 lifetime likes (Racer777, mattbarber100, BeneEwerton, Jmedefind). The typical auction for this model runs 42%, so this one is an outlier. Note the measure is weak — likes come from commenting, so a long-time bidder who never posts also scores zero.
31 bids from 12 accounts ·
sold $116,000 ·
winner J••••••5 · underbidder O••••••y
watchClosing bids came almost entirely from accounts with no posting history — 19 of 19 bids in the final 15 minutes (100%) came from accounts with under 25 lifetime likes (Bakerm3, habidasheroo, Jibrahim25, Bugzy100). The typical auction for this model runs 42%, so this one is an outlier. Note the measure is weak — likes come from commenting, so a long-time bidder who never posts also scores zero.
57 bids from 17 accounts ·
sold $122,000 ·
winner N••••s · underbidder C••••••s
watchUnderbidder placed much of the ladder — Coast2Coastimports placed 20 of 57 bids (35%) and did not win. Enthusiastic losing bidders are common; a very high share is still worth reading the thread for.
33 bids from 13 accounts ·
sold $134,000 ·
winner C••••••a · underbidder d••••••s
watchUnderbidder placed much of the ladder — diamondmotorworks placed 12 of 33 bids (36%) and did not win. Enthusiastic losing bidders are common; a very high share is still worth reading the thread for.
40 bids from 13 accounts ·
sold $189,000 ·
winner j••••••2 · underbidder m••••••i
noticePrice set by two accounts trading bids — 61% of the ladder is the same two accounts alternating. This is what a genuine duel looks like too — it only matters alongside another signal.
15 bids from 7 accounts ·
sold $125,000 ·
winner O••••9 · underbidder j••••••n
noticePrice set by two accounts trading bids — 62% of the ladder is the same two accounts alternating. This is what a genuine duel looks like too — it only matters alongside another signal.
52 bids from 23 accounts ·
sold $94,000 ·
winner f••••••9 · underbidder p••••••s
watchClosing bids came almost entirely from accounts with no posting history — 17 of 18 bids in the final 15 minutes (94%) came from accounts with under 25 lifetime likes (flyin90, felicia49, philip.labas). The typical auction for this model runs 42%, so this one is an outlier. Note the measure is weak — likes come from commenting, so a long-time bidder who never posts also scores zero.
20 bids from 7 accounts ·
sold $120,500 ·
winner s••••••e · underbidder d•••y
noticePrice set by two accounts trading bids — 61% of the ladder is the same two accounts alternating. This is what a genuine duel looks like too — it only matters alongside another signal.
A beautifully-preserved 9k-mile manual V10 Spyder with recent specialist damper rebuild and undisclosed prior hood repaint sold via negotiated offer at $145k after missing reserve, suggesting market hesitation about pricing despite its rarity and pedigree.
A/C condenser replacement history unclear · hood repaint was undisclosed by previous owner before current dealer acquired it · gap in service history from 2018 to 2024 when current owner acquired car; seller defers to Carfax for that period
Attractive low-mileage V10 manual with documented $39.5k service history and transferable warranty, but 2012 accident-and-repair history plus rapid flip after brief ownership and prior supercar-rental association warrant independent structural inspection before committing.
front/side impact accident November 2012 with airbag deployment · 2012 accident with airbag deployment on early-life vehicle raises structural/safety concerns despite Audi repair claims · paint meter readings and PPI inspection provided by seller but independent third-party verification unavailable
Well-preserved manual-conversion R8 V10 with no documented mechanical issues but substantial provenance gaps on the $25k+ transmission work and a suspiciously quick flip by current dealer-owner, ultimately achieving $116k amid competitive bidding despite concerns that should justify closer pre-purchase inspection.
Manual conversion documentation absent · Rapid flip after major modification · Manual conversion work done by unknown 'Euro shop in Boston area' with no documented receipts or provenance · seller acquired car only ~1 year ago, already flipping it after short hold period suggests possible margin play rather than long-term passion
A well-documented and comparably low-mileage Series I R8 V10 Spyder with the prized gated manual transmission that suffered only minor rear bumper damage in 2012 and has been consistently maintained thereafter, commanding $121k in competitive bidding despite eleven-year-old spare tires and Carfax administrative confusion around title transfers.
rear impact accident history · Carfax confusion around ownership transfers and title corrections suggests potential record-keeping issues, though seller provided explanation · tires from 2015 despite car purchased in 2017 may indicate original purchase date discrepancy or storage concerns
A meticulously maintained, exceptionally rare 2015 R8 V10 Spyder manual (one of fourteen produced) with matching carbon-ceramic brakes and highest original MSRP, backed by complete service records and clean title, though aged tires warrant immediate replacement and PPF installation provenance remains undocumented.
Tires aged 2018-2019 · Original window sticker not available · PPF installation date undocumented
Genuinely rare manual V10 R8 with desirable modifications and low miles, but PPF damage history, expunged Carfax entry, and unknown PPF age warrant careful pre-purchase inspection despite strong final presentation and competitive bidding.
Carfax damage report expunged, raising questions about prior damage severity and transparency · PPF age unknown, installed before previous owner's listing
A single-owner, impeccably maintained 2012 R8 V10 manual in the desirable Brilliant Red with near-unbelievable mileage, but with magnetorheological dampers that are unusually original at 14 years and warrant immediate inspection for pending failure, which could represent a $3–5k repair.
Magnetorheological dampers (Magrides) potentially original and near end of service life · Magrides not documented as replaced despite 14 years in service—potential major expense looming · Very low mileage gain over time (only 28k in 14 years, with fewer than 100 miles under current ownership)—suggests long storage periods
Exceptionally low-mileage 2014 facelift gated V10 manual with desirable Capristo exhaust and clean history, though single key, unknown carbon inlay provenance, aged tires, and minor bumper scuffing temper an otherwise collectible spec that commanded $189k as one of ~86 such cars ever built.
Tires aged 2017-2018, due for replacement soon · Drilled plate bracket mounted into front bumper · Only one key provided with car (Ocholimbo explicitly asked and seller confirmed single key — expensive to replace) · Carbon engine inlay brand unknown, installed pre-ownership (no documentation of quality or fitment)
A low-mileage, single-owner, one-generation R8 V10 Spyder with a gated manual and recent OEM rear shock replacement that sold for $140k to a five-year repeat bidder, driven by scarcity value of manual convertibles in a post-manual era.
right-hand rear shock absorber leaking · rear shock replacement May 2026 is dated in the future relative to listing date, suggesting possible data entry error or confusion about service timeline · limited original service documentation; seller states dealership refused to provide repair orders due to privacy guidelines, relying only on Carfax records
A legitimately rare V10 manual spyder with meticulous maintenance and clean provenance that flipped for a ~$16k gain in 12 months, appealing to collectors willing to pay for scarcity and drivability rather than seeking value.
Rapid flip: purchased on BaT in May 2025, resold June 2026 after only ~1,500 miles added under current ownership; Grkcarguy notes same car sold for $120,500 with 25k miles last year, now $137,000 · Seller music-overlay evasion: initially provided cold-start video with background music; commenter MyCoalBAT and PanteraMike74 had to request unmasked audio before seller complied
A well-maintained, low-mileage gated manual V10 Spyder with tasteful mods and exceptional seller transparency, though an undiagnosed intermittent misfire appearing 48 hours before close and unresolved undercarriage damage create lingering mechanical and structural uncertainty for the buyer paying $122k.
Check Engine Light - multiple cylinder misfire codes · Check Engine Light appeared 48 hours before auction close after extended sitting period; while seller demonstrated it cleared and did not return, root cause (tune incompatibility, fuel system, coil drivers, or mechanical) was never definitively diagnosed · Intermittent misfire on all cylinders in same bank at cold start could indicate serious ECU or fuel system issue masked by short test drives
Clean, low-mileage V10 manual Spyder with exceptional color and recent service work, but unresolved questions about prior odometer discrepancy flag and Magnetic Ride damper condition warrant pre-purchase inspection.
Mileage discrepancy flag on Carfax · Magnetic Ride dampers condition unknown · Prior listing had mileage discrepancy concerns that reappear as odometer rollback flag question; seller claims cleared but documentation not fully detailed · Magnetic Ride damper condition not proactively disclosed or addressed despite being critical component
A unicorn-spec first-gen manual V10 Spyder with factory gated shifter, carbon ceramics, and 8k miles that sold to a dealer-aware buyer at $160k—genuinely rare but shadowed by the seller's prior failed listing attempt and lack of documented service records.
No service records provided in listing · Car previously listed on another auction site a few weeks prior without meeting reserve (per commenter 63pedals) · No service records documented or shown despite seller claiming last service in 2023
A well-preserved, low-mileage manual V10 R8 with comprehensive recent maintenance (AC compressor, PPF) and clean history, though incomplete service documentation and immediate high-markup resale hint at dealers spotting undervalued market entry.
Missing service documentation · Clutch wear unknown · Incomplete service records due to service shop ownership change · AC compressor replaced (known failure point on this generation) but original receipt not located
A clean, low-mileage manual V10 Spyder with recent maintenance that appreciated substantially since its January 2020 BaT sale, but the dealer's quick flip and pre-listing website presence signal a margin-driven dealer transaction rather than a passion hold.
Acquired by selling dealer in 2026 (timeline inconsistency: sold January 2020, acquired 2026, now re-listed suggests dealer hold and quick turnaround) · Listed on dealer website at $140k then pulled to list on BaT, suggesting price discovery strategy
Well-maintained, factory-gated V10 with provenance support from a prior owner and no accident history, but rapid prior ownership flips and an unusual mileage trajectory merit final verification before closing.
Suspension malfunction history · rapid ownership transfers and flips suggest potential issues or market timing concerns · suspension malfunction light history under prior ownership (2020), though resolved
A pristine, legitimately rare 2014 facelift R8 V10 manual—one of ~50 for USA—with meticulous recent maintenance and suspension upgrades sold at fair market for the unicorn spec, though Canadian service history gaps and recent import status warrant post-purchase verification.
incomplete service history from Canada · Car imported from Canada in October 2025, recently entered US market with Washington title · incomplete service documentation from 2014-2019 Canadian ownership period
A legitimate 1-of-1 ultra-low-mileage manual V10 R8 in the correct color and trim that drew serious bidding to $173k before reserve, but seller's reserve expectations appear to have exceeded what the market would bear at auction—likely recoverable in private negotiation near $180–185k.
Reserve not met; final bid $173k vs. estimated $180–200k suggests seller expectations may have been misaligned with market appetite
A beautifully maintained, exceptionally rare gated V10 manual Spyder with immaculate provenance but unaddressed Magnetic Ride suspension timing concerns that will require replacement within the next service cycle, sold to a knowledgeable collector at $142k after spirited final-hour bidding.
Original Magnetic Ride suspension nearing end of life · No pre-purchase inspection performed · No pre-purchase inspection despite recent dealer acquisition · Brake pads never physically measured or reported despite direct request
A gated-manual V10 Spyder with strong recent maintenance and documented collision inspection, but serious structural uncertainty from two pre-ownership accidents (one with airbag) that will always hang over title and future resale.
Moderate accident history with airbag deployment · Multiple impacts and paint/body concerns · Two accidents within one year (Sep 2013, Mar 2014) with airbag deployment on second—significant structural concern · Seller did not conduct due diligence on accident history at time of purchase from dealer
Compelling low-mileage factory manual V10 with comprehensive recent service was undercut by delayed disclosure of multi-panel repainting from 2017 damage and $30k+ water-damaged door-card replacement, causing smart bidders to walk at reserve.
Minor damage noted on Carfax (November 2017) · Door panel leather delamination and water damage · November 2017 'minor damage' on Carfax with no detail; seller initially downplayed importance · multiple panels repainted (per post-auction comment from mark1Gti correlating paint work to damage incident)
Pristine low-mileage first-gen gated manual V10 with professional suspension and exhaust upgrades, excellent provenance, and no red flags beyond routine maintenance gaps in early years—a collector-grade example that achieved strong market-affirming price through two-way institutional bidding.
original OEM shocks discarded rather than retained for future restoration to stock · Öhlins installation not initially documented in service records (seller later provided Ahlman Performance and Fabspeed invoices)
A pristine, ultra-rare Suzuka Gray 2015 R8 V10 manual (1 of 3 built) commanded $189k but may not have cleared—seller reports non-payment as of auction end +8 days, casting doubt on deal completion.
Winning bidder (jimg1962) appears not to have completed payment as of auction end +8 days per seller's comments stating 'we have still not been paid as of 1:12 on Friday the 31st', raising questions about deal completion
A meticulously owned 31k-mile manual R8 V10 with clean history marred only by unexplained 2019 head gasket work and unfinished frame reinforcement typical of early build years, selling at fair market value ($121k) to an engaged enthusiast market.
frame reinforcement not completed · head gaskets and cylinder heads replaced 2019 · Head gaskets and cylinder heads replaced in 2019 without seller explanation or supporting documentation · Frame reinforcement not completed on 2009-build early R8
A museum-quality, exceptionally low-mileage first-gen R8 V10 manual in the most desirable spec, meticulously preserved by an obsessive collector and backed by an excellent transferable warranty, but carrying minor cosmetic wear and a history of multiple suspension and cooling system repairs that warrant pre-purchase inspection despite the seller's glowing characterization.
Seller claims 'condition is near mint' and 'next owner will feel as if they've gone back in time' yet discloses multiple paint flaws and interior issues · three strut replacements in first 3 years of ownership suggest potential suspension wear or design concern common to early R8s
A low-mileage, uniquely specced manual V10 Spyder that commanded strong enthusiasm and $118k final price, with only minor strut seepage and deferred service-light reset that do not materially impair a car highly regarded by experienced R8 specialists.
Clutch life unknown · Service light was illuminated at time of listing, though seller addressed it · AC compressor replacement history unknown despite being common maintenance item on R8s
A meticulously maintained, exceptionally rare V10 manual R8 with transparent service history and deliberate return to factory spec that failed to clear an ambitious reserve but eventually sold post-auction, signaling strong underlying demand but uncertain market timing.
Adaptive magnetic ride shocks failed · Auction ended with reserve not met at $119k, then sold post-auction for $125k via direct offer—suggests reserve was higher than market comfort · Low annual mileage (1-2k/year across six vehicles) raises questions about long-term mechanical fitness despite claimed reliability
A low-mileage V10 manual Spyder with tasteful mods hobbled by undisclosed severe accident history, incomplete repair documentation, and surface damage the seller was unaware of—ultimately sold at inflated price to an emotional buyer who may have overlooked material risks.
May 2017 accident with severe front and front-right corner damage · Carfax shows 'severe' damage from May 2017 accident but pre-repair photos and detailed repair records not disclosed in listing; seller claims PPI passed but documentation delayed and not initially uploaded by BaT · Seller did not have prior accident history information and only discovered it via Carfax after purchase; raises questions about due diligence
A well-preserved, low-mileage manual R8 V10 with full service history and no reported accident damage that commanded strong bidding despite minor opacity around complete ownership provenance and unconfirmed A/C status.
magnetic ride suspension potential future failure · five owners per Carfax despite seller claiming only one prior owner before business transfer; JimiP questioned this discrepancy and seller explained transfers through business name and LLC formation but did not provide complete ownership clarity · seller declined to lift car for undercarriage inspection citing lift arm clearance concerns; commenters including prwhitmire and Outanowhere requested this multiple times
A remarkably well-preserved Gen-1 manual V10 Spyder with exceptional options and clear provenance that climbed methodically to $118k despite minor hatch-strut wear and minor cosmetic wear, reflecting strong collector appetite for rare manual R8s.
windshield condition description confusion: seller initially claimed windshield was flawless but listing stated 'chip in the windshield'; seller clarified this was copy-paste error from 1993 Viper listing and R8 windshield is actually flawless · limited service records gap between September 2015 and June 2024, with seller unable to provide complete service history for 2022-2024 period
Well-maintained, rare 6-speed V10 manual with exemplary service history undermined by 11 prior owners and extensively chippy paint/cosmetics that will require $15k–$20k restoration—best suited for a driver who wants to enjoy the motor and gating without garage-queen expectations.
Extensive paint chips and clearcoat flaking · Front bumper cover damage (repaired) · 11 prior owners raises concerns about durability and history (mkellermeyer: 'Fabulous example but 11 previous owners does make me cringe') · Significant cosmetic deterioration despite relatively low mileage suggests hard driving or poor care
A flawlessly presented 2012 R8 V10 Spyder with one-of-a-kind specification (carbon brakes), meticulous dealer-maintained history, and rarity credentials that justify its final $120,500 price, despite minor issues like a late power steering pump replacement and recent shift unit seal failure suggesting potential gremlins ahead.
Power steering pump failure · Shift unit assembly leak · Power steering pump required replacement twice in 9 months (July 2021 and April 2022), indicating possible quality or installation issue · Shift unit assembly leak requiring replacement just before sale (March 2025)
A meticulously single-owner, well-maintained example of an increasingly rare pre-facelift V10 gated manual with highly desirable carbon-ceramic brakes and striking silver-on-red spec, supported by independent verification of immaculate condition and strong bidding validation at $116k.
Relatively high mileage for age (52k miles on 2012 model) · Multiple touch-ups/repairs on paint and interior suggest frequent use or prior minor incidents
A exceptionally low-mileage, two-owner, properly serviced manual V10 Spyder in stock spec that sold below perceived market value to an active bidder after failing to meet reserve on a prior listing.
Window sticker documentation was delayed and seller had to be prompted to provide it · Car was previously listed on BaT in January 2025 and did not sell; relisted at no reserve
Exceptionally well-maintained low-mileage Gen-1 R8 V10 manual with transparent service history and meticulous recent care by an enthusiast owner, sold competitively at $147k to a buyer who made clear this was a bucket-list acquisition.
A meticulously maintained, low-mileage V10 R8 with an expertly executed manual conversion by a reputable shop, but market sentiment and rapid resale timeline with minimal additional miles suggest buyers value factory originality over conversion investment, ultimately failing to meet reserve at $96k.
car last sold on BaT in September 2022 for $89,888 and is being resold quickly with only ~1,200 additional miles, raising questions about seller motivation and buyer confidence in the conversion · reserve not met at $96,000 final bid, suggesting seller expectations misaligned with market valuation of converted vehicles
A legitimately rare 2014 Audi R8 V10+ manual with impeccable provenance and custody, though the driver-side quarter panel paint question and 11-year-old tires warrant pre-purchase inspection before delivery.
Driver-side rear quarter panel paint meter reading of 10 mils suggests possible refinish · Original tires from 2013 indicate car has sat largely unused for 11+ years despite being repeatedly driven by seller · Weak driving video and seller's acknowledgment it was inadequate suggests either mechanical concern or reluctance to demonstrate vehicle at speed
A meticulously preserved 1-of-14 manual V10 Spyder with factory paint, comprehensive service history, and the blessing of a tight-knit collector community, sold to a knowledgeable buyer who recognized its position as the last gated-manual supercar from a major manufacturer—a legitimate unicorn justified by its final price.
A meticulously stored low-mile gated V10 with solid provenance and service history, though the mysterious 'metallic clank' left uninvestigated and missing window sticker warrant scrutiny before $157.5k commitment.
Window sticker missing—unusual for dealer inventory with comprehensive documentation · 'Unusual metallic clank' in service records despite seller's inability to replicate; no follow-up diagnostics documented
Exceptionally low-mileage last-generation manual R8 in desirable Daytona Gray with full service history sold at fair market value, but ownership chain was deliberately obscured by seller and critical paint meter data (roof) was never produced despite repeated requests.
Ownership chain unclear · Ownership history semantics: dealer as 'first owner' is unusual and raised multiple commenter concerns · Paint meter readings promised but roof measurement not clearly posted in thread
A low-mileage, beautifully specced R8 conversion by an established shop that fell short of reserve due to aggressive quick-flip timing, incomplete calibration documentation, and warranty vagueness that spooked knowledgeable bidders expecting factory-manual build quality.
Manual conversion lacks documentation of calibration process · Warranty period and coverage unclear initially · Quick flip: purchased on BaT in January 2025, converted, and relisted within ~1 month. Commenters questioned whether conversion was rushed and whether all calibration work was complete. · Reserve not met: auction ended at $95,000 with reserve not met, suggesting seller's expectations were misaligned with market value.
A pristine, single-owner, 3,100-mile manual V10 R8 with complete documentation and factory provenance that sold for $152k—well below pre-auction market expectations of $200k+ based on recent comps, suggesting the buyer secured a significant value but the seller fell short of broader collector enthusiasm.
Missing original window sticker from delivery (only printed copy provided) · Service booklet missing factory adhesive vehicle identification sticker
A rare manual V10 R8 with desirable carbon trim sold cleanly at market despite a catastrophic engine failure of disputed origin, undisclosed prior repossession, and multiple cosmetic issues suggesting deferred maintenance — the fresh low-mileage replacement engine and accident-free title from current ownership since 2020 provide some reassurance but buyer paid premium for collector appeal rather than mechanical peace of mind.
Engine replacement due to catastrophic failure · Door panel trim delamination · Discrepancy in engine failure narrative: seller states engine failed when started without oil during service, but VanBraun199 found record of track event engine failure at Daytona in December 2019 before current ownership · Car was repossessed in May 2014 per Carfax, indicating past financial distress
An exceptionally low-mileage, well-documented, factory-manual V10 Spyder of genuine rarity failed to meet reserve at $137k, revealing a widening gap between seller expectations and the actual market appetite for six-speed R8s despite enthusiast rhetoric about their value.
reserve not met · Reserve not met at $137,000 suggests significant gap between seller expectations and market willingness · Only partial paint meter data provided (hood and doors only; composites excluded)
Desirable V10 manual Spyder undermined by multiple mileage discrepancies in Carfax, interior wear beyond stated miles, and seller defensiveness that left buyers uncomfortable enough to let a $104k closing bid fail to meet reserve.
Carfax odometer discrepancies · Interior wear inconsistent with stated mileage · Multiple odometer entries showing mileage decreases (19,663→13,936→19,641) suggests systemic Carfax error or manipulation · Interior wear pattern inconsistent with 26k miles according to knowledgeable observer
A clean, well-maintained and notably rare manual V10 coupe with low genuine miles and desirable carbon spec that sold briskly in competitive bidding, though paint remains unmetered and spoiler operation unverified by the seller.
spoiler operation not tested · paint not metered before auction listing · spoiler operation not verified by seller before auction
A perfectly specified, ultra-rare gated-manual V10 coupe with collector mileage that commanded strong interest from a vocal owner community and sold $12k above its previous BaT price three years prior, signaling genuine market recognition of manual supercar rarity.
Rare and desirable 2014 V10 manual Spyder with impeccable dealer history but visible minor damage, multiple known mechanical issues (leaks, worn brakes, worn tires), rough interior, and a seller employing aggressive sales tactics to move a car that was rejected by a prior buyer's independent inspection.
leaking front mag ride shocks · valve cover gasket seepage · Carfax shows 'minor damage' in April 2024 but seller is vague about details and extent of front-end damage despite visible damage on passenger side skirt · Another dealer had this same car months ago with a PPI that found multiple issues (leaks, worn brakes, missing trim); car was rejected by that buyer yet seller brings it to auction without proactively disclosing or fixing these findings
Stunning and genuinely fast twin-turbo manual R8 with recent major repairs and excellent cosmetics, but marred by cat-less emissions non-compliance, absent turbo/tuning documentation, and unresolved historical mechanical gremlins that kept serious bidders away even at $104k.
electrical short in wiring harness causing misfires and random running issues · coil/plug issues blowing constantly · no turbo kit documentation, installation receipts, or warranty information provided · no dyno sheet despite significant power increase and twin-turbo setup on manual gearbox (commenters flag safety concern)
A pristine, low-mileage manual V10 R8 with tasteful modifications and clean history that sold for roughly $128k despite expert commentary suggesting it underperformed market value by $30–40k.
Limited documented service history despite 13+ years of ownership · Deferred maintenance items on last service record not fully explained until pressed
Ultra-low-mileage first-generation V10 manual R8 with clean provenance but service-record gaps from original owner's in-house maintenance, missing original parts, and reserve not met twice, suggesting the market values this specification below seller expectations despite its mechanical and aesthetic merits.
PPI not professionally signed · Car listed twice before (June 2024, December 2024) with reserve not met both times suggesting pricing disconnect with market · Service history performed by original owner's in-house technician rather than Audi dealer for first 3,870 miles, then brief dealer service prior to sale—limited paper trail
A low-mileage first-gen R8 V10 manual with recent service and protective treatments, but paint work and previous rapid resale raise questions about whether condition is genuinely pristine or the result of cosmetic reconditioning before dealer acquisition.
Previous auction on BaT in January 2023 before being acquired by dealer in 2024, suggesting the car was flipped relatively quickly · Extremely low mileage (4,900) on a 14-year-old car raises questions about storage and condition
A genuinely low-mileage and well-specced gated V10 manual R8 with desirable carbon trim that commanded $123k at auction despite a disclosed parking lot repair and known magneride vulnerability—a last-of-its-kind naturally aspirated supercar that the community uniformly celebrates as exceptional value.
Parking lot incident damage and repair · Magneride shock tower leakage concern · Parking lot incident repair history disclosed only in latter part of description; details sparse · Seller unable or unwilling to provide shock tower photos when specifically requested by knowledgeable commenter
A exceptionally rare one-owner manual V10 Spyder in pristine condition with low mileage sold at a fair market price reflecting both scarcity and the growing collector appreciation for analog-era supercar convertibles.
A genuine low-mileage example of a future classic in a rare color with clean history and responsive seller, but unresolved magnetic ride damper service history and optimistic reserve positioning prevented market validation at $126k.
original magnetic ride shocks not serviced for leaks · magnetic ride shocks remain original at 15k miles with no documented service history for potential leaks—a known issue on these cars · control arm bushings require inspection per seller's posted work order but condition not explicitly confirmed as acceptable
A genuinely desirable manual V10 R8 sidelined by an unresolved AC system, persistent warning lights, and a Carfax odometer discrepancy that spooked bidders and let a dealer scoop it well below market at a deep discount.
AC system leak and insufficient cooling · Suspension and traction control malfunction indicator lights illuminated · Carfax odometer rollback notation in April 2019, despite seller's explanation of clerical error—raises questions about mileage accuracy and service history reliability · Unresolved suspension and traction control warning lights; multiple shops unable to definitively diagnose root cause; final attribution to aftermarket infotainment unconfirmed
A properly documented, lightly driven, one-owner V10 manual Spyder in the rarest US configuration, with a known-issue weeping rear shock, minor cosmetic imperfections, and exceptional provenance that justified a $110k hammer price in a competitive late-stage bidding war.
A remarkably well-maintained, low-mileage US-market R8 Spyder with complete service history that fell just short of reserve, though the Canadian-title situation and three-owner history in 13 years warrant verification before re-listing.
car located in Canada but is being sold without title—only Alberta registration serves as ownership document, which may complicate US import process despite seller's assurances · three owners in 13 years including an estate acquisition suggests the second Canadian owner purchased from deceased previous owner—ownership chain should be verified
Well-maintained, conversion-verified R8 with proactive repairs of known weak points lost ~25% of value in one year due to no-reserve auction mechanics and depressed collector-car market, representing either the buyer's steal or a cautionary tale about selling strategy timing.
pothole damage and Magnetic Ride damper replacement · previous wheel condition deterioration · No Reserve auction resulted in final sale price of $72,000 after being purchased for approximately $96,000 one year prior, representing ~25% depreciation · manual transmission conversion performed by previous owner (non-professional shop) rather than established specialist like Third Pedal LLC
A meticulously serviced and cosmetically restored ultra-rare facelift V10 manual Spyder whose dealer origin and $13k clutch replacement transparency offsetted lingering questions about magnaride damper history and the multiple prior-owner geographic shuffle.
Clutch wear at low mileage · Magnaride damper condition undocumented · Clutch replacement at 24k miles raises questions about prior owner driving habits or transporter damage; seller's narrative plausible but not independently verified · Magnaride damper inspection never documented in writing; seller deflected with verbal-inspection claim and later video of underbody rather than formal service records
A well-maintained, low-mileage 6-speed manual R8 V10 with credible upgrades (Ohlins, Top Gear exhaust) marred only by prior cosmetic paint etching that was partially addressed, and minor listing inaccuracies regarding suspension and exhaust provenance — all largely mitigated by previous-owner vouching and strong collector-market demand for this increasingly rare configuration.
Paint etching damage · Carfax 'minor damage' entry in July 2024 with initially vague explanation; later clarified as paint etching from prior damage, not an accident · Discrepancy between listed exhaust brand (Fabspeed) and actual brand (Top Gear) suggests listing compiled from incomplete information
A meticulously maintained, low-mileage V10 manual R8 from an established dealer with comprehensive recent service—sold well within market trajectory for this collectible model, though suspension modification and initial listing inaccuracies warrant verification by buyer's PPI.
Initial listing error claiming Magnetic Ride suspension when car actually has BC Racing coil-overs—raises question about description accuracy · Paint meter readings and DME fault code readout were promised but images not fully visible in comments; seller said they would upload but clarity limited
A well-maintained, verifiably serviced 2011 R8 V10 Spyder with exceptional rarity credentials and clean history that failed to meet reserve at $101k on a Monday, likely underperforming relative to true market value for the specification.
Multi-state ownership history before 2023 acquisition suggests possible dealer flipping · Reserve not met at $101k, suggesting possible overpricing relative to market appetite on auction day
An exceptionally low-mileage, single-owner 2010 R8 V10 manual—the most collectible R8 configuration—with documented maintenance and clean history, but encumbered by missing original trim pieces, an unconfirmed strut-tower reinforcement status, and aged tires, whose $152.5k reserve non-met signals a market correction in supercar values.
Front strut tower reinforcement plates status uncertain · Pirelli P Zero tires dated 2019 and 2020 despite low mileage · Original shift knob and steering wheel missing with 'never got a real answer' from original owner—possible dispute or loss · Window sticker is replica rather than original documentation
A well-maintained, one-owner supercharged R8 with excellent service history and premium mods, but the seller's refusal of local inspections and 40–50 track days of use on a highly modified engine created buyer hesitation that doomed the BaT auction—though later resale at $127k in dealer channels suggests underlying value.
No in-person viewings allowed despite being 40-50 track days car with extensive modifications · Substantial mileage on tracking (40-50 track days) on modified, supercharged engine
This is a comprehensively maintained, low-mileage example of one of the rarest manual V10 convertibles ever made, with proactive resolution of known failure points and documented service history, purchased by an enthusiast owner who added only 18k miles in three years and understood what it takes to preserve such a machine.
A comprehensively restored and exceptionally rare manual V10 Spyder in a documented ultra-scarce color combination, though its six prior owners and significant 2022 bodywork require confidence in the restoration's quality and scope.
Body kit removal and repainting in 2022 · Major bodywork and repainting in 2022 raises questions about extent of prior damage · Six owners in approximately 13 years suggests frequent turnover
A museum-condition, 10k-mile 2011 R8 V10 Spyder in an exceptionally rare and harmonious spec (teak brown/luxor beige), meticulously single-owner maintained by a enthusiast for 11 years, sold to strong demand at nearly original MSRP by a reputable dealer—textbook blue-chip collectible.
A forensically clean, meticulously maintained 2012 R8 V10 with professional third-party manual conversion by a reputable shop, strong warrant backstop, and documented service history—but the warranty was already mostly consumed and the aftermarket exhaust compliance story remained murky at close.
Conversion was done by third party (Third Pedal LLC), not factory—buyers should verify reversibility and future serviceability claims · Service history gaps: documented Audi Care records do not cover full history; seller stated 'these documents might not cover the entire service history'
A low-mileage, well-documented 2011 manual V10 Spyder with no red flags, representing one of fewer than 300 US examples and commanding $137k in a disciplined final-hour bidding war driven by rarity and enthusiast demand for analog supercars.
This low-mileage R8 V10 benefited from a factory engine replacement under disputed circumstances, but the unresolved supercharger reference in service records, extensive cosmetic repairs, and seller's ambiguous acceptance of fault in a dealership-caused engine failure create meaningful buyer uncertainty that the final bid price may not fully discount.
engine seizure and catastrophic dealership error · supercharger discrepancy in service records · engine replacement at only 21k miles raises durability concerns despite being categorized as dealership error · seller paid 30% of engine replacement cost despite dealership's acknowledged 'catastrophic error' – suggests liability was actually contested
A low-mileage, gated manual V10 with a reversible and controversial RWD conversion that genuinely improves steering feel but narrowed its buyer pool and sold for $113k—well below comparables—likely because the owner chose not to revert it, suggesting either brand-new trend optimism or a calculated loss to move the car quickly.
RWD conversion details under-specified · Front shock was leaking on delivery · RWD conversion is irreversible without effort; seller did not revert to AWD before sale despite commenters suggesting this would have maximized price · seller is listing on behalf of owner but owner appears distant until late in auction when bsquare (the actual owner) joins comments, raising questions about representation
A professionally converted 1-of-333 Daytona Grey R8 GT Spyder with $18k already invested in a reputable manual conversion and fresh major services sold at fair market rate ($116k) to a prepared buyer who inherited a well-maintained exotic that requires only exhaust controller repair and OEM wheel replacement to feel complete.
Potential mileage discrepancy or registration timing issue · Delayed vehicle registration (purchased June 2023 but not registered until July 2023 per Carfax) · Original transmission components not retained—conversion cannot be easily reversed to original Rtronic
A one-of-one 2015 R8 V10 manual facelift in Teak Brown with 9k miles and complete dealer service history that sold to a dealer at $184k, then immediately repriced for retail at $219k–$239k, indicating the unique color and originality commanded a premium despite photographing poorly.
Window sticker not affixed to service booklet at time of sale (noted by seller as uncommon but not unusual) · Paint meter reading requested but not provided by seller prior to auction close
A clean, well-sorted 2011 R8 V10 gated manual with transparent ownership, modest mechanical modifications, and transparent seller communication that sold at a brisk $104k—strong fundamentals undermined only by minor cosmetic/documentation gaps that don't affect driving experience.
Lien on vehicle at time of listing requiring payoff before transfer · Factory radio not available/replaced with aftermarket
A museum-piece 1-of-36 manual V10 Spyder with negligible miles and complete provenance that sold for $213k on rarity and sentiment alone, but flagged by experienced commenters for deferred fluid service and unverified expensive components, suggesting buyer paid a premium for condition that requires immediate pre-drive mechanical validation.
transmission and differential fluids not changed · magnetorheological dampers condition unknown · extremely low mileage (1,300 miles in 12 years) raises questions about storage and fluid degradation despite recent oil change · factory fill fluids in transmission, coolant, brakes, differential not addressed despite decade of storage
Meticulously maintained, professionally modified STaSIS supercharger R8 with verified original celebrity ownership and clean service history, but undisclosed startup smoking, front-collision repair under wrap, and defensive seller responses create qualification risk that the final $97k hammer price may prove optimistic.
startup smoking · front-end collision damage · California Bureau of Automotive Repair noted 'fail tamper' result on November 2018 emissions test—concerning given supercharger modifications · front bumper and associated components replaced December 2021 following collision, with entire vehicle re-wrapped immediately after; raises questions about paintwork quality beneath wrap and whether damage was more extensive than disclosed
A spectacularly optioned Canadian-market manual V10 R8 in genuinely rare Suzuka/Nougat combination with verifiable first-owner provenance and low miles, sold at market-corrected pricing to a buyer who recognized the irreplaceable emotional value of the specification despite only minor deferred maintenance items and a pending certificate of conformity.
sale structured as 'accommodation sale' through seller's Porsche dealership rather than as straightforward private party, which affects paperwork and seller responsibilities; flagged by commenter M555 · original factory exhaust not included with car; discarded by first owner when Fi exhaust was installed in 2020
A comprehensively sorted manual R8 V10 conversion completed by a credible specialist technician with extensive preventive maintenance, strong documentation, fresh tires on two wheel sets, and verified drivability—though the prior insurance claim and short ownership warrant final pre-purchase inspection.
Mag Ride struts showing early leakage signs · Carfax damage report without clear collision history documentation despite seller's explanation and supporting paperwork · Prior owner switched ECU tune (VF Engineering to VAP) and locked ECU requiring bench flash, limiting future tune modifications
A well-maintained, low-mileage manual V10 R8 with comprehensive service history and remaining warranty that sold under market for a manual due to minor cosmetic issues (door trim, single key) and non-OEM exhaust, but represents genuine value for a discriminating driver.
possible magnetic ride damper warranty exclusion uncertainty · only one key after 6 years of ownership and 2-year attempt to order replacement suggests either cost sensitivity or maintenance inattention · aftermarket exhaust and modifications may not appeal to all buyers
A meticulously presented, ultra-rare Samoa Orange R8 GT with professional manual conversion and genuine collector provenance that failed to achieve its $200k+ reserve, exposing a significant disconnect between the seller's market education efforts and buyer willingness to pay a $60k+ conversion premium over comparable newer-generation R8s.
Car imported from Canada January 2023 with limited US history prior to auction · Manual conversion is aftermarket modification, not factory (all R8 GTs came with r-tronic)
A well-maintained, single-owner California R8 V10 gated manual with proper service records and low mileage sold at market rate ($100k) to an enthusiast; clean title and chassis integrity confirmed, but rear tire wear and advanced clutch wear warrant post-purchase inspection, and full originality is compromised by non-original grille and paint touch-ups.
clutch approaching replacement threshold · original front grille not retained by current owner · no record of original tires; multiple tire replacements with gaps in documentation
· 4,000 mi · manual · panther black crystal effect
An absolutely pristine 4k-mile example of one of the 51 most collectible manual R8s ever built, in perfect specification and condition, that achieved a legitimate record price driven by unquestionable rarity and immaculate single-owner provenance.
high service cost for power steering pump seal job · Service completed by ZTF Automotive at unusually high cost for routine maintenance
A cleanly documented, low-mileage manual V8 V10 with partial documented service and one replaced rear damper sold at $116k—a fair early-auction price for the spec, though buyers should independently verify remaining three magnetorheological dampers and complete service history before purchase.
Magnetorheological damper uncertainty · Clutch wear assessment incomplete · Service history partially withheld: seller stated 'to many pages to photograph all' when asked for complete records by porscheM491 · Gap in service records: only one rear damper documented replaced at 28k; remaining three mag ride dampers status unknown despite being known failure point
A clean, unmolested 9k-km 2012 R8 V10 manual—one of ~200 made that year—commanded $148k at auction by trading on extreme rarity, documented provenance, and collector appetite for analog naturally-aspirated V10 engagement in an era of turbochargers, despite Canadian-market origin and title complications.
No title issued; registered in country without vehicle titles; sold on registration only · US import requires additional 2.5% duty and $1,000 brokerage fee; seller states car complies with DOT requirements but import process adds complexity
Exceedingly rare manual V10 coupe with full provenance and low documented miles, but newly installed tires already show no tread and aftermarket exhaust/PPF suggest pre-sale cosmetic work rather than original care, raising questions about actual condition and use pattern despite strong final sale price.
Tires have almost no tread despite being new · New tires reportedly installed but already have almost no tread—suggests either very recent hard use or pre-existing condition not disclosed · Carbon-look vinyl wraps on side blades rather than original carbon fiber—cosmetic modification presented without prominent disclosure
A genuinely well-maintained manual V10 R8 with clean history that the seller priced realistically after inheriting a $40k loss, ultimately landing in a dealer's hands at roughly half its 2021 valuation—a steal-tier outcome that rewards the buyer's confidence but suggests underlying market softness for the model.
High dealer service costs · Previous owner took significant loss ($40k down from $177k purchase price in Dec 2021) · Rapid ownership changes and quick resale by current owner (April 2023 to June 2023, only 241 miles added)
A rare manual V10 Spyder that commanded $155k despite a substantial 2021 front-end collision, vindicated by transparent disclosure, Audi-certified repairs, recent comprehensive service, and the marque's inherent collectibility, though the compressed inspection window and missing historical service records raised legitimate buyer friction.
December 2021 front-end collision damage · Missing service records 2019-2023 · Recent front-end collision (December 2021) with significant parts replacement despite seller's transparency about it · Missing service records between 2019 and May 2023 due to relocation claim
A exceptionally rare, well-maintained 2011 R8 V10 Spyder with documented service history and ultra-desirable gated manual/carbon-ceramic/Brilliant Red spec that commanded $135k in spirited final bidding, validating its collectibility position.
Clean, well-maintained low-mileage gated manual V10 with recent major service and transparent tune, but five owners in thirteen years and an unusually low reserve (reserve met at final bid with subsequent buyer default) suggest possible hidden friction or misalignment of expectations around value.
potential carbon buildup · Five prior owners before current seller who has only owned since December 2022 (300 miles added) · seller listed car on Facebook wholesale group after failed BaT auction with reserve not met, claiming 'multiple buyers flaked without seeing car,' raising questions about buyer confidence
A meticulously preserved, vanishingly rare 2010 R8 V10 gated manual in one of seven known Sepang Blue examples, with full service history, zero accidents, and enthusiast-grade cosmetic restoration that commands premium pricing in a dwindling market of attainable modern supercars.
Exceptionally low-mileage first-year V10 manual R8 held back by frame reinforcement uncertainty, incomplete frame documentation, and seller disengagement during final hours, ultimately failing to meet reserve despite solid fundamentals and strong warranty.
Front frame reinforcement plate uncertainty · Seller failed to respond to Jeremy's direct question about frame reinforcement status until final moments, stating insufficient time to provide photos · Seller initially stated oil change was November 2022, corrected to September 2022 after being questioned
A pristine, low-mile manual V10 R8 with exceptional presentation and professional seller support that has demonstrated a hard ceiling around $155k across two failed BaT auctions despite collector-grade rarity, ultimately selling off-platform to its highest bidder at a price the broader market would not support through formal auction.
reserve not met at $155,997 · prior sale underperformed expectations · car failed to sell at reserve twice: december 2022 and march 2023, both times around $153-155k ceiling · seller relisting repeatedly after reserve not met suggests disconnect between asking price and market reality
Exceptionally low-mileage, well-documented 2010 manual R8 V10 with honest service disclosure and strong provenance, though the 'all original paint' claim is muddied by undisclosed PPF on the front end and the seat-swap history warrants verification of mechanical condition beyond the 2022 valve cover service.
Paint protection film (PPF) applied to front end—not original paint in that area despite seller claiming 'all original paint' · Discrepancy between claim of 'all original paint' and admission that front end has PPF
A museum-quality 2010 R8 V10 manual coupe with 4,200 original miles and complete provenance that sold at no reserve for $160k—$43k below its last comparable comp on BaT—suggesting market softness despite the car's objective excellence and charitable donation incentive.
no documented subframe crack inspection photos despite known running change history on A-pillar reinforcements (though expert commenter notes this car predates the reinforcement and failures are extremely rare)
A genuinely well-preserved 29k-mile 2012 R8 V10 manual with desirable specifications and clean history that fell victim to dealer-flipping overreach, ultimately failing to clear reserves after multiple auction attempts and inflated pricing expectations.
old tires · magnaride suspension potential future failure risk · car was previously listed on BaT in May 2022 by original owner SCalCruiser, then purchased by McLaren dealer who re-listed it multiple times including on Pcarmarket for $120k before re-listing on BaT again · rapid dealer flip with high overhead costs and multiple failed auction attempts suggest pricing expectations may be misaligned with market
A pristine, documented rare-spec manual R8 V10 with suspicious paint-meter readings and a failed flip attempt, undercut by market cooling and seller overconfidence in hold-value expectations.
Paint gauge readings suggest possible repaint · Minimal driving use (300 miles in one year) suggests investment/flip mentality rather than use · Dealer consignment structure raises questions about title transfer
A cleanly presented, low-mileage gated-manual V10 Spyder with rare appeal and known mag-shock vulnerability that was ultimately sold without full service documentation or confirmation of deferred maintenance.
magnetorheological damper leakage history · incomplete service records · incomplete service records not provided to potential buyer despite extensive Carfax history noted · window sticker (Monroney) reprint status never confirmed despite seller promising to obtain it
A factory-perfect, exceedingly rare 11k-mile 2014 R8 V10 manual facelift—possibly the only Ibis White example with silver sideblades—that commanded $173k in fierce bidding and represents a sound entry point into appreciating 6-speed manual V10 collectibility.
A meticulously maintained final-generation naturally aspirated V10 manual R8 with comprehensive documentation and all major weak points (coolant system, expansion tank) already addressed—a collector-grade unicorn for the manual supercar enthusiast, sold at market value to a known automotive curator.
Coolant system leak history · Multiple coolant system service attempts (2021–2022) suggests initial diagnosis may have been incomplete or that a systemic issue took several tries to fully resolve; however, seller and comments indicate this is now resolved and was a known weak point on these cars · Limited seat time (approximately 3k miles in 20 months) following the final coolant repair makes it difficult to definitively confirm long-term resolution, though seller reports clean engine cover glass since summer
Compiled by Porsche P.I.
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