Audi R8 vs BMW 8 Series
A detailed look at how two of Australia's most popular cars compare on price, running costs, safety, and everyday livability.
Specifications and pricing correct at time of publishing. Prices are RRP before on-road costs unless stated otherwise. Always confirm with the manufacturer or dealer before purchasing.
Data checked: specs 10 Sep 2026
Driver assistance, as the manufacturer lists it
Swipe across. Tap a feature to see what it does and each car's source.
StandardOptional: printed price, +pack or NCO (no-cost)No, not offeredNo dataCounts beside each car use the same colours; ? is no option data.
From each manufacturer's Australian equipment list. No data means that car's document does not say. The drawings are our own illustrations of how each kind of system works.
Audi R8: we're still completing length, width, height, wheelbase and kerb weight, plus 6 others.
A blank cell below means we don't have that figure, not that the car scores badly on it. We leave them empty rather than estimate, so any row where one car is blank isn't a like-for-like comparison yet.
$268,500RRP
- no option data for this car
$294,900RRP
- no option data for this car
Printed option prices only. A pack is counted once and makes the figure a floor when it carries no printed price. Nothing is inferred from the other car.
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Price Breakdown
The Audi R8 starts from $268,500 before on-road costs, while the BMW 8 Series opens at $294,900. That makes the Audi R8 the more affordable entry point by $26,400.
Once you factor in stamp duty, registration, CTP insurance, and dealer delivery, expect to add roughly 8-12% on top of the RRP depending on your state. That puts estimated driveaway prices in the ballpark of $295,350 and $324,390 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW 8 Series by roughly $4,560 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
We hold no ANCAP data for the Audi R8. We hold no ANCAP data for the BMW 8 Series. With no pair of ratings to compare, the active-safety features in the spec table above are the fairer comparison.
Recalls on our record
Audi R8
- REC-000028 · published 16 Oct 2018Audi R8 vehicles could have a possible oil leakage in the gearbox breather when the vehicle is being driven on a racetrack and extreme driving manoeuvres are being undertaken.Year range on the notice: 2015 - 2017
- REC-003376 · published 15 Aug 2011There is the possibility that the fuel supply line can come into contact with the heat shield in the engine compartment.Year range on the notice: the notice prints no build range
BMW 8 Series
None open on our record
A recall covers the builds its notice lists, not every car of a model. Check your VIN at vehiclerecalls.gov.au.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BMW 8 Series counters with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The Audi R8 uses a 4.2-litre V8 petrol direct injection (FSI) producing 309kW and 430Nm of torque, sent through a 6-speed manual to a AWD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.6 seconds.
The BMW 8 Series responds with a Petrol making 390kW and 750Nm, paired to a auto driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.
The BMW 8 Series has the clear power advantage at 390kW vs 309kW. In the 0-100 sprint (manufacturer-claimed), the BMW 8 Series is 0.7s quicker. For most buyers, the way each car feels day-to-day matters more than outright acceleration.
Space & Comfort
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
12.6m diameter
Large
Based on 12.6m turning circle:
- U-turn on standard street (7m+ wide)
- Standard parking bay
- Tight carparks
- Narrow laneways
Turning circle ratings
Interactive simulator: U-turns, parking & towing
Turning Circle
Kerb-to-kerb diameter. Smaller turns are easier in tight carparks and U-turns.
Large
Needs a 3-point turn (one reverse)
Needs about 11.1 m to swing round without stopping. Road is 9.0 m.
U-turn on a wide street
≥ 10 m: 3-point turn
U-turn on a standard street
7 m: 3-point turn
Standard parking bay
1.9 m wide: fits with room
Tight carpark aisle
6 m: careful, tight swing
Narrow laneway
3.5 m: no room to turn
Turning circle ratings
Standard widths: AU local streets carry ~5.5–7 m of carriageway; main roads ~9–12 m. AS 2890.1 carpark aisles are ~5.8–6.6 m for 90° bays (2.6 m wide × 5.4 m deep).
Road, aisle, swing and off-tracking figures are indicative estimates from the published turning circle. Verify in person before relying on them.
True Cost to Own
Based on 15,000km of annual driving, fuel costs roughly $3,962/year for the Audi R8 and $3,050/year for the BMW 8 Series. That is a $912 annual difference in favour of the BMW 8 Series.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the Audi R8 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the BMW 8 Series if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The CarSorted Score calls this a draw (29 vs 56). The Audi R8 and BMW 8 Series trade blows across the spec sheet, and neither runs away with an outright win. The BMW 8 Series will save you roughly $912 a year in fuel. The best pick depends on what you value most. Explore the full specs for each model below.
Common questions
Which is cheapest, Audi R8 and BMW 8 Series?
The Audi R8 is the cheapest at $268,500 before on-road costs. That undercuts the BMW 8 Series by $26,400.
Which is the most fuel-efficient?
The BMW 8 Series uses the least fuel at 10.7L/100km on the combined cycle.
What are the ANCAP safety ratings?
We hold no ANCAP data for Audi R8 and BMW 8 Series, so there is no crash result to compare.
Which is the most powerful?
The BMW 8 Series makes the most power at 390kW. The BMW 8 Series is quickest to 100km/h in 3.9s.
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Disclaimer: All information in this comparison was believed to be correct at the time of publishing (20 April 2026). Prices are manufacturer recommended retail prices (RRP) and may vary by state, dealer, and options. Driveaway costs include estimated on-road costs for Victoria. Fuel economy figures are WLTP/ADR combined cycle. Specifications can change without notice. Always verify with the manufacturer before making a purchase decision. CarSorted does not accept payment for recommendations.
Auto-generated from CarSorted's specification data · 20 April 2026
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