BMW 8 Series vs Audi R8
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.
BMW 8 Series
$294,900 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Gran Coupe
Petrol
Petrol
390kW
10.7 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
440L
Audi R8
$268,500 when new
RRP when new — this model is no longer sold new in Australia
Coupe
Petrol
4.2-litre V8 petrol direct injection (FSI)
309kW
13.9 L/100km
ANCAP: no data
—
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.
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Price Breakdown
The BMW 8 Series starts from $294,900 before on-road costs, while the Audi R8 opens at $268,500. 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 $324,390 and $295,350 respectively.
Over 5 years, the running costs favour the BMW 8 Series by roughly $4,560 in fuel alone.
Safety Rundown
ANCAP safety ratings have not been published for both models yet. We will update this section when crash test results are available.
Feature Showdown
Both come with modern infotainment systems.
The BMW 8 Series stands out with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, head-up display, wireless charging, panoramic roof, heated front seats, ventilated seats, power tailgate and Bowers & Wilkins audio — features our data doesn't list for the Audi R8. Which feature set matters more depends on your daily routine and priorities.
Drivetrain
The BMW 8 Series uses a Petrol producing 390kW and 750Nm of torque, sent through a auto to a 4WD layout. It covers the 0-100km/h sprint in 3.9 seconds.
The Audi R8 responds with a 4.2-litre V8 petrol direct injection (FSI) making 309kW and 430Nm, paired to a 6-speed manual driving all four wheels. It gets to 100km/h in 4.6 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 $3,050/year for the BMW 8 Series and $3,962/year for the Audi R8. That is a $912 annual difference in favour of the BMW 8 Series.
Who Should Buy Which?
Buy the BMW 8 Series if: You prioritise performance, want lower running costs, or prefer BMW's approach to design and ownership experience.
Buy the Audi R8 if: You want the lower entry price, or prefer Audi's approach to design and ownership experience.
The Verdict
The BMW 8 Series takes 3 of 4 key spec categories. 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, BMW 8 Series and Audi R8?
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?
None of BMW 8 Series and Audi R8 carry a published ANCAP rating yet, so there is no crash result to compare. Check back as they are tested.
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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