New V8, gearbox questions

[anomaly]

I collected my first Aston yesterday: a V8 Vantage. I am, unsurprisingly, smitten. However I have found the gearbox quite obstructive, particularly when cold. Selecting first or reverse requires real effort and have on occasion been missed resulting in unpleasant un-Aston like noises. I am putting it down to the fact that it is brand new and tight with 14 miles on it when collected and now still only showing 60. I am hoping that it loosens up with the miles, is this others experience? The car I test-drove had a few thousand miles on it and I don't remember any similar issues with it. Thanks.

[Jon39]

Welcome to the forum.

When the gearbox oil is cold, the initial gearchange from 1st to 2nd can be a little stiff. I am always ready for it, and make the change slowly.

If you still have stiffness when the gearbox is hot, then I think there might be something wrong.

I don't know whether a brand new gearbox needs miles to 'loosen'.

The very early cars had this 'feature', and I think I remember reading here, that it was improved by changing to a different type of gearbox oil. Obviously that does not apply to your new car.

Back to the dealer probably.

[Murph7355]

It should get easier with age. Mine's a 2007 car (54k miles) and never been especially stiff, but it's generally loosened up well.

Early cars (I think the change happened around 2008) did get a change in oil spec but that won't apply to yours.

[Impasse]

Go from first to third when cold, it's much more pleasant and the car can cope.

[tonyhall38]

If the car is new...with 60 miles on it..take it back.....if the gearbox is the new part....early boxes were bad as described...a new gear box oil was introduced to manage the problem......might be worth getting your dealer to change the oil...

[Cpb1702]

I'm test driving a v 8 today as I'm worried I wont get on with the box and don't want a manual.

Did you have problems with the demonstrator test drive.

The sales guy at Bentley when I was trying a contental, said the Aston sportshift after 09 cars was absolutely fine.

[bogie]

Just had a clutch change in my 4.3 and the gearbox is better than ever. The oil was changed to the later spec a couple of years ago during a service

So if its an early low mile car on original parts, get the gearbox oil changed.....

[Murph7355]

Cpb1702 said:

I'm test driving a v 8 today as I'm worried I wont get on with the box and don't want a manual.

Did you have problems with the demonstrator test drive.

The sales guy at Bentley when I was trying a contental, said the Aston sportshift after 09 cars was absolutely fine.

Only if you don't compare it to more or less any other manufacturer's box! (Save, possibly, Peugeot - my dad has a Peugeot automated manual and it's about the Aston's equal).

[anomaly]

Thanks guys. To clarify: this is a brand new 2015 car. It seems to be improving but reverse is still a pain in the ass, it needs a real shove to engage properly otherwise there's lots of cog whirring. I don't recall the demonstrator having this issue but I don't think I reversed it. Also when reversing it needs more revs than I'm used to or it will stall, much to my embarrassment!

[DB9VolanteDriver]

anomaly said:

Also when reversing it needs more revs than I'm used to or it will stall, much to my embarrassment!

I always stall mine when reversing for the first time (you tend to forget how much slipping is required to get moving).

[Neil1300r]

anomaly said:

Thanks guys. To clarify: this is a brand new 2015 car. It seems to be improving but reverse is still a pain in the ass, it needs a real shove to engage properly otherwise there's lots of cog whirring. I don't recall the demonstrator having this issue but I don't think I reversed it. Also when reversing it needs more revs than I'm used to or it will stall, much to my embarrassment!

Try using little or no revs. Bring clutch up slowly, you should feel the anti stall kick in then bring clutch up and car will start reversing on it's own.

But take car back to dealer, it shouldn't need a shove to put in reverse, especially once warm.

On and pictures!!!

Its the law

[Cpb1702]

Sportshift absolutely fine on test drive today. Pretty much as good as pdk for. Sure you need to feel how it all works. Was 11 plate too.

[dig123]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

I always stall mine when reversing for the first time (you tend to forget how much slipping is required to get moving).

Great not just me how pulls up at an event and stalls when parking

[ncamv8]

I picked up my 2015 V8V in may, and have not had any problems shifting when cold or warm. I agree with the others take it back to the dealer.

I'm also glad that I'm not the only one stalling at the most embarrassing time
I do fine that putting it sport mode with the more aggressive throttle helps with low speed moving.

[Captain Greg]

little off topic: but just curious my V8 vantage has got 29000Km on it and I have a bit of back lash like a clunck noise between 1st and second,almost like the drive train needs to rotate to take up slack?

Its just had a new clutch from Dealer it shifts smooth and has no shifting problems