When I do eventually take the plunge?
Discussion
Sat on a pleasant Saturday afternoon reading through Grant's book.
When I do eventually take the plunge, I always planned to pick up the 4.3 due to the improved exhaust note. However, one or two options in the 4.7 model year have taken my fancy like, I'm embarrassed to say, the Emotional Control Unit which replaces the Volvo key.
So, that got me thinking (and please bear in mind that sound is far more important to me than the marginal power increase in the 4.7)... does the 4.3 really sound that much better than the 4.7?
Fwiw, I'd be looking to keep the exhaust stock and fuse 22 would be removed within 5 minutes of getting home.
Thanks for your help.
When I do eventually take the plunge, I always planned to pick up the 4.3 due to the improved exhaust note. However, one or two options in the 4.7 model year have taken my fancy like, I'm embarrassed to say, the Emotional Control Unit which replaces the Volvo key.
So, that got me thinking (and please bear in mind that sound is far more important to me than the marginal power increase in the 4.7)... does the 4.3 really sound that much better than the 4.7?
Fwiw, I'd be looking to keep the exhaust stock and fuse 22 would be removed within 5 minutes of getting home.
Thanks for your help.
I too really loved the idea of the ECU. However, the truth is that it is a royal pain in the neck. I have dropped and broken apart the crystal one so many times I can't count. It's heavy, easily damaged and costs £2,000 to replace, so can't do that either. Finally gave in and I now use the cheap plastic spare that I drop less, is a one-piece affair and is lighter in my pocket but just looks ugly.
Would prefer to be able to use the crystal but the Volvo keys and starter button on my 2008 DB9 were just better.
If that's the only reason to choose a 4.7, don't bother.
Would prefer to be able to use the crystal but the Volvo keys and starter button on my 2008 DB9 were just better.
If that's the only reason to choose a 4.7, don't bother.
LukeyLikey said:
Would prefer to be able to use the crystal but the Volvo keys and starter button on my 2008 DB9 was just better.
I agree that the ECU key is inconvenient, but I prefer it to the key and starter button scheme. I never understood why automakers thought it was a good idea to add an extra step for the driver to get the car moving. Maybe they could add a few more steps to make the process really impressive, like flipping a switch, turning a knob, beeping the horn, tapping the brakes three times, and then hitting the starter button. 
LukeyLikey said:
I too really loved the idea of the ECU. However, the truth is that it is a royal pain in the neck. I have dropped and broken apart the crystal one so many times I can't count. It's heavy, easily damaged and costs £2,000 to replace, so can't do that either. Finally gave in and I now use the cheap plastic spare that I drop less, is a one-piece affair and is lighter in my pocket but just looks ugly.
Would prefer to be able to use the crystal but the Volvo keys and starter button on my 2008 DB9 were just better.
If that's the only reason to choose a 4.7, don't bother.
Lukey, are you able to support yourself whilst standing ?? If not, then I concur that the 50 gramme ECU is heavy Would prefer to be able to use the crystal but the Volvo keys and starter button on my 2008 DB9 were just better.
If that's the only reason to choose a 4.7, don't bother.
I've had mine for 2 years, never dropped it once, and have been quoted a lot less than a third of your price if I were ever in need of a replacement
The key thing is of no interest to me whatsoever... In fact I love the starter button in the centre of my dash on my 4.3...
As for exhaust, on the one occassion that I went for a run with a 4.7... I couldn't tell any difference..
If I were buying again, based on my 1 year of ownership, I would still have the same priorities..
Budget. Under £45k and I stuck to it rigidly.... A year ago that eliminated 4.7's from my choice... But if it hadn't, I could just as easily have ended up with one...
Colour.... I was set on blues, greens, dak reds.... Nothing else would do
FSH... An absolute must
Warranty... Not a deal beaker... But would be nice if there was some
Dealer/private.... A personal choice but I much prefer private
Miles..... Less than 20k
Owners..... No more than 2 previous
Interior... Anything but black
Options.... Wasn't really bothered... But I suppose the more the better..
The search started, and after about six weeks a likely candidate turned up, ticked pretty much all the boxes, so that was it
My advice would be don't get to hung up on the differences between models, but concentrate more on what you actually want, then find the car that matches it the closest...
Obviously to do this, you need to know what you want.... The worst thing is to flit from car to car, not being sure of this or that, because you'll end up making to many compromises.....
Fix your criteria, then go on the hunt
remember for most people, this is a special purchase, so why not make it an enjoyable experience?
I must have got mine right, because a year in, I still love it, and there's nothing I want to upgrade/change..
As for exhaust, on the one occassion that I went for a run with a 4.7... I couldn't tell any difference..
If I were buying again, based on my 1 year of ownership, I would still have the same priorities..
Budget. Under £45k and I stuck to it rigidly.... A year ago that eliminated 4.7's from my choice... But if it hadn't, I could just as easily have ended up with one...
Colour.... I was set on blues, greens, dak reds.... Nothing else would do
FSH... An absolute must
Warranty... Not a deal beaker... But would be nice if there was some
Dealer/private.... A personal choice but I much prefer private
Miles..... Less than 20k
Owners..... No more than 2 previous
Interior... Anything but black
Options.... Wasn't really bothered... But I suppose the more the better..
The search started, and after about six weeks a likely candidate turned up, ticked pretty much all the boxes, so that was it
My advice would be don't get to hung up on the differences between models, but concentrate more on what you actually want, then find the car that matches it the closest...
Obviously to do this, you need to know what you want
.... The worst thing is to flit from car to car, not being sure of this or that, because you'll end up making to many compromises..... Fix your criteria, then go on the hunt
remember for most people, this is a special purchase, so why not make it an enjoyable experience?I must have got mine right, because a year in, I still love it, and there's nothing I want to upgrade/change..
Jockman said:
Lukey, are you able to support yourself whilst standing ?? If not, then I concur that the 50 gramme ECU is heavy
I've had mine for 2 years, never dropped it once, and have been quoted a lot less than a third of your price if I were ever in need of a replacement
Ha! Hardly these days! To be fair the weight is not the real issue. I know I'm not the only one with this problem because I bought my car at 1 year and 4,000 miles....complete with crack already in the crystal. The problem is that when you get out with sunglasses, phone, wallet and Aston security tag, plus papers from time to time, it is very easy to drop - even if you're careful which I am (or at least try to be). Interestingly I haven't dropped the plastic one yet!I've had mine for 2 years, never dropped it once, and have been quoted a lot less than a third of your price if I were ever in need of a replacement
It's nice and dramatic but a key with crystal starter is better.
I really ummed and arrred when I got my car in Jan 11. I quite liked the idea of the crystal key mainly because I didn't like the old chubb key and the dash looked better. I liked the idea of the sports suspension as well. 4.7s were only just in my budget but certainly not sportspack versions.
I opted for the N400 as that seemed to be a nice halfway house with most of the nice goodies on the 4.7 (all options ticked on the order), a bit more power than the 4.3 and nice side skirts. Plus, it's *quite* a limited edition one.
Over a year later I've got used to the key and don't care. Not bothered that the car is 20bhp and 30lbs/ft down on 4.7s and rather pleased I've got a limited edition one.
I opted for the N400 as that seemed to be a nice halfway house with most of the nice goodies on the 4.7 (all options ticked on the order), a bit more power than the 4.3 and nice side skirts. Plus, it's *quite* a limited edition one.
Over a year later I've got used to the key and don't care. Not bothered that the car is 20bhp and 30lbs/ft down on 4.7s and rather pleased I've got a limited edition one.
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