V8V Bamford Rose Upgrades
Discussion
I picked up my car yesterday afternoon from Bamford Rose and havn't stopped grinning since. I took the long and winding way home and have been out for another spirited drive this morning - it's good, very very good 
Anyway as you can imagine after all that it was looking filthy so I gave it a wash and thought I better post a my review of what I have had done.
Here it is looking gorgeous, but much the same as when it left the factory:
Very subtle, but somehow it looks more sexy to me. It is that secret sought of sexiness that you get when you are at a party and your eyes meet those ofa woman your wife and you get that special look that raises the pulse rate and no-one else has noticed, but you know has potential of what may come. 
Sitting in the driver's seat there are some new additions that release this potential
So what did I have done? Well in summary the car went in for:
Regarding suspension. The damper curve we wanted for our upgrade suspension system resulted in a stiffer set-up than Aston sports pack, but a ride that harsh all of the time would not be good which is why we decided to develop the electronic switchable system to return comfort. In stiff mode we are slightly firmer than Aston sports pack, in soft mode we are softer and more comfortable than standard Aston road car – it really is the best of both worlds. In developing the kit Aston wanted to go firmer than sports pack is set to now, but because they utilise a fixed rate damper they had to compromise on stiffness of sports pack to retain a little comfort. The Vantage is very sensitive to tyre wear and geometry settings so if we were to upgrade your car with our suspension system both tyres and geometry will need to be set perfectly by us. As you have said, tyre age / any perishing and inaccurate geometry will affect suspension performance and what we must deliver beyond great handling and a comfort mode is that feeling of confidence inspiring drive that when a certain input is applied, the corresponding output is felt and that behavior is repeatable – and exactly this is what we deliver from our upgraded electronic switchable system. Suspension is very personal and we understand this, there is a certain amount of tuning / settings we can adjust to get the car handling exactly the way you wish once the system is installed.
This sounded like a good solution to me and after further discussion about my preferences for ride height and settings all was agreed.
Then fast forward a month or so to yesterday when all was completed and I drove the car for the first time - did the package deliver what I hoped it would? Oh yes and some.
This is the email I sent Mike when I got in last night:
Just got home after a great and somewhat extended drive home. The motorway was a bit boring so I took the scenic route.
The car is simply fantastic.
It seems to rev more freely and certainly has more torque noticeably between 2,000-3,000 rpm, which I guess is thanks to the exhaust. The sport button is very addictive, particularly exiting roundabouts or at traffic lights! I was also getting 28mpg on the motorway at a steady 75-80mph cruise, which was an unexpected bonus; however, I think I lost that advantage later in the trip.
The suspension is a revelation. With the dampers set at soft, the ride loses all the harshness it had before, particularly noticeable over broken surfaces. When you want to attack the corners a bit more you can switch to Sports Pack stiffness. Having a button is great and I found myself changing the setting as I approached some of my favourite bits of road and then switching it to soft when then caught up in traffic or on the motorway.
This has really enhanced the overall package and taken it all up several notches improving drivability and performance.
The work that has been done on the ski slope to integrate the new switches is superb, you would never know it did not leave the factory like that.
So thank you very much.
Having been out again today I don't think there is much more to add, it is stunning. What I hadn't anticipated was the bonus of being able to switch the suspnsion setting on the go. On a road you know well you can go in to full attack mode for as long as you fancy and then just chill and back off for a bit of GT cruising. It really is the best of both worlds in my opinion. I also fully understand RobGT's addiction to the Sport button.
The work that Adrian did to set the buttons into the ski slope is exceptional, here is a close up:
For those of you who have not yet been to Bamford Rose the knowledge, attention to detail and quality of workmanship is outstanding.
As you may have guessed I am one very happy customer.
Got to go, time for another drive.
Anyway as you can imagine after all that it was looking filthy so I gave it a wash and thought I better post a my review of what I have had done.
Here it is looking gorgeous, but much the same as when it left the factory:
Very subtle, but somehow it looks more sexy to me. It is that secret sought of sexiness that you get when you are at a party and your eyes meet those of
Sitting in the driver's seat there are some new additions that release this potential
So what did I have done? Well in summary the car went in for:
- Exhaust manifolds and catalysts
- Replication of AM Power Upgrade kit induction system
- Glass switch in centre console to manually control exhaust bypass valves fully open / fully closed
- Update to Bamford Rose adaptive damping (new dampers, springs, control harness and glass switch in centre console and Geo set-up)
Regarding suspension. The damper curve we wanted for our upgrade suspension system resulted in a stiffer set-up than Aston sports pack, but a ride that harsh all of the time would not be good which is why we decided to develop the electronic switchable system to return comfort. In stiff mode we are slightly firmer than Aston sports pack, in soft mode we are softer and more comfortable than standard Aston road car – it really is the best of both worlds. In developing the kit Aston wanted to go firmer than sports pack is set to now, but because they utilise a fixed rate damper they had to compromise on stiffness of sports pack to retain a little comfort. The Vantage is very sensitive to tyre wear and geometry settings so if we were to upgrade your car with our suspension system both tyres and geometry will need to be set perfectly by us. As you have said, tyre age / any perishing and inaccurate geometry will affect suspension performance and what we must deliver beyond great handling and a comfort mode is that feeling of confidence inspiring drive that when a certain input is applied, the corresponding output is felt and that behavior is repeatable – and exactly this is what we deliver from our upgraded electronic switchable system. Suspension is very personal and we understand this, there is a certain amount of tuning / settings we can adjust to get the car handling exactly the way you wish once the system is installed.
This sounded like a good solution to me and after further discussion about my preferences for ride height and settings all was agreed.
Then fast forward a month or so to yesterday when all was completed and I drove the car for the first time - did the package deliver what I hoped it would? Oh yes and some.
This is the email I sent Mike when I got in last night:
Just got home after a great and somewhat extended drive home. The motorway was a bit boring so I took the scenic route.
The car is simply fantastic.
It seems to rev more freely and certainly has more torque noticeably between 2,000-3,000 rpm, which I guess is thanks to the exhaust. The sport button is very addictive, particularly exiting roundabouts or at traffic lights! I was also getting 28mpg on the motorway at a steady 75-80mph cruise, which was an unexpected bonus; however, I think I lost that advantage later in the trip.
The suspension is a revelation. With the dampers set at soft, the ride loses all the harshness it had before, particularly noticeable over broken surfaces. When you want to attack the corners a bit more you can switch to Sports Pack stiffness. Having a button is great and I found myself changing the setting as I approached some of my favourite bits of road and then switching it to soft when then caught up in traffic or on the motorway.
This has really enhanced the overall package and taken it all up several notches improving drivability and performance.
The work that has been done on the ski slope to integrate the new switches is superb, you would never know it did not leave the factory like that.
So thank you very much.
Having been out again today I don't think there is much more to add, it is stunning. What I hadn't anticipated was the bonus of being able to switch the suspnsion setting on the go. On a road you know well you can go in to full attack mode for as long as you fancy and then just chill and back off for a bit of GT cruising. It really is the best of both worlds in my opinion. I also fully understand RobGT's addiction to the Sport button.
The work that Adrian did to set the buttons into the ski slope is exceptional, here is a close up:
For those of you who have not yet been to Bamford Rose the knowledge, attention to detail and quality of workmanship is outstanding.
As you may have guessed I am one very happy customer.
Got to go, time for another drive.
Edited by GlynV8 on Thursday 29th November 13:42
Edited by GlynV8 on Thursday 29th November 13:43
Welcome to the three-button car - I think yours must be the only other one to have it, personally I think it looks amazing and is so easy to use... whether you need to switch or not, they are just fun to push and feel the difference in the whole car 
The suspension is truly marvellous, I find myself switching it several times over a long journey just to maximise enjoyment of whatever I'm doing. Also the stiffer mode feels like it does so much more than just stiffens the shocks; turn-in feels sharper, the car dives less under braking or acceleration so if feels like it has more grip. Amazingly addictive when pushing on!
Congrats on what be a truly great car
The suspension is truly marvellous, I find myself switching it several times over a long journey just to maximise enjoyment of whatever I'm doing. Also the stiffer mode feels like it does so much more than just stiffens the shocks; turn-in feels sharper, the car dives less under braking or acceleration so if feels like it has more grip. Amazingly addictive when pushing on!
Congrats on what be a truly great car
Can I ask if anyone can comment on how a 4.3 with the exhaust, cat and induction mods compares to a 4.7 with regard to mid-range torque.
Would also be interested in any views on what the engine mods are worth to a car when it's being sold on - I'm thinking of how much of a premium they warrant if I see a car that already has these mods.
Would also be interested in any views on what the engine mods are worth to a car when it's being sold on - I'm thinking of how much of a premium they warrant if I see a car that already has these mods.
Dingle Dell said:
Can I ask if anyone can comment on how a 4.3 with the exhaust, cat and induction mods compares to a 4.7 with regard to mid-range torque.
Would also be interested in any views on what the engine mods are worth to a car when it's being sold on - I'm thinking of how much of a premium they warrant if I see a car that already has these mods.
I can't comment on a 4.3 as mine is a 4.7. I would imagine it may be more noticeable as the 4.3 lacks torque in the lower range.Would also be interested in any views on what the engine mods are worth to a car when it's being sold on - I'm thinking of how much of a premium they warrant if I see a car that already has these mods.
If you were going to change your car you could always revert to standard. It would probably be better to sell the car as standard and then trade the exhaust and cats. Of course if you just went for a newer V8V you could move them to the new car.
Little Donkey said:
Oh stop it. Mine is there now, I'm already struggling with sleep in anticipation of next week when I collect!!!
Yes, I saw your car yesterday. You will pleased to know it was being well cared for, warm and dry sitting next to Guycord's V12V 
yeti said:
The suspension is truly marvellous, I find myself switching it several times over a long journey just to maximise enjoyment of whatever I'm doing. Also the stiffer mode feels like it does so much more than just stiffens the shocks; turn-in feels sharper, the car dives less under braking or acceleration so if feels like it has more grip. Amazingly addictive when pushing on!
After some further testing today. I concur with your findings and yes very addictive Arjxh56 said:
Where did you get the mats with logo on please?
They are from The Vantage Collectioncardigankid said:
Man, that car looks fantastic.
Thanks 
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