The Truth about Vantage clutches!
Poll: The Truth about Vantage clutches!
Total Members Polled: 214
Discussion
The seems to be a lot of mythology about the life of clutches on the Vantage so lets have a bit of a straw poll 
Tick as many options as apply to your Vantage/s ownership
Feel free to let us know what sort of mileages are involved.
I'll kick off with my two;
MY09 ASM1 23k miles no issues
MY12 ASM2 10k miles no issues
Tick as many options as apply to your Vantage/s ownership
Feel free to let us know what sort of mileages are involved.
I'll kick off with my two;
MY09 ASM1 23k miles no issues
MY12 ASM2 10k miles no issues
I think that it is most unfortunate that when my S was delivered that I was not made aware of clutch learn. This involves starting the car whilst your foot is kept on the brake. After a second or two you hear a click. This means the clutch is in its optimum position ie it will not slip when pulling away. This procedure will ensure its longevity.
Whilst my car was at Bamford Rose for its manifold job I asked about having their twin plate clutch fitted. Mike told me in no uncertain terms that it would not be necessary because there are no issues of premature wear with ASM 2. My only benefit would be their lightened flywheel. I trust Mike implicitly bearing in mind that his honesty was to his financial detriment .
Hopefully by the end of January my car will boast 480 BHP. Mike assures that there will still not be a problem.
Whilst my car was at Bamford Rose for its manifold job I asked about having their twin plate clutch fitted. Mike told me in no uncertain terms that it would not be necessary because there are no issues of premature wear with ASM 2. My only benefit would be their lightened flywheel. I trust Mike implicitly bearing in mind that his honesty was to his financial detriment .
Hopefully by the end of January my car will boast 480 BHP. Mike assures that there will still not be a problem.
MY 09 V8 Manual 11,0000 miles. No issues.
Having heard myths / truths about fragile clutches, I have not been brave enough to try using the 420bhp, for even one tyre smoking start.
I normally try to match engine speed during gear changes, but do sometimes notice what I assume is clutch smell, after a drive. Quite a pleasant aroma though.
t Tony V12V said:
Johnfrancis said:
careful not to ride the clutch.
Ah that old trick eh 
Do the same myself - Engage brain - Disengage clutch and select first gear - Engage clutch - Operate speed control pedal - Disengage brain - Simples
ASM's with clutch learns do that consistently, human beans not so much
MY09 ASM1 21k New Clutch
Dealership wanted to put in a new clutch when I sold the car, I wasn't convinced it was needed yet but the buyer wanted peace of mind so it was done. The usage until then was predominantly London based so I was surprised it lasted that long. Certainly a bit of damage was done to it while on holiday in Monaco; think 40C underground garages, parking on hills, and/or sitting in traffic up and down the Monaco hills - I had a clutch overheating message a few times.
However, outside of London driving it never really got thumped hard or raced from starts etc. Clutch learns were done regularly for the last 15k miles.
Dealership wanted to put in a new clutch when I sold the car, I wasn't convinced it was needed yet but the buyer wanted peace of mind so it was done. The usage until then was predominantly London based so I was surprised it lasted that long. Certainly a bit of damage was done to it while on holiday in Monaco; think 40C underground garages, parking on hills, and/or sitting in traffic up and down the Monaco hills - I had a clutch overheating message a few times.
However, outside of London driving it never really got thumped hard or raced from starts etc. Clutch learns were done regularly for the last 15k miles.
Edited by Shmee on Thursday 20th December 23:30
V8 Manual 08 (N400, but the clutch is the same)
Clutch went at 20k miles, but I was able to limp home on it from northern France, so it wasn't dramatic.
The clutch hadn't had an easy life in the last 5k miles, a mix of London traffic and ragging it round alps
Now have the BR multiplate sintered job, and very happy with it. It doesn't cook even in heavy traffic crawls, and tricky reversing manoeuvres. Still can't reverse uphill though! Done about 1.5k on the BR clutch.
- Steve
Clutch went at 20k miles, but I was able to limp home on it from northern France, so it wasn't dramatic.
The clutch hadn't had an easy life in the last 5k miles, a mix of London traffic and ragging it round alps
Now have the BR multiplate sintered job, and very happy with it. It doesn't cook even in heavy traffic crawls, and tricky reversing manoeuvres. Still can't reverse uphill though! Done about 1.5k on the BR clutch.
- Steve
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