Manual v SportShift '09' plate

[Neilc123]

Hi,

I know people have said drive them and see which you like. Haven driven both, both are useable and you can get used to both. I am interested in those that drive the car regularly what they think, what made them go for one or the other, clutch wear, what you think in traffic, hills, etc etc

Views most welcome.

Thanks as usual.

Neil

[Arjxh56]

I was in a similar position to you when i purchased mine.
In the end, what swung it for me, one of the AM technicians i was speaking to told me the pros and cons of both whilst he was on his coffee break (off the record kind of info). His summary was ultimately, if you want to spend more money on something that will give you more problems and spend more time off the road, go for the paddles! Granted, this was just his view, but he then pointed out 2 vehicles in the workshop both of which had issues with sportshift!
I like the idea of sportshift and i certainly think it has its benefits but until AM have a decent, reliable, robust set up i am staying manual.

[Neilc123]

I have to say I am edging towards that decision hence the question.

I like the idea of the paddles, the whole romance and theatre of it. But I do just wonder if they are more hassle than they are worth in the UK with our road conditions and traffic.

When I drove either, it was different and you had to have different considerations when driving however they were easy to get head round and could be used.

In traffic, trying to park, ease of use, cost, wear on the clutch, things that can go wrong I am thinking the manual would be a lot better.

Any sportshift drivers care to give their views?

Neil

[theno23]

I liked the paddles while on the move, but in traffic (I live in central London) it was very irritating. I've head that SS2 is better in traffic, but not tried it.

SS is quicker round a track if that's the sort of thing you care about.

Also, I'm pretty sure I would miss the action of shifting gear with a stick, it's very satisfying when you get it right, especially with a Bamford Rose light flywheel so you can revmatch easier.

- Steve

[Jon39]

MY COMMENTS SEEM TO HAVE BEEN SQUASHED IN BESIDE AN ADVERTISEMENT.

When I began to look for a 4.7 Vantage, I thought a paddle shift version would be really cool, just like Formula One. Having experienced an F430, with it's automatic throttle blippng on downshifts, Sportshift seemed to be the clear choice. At that time, I thought paddles gave a faster change, and that the gearbox intantly responded to every paddle command. I did not know then about the different types of paddle shift, or that few of them work in the instant way that we see on F1 TV programmes.

Fortunately for me, before I made a mistake, Aston Martin told me that no Sportshift coupe cars, and only one Roadster had been built, in the colour that I was looking for.

I did eventually find the car that I wanted, and am now very pleased that I have the manual.

I must point out that I have not driven a Sportshift 1 car, but can only assume that so many people said, "buy the manual", that they might be right. The comments seem to be that on the open road it's great, but in town, jerky and indecisive.

Edited by Jon39 on Thursday 20th December 16:56

[Paxto]

I had a 4.7 sport shift roadster 09 plate and can confirm:

1 it was great on the open road, and probably quicker
2 for driving around town and in traffic it was a bit of a nuisance
3 for parallel parking on the level it was pretty dire in anything resembling a tight space
4. For parallel parking or low speed manouvering on a hill it was often unusable and frightening with the lurching on/off nature of the clutch engagement

The v8 gearbox was the main reason for moving to the DBS volante.

[robgt]

Sportshift 1 is definite no no. So glad that I didn't spec it on my first car. Bottom line it eats clutches. Reversing is a nightmare of clutch burning and frantic stabbing on the brake.
Sportshift 2 is a revelation truly superb. In my opinion so much more engaging to drive than a manual. So much quicker as well. On alpine passes chasing a 911 GT3 I was constantly changing gear using all the gears other than 6th and 7th. Downshifts are rewarded with the throttle being blipped. It will change as quick as you can work the paddle.
There is a drive button which when pushed is a sort of Auto Mode, it would be fair to say that is not perfect. I really do not know why it is fitted , we have never used it.
For some reason since Bamford Rose have fitted their most excellent manifolds which has liberated 34 BHP the gearbox responds even better. I believe ASM2 is some 31Kilos lighter than a manual gearbox . B Roses exhaust has also saved me another 18Kilos.
As an aside I believe all 2013 Vantage GT4 cars are fitted with ASM boxes.
My advice would be drive both , avoid ASM1
I have on order a Polo GTi for Molly because she prefers paddle shift.

[Paxto]

I should say i live in london on a hill hence my particular circumstances and problems.

I still loved it though.....

[mikey k]

Arjxh56 said:

I was in a similar position to you when i purchased mine.
In the end, what swung it for me, one of the AM technicians i was speaking to told me the pros and cons of both whilst he was on his coffee break (off the record kind of info). His summary was ultimately, if you want to spend more money on something that will give you more problems and spend more time off the road, go for the paddles! Granted, this was just his view, but he then pointed out 2 vehicles in the workshop both of which had issues with sportshift!
I like the idea of sportshift and i certainly think it has its benefits but until AM have a decent, reliable, robust set up i am staying manual.

To add some balance to this;
I did 13k miles in my ASM1 car it had done 23k miles when I sold it the clutch was fine.
Talking to a couple of the customer support people from the factory the biggest issue with ASM (1&2) is dealers don't teach owners to do the clutch learns. This means the clutch doesn't have the correct bit point, so it feels "jerky" and it wears out. A manual will be no different if the driver does not let the clutch fully out (around town?) this is a particular problem with the high reverse gear (ASM1 & manuals).
Many people also have a problem with "creep mode" in ASM1, this means if you take your foot of the brake it with creep along in 1st & reverse. It is disconcerting and many people feather the brakes or the throttle this confuses the hell out if it and cause low speed "kangarooing" or even stalling. It takes a bit of getting use to but just keep your feet off the pedals until you really want it to stop.

One other interesting point is the manual continues to have the very high reverse which means reving and slipping to get it moving up an sort of incline. ASM2 is lower geared and much less of a problem. I always swore by manuals but ASM2 in manual only is far better for "pressing on", your hands never leave the wheel and you can change gear whenever you want (even mid corner )

[drcarrera]

It won't be long before the traditional clutch and gear stick are a thing of the past, so I say go for the manual while you still can!

[Neilc123]

When did sportshift 2 kick in? 470 vantages?

[Speedraser]

Some people prefer using paddle-shift 'boxes. Others, including me, prefer a true manual 'box -- for many of us, no paddle-shift, no matter how good, is anywhere near as engaging or enjoyable as a good true manual.

However, if you are torn between the two, and the alternatives are SS1 and the manual, the reliability issues may point you toward the manual. Happily, it's a very good manual 'box.

[mikey k]

Neilc123 said:

When did sportshift 2 kick in? 470 vantages?

Nope MY12 Vantage S & Option on MY13 standard Vantage
ASM1 got an update to the firmware on the 4.7 release (MY09)