The Truth about Vantage clutches!

[mikey k]

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

[mikey k]

Yep the 2 factory guys I've discussed this with said the same thing. Dealers are not teach owners clutch learns. It is a lot easier on ASM2 as the N button flashes until it has done it.
Rob yours has ~11k miles on it now?

[mikey k]

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

IMHO that is probably the crux of it
ASM's with clutch learns do that consistently, human beans not so much

[mikey k]

Don't disagree with that
I was more interested to see what ratio of people on each gear box had "issues"

[mikey k]

Mako V12V said:

No option for - V12V - no issues but changed under warranty for updated version!

Look again (the thread is only about Vantages)

Edited by mikey k on Friday 21st December 17:45

[mikey k]

Anyone got any more to add?

[mikey k]

Bump to see if anyone has any more to add?

[mikey k]

yeti said:

Jockman said:

mikey k said:

Bump to see if anyone has any more to add?

Mine's a G&T please mate

Mikey getting a round in? Ale for Mr Toms and I please

I knew you two would be in pronto to get us back off topic

[mikey k]

Richales said:

These clutches do tend to last if not abused.

Nail head

[mikey k]

Bumpity Bump for any more?

[mikey k]

Jon39 said:

awg454 said:

I have had 4 V8s here's my experience

First one bought at 3 mths old 1st Clutch replaced at 8k under warranty this lasted about 500 miles and the plate broke up ! it was replaced again and I had no further problems

Second a roadster sport shift clutch replaced at 11k under warranty (I regularly did the clutch learn and not much reversing up hill )

Third sold at 59k still on original clutch

Fourth now at 48k still on original clutch

As has been shown several times now on this thread, the clutches do last a long time, when treated carefully (or perhaps normally).

Although there do seem to be a fair few mechanical failures rather than wearing out

[mikey k]

Can we add any more experiences?

[mikey k]

Beoon said:

Mikey K

You could start the new paintwork bubble poll with this extract from the Aston Martin 2013 brochure.
This is a direct quote from the foreword by Dr Bez

"our pursuit of perfection and our obsession with perfect panel fit and flawless paint finish"

Have a look yourself

https://astonmartin.blob.core.windows.net/sitefini...

The last time someone made a statement that was incorrect as this was probably Neville Chamberlain who after returning from a meeting with Hitler in Sep 1938 said

"My good friends, for the second time in our history, a British Prime Minister has returned from Germany bringing peace with honour.
I believe it is peace for our time...
Go home and get a nice quiet sleep."

I'll sort something a bit later watch F1 ATM

[mikey k]

bogie said:

JimmyWill said:

One question - and I hope not straying too far off topic. But I just purchased an 09 V8V Vert and the dealer advised the clutch was recently serviced. What would that mean? It doesn't sound to me as though it was replaced - just looked at and given the ole 2 thumbs up!?

no idea, never heard of it being serviceable in any way other than replacing...perhaps they mean "inspected during a service" and that it had plenty of life left in it.....

We do something similar with our business = "inspection services" akin to the prewarranty inspection service AM do
It is possible to estimate clutch wear with the AM diagnostics system apparently

[mikey k]

Neil1300R said:

mikey k said:

We do something similar with our business = "inspection services" akin to the prewarranty inspection service AM do
It is possible to estimate clutch wear with the AM diagnostics system apparently

Interesting - I specifically asked HWM at last year's service to estimate clutch wear. Was told it can't be done without dropping the gearbox.

Yeah I'm confused by that as I've heard the opposite a few times
That said
Ferrari & Maserati have used avery similar box and can give a % clutch wear from their diagnostic systems
I wonder if it only applies to sport shift as the ECU will have calibration info for bite & kiss points that could be used to estimate wear

[mikey k]

stimshady said:

2012 V12V Carbon Black - 2900 miles, no signs of any problems (and i really hope i dont see any for a while).

I have to reverse into my parking space so hopefully that doesn't affect things too much.

That's a good point
Is the V12V manual the same reverse ratio as the V8V manual?

[mikey k]

KarlFranz said:

Bravo73 said:

IIRC, BR won't sell you just the parts.

They can, however, collect your car in a covered transporter.

OK then, can they come collect it from my house in Florida?

Yes if you ship it in a container!

[mikey k]

Anyone had any more clutch incidents?
Please vote and post if you have.

[mikey k]

Yep it is interesting to see ASM1 is not the horror story many assume

[mikey k]

Also very true but there is no other data out there!
So at least this gives some sort of "indication"