V8 Vantage clutch issues - a few questions
Discussion
As you probably ALL know by now, I'm potentially purchasing a V8V in the morning. I've read quite a few threads about the clutch on this car being quite heavy and also noted that many seem to need replacement at quite a low mileage. I'm hoping for a little info specifically on this issue before taking a look at this particular car - July 2006 V8 Vantage with 16,000 miles.
1. It's a 16,000 mile example. With average use should I expect the clutch to be serviceable?
2. I believe that clutches get heavier with wear but as I don't really know what the average Vantage clutch feels like it could be a problem for me to recognise. Are there any other giveaway signs of a worn clutch that I should be able to pick up on a brief test drive (high clutch pedal etc)?
3. It's still within it's 3 year warranty period but being a wear item I don't imagine the clutch would be covered? However, I did notice that a number of owners have had their clutch replaced on more than one occasion under warranty. I assume that may have been for a different reason?
Any other snippets of info you can offer me before I take a look would be very welcome.
Cheers.
1. It's a 16,000 mile example. With average use should I expect the clutch to be serviceable?
2. I believe that clutches get heavier with wear but as I don't really know what the average Vantage clutch feels like it could be a problem for me to recognise. Are there any other giveaway signs of a worn clutch that I should be able to pick up on a brief test drive (high clutch pedal etc)?
3. It's still within it's 3 year warranty period but being a wear item I don't imagine the clutch would be covered? However, I did notice that a number of owners have had their clutch replaced on more than one occasion under warranty. I assume that may have been for a different reason?
Any other snippets of info you can offer me before I take a look would be very welcome.
Cheers.
I'm paranoid about mine going. It will likely be the most expensive single item to go that isn't covered by warranty.
I asked my dealer when I was last up there what their experiences were on clutches. I was told that they'd barely replaced any, and that they had cars with up to 40k miles on them still on the first clutch.
I suspect the ones that were replaced under warranty were either a faulty batch, or badly aligned or something. Though I have no proof positive of this.
I'm not convinced they'll get heavier as they wear - the clutch is hydraulic IIRC, and should auto-adjust. I keep thinking the pedal on mine is getting higher (see, paranoid
) but am told it isn't and that this also auto-adjusts...
I don't believe there will be any signs that it's going, unless it's the friction material going and you get slipping. I've been told (from other clubs I've been in) that a good way to test this is to get the car into 5th or 6th gear at cruising speeds, dip the clutch then accelerate as you bring the clutch back in to play. I believe if the clutch is worn, this will make it start slipping. Never had chance to try it though as it's rare to be doing those speeds and not have traffic around.
It'd be really nice if makers of high performance cars put wear indicators on their clutches (much like Ferrari do with their F1 equipped cars), but most don't sadly.
I asked my dealer when I was last up there what their experiences were on clutches. I was told that they'd barely replaced any, and that they had cars with up to 40k miles on them still on the first clutch.
I suspect the ones that were replaced under warranty were either a faulty batch, or badly aligned or something. Though I have no proof positive of this.
I'm not convinced they'll get heavier as they wear - the clutch is hydraulic IIRC, and should auto-adjust. I keep thinking the pedal on mine is getting higher (see, paranoid
) but am told it isn't and that this also auto-adjusts...I don't believe there will be any signs that it's going, unless it's the friction material going and you get slipping. I've been told (from other clubs I've been in) that a good way to test this is to get the car into 5th or 6th gear at cruising speeds, dip the clutch then accelerate as you bring the clutch back in to play. I believe if the clutch is worn, this will make it start slipping. Never had chance to try it though as it's rare to be doing those speeds and not have traffic around.
It'd be really nice if makers of high performance cars put wear indicators on their clutches (much like Ferrari do with their F1 equipped cars), but most don't sadly.
I spoke to Aston Martin (Stratstone Mayfair) where it was last serviced just a few miles ago (although it was a few months ago in time terms) and they had not noted any issues with the clutch or anything else really. Just the 2 year service and some warranty items - some rattles, suspension bushes, minor oil leak to the timing chest (I think he said chest?). So really all should be fine 
Same as you I'd hate for the clutch to go pop and it cost me a fortune.
Same as you I'd hate for the clutch to go pop and it cost me a fortune.
Murph7355 said:
I'm not convinced they'll get heavier as they wear - the clutch is hydraulic IIRC, and should auto-adjust.
My only experience of this is a heavy clutch pedal (hydraulic) on a previous Boxster. Even though it had done less than 10 thousand miles PorscheUK (and my dealer) were of the opinion that a heavy pedal is generaly the result of a worn clutch. They would investigate it but at MY COST unless they found an item that was defective and not wear related. The car was less than a year old.Needless to say I left it alone. I'm not hard on my cars and the clutch never showed signs of slipping, it was just a heavy pedal.
Edited by m33ufo on Tuesday 30th December 16:42
Just clocked 19k on my '06 and no issues on it's 3 year service, or anything I can feel.
Must admit, if and when this needs replacing I will probably look at a decent independent to do the work though - it's one of those items that the ridiculous labour rates at the main dealers make me cringe at... same as brakes and tyres....
Must admit, if and when this needs replacing I will probably look at a decent independent to do the work though - it's one of those items that the ridiculous labour rates at the main dealers make me cringe at... same as brakes and tyres....
http://www.amoc.org/index.php?option=com_wrapper&a...
2.5kGBP.
Though the labour rate estimated looks quite high to me, and I'm sure would be up for some negotiation. You're not going to get much change out of 2k regardless.
2.5kGBP.
Though the labour rate estimated looks quite high to me, and I'm sure would be up for some negotiation. You're not going to get much change out of 2k regardless.
clutch wear is down to driving technique, if you sit at lights holding car on clutch etc or resting foot on clutch pedal while driving can or will wear the clutch out quite quickly, once they start slipping they don't last long. i have customers who have done more than 30000 and not had a clutch yet , BUT i have had to change clutches at around 5000 miles on some v8 vantages PLEASE NOTE these are all on hire cars, so they are abused, Independent Aston martin specialist price which includes flywheel (must be replaced), clutch plates and hydraulic release bearing (genuine parts) under £1700.00, if they are staring to slip the smell is quite noticeable.
just to add - 33K miles here, and clutch is fine, and no its not spent its life on the motorway, its done a couple of trackdays, 3000 miles in 10 days "touring" on the Furball run, as well as being a daily commuter ...I do wonder what you have to do to go through a clutch in one in 5k miles ! 
there are people who know how to drive a fantastic cars like these and those that hire them for a weekend after driving the usual 1600 cc monster lol, speak to any of the hire an aston for a weekend companies you can almost hear them cry over the phone, adrian from the aston experience is a great bloke who takes great care and pride over the six aston's he owns, any problem he gets sorted out straightaway, talk to him about clutches on the v8 vantage he will tell you about three clutches in less than 17000 miles, alternatively i can give you names and numbers who have had exactly the opposite experience , you can drive it hard really enjoy it and last for 10's of thousands of miles abuse it treat it with no respect it will cost you dearly,
As I've mentioned on other threads... the gearing on reverse is a bit strange on the V8. If you chuck it into backwards and take your foot off the clutch, you'll be doing very quick, very fast. That's all well and good if you are trying to get away from Goldfinger, but it's a b
h if you have to negotiate an uphill, round corner, narrow driveway. And as one really shouldn't ride this clutch..... etc.
h if you have to negotiate an uphill, round corner, narrow driveway. And as one really shouldn't ride this clutch..... etc.Just home with my new purchase. You'll be glad to know the clutch seems fine
Once I saw the car it was pretty much end of sports - had to have it. It's currently sat in the garage covered in salt and road grime. First thing in the morning I'll be washing it to within an inch of it's life
Once I saw the car it was pretty much end of sports - had to have it. It's currently sat in the garage covered in salt and road grime. First thing in the morning I'll be washing it to within an inch of it's life
Edited by m33ufo on Saturday 3rd January 22:56
we pulled the clutch out of my 89 V8 Vantage xpack at 84k miles -- it had a new one at 30k miles. There was no wear at all on the face plates. In fact, the original machining pattern was still clearly visible. And that after 50k hard road miles, track days, bruntinthorpe etc.
The only reason to change it was that the bearing was squealing a bit.
if you drive properly, there should be next to no wear on the clutch.
The only reason to change it was that the bearing was squealing a bit.
if you drive properly, there should be next to no wear on the clutch.
Edited by jhoneyball on Saturday 3rd January 20:32
My two year old AMV8 now has 18k on the clock and the clutch seems fine to me. I have had it stinking (it does a lot) a couple of times (once at around 8k and once recently at about 17k) Both times were because I was reversing up hill in a parking garage.
Is there not an uprated clutch out there?
Is there not an uprated clutch out there?
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