v8 - N400 vs. 4.7

[WingateV8]

All,

First post - so please go gentle!!!

Previously owned an 2006 V8V (4.3L). Sold it approximately 8 months ago, after it developed a series of electrical faults (alarm not working, failing to lock, boot not opening) and bought an Audi RS5.

On paper the RS5 had pretty much everything and more - faster speed, more comfortable, more mpg and more bells / whistles from the electronics. However quite simply have never been in love with the car since the day I sold the Aston and bought the Audi.

With that in mind - back in the market & keen to get back into an Aston again.
Wanted some advice on a topic that will have likely come up previously, so apologies in advance if so. But my question and advice I am looking for is whether to go for a V8V N400 vs a slightly newer V8V (4.7L - 2009). Looking around the cars are comparitive in terms of price and performance.

Wanted to ask those in the know & indeed owners around what they would go for and why... Specification seems similar. Questioning whether the N400 will hold the value slightly better just with being a limited edition? Versus the newer V8V (4.7L) that comes with the ECU etc...

Thoughts welcome & thank you in advance.
Regards
Ian

[Lunablack]

I'd go for the 4.7...

You'd be getting a newer car, with 20bhp more....that'd be enough to swing it for me

[yeti]

For the same money, the 4.7 every time!

It was much more than simply a few cc of cylinder capacity, there were a whole raft of changes.

It's the car the Vantage should have always been... And regular 4.7s are actually pretty rare themselves!

[sukh_m]

Had the same dilema, bought a 4.7 with Sport Pack and glad I did! I prefer the 4.7 updates over the N400 (as that has the old interior etc).

[V8 Animal]

I had the same thought so bought a V12

[IanV12VR]

I have had a normal 4.3 and a 4.7. The 4.7l is by far the better car not only in performance but also in build quality as one of the things Aston have been very good at it continual improvement of their build process. It also benefits from the new fascia and the ECU.

I'd go for the 4.7 - happy hunting!

[V8 Animal]

Best of both worlds http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-Vantage-Cou... but at a higher cost but great value too.

[Speedraser]

The N400 is a great car. However, unless you like the limited edition aspect of the N400 or you prefer the earlier center stack design, I'd say 4.7. A 4.7 with the Sports Pack has the same suspension as the N400. In addition to the extra 20 hp, you also get an additional 37 lbs/ft. (peak), as well as a fair amount more mid- and low-end torque.

[whoami]

IanV12VR said:

I have had a normal 4.3 and a 4.7. The 4.7l is by far the better car not only in performance but also in build quality as one of the things Aston have been very good at it continual improvement of their build process. It also benefits from the new fascia and the ECU.

I'd go for the 4.7 - happy hunting!

Yup, no choice to be made.

Have had both too and would totally agree.

4.7 with sports pack is the best option.

[hashlove]

I drove a variety of V8Vs, from the 4.3, 400, 4.7 and S - all in the last 6 weeks. Between the two you are looking at - without doubt the 4.7 is the better car imho.

Aside the technical abilities of the car that has been mentioned, it just felt more modern on the inside - don't forget thats where you will be spending most of your time when in the driver seat. Such a better environment to look out from.

[theno23]

I chose a N400 over a 4.7, prefer the interior and engine sound, plus there weren't many 4.7s with the sport pack around that were in colours I wanted. The N400 interior is especially nice - engine turned dash, and you get a full complement of toys. N400 sills are popular retrofit to other V8s too.

If you like the 4.7 interior though, go for one of those, less thirsty, marginally more power - though it doesn't make a lot of difference over a 400 IMHO, sport pack is much more significant.

Only downside (other than fuel economy) of the N400 is the chintzy Nurburgring details, but you can't see them when driving

- Steve

[triple5]

Had a similar choice last year and after taking on board the advice on here, opted for the 4.7 with sports pack.

[ds2000]

Same dilemma, pushed myself a bit harder and got the 4.7

[Gmw76]

Ian

Sorry to hijack thread but I am interested to know how standard 160w vantage audio compared to audi system. I am looking for 07-57 v8v and premium audio is recommended but I have no reference to judge what that may sound like. I currently have a 58 A5 and like the audio a lot. Could you draw a comparison?

Thanks
Mark

[ranjexel]

I got the N400 as it came with all the extras I wanted.Sportspack,N400sills,clear rear lights and premium sound.It was not easy to find a 4.7 with all of these. Also N400 was slightly less expensive,had a better exhaust sound and might hold its value better

[tarks63]

God, (previously known as Grant,he being the author of the definitive guide to Aston Martins)when asked the same question recommended the 4.7 over the N400.
That in my book would sway me to the 4.7.
There again I am picking up a new 2008 DB9 Volante tomorrow so I will shut up and go away.
Hope you are hungry Mr Lunablack!!!

[Jon39]

Gmw76 said:

Sorry to hijack thread but I am interested to know how standard 160w vantage audio compared to audi system. I am looking for 07-57 v8v and premium audio is recommended but I have no reference to judge what that may sound like. I currently have a 58 A5 and like the audio a lot. Could you draw a comparison?

Thanks
Mark

I cannot compare with the Audi audio, but the AM Premium Audio is brilliant (an Alpine 700 watt system). If you are a HI Fi buff though, would recommend only listening when stationery. Once on the move, background sounds do spoil the purity

Try this film. They give their opinion of the Premium Audio, in no uncertain terms. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocUKnn7pBcg

[897sma]

Gmw76 said:

Ian

Sorry to hijack thread but I am interested to know how standard 160w vantage audio compared to audi system. I am looking for 07-57 v8v and premium audio is recommended but I have no reference to judge what that may sound like. I currently have a 58 A5 and like the audio a lot. Could you draw a comparison?

Thanks
Mark

Hi Mark,

I had an 09 Audi A4 (B8/9? current model anyway) with std audio and also have DB9 with 280W premium stereo. I'm sorry to say it but the Audi is light years ahead in performance on every level, like the difference between a battery powered transistor radio and a high-end home cinema system. It's the one thing that pisses me off about the Aston the most, especially as it will cost a couple of grand to upgrade it. Don't let it put you off though as the car comes with is own soundtrack which is awesome.

[AdamV12V]

Gmw76 said:

Ian

Sorry to hijack thread but I am interested to know how standard 160w vantage audio compared to audi system. I am looking for 07-57 v8v and premium audio is recommended but I have no reference to judge what that may sound like. I currently have a 58 A5 and like the audio a lot. Could you draw a comparison?

Thanks
Mark

I cannot compare to the Audi system but the difference in std 160w and premium 700w is huge. The Std is an poor-average system and premium is very very good indeed, far better than most OEM top end stereo/speaker options. Many people will post to say the difference is minimal but these people are genernally those who dont really listen to their music at a reasonable volume or dont care about it at all prefering only to listen to the exhaust & engine.

The fact you are posting and asking makes me think that like me, you do care about in car audio too - in which case I feel that you really will want a car with Premium Audio.

As for the OP - I would say go for a 4.7 - the N400 is just a 4.3 with a handful trial improvements that eventually formed part of the much bigger 4.7 upgrade package.

[George29]

Gmw76 said:

Ian

Sorry to hijack thread but I am interested to know how standard 160w vantage audio compared to audi system. I am looking for 07-57 v8v and premium audio is recommended but I have no reference to judge what that may sound like. I currently have a 58 A5 and like the audio a lot. Could you draw a comparison?

Thanks
Mark

I have Bose in my S3 and the premium Aston system is better quality than it.