R.I.P. The Manual Gearbox
Discussion
The May issue of Evo Magazine has an interesting article about the topic we have discussed here so often. The part that I found most interesting was the sidebar titled "5 worst gearboxes". Out of the 5, two they chose are Astons. First, the original Vanquish. But, more surprisingly, the other was the V8V. (?)
I don't know about other folks, but I think the shift of the V8V manual gearbox is close to perfect (more so after my dealer did the service bulletin mod for the recalcitrant 1-2 shift when cold). And the V12V is even better. Evo said that short guys have to move the seat forward and then the lever is too far back. Wah! If you're too short, get taller I say. Seriously, grow a few inches, what's the matter with you?
Anyway. Worst gearbox? What were these guys smoking?
I don't know about other folks, but I think the shift of the V8V manual gearbox is close to perfect (more so after my dealer did the service bulletin mod for the recalcitrant 1-2 shift when cold). And the V12V is even better. Evo said that short guys have to move the seat forward and then the lever is too far back. Wah! If you're too short, get taller I say. Seriously, grow a few inches, what's the matter with you?
Anyway. Worst gearbox? What were these guys smoking?
t!Ineteresting. Im not very tall and I dont have any gripes wth the gearbox position?
I would say the clutch could be improved upon, more so that the gearbox in my opinion... But im no expert!
I do have the difficult 1st - 2nd when cold, but the dealer says they wont do the mod under my extended warranty so I have decided to wait unilt the clutch needs changing and get it all done in 1 hit.
I would say the clutch could be improved upon, more so that the gearbox in my opinion... But im no expert!
I do have the difficult 1st - 2nd when cold, but the dealer says they wont do the mod under my extended warranty so I have decided to wait unilt the clutch needs changing and get it all done in 1 hit.
Arjxh56 said:
Ineteresting. Im not very tall and I dont have any gripes wth the gearbox position?
I would say the clutch could be improved upon, more so that the gearbox in my opinion... But im no expert!
I do have the difficult 1st - 2nd when cold, but the dealer says they wont do the mod under my extended warranty so I have decided to wait unilt the clutch needs changing and get it all done in 1 hit.
Mine is due in for clutch imminently. What's the mod to sort the cold 1st-2nd gearbox issue? Although it's not significant it does make me cringe moving off first thing... I would say the clutch could be improved upon, more so that the gearbox in my opinion... But im no expert!
I do have the difficult 1st - 2nd when cold, but the dealer says they wont do the mod under my extended warranty so I have decided to wait unilt the clutch needs changing and get it all done in 1 hit.
Without knowing what criteria they used to determine what makes it a bad gearbox, I can understand why some might think it’s not very good.
In my car (and by the sound of it most others) 1-2 is not great, it’s also quite difficult to “learn” the best technique for smooth jolt free changes.
I dare say it’s bullet proof and all that, but in some ways it can distract from the driving experience especially when cold, having said that the “mechanical” feel does add to the experience. I’d probably (just) choose a manual again, if I were to rewind the clock.
In my car (and by the sound of it most others) 1-2 is not great, it’s also quite difficult to “learn” the best technique for smooth jolt free changes.
I dare say it’s bullet proof and all that, but in some ways it can distract from the driving experience especially when cold, having said that the “mechanical” feel does add to the experience. I’d probably (just) choose a manual again, if I were to rewind the clock.
KarlFranz said:
The May issue of Evo Magazine has an interesting article about the topic we have discussed here so often. The part that I found most interesting was the sidebar titled "5 worst gearboxes". Out of the 5, two they chose are Astons. First, the original Vanquish. But, more surprisingly, the other was the V8V. (?)
I don't know about other folks, but I think the shift of the V8V manual gearbox is close to perfect (more so after my dealer did the service bulletin mod for the recalcitrant 1-2 shift when cold). And the V12V is even better. Evo said that short guys have to move the seat forward and then the lever is too far back. Wah! If you're too short, get taller I say. Seriously, grow a few inches, what's the matter with you?
Anyway. Worst gearbox? What were these guys smoking?
You sure they aren't talking about sportshift in reference to the V8V, considering that the Vanquish is also a SS transmission? Otherwise, why wouldn't they just say ALL 6-speed manual Astons, since they all use the same transaxle.I don't know about other folks, but I think the shift of the V8V manual gearbox is close to perfect (more so after my dealer did the service bulletin mod for the recalcitrant 1-2 shift when cold). And the V12V is even better. Evo said that short guys have to move the seat forward and then the lever is too far back. Wah! If you're too short, get taller I say. Seriously, grow a few inches, what's the matter with you?
Anyway. Worst gearbox? What were these guys smoking?
DB9VolanteDriver said:
You sure they aren't talking about sportshift in reference to the V8V, considering that the Vanquish is also a SS transmission? Otherwise, why wouldn't they just say ALL 6-speed manual Astons, since they all use the same transaxle.
Well, considering their complaint involved the shift lever being too far back, I don't see how that could be possible. divetheworld said:
stevewushu said:
Mine is due in for clutch imminently. What's the mod to sort the cold 1st-2nd gearbox issue? Although it's not significant it does make me cringe moving off first thing...
Change of box oil and a different linkage at the box. Best time to do it buddy.
Arjxh56 said:
Ineteresting. Im not very tall and I dont have any gripes wth the gearbox position?
I would say the clutch could be improved upon, more so that the gearbox in my opinion... But im no expert!
Agreed, Faye is proper short (and I'm far from tall) and both of us can shift fine. I would say the clutch could be improved upon, more so that the gearbox in my opinion... But im no expert!
The clutch is another matter though. BR can fix it of course. If you drive much in traffic, go with one of the BR multiplate clutches.
- Steve
Before getting rid of it mainly because of new Italian taxes against cars with 250ps+ I owned with pride and joy a 2007 V8 for almost 1 year and half.
Great car but sadly it had the sequential paddle shifter which was actually the worst thing in the whole car. I lusted after the manual but in Italy the auto was the default choice and that bluce Sportshift was a great deal.
So back to the manual, among the worst units? Nope
Great car but sadly it had the sequential paddle shifter which was actually the worst thing in the whole car. I lusted after the manual but in Italy the auto was the default choice and that bluce Sportshift was a great deal.
So back to the manual, among the worst units? Nope
Interesting article..... I like the V8V gearbox but I do think my old S2000 and my brothers RX-8 are somewhat better, they just feel like they have a shorter throw and are more positive..... it could be a purely psychological thing though as the V8V is infinitely quicker than both those cars however, they feel somewhat more nippy.....
Vivian has never liked the V8V, but his including it on the worst-'boxes-ever list is far beyond the realm of personal preference -- it annoyed me enough that I wrote a letter to EVO:
"David Vivian's inclusion of the V8 Vantage's manual gearbox among the "5 worst gearboxes" in EVO 182 is so utterly absurd that I had to look at it several times to be sure I wasn't imagining things. I'm privileged to own a 4.7 V8V, and its manual 'box is an absolute delight to use. That "chunky" action is partly why it's so good -- it's not finger-light like some (which is good) and there is real mechanical feel and precision to its action. I've driven a few of the cars listed in the "10 best manuals" list, and I prefer the Aston's 'box. It's a gearbox that has been praised in your magazine, and deservedly so."
About the 1-2 shift, its balkiness when cold is a characteristic of Italian 'boxes -- Ferraris are well-known for requiring 2nd to be skipped entirely when the 'box is cold. Simple fix -- just double-clutch (US) / double-declutch (UK) into 2nd until the gear oil warms up.
"David Vivian's inclusion of the V8 Vantage's manual gearbox among the "5 worst gearboxes" in EVO 182 is so utterly absurd that I had to look at it several times to be sure I wasn't imagining things. I'm privileged to own a 4.7 V8V, and its manual 'box is an absolute delight to use. That "chunky" action is partly why it's so good -- it's not finger-light like some (which is good) and there is real mechanical feel and precision to its action. I've driven a few of the cars listed in the "10 best manuals" list, and I prefer the Aston's 'box. It's a gearbox that has been praised in your magazine, and deservedly so."
About the 1-2 shift, its balkiness when cold is a characteristic of Italian 'boxes -- Ferraris are well-known for requiring 2nd to be skipped entirely when the 'box is cold. Simple fix -- just double-clutch (US) / double-declutch (UK) into 2nd until the gear oil warms up.
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