From a Boxster S to an Aston V8 Vantage - WOW!
Discussion
Hello everyone - I have just joined the forum after reading some great stuff in some posts. Picked up my V8 Vantage a couple of weeks ago - it was new in January 2013 so is a 2012 model.
Am amazed at the general reaction to the car - from people flashing in the daytime, people at petrol stations coming up and talking to me about the car, and the looks from kids to middle aged women. What a change from driving a Porsche!
I was hoping some of you guys who own the 2012+ year model could help me understand a couple of things:
1. If you have a 2012 model car, do you have an owners manual that was printed in 2012? My print date is 2011 and the exhaust fuse says 22 however I now know for sure it's 15!!
2. I've noticed some steering judder at low/parking speeds - a normal characteristic?
3. The owners manual suggests I can close my windows with one touch but the buttons don't allow it - a bit confused on this one.
4. The rear parking sensor switch lights up red when OFF - seems different to the owners manual.
5. The Garmin sat nav apparently takes a disc for updates (and doesn't automatically update as the dealer told me!!!). Does anyone know the cost of the map disc update or is it part of the service? On this one, I'm going to go back to the dealer as I feel the car should have been sold with the latest map - last week saw a message pop up on the screen saying it was out of date.
Cheers for any help guys - very much looking forward to ownership and getting involved on these forums.
Darrel
Am amazed at the general reaction to the car - from people flashing in the daytime, people at petrol stations coming up and talking to me about the car, and the looks from kids to middle aged women. What a change from driving a Porsche!
I was hoping some of you guys who own the 2012+ year model could help me understand a couple of things:
1. If you have a 2012 model car, do you have an owners manual that was printed in 2012? My print date is 2011 and the exhaust fuse says 22 however I now know for sure it's 15!!
2. I've noticed some steering judder at low/parking speeds - a normal characteristic?
3. The owners manual suggests I can close my windows with one touch but the buttons don't allow it - a bit confused on this one.
4. The rear parking sensor switch lights up red when OFF - seems different to the owners manual.
5. The Garmin sat nav apparently takes a disc for updates (and doesn't automatically update as the dealer told me!!!). Does anyone know the cost of the map disc update or is it part of the service? On this one, I'm going to go back to the dealer as I feel the car should have been sold with the latest map - last week saw a message pop up on the screen saying it was out of date.
Cheers for any help guys - very much looking forward to ownership and getting involved on these forums.
Darrel
Edited by V8V on Wednesday 5th June 20:59
Hi, Congratulations on the car. I have a MY12 V8 vantage coupe and am just preparing things for a trip to Monaco and Tuscany. I think I can answer a couple of your queries.
1.As to the fuse, I have left it to roar at the pre-set revs as I think it might be a bit wearing all the time.
2.It does judder on slow manoeuvring in the driveway but I now move a bit faster and it stopped.
3.The windows only open on one touch but for safety you need to press to close, stops trapping hands etc.
4.Doesn't seem to matter what the parking light does it works all the time.
5.The Garmin is in the boot on the left side next to the slope, it takes an sd card in a slot on top. Available from Aston or Garmin for between £75 and £90 depending on source. I had it up-dated at first service but also spoke to the uk Garmin customer service who were helpful and can supply one.
Hope this helps, I still get the reactions you describe, it's easy to lip read "that's an aston" rather than some of the things I lip-read when I had a BMW.
1.As to the fuse, I have left it to roar at the pre-set revs as I think it might be a bit wearing all the time.
2.It does judder on slow manoeuvring in the driveway but I now move a bit faster and it stopped.
3.The windows only open on one touch but for safety you need to press to close, stops trapping hands etc.
4.Doesn't seem to matter what the parking light does it works all the time.
5.The Garmin is in the boot on the left side next to the slope, it takes an sd card in a slot on top. Available from Aston or Garmin for between £75 and £90 depending on source. I had it up-dated at first service but also spoke to the uk Garmin customer service who were helpful and can supply one.
Hope this helps, I still get the reactions you describe, it's easy to lip read "that's an aston" rather than some of the things I lip-read when I had a BMW.
Welcome to the fold. Some great info to be had on here as well as the odd bit of banter. It's fuse 15 on my V12V but not sure on a MY V8. Regardless, not sure where you are but get yourself along to Bamford Rose to have a switch fitted to control the valves.
Definitely shouldn't be any judder at low speeds. Not sure what this could be, but I'm sure someone will be along soon with a view. Is it sport shift or manual??
Enjoy the car and all the attention that goes with it. How does the drive compare with the Porch?
Definitely shouldn't be any judder at low speeds. Not sure what this could be, but I'm sure someone will be along soon with a view. Is it sport shift or manual??
Enjoy the car and all the attention that goes with it. How does the drive compare with the Porch?
Thanks! I was considering having a valve switch fitted but at the moment, I don't like the idea of toning down how I think it should sound all the time - I don't think it's loud to an extreme where it'll become annoying but maybe I'll have a change of heart...
I am planning on going to my nearest dealer this weekend so will definitely raise the judder. It's a manual gearbox. I do need to make sure I'm giving it enough revs as I am still getting used to the drive so it could just be me!
The drive is so different to the Porch which now feels a bit clinical in comparison. The V8 is a great engine so love all it has to offer - perhaps in a few years I'll be thinking of upgrading to the V12 which looks brilliant.
Cheers
Darrel
I am planning on going to my nearest dealer this weekend so will definitely raise the judder. It's a manual gearbox. I do need to make sure I'm giving it enough revs as I am still getting used to the drive so it could just be me!
The drive is so different to the Porch which now feels a bit clinical in comparison. The V8 is a great engine so love all it has to offer - perhaps in a few years I'll be thinking of upgrading to the V12 which looks brilliant.
Cheers
Darrel
Juddering steering can be a problem at low speeds with high steering angles, just go quicker 
Definitely get the Bamford Rose switch. The stock exhaust is fine 95% of the time, but if you have neighbours and come home at 2 am it's very embarrassing. Digging in the boot to shove a fuse back in isn't very Aston-y now is it? ;-)
Definitely get the Bamford Rose switch. The stock exhaust is fine 95% of the time, but if you have neighbours and come home at 2 am it's very embarrassing. Digging in the boot to shove a fuse back in isn't very Aston-y now is it? ;-)
PiloteAM said:
Juddering steering can be a problem at low speeds with high steering angles, just go quicker
Definitely get the Bamford Rose switch. The stock exhaust is fine 95% of the time, but if you have neighbours and come home at 2 am it's very embarrassing. Digging in the boot to shove a fuse back in isn't very Aston-y now is it? ;-)
And there's some thought that the valves need to operate occasionally to keep them working. Definitely get the Bamford Rose switch. The stock exhaust is fine 95% of the time, but if you have neighbours and come home at 2 am it's very embarrassing. Digging in the boot to shove a fuse back in isn't very Aston-y now is it? ;-)
V8V said:
Good advice from everyone. Is Bamford Rose the only option as they're a fair distance from me in Berkshire?
Although perhaps a nice excuse for a drive...
It's a fair way just to get a switch fitted.Although perhaps a nice excuse for a drive...
It's quick though, they did mine at Hever last year, and only took 10 mins I think.
Didn't know dealers offered it, might be a good option if you can combine it with other work.
V8V said:
Picked up my V8 Vantage a couple of weeks ago - it was new in January 2013 so is a 2012 model.
Stunning car - is that Meteorite? Manual? Fancy posting a few more pics?Don't really follow your dating, if it was new in January 13 it may well have been built in 2012 but it is almost guaranteed a MY13 vehicle, as the Model Year for Aston starts, I think, in July of the previous year - ie after the summer shutdown. One of the experts will no doubt be along shortly to correct me. I know that the Porsche Model Year starts at the beginning of August in the previous year.
cardigankid said:
V8V said:
Picked up my V8 Vantage a couple of weeks ago - it was new in January 2013 so is a 2012 model.
Stunning car - is that Meteorite? Manual? Fancy posting a few more pics?Don't really follow your dating, if it was new in January 13 it may well have been built in 2012 but it is almost guaranteed a MY13 vehicle, as the Model Year for Aston starts, I think, in July of the previous year - ie after the summer shutdown. One of the experts will no doubt be along shortly to correct me. I know that the Porsche Model Year starts at the beginning of August in the previous year.
I was thinking I need more pics - will need to give it a clean but need to go somewhere as well. I've seen the post of Aston pics and some of the settings are great - they really show off the car. Much more interesting than mine sitting outside my garage doors!
Yes, it's Meteorite - I occasionally see people saying silvers and greys are boring but me for, this colour is my favourite - and has been for around 6 years. Sometimes white (especially the V12 Vantage) looks great but I think I would tire of it over time.
It was registered in Jan-13 but the spec says "Model Year: 2012.25". Perhaps built months before but never registered? No idea why and hope not a bad sign...
ALTHOUGH - today driving home in the lovely hot weather - had a fright. The engine stalled. I wondered what the hell was going on until I saw the message in the display. It happened whilst moving in 2nd gear I think and about to change up to third. I was driving slowly as I had just gone round a roundabout. Will be booking in the session with the dealer tomorrow.
Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
Yes, it's Meteorite - I occasionally see people saying silvers and greys are boring but me for, this colour is my favourite - and has been for around 6 years. Sometimes white (especially the V12 Vantage) looks great but I think I would tire of it over time.
It was registered in Jan-13 but the spec says "Model Year: 2012.25". Perhaps built months before but never registered? No idea why and hope not a bad sign...
ALTHOUGH - today driving home in the lovely hot weather - had a fright. The engine stalled. I wondered what the hell was going on until I saw the message in the display. It happened whilst moving in 2nd gear I think and about to change up to third. I was driving slowly as I had just gone round a roundabout. Will be booking in the session with the dealer tomorrow.
Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
V8V said:
ALTHOUGH - today driving home in the lovely hot weather - had a fright. The engine stalled. I wondered what the hell was going on until I saw the message in the display. It happened whilst moving in 2nd gear I think and about to change up to third. I was driving slowly as I had just gone round a roundabout. Will be booking in the session with the dealer tomorrow.
Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
Lovely car.. I think Meteorite is a great colour too. What was the message on the display?? Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
J12MOC said:
V8V said:
ALTHOUGH - today driving home in the lovely hot weather - had a fright. The engine stalled. I wondered what the hell was going on until I saw the message in the display. It happened whilst moving in 2nd gear I think and about to change up to third. I was driving slowly as I had just gone round a roundabout. Will be booking in the session with the dealer tomorrow.
Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
Lovely car.. I think Meteorite is a great colour too. What was the message on the display?? Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
I'm just hoping the dealership can plug the car into diagnostics and tell what it was but I'm not hopeful. Some searching has shown this has happened to other V8V owners.
V8V said:
ALTHOUGH - today driving home in the lovely hot weather - had a fright. The engine stalled. I wondered what the hell was going on until I saw the message in the display. It happened whilst moving in 2nd gear I think and about to change up to third. I was driving slowly as I had just gone round a roundabout. Will be booking in the session with the dealer tomorrow.
Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
I don't want to worry you, and I'm sure it's just a coincidence, but I experienced exactly the same thing with a 4.7 Vantage (it was Meteorite too).Fingers are tightly crossed it's not the start of a problematic ownership experience....
It stalled, sometimes scarily, under certain circumstances (eg under acceleration when overtaking) and I couldn't trust it.
It was back and forward to the dealer and AM. The problem was replicated a number of times but a conclusive source was never found.
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