DB9 to DBS make over.....
Discussion
Well it must have been 3 years ago I came to my first meeting with people from this forum at Brooklands. I was in my first ever Aston a DB9coupe. I remember then how impressed I was with Lewis (yeti) DBS bonnet on his DB9 and that wonderful exhaust he had.... I always thought one day I would get myself a DBS bonnet... As it happens I couldn’t live the DB9 as a daily drive doing 40k miles a year so I went back to an M5! But then a year later missing my Aston I got myself a DB9V as a weekend car, perfect match I thought! Eventually getting rid of the M5 and getting a boring old man’s 750 I decided it was time to treat the DB9v to that bonnet I’d been thinking of.... Which I duly found.... they also had a nice set of wheels so ended up getting those also. Then come on that DBS rear diffuser is rather sexy and really how hard could it be to fit that? Damn it needed to get a DBS rear bumper also... so did that, then I thought it’s silly not to get to the front bumper also, and REALLP come on how much are those stupid splitters a piece?! So all stocked up good to go. But then it seemed silly not to actually go the whole hog and get the DBS side pods so did that also. Then it Tim at Trinity pointed out the boot was different... cheers Tim, might as well do that. SO eventually it was DBS parts all round, into the body shop for a full strip down and full respray. Then the sports exhaust gets added. Truly feels like a whole new car to me!
Guessing some of you will object to turning a DB9 into a DBS, but actually it’s not a replica, simply a normal DB9 with DBS parts for that extra bit of flair. Hats off to Tim at Trinity, as always an amazing job, albeit way behind budget and way behind schedule as we all know Tim will only the very best of work and he certainly managed it this time.
Guessing some of you will object to turning a DB9 into a DBS, but actually it’s not a replica, simply a normal DB9 with DBS parts for that extra bit of flair. Hats off to Tim at Trinity, as always an amazing job, albeit way behind budget and way behind schedule as we all know Tim will only the very best of work and he certainly managed it this time.
Little Donkey said:
I mean this in the nicest possible way, but why didn't you just buy a DBS Volante? You must have spent a small fortune on parts.
With all my engine, suspension, brakes, interior and exterior mods, I'm still nowhere the price for a DBS Volante. Don't forget how inexpensive the DB9 is to buy now!Looks great Mark, fantastic!!
yeti said:
With all my engine, suspension, brakes, interior and exterior mods, I'm still nowhere the price for a DBS Volante. Don't forget how inexpensive the DB9 is to buy now!
But a DBS Volante would have retained more value. Plus other things like CCM brakes which aren't exactly cheap, and the updated interior.Looks like a well executed job though if all you want is the look.
George29 said:
But a DBS Volante would have retained more value. Plus other things like CCM brakes which aren't exactly cheap, and the updated interior.
1) Don't intend to sell. Ever.2) Having CCMs anyway
3) I don't like the updated interior
Regardless of the reasons in your giant hairy northern head, if I wanted a DBSV I'd have had to take out finance. I bought my DB9 cash and pay for the upgrades as I go which suits me better. Mark's rationale might be different but that is mine.
SS972 said:
why am I the only one unable to find a (cheap) DBS bonnet???
You are not! I gave up.Last owner of my DB9 did the same work as OP, all DBS parts other than bonnet which he decided not to get (despite spending 10's of thousands) and fabricated two identical vents instead. Makes it unique?! I paid same price as standard DB9 and got a whole lot more that I liked.
OP, he machined to fit the side strakes with built in indicators. Just saying!
Picture of mine; and just to show it off, my new addition
Don't know where Mike 'GDC' is but in his absence I think we should mention his DB9V so I quote below from the BR thread:
"Project Mathis has arrived, Mike very kindly delivering it back to my home at 11pm on Friday after 14 weeks at BR!
Despite the missed deadlines and delays due to some faulty parts and staff absences I've been really impressed; Mike and the BR team deliver exceptional engineering advice and quality. Customer service and communication is sporadic due to this dedication to engineering quality but their results are worth the wait IMO.
To recap its a DB9 MY2011 Volante with ADS and it now has high lift cam and switchable exhaust upgrade to 520bhp, DBS Brembo brake kit with bright silver blue callipers, rear shear plate for chassis stiffening and matching blue contrast stitching on seats and dash. Service and MOT was also completed and some new beam wipers added.
Conclusion: if you have a DB9 and its a bit soft for you, you have to get this upgrade!
When cruising along the motorway to the Bonhams sale yesterday - BTW look for any Aston junk in your barn and somebody will pay £120k+ for it - I had the exhaust in whisper mode which is quieter than standard and the car was much more relaxing to drive. Pretty sure Mike did something to the suspension as well as the car just seemed to sit much better on the road.
Hooning on the way back cross country I just flicked the switch, engaged Sport and it became a blaring beast, revving to 7500rpm, popping and banging on the TT2 down change, scaring all living things within half a mile radius....I think i did 200 miles in that mode, its so addictive it makes you look for more and more roundabouts
this upgrade package simply extends the concept of the original DB9, it just makes it more balanced, relaxing and smooth in Normal and more exciting and visceral in Sport, very similar now in feel to the Vanq 2 I test drove a while ago. I would like to see how it compares to a DBS as it is essentially now a DBS spec car.
Its the car AML should have produced for the DB9, but it takes BR to provide the touch of magic... will post some pics soon and see you on the Welsh Weekender..
mike"
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