Goodbye for now
Discussion
I have sold my AM Vantage N400 after over two years of ownership
It is a great looking car and got admiring looks from everyone
But I could never get used to the sportshift transmission
Several clutch learns and a new clutch later I decided that it is not for me
I feel that the Vantage is the best looking Aston(matter of opinion of course)
If there is a new Vantage with a true automatic in future I will be getting one
This is a great forum and I got many useful advice so thanks everyone and goodbye for now
It is a great looking car and got admiring looks from everyone
But I could never get used to the sportshift transmission
Several clutch learns and a new clutch later I decided that it is not for me
I feel that the Vantage is the best looking Aston(matter of opinion of course)
If there is a new Vantage with a true automatic in future I will be getting one
This is a great forum and I got many useful advice so thanks everyone and goodbye for now
Like you I struggled with the sportshift gearbox for almost 2 years. It completley ruined my enjoyment of the car. I was about to give up a go back to Porsche but decided to give AM another go but this time with the sportshiftl ll. what a difference. The car is so much better to drive. No more fighting the creep mode, no more judder at low,speed and it is even possible to reverse smoothly. Unless you jave already bought something else I would definitely give it a try.
Agree-I found the creep mode a real pain
I tried driving using paddles and on D but the gear changes just did not seem right
Every time I looked at that car I kept thinking-what a great car,ruined by its transmission
I understand that the manuals have no such problem but I have always been an Auto driver
I will definitely test drive a sportshift 2
Hopefully it will return me to Aston Ownership
I tried driving using paddles and on D but the gear changes just did not seem right
Every time I looked at that car I kept thinking-what a great car,ruined by its transmission
I understand that the manuals have no such problem but I have always been an Auto driver
I will definitely test drive a sportshift 2
Hopefully it will return me to Aston Ownership
ranjexel said:
Agree-I found the creep mode a real pain
I tried driving using paddles and on D but the gear changes just did not seem right
Every time I looked at that car I kept thinking-what a great car,ruined by its transmission
I understand that the manuals have no such problem but I have always been an Auto driver
I will definitely test drive a sportshift 2
Hopefully it will return me to Aston Ownership
Good to know it wasn't just me who found themSportshift impossible to live with. I had a love/hate relationship with my Vantage. It had all the looks but was awful to drive. I did clutch learns, downloaded new software and had the clutch checked twice, once by main dealer and once by independent. I began to think that It was my poor driving that was at fault not the car. The Sportshift 2'has restored my faith both in AM and myself. I tried driving using paddles and on D but the gear changes just did not seem right
Every time I looked at that car I kept thinking-what a great car,ruined by its transmission
I understand that the manuals have no such problem but I have always been an Auto driver
I will definitely test drive a sportshift 2
Hopefully it will return me to Aston Ownership
Sorry to read you are leaving because of the gearbox.
When I first considered buying a Vantage, I thought a Sportshift would be modern and fun. At that time, I did not know a Sportshift from a torqueshift. I started to get a few clues from review videos, such as, "Buy the manual".
I think I might have done the same as you (OP), if I had not chosen a manual.
With so much torque, you do not even have to change gear much, when you want to be lazy.
Hope you will own another Aston Martin one day.
Shame that the sportshift has dented your overall AM experience.
I'm also currently struggling with the Sportshift I.
Mind you i've only owned the car for 6 weeks,
and is more of a case that I am being patient and giving the car the opportunity to get to know me ..... rather than me learning the car
I'm also currently struggling with the Sportshift I.
Mind you i've only owned the car for 6 weeks,
and is more of a case that I am being patient and giving the car the opportunity to get to know me ..... rather than me learning the car
I have had my V8VR for over 2 years now and it did take me a long time to get to grips with Sportshift 1.
Here are a few tips from my experience.
Always drive it using the paddles (as if its a manual)
Every time I start the car from cold I let it do a Clutch Learn, I usually put the seat belt on whilst it carries this out and you hear the "click" when it is complete (takes approx 10 seconds)
I always have ALL electrics off before starting the car. (AC, radio etc)
The most important thing I have found to set/calibrate the Sportshift 1 is this.
Approx every 4-6 weeks do 4 cold starts in a row and let the car do the clutch learn each time, I have found this improves the Sportshift greatly, smoothes out everything about it.
Here are a few tips from my experience.
Always drive it using the paddles (as if its a manual)
Every time I start the car from cold I let it do a Clutch Learn, I usually put the seat belt on whilst it carries this out and you hear the "click" when it is complete (takes approx 10 seconds)
I always have ALL electrics off before starting the car. (AC, radio etc)
The most important thing I have found to set/calibrate the Sportshift 1 is this.
Approx every 4-6 weeks do 4 cold starts in a row and let the car do the clutch learn each time, I have found this improves the Sportshift greatly, smoothes out everything about it.
I have had my V8VR for over 2 years now and it did take me a long time to get to grips with Sportshift 1.
Here are a few tips from my experience.
Always drive it using the paddles (as if its a manual)
Every time I start the car from cold I let it do a Clutch Learn, I usually put the seat belt on whilst it carries this out and you hear the "click" when it is complete (takes approx 10 seconds)
I always have ALL electrics off before starting the car. (AC, radio etc)
The most important thing I have found to set/calibrate the Sportshift 1 is this.
Approx every 4-6 weeks do 4 cold starts in a row and let the car do the clutch learn each time, I have found this improves the Sportshift greatly, smoothes out everything about it.
Here are a few tips from my experience.
Always drive it using the paddles (as if its a manual)
Every time I start the car from cold I let it do a Clutch Learn, I usually put the seat belt on whilst it carries this out and you hear the "click" when it is complete (takes approx 10 seconds)
I always have ALL electrics off before starting the car. (AC, radio etc)
The most important thing I have found to set/calibrate the Sportshift 1 is this.
Approx every 4-6 weeks do 4 cold starts in a row and let the car do the clutch learn each time, I have found this improves the Sportshift greatly, smoothes out everything about it.
Manwhoneverwas said:
I have had my V8VR for over 2 years now and it did take me a long time to get to grips with Sportshift 1.
Here are a few tips from my experience.
Always drive it using the paddles (as if its a manual)
Every time I start the car from cold I let it do a Clutch Learn, I usually put the seat belt on whilst it carries this out and you hear the "click" when it is complete (takes approx 10 seconds)
I always have ALL electrics off before starting the car. (AC, radio etc)
The most important thing I have found to set/calibrate the Sportshift 1 is this.
Approx every 4-6 weeks do 4 cold starts in a row and let the car do the clutch learn each time, I have found this improves the Sportshift greatly, smoothes out everything about it.
Additional general comments;Here are a few tips from my experience.
Always drive it using the paddles (as if its a manual)
Every time I start the car from cold I let it do a Clutch Learn, I usually put the seat belt on whilst it carries this out and you hear the "click" when it is complete (takes approx 10 seconds)
I always have ALL electrics off before starting the car. (AC, radio etc)
The most important thing I have found to set/calibrate the Sportshift 1 is this.
Approx every 4-6 weeks do 4 cold starts in a row and let the car do the clutch learn each time, I have found this improves the Sportshift greatly, smoothes out everything about it.
Creep mode is to be avoided where possible. The clutch fully engages after 5mph in 1st. If your not doing 5 in traffic, wait before setting off and let a gap form in front.
It should be remembered that it's a manual without a clutch, not an automatic. It's a tool, manual and ASM are different tools, not one better than the other IMHO.
I loved mine once I adjusted my driving to suit. It changes gear in a way that makes it seem like I have more talent than I'm gifted with!
Sorry to hear you are leaving Dr Ranjit, there is no doubting that the Sportshift is a Marmite option, you either love or hate, but as with all aspects of these car's it has been continually evolved and improved over the years and yours is an early version. Even the latest SS isn't as good as a dual clutch system and auto D is still crap, but it is vastly better than it used to be. So I would test drive a SII car and a DB9/Virage, before you leave the fold 
I'm running a Sportshift II V8 S Roadster for this very reason to fully assess the latest set-up and I actually feel, overall, it enhances the V8S, while it isn't as involving as a manual here are the + - for those looking at both who haven't tried SS yet...
+ SSII has 7 speeds and the first 6 and final drive ratios are shorter than the manual/SSI cars, this (in combination with the S engine) make it much more free & fast revving, you have to be careful not slam into the rev limiter all the time.
+ With creep mode gone, low speed take up and manouvering is vastly better, Hill Start also makes starting off on an incline nice and smooth.
+ With Sport Paddle Shift engaged, changes above 7,000 rpm are lightning fast adding a performance advantage, downshifts are vastly better than I can achieve with a manual and the throttle blip is fab, you find yourself changing up and down all the time, maximising both performance and aural pleasure in a way you simply don't/can't in a manual.
- Auto D is still pretty crap unless you simply want to trundle in stop-start or through town, it's useful to have but if you want to use it as an auto box look to a real auto DB9 - Virage.
- Changes are still jerky on occasion, they are fab when really on it, and when going gently, but in between if you change up while on medium throttle it has a horrible jerk. You can also get some driveline shunt on low speed downs
ts while slowing.
You can drive around the quirks ( adding to more interaction with the car compared to flick switch dual clutchers) by lifting slightly for some upshifts, but SS can still be quirky and it is still Marmite so an extended test drive is a must. But overall I actually think it works very well with the V8S, in combination with its small power increase and fantastic sports exhaust, the shorter gearing, faster changes and flip paddle controls add a distinct performance/enjoyment improvement over a standard V8 manual... widening the gap between the models.. IMO, which is probably why A.M. originally launched the S with SS only
Anyway get out and test drive Roadster SSII ( for added variety over yoyr previous coupe) and a DB9 and let's hope you stay in the fold.
I'm running a Sportshift II V8 S Roadster for this very reason to fully assess the latest set-up and I actually feel, overall, it enhances the V8S, while it isn't as involving as a manual here are the + - for those looking at both who haven't tried SS yet...
+ SSII has 7 speeds and the first 6 and final drive ratios are shorter than the manual/SSI cars, this (in combination with the S engine) make it much more free & fast revving, you have to be careful not slam into the rev limiter all the time.
+ With creep mode gone, low speed take up and manouvering is vastly better, Hill Start also makes starting off on an incline nice and smooth.
+ With Sport Paddle Shift engaged, changes above 7,000 rpm are lightning fast adding a performance advantage, downshifts are vastly better than I can achieve with a manual and the throttle blip is fab, you find yourself changing up and down all the time, maximising both performance and aural pleasure in a way you simply don't/can't in a manual.
- Auto D is still pretty crap unless you simply want to trundle in stop-start or through town, it's useful to have but if you want to use it as an auto box look to a real auto DB9 - Virage.
- Changes are still jerky on occasion, they are fab when really on it, and when going gently, but in between if you change up while on medium throttle it has a horrible jerk. You can also get some driveline shunt on low speed downs
ts while slowing. You can drive around the quirks ( adding to more interaction with the car compared to flick switch dual clutchers) by lifting slightly for some upshifts, but SS can still be quirky and it is still Marmite so an extended test drive is a must. But overall I actually think it works very well with the V8S, in combination with its small power increase and fantastic sports exhaust, the shorter gearing, faster changes and flip paddle controls add a distinct performance/enjoyment improvement over a standard V8 manual... widening the gap between the models.. IMO, which is probably why A.M. originally launched the S with SS only
Anyway get out and test drive Roadster SSII ( for added variety over yoyr previous coupe) and a DB9 and let's hope you stay in the fold.
I am amazed by all these posts.
Can anyone please explain to this layman why Aston Martin provided a gearbox that appears to be not suitable for purpose.
Aston Martins are not cheap to purchase and the very least one might expect is a pleasurable driving experience.
One does not expect to be faffing around having to perform " clutch re learns " etc to be able to drive one's car.
Dodgy paintwork is a pain in the bum,but a dodgy gearbox is unacceptable.
Or am I getting something wrong ?
Can anyone please explain to this layman why Aston Martin provided a gearbox that appears to be not suitable for purpose.
Aston Martins are not cheap to purchase and the very least one might expect is a pleasurable driving experience.
One does not expect to be faffing around having to perform " clutch re learns " etc to be able to drive one's car.
Dodgy paintwork is a pain in the bum,but a dodgy gearbox is unacceptable.
Or am I getting something wrong ?
avinalarf said:
I am amazed by all these posts.
Can anyone please explain to this layman why Aston Martin provided a gearbox that appears to be not suitable for purpose.
Aston Martins are not cheap to purchase and the very least one might expect is a pleasurable driving experience.
One does not expect to be faffing around having to perform " clutch re learns " etc to be able to drive one's car.
Dodgy paintwork is a pain in the bum,but a dodgy gearbox is unacceptable.
Or am I getting something wrong ?
It's not Aston specific, the automated manual transmission has exactly the same quirks with Audi, Ferrari, Lambourghini, etc, etc. The difference is the aforementioned companies have now moved onto dual clutch systems, where as Aston have continued to develop the automated manual ( incidentally Lambo still use this in the Adventador). I actually ran an Audi R8 V10 Spyder with an automated manual box and Aston's latest SSII is MUCH better than Audi's gearbox, proving its effective evolution.Can anyone please explain to this layman why Aston Martin provided a gearbox that appears to be not suitable for purpose.
Aston Martins are not cheap to purchase and the very least one might expect is a pleasurable driving experience.
One does not expect to be faffing around having to perform " clutch re learns " etc to be able to drive one's car.
Dodgy paintwork is a pain in the bum,but a dodgy gearbox is unacceptable.
Or am I getting something wrong ?
Having said this, dual clutch system are better at being good in auto and manual control, where as SS is really only effective with manual control, so I do think that A.M. will move to either dual clutch or ZF 8 speed in the future - now they have a new top quality parts bin (Merc) and bigger budgets. Their argument in keeping SS has been that it reduces complexity and weight compared to the latest transmissions, but we will see come 2017-ish when the new Vantage breaks cover
avinalarf said:
I am amazed by all these posts.
Can anyone please explain to this layman why Aston Martin provided a gearbox that appears to be not suitable for purpose.
Aston Martins are not cheap to purchase and the very least one might expect is a pleasurable driving experience.
One does not expect to be faffing around having to perform " clutch re learns " etc to be able to drive one's car.
Dodgy paintwork is a pain in the bum,but a dodgy gearbox is unacceptable.
Or am I getting something wrong ?
I think it depends on your expectations and what you (may have) thought you were buying. If you saw no gearstick and clutch pedal and thought 'auto' then you would be very unhappy. If you realised it was an automated manual to be driven as a manual then it is a joy.Can anyone please explain to this layman why Aston Martin provided a gearbox that appears to be not suitable for purpose.
Aston Martins are not cheap to purchase and the very least one might expect is a pleasurable driving experience.
One does not expect to be faffing around having to perform " clutch re learns " etc to be able to drive one's car.
Dodgy paintwork is a pain in the bum,but a dodgy gearbox is unacceptable.
Or am I getting something wrong ?
All that said the above applies to ASM SSII and SS111 and it does sound like ASM SS1 was a bit of a dog and steep learning curve for all suppliers of such gearboxes. As Grant says this was/is not AM specific but others with bigger budgets moved on quicker. I still urge anyone to no knock Sportshift until they try the latest incarnations.
It is reassuring to know that a few of you had similar issues
Jerky transmission and drivetrain shunts apart it was the creep function that finally did it
I was trying to nip across a mini roundabout when it cut in and I almost got T-boned by a large truck
Anyway it was a wrench to see her being driven away
She was called Kloe( yes Kloe with a K)
I recently asked a friend of mine who got divorced how he felt about the whole thing
He replied `On one hand I will miss her and will always value the times we had
but on the other hand I am glad the b***h has gone'
Harsh words perhaps but it kind of explains how I feel now
Anyway the stage is now set for a new model
Vantage S? DBS? Decisions Decisions
Great forum. I will be lurking around looking for nuggets of wisdom
Jerky transmission and drivetrain shunts apart it was the creep function that finally did it
I was trying to nip across a mini roundabout when it cut in and I almost got T-boned by a large truck
Anyway it was a wrench to see her being driven away
She was called Kloe( yes Kloe with a K)
I recently asked a friend of mine who got divorced how he felt about the whole thing
He replied `On one hand I will miss her and will always value the times we had
but on the other hand I am glad the b***h has gone'
Harsh words perhaps but it kind of explains how I feel now
Anyway the stage is now set for a new model
Vantage S? DBS? Decisions Decisions
Great forum. I will be lurking around looking for nuggets of wisdom
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