V8 Vantage ride quality upgrade
Discussion
During these lockdown weeks, my wish list of areas I want to improve the vantage seems to be growing!
Basically, I have the goal of improving the ride quality of the v8 vantage especially at lower speeds (mine is a late v8s on sports suspension). After trawling through forums on both side of the pond, I cannot find much information as most people seem to want to lower their car, or put stiffer springs, or put larger wheels which is exactly not what I want to do. I want to keep the normal ride height, I want 19 inch wheels, and I know from being a former Lotus owner, you don't necessarily need stiffer springs to make a car feel sportier.
I am aware that ride quality is affected by these main factors:
1). Tyre choice
2). Unsprung mass (forged wheels)
3). dampers/springs
Each of the above points have different costs, but I would like to know if anyone has any insight into which should be done first. Is it worth spending £900 on a new set of tyres that are consumables anyway, and might not have that much of an impact? Forged wheels and new dampers cost about 3k each, so which would someone recommend to first? Does unsprung mass have a big impact? Does anyone have specific recommendations for dampers? I know the common ones are Nitron, KWs and BC, but which ones actually make the ride better, not just unnecessarily stiffer.
Any insight would be appreciated! Cheers
Basically, I have the goal of improving the ride quality of the v8 vantage especially at lower speeds (mine is a late v8s on sports suspension). After trawling through forums on both side of the pond, I cannot find much information as most people seem to want to lower their car, or put stiffer springs, or put larger wheels which is exactly not what I want to do. I want to keep the normal ride height, I want 19 inch wheels, and I know from being a former Lotus owner, you don't necessarily need stiffer springs to make a car feel sportier.
I am aware that ride quality is affected by these main factors:
1). Tyre choice
2). Unsprung mass (forged wheels)
3). dampers/springs
Each of the above points have different costs, but I would like to know if anyone has any insight into which should be done first. Is it worth spending £900 on a new set of tyres that are consumables anyway, and might not have that much of an impact? Forged wheels and new dampers cost about 3k each, so which would someone recommend to first? Does unsprung mass have a big impact? Does anyone have specific recommendations for dampers? I know the common ones are Nitron, KWs and BC, but which ones actually make the ride better, not just unnecessarily stiffer.
Any insight would be appreciated! Cheers
For what its worth I switched to Nitrons when my original shocks gave up the ghost. Supplied and fitted by David Appleby.
They were cheaper than the stock dampers and James fitted them for max comfort. Ride height is adjustable too. Made a huge difference.
David Appleby would be worth a call if they are still open as I'm sure they would be able to advise you.
They were cheaper than the stock dampers and James fitted them for max comfort. Ride height is adjustable too. Made a huge difference.
David Appleby would be worth a call if they are still open as I'm sure they would be able to advise you.
Riddochg said:
For what its worth I switched to Nitrons when my original shocks gave up the ghost. Supplied and fitted by David Appleby.
They were cheaper than the stock dampers and James fitted them for max comfort. Ride height is adjustable too. Made a huge difference.
David Appleby would be worth a call if they are still open as I'm sure they would be able to advise you.
Thanks for the feedback. What year is your car, so i can work out what your original shocks were.They were cheaper than the stock dampers and James fitted them for max comfort. Ride height is adjustable too. Made a huge difference.
David Appleby would be worth a call if they are still open as I'm sure they would be able to advise you.
They are a custom made Ohlins road and track (DFV) kit that Ive helped develop with an Ohlins dealer here at the nurbugring. They are custom valved and sprung for the car with extensive dyno work. They ride epic for both road and track although track testing has been limited so far as they shut just as we started testing. When it opens again Ill be able to give final sign off for them and Ill post more info and be able to take preorders as Im acting as a point of contact for the dealer as he wants to stick to engineering the kits rather than marketing. Most of his time is taken up with custom applications and engineering for high end race and track products up to current GT3. Once this kit is finalised, these will be taken off and sold as used but newly serviced kit and Ill get the development set of TTX generation dampers for advanced road and track use. These will be the same style dampers used on current GT3/GTE.
Gingernuts said:
They are a custom made Ohlins road and track (DFV) kit that Ive helped develop with an Ohlins dealer here at the nurbugring. They are custom valved and sprung for the car with extensive dyno work. They ride epic for both road and track although track testing has been limited so far as they shut just as we started testing. When it opens again Ill be able to give final sign off for them and Ill post more info and be able to take preorders as Im acting as a point of contact for the dealer as he wants to stick to engineering the kits rather than marketing. Most of his time is taken up with custom applications and engineering for high end race and track products up to current GT3. Once this kit is finalised, these will be taken off and sold as used but newly serviced kit and Ill get the development set of TTX generation dampers for advanced road and track use. These will be the same style dampers used on current GT3/GTE.
I’d be interested once you are finished with them.TR-Spider said:
Michelin PS4s do significantly soften the ride, they especially swallow the small hard bumps.
Sadly no option (in Europe) as OP´s car is a V8 Vantage S.Cypriot, you will of course know that you could always swap your Sports Supension for the optional original Comfort Suspension - for a lot of money I suppose, hence your question.
My 17MY has got the Comfort Suspension with original Bridgestone tyres. My only reference point was/is a MY07 V8 Vantage with 80.000 km and (allegedly) "Sports Pack" which I test drove before buying my car. I found that vehicle TERRIBLY hard but the square tyres from long standing probably had an additional impact here. My car´s suspension is much more forgiving e.g. over railway crossings without wallowing in bends, BUT i) I´m not a dynamic driver, more tourer and ii) yes, the car sometimes still seems hard through the (Bridgestone) tyres, at least this is my impression.
So not very much help from me, I´m afraid. But looking back now I would probably prefer the Comfort Suspension over the Sports Suspension which I originally had intended to order had the factory order process not closed.
Gingernuts said:
They are a custom made Ohlins road and track (DFV) kit that Ive helped develop with an Ohlins dealer here at the nurbugring. They are custom valved and sprung for the car with extensive dyno work. They ride epic for both road and track although track testing has been limited so far as they shut just as we started testing. When it opens again Ill be able to give final sign off for them and Ill post more info and be able to take preorders as Im acting as a point of contact for the dealer as he wants to stick to engineering the kits rather than marketing. Most of his time is taken up with custom applications and engineering for high end race and track products up to current GT3. Once this kit is finalised, these will be taken off and sold as used but newly serviced kit and Ill get the development set of TTX generation dampers for advanced road and track use. These will be the same style dampers used on current GT3/GTE.
Are they height adjustable? Don't suppose you'll be done with your prototype set any time soon will you 
? I've found myself in need of replacement shocks The easiest way to improve is the tyres - the Michelin P4S are dramatically lighter and softer than the ancient Bridgestones?:
https://aston1936.com/2019/03/12/aston-martin-db9-...
The ride improvement for my DB9 was astonishing even over the previous generation Michelin PSS.
You'll also note the unsprung weight saving from the forged wheels - actually noticeable IMHO!
In regards to dampers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-aXYFP39E
The later Bilstein ones are much better - I upgraded to the later active suspension which really improves things again.
Hope this helps.
https://aston1936.com/2019/03/12/aston-martin-db9-...
The ride improvement for my DB9 was astonishing even over the previous generation Michelin PSS.
You'll also note the unsprung weight saving from the forged wheels - actually noticeable IMHO!
In regards to dampers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-aXYFP39E
The later Bilstein ones are much better - I upgraded to the later active suspension which really improves things again.
Hope this helps.
I bought PS4 which helped the ride on my v8v as people have said especially the little road imperfections. However it was still a bit hard but I got the suspension properly aligned, what a difference I no longer have any issues with the ride and the sharp turn is makes for a much more interesting drive.
Squaremeal said:
The easiest way to improve is the tyres - the Michelin P4S are dramatically lighter and softer than the ancient Bridgestones?:
https://aston1936.com/2019/03/12/aston-martin-db9-...
The ride improvement for my DB9 was astonishing even over the previous generation Michelin PSS.
You'll also note the unsprung weight saving from the forged wheels - actually noticeable IMHO!
In regards to dampers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-aXYFP39E
The later Bilstein ones are much better - I upgraded to the later active suspension which really improves things again.
Hope this helps.
wow! thanks for this, especially the thread from the aston martin forums! I have been scouring the internet to find something like where someone takes into account the entire weight of the wheels plus tyres, rather than just the wheels. Great information! My car is being fitted with Continental Sport Contact 6 tyres which according to tire rack weight quite a bit less than the Bridgestones, whilst also being a much better tyre overall. I will come back with my thoughts when I get the car back.https://aston1936.com/2019/03/12/aston-martin-db9-...
The ride improvement for my DB9 was astonishing even over the previous generation Michelin PSS.
You'll also note the unsprung weight saving from the forged wheels - actually noticeable IMHO!
In regards to dampers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FP-aXYFP39E
The later Bilstein ones are much better - I upgraded to the later active suspension which really improves things again.
Hope this helps.
My car is still on original dampers and spring set from 2007. No leaks or obvious wear.
I’m running 20” wheels on Pirellis which was an improvement over old Bridgestones
Anyway I’m currently awaiting delivery of a set of coil overs recommended on a popular site.
I will say no more until fitted and adjusted etc but I’m hoping they’ll out perform the Multimatic whilst giving a more compliant low speed ride
I’m running 20” wheels on Pirellis which was an improvement over old Bridgestones
Anyway I’m currently awaiting delivery of a set of coil overs recommended on a popular site.
I will say no more until fitted and adjusted etc but I’m hoping they’ll out perform the Multimatic whilst giving a more compliant low speed ride
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