DB11 V11 vs V8
Discussion
Morning Gents,
I'm on the cusp of buying an early Db11 circa 2017/2018.
Can't decide whether to go for the v12 (launch edition) or v8.
I've read all the review of how the v8 is sharper to drive and lighter etc. I do very little mileage now and mainly will be doing local journeys. Is there ANY advantage to the V12 over the V8?
Is there much difference in the real world of running costs between the 2?
Regards
I'm on the cusp of buying an early Db11 circa 2017/2018.
Can't decide whether to go for the v12 (launch edition) or v8.
I've read all the review of how the v8 is sharper to drive and lighter etc. I do very little mileage now and mainly will be doing local journeys. Is there ANY advantage to the V12 over the V8?
Is there much difference in the real world of running costs between the 2?
Regards
DBSNOOR said:
.... I do very little mileage now and mainly will be doing local journeys. Is there ANY advantage to the V12 over the V8?
Is there much difference in the real world of running costs between the 2?
Is there much difference in the real world of running costs between the 2?
I doubt there would be much difference, particularly with little mileage.
There is however one major difference, for those who are concerned about such matters.
One car is a traditional Aston Martin and the other is an Aston Martin using a Mercedes-Benz engine.
Means a lot to some.
Jon39 said:
I doubt there would be much difference, particularly with little mileage.
There is however one major difference, for those who are concerned about such matters.
One car is a traditional Aston Martin and the other is an Aston Martin using a Mercedes-Benz engine.
Means a lot to some.
I think it would be worth driving both of them to see. I had a V12 DB11 which was a fantastic car and now have a DBX with the V8 engine but have never driven a V8 DB11. The V12 is an incredible engine with a great sound when pushed and instant torque- you just touch the accelerator and it flies. Whilst the DBX is a much heavier car so comparisons are not perfect the V8 engine feels a very different beast. The engine sound is obviously different (one of the reasons I bought it - I have never owned a V8 before) and the engine is amazingly free revving. When you hit the accelerator the revs shoot up and then the car goes rather than the instant hit of the V12. Some of that is the extra weight clearly but also I think it is an engine characteristic too. It is different rather than one being better, overall the V8 performs more like the V12 in my early DB9 without turbos (different sound though).
The suspension set up is also different on the two DB11s. Interestingly they changed the set up on the DB11 V12 AMR to incorporate the changes from the V8 which got good reviews initially too. However according to a poster on another thread AM reversed that for last years model and went back to the original set up (kept the engine and exhaust management changes though). That seems to imply that buyers preferred the more GT original set up than the sharper V8 one on the V12.
As with all these cars they massively exceed what you can realistically do on the road so there isn’t a right answer it is just what feels most special and enjoyable to you.
Good luck and you won’t regret a DB11, it is a great car I had mine for 4.5 years.
The suspension set up is also different on the two DB11s. Interestingly they changed the set up on the DB11 V12 AMR to incorporate the changes from the V8 which got good reviews initially too. However according to a poster on another thread AM reversed that for last years model and went back to the original set up (kept the engine and exhaust management changes though). That seems to imply that buyers preferred the more GT original set up than the sharper V8 one on the V12.
As with all these cars they massively exceed what you can realistically do on the road so there isn’t a right answer it is just what feels most special and enjoyable to you.
Good luck and you won’t regret a DB11, it is a great car I had mine for 4.5 years.
Westlondondriver said:
I think it would be worth driving both of them to see. I had a V12 DB11 which was a fantastic car and now have a DBX with the V8 engine but have never driven a V8 DB11. The V12 is an incredible engine with a great sound when pushed and instant torque- you just touch the accelerator and it flies. Whilst the DBX is a much heavier car so comparisons are not perfect the V8 engine feels a very different beast. The engine sound is obviously different (one of the reasons I bought it - I have never owned a V8 before) and the engine is amazingly free revving. When you hit the accelerator the revs shoot up and then the car goes rather than the instant hit of the V12. Some of that is the extra weight clearly but also I think it is an engine characteristic too. It is different rather than one being better, overall the V8 performs more like the V12 in my early DB9 without turbos (different sound though).
The suspension set up is also different on the two DB11s. Interestingly they changed the set up on the DB11 V12 AMR to incorporate the changes from the V8 which got good reviews initially too. However according to a poster on another thread AM reversed that for last years model and went back to the original set up (kept the engine and exhaust management changes though). That seems to imply that buyers preferred the more GT original set up than the sharper V8 one on the V12.
As with all these cars they massively exceed what you can realistically do on the road so there isn’t a right answer it is just what feels most special and enjoyable to you.
Good luck and you won’t regret a DB11, it is a great car I had mine for 4.5 years.
Many thanks for your thoughts. The problem with trying both is that ill get smitten with the first one I see and game over.The suspension set up is also different on the two DB11s. Interestingly they changed the set up on the DB11 V12 AMR to incorporate the changes from the V8 which got good reviews initially too. However according to a poster on another thread AM reversed that for last years model and went back to the original set up (kept the engine and exhaust management changes though). That seems to imply that buyers preferred the more GT original set up than the sharper V8 one on the V12.
As with all these cars they massively exceed what you can realistically do on the road so there isn’t a right answer it is just what feels most special and enjoyable to you.
Good luck and you won’t regret a DB11, it is a great car I had mine for 4.5 years.
I have a friend who had an early V12. Couldn’t get on with the rear suspension ‘squirming’ under hard acceleration. He now has the V8 which he says is a much better car.
If you’re going to drive it gently and over limited miles it probably won’t make much difference.
Only way to determine is to drive them back to back and go for the overall package you like the best.
If you’re going to drive it gently and over limited miles it probably won’t make much difference.
Only way to determine is to drive them back to back and go for the overall package you like the best.
AdamV12V said:
Wow, that was ultra quick! In 36hours you've bought a car and got it on the drive? That must be a record I would bet!
Congrats
I was just bowled over with the V12 felt stronger than a V8 and more 'Aston' (if that's a thing)Congrats
The Launch edition spec also helps and with only 10k miles, almost feels brand new.
My closest previous comparables would be a DBS, and this is leagues ahead in every way, and the other would be my previous FF, and I'm afraid there's no comparison in looks or dynamics (albeit based on limited miles in the DB11). I came out of a wraith and this is a great antidote to that.
DBSNOOR said:
Congrats. I have a 2018 DB11 V12V used. I have limited miles since getting it (about 800 miles).Clarify for me please: when you say launch edition, you mean the model when first introduced. Or do you mean "launch control" edition to be able to rev the engine and come off of the line quicker? I know, I'm kinda AM illiterate.
DB_11 said:
Clarify for me please: when you say launch edition, you mean the model when first introduced. Or do you mean "launch control" edition to be able to rev the engine and come off of the line quicker? I know, I'm kinda AM illiterate.
If I remember correctly, the first (was it 1,000?) cars built, were supposedly personally inspected by the then CEO Andy Palmer (who called himself President). Those cars were named Launch Edition. AP was filmed looking at various parts of a DB11. His signature is on the INSPECTED BY plates. How he had so many hours to do that, instead of concentrating on how his team could sell more cars and spend less money, is anyone's guess.
DBSNOOR said:
I was just bowled over with the V12 felt stronger than a V8 and more 'Aston' (if that's a thing)
This. I drove the V8 as well and it felt slower than my olde DBS and while it was sharper, the overall experience was on the 'dull' side of excellent.Congrats on the new car!
dbs2000 said:
DBSNOOR said:
I was just bowled over with the V12 felt stronger than a V8 and more 'Aston' (if that's a thing)
This. I drove the V8 as well and it felt slower than my olde DBS and while it was sharper, the overall experience was on the 'dull' side of excellent.Congrats on the new car!
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