AM Virage (DBS/DB9) CCB 'problem'
Discussion
Dear fellow car enthusiasts;
My first post! Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I'm a young dad of two girls with a passion for cars. Have now a modest car collection with a few rare sports cars: Italian, German and now I need... something British! Preferably with a V12 and back seat.
I've been looking to either DBS's and the later DB9's, but now I've been negotiating a 2012 Virage for some time.
Last week, the Virage was sent out to a very well known AM specialist and they performed a PPI. A test drive during the PPI (I did not notice this myself during the first test drive I did myself) showed that the carbon ceramic brakes are 'throbbing', or pulsing, when braking slowly. It's not a very irritating feeling, but it's definitely noticeable. In my first test drive I didn't notice at all, but I was overwhelmed by the sound of the V12 and too much concentrated on driving. The mechanic, very experienced in both modern and classic AM's, noticed this right away.
The specialist advises to replace the front CCB's. Very, very, very costly. They also advise that the pulsating feeling when braking would most definitely get worse over time. They could not specify what would be the reason for this. Normally carbon ceramics would be bullet proof, right?
My question is to you AM-connaisseurs:
- Would it be worth it changing to stainless steel? I know a few Ferrari owners do this when their CCB's need major fixes.
- Would some aftermarket 'big brake' kits be available for these 2012 Virages?
- Is this something that happens more often, would you cope with it and just accept it with the car? Or would you spend the 15k €€ on the new brakes? Car has now done about 75k km's.
- Anyone selling a good set of CCB's? Haha.
Many thanks for your input from across the pond!
Kind regards,
Enzo
My first post! Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I'm a young dad of two girls with a passion for cars. Have now a modest car collection with a few rare sports cars: Italian, German and now I need... something British! Preferably with a V12 and back seat.
I've been looking to either DBS's and the later DB9's, but now I've been negotiating a 2012 Virage for some time.
Last week, the Virage was sent out to a very well known AM specialist and they performed a PPI. A test drive during the PPI (I did not notice this myself during the first test drive I did myself) showed that the carbon ceramic brakes are 'throbbing', or pulsing, when braking slowly. It's not a very irritating feeling, but it's definitely noticeable. In my first test drive I didn't notice at all, but I was overwhelmed by the sound of the V12 and too much concentrated on driving. The mechanic, very experienced in both modern and classic AM's, noticed this right away.
The specialist advises to replace the front CCB's. Very, very, very costly. They also advise that the pulsating feeling when braking would most definitely get worse over time. They could not specify what would be the reason for this. Normally carbon ceramics would be bullet proof, right?
My question is to you AM-connaisseurs:
- Would it be worth it changing to stainless steel? I know a few Ferrari owners do this when their CCB's need major fixes.
- Would some aftermarket 'big brake' kits be available for these 2012 Virages?
- Is this something that happens more often, would you cope with it and just accept it with the car? Or would you spend the 15k €€ on the new brakes? Car has now done about 75k km's.
- Anyone selling a good set of CCB's? Haha.
Many thanks for your input from across the pond!
Kind regards,
Enzo
I know Virage is a relatively rare model, possibly even more so outside of the UK, but any problem with the CCBs would make me walk away. Obviously if you’re dead set on buying the car you do have options on how to proceed, but imho the problem you’re describing could be down to owner neglect and that would be a red flag to me. YMMV of course. BRM.
Thanks for the tips guys!
Well, unfortunately on Ferrarichat I’m reading a lot of bad experiences with ReBrake. Also, my Ferrari indy had a terrible experience with them a few years back and that cost him 2 sets of CCB’s for a 599GTO.
Not too sure about ReBrake then, but it’s definitely something to look into!
Well, unfortunately on Ferrarichat I’m reading a lot of bad experiences with ReBrake. Also, my Ferrari indy had a terrible experience with them a few years back and that cost him 2 sets of CCB’s for a 599GTO.
Not too sure about ReBrake then, but it’s definitely something to look into!
Did you see this recent thread regarding hub face corrosion:
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Ah thanks! I did not read that before, but my car has no issues like pulling to the right..
Well, I bought the car! I just love the way it handles and drives. The sound is amazing.
I’m actually contemplating going to a ‘Racingbrake.com’ steel-conversion set. I saw Bamford Rose also used this set and was actually happy about the results. Also, I don’t need carbon brakes and could do without the enormous cost for replacing them and the squeeky cold brakes haha.
Unfortunately, both my Ferrari and separate BMW specialist had experience with Rebrake and recommended me to stay away from them. I fully trust them so I just would not consider them an option for a refurb..
Well, I bought the car! I just love the way it handles and drives. The sound is amazing.
I’m actually contemplating going to a ‘Racingbrake.com’ steel-conversion set. I saw Bamford Rose also used this set and was actually happy about the results. Also, I don’t need carbon brakes and could do without the enormous cost for replacing them and the squeeky cold brakes haha.
Unfortunately, both my Ferrari and separate BMW specialist had experience with Rebrake and recommended me to stay away from them. I fully trust them so I just would not consider them an option for a refurb..
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