Sportshift (driving tips welcome)
Discussion
I'm picking up my V8 Vantage 4.7 Sportshift on Saturday. This is a new way of driving for me. I am familiar with "clutch learn" and the need to lift off the throttle slightly between shifts for smoother change, but any advice from seasoned users would be appreciated. Many thanks.
Cheers
Cheers
zafod said:
I'm picking up my V8 Vantage 4.7 Sportshift on Saturday. This is a new way of driving for me. I am familiar with "clutch learn" and the need to lift off the throttle slightly between shifts for smoother change, but any advice from seasoned users would be appreciated. Many thanks.
Cheers
Permission to be controversial... Cheers
Forget much of what you read and hear. I was paranoid when I changed from 4.7 V8V to 4.7V8VS SportShift in August. I made the change because I started to suffer from an "impinged" shoulder.
Years of unfavourable reviews over the gearbox... warnings about having to lift off... never use "D"... uncouth compared to a "proper" auto, etc.
Then I drove it properly. It's just brilliant! Never need to lift off (although I may do a little, unconsciously, in many circumstances). Swift and decisive gear changes. Much faster to operate than the slightly stubborn and heavy manual (although I admit it simply had "character"). Not grumpy on cold days.
The only thing I avoid is the "D". Not because it's rubbish. Far from it! It's just that I enjoy the fantastically tactile paddles and additional interaction it gives.
Oh - and the extra speedy flat shifting at the top of the rev range is life-affirming!
In my opinion (and I've been wrong many times in my life, admittedly), it simply makes the Vantage a better car. Having the paddles allows you to concentrate on the steering and braking, especially when pressing on.
If there are any criticisms with the previous Vantage overall, it's the relatively uncomfortable standard "Sport" seats (lightweights are rare in a V8 sadly) and the bad ergonomics of the stick in a manual.
I've never contemplated owning anything but a manual before, but the Sportshift is a revelation.
Just don't worry about it and enjoy!
PS - shoulder strangely reverted to normal in the weeks after Sportshift appeared on the drive. My young son says it was all an excuse to upgrade LOL!
nickv8 said:
Permission to be controversial...
Forget much of what you read and hear. I was paranoid when I changed from 4.7 V8V to 4.7V8VS SportShift in August. I made the change because I started to suffer from an "impinged" shoulder.
Years of unfavourable reviews over the gearbox... warnings about having to lift off... never use "D"... uncouth compared to a "proper" auto, etc.
Then I drove it properly. It's just brilliant! Never need to lift off (although I may do a little, unconsciously, in many circumstances). Swift and decisive gear changes. Much faster to operate than the slightly stubborn and heavy manual (although I admit it simply had "character"). Not grumpy on cold days.
The only thing I avoid is the "D". Not because it's rubbish. Far from it! It's just that I enjoy the fantastically tactile paddles and additional interaction it gives.
Oh - and the extra speedy flat shifting at the top of the rev range is life-affirming!
In my opinion (and I've been wrong many times in my life, admittedly), it simply makes the Vantage a better car. Having the paddles allows you to concentrate on the steering and braking, especially when pressing on.
If there are any criticisms with the previous Vantage overall, it's the relatively uncomfortable standard "Sport" seats (lightweights are rare in a V8 sadly) and the bad ergonomics of the stick in a manual.
I've never contemplated owning anything but a manual before, but the Sportshift is a revelation.
Just don't worry about it and enjoy!
PS - shoulder strangely reverted to normal in the weeks after Sportshift appeared on the drive. My young son says it was all an excuse to upgrade LOL!
This is the kind of post that I was hoping for! Many thanks.Forget much of what you read and hear. I was paranoid when I changed from 4.7 V8V to 4.7V8VS SportShift in August. I made the change because I started to suffer from an "impinged" shoulder.
Years of unfavourable reviews over the gearbox... warnings about having to lift off... never use "D"... uncouth compared to a "proper" auto, etc.
Then I drove it properly. It's just brilliant! Never need to lift off (although I may do a little, unconsciously, in many circumstances). Swift and decisive gear changes. Much faster to operate than the slightly stubborn and heavy manual (although I admit it simply had "character"). Not grumpy on cold days.
The only thing I avoid is the "D". Not because it's rubbish. Far from it! It's just that I enjoy the fantastically tactile paddles and additional interaction it gives.
Oh - and the extra speedy flat shifting at the top of the rev range is life-affirming!
In my opinion (and I've been wrong many times in my life, admittedly), it simply makes the Vantage a better car. Having the paddles allows you to concentrate on the steering and braking, especially when pressing on.
If there are any criticisms with the previous Vantage overall, it's the relatively uncomfortable standard "Sport" seats (lightweights are rare in a V8 sadly) and the bad ergonomics of the stick in a manual.
I've never contemplated owning anything but a manual before, but the Sportshift is a revelation.
Just don't worry about it and enjoy!
PS - shoulder strangely reverted to normal in the weeks after Sportshift appeared on the drive. My young son says it was all an excuse to upgrade LOL!
After years of having Automatic cars like the Corvette C6 I changed to manual and hated it.
Again when looking for a Aston Martin V8s I had heard lots of chat about its not great and it’s a manual. So I went for the sportshift as I did not want a manual.
I love the car and it makes me smile all the time. I have done more miles in this car since owning it than I ever did in any Bentley Or Corvette, i say those two cars as I have had a few of both.
The AM is great and you will love it 😀
Again when looking for a Aston Martin V8s I had heard lots of chat about its not great and it’s a manual. So I went for the sportshift as I did not want a manual.
I love the car and it makes me smile all the time. I have done more miles in this car since owning it than I ever did in any Bentley Or Corvette, i say those two cars as I have had a few of both.
The AM is great and you will love it 😀
Vet Guru said:
After years of having Automatic cars like the Corvette C6 I changed to manual and hated it.
Again when looking for a Aston Martin V8s I had heard lots of chat about its not great and it’s a manual. So I went for the sportshift as I did not want a manual.
I love the car and it makes me smile all the time. I have done more miles in this car since owning it than I ever did in any Bentley Or Corvette, i say those two cars as I have had a few of both.
The AM is great and you will love it ??
Thanks. Makes me feel good seeing positive posts like this.Again when looking for a Aston Martin V8s I had heard lots of chat about its not great and it’s a manual. So I went for the sportshift as I did not want a manual.
I love the car and it makes me smile all the time. I have done more miles in this car since owning it than I ever did in any Bentley Or Corvette, i say those two cars as I have had a few of both.
The AM is great and you will love it ??
Felonious said:
Same. Huge fan of the SSIII box and I personally would not want a manual version of my 2016 V12VS.
There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
+1There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
Edited by Felonious on Wednesday 14th November 04:56
Felonious said:
Same. Huge fan of the SSIII box and I personally would not want a manual version of my 2016 V12VS.
There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
I too prefer the paddles in my DBS to the manual. I'm not sure I'd bother with a manual (AM) again either There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
Edited by Felonious on Wednesday 14th November 04:56
I have a SS Vantage S and it has it's plus points and some negatives over manual and other "auto" options.
I've owned a couple of PDK Porsche's and SSII certainly is not as efficient as the Porsche dual clutch option but in my opinion the PDK was a bit too effective and takes no thought to drive. The SSII is a bit jerky and agricultural so it takes a lot more concentration and experimentation to get the changes spot on. To me that's a good thing as it gives you more interaction, character and a longer learning curve.
When driving normally to briskly I tend to feather the throttle to try and get the changes as smooth as possible, when pushing on a bit I'll use more of the rev range and let the "hyper mode" (whatever they call it) shifts take over the throttle attenuation.
Down shifts I find not so good sometimes, the car can "run on" a bit too long in my opinion. Perfectly fine in 90% of driving but running down a mountain pass and wanting instant engine braking there can be a second where the gear is disengaged and there is no engine braking.
Auto mode is rubbish but I've never driven a single clutch auto that has been good in auto mode.
When you first get the car you won't find the gearbox very user friendly but persist and you'll find it quite rewarding in the long run.
I've owned a couple of PDK Porsche's and SSII certainly is not as efficient as the Porsche dual clutch option but in my opinion the PDK was a bit too effective and takes no thought to drive. The SSII is a bit jerky and agricultural so it takes a lot more concentration and experimentation to get the changes spot on. To me that's a good thing as it gives you more interaction, character and a longer learning curve.
When driving normally to briskly I tend to feather the throttle to try and get the changes as smooth as possible, when pushing on a bit I'll use more of the rev range and let the "hyper mode" (whatever they call it) shifts take over the throttle attenuation.
Down shifts I find not so good sometimes, the car can "run on" a bit too long in my opinion. Perfectly fine in 90% of driving but running down a mountain pass and wanting instant engine braking there can be a second where the gear is disengaged and there is no engine braking.
Auto mode is rubbish but I've never driven a single clutch auto that has been good in auto mode.
When you first get the car you won't find the gearbox very user friendly but persist and you'll find it quite rewarding in the long run.
dbs2000 said:
Felonious said:
Same. Huge fan of the SSIII box and I personally would not want a manual version of my 2016 V12VS.
There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
I too prefer the paddles in my DBS to the manual. I'm not sure I'd bother with a manual (AM) again either There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
Edited by Felonious on Wednesday 14th November 04:56
CSK1 said:
Felonious said:
Same. Huge fan of the SSIII box and I personally would not want a manual version of my 2016 V12VS.
There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
+1There. I've said it.
PS - I never use D / auto, but that's just personal preference rather than because it's bad or anything.
Edited by Felonious on Wednesday 14th November 04:56
With regards to comments about “jerkiness”...
I’m not doubting or disputing some find this. It does make me wonder if the system is very sensitive to setup, fluids, clutch condition, other - or a combination of these.
Or am I just not experienced enough in auto alternatives to know how good it can get?
The only autos I’ve driven are in the States in a variety of relatively humble machinery. They were all snooze-inducing and not remotely as good as the SS II experience in terms of quality or involvement.
Never tried a Porker PDK, so I’m unlikely to be a reliable source
I’m not doubting or disputing some find this. It does make me wonder if the system is very sensitive to setup, fluids, clutch condition, other - or a combination of these.
Or am I just not experienced enough in auto alternatives to know how good it can get?
The only autos I’ve driven are in the States in a variety of relatively humble machinery. They were all snooze-inducing and not remotely as good as the SS II experience in terms of quality or involvement.
Never tried a Porker PDK, so I’m unlikely to be a reliable source
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