Discussion
Hi all,
I have been running a mix of Porsche and BMWs (M5s) of late and fancy a change. Every time I think like this I get attracted to the looks of the AM V8V but just before pulling the trigger I generally swerve off and buy a new M5.
What sways me is that I worry that the AM is an inherently fragile car and I want one for my daily driver. My last 2 M5s have been faultless which is important as i don't want to have the worry that the car will let me down.
(As an aside I have a couple of classic cars and they give me enough reason to wonder if they are going to start every time I get into one!)
Do any of you use you V8V as the dd, I do around 15k miles per year, and would you recommend one in terms of reliability?
thanks
S
I have been running a mix of Porsche and BMWs (M5s) of late and fancy a change. Every time I think like this I get attracted to the looks of the AM V8V but just before pulling the trigger I generally swerve off and buy a new M5.
What sways me is that I worry that the AM is an inherently fragile car and I want one for my daily driver. My last 2 M5s have been faultless which is important as i don't want to have the worry that the car will let me down.
(As an aside I have a couple of classic cars and they give me enough reason to wonder if they are going to start every time I get into one!)
Do any of you use you V8V as the dd, I do around 15k miles per year, and would you recommend one in terms of reliability?
thanks
S
S
i came from RS4's
bought 07 V8VM about 10 months ago
13,000 trouble free & absolutely superb kms
it wont be as fast or as technologically refined as your M5 but you will enjoy driving it
gearbox can be a bit notchy when cold
clutch is weak point of them (particularly dont reverse up a hill)
comfortable, assured, fast enough, practical enough for a few days away
go for it
they are great value
probably get an AM warranty to give you peace of mind for first year
good luck
Graze
i came from RS4's
bought 07 V8VM about 10 months ago
13,000 trouble free & absolutely superb kms
it wont be as fast or as technologically refined as your M5 but you will enjoy driving it
gearbox can be a bit notchy when cold
clutch is weak point of them (particularly dont reverse up a hill)
comfortable, assured, fast enough, practical enough for a few days away
go for it
they are great value
probably get an AM warranty to give you peace of mind for first year
good luck
Graze
I've had my V8V manual from new, it was my only car for the first 8 months and makes a great DD, it's still my preference despite having an alternate.
I did 10k miles in that first 8 or 9 months. On about 18k now and coming up to 2.5 years.
No major issues. Solidly put together, reliable.
It can't go everywhere, some multistory carparks are too much of a kerbing hazard. Some rat runs have 6'6" width restrictions, I can't get through. Visibility out of the rear quarters isn't great, and the front bumper is out there somewhere... there's twice as much car in front of you as behind.
I had an M135i before the V8V, I didn't get on with it, I found it bland.
The Aston is always special, even if used daily.
As has been mentioned, it's easy to burn the clutch, I've driven a flappy paddle and this also burns it's clutch. You just have to learn not to slip it too much.
What I like about it most is that it can be a comfortable cruiser and eat up the miles, but it becomes light and nimble if you chuck it about a bit. Nothing about it is extreme, it's just a happy balance.
I did 10k miles in that first 8 or 9 months. On about 18k now and coming up to 2.5 years.
No major issues. Solidly put together, reliable.
It can't go everywhere, some multistory carparks are too much of a kerbing hazard. Some rat runs have 6'6" width restrictions, I can't get through. Visibility out of the rear quarters isn't great, and the front bumper is out there somewhere... there's twice as much car in front of you as behind.
I had an M135i before the V8V, I didn't get on with it, I found it bland.
The Aston is always special, even if used daily.
As has been mentioned, it's easy to burn the clutch, I've driven a flappy paddle and this also burns it's clutch. You just have to learn not to slip it too much.
What I like about it most is that it can be a comfortable cruiser and eat up the miles, but it becomes light and nimble if you chuck it about a bit. Nothing about it is extreme, it's just a happy balance.
I've had 4 M5's. Proper ones mind none of silly turbos....I actually had a V10 M5 went to a DB9 as a DD then after 9 months went back to another V10 M5. Honestly I think you would you do same, the M5 is such a complete car (even with turbos!) it's not just performance, it's the computer systems and controls. You will hate the Satnav and first time you get stuck in traffic that the M5 would have taken you around you will want to set fire the V8v! It also has to be said the V8V and even DB9 are significantly inferior in performance to an M5
I now run 2 Astons, but still use a BM as a DD (getting old so in a 750 now). I will probably change DD back to an M5 when the next gen comes out. My advice is use the V8V as part time car.
I now run 2 Astons, but still use a BM as a DD (getting old so in a 750 now). I will probably change DD back to an M5 when the next gen comes out. My advice is use the V8V as part time car.
New to V8V ownership but have alway been happy to stack miles in a 911. Get the comment re still having a comfy auto (getting older too!) and Cayenne does that perfectly. Bamford Rose have a reasonably priced V8V for sale if you want to scratch an Aston itch, you wont get a better firm to look after it for you either.
I don't need a daily as live in a city but have always found over the years that using a car infrequently seems more problematic than on a daily basis. I see no reason why you couldn't use one every day. Build quality wise it feels no worse to the Porsche that I have had in the past to be honest and certainly nothing like the other handbuilt British sports cars I have owned.
Use mine probably 7 days a week for everything. Came from a 996 Turbo and asked myself similar questions about reliability. Car has started everyday for the 2 years I've owned it and has just had 10 year annual service at official AM dealership who commented on its great shape and condition; praise indeed.
We got talking and I asked about higher mileage cars to which he replied he'd seen a fair few V8V with over 100,000 miles with little or no issues. He even mentioned a 150,000 mile manual car on it's original clutch!
We got talking and I asked about higher mileage cars to which he replied he'd seen a fair few V8V with over 100,000 miles with little or no issues. He even mentioned a 150,000 mile manual car on it's original clutch!
Daily driver for me - supermarket, business, visits, transport, drives out or whatever - but I work from home so a low mileage.
Mechanically very sound, I've had minor problems such as parking sensors, tyre pressure sensors, a speaker, external thermostat for example. Oh and the front LED lights are expensive.
However, I had a lot of serious problems with my Z4 (engine rebuild after a hydro lock, three recoveries for example) and my merc (broke down on a motorway, lots of suspension, air conditioning, body issues) so much so I dreaded the annual MOT which was the reason they went.
All cars suffer problems, but the Vantage is mechanically sound and a lovely car to drive.
As an aside we have a Boxster PDK too, very clinical and point and go, up nowhere near the feeling the AM gives when driving it.
Mechanically very sound, I've had minor problems such as parking sensors, tyre pressure sensors, a speaker, external thermostat for example. Oh and the front LED lights are expensive.
However, I had a lot of serious problems with my Z4 (engine rebuild after a hydro lock, three recoveries for example) and my merc (broke down on a motorway, lots of suspension, air conditioning, body issues) so much so I dreaded the annual MOT which was the reason they went.
All cars suffer problems, but the Vantage is mechanically sound and a lovely car to drive.
As an aside we have a Boxster PDK too, very clinical and point and go, up nowhere near the feeling the AM gives when driving it.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff