V12VS Manual - Still worth it?

V12VS Manual - Still worth it?

Author
Discussion

Vibb

Original Poster:

39 posts

82 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Morning All !

Having been reading the forums over the last couple of weeks, I understand that I'm in a very lucky position to have picked up one of the last build slots for the V12VS. I was absolutely over the moon about this (last N/A V12, manual etc etc) until Wednesday morning when AML were kind enough to announce the AMR.

Having spoken to a few of the sales guys from different dealer's, they've all said to keep it as the AMR is only available in certain specs, more will be made (100 V12 vs a current estimate of around 50 V12's) and that in general the V12 is still a great car. Plus obviously you can't get a V12 AMR as they are all sold.

I wondered what other people's opinions were around keeping the build slot or cancelling the order. I had hoped that this car would be somewhat special over the years to come and feel that may have been lost now. On the reverse I know a lot of people have said that the AMR is underwhelming and not that special.

Appreciate any thoughts, and to those that are at Le Mans this weekend, I am extremely jealous.

steveway

894 posts

84 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
I would go with the purchase, the car will still be special, only wish I could do the same

AdamV8V

1,380 posts

156 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
For me, the special thing about the AMR is not the name or the plaque or the stripe, but the fact it will be one of the last true analogue sport cars, with a big n/a engine mated to a manual box (be that stick or paddle shift).

All of these are true for a 'standard' V12VS and, as has been discussed ad infinitum on the AMR thread, you can get to the full-fat power option too, without the paint and trim restrictions.

The fact you can spec your own colour, trim, wheels etc etc is also a definite plus on the standard car, so my counsel would be to hold firm and get the car you really want. But it's your money biggrin

The only thing I would counter on your points above is the rarity thing. There has to be more non-AMR V12VSs out there than the 100 global number for AMR. 50 seems very low, esp if the rumoured extra 20 are built.

Good luck thumbup

AMDBSVNick

6,997 posts

162 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
AdamV8V said:
For me, the special thing about the AMR is not the name or the plaque or the stripe, but the fact it will be one of the last true analogue sport cars, with a big n/a engine mated to a manual box (be that stick or paddle shift).

All of these are true for a 'standard' V12VS and, as has been discussed ad infinitum on the AMR thread, you can get to the full-fat power option too, without the paint and trim restrictions.

The fact you can spec your own colour, trim, wheels etc etc is also a definite plus on the standard car, so my counsel would be to hold firm and get the car you really want. But it's your money biggrin

The only thing I would counter on your points above is the rarity thing. There has to be more non-AMR V12VSs out there than the 100 global number for AMR. 50 seems very low, esp if the rumoured extra 20 are built.

Good luck thumbup
This

silverspeed

1,505 posts

230 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Vibb said:
Morning All !

Having been reading the forums over the last couple of weeks, I understand that I'm in a very lucky position to have picked up one of the last build slots for the V12VS. I was absolutely over the moon about this (last N/A V12, manual etc etc) until Wednesday morning when AML were kind enough to announce the AMR.

Having spoken to a few of the sales guys from different dealer's, they've all said to keep it as the AMR is only available in certain specs, more will be made (100 V12 vs a current estimate of around 50 V12's) and that in general the V12 is still a great car. Plus obviously you can't get a V12 AMR as they are all sold.

I wondered what other people's opinions were around keeping the build slot or cancelling the order. I had hoped that this car would be somewhat special over the years to come and feel that may have been lost now. On the reverse I know a lot of people have said that the AMR is underwhelming and not that special.

Appreciate any thoughts, and to those that are at Le Mans this weekend, I am extremely jealous.
Don't be put off by the AMR cars - as the sales guys have said the build slot you have is possibly more flexible than the AMR cars unless you spend £12k on Q options . If you want an AMR more race inspired car , try phoning around - it's been mentioned on PH that Birmingham and Wilmslow may have a slot .I wouldn't be too concerned just because Aston bring out AMR ( which was always on the cards after the Geneva launch ) . In my opinion history will show any of these cars as truly an end of era car - maybe the last big engine manual analogue car Aston ever makes?

Vibb

Original Poster:

39 posts

82 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Wow... wasn't expecting such a quick response - thank you all !

AdamV8V said:
All of these are true for a 'standard' V12VS and, as has been discussed ad infinitum on the AMR thread, you can get to the full-fat power option too, without the paint and trim restrictions.
This is really interesting - I obviously missed that part. How is this done (if you know off the top of your head) ? Ill go fishing for the info too.

AMDBSVNick

6,997 posts

162 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Vibb said:
This is really interesting - I obviously missed that part. How is this done (if you know off the top of your head) ? Ill go fishing for the info too.

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

155 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Any manual V12VS will be a very special car. Why were you buying it. To enjoy or because you thought you could make money on it. If the latter then the final run out editions always seem to do better in the longer term.

I am not sure where the 50 cars figure has come from - there must be more than that worldwide, would think even more than that in the U.K. The AMR numbers are worldwide and normally 30/35% are allocated to the UK. Then there will be a split between manual/SS3 and coupe and Roadster so numbers will be lower. Even if they were all manual coupes then the max could be 35 but could be as low as 5.

Vibb

Original Poster:

39 posts

82 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
AMDBSVNick said:
Much appreciated ! This looks like its a dealer fit as well, so no rush to get it done now either.

IanV12VR said:
Any manual V12VS will be a very special car. Why were you buying it. To enjoy or because you thought you could make money on it. If the latter then the final run out editions always seem to do better in the longer term.

I am not sure where the 50 cars figure has come from - there must be more than that worldwide, would think even more than that in the U.K. The AMR numbers are worldwide and normally 30/35% are allocated to the UK. Then there will be a split between manual/SS3 and coupe and Roadster so numbers will be lower. Even if they were all manual coupes then the max could be 35 but could be as low as 5.
Just figure's from the dealer's I spoke to - always take these kind of things with a pinch of salt. The 50 was UK rather than world though, sorry !

Absolutely to enjoy, but the man maths added benefit was that it may go back up in value over the next 10/20 years. The idea is that this car will never be sold though.

Really appreciate the feedback and help from all. Looks like I need to spec the car quickly then !

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

155 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
I would guess you are under pressure to finalise the spec as these cars need to be built before the summer break. I was speaking to Bristol yesterday and they said they needed to finalise orders for such cars by the end of the week. Is it the same for you?

AdamV12V

5,025 posts

177 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Yup - keep your V12VSM order and spec the hell out of it - enjoy the ordering and spec process (ok it can be frustrating at time), but build the car of your dreams.

AMR is a great package but its is just a V12VS really with some very limited options makes it only really appeal if you happen to think one of them is perfect for you. If that's the case then call around and secure an allocation, there will be one somewhere.

If you are interested in the AMR parts then there are all now available for your V12VS order, including the 595BHp, the have a read through the last few pages of the AMR Vantage thread on here - it seems its quite likely that can be achieved for £3-4k without the need to add the full titanium exhaust, but some people will be doing a little more digging on that (me included).

Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 16th June 10:33

Vibb

Original Poster:

39 posts

82 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
IanV12VR said:
I would guess you are under pressure to finalise the spec as these cars need to be built before the summer break. I was speaking to Bristol yesterday and they said they needed to finalise orders for such cars by the end of the week. Is it the same for you?
Ian - you're absolutely correct. It's got to be locked down ready to go to the factory on Monday morning. They wanted it to be locked down over the phone by Wednesay but said I wanted to do it in person, so managed to persuade them to go Monday.

AdamV12V

5,025 posts

177 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Vibb said:
Ian - you're absolutely correct. It's got to be locked down ready to go to the factory on Monday morning. They wanted it to be locked down over the phone by Wednesay but said I wanted to do it in person, so managed to persuade them to go Monday.
Hmm, that's no Q options for you then! Each item takes 2-4 weeks to get a response on. frown

First question is what colour are you going for? Feel free to ask for opinions on similar colours etc... as I'm sure you are aware Aston have an extended pallet of probably 200+ colours if you lift the lid off the tin of the std 30 or so colours, and that's without getting into the really special order colours.

Also feel free to post here any other spec / trim questions, there are a few of us that are rather well informed on the spec options having recently been through the process in some detail. smile

Do have a read of my spec thread linked below for my V12VSM - My colours choices may not be to your tastes, but I have posted TONS of info and prices on some of the less obvious bits of spec on here.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 16th June 11:28

Phil74891

1,067 posts

133 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Go with the 'standard' one. I wasn't very impressed with the AMR version. Nothing on it you can't do yourself so to say.

I realise you don't have a lot of time, but if you can, try the lightweight seats. They improve the driving experience more than anything I'd say.

I was seriously looking at the titanium exhaust package, but concluded it was just too expensive for what the end result actually is.

I've just been quoted GBP894 all in for a secondary cat delete from an AM dealer for mine. Anyone pay much less at an authorised dealer?


IanV12VR

2,749 posts

155 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Phil74891 said:
I've just been quoted GBP894 all in for a secondary cat delete from an AM dealer for mine. Anyone pay much less at an authorised dealer?
Mine was £750 inc VAT and fitting at an authorised dealer when done back in April. I know new pricing has come through since then so may have changed.

AdamV12V

5,025 posts

177 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Phil74891 said:

I realise you don't have a lot of time, but if you can, try the lightweight seats. They improve the driving experience more than anything I'd say.
^^^^^ This

They are THE single most important option IMHO for a V12V(S), and totally transform the feel and feedback from the car and totally complement the raw nature of the V12VSM. They are also quite a bit more comfortable in my opinion - I always got back ache from the sports seats on anything other than quite short trips.

Vibb

Original Poster:

39 posts

82 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
AdamV12V said:
Hmm, that's no Q options for you then! Each item takes 2-4 weeks to get a response on. frown

First question is what colour are you going for? Feel free to ask for opinions on similar colours etc... as I'm sure you are aware Aston have an extended pallet of probably 200+ colours if you lift the lid off the tin of the std 30 or so colours, and that's without getting into the really special order colours.

Also feel free to post here any other spec / trim questions, there are a few of us that are rather well informed on the spec options having recently been through the process in some detail. smile

Do have a read of my spec thread linked below for my V12VSM - My colours choices may not be to your tastes, but I have posted TONS of info and prices on some of the less obvious bits of spec on here.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Edited by AdamV12V on Friday 16th June 11:28
Thanks for this ! In regards to Q, i've had a flick through the brouchure and not seen anything that really tickles my fancy. Is there anything someone would suggest worth getting? I also thought you had to spend a minimum of £12k to get Q which I don't see why I would ?

In regards to colour, I want to keep it mean but classy. Although I love the look of your outrageous colours, as this is my first AM I'm wanting to keep it a little more "standard". My thinking is between Quantm silver, magnetic silver and ceramic grey, going with the matt black rims.

Interior i'm absolutely going for the leightweight seat's. What I can't agree on is the coarse stitching colour - it's between yellow of red and will match the brake callipers with it.

Exterior meshes I can't agree on - I would go carbon but it's such an increase in price I don't know if it's worth it over the black.

Window surround black (don't want chrome on the car).

B&O Speaker setup.

Headrest embroided AM Wings (i've heard these don't look as good in red?)

We were questioning the Sport Plus pack, but with the new AMR kit I don't think this is needed.

Glass switches.

Lowline centre console was advised for the manual.

Anything I seem to be missing/making a mistake on? The spec list for the V12 doesn't seem that vast.

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

155 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
The only regret I had on my V12VR was not speccing lightweights so glad to hear you are going for them. Believe it or not the lightweights are more comfortable than the sport seats and are so much better IMO.

As for colour, hugely personal choice but for some reason the S version seems to be able to carry bright colours better. Perhaps it is just that more people are prepared to brighten their cars up so you see more of them.

We had Tungsten on our V12VR and went for Flugplatz on the S. Similar thoughts to you on our early Aston's but now prepared to go bolder. If you go for silver make sure it one of those that has a lot going on when the sun shines. Liquid or ceramic are two such colours that really come to life when the sun comes out.

Enjoy the sleepless nights whilst you mull the options over. The good thing is whatever colour you go for you are going to have a very special car!

Phil74891

1,067 posts

133 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
I think the old style carbon bonnet vents look much better than the mesh versions they fit as standard now.

I'm with you on the colours. Grey or black, but they do look stunning in diavolo red or similar, with everything else blacked out.

Here's some yellow. And the CF vents.


RobDown

3,803 posts

128 months

Friday 16th June 2017
quotequote all
Low line console is sensible on the manual

Magnetic silver is a great colour, changes nicely depending on lighting conditions

I would definitely go with LW seats, they are genuinely more comfortable than the sports ones (and I speak as someone who needs to go on a diet).

Definitely glass switches

My tactic has largely been - anything that can be subsequently dealer fitted and I'm not sure about, leave to one side, can always do it later