Tested a mk1 vanquish today, gearbox Question

[tommy18]

Hi,
I've been considering a Vanquish for some time now and today i finally got to drive one.
I always had my mind set on an S but was tempted by a very clean with great history 2003 non S version.
It looked great, sounded great but the ride concerned me due to the gearbox.
I know its an old system and using the paddle shifters it drove as I'd have expected.
The problem was in auto mode. It basically held each gear until about 4000rm and would entually change with a jault. I couldn't even manipulate the throttle into getting it to change sooner so it was howling in each gear.

I was just hoping for a bit of a comfy cruiser in auto mode but it was pretty naff in all honesty.
Are theyall like that? Was this faulty?
If this is just the way they are, was it improved in the Vanquish S model?
Thanks

[David W.]

Several Vanq owners hang out on the AMOC forum if you want to canvas more opinions.
DW

[Neil1300r]

It's a manual gearbox not an auto. Its just missing the clutch pedal and has swapped the gear lever for paddles. Don't press auto, change gear yourself.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Never use auto mode. It's that simple. You won't find that an S is any better.

[Speedraser]

I agree -- don't use auto mode. However, it should work better than what you experienced. I have an '05 S, and I try auto mode on occasion just to make sure it works. It does work, and it doesn't hold onto gears until 4k when driving gently. Question: was it in sport mode when you tried it in auto? I'm not sure I've tried mine in auto-sport mode.

[MarkM3Evoplus]

Must admit, never tried it in auto mode.

May give it a try and report back, but won't be for a couple of weeks.

Great cars by the way but gearbox is old tech, but I quite like it! Needs to be set up properly and preferably have all the upgrades such as magnetic gear position sensors, 's' clutch etc

Quite a few for sale, so try and drive 3-4 to get a proper feel.

The AMOC Concours is at Englefield House, Pangbourne nr Reading on the 3rd June and there is a Vanquish display. May be worth your while popping down and chatting to owners. I intend to be there.

Edited by MarkM3Evoplus on Thursday 24th May 08:54

[NDA]

tommy18 said:

Hi,
I've been considering a Vanquish for some time now and today i finally got to drive one.
I always had my mind set on an S but was tempted by a very clean with great history 2003 non S version.
It looked great, sounded great but the ride concerned me due to the gearbox.
I know its an old system and using the paddle shifters it drove as I'd have expected.
The problem was in auto mode. It basically held each gear until about 4000rm and would entually change with a jault. I couldn't even manipulate the throttle into getting it to change sooner so it was howling in each gear.

I was just hoping for a bit of a comfy cruiser in auto mode but it was pretty naff in all honesty.
Are theyall like that? Was this faulty?
If this is just the way they are, was it improved in the Vanquish S model?
Thanks

I used to have one... one of the first Vanquishes that came out. I don't think I drove it often in auto mode, but it didn't do what you have described. Could the gearbox software be 're-flashed' or whatever they call it? It did have some sort of software (I seem to recall) that would learn how it's been driven previously - aggressively, for example and then retain this 'mode'.... could this be the issue?

The gearbox on the Vanquish is, as you know, a manual gearbox - one that works with an air compressor. I never thought it was entirely successful - but it was a lovely car all the same.

[JaseB]

I would advise a chat with Mike at Bamford Rose before purchase, he was relating some interesting stuff to me the other week to be aware of.

[F1NDW]

I regularly use mine in ASM mode and its very smooth. However you do have to control the changes with the throttle, it doesnt take long to get the hang of it and they become silky smooth.
Oh and there is no air compressor in the system. I dont know what our friend is talking about there?

[F1NDW]

If you are considering buying a V12 Vanquish you really should visit the AMOC site. There is a fantastic amount of information on the site and the problems that cost early owners a fortune to repair through the dealers can now be sorted far more economically. You will also find out what problems are now cropping up as the car gets on in years.

[tommy18]

Thanks alot for some real helpful replies.
I will register with the amoc forum.
My main concernis that its faulty.
I was aware that it is essentially a manual gearbox but if Aston Martin went to the trouble of having an auto button on the dashboard I'd have expected it to be useable which this is not.
I could have driven around in 1st gear all day unless i hit 4000rpm plus.
I did check the sport button but this was off at the time.
Its a real shame as the cars a real cracker. Immaculate and no untoward noises and great history.
I may ask the seller if he would get it looked professionally, as he mentioned that he never uses auto for this reason before i noticed it.
Thanks again

[David W.]

Tom Sounds like you need to speak to Mike at Bamford Rose.
They had at least 5 there earlier this week, where else in the uk could you find 5 Vanq in the the same place in the uk other than perhaps Works?
They have lots of expertise on Vanq gearboxes and I’m sure could advise and sort out for you.
DW

[NDA]

F1NDW said:

I regularly use mine in ASM mode and its very smooth. However you do have to control the changes with the throttle, it doesnt take long to get the hang of it and they become silky smooth.
Oh and there is no air compressor in the system. I dont know what our friend is talking about there?

"When you get into the Vanquish, listen for a whine when you open the door to signify that the gearbox is air charging correctly." This is what I was told when I had my Vanquish.... that it was using compressed air in some way in the gearbox.

[JaseB]

David W. said:

Tom Sounds like you need to speak to Mike at Bamford Rose.
They had at least 5 there earlier this week, where else in the uk could you find 5 Vanq in the the same place in the uk other than perhaps Works?
They have lots of expertise on Vanq gearboxes and I’m sure could advise and sort out for you.
DW

Couldn't stress this more, if a hydraulic pack goes on one of those apparently it's 9 grand for a new one!!

Got to go in with your eyes open, I'm sure the OP has done his homework but stories like this scares the bejesus out of me...

[V8LM]

NDA said:

F1NDW said:

I regularly use mine in ASM mode and its very smooth. However you do have to control the changes with the throttle, it doesnt take long to get the hang of it and they become silky smooth.
Oh and there is no air compressor in the system. I dont know what our friend is talking about there?

"When you get into the Vanquish, listen for a whine when you open the door to signify that the gearbox is air charging correctly." This is what I was told when I had my Vanquish.... that it was using compressed air in some way in the gearbox.

Pump yes, but pneumatic not air.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

V8LM said:

NDA said:

F1NDW said:

I regularly use mine in ASM mode and its very smooth. However you do have to control the changes with the throttle, it doesnt take long to get the hang of it and they become silky smooth.
Oh and there is no air compressor in the system. I dont know what our friend is talking about there?

"When you get into the Vanquish, listen for a whine when you open the door to signify that the gearbox is air charging correctly." This is what I was told when I had my Vanquish.... that it was using compressed air in some way in the gearbox.

Pump yes, but pneumatic not air.

Hydraulic!

[DB9VolanteDriver]

F1NDW said:

I regularly use mine in ASM mode and its very smooth. However you do have to control the changes with the throttle, it doesnt take long to get the hang of it and they become silky smooth.
Oh and there is no air compressor in the system. I dont know what our friend is talking about there?

You are not being helpful here. Prospective buyers may believe you and therefore reject a car because it isn't "silky smooth". 99% of owners say otherwise...never use auto mode. And then the trans is more than satisfactory.

[V8LM]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

Hydraulic!

Yes, that’s the one.

Oops

[BamfordMike]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

F1NDW said:

I regularly use mine in ASM mode and its very smooth. However you do have to control the changes with the throttle, it doesnt take long to get the hang of it and they become silky smooth.
Oh and there is no air compressor in the system. I dont know what our friend is talking about there?

You are not being helpful here. Prospective buyers may believe you and therefore reject a car because it isn't "silky smooth". 99% of owners say otherwise...never use auto mode. And then the trans is more than satisfactory.

If the ASM pump is good, calibration set-up of magnetic position sensor is perfect, valve pack is good, clutch is good and the gearbox itself isn’t worn. Then all that ‘good’ is combined by the driver preempts / controls throttle during shifts when in auto mode, does indeed = silky smooth shifts!
If anyone one of the hardware in the chain is worn or set-up is bad or absolute doom scenario of the OEM original mechanical potentiometer gear position sensor is still fitted instead of updated magnetic = clunky shifts.

It takes costly parts renewal and the right workshop to polish shifts to silky smooth state, perhaps why most don’t ever encounter it.

Standard spec the pull away is always jerky, but upgraded clutch and software reprogram which allows more clutch slip at pull away cures that.

[V8LM]

I never used ASM. Nothing like lifting off ever-so-slightly at the same time as flicking the lever. Properly set-up Vanquish (with the final updates) is a fabulous car.