So what have you done with your Aston today? (Vol. 2)
Discussion
It was the first proper weekend with the DB11 and some nice weather - so just under 300 miles of driving cross country, and a trip to and from the workshop for some race car updates.
Despite some fairly 'dynamic' driving in places, averaged 27.1mpg - it might not sound that interesting, but I love having a car I can tank up and put decent miles on between fuel stops. Tank range is between around 450-475 miles I'd have thought, if being driven sensibly. I'm told one of the design requirements was that it must do more than 400 miles on a tank, and compared to my Vanquish - that had a very optimistic range calculator that had a habit of displaying fake news much of that is the gearbox - the 8 speed box is brilliant and in GT mode, once it's in 7th or 8th, just hums along quietly on a run, and you cant really tell it's only running on one cylinder bank, it's clever stuff.
Driving dynamics are a surprise, of the positive sort - fantastic chassis balance; it's the first time I've really given a DB11 the full potatoes, and it's much more agile and balanced than I thought. IMO, it's just a really well sorted, complete car. Quick enough on the road, comfy, exotic, and only receives positive comments from passers by.
Obligatory photo prior to her getting dusty and dirty
Despite some fairly 'dynamic' driving in places, averaged 27.1mpg - it might not sound that interesting, but I love having a car I can tank up and put decent miles on between fuel stops. Tank range is between around 450-475 miles I'd have thought, if being driven sensibly. I'm told one of the design requirements was that it must do more than 400 miles on a tank, and compared to my Vanquish - that had a very optimistic range calculator that had a habit of displaying fake news much of that is the gearbox - the 8 speed box is brilliant and in GT mode, once it's in 7th or 8th, just hums along quietly on a run, and you cant really tell it's only running on one cylinder bank, it's clever stuff.
Driving dynamics are a surprise, of the positive sort - fantastic chassis balance; it's the first time I've really given a DB11 the full potatoes, and it's much more agile and balanced than I thought. IMO, it's just a really well sorted, complete car. Quick enough on the road, comfy, exotic, and only receives positive comments from passers by.
Obligatory photo prior to her getting dusty and dirty
Graze01 said:
NFC
Great to hear some positive review of the dynamics of the DB11, great looking car too
Graze
Great to hear some positive review of the dynamics of the DB11, great looking car too
Graze
nickv8 said:
Nice NFC! How does it compare to the Vanquish for you? Dynamics and when acting as the GT? What about ownership experience (the smile it gives you)? Comparable?
In some aspects, they're very similar, and the DB11 feels like a progression and modernised take on the last gen cars. In others, it's a whole different thing. Excuse the waffle, here goes...As a GT car, it's just like the Vanquish - but a little more civilised. I'll caveat that by saying that 6 speed Vanquish wasn't as complete as the later 8 speed, so things like the transmission are a step on, but anyone with a later Vanquish would attest that the 8 speed made a good difference to cruising ability. Damping wise, I'd say GT is harder than 'normal' damping in the Vanquish, it's just a bit stiffer in the respective softest damping modes. It's not harsh, but just firmer than the Vanquish. Cabin noise is similar, perhaps a touch quieter in the DB11 when in GT mode.
Brakes are difficult to quantify - they're not as good as the carbon discs on the Vanquish, but I wouldn't expect them to be (the carbon discs on the DBSS, the current equivalent - are as impressive for outright stopping power as you'd expect). The brake pedal feel is decent but somewhat digital compared to the Vanquish (you know how the older cars feel - they have a lovely analogue feel to the brake pedal, and stopping power feels directly proportionate to the braking effort applied. DB11 is a bit more notchy, for want of a better term. It's also noticeable under heavy braking that there's more mass to slow down - but only when you're really having to throw the anchors out
Handling - in Sport and Sport+, it's a different car. With the Vanquish, it always felt willing to be pushed a bit more, but only to a point. The surprise I found was that with the DB11, if you really start pressing on, it takes on a different character, and the dynamic ability of the chassis becomes more apparent. I'd kind of expected it to become unsettled like the Vanquish would, but instead it just hunkers down, the steering weights up and inspires the confidence to really have at it. It's not the boat of a thing it's portrayed to be when you see reviews of the V8 and AMR variant offering better handling - they are better, but the start point was pretty good for most road driving IMO.
While there's a lot of dislike of how the Mercedes based infotainment is integrated, I cannot fault how it works - the 360 cameras and wing mounted forwards and backward cameras in particular; they're the only way of parking what's quite a wide girl in a narrow garage. Everything just works, and that's not something I could always say with the Vanquish. Quiet start is also handy - my neighbours got really quite pissed off with the Vanquish, so now I can set off at unsocial hours without fear of being chased with a pitch fork.
I'd say it's the most complete, best overall Aston I've owned to date. Smiles per mile are a touch higher than the Vanquish, because I find it more fun to drive
nickv8 said:
Cheers! That’s a real neat summary from someone with good experience of both.
From what you wrote, it sounds like a “gen 1” V12 DB11. Interesting how you rate it above a previous flagship model. Times do indeed move on!
Keep having fun and good luck
Indeed, mine's a Launch Edition - though a late one, I think they became a 'regular' V12 DB11 not long after (end of June 2017). While it's only technically 4 years younger than the Vanquish, the step change in driving dynamics is quite dramatic. As with the rest of the current lineup, there was a design requirement that they all have an indecent amount of pace. I'm fortunate to have spent a good amount of time in all of the current range, and there's a nice level change between each model (so you don't feel like one model steps on the toes of others) - Vantage is great as a sports car that's got the scalpel like handling you'd expect, DBS is more like a bigger version of Vantage with (lots) more firepower (and almost as good handling), and DB11 sits in between, softer than both but way more capable than a 'soft' GT is expected to be.From what you wrote, it sounds like a “gen 1” V12 DB11. Interesting how you rate it above a previous flagship model. Times do indeed move on!
Keep having fun and good luck
I'd say the DB11 is overall a better car than the Vanquish. When you look beyond the infotainment screen (which still seems to be a deal breaker, despite it not being offensive to use, and not distracting when driving), it's a great package that isn't given the praise it deserves.
Felonious said:
That looks really good, well done! I assume you've declared your car a keeper?
Remind me, did you get the ski-slope and other interior bits done as well?
Hi Felonious, the ski slope, centre console and also the centre engine cover are being done but Michal Pastryk needs the pieces so will be in the winter months when i take it off the road. and yes this is a keeper, my son has his eye on it.lolRemind me, did you get the ski-slope and other interior bits done as well?
NFC 85 Vette said:
I'd say the DB11 is overall a better car than the Vanquish. When you look beyond the infotainment screen (which still seems to be a deal breaker, despite it not being offensive to use, and not distracting when driving), it's a great package that isn't given the praise it deserves.
Shows how different peoples perceptions can be.I test drove a DB11 and thought it was a country mile behind my 2018 Vanquish S in every department. The DBSS probably edges it (except I still prefer the looks and sound of the Vanquish). The one feature I'd really like vs my Vanquish is the 360deg camera (no more scuffed wheels!).
The V12 Way said:
Hi Felonious, the ski slope, centre console and also the centre engine cover are being done but Michal Pastryk needs the pieces so will be in the winter months when i take it off the road. and yes this is a keeper, my son has his eye on it.lol
That sounds familiar - my eldest refers to it as ‘the inheritance’. As in “The Inheritance still running ok?”Getting the ski slope replaced or in some way ‘carboned’ is definitely on the list. The piano black is just too prone to scratches.
Finally got the rear bumper on after it clogging up the workshop since Feb.
Did it on my own and to be honest, it’s not difficult. The only thing I would mention is to ensure you tape up the rear wing where it meets the bumper to prevent damaging the paint.
That tip came from BigMig and was very worthwhile.
I’ll pop up a bit more detail on my rear subframe thread tomorrow for those wots interested.
Did it on my own and to be honest, it’s not difficult. The only thing I would mention is to ensure you tape up the rear wing where it meets the bumper to prevent damaging the paint.
That tip came from BigMig and was very worthwhile.
I’ll pop up a bit more detail on my rear subframe thread tomorrow for those wots interested.
AstonZagato said:
Shows how different peoples perceptions can be.
I test drove a DB11 and thought it was a country mile behind my 2018 Vanquish S in every department. The DBSS probably edges it (except I still prefer the looks and sound of the Vanquish). The one feature I'd really like vs my Vanquish is the 360deg camera (no more scuffed wheels!).
My comparison was just against the car it replaced (2013 Vanquish Coupe). The Vanquish S was quite different - as you know, superior damping, better transmission, and a soundtrack that's probably only bettered by a GT12 or Rapide AMR (it's just not physically possible to make a turbocharged engine sound like that). I only had a weekend in one, but the overriding memory was how fluid the chassis was. It was quite playful and even if it wasn't putting all the power down effectively, it didn't turn into a bucking bronco.I test drove a DB11 and thought it was a country mile behind my 2018 Vanquish S in every department. The DBSS probably edges it (except I still prefer the looks and sound of the Vanquish). The one feature I'd really like vs my Vanquish is the 360deg camera (no more scuffed wheels!).
As a first effort for a completely new car, I think the DB11's fantastic. It was refined and improved with the AMR, and I expect the next iteration will be better still. The camera system is the only way I get it in and out of the garage with about 35mm each side to spare It's perhaps the one major criticism i have of the current range, they're very, very wide cars nows.
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