Buying DB9 - what spec & what to look for?
Discussion
I've decided to defect and this Spring will be moving from a German to an English car. The DB9 will be used mainly as a weekend car and for European breaks and not knowing much, if anything about the specs/options available I'm looking to the PH AM experts for some advice/opinions.
Currently have an Alpina B3S with the ZF Switchtronic gearbox, how does this compare to the AM Touchtronic? I currently have the ability to drive in full auto, or flick it into manual and use the buttons on the back of the steering wheel to have full control of changes - is this the same with the AM? What's the speed of the change? Jerky like M series SMG or smooth (would expect smooth).
BMW Sat Nav is poor compared to Tom Tom etc. but I prefer not to have any additional kit cluttering up the dash/windscreen. Is the AM Nav any good? From pictures I have seen of cars equipped with Nav there does not appear to be a screen so assume it is just voice based.
What is the model history, any significant revisions I need to know about since it's launch? Current model is 470bhp, were earlier models lower power? Earlier adverts I have seen do not seem to state power (guess I should just know!).
Sorry for any possibly naive questions, just in the research stage at the moment, being in sales (flame suit on) myself I don't want to ruin anyone's day by going to test drive something I cannot afford for another 2-3 months. Looking for a very well cared for (but used properly) black on black coupe as opposed to Volante around the 50k mark.
Sticking a wet finger in the wind I would hazard a guess that since a DB9 of this age/price has already lost c. 50% I would not expect to lose "too much" over a 2-3 year period. Can't see a car like this dropping below 30k, or am I being daft?
From what I have read on here so far the DB9 seems to be very reliable which is what appeals to me. I'm no spanner monkey and as this is an indulgence and reward to myself the last thing I want is to find a flat battery/more serious issue when I try to go for a drive after a hard week at work. 10,000 or annual service intervals appeal to me, understand that the 4 year service is a biggy but the rest seem relatively reasonable. Any things I should look out for either on the car or on the service history (thinking about checking any known issues have been dealt with by dealer).
Thanks for the help guys
Currently have an Alpina B3S with the ZF Switchtronic gearbox, how does this compare to the AM Touchtronic? I currently have the ability to drive in full auto, or flick it into manual and use the buttons on the back of the steering wheel to have full control of changes - is this the same with the AM? What's the speed of the change? Jerky like M series SMG or smooth (would expect smooth).
BMW Sat Nav is poor compared to Tom Tom etc. but I prefer not to have any additional kit cluttering up the dash/windscreen. Is the AM Nav any good? From pictures I have seen of cars equipped with Nav there does not appear to be a screen so assume it is just voice based.
What is the model history, any significant revisions I need to know about since it's launch? Current model is 470bhp, were earlier models lower power? Earlier adverts I have seen do not seem to state power (guess I should just know!).
Sorry for any possibly naive questions, just in the research stage at the moment, being in sales (flame suit on) myself I don't want to ruin anyone's day by going to test drive something I cannot afford for another 2-3 months. Looking for a very well cared for (but used properly) black on black coupe as opposed to Volante around the 50k mark.
Sticking a wet finger in the wind I would hazard a guess that since a DB9 of this age/price has already lost c. 50% I would not expect to lose "too much" over a 2-3 year period. Can't see a car like this dropping below 30k, or am I being daft?
From what I have read on here so far the DB9 seems to be very reliable which is what appeals to me. I'm no spanner monkey and as this is an indulgence and reward to myself the last thing I want is to find a flat battery/more serious issue when I try to go for a drive after a hard week at work. 10,000 or annual service intervals appeal to me, understand that the 4 year service is a biggy but the rest seem relatively reasonable. Any things I should look out for either on the car or on the service history (thinking about checking any known issues have been dealt with by dealer).
Thanks for the help guys
A number of posts have been made on this topic. But let me have a quick go at your questions:
In general the DB9 makes a good 2nd hand car as the last 5 years of usage has proven it to be reliable. Make sure that you buy a car with a full AML service history and that all service bulletins have been carried on as they would have sorted out most issues. I would in general go for a high mileage car (in AML terms that would be 5k miles per year) as the best guaranty of a faultless car is one that has been used. Low mileage cars or garage queens would be nice looking but generally have battery/electronic issues if they have not been used regularly.
The automatic ZF gearbox suits the car perfectly and is a pleasure to use. Manual changes are swift and it blips the throttle at downshifts. A sport mode gives you more revs in gears before upchanges.
In general DB9 are quite fully equipped. Useful options include heated front screen, cruise control and Sat Nav. The Sat/Nav screen pops up on the central dashboard when in use. It is a Volvo derrived system and is not particularly good but I guess you will find it difficult to sell the car later if it is not included.
The audio is very average and the costly upgrades are not worth their money and were the source of many early problems
Model change/upgrades are few. MY07 brought different seats with memory (took away the heated frontscreen) and added some aluminum knobs in the center console. Also front parking sensors were added.
MY09 brought a further 20PS and different Bilstein dampers. Earlier cars can be retrofitted with the optional Sport Development Pack for a tighter/lower ride with reduced unsprung weight and a more direct steering. As the basic cars has a quite hard ride in the first place it is advised to try it out as it is not everybody's preference.
Few cars are manual but the DB9 is a superb GT tourer and the touchtronic is the more obvious choice.
I would have no hesitation to buy a higher mileage car but look out for bodywork damage as dents in doors can be costly to repair due to the high quality paint finish.
A great car throughout - enjoy.
In general the DB9 makes a good 2nd hand car as the last 5 years of usage has proven it to be reliable. Make sure that you buy a car with a full AML service history and that all service bulletins have been carried on as they would have sorted out most issues. I would in general go for a high mileage car (in AML terms that would be 5k miles per year) as the best guaranty of a faultless car is one that has been used. Low mileage cars or garage queens would be nice looking but generally have battery/electronic issues if they have not been used regularly.
The automatic ZF gearbox suits the car perfectly and is a pleasure to use. Manual changes are swift and it blips the throttle at downshifts. A sport mode gives you more revs in gears before upchanges.
In general DB9 are quite fully equipped. Useful options include heated front screen, cruise control and Sat Nav. The Sat/Nav screen pops up on the central dashboard when in use. It is a Volvo derrived system and is not particularly good but I guess you will find it difficult to sell the car later if it is not included.
The audio is very average and the costly upgrades are not worth their money and were the source of many early problems
Model change/upgrades are few. MY07 brought different seats with memory (took away the heated frontscreen) and added some aluminum knobs in the center console. Also front parking sensors were added.
MY09 brought a further 20PS and different Bilstein dampers. Earlier cars can be retrofitted with the optional Sport Development Pack for a tighter/lower ride with reduced unsprung weight and a more direct steering. As the basic cars has a quite hard ride in the first place it is advised to try it out as it is not everybody's preference.
Few cars are manual but the DB9 is a superb GT tourer and the touchtronic is the more obvious choice.
I would have no hesitation to buy a higher mileage car but look out for bodywork damage as dents in doors can be costly to repair due to the high quality paint finish.
A great car throughout - enjoy.
Thanks Clorenze, some good info there. I have spent some time (prior to my original post) reading through the AM forum so was just seeking some clarification and asking some questions I had not seen answered eg. gearbox. One thing I did notice was several posts/comments about shattering heated screens but guess that's relatively easy to avoid!
The DB9 sat nav is from a Volvo and many criticise it.
Also, the gearbox IS better then the BMW smg one. Works the same way- Drive button on dash for normal auto padels behind the wheel for self shifting, sport button as decribed also.
And there is a manual DB9. Not sure how many owners chose this over the auto, but I understand its a decent box.
In short, go for it!
Also, the gearbox IS better then the BMW smg one. Works the same way- Drive button on dash for normal auto padels behind the wheel for self shifting, sport button as decribed also.
And there is a manual DB9. Not sure how many owners chose this over the auto, but I understand its a decent box.
In short, go for it!
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff