Power, Beauty, Soul... Vomit
Discussion
and that would spoil the dinner ....Murph7355 said:
AstonZagato said:
They are annoying carbuncles on an otherwise beautiful piece of automotive art. A bit like drawing a moustache on the Mona Lisa.....
Hypothetical question...They have 1mGBP to redevelop onw of two things only on the car (the rest of the pot is dry). They can either sort the satnav/stereo combination, or the way we start the car...
What do you choose?
(What does the plastic "ECU" look like?).
They could have also bought in the Volvo keyless system for a fraction of that.
Yes, I know Bez quotes £1mm for a new key - I'm sure that's what he spent on this POS. But some intelligent parts bin raiding would have produced a better result. That (in part) is what annoys me - it is a pointless waste of money that could have been better used elsewhere - when upgrading why go for an expensive bespoke solution when cheaper off the shelf ideas work better.
I think the satnav is pants - another parts bin special. Has anybody else noticed that the TMC function does not work? (at least it does not work in my 08 V8V). It's annoying as it is built into the satnav, it's just not enabled as, presumably, AM have to pay a subscription to use it....
But other than PBS, ECU, TMC and satnav there ain't much else wrong with the car. Just been for a big blast and returned with a very big grin!
But other than PBS, ECU, TMC and satnav there ain't much else wrong with the car. Just been for a big blast and returned with a very big grin!
steve_amv8 said:
RichB said:
FloPlast said:
The Key is an improvement over the past Volvo ones...
the Volvo S80 V8 has totally keyless entry and a starter button on the dash.
bmartin said:
I also hardly notice the PBS, because I'm too busy fiddling the ECU in the right place 
I agree on the keyless entry beeing the way to go, but of all non-keyless entry solutions, I find a ECU the most beautiful.
It's something special no other brand does have. Ok, Renault has it too ->
It's much lighter than the ECU, with big buttons, something for Mr. Aston Zagato ?
In my M5, I just press the start button and keep the key in my pocket. Why couldn't Aston have done that? My DB9 is pre-ECU, so I have the lovley crystal button, but it's a bit silly when I have to turn a key first. BMW has this right, even though their starter button is a dull bit of black plastic.I agree on the keyless entry beeing the way to go, but of all non-keyless entry solutions, I find a ECU the most beautiful.
It's something special no other brand does have. Ok, Renault has it too ->
It's much lighter than the ECU, with big buttons, something for Mr. Aston Zagato ?
Edited by bmartin on Sunday 31st May 09:41
oceantools said:
I think the satnav is pants - another parts bin special. Has anybody else noticed that the TMC function does not work? (at least it does not work in my 08 V8V). It's annoying as it is built into the satnav, it's just not enabled as, presumably, AM have to pay a subscription to use it....
But other than PBS, ECU, TMC and satnav there ain't much else wrong with the car. Just been for a big blast and returned with a very big grin!
TMC has never been an option on the V8V in the UK. Not surprising really as it TMC is sBut other than PBS, ECU, TMC and satnav there ain't much else wrong with the car. Just been for a big blast and returned with a very big grin!
t - so often out of date with closed roads open and open roads closed! No real loss IMHO ... bogie said:
its not just Aston, I had an Audi A6, TMC present, not enabled though...not every manufacturer does.....
My CL COMAND (which is an older CD-based system) had TMC disabled. Bought a new disk last week as the old one was 2002(!) and TMC works now ... but, as I said earlier, it's still ste ....
.If you're quick enough hitting the start button then PBS is averted. Personally only look at the dials after it's fired to make sure no warning lights are on.
But will say that mates in Bentley, and even Lexus, have a far better system in keyless go. You approach the car and it unlocks, don't even have to put your hand in your pocket, then you get in and push the button, no fumbling around the steering column. Always seemed a bit pointless to me to have to do both. Is it supposed to be more secure ?
But will say that mates in Bentley, and even Lexus, have a far better system in keyless go. You approach the car and it unlocks, don't even have to put your hand in your pocket, then you get in and push the button, no fumbling around the steering column. Always seemed a bit pointless to me to have to do both. Is it supposed to be more secure ?
According to a former service manager at the local dealer, if you hit the starter before it's completed the PBS routine then it has not had time to complete it's diagnostics. This came to light as I was apparently too quick off the mark with my starter finger and the tyre low pressure indicator kept coming on....
Murph7355 said:
Soovy said:
...
It stopped me buying a Vantage....
Can't say I'm enamoured with the words myself, but if this is true, more fool you.It stopped me buying a Vantage....
I hardly notice the text when starting up and setting off. And once under way it doesn't exactly spoil the drive.
As for the "ECU", I guess Aston were responding to all the cries for something more special than the Volvo key. Step too far? Possibly. IMO all the 09 interior mods were. But they tried I guess.
Hopefully they have a new guy working on electronic sub-systems who'll be able to do something good with them. The V8 is well behind other marques in this respect.
There was a (light-hearted) discussion of PBS alternatives a while ago
GR1FF1F said:
But will say that mates in Bentley, and even Lexus, have a far better system in keyless go. You approach the car and it unlocks, don't even have to put your hand in your pocket, then you get in and push the button, no fumbling around the steering column. Always seemed a bit pointless to me to have to do both. Is it supposed to be more secure ?
Exactly the same as they have on many new vauxhallsunfortunately it seems that Aston have their share of dross and that he was put in charge of the interior. There can be no other explanation for the naff choices when it comes to the satnav, (a £1700 piece of kit that stays mute because it irritates me so much), the pbs thing that cannot be changed and not choosing keyless entry on the car. The radio and window switches are poor execution too. That said I'm still a happy driver and feel privileged to own the car.
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