V12 Handling

[CatalystV8V]

A question for the V12 girls & guys... how do you find the handling compared to that of the V8? I know a lot of you have had both so would appreciate your opinions and insights...

Prices are getting to the point where I may well be about realise a dream .. haven't driven one yet but hope to do so very soon..

Richard.

[JohnG1]

I'm more driving miss daisy than Le Mans so take that caveat on board...

The steering is better - the link from the steering wheel to the road feels tighter - you feel more from the road.

The suspension is a LOT harder - you can find it hard going if the road surface is crappy.

At high speeds it's sublime - it sort of hunkers down to the road and feels totally stable.

At speeds up to 165ph it's still solid as a rock.

What can I say? Test drive and take your credit card. Enjoy!

[CatalystV8V]

Thanks John, caveat duly noted... so you don't notice any significant differernces while cornering that are introduced by the additional weight being more forward in the engine bay?
I've had sometime to visit other websites this morning as PH was unavailable (for soooo looooong)... and nobody has said that its a problem..

My acquisition plans took a bit of a knock when the stealer only offered me 30k for my V8 (2007 model year, 15k on the clock)...

[JohnG1]

The overall weight distribution - with lightweight seats and the baseline stereo and a full tank of petrol has switched from 49:51 in V8 to 51:49 in V12 front to rear. That's increased engine weight +100kg (I think) mainly engine being counterbalanced by lighter seats. Put a lump of concrete in the boot if you like ;-)

Now maybe Lewis or Jenson notice stuff like that, but I don't.

It'd not a barge audi with massive understeer. It's a monster car that will put a massive smile on your face every time you drive it.

Just ensure you warm up the tyres before a hoon!

[AMGreg]

The V12 feels like a completely different car to the V8. All I can say is test drive the V12 and you will see what I mean. I look forward to seeing your reaction on the forum

[robgt]

After test driving the V12 try a V8S!

[Rex Racer]

The handling is better with the V12V due to the stiffer suspension as well as the sticky Pirelli P-Zero corsas. If you test drove (hard) the V8V and the V12V back to back, you would notice a difference. Having said this, I haven't driven the V8VS.

[krisdelta]

I am going to deny myself access to a V12 or a V8S until I can afford one - financial suicide otherwise

[Adam2S]

I have owned a 4.7 V8V and a V21V and have test driven a V8VS... The V8VS is very good and a noticeable improvement over the V8V but its nowhere near as good or as much fun as a V12V. But then you wouldnt expect the car in the middle of the range to be better than the top of the range model anyway so this is hardly shock news.

[JohnG1]

krisdelta said:

I am going to deny myself access to a V12 or a V8S until I can afford one - financial suicide otherwise

Sensible attitude.

Wish I could drive mine up and down London Wall and Moorgate right now - soon clear the streets!

[Rex Racer]

Several have commented that the V12V is "better" than the V8S. In getting back to the OP's question, what about the handling specifically? I understand that the S handles better than the base model, and the S is lighter than the V12.

[lady topaz]

I thought my V8V 4.7 was fantastic at handling but the V12V did feel more planted. That was until I actually drove a V12 in earnest around Millbrook.

Now I am not by any standards a great driver but my instructor took me way beyond what I thought were my abilities and I felt totally safe and in control.

The car forgave all my indiscretions and at no time did I end up in a situation which was beyond me except when he turned off the aids on purpose to show what could happen.

I never drove my V8 under these conditions but the V12 was just fantastic and has given me so much more confidence in driving the car even more so in the wet, when last year quite frankly I was terrified on occasion.

Drive both and see which suits your style of driving.

Good luck

Di

Edited by lady topaz on Wednesday 9th November 17:08

[DavidV12V]

I echo others points - but also have not driven the V8S so can't comment. For me the V12V feels more "locked down" and on better rails...although the V8 had pretty good rails to be fair. I'm pretty certain I'll never be a good enough driver to be able to use either the V8 or V12 to their full abilities, but in my limited capacity, I would certainly recommend the V12 and the light weight seats! I suppose it depends upon what kind of roads or tracks do you intend to drive and how much and what kind of pace (relaxed or going for it), etc.... I find the V12 covers all bases for me but I guess that's personal...

[franki68]

I backed to back the v12v with a v8 with sport pack and a v8 without sport pack,the v12 is just significantly better I thought,it almost feels like a gt3 at times and I can give it no higher compliment than that.

[CatalystV8V]

Many thanks to all for the opinions and insights... just need to book the test drive now

[Zod]

JohnG1 said:

krisdelta said:

I am going to deny myself access to a V12 or a V8S until I can afford one - financial suicide otherwise

Sensible attitude.

Wish I could drive mine up and down London Wall and Moorgate right now - soon clear the streets!

I drove around Finsbury Square the other evening, having warmed the car up first. I had the sport button on and made quite a bit of noise for the crusties.

[JohnG1]

Zod said:

JohnG1 said:

krisdelta said:

I am going to deny myself access to a V12 or a V8S until I can afford one - financial suicide otherwise

Sensible attitude.

Wish I could drive mine up and down London Wall and Moorgate right now - soon clear the streets!

I drove around Finsbury Square the other evening, having warmed the car up first. I had the sport button on and made quite a bit of noise for the crusties.

I ought to try and get a lift home from you one evening - compare notes on V12s...

[Zod]

JohnG1 said:

Zod said:

JohnG1 said:

krisdelta said:

I am going to deny myself access to a V12 or a V8S until I can afford one - financial suicide otherwise

Sensible attitude.

Wish I could drive mine up and down London Wall and Moorgate right now - soon clear the streets!

I drove around Finsbury Square the other evening, having warmed the car up first. I had the sport button on and made quite a bit of noise for the crusties.

I ought to try and get a lift home from you one evening - compare notes on V12s...

Any time.

[mikey k]

robgt said:

After test driving the V12 try a V8S!

+1 there's not alot in it in the real world

IME from owning a V8V Sport Pack, V8VS & driving a few V12V's
A V8VS is dramtically quicker than a V8 Sport Pack.
V12 benefits from stickier tyres in the dry, a few more ponies & talks at the engine.
The light weight seats are not standard on ANY of the range.
The V8S transmission losses are lower than the V8 and V12 so the rear wheel figures are much closer to the V12.

I would have bought a V12V BUT there is no roadster option to V8S it was.
The sound from the V8VS roadster is very different as you don't have the "hatchback" to amplify the diff noise and dampen the exhaust noise

Either way get and drive them

Edited by mikey k on Thursday 10th November 13:10

[Zod]

mikey k said:

robgt said:

After test driving the V12 try a V8S!

+1 there's not alot in it

only about 90bhp...