Clutch life with V8 Vantage Sport Shift
Discussion
I know there's been a few topics in the past about the clutch life on these cars, but want to do some kind of informal survey to see what people are experiencing. On my 09, my first clutch failed at 14,000 miles. At that time they said it was a failure and was covered under warranty because the clutch was only about 50% worn. So from that I figured the life expectancy of a clutch was going to be 25,000 to 30,000 miles, which is about what I expected it would be. However, now this clutch needs to be replaced after only 8500 miles and the dealer is telling me that its just worn (and thus not covered under warranty). Now the thing is that they tell me the expected life of these clutches with the sport shift is 10,000 miles, so 8500 is within the normal range. Not for nothing, but somehow I think that if everyone's clutches were being worn through in 10,000 there would be a whole lot more complaining about it.
So, specifically for those people with the sport shift, how long did your clutch last (or has lasted)?
So, specifically for those people with the sport shift, how long did your clutch last (or has lasted)?
thats bull*hit no way a clutch should only last between service regular intervals...so you need a new one per year if you do 10K a year ? ...so thats a 1000 oil change and a 3k clutch per year....mmmm...I dont think theyd sell many cars
I dont have a sportshift, and wont ever based on these kind of reports
I dont have a sportshift, and wont ever based on these kind of reports
They are lying to you, my Sport Shift will probably go as quickly as any because it's a car based in the centre of London and I'm at 16,000 miles and it's driving completely fine still. (Fingers crossed it doesn't go next week after this...)
The only way you'd normally do to wear it entirely before this is if you literally always reverse from cold up hills or non-stop track the car, 8,500 sounds absolutely ridiculous.
Should add mine is also an 09 Sport Shift but 12,000 of my miles have been in the last 12 months.
The only way you'd normally do to wear it entirely before this is if you literally always reverse from cold up hills or non-stop track the car, 8,500 sounds absolutely ridiculous.
Should add mine is also an 09 Sport Shift but 12,000 of my miles have been in the last 12 months.
V8 Animal said:
Do they have remove all the drivetrain to get to it?
[quote]
They have to remove much of the exhaust on the DB9.
I'd only trust a dealer or independent specialist with it. In theory you could use a normal garage for everything, of course. Do you hate your car or something? 
[quote]
They have to remove much of the exhaust on the DB9.
V8 Animal said:
Can't a everyday garage do this work?
Depends if you want some YTS guy who's never seen an Aston to work on your car I'd only trust a dealer or independent specialist with it. In theory you could use a normal garage for everything, of course. Do you hate your car or something? yeti said:
Depends if you want some YTS guy who's never seen an Aston to work on your car I'd only trust a dealer or independent specialist with it. In theory you could use a normal garage for everything, of course. Do you hate your car or something?
Of course i don't hate it, i just want to know why it costs so much. I ve just had it serviced with AM I'd only trust a dealer or independent specialist with it. In theory you could use a normal garage for everything, of course. Do you hate your car or something? The sad part is that the car has never been on a track, I avoid creep mode, don't back up very far or up a hill, never use comfort mode, and periodically do the SS calibration. During the life of this clutch I only even got that "clutch burn smell" two, maybe three times.
The part that doesn't add up is that the first clutch wore as expected and this one didn't, yet its the same car, same driver, same driving conditions.
Thus the reason I posted the question.
The part that doesn't add up is that the first clutch wore as expected and this one didn't, yet its the same car, same driver, same driving conditions.
Thus the reason I posted the question.
28,000 on my first clutch and that was replaced due to a warranty claim on a broken spring. It was not worn out either, so 6,500 seems way to low unless it was abused in traffic with lots of stop/start. I admit that most of my driving was not town based and was mainly country lanes 
.
.GTDB7 said:
I'd like to know how much a clutch is for a DB7 GT.
I've heard of some very scary figures.. Can or does anyone know the actual cost?
The factory had to develop a new clutch kit for DB7 last year when supply for the original ceased.I've heard of some very scary figures.. Can or does anyone know the actual cost?
The new kit consists of flywheel, an uprated clutch, slave cylinder, all pipework required to install the kit and full installation instructions. Kit price from the factory is 1672.32+VAT / part number 11-86465. Would take around 12 hours labour time to install.
Compared to original clutch performance, this evolved part from the factory is far superior, clutch feel and performance is a huge improvement.
Edited by BamfordMike on Saturday 17th March 23:17
Jay_Davis said:
The sad part is that the car has never been on a track, I avoid creep mode, don't back up very far or up a hill, never use comfort mode, and periodically do the SS calibration. During the life of this clutch I only even got that "clutch burn smell" two, maybe three times.
The part that doesn't add up is that the first clutch wore as expected and this one didn't, yet its the same car, same driver, same driving conditions.
Thus the reason I posted the question.
From the comments in your first post and this one, the failure at such low miles with such careful use really doesn't make sense or ring true.The part that doesn't add up is that the first clutch wore as expected and this one didn't, yet its the same car, same driver, same driving conditions.
Thus the reason I posted the question.
Worn out friction plate, burnt down to rivets = wear and not covered by warranty.
Broken spring failure, for example = covered by warranty.
The cynic in me would want to see the failed parts.... did you see the failed part for yourself? can you post up some pictures??
I haven't seen enough clutches to really evaluate how this compares to what it should look like with only 8500 miles and I don't have pictures of my original clutch that failed at 14000 miles to compare against. So perhaps there's something in these pictures that gives some more information to someone with a lot of experience with them.
millsjq said:
Looks like there is still some clutch lining left on the side shown, but by looking at the flywheel the other side may be down to the rivets. The clutch was obviously slipping a great deal and for some time and has damaged the flywheel/pressure plate.
+1 that is a bizzare wear pattern on the flywheel 
mikey k said:
There is nothing wrong with ASM if you use it properly and do the learns
My last one did 23k hard miles with no issues
No sign of any in hte new one either
My TVR Griffith was on 106k when I sold it...... Original clutch
... This included at least 20 track days, and in my early ownership, 3 seasons of the Midlands speed championship, sprint and hill climb, with some brutal use from standing starts
By comparison, my V8V clutch started smelling after reversing up the dirive, which isnt even steep
Hardly a glowing report for a £90k car
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff