Anyone owed both DBS / V12 V?
Discussion
Has anyone owned both a V12V and a DBS at various points? What would you say the pros / cons are with each? Tempted to try a DBS before putting a bid on the V12V and seeing if I like it.
Drove a V12V and loved it - really nice car, quite comfy but still lairy, with a lovely interior. DBS is a bit more money but then has the rear seats you can fit small people in, and has more luggage space.
Drove a V12V and loved it - really nice car, quite comfy but still lairy, with a lovely interior. DBS is a bit more money but then has the rear seats you can fit small people in, and has more luggage space.
Not driven a V12V, but i have been test driving a DBS recently, with a view to change from my V8VR'S'. Driving a DBS compared to my S required a little less effort (probably due to TT2), and seemed a little calmer on less than perfect roads. with the adaptive suspension, it was quite easy to get instant feedback with how the car is interacting with the road surface. For me, a DBS is as good as it gets in the looks department, with a V12V a close second!
kbf1981 said:
Sod it, I'll go for a test drive tomorrow. Thanks!
Good man!So many options with DBS i.e. manual or auto, coupe or Volante. For a hard-driving manual coupe it's a tough call between the two, but factor in having a roof-off option if required and suddenly there is only one car in the frame!
cayman-black said:
kbf1981 said:
Sod it, I'll go for a test drive tomorrow. Thanks!
bloody hell kbf1981 you have been test driving all week.V12V all the way!
That's the problem with wanting and not needing a change I guess - you have no set criteria except for "something a bit different!".
DBS due to its versatility. I drove both twice and it was a no brainier. It's fantastic both for long distances, just completed a 1200 mile drive last week on all sorts of road surfaces (it soaks up poor quality roads which I didn't find in the v12v) yet equally happy being thrown around the track. If I wanted an out and out sorts car for Spirited Sunday drives, may have gone the other way but have a honda fireblade for that. I also prefer the looks.
kbf1981 said:
I've only taken the V12V out once, and a 458 out once lol....I'm not that bad, I just feel like a change and haven't really decided what to yet
That's the problem with wanting and not needing a change I guess - you have no set criteria except for "something a bit different!".
I'd go for a DBS volante personally, but have you tried the SLS? Absolutely fantastic car imo, but go for a roadster, the gullwing doors are a pain in the arse (especially if you get out after a test drive and smack your head on them with everyone from the showroom watching That's the problem with wanting and not needing a change I guess - you have no set criteria except for "something a bit different!".
)George H said:
kbf1981 said:
I've only taken the V12V out once, and a 458 out once lol....I'm not that bad, I just feel like a change and haven't really decided what to yet
That's the problem with wanting and not needing a change I guess - you have no set criteria except for "something a bit different!".
I'd go for a DBS volante personally, but have you tried the SLS? Absolutely fantastic car imo, but go for a roadster, the gullwing doors are a pain in the arse (especially if you get out after a test drive and smack your head on them with everyone from the showroom watching That's the problem with wanting and not needing a change I guess - you have no set criteria except for "something a bit different!".
)Certainly not compared to California or 458 (same unit). - As Harris coincidentally explained today http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25...
And in the end it's still a Merc, not an Aston.
k wants a merc?Vee12V said:
I wouldn't recommend the SLS. Maybe the new GT will solve the issues, but that gearbox is just not acceptable because of its slow gear changes.
Certainly not compared to California or 458 (same unit). - As Harris coincidentally explained today http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25...
And in the end it's still a Merc, not an Aston.
Sorry but I don't agree with that. The SLS' gearbox is plenty fast enough, I'd say faster than the sportshift of a V8V. The reason it's not super fast like a 458 is because:Certainly not compared to California or 458 (same unit). - As Harris coincidentally explained today http://pistonheads.com/news/default.asp?storyId=25...
And in the end it's still a Merc, not an Aston.
a) It has way more torque going through it so can't be pushed to it's limits
b) It's heavier than the 458
c) It's more of a sports GT than a supersports car
and d) To meet Merc reliability tests
Maybe it is too slow if you're pushing it round the Nurburgring (which incidentally he is in that article), but I think in the real world it is more than fast enough and I think is quite well suited to the car. Have you driven one? Did you think it's too slow? I thought it was very good, although I was comparing it to the TT2 box in the DB9, so it was considerably faster than that on manual shifts.
George H said:
Maybe it is too slow if you're pushing it round the Nurburgring (which incidentally he is in that article), but I think in the real world it is more than fast enough and I think is quite well suited to the car. Have you driven one? Did you think it's too slow? I thought it was very good, although I was comparing it to the TT2 box in the DB9, so it was considerably faster than that on manual shifts.
I've driven the California, SLS and 458 (in that order) and on the road, not the track. I was just very disappointed in the SLS after the experience in the California. Wouldn't want to like the California, but that engine and that gearbox made it a pretty incredible experience and an unbelievable all rounder.Now thanks to Harris we know how and why that same unit performs far worse in the SLS.
When you leave the 'box in the SLS in auto its very good. As you would expect. It's only when you start using the peddles it becomes disappointingly slow. It might be a little bit faster than the TT2, but that's a classic auto with a different character and feel.
One which in facts suits the Virage/DB9 perfectly. But from a double clutch system I expect more. Way more. And that's what you get in the Ferrari's.
Now I'd never want a Ferrari - although they're absolutely brilliant - and the SLS is great too. But that gearbox ruins the experience in my opinion.
As high tech as it feels, the 'box feels inadequate and maybe outdated. Even though it clearly isn't.
Lunablack said:
Why even bring Mercedes into the equation??
Why not though George has driven one and why not comment on it. The fact he is still in his DB9 probably speaks volumes at the moment...I think it, California, Bentley GTC and the Maserati Grancabrio S are the only real rivals for a Virage/DBS. Not sure what the V12V is a rival for... 911 turbo maybe or perhaps the 599? I suggest it would be left for dead by both, but I know what I'd rather have
..... And it's German
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff