To all the V12V drivers out there, need a little help...
Discussion
Hi guys,
my name is Ben and I kept an very serious eye on an 11/2009 V12V. I'm from Germany and it's pretty difficult here to get some knowledge in our country about this absolutely amazing car.
So I'm very happy to find this great forum and ask you for a little help and support in making the right decision wich V12V I should take.
My favorite Vantage has 23000mls / 37000km on the counter and just one hand before and is an offer from an official AM Dealer.
Is there anything i have to look after more precisely or pay attention on when I go for the testdrive?
I'm a little afraid about the many mls... But it's wonderful equipped and the price is OK and the Service was done every year.
This would be my first Aston Martin and I thank you so much for any helpful advice.
Greets from Germany
Ben
my name is Ben and I kept an very serious eye on an 11/2009 V12V. I'm from Germany and it's pretty difficult here to get some knowledge in our country about this absolutely amazing car.
So I'm very happy to find this great forum and ask you for a little help and support in making the right decision wich V12V I should take.
My favorite Vantage has 23000mls / 37000km on the counter and just one hand before and is an offer from an official AM Dealer.
Is there anything i have to look after more precisely or pay attention on when I go for the testdrive?
I'm a little afraid about the many mls... But it's wonderful equipped and the price is OK and the Service was done every year.
This would be my first Aston Martin and I thank you so much for any helpful advice.
Greets from Germany
Ben
Ben, first of all welcome to the forum. You have indeed chosen an amazing car and in all seriouness 23000 miles is nothing for a V12 engine that is so understresed.
A couple of items to look out for are:
Clutch squeel. Early models had an issue with the clutch making a squeel when setting off in 1st gear. This was a warranty replacement as they revised the clutch in later vehicles. There is no issue other than the annoying noise.
Front Brake Discs/Pads. Has it had the pads changed? These should be documented in the servicee book, but this is a good indication of how it has been driven. If it has been driven hard/tracked it will have had a set within 15000 miles, if not then it is worth looking at the condition of them as they are €1000 fitted. Also the discs need weighing every 3rd set of pads.
I am unaware of any real issues with the V12V and certainly my 2 years of ownership have been the best of any car I have ever owned.
A couple of items to look out for are:
Clutch squeel. Early models had an issue with the clutch making a squeel when setting off in 1st gear. This was a warranty replacement as they revised the clutch in later vehicles. There is no issue other than the annoying noise.
Front Brake Discs/Pads. Has it had the pads changed? These should be documented in the servicee book, but this is a good indication of how it has been driven. If it has been driven hard/tracked it will have had a set within 15000 miles, if not then it is worth looking at the condition of them as they are €1000 fitted. Also the discs need weighing every 3rd set of pads.
I am unaware of any real issues with the V12V and certainly my 2 years of ownership have been the best of any car I have ever owned.
... Yes exactly between those both car I decide...
The Problem with the Bremen car is, it has the standart audio :-( and no lightweight seats...
But it is in good condition and i think the price is very interesting.
Was there before two weeks and had a precise look at the car...
The Kronberg car is perfectly equipped and i would order it exactly in that way and those colours...
But the only thing i'm struggling is the milage and some smaller things like a hit foward rim...
Not too easy i think...
The Problem with the Bremen car is, it has the standart audio :-( and no lightweight seats...
But it is in good condition and i think the price is very interesting.
Was there before two weeks and had a precise look at the car...
The Kronberg car is perfectly equipped and i would order it exactly in that way and those colours...
But the only thing i'm struggling is the milage and some smaller things like a hit foward rim...
Not too easy i think...
AMBen said:
... Yes exactly between those both car I decide...
The Problem with the Bremen car is, it has the standart audio :-( and no lightweight seats...
But it is in good condition and i think the price is very interesting.
Was there before two weeks and had a precise look at the car...
The Kronberg car is perfectly equipped and i would order it exactly in that way and those colours...
But the only thing i'm struggling is the milage and some smaller things like a hit foward rim...
Not too easy i think...
Just wait then. There is always another car.The Problem with the Bremen car is, it has the standart audio :-( and no lightweight seats...
But it is in good condition and i think the price is very interesting.
Was there before two weeks and had a precise look at the car...
The Kronberg car is perfectly equipped and i would order it exactly in that way and those colours...
But the only thing i'm struggling is the milage and some smaller things like a hit foward rim...
Not too easy i think...
Hi Ben
As cockers said , watch out for clutch squeal. Mine had this and it was replaced under warranty.
Condensation in the rear lights affects many cars not just V12V.
I also had all my discs replaced due to corrosion on the mounting bolts. The new softer brake pads are worth having as there's less low speed squeal.
Those were the major items.
I'm the second owner , and the car was spec'd exactly as I would have done it. Guess I was lucky
As cockers said , watch out for clutch squeal. Mine had this and it was replaced under warranty.
Condensation in the rear lights affects many cars not just V12V.
I also had all my discs replaced due to corrosion on the mounting bolts. The new softer brake pads are worth having as there's less low speed squeal.
Those were the major items.
I'm the second owner , and the car was spec'd exactly as I would have done it. Guess I was lucky
I have just sold my MY2009 after 15.000 trouble free miles. The early cars had the clutch squeak and it was sorted under warranty. Condensation in the rear light cluster is a warranty item. Front lights do fog up (is that the right expression) but here there is no fix - all Astons do that. There is a slight steering judder when going slowly. This is the result of an intentional light power steering intervention where the pressure cylinder is deliberately not able to cope at very low speeds but once speed picks up you have the very natural steering feel as result. I would definitely go for the lighweight seats. You bum is closer to the asphalt and the driving sensation is so much better. The upgraded audio is sufficient, you don't need to go for the B&O. It takes up room in the back. Both engine, gearbox and brakes are strong so high mileage cars should not be a problem. Good luck in your search.
AdamV12V said:
AMBen said:
The Problem with the Bremen car is, it has the standart audio :-( and no lightweight seats...
Both of those would be a deal breaker for me. Std audio is terrible, Premium is stunning! Lightweight seats are also perfect for the V12V providing your bottom fits in them.I have to disagree regarding the seats. Since I'm in the US, I've not tried the lightweight seats, and I have no reason to doubt that they are great. However, the standard "sport" seats I find superb -- it's hard for me to think that a car should be avoided because it has the standard seats. Also, for those who consider these things, the standard seats have side-impact airbags (lightweights don't) that include head protection as well as chest protection. I don't buy cars planning to crash them either, but these really can make a huge difference to survival in a side impact, especially in a world of ever-increasing numbers of high-riding SUVs.
Speedraser said:
I have to disagree regarding the seats. Since I'm in the US, I've not tried the lightweight seats, and I have no reason to doubt that they are great. However, the standard "sport" seats I find superb -- it's hard for me to think that a car should be avoided because it has the standard seats. Also, for those who consider these things, the standard seats have side-impact airbags (lightweights don't) that include head protection as well as chest protection. I don't buy cars planning to crash them either, but these really can make a huge difference to survival in a side impact, especially in a world of ever-increasing numbers of high-riding SUVs.
I agree that the lightweights are marmite. Hence saying they are essentials 'for me'. But most (though not all) of the people who don't love the lightweights have never tried them and most who do try lightweights can't think of ever going back, regardless of whether the standard sports seats are any goodThe extra airbag protection is an issue. Whilst generalising, evidence on here suggests our American friends place greater emphasis on this area than ppl in the UK, where the attitude seems to be that we have enough without the seat airbags to be 'comfortable' with the safety levels on cars as they are - patently there is no right & wrong to this answer and having more airbags is always 'better', it simply seems more of a concern in the US than over here
Going back to the lightweights, they transform the driving experience. They add to the interaction with the car. HTey add to the sense of occasion. But despite being one piece, they are supremely comfortable and unlike the equivalents in some cars, such as the RS 911s, they fit a wider range of shapes & sizes or put bluntly, fat backsides like mine ! I really couldn't even consider driving one of the non - GTs without them
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