2010 MY Vantage V8 Roadster Suspension Comparison
Discussion
today, I drove one Roadster on normal suspension, and another with the Sport Pack, both 2010 model year. Both were driven on post winter, poorly maintained, pot holed, uneven and bumpy A and B roads.
The sport pack car is firm, bordering on harsh and ocassionally skipped about on the really nasty stuff. In contrast, the standard car rode beautifully, with tight body control, was hardly ever harsh and was very supple. I was quite surprised as I had expected the sport car to win hands down.
However, at higher speeds where there are significant elevation changes, the sport pack car is much better behaved. It maintains composure by being mostly level with damping just perfect without any noticeable sagginess or slack. The standard car suffered here, it was out witted, and its dampers could not cope with or react quickly enough, with a momentary and noticeable heave and sag, before it settled itself.
What I had assumed was an easy decision (sport pack every time), has for me, turned out to be a very difficult choice. Standard car suspension is much more compliant and in some situations better resolved than the sport pack car .. where the standard car absorbs bumps and thumps more readily and is not shaken about at lower speeds or accelerating from medium speeds, the sport pack car can get slightly unsettled and jittery in these situations.
I hope I am making sense.
The sport pack car is firm, bordering on harsh and ocassionally skipped about on the really nasty stuff. In contrast, the standard car rode beautifully, with tight body control, was hardly ever harsh and was very supple. I was quite surprised as I had expected the sport car to win hands down.
However, at higher speeds where there are significant elevation changes, the sport pack car is much better behaved. It maintains composure by being mostly level with damping just perfect without any noticeable sagginess or slack. The standard car suffered here, it was out witted, and its dampers could not cope with or react quickly enough, with a momentary and noticeable heave and sag, before it settled itself.
What I had assumed was an easy decision (sport pack every time), has for me, turned out to be a very difficult choice. Standard car suspension is much more compliant and in some situations better resolved than the sport pack car .. where the standard car absorbs bumps and thumps more readily and is not shaken about at lower speeds or accelerating from medium speeds, the sport pack car can get slightly unsettled and jittery in these situations.
I hope I am making sense.
You are wise to take a thorough approach to your selection Sean, and have certainly provided a very thorough analysis.
My own car has the standard suspension (I turned down a very good Sports Pack Vantage), and I am very happy with my choice. On some of the rough surface roads that we have today, I sometimes even say to myself, "This is bumpy".
You found the Sports Pack car more to your liking at higher speeds. Presumably therefore, your decision might be decided upon which type of driving you think will be your majority.
Although I would like to do high speed driving (when appropriate), in practice, with the ability to reach 100 mph in 10 seconds, I either catch other traffic and have to slow, or reach the speed limit and have to slow.
Whichever you choose, I suppose if you wanted to, you could refine in the future by having an adaptive system fitted. It is sometimes mentioned on this forum.
Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 5th April 16:19
not a fan of spending loads of money modifying cars ..
on reflection, the majority of the driving I do is probably better suit to standard suspension ..
but the "youth" or hooligan in me wants the sport
I think the 2012.5 MY (when the new bumpers were fitted) roadsters are even firmer ..
on reflection, the majority of the driving I do is probably better suit to standard suspension ..
but the "youth" or hooligan in me wants the sport
I think the 2012.5 MY (when the new bumpers were fitted) roadsters are even firmer ..
We found Sports Suspension to be a little unforgiving unless of course you are pressing on a bit. The trouble is for the majority of the time that is not a viable option. I have opted for the electronic switchable suspension upgrade as fitted by Bamford Rose. You have a soft and a hard mode operated by a genuine AM switch. The control box sits underneath the shelf behind the drivers seat. The degree of soft and hard is controlled by this box so that the ride can be tailored to the individual needs of the driver. To put it mildly it is a brilliant upgrade and well worth considering.
SFO said:
not a fan of spending loads of money modifying cars ..
Oh, really...?http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
BravoV8V said:
SFO said:
not a fan of spending loads of money modifying cars ..
Oh, really...?http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I guess you need to decide whether the time you appreciate the stiffer setup outweighs the other.
I had a V8VR and thought the suspension was a really good compromise. However I changed to an SP10 roadster which has the sports setup and I really like it. My car is not a daily driver and we have some great ( and often empty) roads where I live in Wales. So I'm happy to put up with the harsher ride when not 'pressing on' Wifey prefers the previous setup!
I had a V8VR and thought the suspension was a really good compromise. However I changed to an SP10 roadster which has the sports setup and I really like it. My car is not a daily driver and we have some great ( and often empty) roads where I live in Wales. So I'm happy to put up with the harsher ride when not 'pressing on' Wifey prefers the previous setup!
I tried both and found the standard suspension more suitable for UK roads. I think the suspension changes to the 4.7 cars has resolved some of the issues with the earlier cars. My previous car an Audi A5 in contrast was really poor banging and crashing over every bump whereas the Aston just soaks it all up.
J12MOC said:
I guess you need to decide whether the time you appreciate the stiffer setup outweighs the other.
I had a V8VR and thought the suspension was a really good compromise. However I changed to an SP10 roadster which has the sports setup and I really like it. My car is not a daily driver and we have some great ( and often empty) roads where I live in Wales. So I'm happy to put up with the harsher ride when not 'pressing on' Wifey prefers the previous setup!
Well Martyn having been a passenger with you at Rockingham I honestly did not notice whether your SP10 roadster had soft or hard suspension. All I do know is that you drive like an absolute demon. Albeit a highly talented one! Without doubt and I am sure no one else would or could dispute you were the fastest man out there by a country mile. V12VS no problem , you were all over him like a rash! Fan Bloodytastic!! I felt quite humbled. Poor Mona, my heart goes out to her! Look forward to seeing you both soon. I had a V8VR and thought the suspension was a really good compromise. However I changed to an SP10 roadster which has the sports setup and I really like it. My car is not a daily driver and we have some great ( and often empty) roads where I live in Wales. So I'm happy to put up with the harsher ride when not 'pressing on' Wifey prefers the previous setup!
Sean this is where sports comes into its own....squealing tyres and hardly any body roll (check out the rear tyre), but you're probably right Bentley, standard is a very good compromise.
Rob...you're so nice, but sometimes prone to a little exaggeration !!;) AMDBSNICK 's lines were much better than mine in his video
I'll try not to post this twice for a change!
Having come from an R8 with fully adaptive ''magnetic ride'' suspension into a Vantage with the sport pack I actually think that the AM suspension is more forgiving than the Audi.
From experience(and intense wallet discomfort), the mag ride is expensive to maintain and having it in 'sport mode' is only good for track use or if you want to shatter your spine. I'm not sure I have ever been sold on their uses unless in a proper super car that requires chassis changes for different modes?
I test drove a Vantage Roadster and a coupe without the sports pack before settling on one with it; apart from at high speeds I couldn't tell much of a difference? I do a lot of driving in my cars, easily 15-20k a year, so I suppose time will tell but after 3000 mile in my AM my bottom is still intact.
From experience(and intense wallet discomfort), the mag ride is expensive to maintain and having it in 'sport mode' is only good for track use or if you want to shatter your spine.
I'm not sure I have ever been sold on their uses unless in a proper super car that requires chassis changes for different modes?I test drove a Vantage Roadster and a coupe without the sports pack before settling on one with it; apart from at high speeds I couldn't tell much of a difference? I do a lot of driving in my cars, easily 15-20k a year, so I suppose time will tell but after 3000 mile in my AM my bottom is still intact.
Mikey is right as usual, Coupes are around 45% stiffer with Sports Suspension, but the Roadster is around 25% stiffer than standard and represents a fine compromise IMO. This is down to personal taste, but if you are the type that will take the car out for a Sunday B-road blast then the sports set-up is simply more involving, cohesive and fun. If not get the standard set-up, it is still fine. But Sports Suspension actually became standard fit on Roadsters from the 12.5MY onwards.
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