Vantage V12 S Gearbox
Discussion
Ok,
Had my car for a good few weeks now and on Monday I went to Bovingdon Airfield to do a 1-2-1 drifting day, not in the Aston I hasten to add, and after eight hours of razzing around a runway most sideways I was absolutely knackered! For the first time I thought I would stick the car in 'D' and waft home.
Now I knew the gearbox wasn't great I had read all the reviews but whilst driving with the paddles the process of changing gear was entirely enjoyable, the challenge of getting the smooth changes akin to heel and toeing a manual very satisfying when you get it right
But seriously in auto mode the V12-S is hysterically poor when the car changes gear it's like you have hit a patch of 6" deep treacle causing you to lurch forward each and every time a gear change is made!
Now I have read that the gearbox is the same gearbox used by Ferrari and other manufacturers so what on earth have AM done to this to end with this result??
Is there likely to be any form of software upgrade to improve it?
Having said all that the car is so fantastically brilliant in every other way I can forgive it this one weakness, I am still totally smitten with the car, I just won't use the dreaded 'D' button again
Had my car for a good few weeks now and on Monday I went to Bovingdon Airfield to do a 1-2-1 drifting day, not in the Aston I hasten to add, and after eight hours of razzing around a runway most sideways I was absolutely knackered! For the first time I thought I would stick the car in 'D' and waft home.
Now I knew the gearbox wasn't great I had read all the reviews but whilst driving with the paddles the process of changing gear was entirely enjoyable, the challenge of getting the smooth changes akin to heel and toeing a manual very satisfying when you get it right
But seriously in auto mode the V12-S is hysterically poor when the car changes gear it's like you have hit a patch of 6" deep treacle causing you to lurch forward each and every time a gear change is made!
Now I have read that the gearbox is the same gearbox used by Ferrari and other manufacturers so what on earth have AM done to this to end with this result??
Is there likely to be any form of software upgrade to improve it?
Having said all that the car is so fantastically brilliant in every other way I can forgive it this one weakness, I am still totally smitten with the car, I just won't use the dreaded 'D' button again
Yep, tried 'D' once, it's not a pleasant experience is it! The annoying thing is that it's this experience that seems to have been focused on in many reviews, particularly in the US.
I can only guess that Aston neglected 'D' on the basis that most people buying a V12VS would never use it. Still can't believe that it's difficult to fix given that it's perfectly possible to achieve fast smooth changes in manual mode.
I can only guess that Aston neglected 'D' on the basis that most people buying a V12VS would never use it. Still can't believe that it's difficult to fix given that it's perfectly possible to achieve fast smooth changes in manual mode.
Edited by JBaps on Friday 30th May 20:21
Yes exactly I agree, the issue is one of the massive plus points I have found with the Vantage is its ability to transport you around in total comfort, so come the day you just want to point and squirt as I did the car is totally let down!
Also my good lady would only drive the AM using 'D' mode and she'll hate it as it stands!
It would be awesome if AM can do something about this with a software upgrade would be interesting to know if the setup is for some reason fundamentally flawed or whether a bit of effort into the software engineering and things could be improved.
Does anybody know if the gear change is better when flooring it, I have to be honest the car is just so bloody fast I rarely get past 50% throttle or above 5,000rpm because you are just another second away from losing your license lol!!
Also my good lady would only drive the AM using 'D' mode and she'll hate it as it stands!
It would be awesome if AM can do something about this with a software upgrade would be interesting to know if the setup is for some reason fundamentally flawed or whether a bit of effort into the software engineering and things could be improved.
Does anybody know if the gear change is better when flooring it, I have to be honest the car is just so bloody fast I rarely get past 50% throttle or above 5,000rpm because you are just another second away from losing your license lol!!
AndyBrew said:
Ok,
Now I have read that the gearbox is the same gearbox used by Ferrari and other manufacturers so what on earth have AM done to this to end with this result??
Is there likely to be any form of software upgrade to improve it?
It is not identical to the Ferrari box, it is made by Graziano in Italy to AM specificationNow I have read that the gearbox is the same gearbox used by Ferrari and other manufacturers so what on earth have AM done to this to end with this result??
Is there likely to be any form of software upgrade to improve it?
AM's version is a lower cost unit with simpler software and no additional oil cooling
Having seen the inside at closer quarters I can see it is built to a cost.
Part of the "delay" in the gear change is the mass of the clutch and flywheel
Hence why after market ones work so much better on ASM2 boxes
AndyBrew said:
Cheers Mikey,
You surprise me on the cost front, you would of thought on a car retailing at £140,000 before options that they could have found some margin to put a half decent box in there without resorting to cost cutting
I think I just call it character and be done with it lol!
tell me about it You surprise me on the cost front, you would of thought on a car retailing at £140,000 before options that they could have found some margin to put a half decent box in there without resorting to cost cutting
I think I just call it character and be done with it lol!
Sorry if I have been a bit quiet lately but this post has re-lit my interest. My V8S has ASM2 as had my previous car. D. Mode is so bad I am surprised Aston Martin offer it as an alternative. There is an answer, a very effective answer. Take your car to Bamford Rose who will sort it for you. I am not promising perfection as in a DSG alternative but BR's expertise produces an amazing transformation. To coin a phrase the "nodding dog" scenario is removed. I will try and find a video of my last S's instrumentation as the box went up and down its gears and post it for all to see.
I have no affiliation to Bamford Rose other than to say that they have modded two of my Astons , I am a happy bunny!
I have no affiliation to Bamford Rose other than to say that they have modded two of my Astons , I am a happy bunny!
robgt said:
Sorry if I have been a bit quiet lately but this post has re-lit my interest. My V8S has ASM2 as had my previous car. D. Mode is so bad I am surprised Aston Martin offer it as an alternative. There is an answer, a very effective answer. Take your car to Bamford Rose who will sort it for you. I am not promising perfection as in a DSG alternative but BR's expertise produces an amazing transformation. To coin a phrase the "nodding dog" scenario is removed. I will try and find a video of my last S's instrumentation as the box went up and down its gears and post it for all to see.
I have no affiliation to Bamford Rose other than to say that they have modded two of my Astons , I am a happy bunny!
Second that. BR transformed by ASM1 box with a similar upgrade.I have no affiliation to Bamford Rose other than to say that they have modded two of my Astons , I am a happy bunny!
AndyBrew said:
Ok,
Had my car for a good few weeks now and on Monday I went to Bovingdon Airfield to do a 1-2-1 drifting day, not in the Aston I hasten to add, and after eight hours of razzing around a runway most sideways I was absolutely knackered! For the first time I thought I would stick the car in 'D' and waft home.
Now I knew the gearbox wasn't great I had read all the reviews but whilst driving with the paddles the process of changing gear was entirely enjoyable, the challenge of getting the smooth changes akin to heel and toeing a manual very satisfying when you get it right
But seriously in auto mode the V12-S is hysterically poor when the car changes gear it's like you have hit a patch of 6" deep treacle causing you to lurch forward each and every time a gear change is made!
Now I have read that the gearbox is the same gearbox used by Ferrari and other manufacturers so what on earth have AM done to this to end with this result??
Is there likely to be any form of software upgrade to improve it?
Having said all that the car is so fantastically brilliant in every other way I can forgive it this one weakness, I am still totally smitten with the car, I just won't use the dreaded 'D' button again
it is sHad my car for a good few weeks now and on Monday I went to Bovingdon Airfield to do a 1-2-1 drifting day, not in the Aston I hasten to add, and after eight hours of razzing around a runway most sideways I was absolutely knackered! For the first time I thought I would stick the car in 'D' and waft home.
Now I knew the gearbox wasn't great I had read all the reviews but whilst driving with the paddles the process of changing gear was entirely enjoyable, the challenge of getting the smooth changes akin to heel and toeing a manual very satisfying when you get it right
But seriously in auto mode the V12-S is hysterically poor when the car changes gear it's like you have hit a patch of 6" deep treacle causing you to lurch forward each and every time a gear change is made!
Now I have read that the gearbox is the same gearbox used by Ferrari and other manufacturers so what on earth have AM done to this to end with this result??
Is there likely to be any form of software upgrade to improve it?
Having said all that the car is so fantastically brilliant in every other way I can forgive it this one weakness, I am still totally smitten with the car, I just won't use the dreaded 'D' button again
t,the gearbox that is ,still at least the cars not caught fire 
I had a Salesman trying to convince me that the new upgraded box in the V12S,ASM3?, is just like a conventional Automatic Gearbox………………..
On trying it I soon realised it wasn't even near and currently nowhere near as effective as a DSG, although it was considerably better than my ASM2.
So what can be done by a certain company to improve this 'nodding dog stuck in treacle' syndrome as its now starting to put me off the car I must confess.
Is it a simple fix or an in-depth rework to get it to its best and what sort of budget should I expect a conversion to run to or is it better to chop off the finger I
keep pushing the damn D button…..
On trying it I soon realised it wasn't even near and currently nowhere near as effective as a DSG, although it was considerably better than my ASM2.
So what can be done by a certain company to improve this 'nodding dog stuck in treacle' syndrome as its now starting to put me off the car I must confess.
Is it a simple fix or an in-depth rework to get it to its best and what sort of budget should I expect a conversion to run to or is it better to chop off the finger I
keep pushing the damn D button…..
Edited by Ed50 on Saturday 31st May 20:55
Ed50 said:
I had a Salesman trying to convince me that the new upgraded box in the V12S,ASM3?, is just like a conventional Automatic Gearbox………………..
On trying it I soon realised it wasn't even near and currently nowhere near as effective as a DSG, although it was considerably better than my ASM2.
So what can be done by a certain company to improve this 'nodding dog stuck in treacle' syndrome as its now starting to put me off the car I must confess.
Is it a simple fix or an in-depth rework to get it to its best and what sort of budget should I expect a conversion to run to or is it better to chop off the finger I
keep pushing the damn D button…..
Dear God Ed where do they find these supposed salesmen! He had little or no clue. I have been fortunate to drive the V12S, to be honest I found the ASM3 box to be a greatly improved variant on ASM2 . That car just loves to be driven hard. I would suggest that BR's computer genius would be able to further improve lower speed response. It will never be a DSG it is an Automated Manual. Forget the D button , use the paddles!!!!On trying it I soon realised it wasn't even near and currently nowhere near as effective as a DSG, although it was considerably better than my ASM2.
So what can be done by a certain company to improve this 'nodding dog stuck in treacle' syndrome as its now starting to put me off the car I must confess.
Is it a simple fix or an in-depth rework to get it to its best and what sort of budget should I expect a conversion to run to or is it better to chop off the finger I
keep pushing the damn D button…..
Edited by Ed50 on Saturday 31st May 20:55
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