Talk to me about clutches? Opinions on replacement options

[AstonExige]

My V8V has just clicked over to 58k miles, still on the original clutch. No signs of slipping but it is heavy and gear changes are stiff when its cold. I'm planning on keeping the car for a while so feel like its only a matter of when not if I need to replace the clutch, so rather than wait until I need to sell to do it, I figure do it now and at least I can enjoy the new driving experience.

So thoughts on the different options out there? I like to do a bit of heel and toe, but I really struggle in this due to how un-responsive the throttle is. I have been told a lightened flywheel can improve this? And a lighter clutch, perhaps uprated sounds good.

Car is a manual by the way.

Leaning towards the Bamford Rose clutch and flywheel kit, works out about £3.5k

Thoughts? Alternatives?

[divetheworld]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[AstonExige]

Thanks for that. I did spot that but being a year old now, didn't know if there were some new options and opinions?

[roughrider]

Aston Martin dealers now offer the twin plate clutch upgrade, with smaller/lighter flywheel.

[bogie]

The issue from cold is just a service item, different spec oil

I had the OE clutch fitted last year at an indy, £2500. Its great, so much lighter. The original clutch lasted >70k miles so if this does the same I will be happy

[Speculatore]

I almost returned my 2007 Manual DB9 after a week of ownership because the gear selection was terrible. I had the BR lightweight Flywheel and Twin Plate Clutch fitted. 3 years later...Still smiling...

[krisdelta]

bogie said:

The issue from cold is just a service item, different spec oil

This - no reason to change the clutch unless it's worn out. Made a real difference to mine at it ended up lighter than the clutch on my previous M3.

[divetheworld]

bogie said:

The issue from cold is just a service item, different spec oil

There's a different linkage aswell. It was fitted as standard on some MY2007 onwards I think.

[AstonExige]

The change at cold used to be fine, it was only when it went for its big service at DAE and had the oil changed did it go hard to change at cold. I put it down to coincidence but perhaps that put rubbish oil in?

And i want to change it to make it lighter and with the lightened flywheel hopefully get better throttle response. That'll last the lifetime of my ownership so may as well improve that for me from now, rather than putting up with it the way it is for the next year or whatever, then changing it anyway when it goes (inevitable in my ownership)

[bogie]

divetheworld said:

bogie said:

The issue from cold is just a service item, different spec oil

There's a different linkage aswell. It was fitted as standard on some MY2007 onwards I think.

yeah, I forgot about that, had it done on a service under warranty, in 2008 I think, combined with the oil, it worked great

[AstonExige]

Mines my2008? Would that already have the updated linkage?

[wotnoburgers]

DAE fitted twin clutch and lighter flywheel a few months back
A no Brainer!! the car should have been like this from day one, fit new headers as well and it really starts to liven up