Reassurance for a new owner
Discussion
Ok so as per other threads I picked up a 2007my 4.3 V8V a few days back .Done 49k miles.
The car has obviously been well looked after/maintained and looks great inside and out.
However after a couple drives out I'm surprised how raw and brittle the experience is. Perhaps it's because the inside looks sumptuous that my brain says comfy Jag but the drive is more hardcore.
I'm not complaining but just trying to suss out if this is standard fayre for this model. The noise is great of course. I'm thinking more about the behaviour over pockmarked tarmac and rumble strips etc
There is a small roundabout near me where the top surface dressing has deteriorated. Now of course this car is not a Rolls but it did make me wince a bit at the general hubbub and feel through the steering as I went round...slowly lol
I might have said this before but very reminiscent of my TVR T350
So is this about right? If it is then I'll shut up and stop analysing things.
I've taken on board comments regarding the Bridgestone tyres. The rears are old and maybe 3mm but the shame is the fronts are like new,so decision needs to be made there.
I've noticed too that the Nav rattles when closed but seen the info about that so no problem.
And finally got the emissions light on when nearly home last night so I'll switch that off and see what happens.
Thanks all
The car has obviously been well looked after/maintained and looks great inside and out.
However after a couple drives out I'm surprised how raw and brittle the experience is. Perhaps it's because the inside looks sumptuous that my brain says comfy Jag but the drive is more hardcore.
I'm not complaining but just trying to suss out if this is standard fayre for this model. The noise is great of course. I'm thinking more about the behaviour over pockmarked tarmac and rumble strips etc
There is a small roundabout near me where the top surface dressing has deteriorated. Now of course this car is not a Rolls but it did make me wince a bit at the general hubbub and feel through the steering as I went round...slowly lol
I might have said this before but very reminiscent of my TVR T350
So is this about right? If it is then I'll shut up and stop analysing things.
I've taken on board comments regarding the Bridgestone tyres. The rears are old and maybe 3mm but the shame is the fronts are like new,so decision needs to be made there.
I've noticed too that the Nav rattles when closed but seen the info about that so no problem.
And finally got the emissions light on when nearly home last night so I'll switch that off and see what happens.
Thanks all
Edited by milu on Sunday 24th March 07:06
Milu
my 07 V8V has 76,000km so similar miles
the shocks are on the way out - been contemplating whether to do aftermarket ones from redpants
mine also feels like it might have worn bushes on the front control arms (Oh sooo common on my AudiRS4's - I know much heavier front end with engine well forward of the axle) - but AM says all ok
possibly yours are the same
worth a check
Graeme
my 07 V8V has 76,000km so similar miles
the shocks are on the way out - been contemplating whether to do aftermarket ones from redpants
mine also feels like it might have worn bushes on the front control arms (Oh sooo common on my AudiRS4's - I know much heavier front end with engine well forward of the axle) - but AM says all ok
possibly yours are the same
worth a check
Graeme
All sounds notmal to me, I also have a Jag XF as my daily driver,I always look forward to the weekend, and then after spending a couple of days in the Vantage, as much as I love the experience, I always look forward to switching back over again too.
Driving the Jag is like going down the road on your sofa, but the Aston rewards you in other ways, mine makes me feel 10 years younger when I rasp away down the road on a Saturday morning.
I've only ever done one long road trip in the Aston, and after a couple of hours the novelty wore off and I just wanted to get there and stretch my legs, but i'll often spend 3-4 hours in the Jag and feel.as fresh as ever.
I look at my Vantage more as a sports car than a GT car.
Driving the Jag is like going down the road on your sofa, but the Aston rewards you in other ways, mine makes me feel 10 years younger when I rasp away down the road on a Saturday morning.
I've only ever done one long road trip in the Aston, and after a couple of hours the novelty wore off and I just wanted to get there and stretch my legs, but i'll often spend 3-4 hours in the Jag and feel.as fresh as ever.
I look at my Vantage more as a sports car than a GT car.
Edited by Manx V8V on Sunday 24th March 10:28
If you want a softer waft down the road you should probably consider a DB9. The Vantage is supposed to be a sports car after all.
Having said that I've driven my Vantage from Kent to Cornwall & Kent to Le Mans in one hit and have got out fresh as a daisy.
Check your tyres - these can make a significant difference.
Having said that I've driven my Vantage from Kent to Cornwall & Kent to Le Mans in one hit and have got out fresh as a daisy.
Check your tyres - these can make a significant difference.
^^^^ This. I used to get down South in my TVR and felt a; grateful for getting there and b; knackered and wanted to get out and rest. With the Vantage when I get there I could easily drive back again without hesitation.
though I've done several European long trips in TVR's and loved it, probably excitement took over
OP, sounds like you may have a problem.
though I've done several European long trips in TVR's and loved it, probably excitement took over
OP, sounds like you may have a problem.
^^^^ This. I used to get down South in my TVR and felt a; grateful for getting there and b; knackered and wanted to get out and rest. With the Vantage when I get there I could easily drive back again without hesitation.
though I've done several European long trips in TVR's and loved it, probably excitement took over
OP, sounds like you may have a problem.
though I've done several European long trips in TVR's and loved it, probably excitement took over
OP, sounds like you may have a problem.
My other car is an Elise. Driving the Vantage feels like I'm in a megaGT and I could cover continents with ease. I guess it all depends on your reference point.
In reality the Vantage is not that great over a really broken road surface. However I've noticed it rides better at speed. At lower speeds (30-50mph) it can be a bit jiggly which smooths out as you go quicker (60-80mph). Not sure that will stand up to scrutiny from our friends in blue.
Tyres and pressures can contribute to this. Large improvement from moving to PS4s from the RE050 which I run at slightly less than book pressures.
In reality the Vantage is not that great over a really broken road surface. However I've noticed it rides better at speed. At lower speeds (30-50mph) it can be a bit jiggly which smooths out as you go quicker (60-80mph). Not sure that will stand up to scrutiny from our friends in blue.
Tyres and pressures can contribute to this. Large improvement from moving to PS4s from the RE050 which I run at slightly less than book pressures.
Agree on them being great on long runs to Le Mans etc in one hit with just a couple of quick petrol stops. And when up to speed the car seems to hunker down on A and B roads and suspension great.
First time on a bit of SW M25 near Cobham (concrete with tarmac on top) in Vantage I thought I had for flat tyres and same road in my old XF its barely noticable.
Potholes in Kent yesterday everywhere on main town roads and can be a pain at town speeds!
First time on a bit of SW M25 near Cobham (concrete with tarmac on top) in Vantage I thought I had for flat tyres and same road in my old XF its barely noticable.
Potholes in Kent yesterday everywhere on main town roads and can be a pain at town speeds!
I'd agree with getting the alignment done. It's made masses of difference on other cars I've had and I'm going to get it done on my V8V. Tyres too can make a significant difference. The front Pirellis on my old 911 had 6mm of tread, yet they were so old (7 years) they were as hard as nails. When swapped out for a complete set of Michelins plus 4 wheel alignment, the ride was completely transformed. Bear in mind there are other factors too in the suspension that can make a difference if they are not quite right.
Been out today round the Peak District and through Sheffield.Twice!
Getting a bit more into the groove now and of course getting better at finessing gears/ clutch action.
City driving not really the cars forte I suppose but it's a good test of me and the car
Still not sure if the harshness felt through the steering over rough surfaces is normal or whether it should be looked at.
Having checked the history again....it had a full main dealer service 2.5k miles ago including road test so would presume all ok.
Getting a bit more into the groove now and of course getting better at finessing gears/ clutch action.
City driving not really the cars forte I suppose but it's a good test of me and the car
Still not sure if the harshness felt through the steering over rough surfaces is normal or whether it should be looked at.
Having checked the history again....it had a full main dealer service 2.5k miles ago including road test so would presume all ok.
A main dealer service should give you some comfort but I wouldn't necessarily assume that it meant that it was all ok. it's normal for a dealer to point out and quote for any minor job that needs doing but they don't always pick up on everything and suspension issues are not always obvious. Mine had an AM service before I bought it and they were appalling. It does sound as though your car may need a little attention but I would give it just a little time to get used to it first. Alternatively, go test drive another car or let someone who already has one test drive yours.
Well I've had the car a little over 2 miles months now.
I've definitely got more used to it. The steering wheel airbag shims worked a treat to tighten things up a bit
Also having recently moved from Bridgestone tyres to Pirelli whilst going to 20" rims there is a reduction in harshness over poor roads. Amazing really considering the drop in profile.
Others had suggested this would be the case and indeed could have been potentially even smoother if I had gone for Michelin tyres.
So far so good then
I've definitely got more used to it. The steering wheel airbag shims worked a treat to tighten things up a bit
Also having recently moved from Bridgestone tyres to Pirelli whilst going to 20" rims there is a reduction in harshness over poor roads. Amazing really considering the drop in profile.
Others had suggested this would be the case and indeed could have been potentially even smoother if I had gone for Michelin tyres.
So far so good then
I’d still check the shocks. I was getting a lot of harshness through the steering & it turned out one front shock was totally gone. Went for Nitrons, half the price of the OEM shocks and it’s a different car. Steering issue resolved and the car is far more composed at speed on poor surfaces.
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