DBS or 2013+ DB9?
Discussion
Looking for feedback on this choice while considering it's quite difficult to find these two cars used to A/B test drive. I have read the Definitive Aston Martin Guide posted here but have some questions still.
1.) Is the exhaust different? My impression is the DBS is more aggressive
2.) Is the suspension tuning different? The book lends to say they both use the same adaptive suspension inherited from the DBS but are they tuned the same? Is there any other bracing that makes the DBS a more rigid and sporting car?
3.) Is the transmission tuning the same for the Touchtronic2?
4.) The DBS claims to use the top of the line semi-aniline leather as standard which I don't think most other cars have. Is there much of a difference between them feel wise? I do notice in used DBS market I seem to find more cars with frumpy looking stretched leather on the seats and I'm not sure if it's just bad luck of the current listings or if this leather tends to stretch and deform more. I don't see it as often in the DB9 and V12Vs cars
5.) Are the engine differences noticeable? I know the DB9.2 uses the newer architecture which hits 540 in the GT and 565 in the V12Vs but both are rated for 510 in the DB9.2/DBS
Are there any other major call outs?
I'm looking to understand which is considered the superior sporting drive. On the used market they are pretty close to the same price though the DBS is a bit older. For both cars I'm looking at Volante's. I prefer the looks of the DBS and it seems a bit more special but I'm not sure if it was considered 'surpassed' but the eventual DB9 evolution.
1.) Is the exhaust different? My impression is the DBS is more aggressive
2.) Is the suspension tuning different? The book lends to say they both use the same adaptive suspension inherited from the DBS but are they tuned the same? Is there any other bracing that makes the DBS a more rigid and sporting car?
3.) Is the transmission tuning the same for the Touchtronic2?
4.) The DBS claims to use the top of the line semi-aniline leather as standard which I don't think most other cars have. Is there much of a difference between them feel wise? I do notice in used DBS market I seem to find more cars with frumpy looking stretched leather on the seats and I'm not sure if it's just bad luck of the current listings or if this leather tends to stretch and deform more. I don't see it as often in the DB9 and V12Vs cars
5.) Are the engine differences noticeable? I know the DB9.2 uses the newer architecture which hits 540 in the GT and 565 in the V12Vs but both are rated for 510 in the DB9.2/DBS
Are there any other major call outs?
I'm looking to understand which is considered the superior sporting drive. On the used market they are pretty close to the same price though the DBS is a bit older. For both cars I'm looking at Volante's. I prefer the looks of the DBS and it seems a bit more special but I'm not sure if it was considered 'surpassed' but the eventual DB9 evolution.
I have an early DB9 and have never driven a DBS or DB9.2, but my opinion regarding the two is that they are virtually the same.
The Virage was an evolution from the DB9 and then went on to be the DB9.2.
The DBS is a fantastic looking car and even though it will be older than a DB9.2 with older designed mechanicals I would still go for the DBS, their just really special.
Biggest thing to keep an eye on with the V12 engines is the oil level (check the level regularly) and check the misfire counts, I would have the primary cats removed first job, also check for condensation in front and rear lights.
Sorry it doesn't answer some of your questions, Mike at Bamford Rose will be able to answer some of your more technical questions.
The Virage was an evolution from the DB9 and then went on to be the DB9.2.
The DBS is a fantastic looking car and even though it will be older than a DB9.2 with older designed mechanicals I would still go for the DBS, their just really special.
Biggest thing to keep an eye on with the V12 engines is the oil level (check the level regularly) and check the misfire counts, I would have the primary cats removed first job, also check for condensation in front and rear lights.
Sorry it doesn't answer some of your questions, Mike at Bamford Rose will be able to answer some of your more technical questions.
I have a 9.2 coupe and test drove a volante dbs last year.
I found the volante underwhelming tbh and rather loose, i think it had 20k miles on it.
I had my 9.2 primary cat removed and the power upgrade done by BR, its now a beast. Hence possibly why the dbs was dull by comparison.
Dbs or 9.2 is really down to personal choice, there isnt much difference other than the styling with the carbon and bonnet etc (and i think there is a backbox difference possibly?).
I found the volante underwhelming tbh and rather loose, i think it had 20k miles on it.
I had my 9.2 primary cat removed and the power upgrade done by BR, its now a beast. Hence possibly why the dbs was dull by comparison.
Dbs or 9.2 is really down to personal choice, there isnt much difference other than the styling with the carbon and bonnet etc (and i think there is a backbox difference possibly?).
I have a DB9.2 MY14 and know a little bit from having the very same question not long ago.. so i'll fill in where I can and make clear where my knowledge is lacking. There's not that many DB9.2 owners around on PH so if you have any more Qs please let me know and I'll do my best to help
Azten said:
1.) Is the exhaust different? My impression is the DBS is more aggressive
A: The backbox (muffler) on the DBS is different and so sounds different as stock. I don't know about the rest of the exhaust system e.g. whether manifolds differ somehow. However, I did have secondary decat done on my DB9.2 and when you rev up the range the sound is incredible. Azten said:
3.) Is the transmission tuning the same for the Touchtronic2?
A: Both use the same ZF 6HP26 transmission (you can look these up - used on many other cars as well) but I believe I saw a post stating that the shift patterns/gear change speed for the gearboxes are set up differently on DB9s vs DBS. I think Bamford Rose can make the shifts more aggressive if desired. Don't know if Soofsayer knows more on this particular point since he had a remap (may just have been for engine & not gearbox) done at same time as primary decat. This is a point i'm really interested in if anyone knows or has first hand experience around whether the DB9.2 shifts can be made faster/more aggressive. Azten said:
5.) Are the engine differences noticeable? I know the DB9.2 uses the newer architecture which hits 540 in the GT and 565 in the V12Vs but both are rated for 510 in the DB9.2/DBS
I can't answer this because I haven't driven the other cars... but I do know the DB9.2 can be mapped by Bamford Rose to get the full power out of the engine. My understanding is that the throttle blades are limited to 50º instead of 90ºWasn't this same question asked a week or so ago? Or was it on another forum (6speed? AMOC?).
Can not find it easily from mobile, but best thing indeed is to test drive both.
Don't know if the DB9.2 also has carbon platework like the DBS?
Enigne, throttle and transmission are mapped differently (more sporty in DBS), but this all might be fixable (by BR, VAP, etc)?
Probably the DBS Volante will hold its value better, so do not only look at purchase price!
Can not find it easily from mobile, but best thing indeed is to test drive both.
Don't know if the DB9.2 also has carbon platework like the DBS?
Enigne, throttle and transmission are mapped differently (more sporty in DBS), but this all might be fixable (by BR, VAP, etc)?
Probably the DBS Volante will hold its value better, so do not only look at purchase price!
Wonderful and powerful as the DB9 - s.2 is, please remember that the DBS is, as they always said, a different model. It is ultra light - many of the panels are carbon fibre - and the character of the car is defined by that, not by power or acceleration figures. If acceleration figures are all that mattered, we would all be driving Teslas. I appreciate that the DB9 became the Virage, and had the wider tail of the DBS and an even more powerful engine, and the Virage became the DB9 s.2. But, IMHO, its still not a DBS, which at least in 2+0 Coupe form is one of the most balletic cars of all time.
DBS all the way.
DBS all the way.
cardigankid said:
Wonderful and powerful as the DB9 - s.2 is, please remember that the DBS is, as they always said, a different model. It is ultra light - many of the panels are carbon fibre - and the character of the car is defined by that, not by power or acceleration figures. If acceleration figures are all that mattered, we would all be driving Teslas. I appreciate that the DB9 became the Virage, and had the wider tail of the DBS and an even more powerful engine, and the Virage became the DB9 s.2. But, IMHO, its still not a DBS, which at least in 2+0 Coupe form is one of the most balletic cars of all time.
DBS all the way.
I don't think the weights are actually that much different from a quick google: 1,695kg (2008 DBS) vs 1,785kg (2013 DB9.2) but no doubt many components are set up to be more aggressive for the overall sporty feel. I've never driven a DBS so can't compare - i'd certainly be interested thoughDBS all the way.
The carbon panels reduced the weight by 30kg. That and other factors, including ceramic discs (-12.5kg), reduced UL weight of DBS by 65kg compared with the then-current DB9.
Rear axle ratio of DBS was lower (3.7:1) but not sure ratio on revised DB9.
However, the revised DB9s were sufficiently different from the earlier DB9, IMHO, to significantly reduce the differences between DBS and DB9; bearing in mind a DBS will be older, I'd drive both.
Rear axle ratio of DBS was lower (3.7:1) but not sure ratio on revised DB9.
However, the revised DB9s were sufficiently different from the earlier DB9, IMHO, to significantly reduce the differences between DBS and DB9; bearing in mind a DBS will be older, I'd drive both.
soofsayer said:
I have a 9.2 coupe and test drove a volante dbs last year.
I found the volante underwhelming tbh and rather loose, i think it had 20k miles on it.
I had my 9.2 primary cat removed and the power upgrade done by BR, its now a beast. Hence possibly why the dbs was dull by comparison.
Dbs or 9.2 is really down to personal choice, there isnt much difference other than the styling with the carbon and bonnet etc (and i think there is a backbox difference possibly?).
I would love to see/hear your car at some point; i've only got the secondary decat which was a huge step up on the sound front. Performance on yours is no doubt very different I found the volante underwhelming tbh and rather loose, i think it had 20k miles on it.
I had my 9.2 primary cat removed and the power upgrade done by BR, its now a beast. Hence possibly why the dbs was dull by comparison.
Dbs or 9.2 is really down to personal choice, there isnt much difference other than the styling with the carbon and bonnet etc (and i think there is a backbox difference possibly?).
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