V12 Vantage S vs V12 Vantage S AMR
Discussion
Morning all!
I'm considering switching out of my V12S into a V12S AMR - . Before I do it (if I do it!) can anybody with experience of both give me a view on how the cars differ in feel and driving experience? I like the idea of the extra 30bhp and the titanium exhaust etc but do you really notice it?
I'm considering switching out of my V12S into a V12S AMR - . Before I do it (if I do it!) can anybody with experience of both give me a view on how the cars differ in feel and driving experience? I like the idea of the extra 30bhp and the titanium exhaust etc but do you really notice it?
I am fortunate to have a V12 SR manual with the performance pack but without the titanium exhaust, in 2017 I chose that rather than an AMR. In my view it is not the modest improvement in bhp or torque that is key but the mid-range throttle response, it improves the acceleration markedly but it is a not cheap option. I am sure you could live with your V12S as it is quite happily for evermore, many would. You could invest in a performance pack for your car or indeed have an AMR - it's a good problem you have. Go with your heart and enjoy.
Both the under the bonnet differences (intake manifolds, exhaust, diffuser) and the external ones (body kit) can be bought from a main dealer and fitted.
I’ve added the first (with a small tweak). It’s slightly freer to rev through the mid range - possibly. At best you’re adding 5% which is going to be hard to detect. There are threads here that suggest that the 5% may be detectable under specific conditions but not as an everyday thing.
The bump in exhaust note is pretty epic though.
AMR cars are rare and expensive and despite the eye watering cost of the two upgrades it’s probably the cheaper course compared to a car swap. You won’t get things like the AMR badges on the car though. And I suppose if you want a manual car and have an SSIII car now, a car swap is the only route.
I’ve added the first (with a small tweak). It’s slightly freer to rev through the mid range - possibly. At best you’re adding 5% which is going to be hard to detect. There are threads here that suggest that the 5% may be detectable under specific conditions but not as an everyday thing.
The bump in exhaust note is pretty epic though.
AMR cars are rare and expensive and despite the eye watering cost of the two upgrades it’s probably the cheaper course compared to a car swap. You won’t get things like the AMR badges on the car though. And I suppose if you want a manual car and have an SSIII car now, a car swap is the only route.
A V12 Vantage AMR is basically your car fitted with the Performance Pack.
Unless you want a stickshift instead of an automated manual, you’d probably be better off installing the Performance Pack if still available.
I have gone down this route, the sound is epic, there’s a bit more mid-range torque but you could happily live without.
Only worthwhile if the car is a keeper.
Good luck with your search.
Unless you want a stickshift instead of an automated manual, you’d probably be better off installing the Performance Pack if still available.
I have gone down this route, the sound is epic, there’s a bit more mid-range torque but you could happily live without.
Only worthwhile if the car is a keeper.
Good luck with your search.
I had to take a look at my Limited/Special Editions topic, to remind myself about the V12 AMR model.
The second to last limited edition.
Available as a Coupe or Roadster.
100 built, not individually numbered. I don't know the number split of Coupe/Roadster.
The edition was oversubscribed.
Wonder what the UK market number was. Probably quite a rare car in the UK, which must restrict used availability.
Jon39 said:
I had to take a look at my Limited/Special Editions topic, to remind myself about the V12 AMR model.
The second to last limited edition.
Available as a Coupe or Roadster.
100 built, not individually numbered. I don't know the number split of Coupe/Roadster.
The edition was oversubscribed.
Wonder what the UK market number was. Probably quite a rare car in the UK, which must restrict used availability.
20 of the 29 Roadsters were for the UK market, but I don't know the number of coupes.
But yes as said before the 595bhp power output can be achieved with the addition of the powerkit to any V12VS. It's also worth noting the AMR did not come with the titanium exhaust as std, just the powerkit giving 595bhp. The exhaust was a dealer fit optional extra - which of course many buyers opted for. The powerkit always comes with the titanium exhaust, unless you have been able to wangle it otherwise.
The titanium exhaust makes a HUGE difference to the noise. The addtional power is noticable too, but its far more subtle.
Manual/SSIII doesnt really come into it either as there were manual V12VS's made MY16 onwards too, and some of the AMR V12's were SSIII also.
However with every years production AM improved the Vantage in many little ways, so in that respect the AMR's were pretty much the last models made so they would have all the final touches applied.
What turned me off the power kit was (no laughing now) the colour. Seriously. Part of the joy of Aston ownership is the sensory reward, the looks included.
Look at the engine of most modern cars, even performance versions, and it's a sea of featureless black (sorry Porsche owners, we're talking about engines you can actually see). What a delight, then, to open up the V12V/S and see that beautiful silver/white aluminum intake manifold. What a disappointment, then, to be offered an 'upgrade' to a blob of boring black.
Look at the engine of most modern cars, even performance versions, and it's a sea of featureless black (sorry Porsche owners, we're talking about engines you can actually see). What a delight, then, to open up the V12V/S and see that beautiful silver/white aluminum intake manifold. What a disappointment, then, to be offered an 'upgrade' to a blob of boring black.
I’ve owned my V12VS for eight years or so and I couldn’t be more happy with it.
It’s standard apart from a £650 secondary decat from an AM dealer. Really makes a difference in sound, and highly recommended if you don’t have any close neighbours
I looked long and hard at the exhaust and performane pack when they came out, but decided to spend the not inconsiderable amount of money on something else. I really didn’t need any more power and I was, and still am very happy with the decatted standard exhaust.
It’s standard apart from a £650 secondary decat from an AM dealer. Really makes a difference in sound, and highly recommended if you don’t have any close neighbours
I looked long and hard at the exhaust and performane pack when they came out, but decided to spend the not inconsiderable amount of money on something else. I really didn’t need any more power and I was, and still am very happy with the decatted standard exhaust.
Edited by Phil74891 on Wednesday 30th November 02:27
Update: just re-read the thread and got mixed up with the comment from BlackWidow. Therefore my points about the SSIII gearbox may be irrelevant!
--
Personally, I don't think it's worth the change - and that's from somebody who very much lucked-out and has a SSIII V12 Vantage AMR. I can give you the reason that you're really not going to notice the power difference (unless you're a top-class racing driver and take it on the circuit), especially on the road. But there's a bigger reason (later down...)
Perhaps there may be some sound difference with the power kit? Induction noise? But that's typically drowned out by the amazing exhaust noise, which you can easily achieve anyway with a secondary de-cat (I believe all AMRs delivered in the UK never had secondary cats from the factory?). If not already done, book your cat removal in tomorrow to get that sorted
The titanium exhaust is not fitted to mine. Originally I was thinking of having it fitted, but having lived with it for its first week, I'm thankful it's not on. I want to use mine as a GT as much as a sportscar and even with the "standard" exhaust, I turn Sports mode off on long motorway journeys as it can be too much at a constant engine speed. Country lanes are a different matter, but I typically turn off Sports again through villages and towns as it is attention-grabbing.
Under the bonnet, the Power Kit is identified as being black. Yes - I like the standard silver, but I'm not complaining.
But the main reason that I'd stick with your own V12S SSIII (presume you haven't got a manual) is that you are going to be very hard pushed to find this...
...or the lack of a stick here in a V12 AMR. There are only three in the UK. And as mine aint budging, you'll have to convince one of the other two owners to part with theirs!
Just as the N430 was a spec job on a V8 Vantage S, the V12 AMR is a spec job on a 2017/2018 V12 Vantage S (which will be near identical to a 2014+ V12S).
If you really want to change to another V12S/AMR, I would suggest these are the reasons:
1. You want Apple CarPlay built in (2017 model onwards) - but Aston Installations can help you there
2. You currently have a manual and you (very wisely ) want a SportShift
3. You want lightweight carbonfibre seats (not standard on AMR's either)
4. You really, really want the AMR look inside and out (then I'd wrap/respray and retrim what you have - but I don't think it looks better or worse either way)
5. You want a lower miles example
Wheels, Power Kit and exhausts can all be upgraded for much less than swapping a car.
If I didn't have the car I have, I'd be very happy with any SSIII V12S. Nearly...
--
Personally, I don't think it's worth the change - and that's from somebody who very much lucked-out and has a SSIII V12 Vantage AMR. I can give you the reason that you're really not going to notice the power difference (unless you're a top-class racing driver and take it on the circuit), especially on the road. But there's a bigger reason (later down...)
Perhaps there may be some sound difference with the power kit? Induction noise? But that's typically drowned out by the amazing exhaust noise, which you can easily achieve anyway with a secondary de-cat (I believe all AMRs delivered in the UK never had secondary cats from the factory?). If not already done, book your cat removal in tomorrow to get that sorted
The titanium exhaust is not fitted to mine. Originally I was thinking of having it fitted, but having lived with it for its first week, I'm thankful it's not on. I want to use mine as a GT as much as a sportscar and even with the "standard" exhaust, I turn Sports mode off on long motorway journeys as it can be too much at a constant engine speed. Country lanes are a different matter, but I typically turn off Sports again through villages and towns as it is attention-grabbing.
Under the bonnet, the Power Kit is identified as being black. Yes - I like the standard silver, but I'm not complaining.
But the main reason that I'd stick with your own V12S SSIII (presume you haven't got a manual) is that you are going to be very hard pushed to find this...
...or the lack of a stick here in a V12 AMR. There are only three in the UK. And as mine aint budging, you'll have to convince one of the other two owners to part with theirs!
Just as the N430 was a spec job on a V8 Vantage S, the V12 AMR is a spec job on a 2017/2018 V12 Vantage S (which will be near identical to a 2014+ V12S).
If you really want to change to another V12S/AMR, I would suggest these are the reasons:
1. You want Apple CarPlay built in (2017 model onwards) - but Aston Installations can help you there
2. You currently have a manual and you (very wisely
) want a SportShift3. You want lightweight carbonfibre seats (not standard on AMR's either)
4. You really, really want the AMR look inside and out (then I'd wrap/respray and retrim what you have - but I don't think it looks better or worse either way)
5. You want a lower miles example
Wheels, Power Kit and exhausts can all be upgraded for much less than swapping a car.
If I didn't have the car I have, I'd be very happy with any SSIII V12S. Nearly...
Edited by nickv12 on Wednesday 30th November 07:59
Phil74891 said:
I’ve owned my V12VS for eight years or so and I couldn’t be more happy with it.
It’s standard apart from a £650 secondary decat from an AM dealer. Really makes a difference in sound, and highly recommended if you don’t have any close neighbours
I looked long and hard at the exhaust and performane pack when they came out, but decided to spend the not inconsiderable amount of money on something else. I really didn’t need any more power and I was, and still am very happy with the decatted standard exhaust.
Exactly the same as me. It’s standard apart from a £650 secondary decat from an AM dealer. Really makes a difference in sound, and highly recommended if you don’t have any close neighbours
I looked long and hard at the exhaust and performane pack when they came out, but decided to spend the not inconsiderable amount of money on something else. I really didn’t need any more power and I was, and still am very happy with the decatted standard exhaust.
Edited by Phil74891 on Wednesday 30th November 02:27
And you lose the ASTON MARTIN embossed writing in the plenums when they change from silver/white to black. All part of the theatre.
Plus it’s plenty fast enough, utterly bonkers in 3rd from 40mph-whatever.
I did the secondary decat, sounds epic and you still keep the quiet valves to not upset neighbours so much.
quench said:
What turned me off the power kit was (no laughing now) the colour. Seriously. Part of the joy of Aston ownership is the sensory reward, the looks included.
Look at the engine of most modern cars, even performance versions, and it's a sea of featureless black (sorry Porsche owners, we're talking about engines you can actually see). What a delight, then, to open up the V12V/S and see that beautiful silver/white aluminum intake manifold. What a disappointment, then, to be offered an 'upgrade' to a blob of boring black.
Look at the engine of most modern cars, even performance versions, and it's a sea of featureless black (sorry Porsche owners, we're talking about engines you can actually see). What a delight, then, to open up the V12V/S and see that beautiful silver/white aluminum intake manifold. What a disappointment, then, to be offered an 'upgrade' to a blob of boring black.
At least one other person thinks the same.
A small point admittedly, but would perhaps be good to have a colour choice.
I first noticed this with the V8 Vantage S model.
And out of interest, the current model.
One further bit of info (which may be nonsense - it would be easy enough to check): when I had the performance pack fitted I was told by the dealer that stocks of the kit were running low. i didn’t ask whether that means they will run out and then never be replenished, or whether it’s just a blip in stock levels.
But if the OP is thinking along the upgrade lines it may be worth making the enquiry.
TBH upgrading AMiI to AMiII - for me - gave the car a big refresh which I notice every time I use it. The jump in functionality between the two is huge.
And then there is the alternative upgrade (or “side grade”?) path of replacing the rather crude exhaust manifold with something with equal length tubing, offered by DAE and BR.
But if the OP is thinking along the upgrade lines it may be worth making the enquiry.
TBH upgrading AMiI to AMiII - for me - gave the car a big refresh which I notice every time I use it. The jump in functionality between the two is huge.
And then there is the alternative upgrade (or “side grade”?) path of replacing the rather crude exhaust manifold with something with equal length tubing, offered by DAE and BR.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 30th November 10:18
in response to the last two posts....
To the best of my knowledge ALL V12VS Powerkit packs have now been sold and there are no more.
Makes sense why would the factory invest in such an expensive stock item, especially given they must have sold them at close to cost price in the end.
FWIW I believe the last handful of packs were sold for peanuts - around £7-8k fitted, which is an absolute bargain. I had to haggle really hard a year earlier for a big discount and didnt get close to that price.
The titanium exhaust alone is worth it at that price.
As for the grey inlet manifolds - sure its a bit of a downer, but I rarely open the bonnet anyway other than to show to enthusiastic friends at car meets, and never once has anyone said "oh, thats a dissapointment", since I had them swapped.
It was initially a concern of mine too, but 5mins after starting the car up with the powerkit and titanium exhaust all was forgiven and duly forgotten! It would be a bit like going out on a date with a supermodel / pornstar and complaining that she had a rather crooked left little toe...
To the best of my knowledge ALL V12VS Powerkit packs have now been sold and there are no more.
Makes sense why would the factory invest in such an expensive stock item, especially given they must have sold them at close to cost price in the end.
FWIW I believe the last handful of packs were sold for peanuts - around £7-8k fitted, which is an absolute bargain. I had to haggle really hard a year earlier for a big discount and didnt get close to that price.
The titanium exhaust alone is worth it at that price.
As for the grey inlet manifolds - sure its a bit of a downer, but I rarely open the bonnet anyway other than to show to enthusiastic friends at car meets, and never once has anyone said "oh, thats a dissapointment", since I had them swapped.
It was initially a concern of mine too, but 5mins after starting the car up with the powerkit and titanium exhaust all was forgiven and duly forgotten! It would be a bit like going out on a date with a supermodel / pornstar and complaining that she had a rather crooked left little toe...
GT3ZZZ said:
Familymad said:
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