SportShift 2

[BlueDevil]

Hi all I’m looking at getting a Vantage V8 and am seeing some thing’s written about the SS2 gearbox. I have driven one and although a little strange to start with I got to grips with it relatively quickly. My question is around posts I’ve seen of how long the clutch lasts with some saying they have changed them at 8000 miles. This seems a little extreme to me for a clutch replacement.

I have only really been considering a manual but looking at the SS2 would give me more options, but don’t want to be replacing a clutch every 1-2 years.

Thanks

[kevin_cambs_uk]

I can only speak from my experience, when I bought mine in May 2022 , she had 48000 on the clock

Serviced by the same AM dealer from new, they had no details it had been changed. I bought it and then had the clutch wear read later and it was 80% worn

So I have now had it replaced. It drives so much better now, the other thing is the gear box gets better as it warms up

Hope that helps

Kevin

[LTP]

I would say that there is a better chance that the clutch will last longer on an SSII than a manual, as the automated system is less likely to ride the clutch. Having said that, you can still make an SSII abuse its clutch by doing things like reversing up a steep hill frequently or indulging in traffic light grand prix. Others may disagree about SSII vs manual wear at this point.

You can get a twin-plate clutch fitted to an SSII (which gives it the same clutch as fitted to the SSIII in the V12 Vantage) but it can only done by an expert aftermarket outfit, like Bamford Rose, David Appleby Engineering (DAE) or Martin's Independent up in Scotland. AML dealers will fit twin-plates, but only to a manual as to do a proper job you also need to tweak the TCM software.

From all I've read and heard, the Vantage should have had a twin-plate from scratch but it was removed for cost reasons and fitting a twin-plate completely transforms the gearbox experience as well as extending clutch life considerably. It's a mod I shall make to my 2015 SSII when the clutch gives up (or when I have a few spare £000's)

edited to add
There's a video on the AMOC site with Peter Martin of Martin's Independent Aston Martin which covers the V8 Vantage as a whole, but if you don't want to watch the whole thing the link below starts when he discusses clutch replacements and twin plate clutches

https://youtu.be/bSkWG0UMDro?t=2969

Edited by LTP on Sunday 1st January 18:43

[BlueDevil]

Thanks for the responses both I’ll have a look at the link. Previous cars were corvettes which could take abuse but it’s not how I treat cars, but don’t want to be replacing clutches like tyres

[Calinours]

You can always do a pre purchase and have the life read. If it’s more than, say, 70% you can maybe negotiate a discount.

Regardless, when you buy, either ready yourself to do it (complex but very DIY-able) or just mentally set aside £3-4k for a specialist to do twin plate clutch conversion at some point if you are planning on keeping the car and doing any miles.

When I had mine done I remember clearly thinking - damn the cost, I wish I’d had this done the day I bought the car. It makes that much difference to your enjoyment of the car.

My advice would be: If it’s still a single plate, checkout the wear, negotiate the biggest discount you can, then immediately take it to one of the above mentioned specialists for the twin plate conversion and ASM remap. You won’t regret it.

[BlueDevil]

Thanks for the advice. Silly question but how do you know what the wear is without removing the clutch ?

[LTP]

BlueDevil said:

Thanks for the advice. Silly question but how do you know what the wear is without removing the clutch ?

The electronics has a "wear counter" built in based, I believe, on where the sensors say clutch bite point is. It isn't 100% accurate as you'd have to know what the starting value with a new clutch was but, as Kev says, a dealer can interrogate the TCM and give you a good idea of how worn the clutch is.

[BlueDevil]

Thanks all a bit of food for thought

[johns355]

Bought a 14 plate 4.7s ss2 last April at 48k miles no record of clutch replacement that I could find. However I knew I was going to get the twin plate/lightened flywheel and remap done at BR anyway. Fantastic upgrade and recommend it.

[MatLock]

Bought a 13 plate 4.7S last month and the AM dealership replaced the clutch before handing it over with 37K on the clock.
They said it's very driver dependent but 40K is a reasonable life span.