V12 Vantage clutch life

[YorksLS18]

Could anyone shed light on how robust the clutch on a V12 S Vantage (with sport shift) is please?

How does it compare to the much-documented V8? I have read SS3 has a different reverse gearing which is kinder to the clutch when reversing up hills etc.

Are the lifespans similar, or does the V12S clutch tend to last longer?

This put me off a V8 last year due to the fact I have to reverse up a steep slope to park. But I'm intrigued by the V12.

Many thanks in advance.

Edited by YorksLS18 on Friday 29th November 18:17

[bogie]

Not much of a sample size yet of people wearing out the V12 twin plate clutch. Few people are using these cars daily for significant mileages...but even at say 5k miles a year, a twin plate clutch should last 10 years or more.

Discussed a couple of weeks ago https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Jon39]

YorksLS18 said:

Could anyone shed light on how robust the clutch on a V12 S Vantage (with sport shift) is please?

This put me off a V8 last year due to the fact I have to reverse up a steep slope to park. But I'm intrigued by the V12.

What stops you driving forwards up the steep slope to park, then subsequently, reverse down the steep slope to un-park?

Putting up to 380 or 420 bhp through a single plate clutch, is asking quite a lot.
Once those V8s have the twin plate fitted, with twice the friction area, we have never heard of those wearing out.
Similarly, after having been on this forum for a number of years, I can never remember any reports of V12 clutch failures.

Think you should be OK and I believe with SportShift, unlike manual, there is a way to measure clutch life.

[Emilio Largo]

YorksLS18 said:

I have read SS3 has a different reverse gearing which is kinder to the clutch when reversing up hills etc.

No, that´s a (typical) misunderstanding. Not "SS3" has a different reverse gearing, but the seven speed Graziano gearbox - as opposed to the six speed Graziano gearbox. The reverse gear ratio on the seven speed gearbox equals first (forward) gear whereas on the six speed gearbox it does not.

BUT: Some V8 Vantage owners with the seven speed Sportshift II gearbox have reported that reversing is STILL (relatively speaking in comparison with the six speed gearbox) not without difficulties. Whether this is down to the idiosyncrasy of the Sportshift system wasn´t quite clear. But many of them praised their aftermarket change to the twin-plate clutch (made by VALEO and standard in V12 Vantage (S)) to have significantly improved (or even eliminated?) their reversing issues.

So, perhaps V12 Vantage S Sportshift III owners have no difficulties with reversing? Who knows. Over to them to report.

[bogie]

I have a V12VS SSIII and no issues reversing at all. After 17 years of manual Vantages I changed to a SSIII early this year and its been fantastic, I prefer it over a manual now.

[toffee]

I have a V12S Vantage SS3 and have no issues with reversing, unlike previous manual V8 Vantage, manual DB9 and manual V12. Done just over 30k miles with no issues and love the car and the gear box, driven only on the paddles.