AM Virage (DBS/DB9) CCB 'problem'

[Enzo Sebastian]

Dear fellow car enthusiasts;

My first post! Based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I'm a young dad of two girls with a passion for cars. Have now a modest car collection with a few rare sports cars: Italian, German and now I need... something British! Preferably with a V12 and back seat.

I've been looking to either DBS's and the later DB9's, but now I've been negotiating a 2012 Virage for some time.

Last week, the Virage was sent out to a very well known AM specialist and they performed a PPI. A test drive during the PPI (I did not notice this myself during the first test drive I did myself) showed that the carbon ceramic brakes are 'throbbing', or pulsing, when braking slowly. It's not a very irritating feeling, but it's definitely noticeable. In my first test drive I didn't notice at all, but I was overwhelmed by the sound of the V12 and too much concentrated on driving. The mechanic, very experienced in both modern and classic AM's, noticed this right away.


The specialist advises to replace the front CCB's. Very, very, very costly. They also advise that the pulsating feeling when braking would most definitely get worse over time. They could not specify what would be the reason for this. Normally carbon ceramics would be bullet proof, right?

My question is to you AM-connaisseurs:

- Would it be worth it changing to stainless steel? I know a few Ferrari owners do this when their CCB's need major fixes.
- Would some aftermarket 'big brake' kits be available for these 2012 Virages?
- Is this something that happens more often, would you cope with it and just accept it with the car? Or would you spend the 15k €€ on the new brakes? Car has now done about 75k km's.
- Anyone selling a good set of CCB's? Haha.

Many thanks for your input from across the pond!

Kind regards,
Enzo

[BlackTails]

None of the above options (at least right away). Contact redbrake.de. They can and do refurb ceramic discs (and what you describe is consistent with damage to the discs caused by harsh wheel cleaning chemicals having been sprayed on them). Considerably less cost than new discs.

[Simpo Two]

Hi Enzo and welcome to the wonderful world of PH.

I can't advise on brakes (though getting them changed to 'normal' might be my choice), but if you need back seats that humans can actually use, had you considered a Rapide?

[Minglar]

I know Virage is a relatively rare model, possibly even more so outside of the UK, but any problem with the CCBs would make me walk away. Obviously if you’re dead set on buying the car you do have options on how to proceed, but imho the problem you’re describing could be down to owner neglect and that would be a red flag to me. YMMV of course. BRM.

[Philip0]

They may have been damaged by incorrect wheel cleaning products. Send them to Wolfgang at rebrake.de who can refurbish them at a fraction of the renewal cost - they also have a US division

Edited by Philip0 on Wednesday 15th April 10:23

Edited by Philip0 on Wednesday 15th April 10:23