DB11 V12 cold start / selecting Drive immediately

[mattkoy]

Hi all,

Just looking for some comparison from other DB11 V12 owners regarding cold-start behaviour.

From completely cold, mine starts immediately and goes to around 1,100 rpm. Within the first second or so there are one or two brief dips to around 900 rpm before it returns to 1,100 rpm and settles there for the cold-start cycle.

I’ve noticed the following:

• If Drive is selected within the first few seconds, while it’s still holding around 1,100 rpm, there’s a fairly pronounced rough/brushing-type noise and the car judders slightly as it pulls away.
• If I wait around 10–20 seconds before selecting Drive, the elevated idle drops immediately and it pulls away without the brushing noise, although it’s still slightly less smooth.
• If I let the complete 30–60 second cold-start cycle finish and the idle drops to around 900 rpm naturally, Drive engages and it pulls away completely smoothly.

Once warm, there are no issues whatsoever. The gearbox shifts beautifully and the car drives perfectly.

Aston Martin currently have the car and are going to investigate it from completely cold. The ECU software was also updated during a previous investigation of the cold-start behaviour.

I’m curious whether any other V12 DB11 owners have noticed either:

1. the brief RPM dip immediately after a stone-cold start; or
2. the rough noise/judder if Drive is selected almost immediately after starting.

I’m normally mechanically sympathetic and let the cold-start cycle settle anyway, so it’s not really an issue in normal use. I’m mainly trying to establish whether this is characteristic of the V12 DB11 or something specific to mine.

Thanks!

[M1AGM]

Hi there. I have had my car for 3 years. I always let it run to idle when doing a cold start. I haven't noticed the issues you have specifically but if I drive off before the car has had time to fully settle (20-30 secs maybe?) from completely cold, it really struggles to get going and is quite lumpy for the first few hundred yards. I have put it down to the character of the V12 so will be interested in how you get on.

[Panamax]

Front of car - A/C compressor engaging shortly after start and causing rpm dip.
Back of car - transmission.