GT C - W12 or V8S?
Discussion
Morning. Currently driving a June '13 DB9 - tick one off the bucket list - and looking to change same time next year for something equally capable and thrilling, but with a little more room for a 6'4" golfer who doesn't like having his leccy trolley as a passenger; but does occasionally want his wife and kids as same LOL.
Question is whether there is a good enough reason to go for the V8S over the W12 Speed variant. I assume residuals on the V8 would be better due to the improved mpg and closely related performance. But, come on, if you can afford one of these babies as a daily runner then what's 5mpg; get the beefier big brother......
That's certainly one of the things that swung me towards the V12 Aston.
Anyone have any thoughts?
Question is whether there is a good enough reason to go for the V8S over the W12 Speed variant. I assume residuals on the V8 would be better due to the improved mpg and closely related performance. But, come on, if you can afford one of these babies as a daily runner then what's 5mpg; get the beefier big brother......
That's certainly one of the things that swung me towards the V12 Aston.
Anyone have any thoughts?
The V8 has enough grunt for most situations and a better sound. It also feels lighter on its feet. The increased range (note NOT economy) is hard to argue against. I see no place for the std 12 anymore leaving the SPEED to wear the ultimate crown. I was in the Spur earlier today and was once again shocked at how quickly the fuel gauge drops to zero.
I was after feedback from users who are more knowledgeable than I about the different engine variants so thanks for the input that's the kind of honest opinion I wanted :-)
Like I said, I have a V12 Aston but many others buy the V8V variant and cite similar overall performance against a slightly improved mpg. I agree that the refuelling stops don't really come into it, but as it's a daily driver I'm after I was merely querying the reports on Bentley and other websites (including motoring press reviews) that this @new@ V8S is not only a stonking lump but also pretty much a match for the old W12 variant which must surely be high praise. Bentley themselves apparently consider that there will be roughly a 50/50 split between buyers opting for the V8S and W12 now. So all I was after was (most likely) confirmation for myself that in favouring a W12 Speed variety I was not going to kick myself 2 years down the line when p'ex has plummeted (residuals are a consideration when you are buying yourself cars outright and not leasing them on a business plan) on the W12 but still strong on V8Ss. However, given what you are saying, the enhancements to the new Speed are sufficient to ensure that the gap between models is sufficiently maintained and defined to not make much of a difference there. I look forward to test driving both but will ultimately choose the one I feel best about and better in which, knowing me (an all the gear, no idea, golfing chappie) means I'd be more likely to get the Speed unless very much impressed by the smaller lumped flavour. Thanks again for your views, good stuff :-)
Like I said, I have a V12 Aston but many others buy the V8V variant and cite similar overall performance against a slightly improved mpg. I agree that the refuelling stops don't really come into it, but as it's a daily driver I'm after I was merely querying the reports on Bentley and other websites (including motoring press reviews) that this @new@ V8S is not only a stonking lump but also pretty much a match for the old W12 variant which must surely be high praise. Bentley themselves apparently consider that there will be roughly a 50/50 split between buyers opting for the V8S and W12 now. So all I was after was (most likely) confirmation for myself that in favouring a W12 Speed variety I was not going to kick myself 2 years down the line when p'ex has plummeted (residuals are a consideration when you are buying yourself cars outright and not leasing them on a business plan) on the W12 but still strong on V8Ss. However, given what you are saying, the enhancements to the new Speed are sufficient to ensure that the gap between models is sufficiently maintained and defined to not make much of a difference there. I look forward to test driving both but will ultimately choose the one I feel best about and better in which, knowing me (an all the gear, no idea, golfing chappie) means I'd be more likely to get the Speed unless very much impressed by the smaller lumped flavour. Thanks again for your views, good stuff :-)
Boshly said:
Seriously? The mpg makes a difference when buying a £180k car??
I get 16mpg from my 2010 W12 Speed GTC and couldn't give a monkeys if it was 6mpg, and absolutely love it! They're great cars
It's not the mpg per se that is the problem but the range. The tank is quite small and it becomes a bit boring planning journeys around where you can stop for fuel. I tend to take one of the other cars instead where this isn't an issue. The Phantom has a 100l tank so although that car averages about the same as the Bentley, I'm not standing at a petrol pump every other day filling it up.I get 16mpg from my 2010 W12 Speed GTC and couldn't give a monkeys if it was 6mpg, and absolutely love it! They're great cars
The other thing to consider is that there are some scary maintenance costs associated with the W12 should something like the starter fail. A lot of jobs require the engine to come out. I am not sure that the V8 suffers in the same way. It is worth looking into though.
Edited by stain on Sunday 27th October 07:57
Tested both W12 and V8 and bought the V8! Preferred the handling and you can always get it chipped if you want to bring it up to the S8 horsepower, allegedly Bentley de-tuned it so that it was slightly slower than the W12.
As we bought it mainly for Continental touring as someone has said the increased range is very useful and we are delighted with the car. You pays your money...
As we bought it mainly for Continental touring as someone has said the increased range is very useful and we are delighted with the car. You pays your money...
Yes truly a heart and head decision pending then.
Chipping of a brannie is never a good idea when warranty is revoked so would only ever consider S8 vs W12 Speed anyway Tbh. Plus my car has 510 bhp so not looking to lower my pub ranking on horses either lol.
If the sun stays out I might wander over knutsford for a walk round anyway. Been wondering what to do with my free hour....
Chipping of a brannie is never a good idea when warranty is revoked so would only ever consider S8 vs W12 Speed anyway Tbh. Plus my car has 510 bhp so not looking to lower my pub ranking on horses either lol.
If the sun stays out I might wander over knutsford for a walk round anyway. Been wondering what to do with my free hour....
Edited by snipez999 on Sunday 27th October 13:16
I tested both (GTC models) and ended up going for the V8. Reasons:
- The V8 felt more agile.
- The sports exhaust on the V8 sounds fantastic.
- The standard exhaust on the Speed at certain speeds boomed into the cabin to the point of earache.
- When accelerating hard and then lifting off, it takes a half second or so for the engine in the Speed to register the lift off. This is very disconcerting at first. The V8 does not do this, but both Speeds I have driven did it.
- The performance difference between them is marginal. Even more so for the V8S I imagine.
- The economy difference between them is much more noticeable. I averaged 15mpg in the Speed and currently average 21.5 in the V8. I would have less of an issue with this if the performance difference was greater.
Having lived with the V8 for a few weeks I drove a Speed again. I'm even more convinced that I made the right choice with the V8.
- The V8 felt more agile.
- The sports exhaust on the V8 sounds fantastic.
- The standard exhaust on the Speed at certain speeds boomed into the cabin to the point of earache.
- When accelerating hard and then lifting off, it takes a half second or so for the engine in the Speed to register the lift off. This is very disconcerting at first. The V8 does not do this, but both Speeds I have driven did it.
- The performance difference between them is marginal. Even more so for the V8S I imagine.
- The economy difference between them is much more noticeable. I averaged 15mpg in the Speed and currently average 21.5 in the V8. I would have less of an issue with this if the performance difference was greater.
Having lived with the V8 for a few weeks I drove a Speed again. I'm even more convinced that I made the right choice with the V8.
Seacube said:
I tested both (GTC models) and ended up going for the V8. Reasons:
- The V8 felt more agile.
- The sports exhaust on the V8 sounds fantastic.
- The standard exhaust on the Speed at certain speeds boomed into the cabin to the point of earache.
- The performance difference between them is marginal. Even more so for the V8S I imagine.
+1 - I forgot to mention the exhaust. With the sports exhaust fitted, it sounds fantastic! When running in the company of a side-piped Aero 8 recently, the driver said our exhaust was drowning out the sound of his and yet when cruising it does not intrude.- The V8 felt more agile.
- The sports exhaust on the V8 sounds fantastic.
- The standard exhaust on the Speed at certain speeds boomed into the cabin to the point of earache.
- The performance difference between them is marginal. Even more so for the V8S I imagine.
Love the car...
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