Discussion
Has anyone taken delivery of a V8S yet? If so please can you give me your impressions to date. Especially if you have part exchanged a 4.7. I am not so patiently waiting for a cherished transfer to complete only to discover the DVLA are on strike. I think that I have read every road test. To be honest I have no patience. Big excited kid really. My present V8V is 6 months old 5580 miles on board and is simply the best car in every respect that I have ever had the good fortune to own!
Regards Rob
Regards Rob
I test drove both a few weeks ago at an event and if the sense of ocassion and spine tingling feeling of driving the 4.7 has worn off at all then the S will rekindle that in a heartbeat. The gear shifts are more involving, the sound is sinfully good and the ride is a lot firmer.
Drive it yourself and see if you agree.
Drive it yourself and see if you agree.
Jockman said:
I take it all is well with Molly then ?? 
Just got back from my second extended test drive before I commit.
Haggling on a roadster currently allocated an August build.
Comparing it to my 4.7;
Drive train is a little more noisey but the gear box is great!
No creep mode and lower reverse gear
You do have to remember to go all the way down the gears when stopping though
I kept forgetting about 7th! TBH it is only worth using when cruising.
No blips on down shifts
The reduced transmission losses and revised gear ratios make it a much quicker car IME
In Sport the throttle sensitivity is great and the exhaust valves are always open
In Drive it is a quantum leap from the 6 speed ASM - seamless changes with no pause between.
Noise is a lot better than my 4.7
Suspension is stiff, more so in compression but the ride height is unchanged. You feel the pot holes and bumps alot more.
Steering is a lot quicker - makes it alot more pointy and adds nicely to the driving improvement.
Brakes are mental, touch them too hard and the passenger will be inspecting the screen. I'm light on brakes so found them too sharp. But I can adjust to that
I'm glad I decided on the light weight seats as they compliment the improved responses of the S.
Still not a fan of the CF splitters, though they don't stand out on the darker colours. Shame as I love Lightning Silver. A Quantum Silver car might look good. Still undecided on the alloys as well
I taught the Sales team where the lumbar support adjustment is on the light weight seats
I actually came away quite happy that there isn't a V12 roadster, the S is a good package and when I can get the right spec will be a "keeper"
Jockman said:
It has a 7th ??
It has a Sport mode ?? Why ??
I get the feeling a V12 Roadster would sell quite well...but you just never know
lower six are narrower and closer together meaning you can keep on peak torque for longerIt has a Sport mode ?? Why ??
I get the feeling a V12 Roadster would sell quite well...but you just never know
Top gear in most cars is only good for cruising
Same principle as sport mode in the V12, throttle travel is less and reacts quicker so engine picks up quicker and acclerates harder(plus the exhaust valves are always open
)I agree on the V12 roadster but apparently AM disagree
No blips on downshifts?
Did I imagine it on the test drive I had?
That was one of the features I loved, just keep changing down at mid to high revs.
Agree with the throttle response in Sport mode
Loved the S, but (un)luckily can;t afford one at the moment.
Not convinced by the carbon 'bling' bits though
Did I imagine it on the test drive I had?
That was one of the features I loved, just keep changing down at mid to high revs.
Agree with the throttle response in Sport mode
Loved the S, but (un)luckily can;t afford one at the moment.
Not convinced by the carbon 'bling' bits though
Jockman said:
I take it all is well with Molly then ??
Hi Jockman - thanks for the Irn Bru & haggis, have taken both as instructed & consequently have toughened up nicely. Unfortunately Rob is still a big Jessie as I didn't share with him. Wish he would stop whingeing about having to wait for the V8S - I am regularly having to point out to him what a lucky b
d he is - I mean he does have me & a V8V as it is!!
I would love to offer my view of the V8S but I somehow missed out on the test drive
so I will look forward to sharing my opinion with you guys once I get to finally meet & drive the beastie For me, it was the new gearbox that provided the greatest transformation when I test drove the S. I only use sportshift in manual mode and the combination of smoother shifts, closer ratios, no creep, hill climb, etc now makes what I previously though was great seem somewhat pre-historic
I'm sure the little bit of extra power and more direct steering help, but I can't help feel they are almost incidental and as I have a 2010 4.7 with sports pack suspension and light weight seats, the weight saving of the new model over mine will be no more than 10-15kg, especially as I have a much lighter exhaust (Tubi). On that point, the new exhaust is so good, whilst not as dramatic as my tubi, I'd probably not upgrade the exhaust if I were to get the S and I would concur with some of the posters that I did indeed hear plenty of blips on the downshifts so not quite sure how the earlier poster who disagrees arrived at their conclusion
I'm sure the little bit of extra power and more direct steering help, but I can't help feel they are almost incidental and as I have a 2010 4.7 with sports pack suspension and light weight seats, the weight saving of the new model over mine will be no more than 10-15kg, especially as I have a much lighter exhaust (Tubi). On that point, the new exhaust is so good, whilst not as dramatic as my tubi, I'd probably not upgrade the exhaust if I were to get the S and I would concur with some of the posters that I did indeed hear plenty of blips on the downshifts so not quite sure how the earlier poster who disagrees arrived at their conclusion
jonby said:
<snip> I would concur with some of the posters that I did indeed hear plenty of blips on the downshifts so not quite sure how the earlier poster who disagrees arrived at their conclusion
Rest assured there has to be blips, otherwise downshifts would be rather jarring for the occupants and bad for the life of the clutch.Neil1300R said:
No blips on downshifts?
Did I imagine it on the test drive I had?
That was one of the features I loved, just keep changing down at mid to high revs.
Agree with the throttle response in Sport mode
Loved the S, but (un)luckily can;t afford one at the moment.
Not convinced by the carbon 'bling' bits though
Just drove my std ASM 4.7 back from the dealer and it blips on the down shift more than the S Did I imagine it on the test drive I had?
That was one of the features I loved, just keep changing down at mid to high revs.
Agree with the throttle response in Sport mode
Loved the S, but (un)luckily can;t afford one at the moment.
Not convinced by the carbon 'bling' bits though
The CF splitter and diffuser aren't to my taste, they stand out less on the darker colours but I keep getting drawn back to lightning silver.
Wifey is not happy with the light weight seats or the black roof lining, so the Meteorite car I've been offered is out of the questions
jonby said:
I only use sportshift in manual mode and the combination of smoother shifts, closer ratios, no creep, hill climb, etc now makes what I previously though was great seem somewhat pre-historic
so not quite sure how the earlier poster who disagrees arrived at their conclusion
+1 on the gearboxso not quite sure how the earlier poster who disagrees arrived at their conclusion
-1 on blips
Was it in sport mode mikey ? Wonder if that makes a difference to the downshift noises - after the first few minutes on my test drive, I only drove it in that mode as it seemed to make an unexpectedly large positive difference to the character of the car in every respect, including the sound
Agree with those that aren't fans of the new CF stuff on the S - I recently read that the CF hood vents on the V12V are described as the marmite vents which amused me - the shape is so great 'pure' I think it's spoilt with too much tinkering and add-ons. I don't like the embroidery in the headrests & carpets for the same reason - it just doesn't seem in keeping with the car.
I'm fascinated by the mixture of opinions on the CF seats - drove 550 miles in one day recently in mine and I'm a big guy but find them incredibly comfortable. My passenger was almost half my weight and several inches shorter but also found them great. The impression I get from feedback on here, possibly because of the lack of adjustability, is that people either find them very comfortable or awful, with no real middle ground and no common ground as to who they suit (tall, short, large, slim, etc). It's not exaggerating to say I wouldn't consider a car with the standard seats now though.
Agree with those that aren't fans of the new CF stuff on the S - I recently read that the CF hood vents on the V12V are described as the marmite vents which amused me - the shape is so great 'pure' I think it's spoilt with too much tinkering and add-ons. I don't like the embroidery in the headrests & carpets for the same reason - it just doesn't seem in keeping with the car.
I'm fascinated by the mixture of opinions on the CF seats - drove 550 miles in one day recently in mine and I'm a big guy but find them incredibly comfortable. My passenger was almost half my weight and several inches shorter but also found them great. The impression I get from feedback on here, possibly because of the lack of adjustability, is that people either find them very comfortable or awful, with no real middle ground and no common ground as to who they suit (tall, short, large, slim, etc). It's not exaggerating to say I wouldn't consider a car with the standard seats now though.
jonby said:
I'm fascinated by the mixture of opinions on the CF seats - drove 550 miles in one day recently in mine and I'm a big guy but find them incredibly comfortable. My passenger was almost half my weight and several inches shorter but also found them great. The impression I get from feedback on here, possibly because of the lack of adjustability, is that people either find them very comfortable or awful, with no real middle ground and no common ground as to who they suit (tall, short, large, slim, etc). It's not exaggerating to say I wouldn't consider a car with the standard seats now though.
I too have the lightweight seats and totally agree that they are considerably more comfortable than the std sports seats. The only people I have really seen posting who dont like them appear to be people who have only breifly sat in them, or indeed who havnt and assume that they will be less comfortable because of the apparent adjustment. I think you would have to be really quite large indeed to not actually fit in them. In reality the lack of adjustable back (the only real difference) doesnt matter at all, and they are as you say considerably better. I am 6ft and 13st and find them great, my other half is tiny (5ft) and also finds them a very very comfortable, as have all my friends who Ive taken out for a spin. I too wouldnt ever buy another Aston without them now!Although the lightweight seats are of course available on a normal V8, I think their more sporty / hardcore appearance makes them better suited to being fitted to V12V, V8S or N4xx models...
Edited by Adam2S on Saturday 2nd July 07:13
Old Skool said:
Anyone have any idea how much it would cost to retrofit lightweight seats....?
A lot !Bearing in mind that the seats are very roughly c. 2k as a factory option and the standard seats have leather, electrics, etc so must be 'worth' several thousand, must cost a minimum of 5k+ to retrofit and maybe much more
jonby said:
Was it in sport mode mikey ? Wonder if that makes a difference to the downshift noises - after the first few minutes on my test drive, I only drove it in that mode as it seemed to make an unexpectedly large positive difference to the character of the car in every respect, including the sound
Agree with those that aren't fans of the new CF stuff on the S - I recently read that the CF hood vents on the V12V are described as the marmite vents which amused me - the shape is so great 'pure' I think it's spoilt with too much tinkering and add-ons. I don't like the embroidery in the headrests & carpets for the same reason - it just doesn't seem in keeping with the car.
I'm fascinated by the mixture of opinions on the CF seats - drove 550 miles in one day recently in mine and I'm a big guy but find them incredibly comfortable. My passenger was almost half my weight and several inches shorter but also found them great. The impression I get from feedback on here, possibly because of the lack of adjustability, is that people either find them very comfortable or awful, with no real middle ground and no common ground as to who they suit (tall, short, large, slim, etc). It's not exaggerating to say I wouldn't consider a car with the standard seats now though.
It was in both modes maybe I didn't have enough throttle on, but as Jay points out with quicker changes and closer ratios rev matching with a blip may not be required.Agree with those that aren't fans of the new CF stuff on the S - I recently read that the CF hood vents on the V12V are described as the marmite vents which amused me - the shape is so great 'pure' I think it's spoilt with too much tinkering and add-ons. I don't like the embroidery in the headrests & carpets for the same reason - it just doesn't seem in keeping with the car.
I'm fascinated by the mixture of opinions on the CF seats - drove 550 miles in one day recently in mine and I'm a big guy but find them incredibly comfortable. My passenger was almost half my weight and several inches shorter but also found them great. The impression I get from feedback on here, possibly because of the lack of adjustability, is that people either find them very comfortable or awful, with no real middle ground and no common ground as to who they suit (tall, short, large, slim, etc). It's not exaggerating to say I wouldn't consider a car with the standard seats now though.
The CF seat thing is winding me up a bit at the mo. I've had them in previous cars and loved them. My wife briefly sat in a V12 with them and disliked them. In fairness in a roadster they are going to be less convenient. they dont tip forward easily to get to the only decent storage, anything in that storage will mark the back of the seat, they are not heated and don't have the useful glasses and gloves pocket in the front. There is lumbar adjustment but they are velro pads behind the cushion.
Old Skool - they are a £3k option on a new car but £11k purchase only
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