V8 Vantage - 3 week / 700 mile update
Discussion
Evening All,
Thought I would report in from the midst of a long weekend, up to the peak district visiting family, then down to Bath for a couple of nights away with Mrs Delta. I've now covered 700+ miles since picking up my 2007MY car just before Christmas.
General Stuff:
I've most certainly got a better handle on the width of the car now and finding it much easier to thread my way through gaps in traffic and the like. Parking remains simple (reversing in is the key) and I am getting used to the handbrake arrangement. Cruise control has been a boon on the speed camera adorned motorways I've been travelling - managed 200 miles @ 22 mpg on a 50mph average across the journey. Stretched the legs a little on the M6 Toll and only saw 4 cars the whole distance! £5.20 well spent...
Much nicer interacting with the Nav / Stereo now having fitted the infamous knobs from Tony Hall. I am still very impressed with the quality of the standard Vantage audio having listened to a range of Rock, Radio and Classical this weekend.
The Noise:
1) I've been taking out and replacing Fuse 22 (small pair of pliers kept in the boot) as I am very concious of the noise early in the morning with neighbours in close proximity, but even on the motorway the increase in noise doesn't cause a noticable "drone" in the cabin (which is nice) - but the extra vocals are certainly there as you waft along at lower speeds through towns and the like - win win! The long-term plan is for a Bamford Rose remote job so I can open the taps out on the roads away from civilisation at stupid-o-clock.
2) Starting to crack the throttle / brake feel to manage down-changes better - still way too lazy throttle action for a sports car.
The Ride:
I am surprised to say that the ride is much more comfortable than my outgoing E46 M3 (my initial impressions of the V8 was that the suspension was very firm) - on a cruise the car takes off all the edges you'd hope for, I'd describe it as a firm primary suspension and a cushioned secondary sensation (someone can probably explain this better than me) - but basically this means you get a bump that you feel intially but the body doesnt crash up and down.
Surprised to report:
It's very well screwed together (no where near as hand built / questionable as you might expect a hand built British car to be) - I had set my pre-purchase tolerence levels deliberately high, but been very pleasantly surprised
Sat-Nav is good, Mrs Aston Martin is a little stern, but got me from deepest, darkest Staffs to my exact hotel address in Bath with no nonsense (nor would she take any - good lord that's a scary voice!)
The Niggles:
1) Tyre sensors are a bit excitable - couple of yellow warnings - checked pressures - all ok, 1 mile down the road - warning clears, both times from a (very) cold start.
2) Infotainment screen + bright weather = no hope of reading!
The to-do List:
1) Geometry - booked into TDi on Friday for their set-up (Thank you Neil for recommendation)
2) Detail / restore paint (February sometime - needs claybar and a little machine polishing to bring it back up to full glory) I've earmarked All That Gleams in Guildford, as the chap is local and has worked on a few Astons - all of which look more expensive than mine!
3) Remote F22 switch (some point in 2011)
4) Upgrade DVD SatNav software in the hope that it will give me graphics that are slightly less 90's. (please!)
Picture of my almost clean car below the Roaches in Staffs:
Cheers
Kris
Thought I would report in from the midst of a long weekend, up to the peak district visiting family, then down to Bath for a couple of nights away with Mrs Delta. I've now covered 700+ miles since picking up my 2007MY car just before Christmas.
General Stuff:
I've most certainly got a better handle on the width of the car now and finding it much easier to thread my way through gaps in traffic and the like. Parking remains simple (reversing in is the key) and I am getting used to the handbrake arrangement. Cruise control has been a boon on the speed camera adorned motorways I've been travelling - managed 200 miles @ 22 mpg on a 50mph average across the journey. Stretched the legs a little on the M6 Toll and only saw 4 cars the whole distance! £5.20 well spent...
Much nicer interacting with the Nav / Stereo now having fitted the infamous knobs from Tony Hall. I am still very impressed with the quality of the standard Vantage audio having listened to a range of Rock, Radio and Classical this weekend.
The Noise:
1) I've been taking out and replacing Fuse 22 (small pair of pliers kept in the boot) as I am very concious of the noise early in the morning with neighbours in close proximity, but even on the motorway the increase in noise doesn't cause a noticable "drone" in the cabin (which is nice) - but the extra vocals are certainly there as you waft along at lower speeds through towns and the like - win win! The long-term plan is for a Bamford Rose remote job so I can open the taps out on the roads away from civilisation at stupid-o-clock.
2) Starting to crack the throttle / brake feel to manage down-changes better - still way too lazy throttle action for a sports car.
The Ride:
I am surprised to say that the ride is much more comfortable than my outgoing E46 M3 (my initial impressions of the V8 was that the suspension was very firm) - on a cruise the car takes off all the edges you'd hope for, I'd describe it as a firm primary suspension and a cushioned secondary sensation (someone can probably explain this better than me) - but basically this means you get a bump that you feel intially but the body doesnt crash up and down.
Surprised to report:
It's very well screwed together (no where near as hand built / questionable as you might expect a hand built British car to be) - I had set my pre-purchase tolerence levels deliberately high, but been very pleasantly surprised
Sat-Nav is good, Mrs Aston Martin is a little stern, but got me from deepest, darkest Staffs to my exact hotel address in Bath with no nonsense (nor would she take any - good lord that's a scary voice!)
The Niggles:
1) Tyre sensors are a bit excitable - couple of yellow warnings - checked pressures - all ok, 1 mile down the road - warning clears, both times from a (very) cold start.
2) Infotainment screen + bright weather = no hope of reading!
The to-do List:
1) Geometry - booked into TDi on Friday for their set-up (Thank you Neil for recommendation)
2) Detail / restore paint (February sometime - needs claybar and a little machine polishing to bring it back up to full glory) I've earmarked All That Gleams in Guildford, as the chap is local and has worked on a few Astons - all of which look more expensive than mine!
3) Remote F22 switch (some point in 2011)
4) Upgrade DVD SatNav software in the hope that it will give me graphics that are slightly less 90's. (please!)
Picture of my almost clean car below the Roaches in Staffs:
Cheers
Kris
bogie said:
tyre pressure thing is just the weather and variance...stick another 1 or 2psi in when cold and it should be fine...unless you drive at minus 5 deg regularly LOL 
I had the same, Kris. Another couple of PSI worked a treat.The male satnav voice is better than the slightly Teutonic female, in my opinion.
I'm currently on the roof terrace of my house in LA supping a cold beer. I would still rather be in the Aston now. Unfair.
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