AMR upgrade DB11
Discussion
Morning all!
Was after some advice from the collective if possible?
Am now the proud owner of a V12 DB11 which to be fair is absolutely amazing- the AM dealership have been great, few teething niggles but all sorted. The noise on startup is just automotive porn to my ears, having “only” had V8s in the past! Anyway, 3 quick questions.
1) is the AMR upgrade worth it- at £1200 it’s fairly pricey and one thing the car doesn’t need is more power- but does it change the engine dynamics and response for the better? It struggles to put its power down now, but I’m putting that down to the OEM Bridgestones- which is a full, brand new set done before collection, so not an option to change at present
2) insurance wise - does anyone know how this is explained to the insurance companies- I haven’t had chance to call them yet, but explaining it is always a challenge, especially on a manufacturer fit.
3) Assume when tyres go- PS4S is the way to go?
Thanks all, appreciate any advice !
Was after some advice from the collective if possible?
Am now the proud owner of a V12 DB11 which to be fair is absolutely amazing- the AM dealership have been great, few teething niggles but all sorted. The noise on startup is just automotive porn to my ears, having “only” had V8s in the past! Anyway, 3 quick questions.
1) is the AMR upgrade worth it- at £1200 it’s fairly pricey and one thing the car doesn’t need is more power- but does it change the engine dynamics and response for the better? It struggles to put its power down now, but I’m putting that down to the OEM Bridgestones- which is a full, brand new set done before collection, so not an option to change at present
2) insurance wise - does anyone know how this is explained to the insurance companies- I haven’t had chance to call them yet, but explaining it is always a challenge, especially on a manufacturer fit.
3) Assume when tyres go- PS4S is the way to go?
Thanks all, appreciate any advice !
No problem, I extract this from a post I did a few months back on this subject. Note that the software upgrade will effectively turn your car into a DB11 AMR, the only hardware differences between that and the original V12 were wheels, a slightly harder rear suspension bush material and a mite thicker ARB.
The AMR software upgrade is immediately noticeable with far greater differentiation between the powertrain and suspension modes. Pantomime pops appear and changes are faster than before in sport mode. In sport+ mode, gearchanges are much faster, sometimes violent, and it crackles and bangs pretty much all the time. Sport+ is almost too aggressive for the road. The simple remap, now offered by dealers inexpensively is recommended to all V12 owners as it does add another dimension to the cars already multi-faceted character. The remap is not just about an extra 30 horses, it is a full recalibration of engine, transmission and suspension, allowing the 3x3 driving modes to really give it all, from unchanged wafting mile munching GT high speed comfort through to rock hard damped, loud, crackling, viciously shifting sport+ headbanging mode. You can't really use it in auto in full hooligan modes as both throttle and the kickdowns are too violent - if you select sport + the car basically tells you it’s time to drive it on the paddles.
Ignoring the AMR-map pops and crackles, The V12 makes a fantastic noise especially when opening the taps - the combination of the deep induction roar and exhaust wail at high load/high rpm is utterly intoxicating.
Even with the AMR upgrade, torque remains limited to 700Nm throughout nearly the entire rev range. The engine map in the software upgrade just continues the flat torque plateau 500 rpm higher resulting in those extra horses at the very top of the rev range. The extra 5% peak power is only detectable at wide open throttle and above 6000 rpm - it makes the car feel less turbocharged and more naturally aspriated at the very top end. Open, dry and ideally unrestricted roads or tracks are necessary to detect the effect, the car very quickly builds speed. Torque was limited for presumably for commercial reasons but also to protect the 8HP75 ZF transmission fitted to the V12 DB11 (unlike the 8HP95 fitted to DBS).
The V12 makes so much torque at low rpm that it overwhelms its tyres too easily, with the nanny systems cutting in with annoying frequency if too much throttle is used on anything but perfectly dry and smooth roads. Thankfully there is a solution, junk the too-hard bridgestones and fit Michelin PS4S, these tyres transform the DB11 V12 as they do for pretty much every other AM.
When I informed my insurer, Footman James, they could not care less.
The AMR software upgrade is immediately noticeable with far greater differentiation between the powertrain and suspension modes. Pantomime pops appear and changes are faster than before in sport mode. In sport+ mode, gearchanges are much faster, sometimes violent, and it crackles and bangs pretty much all the time. Sport+ is almost too aggressive for the road. The simple remap, now offered by dealers inexpensively is recommended to all V12 owners as it does add another dimension to the cars already multi-faceted character. The remap is not just about an extra 30 horses, it is a full recalibration of engine, transmission and suspension, allowing the 3x3 driving modes to really give it all, from unchanged wafting mile munching GT high speed comfort through to rock hard damped, loud, crackling, viciously shifting sport+ headbanging mode. You can't really use it in auto in full hooligan modes as both throttle and the kickdowns are too violent - if you select sport + the car basically tells you it’s time to drive it on the paddles.
Ignoring the AMR-map pops and crackles, The V12 makes a fantastic noise especially when opening the taps - the combination of the deep induction roar and exhaust wail at high load/high rpm is utterly intoxicating.
Even with the AMR upgrade, torque remains limited to 700Nm throughout nearly the entire rev range. The engine map in the software upgrade just continues the flat torque plateau 500 rpm higher resulting in those extra horses at the very top of the rev range. The extra 5% peak power is only detectable at wide open throttle and above 6000 rpm - it makes the car feel less turbocharged and more naturally aspriated at the very top end. Open, dry and ideally unrestricted roads or tracks are necessary to detect the effect, the car very quickly builds speed. Torque was limited for presumably for commercial reasons but also to protect the 8HP75 ZF transmission fitted to the V12 DB11 (unlike the 8HP95 fitted to DBS).
The V12 makes so much torque at low rpm that it overwhelms its tyres too easily, with the nanny systems cutting in with annoying frequency if too much throttle is used on anything but perfectly dry and smooth roads. Thankfully there is a solution, junk the too-hard bridgestones and fit Michelin PS4S, these tyres transform the DB11 V12 as they do for pretty much every other AM.
When I informed my insurer, Footman James, they could not care less.
Tinkywinky112233 said:
Morning all!
Was after some advice from the collective if possible?
Am now the proud owner of a V12 DB11 which to be fair is absolutely amazing- the AM dealership have been great, few teething niggles but all sorted. The noise on startup is just automotive porn to my ears, having “only” had V8s in the past! Anyway, 3 quick questions.
1) is the AMR upgrade worth it- at £1200 it’s fairly pricey and one thing the car doesn’t need is more power- but does it change the engine dynamics and response for the better? It struggles to put its power down now, but I’m putting that down to the OEM Bridgestones- which is a full, brand new set done before collection, so not an option to change at present
2) insurance wise - does anyone know how this is explained to the insurance companies- I haven’t had chance to call them yet, but explaining it is always a challenge, especially on a manufacturer fit.
3) Assume when tyres go- PS4S is the way to go?
Thanks all, appreciate any advice !
Tinkywinky (I can't believe I've just typed that), All the information you need can be found within this thread .....Was after some advice from the collective if possible?
Am now the proud owner of a V12 DB11 which to be fair is absolutely amazing- the AM dealership have been great, few teething niggles but all sorted. The noise on startup is just automotive porn to my ears, having “only” had V8s in the past! Anyway, 3 quick questions.
1) is the AMR upgrade worth it- at £1200 it’s fairly pricey and one thing the car doesn’t need is more power- but does it change the engine dynamics and response for the better? It struggles to put its power down now, but I’m putting that down to the OEM Bridgestones- which is a full, brand new set done before collection, so not an option to change at present
2) insurance wise - does anyone know how this is explained to the insurance companies- I haven’t had chance to call them yet, but explaining it is always a challenge, especially on a manufacturer fit.
3) Assume when tyres go- PS4S is the way to go?
Thanks all, appreciate any advice !
Considering a DB11 ?
Once you've had it done, please let us know.
Tinkywinky112233 said:
Morning all!
Was after some advice from the collective if possible?
Am now the proud owner of a V12 DB11 which to be fair is absolutely amazing- the AM dealership have been great, few teething niggles but all sorted. The noise on startup is just automotive porn to my ears, having “only” had V8s in the past! Anyway, 3 quick questions.
1) is the AMR upgrade worth it- at £1200 it’s fairly pricey and one thing the car doesn’t need is more power- but does it change the engine dynamics and response for the better? It struggles to put its power down now, but I’m putting that down to the OEM Bridgestones- which is a full, brand new set done before collection, so not an option to change at present
2) insurance wise - does anyone know how this is explained to the insurance companies- I haven’t had chance to call them yet, but explaining it is always a challenge, especially on a manufacturer fit.
3) Assume when tyres go- PS4S is the way to go?
Thanks all, appreciate any advice !
1) As you mention - there is certainly no lack of power. But anything from Aston Martin for such a bargain price seems to be a must. And the benefits are quite interesting in case of a resale. Was after some advice from the collective if possible?
Am now the proud owner of a V12 DB11 which to be fair is absolutely amazing- the AM dealership have been great, few teething niggles but all sorted. The noise on startup is just automotive porn to my ears, having “only” had V8s in the past! Anyway, 3 quick questions.
1) is the AMR upgrade worth it- at £1200 it’s fairly pricey and one thing the car doesn’t need is more power- but does it change the engine dynamics and response for the better? It struggles to put its power down now, but I’m putting that down to the OEM Bridgestones- which is a full, brand new set done before collection, so not an option to change at present
2) insurance wise - does anyone know how this is explained to the insurance companies- I haven’t had chance to call them yet, but explaining it is always a challenge, especially on a manufacturer fit.
3) Assume when tyres go- PS4S is the way to go?
Thanks all, appreciate any advice !
2) The PS4S is a previous generation tyre. Independent tyre tests in German automotive magazines show this tyre behind Bridgestone Potenza Sport, Continental SportContact7 or Pirelli P Zero PZ4 or Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric 6. These are all newer generation tyres. Since the Conti SportContact7 was not available in the right sizes I would recommend the Bridgestone Potenza Sport.
If you have a set of fresh OEM tyres I would recommend to check the DOT coding for age / manufacture time. For a typical user of a DB11 I recommend to continue using this tyre.
I've a question related to the AMR upgraded SW flash:
Is there any identifying mark, label, or other way to identify if the AMR SW flash has already been done?
I am still getting used to my 2018 DB11 V12, but the descriptions above how the car performs in Sport + is precisely how I described Sport + the first time I tried it. In fact, "violent" was the word I used about shifts, including downshifts before reading this thread.
Other than a trip to a dealer, is there way to ID the flash?
Thanks!
Is there any identifying mark, label, or other way to identify if the AMR SW flash has already been done?
I am still getting used to my 2018 DB11 V12, but the descriptions above how the car performs in Sport + is precisely how I described Sport + the first time I tried it. In fact, "violent" was the word I used about shifts, including downshifts before reading this thread.
Other than a trip to a dealer, is there way to ID the flash?
Thanks!
skhannes said:
I've a question related to the AMR upgraded SW flash:
Is there any identifying mark, label, or other way to identify if the AMR SW flash has already been done?
I am still getting used to my 2018 DB11 V12, but the descriptions above how the car performs in Sport + is precisely how I described Sport + the first time I tried it. In fact, "violent" was the word I used about shifts, including downshifts before reading this thread.
Other than a trip to a dealer, is there way to ID the flash?
Thanks!
The under bonnet badge on the engine cover will have (should have) been replaced with an AMR Upgrade badge.Is there any identifying mark, label, or other way to identify if the AMR SW flash has already been done?
I am still getting used to my 2018 DB11 V12, but the descriptions above how the car performs in Sport + is precisely how I described Sport + the first time I tried it. In fact, "violent" was the word I used about shifts, including downshifts before reading this thread.
Other than a trip to a dealer, is there way to ID the flash?
Thanks!
skhannes said:
Thank you Sir....
The badge should be included as part of the upgrade. I have heard though, of some upgrades being done and the badge has not been fitted at the same time for whatever reason. Ask your dealer to ensure that the badge has been ordered and subsequently fitted with the upgrade. Insurance wise if you use a broker then it should be a simple enough call to mention the engine.
If in effect these are manufacturer fitted changes then it shouldn’t really affect premiums.
If you buy your Insurance from confused and the meerkats then I imagine trying to do online will indeed be painful though.
Tyres - can’t speak for the DB but on my V12S Vantage I had P Zero’s and on a car used throughout the year these were great tyres.
In the wet they were particularly good.
My R8 V10 had the Michelin’s on from new but when I got a puncture and couldn’t source a replacement I had to get a complete set of PZ4’s fitted.
I have yet to detect any differences in the real driving world despite many comments that they are a worse tyre.
Those new Continentals mentioned are also supposed to be very decent - my wife has the previous 6 variation on her RS4 ( yes I know completely different car ) and they work well.
If in effect these are manufacturer fitted changes then it shouldn’t really affect premiums.
If you buy your Insurance from confused and the meerkats then I imagine trying to do online will indeed be painful though.
Tyres - can’t speak for the DB but on my V12S Vantage I had P Zero’s and on a car used throughout the year these were great tyres.
In the wet they were particularly good.
My R8 V10 had the Michelin’s on from new but when I got a puncture and couldn’t source a replacement I had to get a complete set of PZ4’s fitted.
I have yet to detect any differences in the real driving world despite many comments that they are a worse tyre.
Those new Continentals mentioned are also supposed to be very decent - my wife has the previous 6 variation on her RS4 ( yes I know completely different car ) and they work well.
Tinkywinky112233 said:
Thanks all so far! Talking of brokers, can anyone recommend a good one as I do indeed use the meerkat and current insurance with Admiral
I use Nowell and Richards for my cars and have done for years. A Plan are supposedly pretty decent - my FIL raves about them.
Might be worth calling NFU too and Locktons who are AMOC Insurers.
All will be much less painful than the meerkats.
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