Couple of V8V questions...

[murph7355]

Like jus, went for a test drive yesterday. Far from ideal conditions, but very nice car.

Couple of questions:

1) Is the first service included with a new car (was looking at used cars and for some reason am now looking at new ones!)?
2) Service intervals are 10k I know, but is there an initial service sooner?
3) How hard did anyone buying recently "negotiate" (happy to take emails on this one!).

Think I'm going to take the plunge, just need to sort out some details first.

Had a good look at 06 and 07 variants and found enough tweaks on the 07 cars to make me think that going for one over an 06 would be wise. And the prices of used 07 cars got me thinking new is a sensible bet.

In terms of the drive, only blot is the accelerator which is a bit too soft compared to the other controls (and the 355 I'm comparing it with). Ride's not quite as compliant as the 355 either, but steering feel was a lot better and whilst it wasn't appropriate to give it full beans, performance seemed at least as strong and probably stronger lower down the rev range.

Felt very well put together and, of course, looked and sounded very good.

Finally, if anyone knows of a black or dark blue 07 car with most options ticked, let me know.

[Shadytree]

1). Yes
2). 1000 miles
3). It's a buyers market, just remember that

Happy to answer other questions, good luck.

[murph7355]

Shadytree said:

1). Yes
2). 1000 miles
3). It's a buyers market, just remember that

Happy to answer other questions, good luck.

Thanks Shady.

Would you mind me emailing you (keeps telling me I don't have permission to email when I try through your profile)?

[mikial]

I agree with you murph regarding the throttles "softness" ,you do acclimatise though and it`s not a huge problem. Regarding performance , (outlined elsewhere in this forum is the point that the digital readout is continually catching up with the monologue speedometer, I`ve seen mine over 10% slower)it`s not a slingshot like a 911 t etc but it`s still sub 12 seconds to 100 mph.

A friend of mine picks up a new one( topless) from Gaydon in June and alas must sell his 355 but is "moving from one stunner to another " as he puts it.

[jus]

The AM is distinctly more torquey than the 355, the 355 feels peaky. But the AM is a much bigger capacity engine so you'd expect that. Is it just me or does the AM have a sort of progressive fly-by-wire throttle pedal sensitivity a la BMW? In otherwords, the throttle starts off being gentle and less responsive at the bottom of the pedal travel but as you put your foot down it gets steadily more aggressive...

[murph7355]

jus said:

The AM is distinctly more torquey than the 355, the 355 feels peaky. But the AM is a much bigger capacity engine so you'd expect that. Is it just me or does the AM have a sort of progressive fly-by-wire throttle pedal sensitivity a la BMW? In otherwords, the throttle starts off being gentle and less responsive at the bottom of the pedal travel but as you put your foot down it gets steadily more aggressive...

I certainly didn't get the hang of blipping the throttle, I think because I wasn't pressing it far enough.

[jus]

murph7355 said:

jus said:

The AM is distinctly more torquey than the 355, the 355 feels peaky. But the AM is a much bigger capacity engine so you'd expect that. Is it just me or does the AM have a sort of progressive fly-by-wire throttle pedal sensitivity a la BMW? In otherwords, the throttle starts off being gentle and less responsive at the bottom of the pedal travel but as you put your foot down it gets steadily more aggressive...

I certainly didn't get the hang of blipping the throttle, I think because I wasn't pressing it far enough.

One nice thing about the M3, press the Sport button and the throttle becomes hyper sensitive. A throttle blip literally just requires a quick stab with a toe!

[landmark]

Shadytree said:

3). It's a buyers market, just remember that

Is it? On new or used? If new dealers would be giving discounts but are they? I've not heard any credible claims of getting money off a new car.

[anonymous-user]

landmark said:

Shadytree said:

3). It's a buyers market, just remember that

Is it? On new or used? If new dealers would be giving discounts but are they? I've not heard any credible claims of getting money off a new car.

Here you go ... last few posts.. www.pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?t=358649&f=70&h=0&p=2