AM Performance Driving Experience - Worth it???

[Merlin V8V]

Ladies and Gents

Having had my V8V for a few weeks now I’m starting to get comfortable with how she handles but I am still tempted to go on the AM Performance Driving Experience day but at £1,100 I wondered if it was worth it or should I put that towards a new exhaust to improve the sound of the 4.7?

I'd welcome your thoughts and experiences.

Many thanks.

Jason

[oceantools]

It is a marvellous experience - absolutely fantastic! The standard of instruction is very high & you'll come away knowing a lot more about your car than when you arrived. It made me realise just how good the car really is and what an utterly crap driver I am!

[cathalm]

How does the day break down? I was also looking at doing this but it is pretty steep.

[oceantools]

I seem to recollect it went something like:
Arrival, briefing, coffee & biscuits
Town course (with lots of twisty bits) & some reversing
Braking on different surfaces (high & low friction simultaneously)
Going for max speed along 1mile straight numerous times
Practising and recognising understeer & oversteer
High-speed bowl 100mph hands-free then 130mph
Lunch
Small race track learning about entry & exit speeds round corners
Best part of the day - hoofing around the Alpine course!
Home for tea & medals.

[Mako V12V]

Do you use your own car?

[auditt]

Mako,

Depending on the car you have ordered or buying this will be the car you will use when on the AME

For instance if you are buying a DBS, You'll be let loose on a DBS and vice versa with a db9/vantage

I done it, And wow.

Even the grub at lunch is fantastic.

Plus if you have seen the james bond film "casino royale" you'll get to pace your car through the exact circuit use to film the scene where they are meant to be in Montenegro and the driving instructor always encourages you to go faster

Never driven** a DB9 before or anything in that field but how easy it was to drive was just a shock, It can defo be used as a everyday car in my opinion. Before they start putting you through your paces they make you drive the car at a really slow pace, taking tight corners etc.

At the end you get a plaque saying you done it etc etc

Well worth the money but if your dealer is any good he should chuck it into the deal

Edited by auditt on Friday 17th September 15:00

[don4l]

Merlin V8V said:

Ladies and Gents

Having had my V8V for a few weeks now I’m starting to get comfortable with how she handles but I am still tempted to go on the AM Performance Driving Experience day but at £1,100 I wondered if it was worth it or should I put that towards a new exhaust to improve the sound of the 4.7?

I'd welcome your thoughts and experiences.

Many thanks.

Jason

I've done it twice. Couldn't stop grinning for days both times.

Don
--

[Merlin V8V]

Looks like I'm being swayed into the event and putting the Larini on hold lol.

[ridds]

Had to do this to get my driving permits at Aston, definitely worth doing particularly for the access to Millbrook proving grounds!

[chevronb37]

Sounds like I am doing this in a couple of weeks. Very excited and apparently we get to drive the full range of vehicles, the handling course, bowl, etc. Quick question - are you allowed to take cameras down?

[ariel]

I can reccommend the PDC, definitely worth doing. There are no cameras allowed at Millbrook. Chevron if you're set to drive the full Aston range, (you'll love that), then you are not on the PDC but the "taster". btw you are not allowed to drive the V12 on the mountain course unless you do the PDC.

[chevronb37]

Yes, I rather imagined Millbrook might be a closed shop re photography! My dad has just agreed the purchase of a V8V so the dealer (who I also use for servicing my Elise) has sorted us both out with a trip down. I suspect it might be the taster course, based on what you say. He said it was the current full range so I guess not the full PDC, but should be fascinating and brilliant fun. Any advice/thoughts to take with me in advance would be much appreciated. The old man is getting a MY10 V8V - he's dreamed of owning one since he was a child so really, really chuffed for him.

[bananarob]

ariel said:

I can reccommend the PDC, definitely worth doing. There are no cameras allowed at Millbrook. Chevron if you're set to drive the full Aston range, (you'll love that), then you are not on the PDC but the "taster". btw you are not allowed to drive the V12 on the mountain course unless you do the PDC.

Actually not true...if you ask nicely on the quiet and they take your interest seriously!

[bananarob]

chevronb37 said:

Yes, I rather imagined Millbrook might be a closed shop re photography! My dad has just agreed the purchase of a V8V so the dealer (who I also use for servicing my Elise) has sorted us both out with a trip down. I suspect it might be the taster course, based on what you say. He said it was the current full range so I guess not the full PDC, but should be fascinating and brilliant fun. Any advice/thoughts to take with me in advance would be much appreciated. The old man is getting a MY10 V8V - he's dreamed of owning one since he was a child so really, really chuffed for him.

Just your driving licence and sensible driving footwear. It is a great day, good to drive the entire range, get some quality instruction and chat about Astons for the day. Only thing, the result ended up costing me a fortune!! Am doing the PDC on tuesday, really cant wait.........

[chevronb37]

Yes, I rather fear that might happen to my dad - we're both suckers for driving anything and everything, especially when you get top-quality tuition as well. Not Aston related, but the courses Lotus do down at Hethel are superb and really get you exploiting the cars' capabilities. Must remember to pack my driving licence and keep all digits crossed for fine weather (or at least no rain).

[ariel]

Ahh Rob you've certainly got a silver tongue.I had to do the PDC to spend a whole day with the V12 to get the chance.

[bananarob]

What a superb day, brilliant instruction and brilliant fun. The day builds really well in terms of showing you first hand what your car will do (and when it will bite you in the ass) and how incredible the stability and braking systems are, resulting in such an increase in confidence in the vehicle. Best thing about it, unlike any other driving experience day I have ever done, you get to drive home in the same (type of) car you have been playing around in all day. I decided it sensible to take a straight line to my next destination whilst i was still in single direction traffic 'track' mode!

Highly highly recommended, came away with the seemingly rather common ear to ear smile others talk about and a desire to both return and also try a few AM track days.

Anyone doing this in the future, I suggest you turn up 30-40 mins early at Newport Pagnell and you will be treated to a personal guided tour around Aston Martin Works both accident and repair and Vintage restoration workshops. For me, that competed with the factory tour.

Those that have it booked, you will love it!