First month report card
Discussion
Well, it's been a month since I picked up N400 OOH, my black V8V N400. It arrived with 4,300 on the clock and, despite my promise for this to be a summer, Sunday car, I have done 1,400 miles already. Previously I had a Gen 2 Cayman S and the 2 vehicles are miles apart - the N400 sounds ace (it's been de-corked), revs like crazy and I can now get out of junctions and side-streets whereas in the Porky no-one would let me out.
I knew I would have some issues moving from boringly reliable German fare to hand-built Brit stuff so here are my list of "issues" and observations in the first 4 weeks.
1. 4 days into ownership the front windscreen came "unbonded" at the top and had to go back to the dealer to get fixed. Great start.
2. The paint on the RH side mirror support has started to peel away, needs to go back for a warranty claim I suppose
3. 1st to 2nd is a nightmare when the box is cold. Calling it clunky is being kind. I guess I need the uprated (thinner) oil in the 'box
4. The rear parcel shelf looks a little "bowed" and also clunks when you close the rear hatch
5. The light covers mist up, badly, all the time
6. Keeping it clean is a hard, it's shape seems to collect a lot of crap down the side and on the rear
7. The external temp gauge suddenly decided to switch to Fahrenheit for no reason and I can't work out out to switch it back
8. The front forward underbody flaps catch on every bloody speed-hump.
9. The clutch is bloody heavy
10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art
11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake
12. Not having a fun time with the hand brake, just can't seem to get the hang of it
13. The brakes seem to suffer with a long pedal when pushing on, giving a "cripes, stop you fecker" moment a couple of times
14. Fuel consumption is dire. My previous 320bhp, 3.5litre porker managed high 20's most of the time. I'm seeing 16 or 17 at the moment
15. Insurance is cheaper
16. Never even noticed the annoying Power, Beauty, b
ks on the dash. maybe because it is so fussy
17. The car is incredibly stable in mid and high speed corners and lazy in tight, slow stuff
18. Everyone I know loves the car (including the wife) and wants to be taken out for a drive in it - I see none of the "cockster" attitude that I saw when I had the Porky
Aside from the issues I am loving it and wouldn't consider changing back to German fare. Can't wait for some proper dry days and my planned trip to the 'Ring later on this year. Thanks for all the advice on here, I lurked for a long time before choosing the car and learned a lot about what I wanted and what to avoid. Did I mention the sound? Wow.
I knew I would have some issues moving from boringly reliable German fare to hand-built Brit stuff so here are my list of "issues" and observations in the first 4 weeks.
1. 4 days into ownership the front windscreen came "unbonded" at the top and had to go back to the dealer to get fixed. Great start.
2. The paint on the RH side mirror support has started to peel away, needs to go back for a warranty claim I suppose
3. 1st to 2nd is a nightmare when the box is cold. Calling it clunky is being kind. I guess I need the uprated (thinner) oil in the 'box
4. The rear parcel shelf looks a little "bowed" and also clunks when you close the rear hatch
5. The light covers mist up, badly, all the time
6. Keeping it clean is a hard, it's shape seems to collect a lot of crap down the side and on the rear
7. The external temp gauge suddenly decided to switch to Fahrenheit for no reason and I can't work out out to switch it back
8. The front forward underbody flaps catch on every bloody speed-hump.
9. The clutch is bloody heavy
10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art
11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake
12. Not having a fun time with the hand brake, just can't seem to get the hang of it
13. The brakes seem to suffer with a long pedal when pushing on, giving a "cripes, stop you fecker" moment a couple of times
14. Fuel consumption is dire. My previous 320bhp, 3.5litre porker managed high 20's most of the time. I'm seeing 16 or 17 at the moment
15. Insurance is cheaper
16. Never even noticed the annoying Power, Beauty, b
ks on the dash. maybe because it is so fussy17. The car is incredibly stable in mid and high speed corners and lazy in tight, slow stuff
18. Everyone I know loves the car (including the wife) and wants to be taken out for a drive in it - I see none of the "cockster" attitude that I saw when I had the Porky
Aside from the issues I am loving it and wouldn't consider changing back to German fare. Can't wait for some proper dry days and my planned trip to the 'Ring later on this year. Thanks for all the advice on here, I lurked for a long time before choosing the car and learned a lot about what I wanted and what to avoid. Did I mention the sound? Wow.
Point 7 - my external temp gauge has just started giving readings of 70 degrees or so instead of the usual 15 so I too assumed it had switched to farenheit.
Read the manual to change it back but it was actually still on celcius and changing it to farenheit sent it off the scale.
The computer obviously has a glitch whereby it is reading the engine temp by mistake?? Does anyone know if this is correct? Is it a common issue.
Read the manual to change it back but it was actually still on celcius and changing it to farenheit sent it off the scale.
The computer obviously has a glitch whereby it is reading the engine temp by mistake?? Does anyone know if this is correct? Is it a common issue.
3. 1st to 2nd is a nightmare when the box is cold. Calling it clunky is being kind. I guess I need the uprated (thinner) oil in the 'box
Yes, ask for the TSB SB-07-0236.
5. The light covers mist up, badly, all the time
All AM cars do it. There are 2 TSBs SB-17-0298 and SB-17-0203, neither of which cure it. But may as well ask.
7. The external temp gauge suddenly decided to switch to Fahrenheit for no reason and I can't work out out to switch it back
Temp gauge can be influenced by engine heat if stationery. Also TSB SB-13-0239 but your car seems too new.
8. The front forward underbody flaps catch on every bloody speed-hump.
Not seen that before
9. The clutch is bloody heavy
Not seen that before
10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art
All AM cars do it. Reverse gear is far too long, something to do with the packaging space in the gearbox.
11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake
All AM cars do it, problem with the fly by wire software and throttle actuator being far too slow. Its better in the V12V with sport mode on, but still suffers from too much lag between throttle pedal movement, actuator response and engine response. Most noticeable on fast change ups, where you will get a "blip" in enginve revs as you come off the throttle, depress clutch and throttle actuator is still in WOT position so engine revs increase even though you are on 0% throttle.
Yes, ask for the TSB SB-07-0236.
5. The light covers mist up, badly, all the time
All AM cars do it. There are 2 TSBs SB-17-0298 and SB-17-0203, neither of which cure it. But may as well ask.
7. The external temp gauge suddenly decided to switch to Fahrenheit for no reason and I can't work out out to switch it back
Temp gauge can be influenced by engine heat if stationery. Also TSB SB-13-0239 but your car seems too new.
8. The front forward underbody flaps catch on every bloody speed-hump.
Not seen that before
9. The clutch is bloody heavy
Not seen that before
10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art
All AM cars do it. Reverse gear is far too long, something to do with the packaging space in the gearbox.
11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake
All AM cars do it, problem with the fly by wire software and throttle actuator being far too slow. Its better in the V12V with sport mode on, but still suffers from too much lag between throttle pedal movement, actuator response and engine response. Most noticeable on fast change ups, where you will get a "blip" in enginve revs as you come off the throttle, depress clutch and throttle actuator is still in WOT position so engine revs increase even though you are on 0% throttle.
A few observations:
MrOrange said:
3. 1st to 2nd is a nightmare when the box is cold. Calling it clunky is being kind. I guess I need the uprated (thinner) oil in the 'box - I find this, but my manual M3 was very similar.
5. The light covers mist up, badly, all the time - they all do that, Sir
8. The front forward underbody flaps catch on every bloody speed-hump. - it's the underbody alluminium tray on mine - get the approach even 1mph too fast or nose-down and it hits
9. The clutch is bloody heavy don't find it too bad
10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art - It's how I enter my garage. After two years, I still haven't entirely mastered it
11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake perhaps my feet are bigger, because I can get both pedals, but I agree about the throttle. The sport button in some of the newere models must help with this
12. Not having a fun time with the hand brake, just can't seem to get the hang of it - it takes a while, but I have the handbrake cracked
13. The brakes seem to suffer with a long pedal when pushing on, giving a "cripes, stop you fecker" moment a couple of times - haven't suffered this, thankully
14. Fuel consumption is dire. My previous 320bhp, 3.5litre porker managed high 20's most of the time. I'm seeing 16 or 17 at the moment DB9 is worse, but it's not as bad as the M5!
5. The light covers mist up, badly, all the time - they all do that, Sir
8. The front forward underbody flaps catch on every bloody speed-hump. - it's the underbody alluminium tray on mine - get the approach even 1mph too fast or nose-down and it hits
9. The clutch is bloody heavy don't find it too bad
10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art - It's how I enter my garage. After two years, I still haven't entirely mastered it
11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake perhaps my feet are bigger, because I can get both pedals, but I agree about the throttle. The sport button in some of the newere models must help with this
12. Not having a fun time with the hand brake, just can't seem to get the hang of it - it takes a while, but I have the handbrake cracked
13. The brakes seem to suffer with a long pedal when pushing on, giving a "cripes, stop you fecker" moment a couple of times - haven't suffered this, thankully
14. Fuel consumption is dire. My previous 320bhp, 3.5litre porker managed high 20's most of the time. I'm seeing 16 or 17 at the moment DB9 is worse, but it's not as bad as the M5!
> 3. 1st to 2nd is a nightmare when the box is cold. Calling it clunky is being kind. I guess I need the uprated (thinner) oil in the 'box
Yeah it is bad. Sometimes much worse than other times. Some days when warm the gearchange is lovely, other days it's a clunkly old bag. I've found no rhyme nor reason for it being one way or the other. We put that down to being a bit of "personality"
> 9. The clutch is bloody heavy.
It's certainly heavier than a Cayman. Keep driving the V8 though and you'll butch up and get some muscles. We considered the Cayman when we bought the V8V but it was a bit too blousy for our liking. It wasn't a fair fight really!
> 10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art
It's damn annoying that gear. You will get better at it, but we both still stall it periodically.
> 11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake
Yep. Rumours that the power upgrade improves that, but I've not been able to try that.
> 12. Not having a fun time with the hand brake, just can't seem to get the hang of it
Might be unrelated. I don't know how tall you are but my misses (5ft 6) used to have trouble with the handbrake light not going off after releasing the flyoff. In the end Aston found an issue with the setup if the seat was forward beyond a certain point. They sorted it, but I don't know how.
> 18. Everyone I know loves the car (including the wife) and wants to be taken out for a drive in it - I see none of the "cockster" attitude that I saw when I had the Porky
Absolutely
Enjoy it and to hell with the fuel consumption
Yeah it is bad. Sometimes much worse than other times. Some days when warm the gearchange is lovely, other days it's a clunkly old bag. I've found no rhyme nor reason for it being one way or the other. We put that down to being a bit of "personality"
> 9. The clutch is bloody heavy.
It's certainly heavier than a Cayman. Keep driving the V8 though and you'll butch up and get some muscles. We considered the Cayman when we bought the V8V but it was a bit too blousy for our liking. It wasn't a fair fight really!
> 10. Reversing without stalling, especially on full-lock, is an art
It's damn annoying that gear. You will get better at it, but we both still stall it periodically.
> 11. Can't heel 'n' toe down-shifts - the throttle just seems to lazy and too far away from the brake
Yep. Rumours that the power upgrade improves that, but I've not been able to try that.
> 12. Not having a fun time with the hand brake, just can't seem to get the hang of it
Might be unrelated. I don't know how tall you are but my misses (5ft 6) used to have trouble with the handbrake light not going off after releasing the flyoff. In the end Aston found an issue with the setup if the seat was forward beyond a certain point. They sorted it, but I don't know how.
> 18. Everyone I know loves the car (including the wife) and wants to be taken out for a drive in it - I see none of the "cockster" attitude that I saw when I had the Porky
Absolutely
Enjoy it and to hell with the fuel consumption
Ha ha, my, how this thread takes me back to my early experience of ownership.
I posted on here virtually in tears. I kept stalling, couldn't reverse, and the handbrake was a nightmare.
I was all for getting rid, but that was a 1st days impression.
The massive support on here kept me going to be honest. I expected all the stupid woman driver jibes, but I was so pleased that many 'macho' guys expressed some of the same issues.
Believe me you get used to the quirks very quickly and I find the Aston experience far outweighs the niggles. Driving it becomes second nature.
My previous car between my Tuscan and my V8V was a 335i automatic. A really simple, beautiful car to drive in every day traffic, but there is no way I would go back to such a characterless car.
Re fuel consumption... I like a drink so I think it would be rude not to let my steed have one too, though yes she is greedy.
I actually dont notice a great difference between the V8 and V12 which is gratifying.
Di
I posted on here virtually in tears. I kept stalling, couldn't reverse, and the handbrake was a nightmare.
I was all for getting rid, but that was a 1st days impression.
The massive support on here kept me going to be honest. I expected all the stupid woman driver jibes, but I was so pleased that many 'macho' guys expressed some of the same issues.
Believe me you get used to the quirks very quickly and I find the Aston experience far outweighs the niggles. Driving it becomes second nature.
My previous car between my Tuscan and my V8V was a 335i automatic. A really simple, beautiful car to drive in every day traffic, but there is no way I would go back to such a characterless car.
Re fuel consumption... I like a drink so I think it would be rude not to let my steed have one too, though yes she is greedy.
I actually dont notice a great difference between the V8 and V12 which is gratifying.
Di
Edited by lady topaz on Friday 11th March 17:04
Interesting to read, Have had my 4.3 Vantage for a month now,(2006 model) here are my pro's and cons.
On day 2 an emission check light came on , it is reset by the garage whilst i wait the following the weekend. Everything is valisdated as ok. I only get 230 miles to my first tank although that includes the 40 miles to go on the trip computer. I put in £80 and the needle doesn't go to full !
Week 2 and the emission light comes on again. The car is in for a week ( my time scale) and had a faulty thermostat ( which i diagnosed - the car took up to 9 miles to reach operating temperature but then stayed there) and an O2 sensor replaced - all under warranty.
For my second fill up i put in £90, needle still not on full, whilst flipping through the trip computer on the motorway my miles to tank has gone from 365 to -.-- ! the fuel gauge has dropped past E but there is no yellow low petrol light. Before i finish my journey (15 miles) all has been restored. It has worked fine since.
Hand brake pad squeal after about 10 miles, and only at low speeds ( i have sussed how the handbrake works now although it did take about a week)
Couldn't get in the car this morning as the doors had frozen ( although this happens on my other car as well)
Struggling to average 20mpg , but hey ho !
I would use the phrase slightly numb for the brakes
the front spoiler is a bit low
Need to be subtle on the 1st to 2nd gear change when cold
Pro's , i get excited every time i drive the car.( i will probably neer grow up)
People pull along side you at the lights to see who's in it
the noise on full chat is epic
i have to clean it every week and it's a pleasure.
Despite the small glitches it's still a big thumbs up.
Had a great text from a friend who said "please tell me that Aston up your drive isn't yours"
On day 2 an emission check light came on , it is reset by the garage whilst i wait the following the weekend. Everything is valisdated as ok. I only get 230 miles to my first tank although that includes the 40 miles to go on the trip computer. I put in £80 and the needle doesn't go to full !
Week 2 and the emission light comes on again. The car is in for a week ( my time scale) and had a faulty thermostat ( which i diagnosed - the car took up to 9 miles to reach operating temperature but then stayed there) and an O2 sensor replaced - all under warranty.
For my second fill up i put in £90, needle still not on full, whilst flipping through the trip computer on the motorway my miles to tank has gone from 365 to -.-- ! the fuel gauge has dropped past E but there is no yellow low petrol light. Before i finish my journey (15 miles) all has been restored. It has worked fine since.
Hand brake pad squeal after about 10 miles, and only at low speeds ( i have sussed how the handbrake works now although it did take about a week)
Couldn't get in the car this morning as the doors had frozen ( although this happens on my other car as well)
Struggling to average 20mpg , but hey ho !
I would use the phrase slightly numb for the brakes
the front spoiler is a bit low
Need to be subtle on the 1st to 2nd gear change when cold
Pro's , i get excited every time i drive the car.( i will probably neer grow up)
People pull along side you at the lights to see who's in it
the noise on full chat is epic
i have to clean it every week and it's a pleasure.
Despite the small glitches it's still a big thumbs up.
Had a great text from a friend who said "please tell me that Aston up your drive isn't yours"
tony russell said:
Interesting to read, Have had my 4.3 Vantage for a month now,(2006 model) here are my pro's and cons.
On day 2 an emission check light came on , it is reset by the garage whilst i wait the following the weekend. Everything is valisdated as ok. I only get 230 miles to my first tank although that includes the 40 miles to go on the trip computer. I put in £80 and the needle doesn't go to full !
Week 2 and the emission light comes on again. The car is in for a week ( my time scale) and had a faulty thermostat ( which i diagnosed - the car took up to 9 miles to reach operating temperature but then stayed there) and an O2 sensor replaced - all under warranty.
For my second fill up i put in £90, needle still not on full, whilst flipping through the trip computer on the motorway my miles to tank has gone from 365 to -.-- ! the fuel gauge has dropped past E but there is no yellow low petrol light. Before i finish my journey (15 miles) all has been restored. It has worked fine since.
Hand brake pad squeal after about 10 miles, and only at low speeds ( i have sussed how the handbrake works now although it did take about a week)
Couldn't get in the car this morning as the doors had frozen ( although this happens on my other car as well)
Struggling to average 20mpg , but hey ho !
I would use the phrase slightly numb for the brakes
the front spoiler is a bit low
Need to be subtle on the 1st to 2nd gear change when cold
Pro's , i get excited every time i drive the car.( i will probably neer grow up)
People pull along side you at the lights to see who's in it
the noise on full chat is epic
i have to clean it every week and it's a pleasure.
Despite the small glitches it's still a big thumbs up.
Had a great text from a friend who said "please tell me that Aston up your drive isn't yours"
Average 20mpg? You are not trying hard enough, put it in instanteous reading and try and get it below 5MPG! Not big, not clever but then you remember not to grow up On day 2 an emission check light came on , it is reset by the garage whilst i wait the following the weekend. Everything is valisdated as ok. I only get 230 miles to my first tank although that includes the 40 miles to go on the trip computer. I put in £80 and the needle doesn't go to full !
Week 2 and the emission light comes on again. The car is in for a week ( my time scale) and had a faulty thermostat ( which i diagnosed - the car took up to 9 miles to reach operating temperature but then stayed there) and an O2 sensor replaced - all under warranty.
For my second fill up i put in £90, needle still not on full, whilst flipping through the trip computer on the motorway my miles to tank has gone from 365 to -.-- ! the fuel gauge has dropped past E but there is no yellow low petrol light. Before i finish my journey (15 miles) all has been restored. It has worked fine since.
Hand brake pad squeal after about 10 miles, and only at low speeds ( i have sussed how the handbrake works now although it did take about a week)
Couldn't get in the car this morning as the doors had frozen ( although this happens on my other car as well)
Struggling to average 20mpg , but hey ho !
I would use the phrase slightly numb for the brakes
the front spoiler is a bit low
Need to be subtle on the 1st to 2nd gear change when cold
Pro's , i get excited every time i drive the car.( i will probably neer grow up)
People pull along side you at the lights to see who's in it
the noise on full chat is epic
i have to clean it every week and it's a pleasure.
Despite the small glitches it's still a big thumbs up.
Had a great text from a friend who said "please tell me that Aston up your drive isn't yours"
Can get over 20MPG average on motorway cruises (France), but boring.
Love that text from your mate!
I take it you've pulled Fuse22 - makes 4.3 Vantages sound epic at all revs.
I have seen the faulty thermostat experience mentioned on some other threads. Anyone want to give a rough guide in terms of time or mileage at conservative speeds from cold that it takes for the engine to reach normal operating temperature i.e. middle of the gauge ?
I only ask because mine seems to take a while but I hadn't considered it being abnormal.
I only ask because mine seems to take a while but I hadn't considered it being abnormal.
MrOrange said:
Talking of txts. I was "rattling" up a bypass in the first week of ownership when a mate txt'ed me to say "I think you've just gone past". I assumed he was in a car on the bypass.
He wasn't.
He was at his house.
1/2 mile from the by-pass
In his kitchen
mmc for ages.
I've had that message from a friend! When I wasn't even close, very funny He wasn't.
He was at his house.
1/2 mile from the by-pass
In his kitchen
mmc for ages.
alxce said:
I have seen the faulty thermostat experience mentioned on some other threads. Anyone want to give a rough guide in terms of time or mileage at conservative speeds from cold that it takes for the engine to reach normal operating temperature i.e. middle of the gauge ?
I only ask because mine seems to take a while but I hadn't considered it being abnormal.
Ambient temoerature will have an effect on this. Assuming it's under 10c, allow your car to idle for a couple of minutes before driving off. Temp should reach 9 o'clock after about 3 miles of sedentry driving. This appears to be the case with other threads i have read as well.I only ask because mine seems to take a while but I hadn't considered it being abnormal.
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