DB9 450 bhp vs 470 bhp (Pre and post July 2008 facelift)

[Vroom2]

Hi there,

Is there a noticeable advantage in going for a 2008 on facelifted car?

I understand various electrical gremlins were also upgraded in July 2008, besides the power upgrade and bluetooth addition.

The market would suggest later cars much more desirable.

Are the later cars much more reliable?

Cheers!

[AM4884]

There is so little DIY data on these cars that it's mostly spitballing... I am an accomplished spitballer...

Having rebuilt the engine in a DB9, I have spent considerable time under my lift, under the dash, and around the car. There are lots of ground points, and lots of effort to remove ground errors (additional wiring as an example).

All of the ground points in the engine bay, and in the rear showed significant corrosion on my 2006 DB9. That would be the first place I would start, along with a fresh battery (some say pointing the car north will help. Others say Abelour....

There are 12 grounds on the firewall (6 on each side, 3 high, 3 low), plus the strap to the torque tube to the body. Similar in the rear. I would be sure to renew each of the ones that underwater. The upper 6 are protected - the lower ones not so much.

Oh, and if you are doing this in the US, then definitely point the car towards Frankfort, KY - worked for me...

[Grant3]

Vroom2 said:

Hi there,

Is there a noticeable advantage in going for a 2008 on facelifted car?

I understand various electrical gremlins were also upgraded in July 2008, besides the power upgrade and bluetooth addition.

The market would suggest later cars much more desirable.

Are the later cars much more reliable?

Cheers!

Vroom, the short answer is yes.... While the DB9 was enhanced and improved every year it had two major reviews/upgrades where all aspects of the car were reviewed, the first for the 2009MY the second (and most major) for the 13MY (you can check the model year via the VIN).

For the 09MY there were a large range of enhancements, as a taster these included more power for the V12 with enhanced low down torque, changes to Touchtronic II for faster changes and better control, new improved Bilstein dampers and suspension changes and the then new more modern DBS centre console with ECU and various equipment upgrades (HDD nav etc) and exterior tweaks (5-bar grille etc). I hope this helps,

For the full in-depth info on this and all other changes you can always download the definitive guide, if you are spending thousands on a 9 it’s worth a few squid to be fully informed before parting with your hard earned

[Vroom2]

Many thanks guys for your advice. I'll explore further. Cheers!

[dlgis]

I’d make sure that you’ve checked for DB9 tick on the earlier model. Worth googling to check the procedure for this 👍

[paulrog1]

Does anybody know what the actual changes are to the 470bhp engine from the 450bhp engine?

Plus has anyone actually put in a 470bhp engine into a pre glass key DB9? Any issues?

Thanks.

[Astontony]

When looking for a DB9 I drove a 2008 and then a 2010. The things that sold me on the 2010 were, Nicer more modern look seats, the dash waterfall had nicer controls made of alloy not plastic looking knobs, the extra few hp was nice as was the sound. The 2010 was fitted with the sports package tyre sizes plus the lower kl and of course at the time any vehicle over 10years old was harder to finance ( an Australian thing maybe).

[Simpo Two]

Astontony said:

nicer controls made of alloy not plastic looking knobs

Early DB9s had plastic knobs but my 2007 model has metal ones - and comfier seats. Unfortunately it was a few months early for centre console storage, which in real life would be far more useful than 20bhp.

[paulrog1]

Thanks guys.....but I'd like to know about the engine differences, I'm thinking about putting a 470bhp engine in my DB9.

The only difference I've found between the engines is Aston increased the compression ratio in the 470bhp engine, that would explain an increase in power, I just don't know if anything else was changed.

Thanks.