V12 Vantage Suspension

[gubsta]

Hi all - I have a 2010 V12 Vantage manual. I adore it, but having lived with it a couple of years now the low speed ride is really starting to bother me. Unless you are absolutely on it the suspension is too jarring on UK roads.

I see that there is a Nitron upgrade - but having infinitely adjustable settings always worries me in terms of having it inadvertently set up terribly ruining the car - it’s also billed as a ‘track’ set up (not what I want). So the obvious approach seems to be to go for the OEM shocks from the later V12S which I hear are much better. However I’m not bothered about the adaptive element - I like the simplicity of fixed rate and would only drive in comfort mode.

Does anybody know if I got the V12S shocks and installed them not wired up - would they ‘default’ to comfort with the lack of any power?

Any other thoughts on anybody who has modified the suspension on either of the original V12 Vantages appreciated.

Thanks.

[LTP]

gubsta said:

Hi all - I have a 2010 V12 Vantage manual. I adore it, but having lived with it a couple of years now the low speed ride is really starting to bother me. Unless you are absolutely on it the suspension is too jarring on UK roads.

I see that there is a Nitron upgrade - but having infinitely adjustable settings always worries me in terms of having it inadvertently set up terribly ruining the car - it’s also billed as a ‘track’ set up (not what I want). So the obvious approach seems to be to go for the OEM shocks from the later V12S which I hear are much better. However I’m not bothered about the adaptive element - I like the simplicity of fixed rate and would only drive in comfort mode.

Does anybody know if I got the V12S shocks and installed them not wired up - would they ‘default’ to comfort with the lack of any power?

Any other thoughts on anybody who has modified the suspension on either of the original V12 Vantages appreciated.

Thanks.

What tyres are you on?
And, just as importantly, how old are they?

Edited by LTP on Saturday 21st December 15:43

[Minglar]

As LTP says the tyres can make a significant difference to the ride on these cars. Before making any expensive changes to the suspension, that would be my first port of call. If your tyres aren’t ten years old and rock hard then it could be worth calling Mike at BR. They used to do a suspension upgrade for the original six speed cars which involves an adjustable set up similar to the later fitment on V12S. From memory it’s only two stage though as opposed to the three stage factory fit on V12S. BRM.

[melhuishjames]

Also just to throw in the mix. If / when updating tyres try a proper geo. Not just an alignment but a full geo. There are specialist who can do a great deal to tune the ride before changing the actual suspension. I have a “standard” v12 vantage and can’t say it’s that bad. Certainly stiff but doesn’t jar to that big a degree. Definitely softens with use over a journey

[bogie]

I think the BR upgrade for the V12V is 3 way, app controlled and about £8500, see here

https://bamfordrose.com/road-car-upgrades/v12-upgr...

I spend 90% of the time in comfort mode in my V12VS, as its so rare to find some smooth non pot holed twisty roads in the UK these days.

I have had Nitron suspension on my Elise 20 years ago, they were fantastic. Nitron can build you what you want you dont have to have a track setup, just tell them you want say a 2 way adjustable road setup and im sure they can accommodate. Then get a knowledgeable garage to set them up and do the geometry. Something like these but for the V12, probably £3k fitted

https://arperformance.co.uk/product/nitron-roadspo...

[Minglar]

bogie said:

I think the BR upgrade for the V12V is 3 way, app controlled and about £8500, see here

https://bamfordrose.com/road-car-upgrades/v12-upgr...

I spend 90% of the time in comfort mode in my V12VS, as its so rare to find some smooth non pot holed twisty roads in the UK these days.

I have had Nitron suspension on my Elise 20 years ago, they were fantastic. Nitron can build you what you want you dont have to have a track setup, just tell them you want say a 2 way adjustable road setup and im sure they can accommodate. Then get a knowledgeable garage to set them up and do the geometry. Something like these but for the V12, probably £3k fitted

https://arperformance.co.uk/product/nitron-roadspo...

Thanks for the up to date info bogie. I must confess that I was a little remiss with my earlier comment as I didn’t check the BR website before I posted. That’s definitely different to what I was offered by them in 2014, and it’s close to double the price as well. In the end I decided not to go ahead with it as I’ve never really found the ride or handling/grip to be that big an issue on my V12V. New PS4S tyres last year and a full geometry check/set have made it ride better though, and there is less road noise too. I had OEM AM P-Zero tyres (not Corsa) fitted shortly after I bought it, but over time they had no doubt hardened and despite being still within the legal limits, it was the right decision to replace them. BRM.

[bogie]

Minglar said:

Thanks for the up to date info bogie. I must confess that I was a little remiss with my earlier comment as I didn’t check the BR website before I posted. That’s definitely different to what I was offered by them in 2014, and it’s close to double the price as well. In the end I decided not to go ahead with it as I’ve never really found the ride or handling/grip to be that big an issue on my V12V. New PS4S tyres last year and a full geometry check/set have made it ride better though, and there is less road noise too. I had OEM AM P-Zero tyres (not Corsa) fitted shortly after I bought it, but over time they had no doubt hardened and despite being still within the legal limits, it was the right decision to replace them. BRM.

The spec (and price) of the aftermarket upgrades has changed over the years, that's for sure. I remember paying £500 for a pair of secondary decat pipes and most places want £900-1200 for them now !

My V12VS was purchased earlier this year from the dealer wearing a brand new set of AM P-Zeros, I'm glad to hear PS4S are worthwhile upgrade, I will be changing to some when the Pirelli rears are worn out

[gubsta]

Thanks guys.

Tyres are brand new PS4s run at 36psi all round. Car has had a recent geo but not since new tyres.

Still interested to know if I can run the OEM adaptive shocks in unpowered state - as this is an easy mod to make and critically revert if no good…

Info on Nitron is reassuring - perhaps I’ll give them a call.

[Nigel_O]

David Appleby Engineering does an electrically adjustable Nitron Roadsport kit for the V12V. If it’s anywhere near as good as the manually adjustable Nitrons I have on my V8V, it would be transformative on your car.

[phil bird]

Hi, I have had the Nitrons on my V12 Vantage Manual for over 7 years now and my car was the development car for the very first set up. It is a night and day difference and well worth the 3k also the car looks so much better lowered with some 10mm spacers 😀

[BiggaJ]

Nigel_O said:

David Appleby Engineering does an electrically adjustable Nitron Roadsport kit for the V12V. If it’s anywhere near as good as the manually adjustable Nitrons I have on my V8V, it would be transformative on your car.

I was going to say there are a few variants of the Nitron dampers offered by DAE.

Also for the OP, the offerings from Vantage Engineering might be worth a look, a little closer to you also.

[DB9S Paul]

gubsta said:

Thanks guys.

Tyres are brand new PS4s run at 36psi all round. Car has had a recent geo but not since new tyres.

Still interested to know if I can run the OEM adaptive shocks in unpowered state - as this is an easy mod to make and critically revert if no good…

Info on Nitron is reassuring - perhaps I’ll give them a call.

The Adaptive Bilsteins on the DBS (I assume the V12 vantage setup is similar) are set in the stiffest position when there is no power applied to them, so putting them on with no wiring would make your problem worse, not better.

[Mustang Baz]

Are there any quality geometry specialists which V12VS owners have used and can recommend please? Due to change all 4 tyres to PS4S’ later this year and from prior experience on other cars, know the benefit a really good geo set up can give.

[gubsta]

Well just to conclude this. DAE reached out via DM on here and after a bit of back and forth I had the passive Nitrons fitted retaining the standard springs.

Honestly can't believe the difference just changing a damper has yielded - car is exactly where I want it and in terms of ride (the way it is set up) is comparable to something like an M2 comp (which is my nearest reference point). Still focussed but doesn't knock your teeth out.

For me now the car is perfect can wholeheartedly recommend.