Any idea on how reliable is the DBS model? Any pros? Any Cons? Anything worthy to know in general?

I am about to purchase one with the touchtronic 2 tranny to replace my R8.

Thanks!

 

Sorry, no info on the DBS, but wanted to ask why you're getting rid of the Audi R8. Did you not like it, or do you just want a bigger car?

 

I am getting rid of the R8 because I find it harder and harder to drive everyday. Not the most spacious car either. The R-Tronic transmission is also becoming a little burden as it is jerky in low speed in automated mode. It's excellent in sequential mode though.

Nevertheless, the R8 is the best handling car I've owned and driven. It is also the one that got me the most attention. People taking pics and pointing at you are part of the daily life.

To add a point about reliability, the R8 has been extremely reliable.

Feel free to ask anything else about the R8.

 

<------------ daily DBS TT2 driver most of it in town - no probs and still a lots of fun even when using the car for track days ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE

 

I only have a few hundred miles on my '09 DBS and no real problems to speak of. The "ADS Off" warning came on once, but never again. the car is nice to drive, but I also have an R8 V8. to tell you the truth, I'd find the R8 a much better daily driver than the DBS. The R8 just drives so much better and has much better road feel, handling, control and driver comfort. My R8 does have the manual tranny, thus a also very fun to use.
The DBS does have more space and feels like a much bigger car, plus is quicker in most cases. The DBS must be watched in corners, as it will slide out on you quit a bit, sometimes without much notice and especially on wet roads. The R8 never seems to do that to me.
I suppose I'm spoiled, having both right now. I'm considering an order for a new V10 convertible R8, but want to see the pricing and timing first.

By the way, I bought the DBS after an extremely terrible mechanical/software time with an '09 Vantage.
Either way, you still worry about parking them anywhere and still draw attention from other drivers. both are wonderful cars.

 

hmm i just drove the R8 V10 from a friend and i find the DBS more comfortable to drive every day ....

 

Old topic but any updates on long term reliability of the DBS?

 

Let's put it this way. With the Astons, I got to know my Aston Service Mgr far too well. I'm now on my second R8 (V10 Spyder) and have had it a few years, after trading up from an R8 V8 coupe. Other than scheduled service, I don't know my Audi Service people.
'nought said.

 

Was that a DBS or V8 Vantage. Based on what I have started looking into, the DBS is one of the more reliable ones of the DB9 Family. Not started on the 4.7 V8 yet.

Basic DB9 has some mechanical issues I have seen from reading and one of my driving buddies who brings it out.

 

My '09 Vantage was a nightmare and Aston eventually had to buy it back. I moved to the '10 DBS. On the good side, it was one of the most beautiful cars I've ever owned. Great paint, excellent exhaust note, nice ride quality (much better than the Vantage) The 6-speed manual was also pretty good, but a touch notchy. The interiors were very similar, not that special and ergonomics weren't great. The DBS had a number of repeat electrical gremlins (radio, gauge package, turn signals/flashers and pass window, as I recall. After a while I just got tired of it, especially after the earlier Vantage issues. Initially the Aston Service mgr was pretty accomodating and helpful, but then he quit or left due to some type of dispute there and the replacement guy wasn't nearly as helpful or friendly. Eventually I just got tired of it and after a while, just wanted a better, more reliable car. I got a BMW and then, the two R8's. None of them have had any similar headaches.
I'd really like to go back after an Aston, but just think there's better cars out there today.
Finally, to more directly address the question, yes, the DBS was better than the Vantage in all respects, but my poor experiences just soured me too much to stick with Aston.

 

Thank you StuM.

Have you heard / talked to anyone with a 2010+ V8 Vantage? I know they up-ed the motor to 4.7 so I wonder if the fixed the other issues. The few I know with the 4.3 don't really drive the car.

R8 is a nice car but wife is not a fan LOL.

 

i have a 4.3L V8V and drive the **** out of it. 10k miles per year, rain or shine, horrible stop-and-go commutes, long-haul road trips (several 6-10 hour drives per year), lots of spirited driving, and a weekend tracking it at Road Atlanta.

for what it is, it's very reliable. but i have had a few gremlins - fuel/stalling issue (fixed for the most part by a dealer reflash at no charge), squeaky rear e-brake caliper (somewhat normal, comes and goes, quickly fixed by hard high-speed braking to clean off the rotors), speakers cut out on one side or the other every once in a while (not terribly noticeable until they cut back on and your sound quality gets suddenly much better)... that said, mine is also fairly well modified so take it with a grain of salt.

 

Mind if I ask what modification you have done?

 

AM Power Kit
RSC cats and exhaust
upgraded clutch (iirc, this was a prototype for RSC but i could be wrong)
custom brake cooling ducts (i think this was another RSC prototype)
AM Sport rear swaybar
H&R springs
custom wheel spacers
custom accelerator pedal
custom LED interior lights
custom XM/Sirius satellite radio with MP3/iPod connector
shorty antenna
Lloyd carpets

i'm sure i'm forgetting a thing or two, but those are the main things.

 

I had the 4.7, 420hp and 6MT in my Vantage convt. They just could never get it to quit stalling. They tried everything, including a lot of Zone Rep time and many calls to the UK.