My first Aston - V12 Vantage S
#1
03-28-2018, 02:40 AM
My first Aston - V12 Vantage S
Hello there,
After reading along this forum for a while I am happy to report that I've pulled the trigger on a V12 Vantage S.
Absolutely loving the car - looks, performance, handling is right what I have been looking for.
And the fact that this is the last naturaly aspirated V12 with a manual that you will get from AM has also helped to motivate me.
Went to collect it last week and took the opportunity to drive a few curvy roads on the way home to be able to properly vary the revs.
Had to take it somewhat easy - dry roads but temperature of -2C, Pirelli P Zero Corsas and 640NM with the Sports Plus Pack demand attention.
Of course a proper underfloor cleaning was done in the evening.
The engine is a true gem - silky and with plenty enough firepower in every situation.
Power oversteer is available anytime on demand.
Still getting used to the gearshift.
Also having a F 512TR means I'm familiar with the dogleg pattern but on the V12VS the shifting alleys are thightly together and neutral/center is in the 4 - 5 alley. Quickly shifting 4 to 3 is a challenge (which I gladly accept). AMSHIFT is very smoth and efficient - I switch it off however since I have practised proper heel'n toe for a long time and do intend to go on with it...
The V12VS in my opinion properly covers the middle ground between Sports-/Supercar and GT.
If you want more Sportscar you'll choose e.g. a lighter 997 GT3, if you want more GT you'll get a DB9/11.
The V12VS looks like a keeper to me. My short term plans are:
- Secondary cat delete
- modest wheel spacers (around 1cm)
- modest lowering (around 2cm)
- exhaust flap on/off switch
- bmc airfilters
If you have some tips or offers for me I'll be glad to hear them - also PM.
Hope you enjoy the pics.
Best - Hans
After reading along this forum for a while I am happy to report that I've pulled the trigger on a V12 Vantage S.
Absolutely loving the car - looks, performance, handling is right what I have been looking for.
And the fact that this is the last naturaly aspirated V12 with a manual that you will get from AM has also helped to motivate me.
Went to collect it last week and took the opportunity to drive a few curvy roads on the way home to be able to properly vary the revs.
Had to take it somewhat easy - dry roads but temperature of -2C, Pirelli P Zero Corsas and 640NM with the Sports Plus Pack demand attention.
Of course a proper underfloor cleaning was done in the evening.
The engine is a true gem - silky and with plenty enough firepower in every situation.
Power oversteer is available anytime on demand.
Still getting used to the gearshift.
Also having a F 512TR means I'm familiar with the dogleg pattern but on the V12VS the shifting alleys are thightly together and neutral/center is in the 4 - 5 alley. Quickly shifting 4 to 3 is a challenge (which I gladly accept). AMSHIFT is very smoth and efficient - I switch it off however since I have practised proper heel'n toe for a long time and do intend to go on with it...
The V12VS in my opinion properly covers the middle ground between Sports-/Supercar and GT.
If you want more Sportscar you'll choose e.g. a lighter 997 GT3, if you want more GT you'll get a DB9/11.
The V12VS looks like a keeper to me. My short term plans are:
- Secondary cat delete
- modest wheel spacers (around 1cm)
- modest lowering (around 2cm)
- exhaust flap on/off switch
- bmc airfilters
If you have some tips or offers for me I'll be glad to hear them - also PM.
Hope you enjoy the pics.
Best - Hans
Last edited by HansCH; 03-28-2018 at 06:02 AM.
#3
03-28-2018, 04:45 AM
Great color - my V8 GT was same - now I have a Black V12S, yours is better. Check with mods to see how they affect the warranty - I know a CAT delete would affect mine at Morries Aston Martin, check with your dealer. I also am putting wheel spacers on mine this weekend - will post pictures soon. Also I posted this recently - careful washing those wheels as chemicals will destroy the carbon brakes. Aston paint is soft - get a full 3M or similar coating, and some form of paint protection. On my Alloro Green V8 I had CilaJet which worked well and no maintenance on the 2 years I had the car. To dress up the interior Land Rover LR2 chrome seat switch covers (about $15 on E-Bay) add some class to the inside.
#4
03-28-2018, 04:53 AM
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#10
03-28-2018, 09:09 AM
Thanks for the favorable comments, guys. I'm really happy with the car.
The colour by the way is 'Alloro Green' - a hommage to the DBR racers of the fifties. I think it suits the Vantage just fine.
Will check - hope to get away with the secondary cat delete. May also be re-done easily in case desaster strikes.
Proper proceedings as they say would be to put a header without primary cats on and put some metal cats in place of the secondary cats - that will however be a larger job and kill the warranty for sure.
Looking forward to your pics with the spacers on your V12S.
Yes, it has the 'lightweight' carbon sports seats in black leather/alcantara with yellow stitching. Will post some pics after easter.
The colour by the way is 'Alloro Green' - a hommage to the DBR racers of the fifties. I think it suits the Vantage just fine.
Proper proceedings as they say would be to put a header without primary cats on and put some metal cats in place of the secondary cats - that will however be a larger job and kill the warranty for sure.
Looking forward to your pics with the spacers on your V12S.
Yes, it has the 'lightweight' carbon sports seats in black leather/alcantara with yellow stitching. Will post some pics after easter.
#11
03-28-2018, 10:16 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: South Jersey
Age: 64
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Love the car, make sure to break it in gentle then let it roar.
If disaster happens you will not have time to change the cats, it'll be on a flatbed to the nearest dealer. But I guess you can always have it flatbed to somewhere else to swap the cats then towed again
If disaster happens you will not have time to change the cats, it'll be on a flatbed to the nearest dealer. But I guess you can always have it flatbed to somewhere else to swap the cats then towed again
#15
03-28-2018, 02:15 PM
Great to see another V12VSM owner! Congrats!
I left my AMshift on all the way. Kinda got used to it. I tracked with it a while back and it is extremely responsive.
Did you update the firmware on your AMi3?
I left my AMshift on all the way. Kinda got used to it. I tracked with it a while back and it is extremely responsive.
Did you update the firmware on your AMi3?
Last edited by V12Vin; 03-28-2018 at 02:18 PM.
