I have been told the V8 Vantage I have is in need of a new clutch. I know the conversation on here has been said about getting an upgraded one, or the one from Velocity, etc.

My car is a 2009 with 17k miles. I was quoted $5600 from the Dealership, which I wont pay, not because I think it's a bad deal, but they are a HORRIBLE Aston dealership. (Orlando Florida).

What would be symptoms I would get if the clutch in a Sportshift was going? I'd like to be aware so i'm not stranded one day... hoping it would give me some warning...

 

Not sure what your issue with the Orlando dealer is, but I suggest trying to work it out.
I’ve dealt with most of the Aston dealers in the Southeast and Orlando is a cut above the others.
(Some of their Jaguar staff is less than impressive. Courteous, but clearly not "car" people like the Aston crew.)

Seriously, they’re really nice (and extremely capable) folks. Perhaps someone was just having an off day; we all have them.
If they've done you wrong, they deserve the chance to make it right.

 

Plus 1 on the Orlando dealership. I have been well treated there and continue to recommend them. Perhaps a more detailed explanation of what transpired would be helpful?

 

Hi RobKat...When you were told that you need a clutch replacement. Did the dealer tell you the reading on your current Clutch? On ASM s they can read how much life is left or used depending on the tech.
I have 43000 miles on the original clutch and drive ===well hard. But I do not use D at all if possible and NEVER use Comfort.
Sorry I did not answer your question .. there are threads telling how to test for slippage... plus I remember one thread where a Florida owner stated he was quoted $ 3500.00 complete for a clutch replacement not long ago.
If not sure contact Irish07 at Velocity and I bet he will help you.
Good Luck!

 

I might be wrong, but can't you get a newer design like a third party dual clutch for a V8 now with a SportShift for about the same $$$ as the factory problematic clutch?

 

I've used Aston Orlando for several years with no trouble... actually best service on higher end cars in 20 years... what makes them soooooo horrible?

 

Hi RobKat again...Contact Rich at Redpants...he is near Tampa. I forgot about him as being on vacation but he is back now.
He will advise you and he is a really nice guy.

 

Don't feel too bad, the closest dealership to me, Kerbeck in New Jersey, quoted me $9000.

I ordered the Velocity AP twin-plate clutch upgrade when they had their black Friday sale and plan to take my '09 to a local Aston specialty shop for the install. If you're going to pay $6k anyway, might as well get a really good clutch that'll last 2-3 times as long.

 

So, my car spend nearly 3 MONTHS in service for repairs, and we are not talking major mechanical work, engine tear-downs... we are talking to get the rear lights replaced, an O2 sensor and ASM lines cleared out basically. I even got the car returned to me with the check engine light still on and the car not cleaned. I mean, it's an 09, but come on fellas... The service advisor (Don) admitted that the car was not made a priority and was terrible at communication. It would go weeks at a time without an update. I would call and ask what the delays are and he would say, "another day or two" and another WEEK or two would go by.

They are always so busy and slammed with work on Astons that you need to make a service appt at a minimum of 2-3 weeks in advance. I was appalled.

I bring my 2 Porsche's to Ocala and they are amazing. Loaner vehicle ALWAYS supplied for working on my Porsche's, upfront estimates on time, daily calls or emails to know what is happening if delays are there, etc. I had to call and email 3-4 times during the course of 3-4 days to get a single response from Aston Martin Orlando. I even contacted the service manager at one point and never received a call back. Sadly, after spending nearly $8,000 in repairs for this car in that time I will NEVER use them again and I am seriously disappointed I ever did.

So back to the clutch, I believe he had made mention of 1500 Bits or something if that makes sense?

 

I've had my car serviced at Morries Aston Martin after they opened up in Minneapolis almost a decade ago - never a problem and never more than a few days in the shop including when they had to fix leaks in the engine cover and tranny on my 2015 V8GT. If they don't have a part, it does not sit at the shop, but they fix it right away when that part come in. Before them, Lake Forest in Chicago was the closest dealer, again, under warranty they would pick up the car and deliver it back the next day on two issues, and inspections they did right away. It's a shame you had a different experience.

 

Wow - that's crazy! Sorry to read of these issues with AM Orlando.
(Happy to know Ocala's Porsche dealer treats you well. The Maitland P dealer never fails to make me feel like royalty.)

Hope you get your Vantage straightened out soon. Owned mine for almost 13 years now. Ignored it for a while, but have recently "rediscovered" it.
They're special little cars. they really are.

 

I love the beauty of the car, but am starting to wonder what I got myself into. Dealer telling me the clutch needs to be replaced every 15-20k @ $5600... That is like the old days of the Ferrari's that needed the engine out for an oil change to the tune of $5k.

I love the bulletproof nature of the Porsche, turbo, non-turbo, you cannot kill them in my opinion. I feel like the Aston is a Crystal Car - Everything might break it if I push it too hard and I don't want to feel that way. I checked the paperwork, the dealer said 1550 Bits for the clutch, whatever that means. I am hoping it will last me at least a few thousand more miles, but with a Sportshift, who knows.

Thought to prolong its life?

 

My Vantage was four months old when I bought it. Never had an unreasonable issue. *knocks on wood*
In fact, outside of maintenance and consumable items (tires, brakes, etc...), the only thing I've paid for is to replace two shocks.
And those probably started leaking because I wasn't driving it enough.

If I were to hop in and drive to Alaska right now I’d have no more worries in my Vantage than in a Porsche -- which is little to none.

Again, best of luck getting it sorted.