As I write this, it’s hard to believe so much time has passed. I bought my 2007 V8 Vantage in 2010, with 7,5xx miles on the clock. It now has 23,xxx. I’ve kept it serviced, and have probably over serviced it, with such low miles. Through the winter months, I drive it very little, and it’s parked inside my garage, which is heated in winter, and air conditioned in summer. I live in the Midwest, and it’s never been driven in snow, sleet, rain, or exposed to much sunlight.
Because it doesn’t get driven as much as I’d like, I leave the battery tender on full time. About a year ago, the original battery finally died, and I replaced it with a new one myself. I change the oil/filter about once a year, even though it probably doesn’t need it, with such low miles. During the past 10 yrs I’ve had all the other fluids changed out on 2 different occasions, and had new belts put on, just because of the passing of time. It’s a 6-speed manual transmission, and the clutch is still solid. I’ve read a number of posts, wherein, the owners burn the clutch out. This really shouldn’t happen, unless the owners are inexperienced at driving a stick shift. Clutch failure usually occurs when the driver rides the clutch all the time while driving, or races the car. The tires are original, and outwardly appear to be in good shape. But the truth is, as with any rubber item, a certain amount of dry rot can begin. I’m going to replace the tires, and would be open to suggestions on what to buy. Thanks in advance!!!

 

Most people are going with the Michelin PS4.

 

My Top 3 Picks would be

1. Michelin PSS
2. Bridgestone S04 PP
3. Hankook V12 Evo 2

 

Why PSS over the PS4? Now I have a DB9 Volante, and so I am looking for more of a grand touring and not the ultimate in handling so my requirements are a little different that CTP555. Looking at a review of the Bridgestone S04 PP (what is on my car now), the Hankook V12 Evo, and Pirelli P Zero Nero GT, the Hankook did the best at handling and dry traction.

That said, I can get the up-sized sport package ties on the 19" rims, and that will probably the way I will go in the future when time to replace tires next year (or later once I can get out of the house).

 

You'll experience more impact harshness with larger wheels. Tire side wall is part of the suspension system. Taller (and softer) side walls can deform to absorb an impact better. In addition, smaller wheels are typically lighter, less metal (but not always as material and manufacturing also play a factor), and unsprung weight also plays a factor in a suspension's ability to absorb impacts.

 

The Michelin PS4s is the newer replacement version of the PSS.
While my Aston was on Bridgestone, I replaced pretty good PSS with PS4s on my Porsche.
The difference was day and night in both cases. Both wheel sets were replaced with one Inch more diameter. Tires were still good.
Extreme was Bridgestone AM branded to Michelin but even PSS to PS4s was eye opening,

Comfort, road noise and grip moved to new levels both cars have never been to.
I became a strong believer in Michelin tires since then. The extra dollars are worth it without any question.

 

I've used Michelin, you can't go wrong with the latest Pilot Sports. Last year I decided to try out Nitto since I had them on my Jeep and really liked them. I purchased the Nitto Invo, 245/40-19 and 285/35-19, upgraded to the S size with no fitment issues. Higher sidewalls made a more comfortable ride.
I would recommend them as a summer tire, they have done well in the rain, maybe not as good as the Michelin. Priced the same, IMHO its a visual choice as performance is very close.
Used many Bridgestone tires but I am waning on them, like a rock after a couple of years. Never tried the Hankook.
Do not skimp on tires!

 

I went through a set of PS4s over the last 2 years.
Truly amazing comfortable tire with extreme high grip in the wet.

Sadly they have a issue with the availability of certain sizes in Europe.

 

I have been running Continental ExtremeContact Sport for the last 4 yrs and I like them, they are not as track focus as the PS4 but better in the wet and beside I don't track my car. Good luck

 

I have the 245/40-19 and 285/35-19 Michelin PS4s on my 2011 V8V.
Very comfortable, great wet weather performance, stunning Laguna Seca performance, AND the lowest tread wear out there.

 

You got that wrong the PS4S are 300AAA, the PS4 are 320AAA and the Continental Extremecontact Sports are 340AAA. So that makes the PS4S the worst treadwear of the bunch

 

I'm late to this thread, but I do have input.
My 09 Vantage is wearing Hankook Ventus V12 evo2 tires on 20" wheels (previous owner's choice). I'd classify them as ok tires but not as good as the Michelin Pilot Sport 4S.

I'm swapping out my wheels for 19s and putting the Michelins on.

 

As I have posted before on this forum, the clutch is crap! If there is nothing wrong with the clutch why is AM (among others) now offering a twin disc clutch? I have been driving stick shifts for over 60 years and there is really no excuse for the clutch in the V-8 Vantages.
Supposedly some early V-8 Vantages had a substandard clutch installed and this was corrected on the later models. That said, the clutch continues to be a weak point on these cars. On the Sport Shift cars you cannot reverse up a hill. Tell me there is nothing wrong with that.
I baby my clutch because the one time I downshifted before a corner at about 35 MPH the damm clutch started to smell.
My clutch procedure for moving from a stop is to gently give it some gas, engage the clutch fully before giving it any more gas. Approaching a red light or stop sign I shift into neutral and keep my foot off the clutch prior to getting to a stop light or sign. Leave it in neutral (foot off clutch pedal) at the light or stop sign until I get a green light. Put foot on clutch and repeat procedure.
Imagine having to gently engage the clutch at a low RPM on a Mustang or Camaro for fear of damaging the clutch? If Aston Martin was based in the US this clutch would have been recalled.

 

For your use and the amount of miles you put on each year I would recommend Michelin AS3 tires they don’t flat spot. They are a all seasons tire. I had Hankook tires on my 2005 SL55 it now only has 10000 Miles on it. The Hankook tires look great handled great but flat spotted so bad that they would still be flat spotted after a two hundred mile interstate drive. A friend of mine is the owner of a Goodyear tire store and recommend the Michelin AS3 tires, the ride great and don’t flat spot. I have Michelin pilot sport tires on my Vantage they will flat spot if not drive often but the flat sports go away after a few miles. I also have an Audi TT with 6000 miles on it it still has the original Michelin pilot sport tires they also will flat spot but it goes away after driving a few miles.