Hi Everyone:

I am looking for a little technical insight and appealing to AM members - 2008 V8 Vantage, 30,xxx miles, auto.

Anything I need to know, mechanically or other about this circa/model? Mechanical weak points on this circa/model (What breaks)?

I am guessing this 2008 uses the ZF 6HP2x auto trans. I think the 4.3 is a derivative of the 4.0/4.2L Jaguar motor layout. I know both of these units very well. Do I have my info straight?

I just sold my Bentley GT. I know Bentleys well enough, I can tell anyone which models had what idiosyncrasies, which models to stay away from, which are better, and which are worse. But, I am so new to AM, concerned I might miss something obvious to the community. I would research myself but this one came up pretty quickly so I need a faster edu. And threads have a way to bring newer/updated info to the surface.

Recently, I posted I have a 2021 Corvette on order. This model might be some time away BC GM is so far in the hole with demand. AM is my alter ego this time around. I might move quickly into a Vantage or better a DB9 (actively shopping) while I am on this long waiting journey.

Thanks!

 

Gearbox is a manual 6-speed non-sequential Graziano with limited slip differential. Either your car has a manually operated version of this gearbox or Sportshift. SS uses a Magneti Marelli Transmission Control Unit to actuate servohydraulic linkages to shift in response to paddle-shift commands or automatically. If you have Sportshift, I would suggest you find, download and carefully read the AM publication: "V8 Vantage Sportshift Driving Guide." It can make the difference between you understanding and using SS like it was intended, or hating it because it doesn't do what you think it should. SS boasts faster shifts than the manual and, for those of us with SS cars, has a "hypershift" paddle-shifted mode which is pretty amazing. Clutches are a drawback with many cars (including mine) going through one at about 25-30k miles. Most of us replace the clutch with a Velocity AP lightened steel flywheel and dual-plate V12 clutch. They work for both standard manuals and SS cars. One other SS difference, your local AM repair shop can tell you, approximately, how much clutch life is left.

The 4.3L AM engine was a design variant of the Jaguar AJ38 series V8 engines, hand assembled at the AM engines plant in Cologne, Germany. It is dry-sumped, using 10.4 liters of engine oil. Wikipedia says: "The cylinder block, cylinder heads, crankshaft, connecting rods, pistons, camshafts, inlet and exhaust manifolds, lubrication system and engine management are all unique to the Aston Martin version."

 

Thanks guys. This is already been very helpful.

 

So tell us about Bentley's...
I've heard the V8 turbo is the best option for longevity, reliability and low maintenance costs.
Any particular year, make, option recommendations?

 

All the v8 years are nice. The W12s are beasts. The first few years (2004 to 2007 ish) had notorious vacuum leaks that take engine out repairs. Some shops out there are making up steel tubing to replace the cheap plastic split tubes that sit above the ZF 6HP28 split trans (GTs and FSs are AWD, another nice feature of these cars).

The other thing about W12s, some of the silliest replacement parts are engine out:
O2 sensors
Starter
turbos
Other parts like serpentine belt and some of the sensors used to control turbos are recommended engine out, but work arounds to some of these have been found.

Air suspension is probably next - air springs at the dealer are $4K each; replaced in pairs if one front or rear goes, so a pair of air springs at the dealer can be a $10K job.
W12 engine tuneups - the W12 uses platinum plugs (not iridiums BC of the high cylinder pressures). There is only one NGK P/N for the turbo W12; not used anywhere else, so these plugs need to be changed at 40K miles and are about $20 ea. Entire intake manifold comes off to replace plugs.

One other very odd part of the Bentley Continental GT layout is - the entire engine sits IN FRONT of the front axle (a true front engine car). The ZF trans uses a split drive so the front of the ZF is the front axles and the typical driveshaft tailpiece drives the rear axles.

But yes, I've not owned the V8s, but they're rated as better performers, cost less to maintain and are lighter cars.

 

A quick follow on Q guys - Is the manual a better option than the auto manual in these years? 2007 to 2018? And what I understand was said above the Graziano box serves both auto and manual versions?

Really would prefer a Vantage in a manual. If it is a better setup then I'll skip looking at autos. Or, does the clutch continue to be a weak point even with the manual.

 

1) the original thermostats often failed after a few years.
2) 1st to 2nd gear changes grind a bit when cold.
3) clutch plates on sport-shift (aka 'automatic', 'paddle shift'), and manual cars suposedly wear quickly (i suspect the driver has a lot to do with it) and are relatively expensive to replace. i priced it at about $6000 (parts and labor).
4) flywheel is heavy leading to complaints WRT acceleration. it works both ways though, deceleration when lifting-off is very smooth as a result and the car (manual) drives smoothly as a consequence in stop and go traffic, which is why, i suspect, they chose a heavy flywheel, being a "gentleman's sport's car" and all.
5) the radio tuner stinks, but the premium audio is excellent.
6) the air conditioning here in central california is only adequate.
7) visibility in low sunlight is murder. the sunvisors are practically useless.
8) working on most of the regular maintenance and wear items on the car is very doable for the amateur. and IME, there is nothing particularly unique about the engine other than it's dry-sump configuration.
9) but to change an air cleaner.... it involves jacking up the front and removing the wheel, and at least half the wheel liner, about eight semi-visible-awkward torx bolts and pulling off a ricdiculously expensive (unless you find one from latvia on ebay) air cleaner. there is one on each side, so you have to do it twice.
10) changing a battery is just about as much fun. but again pretty straightforward.

it's an absolutely beautiful car. everybody seems to love it and a little bit of that admiration rubs off on the owner too. ...not to be discounted.

 

Thanks very much! I know this took time and I won't forget to pay back someday.

Funny, on the tstat, I've replaced a few of these on Jaguar versions, probably close or the same. And, coincidentally, when I've looked at engine pics, I did focus on those air tubes disappearing somewhere up front.

 

PM sent

 

Thanks Don. Much appreciated!

 

Well guys, after a marathon run shopping Vantages and DB9s all over the country, and after I learned more and more about them, I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for. I expanded my sights to include R8s and some performance MBs. Today I settled on a MB AMG GT. It's quite a car and I never thought in a million years I would be back in a MB after my last one in 1987, but here I am. This car blew me away, even over my Bentley GT, which is in a different category than this car. Cancelled the order for the 2021 Corvette as this car will do for a few years to come.

All the best to all

 

i thinking i'm feeling like my senior prom date must have felt after she bought a new dress, got her hair and nails done, put on clean underwear (just guessing) and took a shower only to be stood up at the last moment. lol. and for a mercedes benz no less! don't they make diesel delivery trucks?

 

Yes, diesel delivery trucks!

 

I always thought the C7 was not an unattractive car to begin with, but hey if you're having fun go for it. AM engines aren't very good anyhow.