Is there any consensus on the best aftermarket shocks for the V8 Vantage. Looking to replace OEM but would like to keep ride quality or improve.

 

Velocity AP Nitron kit cartridge replacement. Or depending if your pre 2009 look for deals on the OEM Bilstein cartridges or complete units if someone replaced them for coil over kit.

 

I’m also considering either the Velocity AP or BC Racing struts on Redpants. Does anyone have experience to compare the options? I don’t want to lower the Vantage since it already has clearance issues, but am looking for a more controlled ride.

 

I love the KW V3 coilovers on my 06' Vantage!

 

best how?

IMO Nitron is excellent but IMO any aftermarket suspension will typically stiffen the ride, so daily ride quality will suffer compared to stock. Obviously the flip side is handling improves. Plus the added adjustability to dial in handling characteristics is important on track... but not street.

Also, that one shop, Valiant Ecosse, offers a direct Ohlins fitment as another option.

 

Have you OEM's rebuilt and change what you want to improve on.

 

Richard from redpants said he was working on an OEM replacement shock, maybe made by Bilstein, but that hasn't materialized and I didn't get any replies when I followed up.

I personally would like the car to ride a bit higher and softer. The stock springs are really hard and it's too easy to scrape the nose :/ I imagine it's not too hard to measure the springs and order a longer and softer one of matching diameter, but getting a softer and longer shock to go with it is the hard part.

 

I would be extremely interested in an OEM shock from Bilstein and Redpants if that works out, when the time comes. The factory pricing is astronomical on a stock unit.

 

I have the Sport Pack suspension and it is hard to imagine the ride getting any more stiff! It's not too far off from the JRZ RS coilovers that were on my 996 Turbo. When I say brutal in my sig, that is what I am referring to.

 

Sorry to revive an old thread but I didn't think my question warranted an entirely new one. I've not seen this explicitly stated in the other threads I've read but I'm gathering this could be the case - are the Aston Martin sports pack Bilstein dampers the only Bilstein option that will fit a VH V8 Vantage? Would other, more available, options from Bilstein not be compatible with this chassis?

At 16k miles I have two failed Multimatic dampers on my 07 V8V. Trying to find something that will allow me to retain the stock ride height but also provide a performance improvement since I'm having the work done.

 

Have you thought about having them rebuilt?

 

Unless the costs to do so were very, very low then I think I'd prefer to put that money towards something that would be a performance upgrade. My understanding is that all other options for the V8V are a significant upgrade over the early Multimatics. The dealer I've been working with was pretty surprised at the costs I've been seeing and was going to look at off the shelf Bilsteins but I'm gathering those aren't an option on these cars.

 

Since my last post on this thread, Valiant Ecosse now offers a Bilstein shock that retains the stock spring & top mounts. The dampening setting is their own performance non-adjustable setting however the ride height is adjustable to a small degree if you wanted a small drop. Sounds like exactly what you are asking for. Check their facebook page if you wanted to see the picture/details.

 

That does sound like that is exactly what I'm looking for! Thank you for the intel! I was aware of their Ohlins product but figured that may be a little out of reach for me at this stage. I'll get in touch with them on this.

Do you have these fitted to your car?

 

No, I do not have them. My 2014 stock suspension is still fine but I am interested in them mostly to maintain a relatively stock ride quality but to gain adjustable spring perches for ride height adjustment to lower my car.

I reached out on FB and was given the details. Was $2100 for the set which was reasonable.