Hi guys,

Just got my first aston martin. Came from a porsche as well...
Mine is an 06 Vantage, like it in everyway except the power band is so much different then a porsche...
What I wanna do now is to lower it.
Any of you guys have any good source for it? Are springs the only option? or coiloves are available? Also, does any one of our dealers carry sway bars from this car?
Thank you guys so much in advance.

CHeers,
Alan

 

Lots of options here...RSC tuning, Paramount, Prodrive, Hamann, and Mansory all have suspension kits...not to mention that Aston Martin has the factory sport suspension kit with revised springs/shocks, sway bars, and wheels which is available for retrofitting.

 

Thank you so much for the information!
I appreciate it!

 

The AM kit offered by the dealers retrofits the early Vantage to the new option available on the 09's. I've driven the 09 and it is very nice - but does not actually lower the car - and they only replace the rear sway bar w/ slightly larger dia. new bar, not adjustable. I have RSC springs (made by H&R to their spec I believe) on my 07 Vantage - lowered the car nicely, they are softer and a little "different" on the rebound over dips in the road. Another 6speeder called it "pogo" which kinda brings it into perspective but only on the initial up/down and 2nd up/down - then flattens out. I think if you are upgrading your wheels to a larger size (I still have stock 19s) they would be very good - as in additional unsprung weight. I have tracked my car with these springs and it was fine - not much different than stock 07 - just a nicer lower stance.

I do not know of anyone that has adjustable sway bars for sale - maybe someone can offer some suggestions.
I also have not read about anyone w/ any other adjustments to their suspension - as in a different brand their experience once installed.

 

Thx Mike!
You always gave us lot and lot of informations, have read most of your post, can see you spend lot of time trying to solved/answered member's questions..
So useful and wanna say thank you to you.
For the factory suspension upgrade, they didn't change the front sway bar? Just the rear? And do you know if this suspension upgrade for pre-09 cars is just the exact same suspension that on the MY09 ones? Also do you know if there is any difference between the H&R and RSC(made by H&R) ones?
Sorry for the questions, hope you can answer,
Thx
Alan

 

Alan - the AM suspension upgrade for the "older" Vantages is the same as the option for the MY '09s. It even includes the newer 19" wheels - which is part of why so expensive - the new wheels look different and are lighter. This was also the suspension that was offered on the Vantage N400 - in other words you can now upgrade your standard 06-07 Vantage to be pretty much what the N400 offered (ok a few cosmetic differences but I am talking about power and handling upgrades when I say this). AM calls the upgrades the Power Pack and Suspension Pack.
So let me be clear - the MY09 offers a suspension package option that you can also buy for the "older" Vantage. If you do not get the option on the MY 09 then you get the same suspension as the previous years (at least as explained by AM NA rep. to me). The package/option does not change the front sway bar - and none of the bars are adjustable from AM. Another interesting bit (same source) is this larger rear sway bar is also used on the standard cabrio Vantages. I do believe you can order the suspension upgrade w/o the wheels - but I do not know the part numbers or the price.
As for the RSC springs vs. the H&R springs I do not know if there is a difference. I bought mine from HZ at RSC before H&R were offering springs. Maybe HZ or Stuart at RSC can give you the spring rates and they can then be compaired w/ H&R ? Again I think the RSC springs were to help customers ordering various wheels at 20" + sizes which are heavier than AM 19" wheels. The RSC springs did a nice job lowering my car w/o being a curb dragging monster (stock AM 19" wheels). Take a look at the pictures of the RSC Vantage and you will get an idea - at one time my car was exactly like this car - not sure if still true, but you get a good idea of ride height w/ their 20" wheels. My avatar is prior to upgrades.
If the AM option kit also lowered the car I would be all over it - it was that good - at least on the street. I drove MY 09s back to back w & w/o suspension option. Of course it is more expensive than than just the RSC springs.
Hope this helps ...

 

Got to say THX again for such long write up!
I just ordered the springs for my car from H&R, hope they will make the car better on corning..
Have just got some quote from the dealer about the price on suspension and power upgrade for the AMV8, it was a lot of money. Not sure if the suspension upgrade worths that much..
Mike, I heard ppl said the factory shocks/springs that on the Vantage are from Bilstein. Is this true?

 

After install my springs took about 2 days to fully "settle" ... I know that sounds weird and does not totally make sense but true.
Sorry, I do not know the actual Mfg. of the stock shocks ... possibly they can be re-valved for a more agressive positioning ?
Also I have a feeling there are some aftermarket companies putting some suspension products together and we will see some other options coming out soon ...
Let us know your thoughts on your new springs ...

 

Anyone who wants my RSC H&R's let me know. I am going to sell them in a couple weeks.

 

Why are you selling?

 

Sure Mike. Hopefully I will get and install the spring on next Friday. Really think the factory spring is kinda stiff for everyday driving..

 

Hey Jay,
Would you mind telling me where did you get your GT4 side skirt, looks awesome on your ride!

 

I'm getting the factory kit. I wonder if I would like the factory kit with the RSC springs instead of the factory...it does look good lowered...

 

Call Brett Forster at Silicon Valley Autogroup. Tell him Jason from Philadelphia referred you.

 

THx for the great information! Hope I could get a good deal on those sides