Aston Martin DB9.
The coilover guide.
Shop the coiloversCompare Nitron’s four DB9 ranges around the suspension fitted to your car. Identify its body, build details and factory damping controls before choosing the replacement.
One DB9 name, several suspension specifications.
A DB9 can have different factory damping equipment or suspension changed during its life. Send the VIN, build year and Coupe or Volante body style, with damper labels and photographs. An adaptive system needs a confirmed plan for its controls as well as the mechanical parts.
RoadSport, elec-TRON RoadSport, R1 and R3 are listed for DB9 under the AM012 reference. The current UK application tables do not divide them by model year, body or ADS version. Each kit below needs an exact-car check, including the springs and mounting parts supplied or retained.
Aston Martin dates the DB9 to 2004-2016. It introduced the model at Frankfurt in 2003, with the Volante following in 2004. The V12-powered DB9 used the bonded VH structure and was the first model built at Gaydon. Its Coupe and open-top Volante need to be identified separately when specifying parts.
The factory’s 470 bhp DB9 brochure describes Bilstein adaptive dampers with Normal and Sport modes as standard on both bodies. Its specification lists double wishbones and coil-over aluminium monotube dampers at the front and rear. Inspect the equipment on an earlier, modified or repaired car.
For the 2013 model year, Aston Martin described revised styling and engineering with a three-mode ADS system: Normal, Sport and Track. Adaptive damping therefore predates that update. Supply the actual switches, damper part numbers and any fault or conversion history so the proposed replacement matches the car’s electrical and mechanical specification.
Start with your DB9.
Confirm the chassis, year and existing suspension before choosing your setup.
Earlier cars and replacement suspension
Give the VIN, build year and original market, plus the current damper labels and mounting photographs. Describe any previous suspension replacement or conversion. Have the proposed kit checked against what is fitted now, including whether electronic damping is present.
Check my earlier or changed DB9
Volante body and road use
Identify the car as a Volante and describe the load normally carried. Include the year and damping controls. Confirm the appropriate springs and assemblies for that body, with enough travel and clearance for regular journeys and the routes you use.
Check my DB9 Volante
Factory adaptive damping
Photograph the controls and damper connectors, and supply readable part numbers. Identify a two-mode or three-mode system where fitted. Confirm the exact elec-TRON integration, or agree the electrical work needed for a manual-damper conversion, before ordering.
Check my DB9 damping systemWhat do you want
from the car?
Road miles, circuit weekends or a car built around the lap. Start with how you drive.
Keep usable travel and everyday clearance in the plan.
Read the buying advice
Discuss RoadSport’s use of original top mounts and its separately listed spring upgrade. Ask which existing springs and fittings the quotation retains, and have their condition checked. Compare elec-TRON RoadSport if electronic adjustment is wanted, once the car’s controls and required hardware have been confirmed.
- Declare body, load and regular routes
- Confirm retained springs and top mounts
- Check ground clearance and usable travel
Choose adjustment you can set up and record.
Read the buying advice
R1 changes compression and rebound together through one adjuster. R3 separates rebound and high- and low-speed compression. Compare those controls with the person setting up the car, taking account of tyres, road use and any factory ADS conversion. Keep a written baseline and a suitable setting for the journey home.
- Include the drive to and from events
- Record tyres, alignment and settings
- Agree how factory ADS will be handled
Specify the dampers alongside the rest of the build.
Read the buying advice
Give the specialist the wheel, tyre and weight specification, with details of altered suspension parts. Confirm the proposed R3 springs, end fittings and reservoir arrangement, including space for adjustment and any hoses. A Track option selects a setup; the application and installation still need to be agreed.
- Declare tyres and weight changes
- Identify altered arms and attachments
- Confirm reservoir and adjuster access
The rear spring surrounds the damper.
The rear spring surrounds the damper on a standard DB9 described in the 470 bhp factory brochure.
Component layout only. Mounts, dimensions and adjusters vary by kit.Aston Martin’s 470 bhp DB9 factory specification lists rear double wishbones with coil-over aluminium monotube dampers. The compact drawing describes that spring-and-damper relationship. It does not show the wishbone geometry or identify the replacement parts for an individual car.
Have the fitter check the existing assemblies, attachments and available travel. Confirm the required springs, damper lengths and mounting parts, including anything the selected kit retains. Adaptive connectors and any replacement control hardware need their own check.
Read about spring preload and ride height
Check wear before deciding what to retain.
Ask the specialist to inspect the springs, top mounts, bushes, joints and damper attachments. Supply labels and photographs, with invoices for previous work where available. If there is an ADS warning or known fault, have it diagnosed before deciding whether to retain electronic damping or convert the system.
Record wheel widths, offsets, tyres and any spacers. Agree running height and check clearance through steering and suspension movement, including the access routes the car uses. Allow for fitting, alignment and follow-up checks, and keep the final settings with the service records.
Wheels, tyres and spacers
Give both axles’ sizes, widths and offsets. Have tyre-to-body and suspension clearance checked through the actual steering and travel before agreeing a lower running height.
Springs and retained mounting parts
Photograph the current springs and top mounts, with any part numbers. Confirm which components the selected kit replaces, which remain on the car and whether worn parts need separate replacement.
Adaptive controls and conversions
Describe the fitted ADS controls and any previous electrical work. Confirm the correct loom, controller or conversion requirements for the exact application, including how warnings and original functions will be handled.
Circuit tyres and weight changes
Include changed seats, removed equipment, tyre type and altered suspension hardware in the specification. Agree the springs and damping with the person responsible for the complete setup.
The current DB9 range.
Compare the controls and hardware included in each range.
RoadSport uses the original top mounts, with an Aston Martin spring upgrade listed separately. elec-TRON RoadSport adds electronic compression and rebound control; its OEM integration or DCU arrangement must be confirmed for the fitted DB9 system. R1 has one combined compression/rebound adjuster without a remote canister. R3 separates rebound and high- and low-speed compression. All four AM012 applications need the car’s year, body, damping equipment and supplied or retained components checked. Road and Track selections describe setup, while custom springs and exact reservoir installation require an enquiry.
View Nitron DB9 kitsFind your DB9 coilovers.
Prices include UK VAT. Choose an application and brand, then open a kit for its current options and availability.
4 listings
Match the engine, body style and axle-load limits on the product page before ordering.
Nitron · NTCAM012RS
Nitron Aston Martin DB9 RoadSport Coilover Suspension Kit
Check the exact application
Nitron · NTCAM012R1_
Nitron Aston Martin DB9 R1 Coilover Suspension Kit
Check the exact application
Nitron · NTCAM012ERS
Nitron Aston Martin DB9 elec-TRON RoadSport Coilover Suspension Kit
Check the exact application
Nitron · NTCAM012R3_
Nitron Aston Martin DB9 R3 Coilover Suspension Kit
Check the exact application
All DB9 kit links and part numbers
- Nitron · NTCAM012RS: Nitron Aston Martin DB9 RoadSport Coilover Suspension Kit
- Nitron · NTCAM012ERS: Nitron Aston Martin DB9 elec-TRON RoadSport Coilover Suspension Kit
- Nitron · NTCAM012R3_: Nitron Aston Martin DB9 R3 Coilover Suspension Kit
- Nitron · NTCAM012R1_: Nitron Aston Martin DB9 R1 Coilover Suspension Kit
Before you order.
Identify your car
Provide the VIN, build year, original market and Coupe or Volante body style, with details of any special edition or previous suspension work.
Match the kit
Send damper and spring labels, mounting photographs and the fitted damping controls and connectors; declare any ADS warnings or conversion.
Check what’s included
Confirm the selected AM012 application, supplied or retained springs and top mounts, required travel and end fittings.
Check your modifications
List wheels, tyres, spacers and altered suspension parts; agree any electronic integration, controller, loom or manual-conversion requirements.
Plan fitting
Agree fitting, alignment, setup records and rechecks, and confirm supply timing before booking the work.
See what the adjustments do.
Ride height and spring preload
Understand the two adjustments before choosing a lowering range.
What spring rate tells you
Compare force and movement, read the units and choose a spring with the damper in mind.
Damping adjustment explained
What combined, two-way and three-way controls change.
Alignment after changing ride height
Set the intended height, check the geometry and keep a useful record of the result.
Questions about Aston Martin DB9 coilovers.
Check the details before choosing your kit.
Does the DB9 name confirm Coupe and Volante fitment?
The current UK Nitron tables name DB9 without a model-year, body or ADS breakdown. Supply the VIN, build year and body style so the exact assemblies, springs and mounting parts can be confirmed for the car.
Did adaptive damping start with the 2013 DB9 update?
Adaptive damping was fitted before that update. Aston Martin’s 470 bhp DB9 brochure describes Normal and Sport modes on Coupe and Volante. Its 2013 model-year material specifies Normal, Sport and Track. Identify the controls and damper parts on your own car.
What should I check in a RoadSport quotation?
Nitron specifies original top mounts and lists the Aston Martin RoadSport spring upgrade separately. Confirm the springs and other components supplied or retained for your car, and have the condition of retained parts checked before fitting.
Will elec-TRON RoadSport retain my factory ADS controls?
Confirm that for the exact DB9 equipment before ordering. Nitron describes OEM electronic integration and a standalone DCU route across the elec-TRON range, but the DB9 listing does not identify each factory ADS version or its required loom and controller. Send part numbers and connector photographs.
How does Nitron R1 adjustment differ from R3?
R1 adjusts compression and rebound together through one control, without a remote canister. R3 has separate rebound, low-speed compression and high-speed compression controls. Choose with the specialist who will set up the car and confirm the reservoir arrangement supplied for the application.
Is the DB9 rear spring around the damper?
The 470 bhp factory brochure specifies coil-over aluminium monotube dampers with rear double wishbones. Check the actual assemblies and attachments on your car, including any later replacements. That factory description does not establish replacement dimensions or kit compatibility.
How much should I lower a road-going DB9?
Agree the running height after checking the car’s springs, travel, wheels, tyres and access routes. Have clearance checked through steering and suspension movement, then arrange alignment and subsequent checks. The broad DB9 listings do not provide a confirmed lowering figure for each configuration.
When should I book fitting for a backordered kit?
Confirm the agreed specification and current supply timing first. An orderable backorder does not give a dispatch date. Allow for inspection, installation, alignment and any electrical work when arranging the fitting appointment.
Let’s talk suspension.
Find your DB9, then send the VIN, body style and suspension photographs. Include the fitted damping controls, wheel sizes and any previous changes.