Has anyone used Vantage Engineering?
Discussion
Had my price and confirmed once the new shocks come in my car will be called in for work to begin starting with a test drive along a chosen route to allow Terry to get a feel for what I am looking for, he then takes this back to the workshop to dial in the shocks to my needs, once fitted a further test drive is required to make sure everyone is happy. I feel the offer made is fair, it's lower than what was being touted for Bilstein replacements from others and lower than AM replacement shocks, yet you get a tailor made service from VE.
It's obvious the sky is the limit for suspension from VE, if you want to go all out then as long as you have deep enough pockets virtually anything can be done to cater for your needs.
It's obvious the sky is the limit for suspension from VE, if you want to go all out then as long as you have deep enough pockets virtually anything can be done to cater for your needs.
Edited by BiggaJ on Tuesday 3rd August 16:08
Update, VE have emailed to say they now have new stock of their updated suspension and my car is booked in for an exploratory look on 11th August in the afternoon. Synchronising diaries for the work to be completed will most likely be early September, given they want the car for a week or so to be fully sorted.
I cant wait and will report back once all complete.
I cant wait and will report back once all complete.
I posted on this thread a while back during the period when I was deciding which car to buy.
Well, at the beginning of May I found a suitable car in the form of a 2013 V8 Vantage. I had already been in touch with Rob at VE a few times. I also went to the workshop to have an arranged look around. As a former Chartered Mechanical Engineer I pick up information fairly readily and I was impressed by the detail that Terry goes into to sort out some of the issues with the cars. I have also been impressed that they are not concerned that I have not just given them a blank cheque to spend as they fancy.
Anyway, I booked my car in for a service because I wanted to maintain the 12 monthly service schedule that had been maintained on it. I explained to Rob that I wanted to keep a handle on costs as much as possible. So my plan was for them to do the service and organise the MOT and then, if all was good with the car and there were no unexpected costs, I would arranged for them to wax-coat the rear subframe as this would have long-term benefits. They initially gave the car an overall inspection, which I'm pleased to say brought a big thumbs-up and, in the end, the only thing they picked up was that the brake fluid could really do with replacing. Understandably, I gave them the go-ahead on the brake fluid and I also asked them to do the rear subframe.
I collected the car about a week after I had dropped it off (it's only a toy for me so timescales are not an issue). When I arrived, the car was sat at the bottom of the entrance slope to the workshop with a car cover over it (very dramatic!!). Terry talked me through things and I gave the car a once over. I was very impressed.
I also talked with Terry about the possibility of a replacement clutch. He showed me the twin-plate clutch which was nice to see. He also discussed the common-sense in replacing the propshaft bearings. Apparently, if the bearings need replacing it duplicates quite a bit of the clutch replacement work. VE have developed a way of replacing the bearings without requiring a new propshaft, which saves a chunk of money. I won't be skimping on maintainance on my car but where opportunities arise I will plan expenditure carefully. The car is now booked in for clutch replacement and prop bearings later this month.
So you have another vote for VE here. I was forced down the 'Avoid MainDealer' route because my local main dealer (only 6 miles away) are appalling. I have had 3 encounters with them where they had the opportunity to impress and they failed totally. However, every time I have been to VE I have been greeted warmly. Terry and Rob now know my face and there is always a relaxed atmosphere around the workshop. They all just seem to enjoy working on the cars.....and why wouldn' they!!?
Cheers
Adi
Well, at the beginning of May I found a suitable car in the form of a 2013 V8 Vantage. I had already been in touch with Rob at VE a few times. I also went to the workshop to have an arranged look around. As a former Chartered Mechanical Engineer I pick up information fairly readily and I was impressed by the detail that Terry goes into to sort out some of the issues with the cars. I have also been impressed that they are not concerned that I have not just given them a blank cheque to spend as they fancy.
Anyway, I booked my car in for a service because I wanted to maintain the 12 monthly service schedule that had been maintained on it. I explained to Rob that I wanted to keep a handle on costs as much as possible. So my plan was for them to do the service and organise the MOT and then, if all was good with the car and there were no unexpected costs, I would arranged for them to wax-coat the rear subframe as this would have long-term benefits. They initially gave the car an overall inspection, which I'm pleased to say brought a big thumbs-up and, in the end, the only thing they picked up was that the brake fluid could really do with replacing. Understandably, I gave them the go-ahead on the brake fluid and I also asked them to do the rear subframe.
I collected the car about a week after I had dropped it off (it's only a toy for me so timescales are not an issue). When I arrived, the car was sat at the bottom of the entrance slope to the workshop with a car cover over it (very dramatic!!). Terry talked me through things and I gave the car a once over. I was very impressed.
I also talked with Terry about the possibility of a replacement clutch. He showed me the twin-plate clutch which was nice to see. He also discussed the common-sense in replacing the propshaft bearings. Apparently, if the bearings need replacing it duplicates quite a bit of the clutch replacement work. VE have developed a way of replacing the bearings without requiring a new propshaft, which saves a chunk of money. I won't be skimping on maintainance on my car but where opportunities arise I will plan expenditure carefully. The car is now booked in for clutch replacement and prop bearings later this month.
So you have another vote for VE here. I was forced down the 'Avoid MainDealer' route because my local main dealer (only 6 miles away) are appalling. I have had 3 encounters with them where they had the opportunity to impress and they failed totally. However, every time I have been to VE I have been greeted warmly. Terry and Rob now know my face and there is always a relaxed atmosphere around the workshop. They all just seem to enjoy working on the cars.....and why wouldn' they!!?
Cheers
Adi
From our initial enquiries right up to the finished work, we were so impressed with Terry's knowledge and genuine commitment to all-things Aston. Terry gently steered us through the upgrade (AMR twin-plate clutch upgrade) and suggested other sympathetic mods which retained the character of the Vantage - the replacement of the propshaft bearings was a very sensible option whilst the 'innards' were exposed, saving a good chunk of change over two separate jobs. No sales pressure at any stage, just an honest appraisal and suggested options on the best course to take. We love the informal yet personal service, often so sadly lacking in dealerships.
Although Rob has since retired, Jaedn in the office kept us informed at every stage, making the whole process a pleasure.
Vantage Engineering can be assured of our future business. Terry and his team have a wealth of expertise and experience and any Aston would benefit from their mastery - from minor tweaks to floor-up restorations. Highly recommended.
They are really good...if you can actually get booked in, as they seem to be victims of their own success! It can be frustrating that not only is there a long waiting list, but then they tend to hold onto the car for ages. However, the quality of the work and the real difference of them actually caring about my car probably makes the frustration of waiting for them worthwhile.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff