Aston Martin DBX - my journey
Discussion
cwoodsie2 said:
The wheels look fantastic - definitely enhance the paintwork to me. Good to hear the foibles have hopefully been resolved. Dare i say it but it looks a bit more "subtle" now?!
Thanks, well there is a “foibles” update to post later. Preferably once I’ve poured a glass of wine 
Yes much less “bad man”, maybe I’ll swap the front black grill out for the “bright” equivalent too!
The latest niggle list:
- passenger door mirror: heat is slow/not working, often doesn’t fully clear rain on a 40 min drive, whereas driver side does.
- damage to back of front passenger seat: caused by service. Yet to be replaced.
- washer fluid low. I have topped up 12 litres of fluid in 10 days, the dbx holds 4. This is not right. There must be a leak somewhere. Needs investigation.
- crackly sound from stereo. Most obviously when using Spotify on CarPlay,
Other than the minor things above, the car has been running great.
Booked into a track day @ Oulton Park on the 3rd of April with it, very keen to see how it gets on vs my old. DBX 550.
- passenger door mirror: heat is slow/not working, often doesn’t fully clear rain on a 40 min drive, whereas driver side does.
- damage to back of front passenger seat: caused by service. Yet to be replaced.
- washer fluid low. I have topped up 12 litres of fluid in 10 days, the dbx holds 4. This is not right. There must be a leak somewhere. Needs investigation.
- crackly sound from stereo. Most obviously when using Spotify on CarPlay,
Other than the minor things above, the car has been running great.
Booked into a track day @ Oulton Park on the 3rd of April with it, very keen to see how it gets on vs my old. DBX 550.
More fun updates:
Car has gone back into Aston Manchester service dept today after nearly 3 weeks of emails back and forth. Not great at all.
I have an update list of faults for you both:
- 16th Feb passenger door mirror: heat is slow/not working, often doesn’t fully clear rain on a 40 min drive, whereas driver side does.
- 16th Feb washer fluid low. 100% a leak, I can top up in the evening and it’s gone by morning.
- 16th Feb crackly sound from stereo. Most obviously when using Spotify on CarPlay, I can demonstrate.
- 1st April CarPlay crashes, did it with my old phone, new phone, wife’s phone. Tried multiple cables and just decides to freeze occasionally, requiring you to un plug it and reconnect. Not ideal when driving alone.
- 1st April bonnet/front bumper alignment on the driver side. Number slightly fouls the headlight. Doesn’t look great.
- 1st April tracker issue, I have been receiving calls nearly everyday from Vodafone telling me my car is “being sabotaged”. The battery isn’t low on the car or tracker fob. Not that the fib battery matters when the car is locked and parked. Getting to the point that if it was actually stolen I wouldn’t pay attention to the calls. Losing its purpose.
These two points are ongoing from last year!
- 17th March 2023 damage to back of front passenger seat by reclining seat too far back by service. Ongoing.
- 12th April 2023 Steering wheel marked with biro upon return from service. Ongoing.
To elaborate on the interior issues; the steering wheel and driver seat are showing excessive wear/discolouration now. Not inline with the car only being 18 months old/16k miles. Especially not for the price paid and the expectation of quality.
The good news is I’ve got a DB12 courtesy car.
Car has gone back into Aston Manchester service dept today after nearly 3 weeks of emails back and forth. Not great at all.
I have an update list of faults for you both:
- 16th Feb passenger door mirror: heat is slow/not working, often doesn’t fully clear rain on a 40 min drive, whereas driver side does.
- 16th Feb washer fluid low. 100% a leak, I can top up in the evening and it’s gone by morning.
- 16th Feb crackly sound from stereo. Most obviously when using Spotify on CarPlay, I can demonstrate.
- 1st April CarPlay crashes, did it with my old phone, new phone, wife’s phone. Tried multiple cables and just decides to freeze occasionally, requiring you to un plug it and reconnect. Not ideal when driving alone.
- 1st April bonnet/front bumper alignment on the driver side. Number slightly fouls the headlight. Doesn’t look great.
- 1st April tracker issue, I have been receiving calls nearly everyday from Vodafone telling me my car is “being sabotaged”. The battery isn’t low on the car or tracker fob. Not that the fib battery matters when the car is locked and parked. Getting to the point that if it was actually stolen I wouldn’t pay attention to the calls. Losing its purpose.
These two points are ongoing from last year!
- 17th March 2023 damage to back of front passenger seat by reclining seat too far back by service. Ongoing.
- 12th April 2023 Steering wheel marked with biro upon return from service. Ongoing.
To elaborate on the interior issues; the steering wheel and driver seat are showing excessive wear/discolouration now. Not inline with the car only being 18 months old/16k miles. Especially not for the price paid and the expectation of quality.
The good news is I’ve got a DB12 courtesy car.
Edited by nathwraith1 on Thursday 18th April 16:43
Mezzanine said:
Oooohhh!!
Wasn’t aware of that coming down the pipeline!
Well it’s rumoured. The updated v8 dbx will be announced soon, then a v12 later. Wasn’t aware of that coming down the pipeline!
Just as you are seeing a DBS style mule with the victor rear end and a DB12 style mule. Again rumoured are both V12. The V12 dbx may be hybrid.
One can only imagine the niggles and warranty issues on that haha
RC1807 said:
I had fewer problems with my dealer and a Ford Fiesta ST than you’ve had AM, and I didn’t buy another Ford! That wasn’t quality of the car, just every time the dealer touched it they broke something and left me to find out and push them to correct things.
Here you are readying to set yourself up as a stooge to AM, again, with potentially an even more expensive version - despite the poor quality and terrible dealer.
I’d have chopped it in when the parts cannon came out …..
Objectively and logically, yes you are right. I’m obviously not in my right mind.Here you are readying to set yourself up as a stooge to AM, again, with potentially an even more expensive version - despite the poor quality and terrible dealer.
I’d have chopped it in when the parts cannon came out …..
No one buys as Aston or any car of this ilk based on it making sense on paper otherwise we’d all be driving Kia’s.
However this is an Aston Martin and it drives incredibly well. (When working).
I don’t know what I’d change it for though?
So the dbx is back from a week away of more warranty work. However it was due its 2nd year service a set of fresh summer tyres so those bits were done too.
Work completed:
- new set of p zeros (first set lasted 12k miles)
- 2nd year service
- Bumper realignment
- Tracker fix
- Washer bottle leak fixed (new bottle)
- New passenger heated mirror
Unresolved work
- crackly audio via CarPlay
- Steering wheel wear(more on this)
Issues upon return of car
- dash cam plugged from OBD (appreciate techs may need the OBD for the service but plug it back in before you drive it home to me.)
- Tyres well below factory recommended pressure (easily fixed ofc but reeks of sloppiness)
- Service book not stamped/filled in. Oh it’s all electronic you say, great I still want my physical copy/proof thanks. Plus they stamped/detailed the 1st service.
Irritating as these things are, they are all pretty normal during the ultra luxury Aston Martin experience now.
The amount of time spent playing email tennis with service is embarrassing. Often having to repeat myself despite speaking to the same person/email chain.
My big bug bear is the steering wheel. Just look at it. It looks like a taxi wheel. This car is 18 months old and has done 17k. I’m told that Aston hq say it’s hand sanitiser damage therefore not their problem.
Total BS. None of my other cars have had this happen. It’s just a get out of jail free card for them and I’m so sick of it.
The dealer is Aston Martin Manchester/Wilmslow. The dealer principal doesn’t even bother to reply to my emails any more.
Video of wheel
https://youtube.com/shorts/QRdOn1cvaoI?si=HXwO8k_T...
Superhoop said:
If the issue is caused by hand sanitizer, why does the issue only seem to have affected the beige section of the leather on the wheel, when you would naturally have more contact with the black leather.?
Are Aston Martin suggesting that they use a different quality leathers for each part of the wheel.? And if so, why?
As others have said, the colour coating has failed..
This is a very good point well made. Are Aston Martin suggesting that they use a different quality leathers for each part of the wheel.? And if so, why?
As others have said, the colour coating has failed..
My concerns were dismissed quickly by the service team. So disheartening when the car is such a joy to drive.
bolidemichael said:
I wonder if it’s a case of the perception being that they can’t do enough to please you.
To be clear, I’m characterising this as a ‘they’ problem, not a ‘you’ problem.
I don’t need to be “pleased” I just need basic things doing when they set out to do them. To be clear, I’m characterising this as a ‘they’ problem, not a ‘you’ problem.
Service book stamped when it’s in for a service, tyres at correct pressure when fitted, plugging the dash cam back in etc.
Edited by nathwraith1 on Monday 29th April 15:16
AyBee said:
Glad they're sorting it for you. For future reference (hopefully you won't need it), there's a guy in Knutsford called Leathercare Ltd who is very good with all things leather - does dealer work for Ferrari Manchester amongst others.
I appreciate the advice. Yes I’m glad they have seen sense. As I’ve said many times in this thread, it was never my intent to turn it into a “whinge” but the car has had so many issues and the dealer has exacerbated them at times.Heres some pics of the 707 over the last few months.
Mechanically the car has been rock solid and everyday is a joy. Ticked over 18k miles now and despite the face lifted DBX being announced, the cost to change would be circa £120k, which I think is crazy for a new screen and tweaked interior. However I must be one of the few who doesn’t mind the lower tech Mercedes infotainment. Also…better the devil you know at this point haha!
Stu78 said:
I think it's absolutely stunning!
Thank you, I certainly think so too!CSK1 said:
Yes, absolutely stunning Nath!
Love the colour and wheels.
I see no reason to change mine. I’ve kind of adapted to the infotainment. I just connect my phone to CarPlay and use voice control. The TrackPad works fine too.
Thanks! See I come from Mercedes and Honda infotainment so the dbx feels bang up to date haha. When I had my supra that felt space age! And yet was bemoaned by reviewers for being a gen or two too old smh.Love the colour and wheels.
I see no reason to change mine. I’ve kind of adapted to the infotainment. I just connect my phone to CarPlay and use voice control. The TrackPad works fine too.
axel1990chp said:
Never ever been a fan of SUV’s, although I see the appeal, but I think these are absolutely stunning. Beautiful car mate
Thanks! Same, my dbx 550 was my first suv. Right now my 707 is my only car and the motivation to get something more purposeful as a weekender is slim due to the 707s complete nature. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff