16,000 Mile Report V8 Vantage S and Euro Tour Pics
Discussion
Well after the previous 10,000 mile report time for another update on my 2014 V8 Vantage S purchased new by me and used as a daily driver.
Previous report is here (and links the report before that): http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=152...
Well........it's an Aston Martin, what do you expect it to be like? Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Still nothing major has broken or fallen off. I have been having an issue with the Sat Nav which has been irritating to say the least especially on a European tour last week. It has been over 3 months now and I am afraid the issue for this not being resolved lies entirely with the dealer. I shall not name and shame at the moment as they are taking steps to resolve the matter at a high level so we shall see.
Apart from that the brakes still squeak and got really bad at low speeds last week with everything coked in brake dust so that may be a factor.
Only other thing is the exhaust sometimes knocks on a heatshield at the rear (over speed bumps etc). Been adjusted once but needs it again.
I changed the OEM Bridgestones for Michelin PSS at 12K miles. There was loads of tread left on the Bridgestones but I wanted to change the tyres before winter and have to say the Michelins are as reported a big improvement on the Bridgestones.
Second service due soon and I am not expecting anything other than the standard stuff and the above to be addressed. I have still not washed the car, the G-Techniq Crystal Serum means it still scrubs up well with detailing spray once a week.
Pictures from last week where the car performed superbly over 1600 miles...
At Circuit du Reims
Hotel in Alsace
My Lalique Mascot Collection on display at the Musee Lalique for an exhibition there this year
Visit to the Collection Schlumpf - Cité de l'Automobile Musee in Mulhouse
Saw only one other Aston on the entire trip. This lovely DBS in a small town in Switzerland, equally lovely owner
And visiting an independent watchmaker (Laurent Ferrier) in Geneve
Lovely B+B in France on way back
Previous report is here (and links the report before that): http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=152...
Well........it's an Aston Martin, what do you expect it to be like? Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful
Still nothing major has broken or fallen off. I have been having an issue with the Sat Nav which has been irritating to say the least especially on a European tour last week. It has been over 3 months now and I am afraid the issue for this not being resolved lies entirely with the dealer. I shall not name and shame at the moment as they are taking steps to resolve the matter at a high level so we shall see.
Apart from that the brakes still squeak and got really bad at low speeds last week with everything coked in brake dust so that may be a factor.
Only other thing is the exhaust sometimes knocks on a heatshield at the rear (over speed bumps etc). Been adjusted once but needs it again.
I changed the OEM Bridgestones for Michelin PSS at 12K miles. There was loads of tread left on the Bridgestones but I wanted to change the tyres before winter and have to say the Michelins are as reported a big improvement on the Bridgestones.
Second service due soon and I am not expecting anything other than the standard stuff and the above to be addressed. I have still not washed the car, the G-Techniq Crystal Serum means it still scrubs up well with detailing spray once a week.
Pictures from last week where the car performed superbly over 1600 miles...
At Circuit du Reims
Hotel in Alsace
My Lalique Mascot Collection on display at the Musee Lalique for an exhibition there this year
Visit to the Collection Schlumpf - Cité de l'Automobile Musee in Mulhouse
Saw only one other Aston on the entire trip. This lovely DBS in a small town in Switzerland, equally lovely owner
And visiting an independent watchmaker (Laurent Ferrier) in Geneve
Lovely B+B in France on way back
Great info John - we need to post more on how reliable these cars are! Trip looked a fabulous one with lots of interesting stops. If you have a few specific recommendations on hostelries that would be great as we are hoping to hit Stelvio/Como this summer. Is Switzerland worth driving in or best minimised as they are very officious/punitive/sneaky there? Cheers
Ken Figenus said:
Great info John - we need to post more on how reliable these cars are! Trip looked a fabulous one with lots of interesting stops. If you have a few specific recommendations on hostelries that would be great as we are hoping to hit Stelvio/Como this summer. Is Switzerland worth driving in or best minimised as they are very officious/punitive/sneaky there? Cheers
Indeed I am trying my best to convince any readers that these cars are a daily proposition.I can certainly recommend a B+B near Avallon France and hotels/restaurants in La Petite-Pierre and Wingen-sur-Moder in the Alsace.
For Italy in the Piedomont region a lovely hotel/restaurant in Montforte d'Alba.
Personally I would give Switzerland a miss but I did find a superb restaurant in Geneve in Plan les Ouates. All that said I got my first ever speeding fine in Europe this trip and it was in France not Switzerland, It was sneaky and punitive, but they were very nice about it and I was speeding (even if the road was long, straight, dry and completely empty).
Very nice write up - mine was a daily for 3 years, including Euro trips, Skye, Le Man and a cheeky trip to Spa - and of course the daily commute / shopping and all that jazz. I totted up over 20k miles, it was more reliable than our "trusty" Golf. A completely plausible and compelling daily drive.
woodsypedia said:
Great little report - thanks. Do you mind sharing the name of the B+B? Was it good for parking etc?
Cheers
Chris
If you mean the one in BurgundyCheers
Chris
http://www.lacimentelle.com/en/accueil.php
Parking is fine but it looks like it can get a little muddy if it is wet and you stray from the concrete (which there should be no need to do). There is also a high looking concrete lump on the middle of the drive entrance but the Vantage splitter cleared it easily.
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