DB9 corrosion

[Simond S]

Has anyone had corrosion on the side strakes? Mine both seem to be pitting from underneath the chrome.

Also have pitting on the bonnet edge and awaiting feedback regarding warranty.

Car willbe at Gaydon tomorrow, so I'll also get some of the more experienced Aston owners to take a look, but the Ford garage who noticed it said they'd cover both under warranty, hopefully AM will agree

[Simond S]

My car iis 7 years old. Had a call this afternoon offering me 30% toward the cost from AM.

I did ask if the warranty reduced by ten percent per year!

I truly don't understand how bubbling paint or chroming can be anything but deteriation from the inside out if there is no break in the paintwork.

Wr will see thst am say tomorrow face to face

[Simond S]

Ok, very interesting visit today and I learnt more about the AM warranty and paint process.

First of all, a few years ago AM changed their paint process to include an ultrasonic (or something ) process to remove any foreign particles from the body prior to paint.

The warranty that we have is a 3 year paint defect warranty, and a ten year corrosion warranty. What this means is that and defect that is visible in the paintwork must be claimed within three years to be vaild.

I had the opportunity of showing Will my car. He acknowledged that their is a problem with the paint, but...

if the issue is born from the panel rusting from inside the car out, it will be covered in its entirety.

if the issue is due to a fault in the paint process between the aluminium and the paint or layers of paint, it will not be covered.

I tried to argue that oxidisation of steel (which is the product that was in mind when the warranty was written) is very different to the oxidation of aluminium and an ally panel would never rot through from the inside of the panel to the outside.

This was agreed, but the fact remains that the warranty is only there to cover this type if corrosion.

Being a painting process fault also explains why we see this type of bubbling on panels regardless of what they are made from. The composite panels will have the same issue as ally panels as this isnt the panel degrading, more the paint moving away from the coating beneath it.

Any payment made after three years for bodywork is a goodwill gesture by AM.

So i'm really pleased that I had an explanation as to why my car has bubbbles on the paintwork. Maybe in a few years DB9/ Vanquish / V8 bodies will be to Aston what chassis hanger rust became to TVR with specialists popping up to resolve the constant influx of cars with the same problem. The fact that AM have resolved the issue by investing in better qc during the paint process is a bonus for new owners, and for any owner prior to 2004 it isnt an issue as the paint process was totally different.

So it seems we have maybe 5 years of Astons that will suffer from this. I have been offered 30% contribution toward my repair which is circa £2000 which I am grateful for on the basis the issue is ouside of the warranty.

[Simond S]

In case I have portrayed the wrong impression. I am absolutely appalled that the car isnt covered for this defect.

The AM warranty is essentially a waste of paper. It does not cover any bodywork, wings, strakes, wheels, brake calipers, wing mirrors against faulty workmanship after the initial 3 years. When googling it becomes apparent just how widespread this issue is with DB9's and Vantages.

I have spoken to Tonbridge Coachworks (AM approved bodyshop) this afternoon and explained my main concern. If this is as widespread as the www suggests are we clearing up two areas of defect only to have more appear next year. Are these models Astons going to become patchworks of paintwork as each defect is rectified.

I said to our guide today that my perception is the guys building the cars have passion, but the guys upstairs couldnt give a damn about owners. In reality we are irrelevant to them as their markets grow in Asia and India. Luckily for the new owners these issues have been rectified. I'd be interested to find out how US owners have been treated, they seem to stand much taller to get warranties honoured and class actions progressed.

[Simond S]

Just found this topic http://www.pistonheads.co.uk/GASSING/topic.asp?h=0...

on amoc they have this thread

http://www.amoc.org/forum/index.php?action=printpa...

http://www.hsv.org.uk/topic.asp?t=870621&f=70&...


It does seem that we are seeing the issue in similar areas, rear pillar, front wings, bonnet edge, door handle areas.

The only question would be if the warranty could be fought as not fit for purpose as it specifically excludes anything that could actually happen.

Interestingly Auto Express have just chased Ford for a similar issue

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/...

We probably need a pretty lady owned to get in the mag, but is it worth trying to get a mainstream paper / magazine / watchdog involved. Lets be honest, Aston Martin is number one in the coolest brand awards, something they are keen to promote. http://www.astonmartin.com/news/news-archive/aston... and I am sure someonelike watchdog would enjoy thre irony of testing Aston's metal.

Is it because as owners we allow them to ride roughshod over their customers and ignore cmplaints with a swift "computer says no" attitude.

[Simond S]

So my car went off to Lancaster Aston last month to have all the paint bubbles resolved. AM offered to pay 30% of the cost so I was left just under £1400 to pay.

Whilst it was in the bodyshop manager called me and sent photo's of further defects on the doors and rear arch. The handles were also affected.

He explained straight away that there would be no point trying to get more money from AM. But, he would complete all the work within the initial qiote.

Very happy with the result, a totally scratch and chip free 2005 DB9

(just the small issue of the cracked trim inside ns door to resolve)

[Simond S]

I fully understand the frustration of having a DB9 and it showing paint flaws. Unfortunately as an owner you need to appreciate that you have a totally different relationship with your car than Aston Martin.

Their relationship ended when the car was three years old and warranty ended. From that moment onward the relationship with the car sat with whatever dealer or specialist you chose to service your car.

If, and it is a big if, you have access to a goodwill gesture from AM they may offer a consideration toward a repair to your bodywork. The reality is that you probably need a reasonable relationship with an approved dealer to assist with this.

I was lucky, the failings on my car coincided with a visit to Gaydon that Yeti arranged giving me the opportunity to discuss my paintwork. It didn't however change the outcome that AM offered 30% of the cost if completed at an AM approved bodyshop.

I wouldn't waste time or money trying to get a legal decision. The warranty is very heavily weighted toward AM.