Which forum for 2019+ Vantage?

[turboman786]

Hi all

Just bought a 2019 Vantage and as a seasoned petrolhead am looking to mod it slightly...

The forums all seem to focussed on the older Vantage V8 ...

Can anyone point me in the direction to where there is any volume content on the newer car please as there seems to be very little on the forums Ive seen thus far

Thanks

[Jon39]

I think there is a facebook group, which has more discussion about the 2019 onwards Aston Martins.

During the 2003 to 2018 period, many owners moved through the range to experience different models,

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

but there appears to have been much less of that since the current Vantage was introduced.

Many PHers on here choose to have their maintenance work undertaken by independent specialists, for various reasons.
When out of the initial warranty, it would appear that such a choice is unlikely to become possible, with the Mercedes engine Aston Martins. The reason is the associated diagnostic system has to be purchased (for over £50,000), and the software is not on the laptop purchased, but has to be used with an online connection and payment of a subscription. A huge cost overhead and also continuing concern about whether the subscription might be withdrawn.

[Calinours]

Well…. I would say that your natural home is here on PH.

Reasons why not much post 2018MY Vantage content ?

- many cars still under warranty. Not many issues to ask for help with.
- The cars are generally good/reliable. Other than a certain individual in USA self publicising his issues with coils/plugs, a few noisy diff issues, and the odd electrical gremlin there doesn’t seem to be that much goes wrong.
- They are quite fast enough thank you very much, so no clamour for tuning upgrades like there was with the earlier n/a cars
- if it’s still not quick enough, it’s just a simple remap for 600hp (and likely early grenading of the ‘box), so no endless discussions on here about the relative merits of manifolds and sports cats etc for a smidge more power from those somewhat asthmatic and slightly restricted (for homologation reasons) old n/a motors
- A fact of life is people get older. Many regular PH’ers that were young and fun enough for the old n/a Vantage (ie me) when it was new ‘got old’ and when the time came to upgrade, went for the slightly more pipe n slippers DB11 (me) or Rapide/Vanquish, or the DB9.2
- times they are a changin’ - such forums may no longer be as relevant as they were, fewer new owners are interested in what’s under the bonnet, history, heritage, tinkering. Younger folk just didn’t grow up messing about with cars in the way that us oldies did. Many just wouldn’t know where to start with the super complex all electronic modern stuff.

A shame yes, but at least not yet everyone is in a Tesla and there are still quite a few like you who are interested, but your numbers are just way smaller and it’s reflected in the content for you here on what is still the premiere motoring forum, well at least here in UK.

That’s about it really. But don’t worry, as the newer cars age there will be more content on PH, whether the grumbly ‘old guard’ like it or not. Such is life. 20yrs ago this forum was full of gen 1 Vanquish and DB7 owners... It’s already happening with the only marginally older DB11, note the increasing number of DB11 posts for example.

Catch the wave and start posting on your car. There’s probably more than a few Merc Vantage owners who lurk and are more than willing to assist.

Also, be prepared to robustly defend your tastes…

Edited by Calinours on Sunday 19th November 20:34

[bridggar1]

I too am interested in Mercedes AM Vantage focus. Have been thinking of 2019 cars (with warranty & remaining service included) and am trying to understand what the best options would be - they seem fairly well appointed but many dealers claim £1000s worth of extras.

I don't seem to be able to find out what's included in the "packs" (sports - sport plus - tech etc.) or if the wobblyness or weight penalty for the roadster is significant enough to worry about.

[franki68]

bridggar1 said:

I too am interested in Mercedes AM Vantage focus. Have been thinking of 2019 cars (with warranty & remaining service included) and am trying to understand what the best options would be - they seem fairly well appointed but many dealers claim £1000s worth of extras.

I don't seem to be able to find out what's included in the "packs" (sports - sport plus - tech etc.) or if the wobblyness or weight penalty for the roadster is significant enough to worry about.

I found no downside to the roadster I tested compared to the coupe but they were not long test drives .

[Ninja59]

bridggar1 said:

I too am interested in Mercedes AM Vantage focus. Have been thinking of 2019 cars (with warranty & remaining service included) and am trying to understand what the best options would be - they seem fairly well appointed but many dealers claim £1000s worth of extras.

I don't seem to be able to find out what's included in the "packs" (sports - sport plus - tech etc.) or if the wobblyness or weight penalty for the roadster is significant enough to worry about.

If you avoid the very early cars then it is simple. Nearly all the tech/trim side they feature is standard now. Very early cars unfortunately had some of that lot still as options:
Plastic buttons on PRND instead of the crystal ones
Missing 360 cameras
Keyless missing
Twin v quad exit exhausts

A lot of the above means that for those cars out there missing those features they are worth less and hang round for ages.

If you are looking at pre 2020 ish then it will have been painted at Gaydon, it MAY be suffering with micro blistering. So pelase check, post then they got sprayed alongside the DBX in Wales and shipped from and back to Gaydon in special covers.

I have not heard about a post change sprayed car having issues but it is worth checking as the bonnets, doors and rear 3/4 are notorious for micro blistering owing to contamination during production.

Additionally, there has been some minor trim changes during production - the gill finishes that were available have stopped being available, carbon fibre on the lower sections was removed as an option during production and the cantrail finish has changed slightly to be more glossy on later cars rather than the matte finish earlier cars received.

In addition the rear badging changed slightly.

Inside you may notice some minor trim changes as well - sill plates changed from Handmade in England to saying Handmade in Great Britain. This is due to the paint spraying being in Wales and acts as the biggest indicator, although these can be retrofitted to earlier cars so be warned.

The little infill plate next to the PRND controls has slightly changed and the rear piece of leather with the wings on between the seats has cheekily been removed on later cars.

Headlight switches are notorious for coming out as there is known issue with the earlier version with the seperate parking brake button. Later cars use a standard Mercedes unit with the headlight and parking brake as one unit which is still in use. There is a repair kit for the earlier version as the problem is that common and parts are hard to source (from Valeo no less)

[M1AGM]

.....And the 2 bonnet vents, introduced in late 2020 I think?

[cb804]

I bought a 2019 Vantage this past spring. Yes, the available options can be confusing. The well-equipped cars include the following:

Tech Collection - Includes 360 degree cameras, blind spot monitoring, keyless entry, parking assist, touch pad controller and glass buttons. Some of these became standard after 2020.

Sports Plus Collections - Includes the sports seats that are most often purchased. This is a must. The sport seats are comfortable and beautiful with all the contrast stitching.

Bodypack - Matte black for the body sills and bumpers was standard. Gloss black and carbon fiber were options.

Premium audio - I believe it is a B&O system. Includes a subwoofer behind the seats. Standard audio does not have a subwoofer and fewer speakers.

Side Vents = body color was standard, perforated black was an option

Quad Exhaust was an option for 2019 and some early 2020 cars. Then it became standard.

If buying from a dealer, they can get an electronic copy of the window sticker that shows all the options.

[Ninja59]

M1AGM said:

.....And the 2 bonnet vents, introduced in late 2020 I think?

True yes, 2020 although earlier cars do have the stampings so possible to retrofit if you are brave.

[Minglar]

I may be wrong but I didn’t think B&O was ever an option in new Vantage? As far as I know the speakers, certainly the sub, are labelled as such in DB11 etc, but I don’t think I’ve ever seen a current generation Vantage with that set up? I do know that there has been a fair amount of criticism over the audio systems fitted to this car. That is one area where the previous gen cars are much superior, either Premium or B&O. But I don’t want to derail the thread and be picky. To the OPs original question, Facebook is more likely to be the place to look. This corner of PH has never really embraced the 2017 onwards car, which is a shame, but as a result many owners do seem to be reluctant to post here now. BRM.

[Calinours]

yeah, there were two and perhaps three sins combined in the eyes of both the PH cognoscenti and many others. Bought in turbo’d engines mated to auto trans and a bit of a mess up with the styling. All forgivable in isolation, but together it was a bit of a problem that directly translated to poor sales. I guess global pandemics also didn’t help. While perhaps not the only reason it was a major factor behind the ejection of AP, but at least his mum was able to tell the cars apart.

Funny thing was, almost all else about the cars was right, perhaps for the first (or second, also DB11) time for an Aston ‘out of the crate’. I’ve yet to hear bad things about them from those who have actually driven them.

[Ninja59]

Calinours said:

yeah, there were two and perhaps three sins combined in the eyes of both the PH cognoscenti and many others. Bought in turbo’d engines mated to auto trans and a bit of a mess up with the styling. All forgivable in isolation, but together it was a bit of a problem that directly translated to poor sales. I guess global pandemics also didn’t help. While perhaps not the only reason it was a major factor behind the ejection of AP, but at least his mum was able to tell the cars apart.

Funny thing was, almost all else about the cars was right, perhaps for the first (or second, also DB11) time for an Aston ‘out of the crate’. I’ve yet to hear bad things about them from those who have actually driven them.

Which is why one of the reasons with what I know some of the people that developed these cars and produced them feel gutted as there was a LOT more effort put into the newer cars than the VH cars from all angles, up to and including durability testing.

[bridggar1]

Thanks all - most helpful. Perhaps once I find the right car (one I was considering is now "Reserved") then I may hope to become a regular contributor. I have no beef with any of the items mentioned (I'm a fan of a V8 - strap on two turbos, give it a deep voice & some reliability - what's not to like?). I fully appreciate the car is a bit more imposing than it's pretty parent and I guess the front grill choice the original owner specified might be debatable (along with the "optional" odd matt gill on the sides) but for the price, I'm struggling to see what else I should consider. (long time Porsche owner - may go back at some point but fancy a change - hence my current wobbly M4 Cab)

I need to be able to leave at a station car park sometimes so I've kinda ruled out anything italian or McLaren based.

[BenAstonV12]

I agree with the other positive comments about the Vantage. I had a 2020 for three years. One of the best cars out there, great to drive, engine note is one of the best, practical, looks good, feels special. Only thing I'd encourage anyone to look out for (and it might have just been my model year) is that the leather can peel from the dashboard, around the vents near the windscreen. You can't see it from the inside, but if you look through the windscreen there was a lot of peeling. I got mine replaced under warranty as they have to replace the entire section. The costs are probably huge, tens of thousands would be my guess. It took 10 months for the new dash to arrive! And I've seen at least two with similar issues. One was for sale at a Mercedes dealership and they didn't even know, until I pointed it out. It may just have been an issue with the 2020 model year, Aston probably fixed whatever the issue was, but I'd not want to have to cover the costs of that, out of warranty. Otherwise, it's a brilliant car, prices should start to level off in depreciation now (3-4 year old models), so a good buy right now.

[Peter McKean]

I'm greatly enjoying the DB11 - a quietly accomplished vehicle. Sometimes not so quiet. I love the 2018 Vantage, too. Very good cars, indeed, as most owners of them know.

Having also owned more than one of the previous gen cars, the DB11 feels like a significant step forward in most regards to me and I do wish that it was better represented online.

[Calinours]

Peter McKean said:

I'm greatly enjoying the DB11 - a quietly accomplished vehicle. Sometimes not so quiet. I love the 2018 Vantage, too. Very good cars, indeed, as most owners of them know.

Having also owned more than one of the previous gen cars, the DB11 feels like a significant step forward in most regards to me and I do wish that it was better represented online.

Well Peter, some of us do our best to persuade these n/a devotees that the DB11 (any version, but especially those much maligned early versions fitted with the Aston 5.2 V12) might just be well worth a punt….

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

Ahhh, the beginnings of the AM PH corner just beginning to transcend into forced induction, ha. Next up the dreaded electrification, but it’s surely 10-20 out for us…

Edited by Calinours on Monday 20th November 21:46

[M1AGM]

Peter McKean said:

I'm greatly enjoying the DB11 - a quietly accomplished vehicle. Sometimes not so quiet. I love the 2018 Vantage, too. Very good cars, indeed, as most owners of them know.

Having also owned more than one of the previous gen cars, the DB11 feels like a significant step forward in most regards to me and I do wish that it was better represented online.

+1

[skhannes]

M1AGM said:

Peter McKean said:

I'm greatly enjoying the DB11 - a quietly accomplished vehicle. Sometimes not so quiet. I love the 2018 Vantage, too. Very good cars, indeed, as most owners of them know.

Having also owned more than one of the previous gen cars, the DB11 feels like a significant step forward in most regards to me and I do wish that it was better represented online.

+1

+2

[bridggar1]

So as a "slight" aside - I saw a nice(ish) roadster at a AM dealer recently with what looked like a bodged smart repair to the front bumper - edge of light has some paint buildup on the inside edge.
"This is within factory tolerance and some left the factory like that" "I know the previous owner would never lie to me - can categorically say this car has never been in an accident" - was the response. So two questions.....

1) is this remotely likely with the revised quality control AM has on the current Vantage?
2) Has anyone else actively avoided a sales advisor/dealership because they have a huge aversion to being lied to?

It's a real shame, as they have another Roadster which I quite like but can't bring myself to buy because I don't want the SA to get any commission.

[turboman786]

Wow what a great response to this thread, thanks to all who have taken the time to contribute.

Ill post a mini review soon with some pics to get the discussion moving.

So far the car has been really impressive, Ive owned many many cars and all have their ups/downs but the Vantage feels truly special...the main downside is the interior but I actually feel that the looks/drive overcome the otherwise lacklustre interior

Full amateur review to follow !

Thanks again