Does anyone work on their Aston

[Steve w]

Looking at getting into Aston ownership for the first time and one thing I do like doing is doing all the servicing, maintenance etc on my own cars. Question is, does anyone actually work on their own cars and if so is it a negative when selling? How well are the cars catered for partswise by specialists.

[Car mad enthusiast]

Hi, I do nearly all my own work on my cars but I do use a specialist Aston indi for a second pair of trained eyes on my car too for oil changes etc and big jobs as his workshop is bigger than mine is and I don't like getting mine filthy dirty either. LOL.

I buy all my new parts from my supplying Aston dealership at a discount to me for being a valued customer to them and they all come with a proper printed invoice for my cars history file which proves all my parts fitted are OEM grade.

The joy of DIY is learning about how your car works and also saves you a small fortune in labour rates too and the added bonus of you knowing its actually been checked and done which you cannot guarantee at a main dealer or some indies.

If your mechanically minded which your profile suggests you are as a car restorer and have a good tool set and a decent garage to do it all in then I would say GO FOR IT and enjoy doing it.It will be easy for you to do and it will not effect the cars value either. Infact it could make the car a lot more attractive to a future buyer as dealers usually bin cars histories or deny having any which is bloody silly IMHOP.

Other than that my friend you will have to pay someone else a lot to do it for you.

Its your choice and your money and time though at the end of the day.

Cheers

Steve w said:

Looking at getting into Aston ownership for the first time and one thing I do like doing is doing all the servicing, maintenance etc on my own cars. Question is, does anyone actually work on their own cars and if so is it a negative when selling? How well are the cars catered for partswise by specialists.

Edited by Car mad enthusiast on Monday 27th March 10:48

[Loose_Cannon]

How long you intend to keep the car is also a factor. There are so many people who say they wouldn't buy a car without a full set of winged stamps that DIY servicing is a concern for resale. This is really frustrating for someone like myself who is pretty geared up for this and quite enjoy it as part of the ownership experience.

I'm going to do the same with the DB9 as my Esprit - give it 2 years of dealer servicing to see if the car's a keeper, then do the bulk at home with a trip to an expert every few years and for things I don't trust myself with (cambelts fall into this category).

People these days just don't seem to bother with motoring DIY at all, like they go to the local scratchy car wash rather than spend 20 minutes looking after second most expensive purhase after their house. I'm sure my neighbours have me down as the local wierdo when I'm under a car changing the oil on the drive, in fact I reckon some of them don't even know what I'm doing at all.

Edited by Loose_Cannon on Monday 27th March 11:24

[davek_964]

I do smallish stuff to mine - if / when it needs brakes I'll certainly do them myself but for routing servicing it's nice to have the stamp in the book.

Having said that, I had a Ferrari 348 for 18 months and refused to pay an Indy £750 for a minor service when it cost 1/3 of that to do a minor on a 911 turbo - so I serviced that myself. I took plenty of photos, kept receipts and documented what I'd done and it made no difference come resale - but obviously it was only a single service.

[leerandle]

I don't think an Aston is any different (generally) to any other car when it comes to basic maintenance/servicing etc.

Yes, there might be a few little different quirks, but overall don't be put off by the badge.

You can end up paying a bit more for parts, but performing the DIY yourself is quite satisfying.

I've used Bamford Rose for previous servicing and work and although I couldn't recommend them enough (Its even a 160 mile round trip) I think I am getting to learn my car more by performing simply jobs like brakes discs, pads, shocks etc.

Its not for everyone and you have to be mechanically minded, but its definitely worth it if you have the time and inclination.

There's lots of specific videos and guides on the internet these days that covers a lot of Aston Vantage/DB9 maintenance.

Mines due a timing chain cover fix and that's something that I will definitely not be doing myself.........

[Philip0]

For those who like to DIY, there are some very useful video guides on the AMOC website (www.amoc.org/forum/db9-dbs;-virage/video-how-to-library-for-db9---23917)

[Steve w]

Thanks for the replies. At the end of the day it's just a car bolted together like other cars and I have no issues taking it apart and putting it back together as that is what I have done for over 30 years. I did all the servicing and restoration on the Ferrari's I have owned and that didn't appear to impact on the resale but the Aston will be a lot newer than those. I am lucky enough to have a fully equipped workshop and bodyshop to do this but that said I know some people just don't like these sort of cars touched by anyone not wearing the correctly badged overalls. It's refreshing to know that there are others out there that do work on their own cars. Thanks for the video heads up I will certainly look at them.

Does anyone have a preferred Indy parts supplier or are these just dealer only?

[B4rnst4ble]

No , in the same way I wouldn't have a bash at open heart surgery, I might be able to get all the parts needed but would I get them in the correct order?? no
People are skilled and trained in certain jobs for a reason, why do people think they can have a crack at doing something and then think just because the correct parts are used/ documented its all ok?
Les Dawson could play the piano all the correct notes just in the wrong order. I am sure you've heard the saying jack of all trades master of none, would I buy any car which has been home serviced... no!
just my thoughts

[Jon39]

Steve w said:

... At the end of the day it's just a car bolted together like other cars and I have no issues taking it apart and putting it back together, as that is what I have done for over 30 years.

I am not so sure. 30 years ago, I was confident to completely strip and rebuild engines and gearboxes.

These days, I lift bonnets and am completely puzzled. Electronic everything. What does it all do? Why is it all necessary?
I cannot even tell how much fluid is in the windscreen washer container. It is hidden near the bottom of the wing.

Now I am even frightened to try jacking, in case I write the car off [ref. previous topic].

So, that just leaves the cleaning for me then, and my man has to do the servicing.

Edited by Jon39 on Monday 27th March 20:02

[telum01]

I do the majority of my own maintenance, and have been slowly building up some information and tutorials to help others out with it as well. If you search for my screen name on YouTube, you'll find my videos and some other stuff I've done. There are some things I won't do myself, though, and some things that a dealership has to do.

Resale is going to be more difficult if you don't keep thorough records. When a dealership, specialist, or indie does the work, you get records. When you do it yourself, you have to make your own records. Even if valid and accurate, a buyer might question them because a less-than-honest seller might create their own records to hide missing maintenance. Just food for thought.

[SS972]

I also do all my maintenance myself,as nearest dealer is 4000 ocean miles away.
I run a 4X4 workshop so have access to ramps and full equipements.
Done so far, coils on my DB7 and DB9, CCM brakes conversion on the 9, routine services, decat the 9 etc....
Not a very complicated car compared to the latest generation of Range Rovers.

[davek_964]

B4rnst4ble said:

No , in the same way I wouldn't have a bash at open heart surgery, I might be able to get all the parts needed but would I get them in the correct order?? no
People are skilled and trained in certain jobs for a reason, why do people think they can have a crack at doing something and then think just because the correct parts are used/ documented its all ok?
Les Dawson could play the piano all the correct notes just in the wrong order. I am sure you've heard the saying jack of all trades master of none, would I buy any car which has been home serviced... no!
just my thoughts

I think you're over complicating most routine servicing jobs on a car. Changing a set of brake pads is hardly rocket science and definitely not comparable to open heart surgery. No matter how much the car cost, stuff like brakes, oil change, air filter change etc. are all essentially the same and really not very complicated if you have any mechanical abilities at all.

There are good independents / official AM mechanics out there and there are bad ones. The idea that a service by somebody who's been paid for it is good - and that a service by the owner basically involves him randomly bolting bits of his car back together with his fingers crossed that they're in the right place - is a tad naive in my opinion.

[Gavc]

I work on my own cars having restored most things over the years. But also work with s good indie who does a once over each year it's all about common sense on what you feel able to do. Brake pads and general service items straight forward. Coils and plugs more involved so it's about how capable you are.

[B4rnst4ble]

davek_964 said:

I think you're over complicating most routine servicing jobs on a car. Changing a set of brake pads is hardly rocket science and definitely not comparable to open heart surgery. No matter how much the car cost, stuff like brakes, oil change, air filter change etc. are all essentially the same and really not very complicated if you have any mechanical abilities at all.

There are good independents / official AM mechanics out there and there are bad ones. The idea that a service by somebody who's been paid for it is good - and that a service by the owner basically involves him randomly bolting bits of his car back together with his fingers crossed that they're in the right place - is a tad naive in my opinion.

Ah so you would be happy letting someone with o level biology have a go at sewing a cut up on your arm and hoping for a good job, same principle in my opinion . I know there are good and bad main dealers and indies out there but part of life is building up relationships with people who you can trust to do the job and who is qualified. How far do you go when having a bash before you find out you are in too deep or just keep going like a maverick.

[davek_964]

B4rnst4ble said:

Ah so you would be happy letting someone with o level biology have a go at sewing a cut up on your arm and hoping for a good job, same principle in my opinion . I know there are good and bad main dealers and indies out there but part of life is building up relationships with people who you can trust to do the job and who is qualified. How far do you go when having a bash before you find out you are in too deep or just keep going like a maverick.

Each to their own, but it is really not the same principle...

[Loose_Cannon]

B4rnst4ble said:

No , in the same way I wouldn't have a bash at open heart surgery, I might be able to get all the parts needed but would I get them in the correct order?? no
People are skilled and trained in certain jobs for a reason, why do people think they can have a crack at doing something and then think just because the correct parts are used/ documented its all ok?
Les Dawson could play the piano all the correct notes just in the wrong order. I am sure you've heard the saying jack of all trades master of none, would I buy any car which has been home serviced... no!
just my thoughts

Would you have your open heart surgery done by garage mechanics, even Aston Martin ones? I don't think so. Compared to the diagnostic ingenuity that went on in the pre ECU era a lot of main dealer mechanics these days would be described as "fitters", hence their solutions of replacing a series of large parts of the car when tracing small faults. Thats been my experience anyway, along with collecting minor amounts of bodywork damage whilst in their "care". This isn't at AM by the way, but definitely some garages dealing with upper crust motors.

I'll leave my car with any garage I think will look after it like I would, which hasn't been many so far.

Edited by Loose_Cannon on Tuesday 28th March 08:12

[Loose_Cannon]

B4rnst4ble said:

How far do you go when having a bash before you find out you are in too deep or just keep going like a maverick.

I had a bash 30 years ago when running my first Capri. Pretty much grasped the concept of changing brake pads now, and anyone who think £600 for an oil change is in any way value for money must be on a colossal salary.

Still, if anyone wants to avoid cars that have been touched by their owners thats entirely their perogative and there is certainly plenty of choice out there.

Edited by Loose_Cannon on Tuesday 28th March 08:49

[DapperDanMan]

B4rnst4ble said:

davek_964 said:

I think you're over complicating most routine servicing jobs on a car. Changing a set of brake pads is hardly rocket science and definitely not comparable to open heart surgery. No matter how much the car cost, stuff like brakes, oil change, air filter change etc. are all essentially the same and really not very complicated if you have any mechanical abilities at all.

There are good independents / official AM mechanics out there and there are bad ones. The idea that a service by somebody who's been paid for it is good - and that a service by the owner basically involves him randomly bolting bits of his car back together with his fingers crossed that they're in the right place - is a tad naive in my opinion.

Ah so you would be happy letting someone with o level biology have a go at sewing a cut up on your arm and hoping for a good job, same principle in my opinion . I know there are good and bad main dealers and indies out there but part of life is building up relationships with people who you can trust to do the job and who is qualified. How far do you go when having a bash before you find out you are in too deep or just keep going like a maverick.

Just because you don't know how to work on a car doesn't mean that others are the same. The last time I took mine to a particular indie for servicing I ended up with a weeping bleed nipple that over time pissed brake fluid over the rear of a calliper but not enough to show on the ground or wheel. I discovered it whilst doing other work on the car, so you tell me about trained people working on my car, that is a rookie mistake and before you think it NO I hadn't done any work on the brakes at that point so never touched a bleed nipple on my DB9 and I and never had that in 30 years of car ownership on any of my cars.

I remember a while back a certain member on here sharing his experiences whilst trying to fix a problem with his car and the treatment he get over it. So working on your own Aston as far as this sub forum is concerned is a bit of an underground activity. But anyone with experience of working on cars can certainly work on a DB9/Vantage as it is in many ways a very well laid out vehicle (with some exceptions of course).

So enjoy your car how you wish to. I would say the key to working with them is to have a good lifting setup to get the thing on axle stands or some kind of vehicle lift.

[B4rnst4ble]

DapperDanMan said:

Just because you don't know how to work on a car doesn't mean that others are the same. The last time I took mine to a particular indie for servicing I ended up with a weeping bleed nipple that over time pissed brake fluid over the rear of a calliper but not enough to show on the ground or wheel. I discovered it whilst doing other work on the car, so you tell me about trained people working on my car, that is a rookie mistake and before you think it NO I hadn't done any work on the brakes at that point so never touched a bleed nipple on my DB9 and I and never had that in 30 years of car ownership on any of my cars.

I remember a while back a certain member on here sharing his experiences whilst trying to fix a problem with his car and the treatment he get over it. So working on your own Aston as far as this sub forum is concerned is a bit of an underground activity. But anyone with experience of working on cars can certainly work on a DB9/Vantage as it is in many ways a very well laid out vehicle (with some exceptions of course).

So enjoy your car how you wish to. I would say the key to working with them is to have a good lifting setup to get the thing on axle stands or some kind of vehicle lift.

I remember the same person who stripped down his engine also...... would you have bought that car after his "work"
Ultimately it's where does "simple" mechanics stop and real mechanics begin and who judges the work, would i travel on a plane services by someone with no mechanical qualifications erm no
I for one would rather use a trusted indie to do any work rather than trust my Haines manual

[LionelM]

Hi,

It depends on which generation of Aston Martin you plan to buy.

The DB7 i6 like all the previous L6 versions are very easy to maintain, and it's a real pleasure thanks to a confortable acces to the engine.

Some of my friends also maintain themselves V8 vantage and V12 powered models without problem, for basic operations saving a lot of money

As pointed previously, the are some ayathollas of the maintance book, and one of them could be the future owner of your car. This parameter has to be integrated in your approach. But if it is to keep it, no hesitation. If not, you have to keep in mind it may have a big impact on your selling price - compare it to the money you will save doing your own maintenance, and you will have your answer

Lionel
(from France)