My new Vantage S Roadster
Discussion
yeti said:
mikey k said:
New seat is at JCT and Factory "super" tech is booked for next week to spend the morning with me & the car
Tenner says he's a spotty YTS kid they've just employed from JLR.Or worse still, they deputise Paddy as he lives locally...
We will see!
Edited by mikey k on Sunday 2nd December 19:09
After a 3 hour drive over to JCT (M62 
) Des turned out to be VERY knowledgeable
We went through the list one by one then drove around in the car to demonstrate them
He is going to do some testing with a sound generator to try and pin them down with the JCT600 techs
The new seat was there, perfect with a new rack & frame ready to fit he is going to supervise that
Several of the issues he knew of and had solutions for
I do hope they manage to resolve them all and restore my faith
Showroom was looking a bit empty as they had a do on for HSBC the previus day with a 177, Zag & Vanquish
Must admit the back end of a Magma Red Vanquish looks
) Des turned out to be VERY knowledgeableWe went through the list one by one then drove around in the car to demonstrate them
He is going to do some testing with a sound generator to try and pin them down with the JCT600 techs
The new seat was there, perfect with a new rack & frame ready to fit he is going to supervise that
Several of the issues he knew of and had solutions for
I do hope they manage to resolve them all and restore my faith
Showroom was looking a bit empty as they had a do on for HSBC the previus day with a 177, Zag & Vanquish
Must admit the back end of a Magma Red Vanquish looks
Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 5th December 18:08
Wow that provoked a few comments!
Cardigan - I've had two Vantages both with a long list of warranty claims, one reason I bought the S was to get away from the problems with my old Vantage. Over 3 decades of too many cars to think about I've only had 4 cars that have broken down in warranty, a Ford, a Renault and two Aston's
The persisting issues where there from day one, IMHO they should not have got past QC, the dealer PDI or the 4 visits to the dealers to fix them. I think people have cited enough issues with other brands to show AM are not alone. I do agree though AM need to deliver on the Quality promise you hear so much of on the factory tour.
Micheal - AM budget a fair bit more than that
My last Vantage cost them well over £15k in the year I had it. As you say it is handmade and niggles are expected. However these go beyond that (ie a £5k new light weight seat) I am heartened by the factories response and sending Des out to take control.
Rob - I'd agree with your comments. I did "drop a subtle" about upgrading to a V12VR, but my fishing technique is obviously not good enough
The VH platform was designed to suits convertibles and tin tops, weirdly my old Vantage never suffered rattles and squeaks, it suffered mechanical and electrical gremlins.
Jonby - again all true. I'm an Aston fan (currently being tested ) but I'm not convinced I'm unlucky as you will see from my response to Cardigan. I am realistic but fussy and expect people/companies to deliver on their promises, from their actions I think AM accept the car needs improving as there has been no comments about TADTS or unrealistic expectations. I suspect most people would not have stuck with it the way I have.
Yeti & Luna sum it up well
My business makes realistic promises to customers, we then do our best to exceed expectations. As a result it makes good profits and grows well (enough to buy my dream - a £123k new Aston with no finance on it). I think AM need to learn that lesson. It might solve a few other problems for them as well.
Cardigan - I've had two Vantages both with a long list of warranty claims, one reason I bought the S was to get away from the problems with my old Vantage. Over 3 decades of too many cars to think about I've only had 4 cars that have broken down in warranty, a Ford, a Renault and two Aston's
The persisting issues where there from day one, IMHO they should not have got past QC, the dealer PDI or the 4 visits to the dealers to fix them. I think people have cited enough issues with other brands to show AM are not alone. I do agree though AM need to deliver on the Quality promise you hear so much of on the factory tour.Micheal - AM budget a fair bit more than that
My last Vantage cost them well over £15k in the year I had it. As you say it is handmade and niggles are expected. However these go beyond that (ie a £5k new light weight seat) I am heartened by the factories response and sending Des out to take control.Rob - I'd agree with your comments. I did "drop a subtle" about upgrading to a V12VR, but my fishing technique is obviously not good enough
The VH platform was designed to suits convertibles and tin tops, weirdly my old Vantage never suffered rattles and squeaks, it suffered mechanical and electrical gremlins.Jonby - again all true. I'm an Aston fan (currently being tested
) but I'm not convinced I'm unlucky as you will see from my response to Cardigan. I am realistic but fussy and expect people/companies to deliver on their promises, from their actions I think AM accept the car needs improving as there has been no comments about TADTS or unrealistic expectations. I suspect most people would not have stuck with it the way I have.Yeti & Luna sum it up well
My business makes realistic promises to customers, we then do our best to exceed expectations. As a result it makes good profits and grows well (enough to buy my dream - a £123k new Aston with no finance on it). I think AM need to learn that lesson. It might solve a few other problems for them as well.
JCT have just called with an update
They are confident they have sorted ALL the issues (great!)
They are just waiting on a new screen as it broke getting it out to get at the dash (which also had to come out)
Factory guy should be able to sign it off early next week.
Now where's that email from Bamford Rose?
They are confident they have sorted ALL the issues (great!)
They are just waiting on a new screen as it broke getting it out to get at the dash (which also had to come out)
Factory guy should be able to sign it off early next week.
Now where's that email from Bamford Rose?
Des from the Factory and Ken from JCTThey pretty much nailed it
Brand new light weight seat and rails with leather like the drivers.
I cannot tell the dash and the windscreen have been out, they even put my Sanef tag back exactly where it was.
I only know the screen has been out because it's new and the big stone chip I had repaired has gone.
No distorting speakers, no loud squeaks and rattles (still the odd small one but it's a roadster so no biggie)
The car was a joy to drive back (even in the pissing rain and howling winds) exactly the quiet GT experience I expected in that weather!
Now then which box did I pack those seat heaters in
Oh and Mike where's my email
Edited by mikey k on Thursday 20th December 17:03
Now the factory guys have sorted it out the car has got a gender an a names
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Welcome to Johnny 550
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Welcome to Johnny 550
Well I'm 11k miles in now and she is holding up well
The Venture Shield has been amazing
I closely inspected it today whilst washing it properly I have two marks in it and one bug stain, other than that the paint is perfect
The detailing work I did when I got it had stood up really well
The paint work is still really smooth, it could do with a clay bar to remove a few tar spots but it comes up a treat after a wash
The Colonite Insulator Wax on the calipers and wheels is also still standing up well, a quick snow foam, brush and pressure wash to rinse and they come up like new
Still got a coupe of rattles that need sorting (one persisting from new )
The interior is like new and the leather is looking fresh all I've ever used is a 10:1 dilution of Megs APC sprayed on and wiped off.
The dreaded "white worm" has made an appearance on two alloys, I'll want until towards the end of the warranty then get them sorted (hopefully powder coated)
The grill has take a bit of a battering and is the only part of the car that hints at its 11k miles. I'll get that powder coated black when the wheels are done.
Might look at improving the speakers once it is out of warranty
5.0 GT4 conversion first!
The Venture Shield has been amazing
I closely inspected it today whilst washing it properly I have two marks in it and one bug stain, other than that the paint is perfect
The detailing work I did when I got it had stood up really well
The paint work is still really smooth, it could do with a clay bar to remove a few tar spots but it comes up a treat after a wash
The Colonite Insulator Wax on the calipers and wheels is also still standing up well, a quick snow foam, brush and pressure wash to rinse and they come up like new
Still got a coupe of rattles that need sorting (one persisting from new
)The interior is like new and the leather is looking fresh all I've ever used is a 10:1 dilution of Megs APC sprayed on and wiped off.
The dreaded "white worm" has made an appearance on two alloys, I'll want until towards the end of the warranty then get them sorted (hopefully powder coated)
The grill has take a bit of a battering and is the only part of the car that hints at its 11k miles. I'll get that powder coated black when the wheels are done.
Might look at improving the speakers once it is out of warranty
5.0 GT4 conversion first!
Took Johnny out in to Wales for his second birthday today
So 2 years in and 13k miles later what do I think?
I love this car it gets under your skin even with the niggle I'm still battling (much like some skin disorders
)
Still too many rattles mainly from the roof cover
It looks like the handbrake pads have now worn a groove in the rear discs, I told the dealer that was what was causing the squealing
Sat Nav rebooted itself for the first time mid route today Tom Tom it is then
Finally got used to not hitting the redline on over takes but that just means it shows me how much more power it needs
His birthday surprise is an appointment with Bamford Rose for a transplant
So 2 years in and 13k miles later what do I think?
I love this car it gets under your skin even with the niggle I'm still battling (much like some skin disorders
)Still too many rattles mainly from the roof cover
It looks like the handbrake pads have now worn a groove in the rear discs, I told the dealer that was what was causing the squealing
Sat Nav rebooted itself for the first time mid route today
Tom Tom it is then Finally got used to not hitting the redline on over takes but that just means it shows me how much more power it needs
His birthday surprise is an appointment with Bamford Rose for a transplant
Johnny is two years old this week
13k miles on now and nicely bedded in
Still a few little niggles in terms of rattles/squeaks and brakes
Two drivers side wheels have wheel worm and rear discs now have a groove in them from the poxy handbrake
On the plus side it is still an event each time I use it and in a couple of weeks he is off to Bamford Rose for his op
13k miles on now and nicely bedded in
Still a few little niggles in terms of rattles/squeaks and brakes
Two drivers side wheels have wheel worm and rear discs now have a groove in them from the poxy handbrake
On the plus side it is still an event each time I use it and in a couple of weeks he is off to Bamford Rose for his op
So I dropped Johnny off for his service and upgrade.
Adrian drove it to make sure there were no looking problems or warranty work required.
Turns out I've killed a set of rear pads in 13k miles, weirdly there is loads left on the fronts!
Adrian explained it was the traction control using the brakes to control the movement and advised me to use it in track mode
He spotted the rattles the dealers couldn't sort with in 100 yards of driving and identified their likely cause, lets hope they can sort them for me
Adrian drove it to make sure there were no looking problems or warranty work required.
Turns out I've killed a set of rear pads in 13k miles, weirdly there is loads left on the fronts!
Adrian explained it was the traction control using the brakes to control the movement and advised me to use it in track mode
He spotted the rattles the dealers couldn't sort with in 100 yards of driving and identified their likely cause, lets hope they can sort them for me
Bit of an update and links to a few other pertinent threads for the sake of completeness if anybody goes searching
After the delays in new engine parts and subsequent Gearbox issue (thanks Aston
) Johnny will shortly be completed
Bamford Rose have found another quality issue from the Factory
One of the rear wheel bearings is on its way out after 18 months and 13k miles
So we are going to replace them
So it looks like ~95% of Johnny mechanics will be new!
He needs a set of new rear pads as the traction control has killed the first set in 13k miles.
Links to a couple of other threads for completeness
Manufacturing defect in ASM2 gearbox
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Original Johnny 550 build thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
After the delays in new engine parts and subsequent Gearbox issue (thanks Aston
) Johnny will shortly be completed Bamford Rose have found another quality issue from the Factory
One of the rear wheel bearings is on its way out after 18 months and 13k miles
So we are going to replace them
So it looks like ~95% of Johnny mechanics will be new!
He needs a set of new rear pads as the traction control has killed the first set in 13k miles.
Links to a couple of other threads for completeness
Manufacturing defect in ASM2 gearbox
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Original Johnny 550 build thread
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
DAMIT said:
Mikey, are you staying with the standard rear pads or higher performance pads? Just considering a set of Porterfields myself at the moment. Just got a reasonable price from the Uk supplier as I will need rears soon.
Not sureStd are a bit dusty and squeal like a pig!
How do the Porterfields compare on price?
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