My new Vantage S Roadster
Discussion
Here's a few more pictures of some the changes to the S
A better pic of the seats, looking dirty already!
Vantage S Collection 033 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The forged alloys (same as the sport pack but with S size alloys), 6 pot calipers and floating discs
I'm pleased with the colour of the wheel and caliper as they very nearly match and will hide the brake dust as well.
Vantage S Collection 041 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The updated lighter interior is much nicer, I really like the centre console and the new S pattern on the top.
Vantage S Collection 035 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 043 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The new beam blades sit a lot lower than the old style ones and look quite nice with the slots machined in the arms
Vantage S Collection 042 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Here's a few views of the sat nav
We discovered it also has traffic info and rerouting (the little green cars top left)
Vantage S Collection 038 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 037 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 036 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
A better pic of the seats, looking dirty already!
Vantage S Collection 033 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The forged alloys (same as the sport pack but with S size alloys), 6 pot calipers and floating discs
I'm pleased with the colour of the wheel and caliper as they very nearly match and will hide the brake dust as well.
Vantage S Collection 041 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The updated lighter interior is much nicer, I really like the centre console and the new S pattern on the top.
Vantage S Collection 035 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 043 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The new beam blades sit a lot lower than the old style ones and look quite nice with the slots machined in the arms
Vantage S Collection 042 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Here's a few views of the sat nav
We discovered it also has traffic info and rerouting (the little green cars top left)
Vantage S Collection 038 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 037 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S Collection 036 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
George H said:
Car is looking good Mikey 
How are you coping without heated seats in a roadster? They would be a fairly high priority for me!
Can you lift up both the wipers now when washing the car, without one of them fouling on the bonnet? Don't know if the V8V did that before, but it drives me insane on the DB9.
What's the little docking station for in the 3rd pic? Or is it something you have added?
I know I will miss the heated seats but I have a cunning plan to retrofit them How are you coping without heated seats in a roadster? They would be a fairly high priority for me!
Can you lift up both the wipers now when washing the car, without one of them fouling on the bonnet? Don't know if the V8V did that before, but it drives me insane on the DB9.
What's the little docking station for in the 3rd pic? Or is it something you have added?
Not tried lifting the wipers yet< i'll let you know when I get a chance to wash it!
Dock is my Tom Tom sat nav which will be hard wired in. The Garmin in built systm is very good and a leap on from the Volvo one but the TT has numerous features I use the GArmin doesn't
George H said:
Neil1300R said:
Get in car, press buttons 8,9, hold them in, insert key, turn to position 1, wiper blades go to centre of windscreen.
not in the car at the moment, but if its its not 8, 9 together its 7,8. Its the only way to clean the car properly
Thanks, I'll definitely give that a try not in the car at the moment, but if its its not 8, 9 together its 7,8. Its the only way to clean the car properly
It will work by pushing the ECU in the slot instead of turning the key to position 1 wont it?
Reset them by taking ECU from ignition
Edited by mikey k on Saturday 8th October 19:52
Neil1300R said:
V8V CG said:
A Do you know any more wonderful tips and tricks like that one? It is 8 and 9: I just tried.
B What is that piece of luggage behind the passenger seat? Is there something made to fit that space?
Thanks.
B What is that piece of luggage behind the passenger seat? Is there something made to fit that space?
Thanks.
but then I would have to admit to RTFM, which would lose me `man points`!
no luggage behind my seats apart from map pockets
It is a "messenger bag" which turned out is exactly the right width and depth
Jay_Davis said:
"European heavy metal"??? Would that be the beetles-on-steroids from Germany or the required-live-in-mechanic cars from Italy and England?
Just off the top of my head, I had an integrated tire warning system in 89, an adjustable suspension and a heads-up display in 97, and a completely keyless system in 2004. I had 400+HP getting 27 miles per gallon with a car that is easy to live with as a daily driver and inexpensive to maintain. Not to mention the fact that the service I got from my local Chevy dealer was SOOOOO much better than that I have received from two different Aston Martin dealers that its absurd. Of course that's compounded by the fact that the Vantage has spent more time at the dealer in 2+ years than my last two Vettes did over 12 years.
So, not for nothing, the only car I was really willing to give up my Vette for was the Vantage, and then there's still a couple of things I miss (the service department being the biggest one).
But the steering wheels on the wrong side Just off the top of my head, I had an integrated tire warning system in 89, an adjustable suspension and a heads-up display in 97, and a completely keyless system in 2004. I had 400+HP getting 27 miles per gallon with a car that is easy to live with as a daily driver and inexpensive to maintain. Not to mention the fact that the service I got from my local Chevy dealer was SOOOOO much better than that I have received from two different Aston Martin dealers that its absurd. Of course that's compounded by the fact that the Vantage has spent more time at the dealer in 2+ years than my last two Vettes did over 12 years.
So, not for nothing, the only car I was really willing to give up my Vette for was the Vantage, and then there's still a couple of things I miss (the service department being the biggest one).
George H said:
Lets face it, the reasoning why anyone outside of America would buy a corvette over say, a 911, is laughable. In fact, I can't see one reason why an American would buy a corvette over a 911, unless they desperately wanted an old fashioned plastic sports car with no style.
Yep price!Jay_Davis said:
There's technology that's "gadgets" and there's technology that's downright useful. A keyless system falls under the downright useful category, especially when they give you two types of keys: one which is absurdly expensive, slippery, and breakable, and the others are just ridiculously expensive and wear out faster than the tires.
Fair point but it's not an option I would have taken up!Bringing this back on topic
(you could start a new one corvette vs AM?)
Paint corrector and machine polisher booked for weekend after next, paint should be fully set by then
Then on to the paint film guy the following Monday.
In the meantime I'm going to get the sealants on the arches, engine bay and wheels, followed by some stain guard on the roof liner.
Stuck some LED lights in to the rear plate and door lights to get rid of the "yellow" glow from them.
I'll do the footwell lights when I'm feeling flexible enough
Also going to add 100W main beam as I found the 55W ones a bit too dim for my style of night driving
(you could start a new one corvette vs AM?)
Paint corrector and machine polisher booked for weekend after next, paint should be fully set by then
Then on to the paint film guy the following Monday.
In the meantime I'm going to get the sealants on the arches, engine bay and wheels, followed by some stain guard on the roof liner.
Stuck some LED lights in to the rear plate and door lights to get rid of the "yellow" glow from them.
I'll do the footwell lights when I'm feeling flexible enough
Also going to add 100W main beam as I found the 55W ones a bit too dim for my style of night driving
Edited by mikey k on Wednesday 12th October 08:31
I've not updated this for a bit.
I've been busy though! Just not driving it (yet)
Paints now had 4 weeks hardening so I started on detailing it.
I had a good look over it and there was way too much tyre "grease" on the tyres and in the wheel arches so that had to come off.
Paint work was actually OK considering the warning I was given about AM paint quality, still not perfect though
1)one piece of dirt under the paint coat on the bonnet
2) two black spots in the paint on the bonnet
3) sanding powder under the bonnet, in the roof seals and front area behind the grill
4) dried clear coat wet sanding debris set rock solid in the rear wing arches, engine bay, under the bonnet, behind the front upper grill, along the underneath of the sills and behind the lower front bumper grill (no idea how to get to this frown )
5) clear coat dripping and setting from the bonnet hinge
6) dirt under the paint on the back edge of the bonnet and the back edge of the drivers front wing.
No marring, holograms or sanding marks that I could find with 3 different light sources
So on with a Meguiars APC 10:1 wash to the engine, arches alloys and body panels.
Rinsed it off and dried it.
Out with the Meguiars Clay Bar kit, as the clay is less aggressive and suited the new paint. Still surprised how much crap came off the paint! You could feel the difference afterwards
Vantage S detail 004 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I had a good look at my stone chip and got my Chipex ordered - turned up 2 days later!
Found two others on the front as well.
Here it is before polishing it up after Chipex filling.
Vantage S detail 013 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Moved on to cleaning up the engine bay, after a good clean up of body shop debris and sorting out a few errant loom clips and masking the body work up I sprayed it with Meguiars Hyperdress 2:1 for a satin rather than gloss finish. Ran the engine for 10 minutes and brushed up the excess that had pooled. Quick metal polish to Mr Freeman's plaque (who I'd like to have a word with )
Vantage S detail 019 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Then I moved on to the wheels and brakes. Using small ramps and a trolley jack I removed and sorted out one corner at a time. After another APC 10:1 wash I dried them and gave the wheel and the calipers two coats of my favourite harsh duty polish! Collinite 845 insulator wax. I was amazed at the size difference of the front calipers to my old V8 and found out how they take a bit of weight out the wheels - drill big holes in the back!
refitted them with my old locking wheel nuts (that need de rusting )
Vantage S detail 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 011 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 009 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 010 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I was contemplating paint filming the rear of the seats and the extruded inner sills.
Took one look at the back of the seat and decided film would never follow the contours so I gave them a couple of coats of Collinite as well
Vantage S detail 024 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I ordered a few strips of Ventureshield to do the inner sills with, I gave up after trying to use a heat gun to wrap it round the edge of the sill It's just took thick for intricate curves. So I got some "sticky back plastic" to have a go with that. It went on OK and could easily be cut and formed. But the surface finish was $hit and it looked awful So that came off and two coats of Collinite went on until I cna come up with a better plan.
Vantage S detail 064 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
So a semi professional detailer mate (thanks Paul!) came over to machine polish and fettle the paint work at the weekend. He was happy there was no correction needed and simple used a Menzerna light cutting/polish compound on orbital polisher. You could see the improvement as he finshed each panel. It really started to look like the way it should have come out the factory.
Vantage S detail 062 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 048 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 044 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The master at work
Vantage S detail 026 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Once he had finished and done the carbon fibre bits as well the colour really came out.
You can see how Lightning Silver changes with the light. Blue to Lilac hint to Silver all in one car!
Vantage S detail 025 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Moved it outside ot get a good look at it!
Vantage S detail 036 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 032 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 030 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 029 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Off to the paint film guys tomorrow to seal in the fantastic finish.
Once its back 3 coats of Zaino 2 to seal it all up!
The grill is out for the detailer and paint film guys Oh and for the dealer to replace it as it's falling apart
Gave all the leather a wipe down with the Meguiars 10:1 APC just to remove finger prints etc
I need to stain guard the roof liner and clean the glass down
Really looking forward to getting it dirty and exploring it!
More pics here for you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25369163@N08/sets/721...
As an aside I found the same issue on this ones roof as I had on my last one.
The middle support bar is not properly covered enough to stop the metal edge rubbing and fraying the roof liner
I'll get the dealer on to that one as well
Vantage S detail 016 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 017 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I've been busy though!
Just not driving it (yet)Paints now had 4 weeks hardening so I started on detailing it.
I had a good look over it and there was way too much tyre "grease" on the tyres and in the wheel arches so that had to come off.
Paint work was actually OK considering the warning I was given about AM paint quality, still not perfect though
1)one piece of dirt under the paint coat on the bonnet
2) two black spots in the paint on the bonnet
3) sanding powder under the bonnet, in the roof seals and front area behind the grill
4) dried clear coat wet sanding debris set rock solid in the rear wing arches, engine bay, under the bonnet, behind the front upper grill, along the underneath of the sills and behind the lower front bumper grill (no idea how to get to this frown )
5) clear coat dripping and setting from the bonnet hinge
6) dirt under the paint on the back edge of the bonnet and the back edge of the drivers front wing.
No marring, holograms or sanding marks that I could find with 3 different light sources
So on with a Meguiars APC 10:1 wash to the engine, arches alloys and body panels.
Rinsed it off and dried it.
Out with the Meguiars Clay Bar kit, as the clay is less aggressive and suited the new paint. Still surprised how much crap came off the paint! You could feel the difference afterwards
Vantage S detail 004 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I had a good look at my stone chip and got my Chipex ordered - turned up 2 days later!
Found two others on the front as well.
Here it is before polishing it up after Chipex filling.
Vantage S detail 013 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Moved on to cleaning up the engine bay, after a good clean up of body shop debris and sorting out a few errant loom clips and masking the body work up I sprayed it with Meguiars Hyperdress 2:1 for a satin rather than gloss finish. Ran the engine for 10 minutes and brushed up the excess that had pooled. Quick metal polish to Mr Freeman's plaque (who I'd like to have a word with
)Vantage S detail 019 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Then I moved on to the wheels and brakes. Using small ramps and a trolley jack I removed and sorted out one corner at a time. After another APC 10:1 wash I dried them and gave the wheel and the calipers two coats of my favourite harsh duty polish! Collinite 845 insulator wax. I was amazed at the size difference of the front calipers to my old V8 and found out how they take a bit of weight out the wheels - drill big holes in the back!
refitted them with my old locking wheel nuts (that need de rusting ) Vantage S detail 006 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 011 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 009 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 010 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I was contemplating paint filming the rear of the seats and the extruded inner sills.
Took one look at the back of the seat and decided film would never follow the contours so I gave them a couple of coats of Collinite as well
Vantage S detail 024 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
I ordered a few strips of Ventureshield to do the inner sills with, I gave up after trying to use a heat gun to wrap it round the edge of the sill
It's just took thick for intricate curves. So I got some "sticky back plastic" to have a go with that. It went on OK and could easily be cut and formed. But the surface finish was $hit and it looked awful So that came off and two coats of Collinite went on until I cna come up with a better plan.Vantage S detail 064 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
So a semi professional detailer mate (thanks Paul!) came over to machine polish and fettle the paint work at the weekend. He was happy there was no correction needed and simple used a Menzerna light cutting/polish compound on orbital polisher. You could see the improvement as he finshed each panel. It really started to look like the way it should have come out the factory.
Vantage S detail 062 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 048 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 044 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
The master at work
Vantage S detail 026 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Once he had finished and done the carbon fibre bits as well the colour really came out.
You can see how Lightning Silver changes with the light. Blue to Lilac hint to Silver all in one car!
Vantage S detail 025 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Moved it outside ot get a good look at it!
Vantage S detail 036 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 032 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 030 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 029 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Off to the paint film guys tomorrow to seal in the fantastic finish.
Once its back 3 coats of Zaino 2 to seal it all up!
The grill is out for the detailer and paint film guys Oh and for the dealer to replace it as it's falling apart
Gave all the leather a wipe down with the Meguiars 10:1 APC just to remove finger prints etc
I need to stain guard the roof liner and clean the glass down
Really looking forward to getting it dirty and exploring it!
More pics here for you
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25369163@N08/sets/721...
As an aside I found the same issue on this ones roof as I had on my last one.
The middle support bar is not properly covered enough to stop the metal edge rubbing and fraying the roof liner
I'll get the dealer on to that one as well
Vantage S detail 016 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Vantage S detail 017 by mikey k V8VR, on Flickr
Yeti & Murph - She will do ~ 10k miles a year. My last one had 23k miles on after 2.5 years and looked pristine. Doing this work now will make it easier to keep clean, prevent all the issues I had with the other one due to the previous owner not looking after it and prevent gravel rash on the paint.
CardiganKid - Collonite 845 is a wax originally designed to protect insulators on the high voltage pylons you see all over the place. It is obviously very durable, long lasting and easy to apply. Hence it is ideal for wheels and brake calipers
http://www.shipshapenorfolkltd.co.uk/ect/proddetai...
Zaino 2 is just one produt from a large range, it is a final sealant to add more shine and seal the finish from the machine polishing.
I only used it twice in 18 months on my last car.
http://www.zainoeurope.com/Zaino/Z-2-Pro/prod_3.ht...
Dropped her off at the paint film guys this morning, collect her tomorrow then I can get the Z2 on and get driving. Lets hope for some good weather end of the week. I feel a Friday blast round the Lakes or Snowdonia coming on
CardiganKid - Collonite 845 is a wax originally designed to protect insulators on the high voltage pylons you see all over the place. It is obviously very durable, long lasting and easy to apply. Hence it is ideal for wheels and brake calipers
http://www.shipshapenorfolkltd.co.uk/ect/proddetai...
Zaino 2 is just one produt from a large range, it is a final sealant to add more shine and seal the finish from the machine polishing.
I only used it twice in 18 months on my last car.
http://www.zainoeurope.com/Zaino/Z-2-Pro/prod_3.ht...
Dropped her off at the paint film guys this morning, collect her tomorrow then I can get the Z2 on and get driving. Lets hope for some good weather end of the week. I feel a Friday blast round the Lakes or Snowdonia coming on
Wayne you will hear it before you see it 
Good day today!
Got the Venture shield on after a minor hiccup!
The whole bonnet looks great you can't tell its there!
Same goes for the rear quarters, lower sills and front splitter - great job.
1 year fitment warranty and 5 years materials warranty!
Drove down the M6 with the roof down to Wilmslow happy as Larry.
Only to get ~60m of barrier tape all wrapped round the left hand side of the car
Took a bit of careful removing on the hard shoulder of the M6
Meandered off to Wilmslow with the obligatory blast through the airport tunnels
Service team at Wilmslow did a full check over and fitted my new grill! Much better than the rickety old one I did notice a Magma red Vantage S roadster in there with all the rear brakes in bits I suspect from the plate it is the press car Broughtons sold recently, bought by some one on here IIRC.
Decided to celebrate with a cross country "slow" road home.
God this car is great.
Sounds fantastic on the over run and with the valves open, corners on rails and handles like my old highly modified S200 did, the light weight seats really let you feel what the car is doing
Wife and I went for another spin when we got home, apparently its all "skateboardy" what ever that means
Should really have waited until I could get the Zaino on it but what the hell! I bought it to drive!
(just need to clean it down with some Optimum No Rinse and apply the Zaino before the weekend )
Got the Venture shield on after a minor hiccup!
The whole bonnet looks great you can't tell its there!
Same goes for the rear quarters, lower sills and front splitter - great job.
1 year fitment warranty and 5 years materials warranty!
Drove down the M6 with the roof down to Wilmslow happy as Larry.
Only to get ~60m of barrier tape all wrapped round the left hand side of the car
Took a bit of careful removing on the hard shoulder of the M6
Meandered off to Wilmslow with the obligatory blast through the airport tunnels
Service team at Wilmslow did a full check over and fitted my new grill! Much better than the rickety old one
I did notice a Magma red Vantage S roadster in there with all the rear brakes in bits I suspect from the plate it is the press car Broughtons sold recently, bought by some one on here IIRC.Decided to celebrate with a cross country "slow" road home.
God this car is great.
Sounds fantastic on the over run and with the valves open, corners on rails and handles like my old highly modified S200 did, the light weight seats really let you feel what the car is doing
Wife and I went for another spin when we got home, apparently its all "skateboardy" what ever that means
Should really have waited until I could get the Zaino on it but what the hell! I bought it to drive!
(just need to clean it down with some Optimum No Rinse and apply the Zaino before the weekend
)steveatesh said:
Great job Mike.
Can you say what jacking point you used and did you have to put anything between the jack and the jack point to give it extra lift?
I would love to protect the inside of the wheels but have never been able to see an obvious jacking point to let me take them off. Picture would be great if you have one please?
I just used the points in the manual with an ice hockey puck on top of the jack to spread the load better. I needed to just take out one under tray bolt on the rear points to get a flatter area.Can you say what jacking point you used and did you have to put anything between the jack and the jack point to give it extra lift?
I would love to protect the inside of the wheels but have never been able to see an obvious jacking point to let me take them off. Picture would be great if you have one please?
BE VERY CAREFUL WITH JUST THE JACK SUPPORTING IT!
There is also this thread!
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f...
There is
ALL DONE!
Gave it clean down with Otimum No Rinse in one bucket works a treat that stuff!
Two coats of Zaino applied and polished out
Sorted out the roof wear points (I'll do a thread on this)
Fitted the standard V8 mud guards with one minor mods (I'll update the thread on that to)
Fitted the Tom Tom cradle and permanent power supply
Looking forward to a good blast round N Wales tomorrow.
To get it dirty and start again
Gave it clean down with Otimum No Rinse in one bucket works a treat that stuff!
Two coats of Zaino applied and polished out
Sorted out the roof wear points (I'll do a thread on this)
Fitted the standard V8 mud guards with one minor mods (I'll update the thread on that to)
Fitted the Tom Tom cradle and permanent power supply
Looking forward to a good blast round N Wales tomorrow.
To get it dirty and start again
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