My first Aston Martin purchase - Any feedback very welcome!

[UcockAroach]

I have never driven an old Vanquish, but for the same money I'd much rather have the DBS. I can't see how that price differential can widen, and everyone you speak to says the Vanquish is only going one way. The DBS is a much better car. Good luck tomorrow. Hope you get what you want

[JulianPH]

I agree the DBS is the better car - though I still like the styling of the Vanquish S.

Thanks for the comments (everyone!), tomorrow is going to be an exciting day!

[KarlFranz]

JulianPH said:

Polish and paint protection film is an excellent idea - any idea what the cost of them would be?

I have already asked about replacing the plastic seat operators with the new metal ones (they are checking if this can be done! ). What is the deal with the glass buttons? I have read about them but can't find any pics showing the difference between glass ones and whatever is already there?

Thanks for your feedback

Aston cannot change a car from plastic seat controls to metal ones because they use a different interface. The plastic ones are simple switches and they just close the contacts that actuate the motors. The metal ones encode the signals from the switches through a common set of wires and a seat ECU decodes it to determine what movement is required.

The only difference between the standard switches and the glass ones is their appearance. The glass ones look similar to the start button where the function icon is located about 10mm below a glass-like surface whereas the standard ones are made of opaque plastic that has been painted black and has the icon laser etched on the surface. The remaining black on the plastic switches can wear out or scratch with fingernails which will ruin the appearance of the icon as it allows more of the light to show through the translucent portion beneath. The glass switches are more resilient and look much classier.

Edited by KarlFranz on Friday 31st October 17:22

[V8 Animal]

KarlFranz said:

Aston cannot change a car from plastic seat controls to metal ones because they use a different interface. The plastic ones are simple switches and they just close the contacts that actuate the motors. The metal ones encode the signals from the switches through a common set of wires and a seat ECU decodes it to determine what movement is required.

The only difference between the standard switches and the glass ones is their appearance. The glass ones look similar to the start button where the function icon is located about 10mm below a glass-like surface whereas the standard ones are made of opaque plastic that has been painted black and has the icon laser etched on the surface. The remaining black on the plastic switches can wear out or scratch with fingernails which will ruin the appearance of the icon as it allows more of the light to show through the translucent portion beneath. The glass switches are more resilient and look much classier.

Edited by KarlFranz on Friday 31st October 17:22

Karl,
I think the OP is referring to these which are on my MY12

Full glass button replacements about £1k
Ceramic coating and detailing about £750 but not worth it IMO
Stone protection front third about £2k a must IMO
HTH

[DB9VolanteDriver]

JulianPH said:

I agree the DBS is the better car - though I still like the styling of the Vanquish S.

Thanks for the comments (everyone!), tomorrow is going to be an exciting day!

I would have agreed with this hands down, but now having a Vanquish, I'm not so sure. In some areas the Vanq is better than the DBS, and vice versa. They both have their strong points and I think they'll both rise in value over time, with the DBS requiring a longer period because of its Gaydon roots vs NP, and its less bespoke craftsmanship. Brilliant car nonetheless.

[JulianPH]

V8 Animal said:

KarlFranz said:

Aston cannot change a car from plastic seat controls to metal ones because they use a different interface. The plastic ones are simple switches and they just close the contacts that actuate the motors. The metal ones encode the signals from the switches through a common set of wires and a seat ECU decodes it to determine what movement is required.

The only difference between the standard switches and the glass ones is their appearance. The glass ones look similar to the start button where the function icon is located about 10mm below a glass-like surface whereas the standard ones are made of opaque plastic that has been painted black and has the icon laser etched on the surface. The remaining black on the plastic switches can wear out or scratch with fingernails which will ruin the appearance of the icon as it allows more of the light to show through the translucent portion beneath. The glass switches are more resilient and look much classier.

Edited by KarlFranz on Friday 31st October 17:22

Karl,
I think the OP is referring to these which are on my MY12

Full glass button replacements about £1k
Ceramic coating and detailing about £750 but not worth it IMO
Stone protection front third about £2k a must IMO
HTH

Thanks Karl, this is exactly what I was (trying to) talk about. The plastic ones are a bit Tesco on such a car. If you have any pics of the glass/plastic buttons that would also be fantastic.

None of these things will change my mind on a DBS, but could change my mind on which one I go for (I love the interior on the one I am seeing tomorrow - but £10k more for a 2012 model with upgrades sounds well worth the difference - even though it means waiting for the right one).

In an ideal world I could buy the car I want now and then add the upgrades.

How long does the stone protection last (I know this must sound stupid for the experienced) and why do you consider the ceramic coating not to be worth the money? Only asking as I don't know.

Many thanks for your comments!

[cayman-black]

Picture and all the info came from Paul( V8Animal)

[JulianPH]

cayman-black said:

Picture and all the info came from Paul( V8Animal)

Cheers, my mistake.

[V8 Animal]

cayman-black said:

Picture and all the info came from Paul( V8Animal)

Yep was me do a search on my posts ive recently bought a 2012 DBS and traded in a 2008 there is some differences in the models price being the important one
2nd car for the stone protection it will stay on the car for as long as I keep it.
Ceramic coating I had on my first car and I found it difficult to maintain however they are improving this protection all the time.
It was sold to me on the basis it would keep swirls down as its a tough coating it didn't.
You may be best talking to paddy about this.
Any more help just yell

[shropshireAston]

Welcome and good luck...
I fell for a quantum 2010 DBS... If you drive it you will buy it :-)
Glass buttons I'm having done at a certain specialist.. But pretty easy to fit :-)will post pics monday.. Don't worry if they won't do a deal drive enjoy and then get them done after... Just get it bought
Now don't forget to post pics when you've signed on the line

Edited by shropshireAston on Friday 31st October 19:30

[JulianPH]

V8 Animal said:

cayman-black said:

Picture and all the info came from Paul( V8Animal)

Yep was me do a search on my posts ive recently bought a 2012 DBS and traded in a 2008 there is some differences in the models price being the important one
2nd car for the stone protection it will stay on the car for as long as I keep it.
Ceramic coating I had on my first car and I found it difficult to maintain however they are improving this protection all the time.
It was sold to me on the basis it would keep swirls down as its a tough coating it didn't.
You may be best talking to paddy about this.
Any more help just yell

Thanks very much, I have some swirls on the bonnet of my Bentley (Beluga Black) and so really want to avoid them again. Obviously the same with stone chips. Any recommendations as a clincher with the dealer?

I really appreciate your feedback.

Julian

[V8 Animal]

JulianPH said:

Thanks very much, I have some swirls on the bonnet of my Bentley (Beluga Black) and so really want to avoid them again. Obviously the same with stone chips. Any recommendations as a clincher with the dealer?

I really appreciate your feedback.

Julian

Push for the second year warranty.

[E19SRH]

I recently bought a v8v from HWM and I had the car detailed instead of the ceramic coating. Gtechniq products have given an amazing finish. My logic was that a ceramic coating on top of a poor paint finish wouldn't be as good as having a full correction and detail.

[Mako V12V]

This looks like a stunning car.....get it puchased (no R )

If you don't buy it you'll only be miserable like all the other Bentley owners!!

[divetheworld]

JulianPH said:

Thanks Karl, this is exactly what I was (trying to) talk about. The plastic ones are a bit Tesco on such a car. If you have any pics of the glass/plastic buttons that would also be fantastic.

None of these things will change my mind on a DBS, but could change my mind on which one I go for (I love the interior on the one I am seeing tomorrow - but £10k more for a 2012 model with upgrades sounds well worth the difference - even though it means waiting for the right one).

In an ideal world I could buy the car I want now and then add the upgrades.

How long does the stone protection last (I know this must sound stupid for the experienced) and why do you consider the ceramic coating not to be worth the money? Only asking as I don't know.

Many thanks for your comments!

Paint protection film is like a clear wrap. Only get it on the front end. Normally it is about £6-800. Worth every penny and lasts years.
Don't bother with paint cerma coatings and stuff from the dealers. Just get a machine polish before the film.

Glass buttons.

[V8V Pete]

I would agree with others re paintwork. Only get dealers to repair any damage, do not pay them for paint treatments. When you have the car get a full paint correction detail (very highly recommend Paddy328 our resident forum detailer), he will then apply a glass coat sealant (gtechniq), then get paint protection film applied. Result - perfect long lasting finish.

Enjoy your purchase!

[JulianPH]

Hi All

Well, the car came at midday and was absolutely stunning. Just as I had signed the retention form for my numberplate and the log book of my Bentley we hit a couple of problems.

First one is a warning light on my Bentley. This comes on every now and then when it has not been driven and goes off after you give it a good run (just as Bentley advised me when it first appeared). It was also on when - at Stratstone Tyne & Wear's request - I took the Bentley to Stratstone Derby for them to inspect it.

However, they now want me to take it to a specialist before proceeding with the agreed part exchange price. Had they said this before giving me a p/x price and bringing the DBS down to me I would have completely understood, but they did not and are now obviously trying to reduce the p/x price from the one stated in their own Order Form saying they were not aware of this.

The other thing is that the order form gives the asking price of the DBS and then adds to this a £145 "Used Car Administration Fee"!!!!! They are saying they won't budge on this (even though I am paying full asking price and they offered £1,500 less on my Bentley than JCT600 - who have serviced it for the last 7 years - offered me in p/x).

Other points, the headlamps were misted over on the inside (apparently because the lights had been on) and the breaks squealed horribly (the guy who drove it 150 miles to me said they were fine until just before he arrived, but his boss said this was because they were ceramic brakes, but he would have this fixed???).

So, any thoughts anyone?

Have taken pics and will post shortly (camera battery died). Car itself was incredible other than the above.

[So_poo]

I got a call yesterday to say someone is looking at this car - its a nice spec - get it bought! Only thing it was missing was front parking sensors I think (from the spec I was after).

[SELON]

Brake squeal: I could understand an initial squeal after standing for a while but would expect any temporary squeal to stop and certainly not be a temporary squeal that starts after a 150mile drive. I have CCMs.

Sounds like you feel a bit messed around.
That plus the brakes, would be enough for me to take my Bentley, sort out the warning light (or take to a dealer that understands the situation) and walk away.

Maybe that will catch their attention.

Either way, there are other DBS out there. Will be more.

[cayman-black]

God i hate stratstones. If you like the car stick to the deal you had in place. £145 WTF.