Old timer Vanquish in the clinic for treatment.

[F1NDW]

michael gould said:

always have hankered after a Vanquish but posts like this one put me off for ever. The thought of paying out 10k+ every now and again to keep my car on the road fills me with dread. My DB9 aint no Vanquish but after 5 years ownership (the car is 9 years old) my only bill has been a service at Stratstone's every year at a cost of £650 to £950

Enjoy your beautiful car but you can keep your credit card melting bills !!

They are worth every penny Michael, because they are a true love affair! And what did yours cost? Makes a Vanquish look cheap eh? Phil will be along in a minute to correct my spelling and grammar!

[F1NDW]

benjackson1964 said:

Thanks all. You're right posting on GG left me wide open. You learn from your mistakes.....well actually in my case for 5 mins or so (goldfish memory). Well like many beautiful things the Vanquish does need lots of love, and even more cash. My first experience was at a dealer, they didn't even know about the well known gearbox problems ! So after a couple of months getting to know my local AA guys (car variety, although at that stage the other AA was becoming very appealing) I went to a company called Derby Motor Services (remember them ?). To cut a long story short, after a truly horrible botch job my brother (who had a Vantage) recommended BR. Suffice it to say that since then I've had a driveable car, yes the bills can be steep, but are so much better than the dealer network and/or AM works. Also Mike and his team will always talk me through work in a non condescending way and often manage to bypass or delay 'optional' maintenance.
I've done 82k miles now and although I'm trying to cut down the miles it's sooooooooo difficult. At least it's now in safe hands with it's mods programme and not piling on the miles . I know that not everyone can afford one but I was lucky one year in that I raised the capital (re-mortgage, those were the days) and more by accident than design went for the Vanquish. Before that I'd had a Porsche 996 turbo and in 3 years had lost £25k value on it. So I guess if you accept you're going to be spending a minimum £5k p.a. maintenance for a few thousand miles, get out there, sell whatever you've got, and join me in the lunatic asylum
PS still like red seats.

Ah Ben a fellow traveller at last. I shall be in touch. Adrian old me they had plans for the Vanquish a few years ago. Things have obviously progressed. There is no doubt you will need a brakes upgrade, I've had so many frights with mine!

[benjackson1964]

I don't understand the problem here for a certain person. Is it upsetting that there is a satisfied Vanquish owner who has found a safe home for his beloved vehicle. The vast majority of people on this forum want to talk about their car and have a bit of light hearted banter. Is that so awful ?
Anyway back to what we're on here for. I'd love your opinions on this series of upgrades - has anyone had any similar conversions and if so what was your experience. Also brake upgrades were mentioned, I've been forewarned of this and I guess it's entirely logical if you boost one thing then the next needs upgrading too. But any experiences shared would be great. I love this project but I also need your guidance and advice AM folk

[Neil1300r]

Ignore the anti BR brigade. Whilst understanding some of their frustrations it get very boring. Let's face it no other company is providing performance upgrades to the Vanquish. Works only offer the manual gearstick, brakes, suspension - nothing for the engine.

Re S spec brake upgrade as I understand the official route it's not easy as it needs the SDP suspension as well due to a complete change in mounting.

[benjackson1964]

Thanks all. I'm really interested in the comments about brakes, also suspension, I had hoped this wouldn't be necessary but sounds like I was being rather too hopeful. I'll be checking in with BR and will let you know their thoughts on this. Will keep you posted, enjoy your evenings. Ben

[michael gould]

F1NDW said:

michael gould said:

always have hankered after a Vanquish but posts like this one put me off for ever. The thought of paying out 10k+ every now and again to keep my car on the road fills me with dread. My DB9 aint no Vanquish but after 5 years ownership (the car is 9 years old) my only bill has been a service at Stratstone's every year at a cost of £650 to £950

Enjoy your beautiful car but you can keep your credit card melting bills !!

They are worth every penny Michael, because they are a true love affair! And what did yours cost? Makes a Vanquish look cheap eh? Phil will be along in a minute to correct my spelling and grammar!

I paid 51k for it and it's cost me an average £700 per year for maintance, insurance costs about £400 per year and road tax £280......it's been a wonderful car and I'm hanging on to it

As I've previously said , I would love a Vanquish but would crap myself at every slightly new noise which could mean another big bill.........they are bottomless pits and unless your a competent engineer such as you, they are for wealthy petrolheads who don't mind the odd 10k bill.....no thank you , I will stick to my super reliable DB9

Edited by michael gould on Friday 21st November 22:22

[michael gould]

AMDBSNick said:

tonyhall38 said:

god forbid if you try and sell it....

why oh why would you ever want to sell a car that you had spent so much money on modding unless you are a complete BELL END

People's circumstances change

[jeremyc]

I'm continually amazed how an apparently adult community can degenerate into insults, vitriol and bad-mouthing of businesses.

Can all please you try and keep it civil, and on topic.

[DB9VolanteDriver]

benjackson1964 said:

Thanks all. I'm really interested in the comments about brakes, also suspension, I had hoped this wouldn't be necessary but sounds like I was being rather too hopeful. I'll be checking in with BR and will let you know their thoughts on this. Will keep you posted, enjoy your evenings. Ben

You really should post all this on the AMOC forum. There is a very active Vanquish Mk I subsection, and they would be very interested in all of this. Virtually nil Vanq stuff here.

[F1NDW]

michael gould said:

F1NDW said:

michael gould said:

always have hankered after a Vanquish but posts like this one put me off for ever. The thought of paying out 10k+ every now and again to keep my car on the road fills me with dread. My DB9 aint no Vanquish but after 5 years ownership (the car is 9 years old) my only bill has been a service at Stratstone's every year at a cost of £650 to £950

Enjoy your beautiful car but you can keep your credit card melting bills !!

They are worth every penny Michael, because they are a true love affair! And what did yours cost? Makes a Vanquish look cheap eh? Phil will be along in a minute to correct my spelling and grammar!

I paid 51k for it and it's cost me an average £700 per year for maintance, insurance costs about £400 per year and road tax £280......it's been a wonderful car and I'm hanging on to it

As I've previously said , I would love a Vanquish but would crap myself at every slightly new noise which could mean another big bill.........they are bottomless pits and unless your a competent engineer such as you, they are for wealthy petrolheads who don't mind the odd 10k bill.....no thank you , I will stick to my super reliable DB9

Edited by michael gould on Friday 21st November 22:22

Ha ha Michael, that wasn't the love affair I was talking about nudge nudge wink wink!

[F1NDW]

DB9VolanteDriver said:

benjackson1964 said:

Thanks all. I'm really interested in the comments about brakes, also suspension, I had hoped this wouldn't be necessary but sounds like I was being rather too hopeful. I'll be checking in with BR and will let you know their thoughts on this. Will keep you posted, enjoy your evenings. Ben

You really should post all this on the AMOC forum. There is a very active Vanquish Mk I subsection, and they would be very interested in all of this. Virtually nil Vanq stuff here.

Yes Ben you really do need to go and read all the stuff on the AMOC site, The Vanquish section is very active. However it is not a car that is often modified, apart from suspension and brakes being upgraded on the old 460 cars to the Vanquish S level. In fact I don't know of anyone who has had engine mods.

[woolders]

jeremyc said:

I'm continually amazed how an apparently adult community can degenerate into insults, vitriol and bad-mouthing of businesses.

Can all please you try and keep it civil, and on topic.

Jeremy, if you want to use my words, I don't have a problem. Please don't cut them out of a thread when they are being used to defend the very business you mention above.

[SELON]

Hi Ben,

Thanks for sharing your experiences. Do keep posting here please. Your car is stunning and am very interested to hear about your experiences and the manual conversion for many reasons, not least as it's something that may be requested for more cars in future as manufacturers go full auto with no manual factory option from new.

Have you had any work done to your interior? It may be heresy, but the interior is not my favourite part of the Vanquish compared to other Astons, although all cars date. Some of the guys on here have done some great things on their interiors. It may be worth checking out what they've done if you're interested,

Carry on enjoying your fab car!

[tonyhall38]

Been censored again.....

[benjackson1964]

Hi All. Good idea about AMOC, I'll do that later. Re interior not thought about changing it - any ideas ? I quite like the retro feel, I even have the optional mobile phone aka 'brick' in the centre console

[PiloteAM]

benjackson1964 said:

... I even have the optional mobile phone aka 'brick' in the centre console

Haha, awesome :-)

Can it be retrofitted for Bluetooth? That would be pretty cool, otherwise I guess it's just a paperweight.

[L0TT0]

Personally I would leave the interior as is - it's a classic feel that matches the era. Other enhancements are a different story. I had one of the first DBS decats that Mike did I believe as I was originally going in for 200cell ones but on his recommendation, and at a reduced cost too, went with his suggestion. Glad I did as it's awesome and many on here followed suit after hearing my new soundtrack.

[Armen]

For sure, the "real" and original Vanquish is the greatest Aston of new era...

No doubt the car is in good hands... and it deserves it !

[V8V12VTECwoollie]

mikey k said:

Don't you go selling "jockman"

Mikey, whatever I get next, Aston or something else, Jockman will never be sold Just too much fun!!

[Far Eastender]

Armen said:

For sure, the "real" and original Vanquish is the greatest Aston of new era...

No doubt the car is in good hands... and it deserves it !

In terms of buying a modern 'investment", a Vanquish S is one of the best your could make.