David Appleby Engineering Review
Discussion
I found this forum pretty helpful when contemplating an upgrade to my V8 vantage roadster over the last few months and having completed the mods wanted to share my experience with DAE.
I initially spoke to David in between Christmas and New Year and he took 30 mins to go through the various options with me and couldn't have been more helpful. Obviously I spoke to :No Name and shame please: too and when I eventually got through after leaving a few messages they didn't seem particularly bothered about my custom which contrasted sharply with my experience at DAE.
James came down to London to trailer the car to Banbury which went smoothly and the work began....
I've got a 4.3 car which has already had the AM power upgrade fitted. DAE added in no particular order; 200 cell cats, twin plate clutch and fly wheel, upgraded brake system, new air boxes and engine manifolds, remote control exhaust valves, new engine mapping and a full service - tyres, wiper blades etc. Whilst the car was with them I had a repaint to the front, wings and a dubious repair to the back bumper I had done corrected with a new bumper. The paint work is fantastic.
The car is transformed!! I only picked it up today but the difference is incredible. It sets the traction off in second, pulls better in all gears, stops faster, much more responsive throttle and sounds amazing. Pretty low key in stealth mode and all hell breaks loose when not! I can't wait to do a few longer drives to really enjoy it.
The key thing for me is that DAE were a delight to deal with. Knowledgeable and consultative throughout the process they have looked after someone who doesn't know a huge amount about cars but had an idea as to how their existing car needed to improve. Their enthusiasm for the cars shines through and I'd heartily recommend their work.
I've got no affiliation to them at all, asked for a discount and didn't get one, but have been massively impressed by how they operate.
If your thinking about any mods - go for it!!! David
I initially spoke to David in between Christmas and New Year and he took 30 mins to go through the various options with me and couldn't have been more helpful. Obviously I spoke to :No Name and shame please: too and when I eventually got through after leaving a few messages they didn't seem particularly bothered about my custom which contrasted sharply with my experience at DAE.
James came down to London to trailer the car to Banbury which went smoothly and the work began....
I've got a 4.3 car which has already had the AM power upgrade fitted. DAE added in no particular order; 200 cell cats, twin plate clutch and fly wheel, upgraded brake system, new air boxes and engine manifolds, remote control exhaust valves, new engine mapping and a full service - tyres, wiper blades etc. Whilst the car was with them I had a repaint to the front, wings and a dubious repair to the back bumper I had done corrected with a new bumper. The paint work is fantastic.
The car is transformed!! I only picked it up today but the difference is incredible. It sets the traction off in second, pulls better in all gears, stops faster, much more responsive throttle and sounds amazing. Pretty low key in stealth mode and all hell breaks loose when not! I can't wait to do a few longer drives to really enjoy it.
The key thing for me is that DAE were a delight to deal with. Knowledgeable and consultative throughout the process they have looked after someone who doesn't know a huge amount about cars but had an idea as to how their existing car needed to improve. Their enthusiasm for the cars shines through and I'd heartily recommend their work.
I've got no affiliation to them at all, asked for a discount and didn't get one, but have been massively impressed by how they operate.
If your thinking about any mods - go for it!!! David
Well have just returned from having my service done at David Appleyby Engineering and I have to say what an absolute bunch of cowboys..................belated April Fools!
Usually I have to serviced at the Main Dealer and so this foray into independents was a new experience for me and I have to say I was very impressed with Appleby's. At the start of the day I did drive down and as I went through country lanes, into what seemed the middle of nowhere, I was concerned however upon arrival (eventually - I will come into that later!) those concerns were soon forgotten. It was a father and son team and they were great to deal with and very knowledgeable, especially through years of no doubt working with Aston Martins, particularly Vantages in their racing heritage and, from having a tour around the place, it was great to see the variety of work they do. They were both great to talk to being passionate, enthusiastic, thorough and professional. I liked the way also that they showed you around the car when it was lifted up and anything which needed attention they pointed out and explained and also then left it up to you whether you wanted it done or not. No hard sell - just matter of fact. Overall a great service and competitively priced as well, I could not fault them and I would definitely recommend them to anyone.
Just be aware the satnav in the Aston's, when putting in the postcode OX17 2HB, does seem to lead you to a shop in the middle of the village - you are better off putting in "Greatworth Park" and that would lead you to them and they are literally the first building as you turn in before you come to 888 racing.
Neil
Usually I have to serviced at the Main Dealer and so this foray into independents was a new experience for me and I have to say I was very impressed with Appleby's. At the start of the day I did drive down and as I went through country lanes, into what seemed the middle of nowhere, I was concerned however upon arrival (eventually - I will come into that later!) those concerns were soon forgotten. It was a father and son team and they were great to deal with and very knowledgeable, especially through years of no doubt working with Aston Martins, particularly Vantages in their racing heritage and, from having a tour around the place, it was great to see the variety of work they do. They were both great to talk to being passionate, enthusiastic, thorough and professional. I liked the way also that they showed you around the car when it was lifted up and anything which needed attention they pointed out and explained and also then left it up to you whether you wanted it done or not. No hard sell - just matter of fact. Overall a great service and competitively priced as well, I could not fault them and I would definitely recommend them to anyone.
Just be aware the satnav in the Aston's, when putting in the postcode OX17 2HB, does seem to lead you to a shop in the middle of the village - you are better off putting in "Greatworth Park" and that would lead you to them and they are literally the first building as you turn in before you come to 888 racing.
Neil
I rate them very highly,I have had a service and some other jobs attended to at the same time with them in the last few weeks. Very professional and thorough, great knowledge of Aston,s and other vehicles. I was impressed by the old TR7/8's that they were restoring. Both David and his son James have a genuine interest and nothing was too much trouble. My car is in the current edition of Vantage and I gave them a thumbs up in the article.
I've taken both my current and past vantage to the guys and found they were very helpful and economic. More importantly on my last visit I got them to check out my clutch as local Aston dealer suggested I needed a new £3,000 clutch. The Appleby guys had did a sanity check and found no issues with the sportshift, it seems my clutch learn was being a bit rushed!!!
I'm sure if I went to an authorized dealer they would have been happy to relieve me of £3000!
I'm sure if I went to an authorized dealer they would have been happy to relieve me of £3000!
phil 5 aston said:
I've taken both my current and past vantage to the guys and found they were very helpful and economic. More importantly on my last visit I got them to check out my clutch as local Aston dealer suggested I needed a new £3,000 clutch. The Appleby guys had did a sanity check and found no issues with the sportshift, it seems my clutch learn was being a bit rushed!!!
I'm sure if I went to an authorized dealer they would have been happy to relieve me of £3000!
I had a similar experience with my manual V8V. I thought I was experiencing clutch slip, and took it down to DAE, but rather than just change it, James (the son) took my car out to assess it and said that he couldn't make it slip if he tried, even when giving it some harsh treatment. Seems I was just being a bit paranoid! Anyway, he saved me a good few grand where others would have happily just changed it and billed me. Good man!I'm sure if I went to an authorized dealer they would have been happy to relieve me of £3000!
As others have said, they are a friendly bunch too - I had a good look around their workshop and was talked through some of their projects.
DAE have looked after my Vantage for the last six years. Cant fault them.
One of the things I like about them is they fix things rather than just bolt on new parts. A few years back David told me that there was damage to the heat shield. He could fit a new one for a large amount of money or fabricate a part for about £50. You can guess which option I went for.
One of the things I like about them is they fix things rather than just bolt on new parts. A few years back David told me that there was damage to the heat shield. He could fit a new one for a large amount of money or fabricate a part for about £50. You can guess which option I went for.
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