V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
Well, you know what they say - keep repeating that your car is faultless and Murphys law will step in....
In fact, there is nothing particularly serious. I've mentioned in another thread that only parts of my windscreen are demisting. I did remove the cover to the connectors, but then decided it wasn't worth the effort - the windscreen has two fairly sizeable chips so I need to get it replaced anyway - if that doesn't cure it, then I'll worry about whether it's electrical. I suspect it is simply the connectors to the screen so I expect a new screen to solve it.
I've also realised that I have the known issue of the front speakers being intermittent due to the bluetooth / relay in the passenger compartment fuse area. It explains why my radio sometimes gets louder as I slow down. Unfortunately, James (Trackaphone) doesn't currently have any replacements but I can wait.
Most annoying is that the noise I mentioned in earlier posts is back - I'm pretty sure it's a pulley, and it's beginning to be annoying enough that I will need to get it to a mechanic.
I also had a funny "problem" today - got into the car after work, started it and noticed that my passenger mirror was only half out (powerfold mirrors). Locked / unlocked and started the car again and it was fine - and was also fine a couple of times after that - so we'll see if it's a one off.
Having said all that, I'm still very happy with the car. I've completely gone off the idea of a newer / 4.7 car - it's just not worth the extra. With that in mind, I've finally got around to spending money on stuff my car needs. I had Dension fitted, and although it's not cheap I am glad I now have it. Having said that - in my Cayenne I would say that using it is clunky but functional. In the Vantage..... well, let's say the radio has to be VERY bad before I'm willing to search through my music collection!
I also had my wheels refurbed. I believe they were done very shortly before I bought the car, but they were not really to the standard I would want - and a (small) kerbing I managed in the summer was the final straw. I'm really glad I had it done - they look absolutely fabulous now.
It's likely the mileage will drop significantly over the winter, since the nice comfortable Cayenne just seems the obvious choice when it's dark, cold and raining (or worse). Having said that - so far, I still find I'm quite keen to take the Vantage!
In fact, there is nothing particularly serious. I've mentioned in another thread that only parts of my windscreen are demisting. I did remove the cover to the connectors, but then decided it wasn't worth the effort - the windscreen has two fairly sizeable chips so I need to get it replaced anyway - if that doesn't cure it, then I'll worry about whether it's electrical. I suspect it is simply the connectors to the screen so I expect a new screen to solve it.
I've also realised that I have the known issue of the front speakers being intermittent due to the bluetooth / relay in the passenger compartment fuse area. It explains why my radio sometimes gets louder as I slow down. Unfortunately, James (Trackaphone) doesn't currently have any replacements but I can wait.
Most annoying is that the noise I mentioned in earlier posts is back - I'm pretty sure it's a pulley, and it's beginning to be annoying enough that I will need to get it to a mechanic.
I also had a funny "problem" today - got into the car after work, started it and noticed that my passenger mirror was only half out (powerfold mirrors). Locked / unlocked and started the car again and it was fine - and was also fine a couple of times after that - so we'll see if it's a one off.
Having said all that, I'm still very happy with the car. I've completely gone off the idea of a newer / 4.7 car - it's just not worth the extra. With that in mind, I've finally got around to spending money on stuff my car needs. I had Dension fitted, and although it's not cheap I am glad I now have it. Having said that - in my Cayenne I would say that using it is clunky but functional. In the Vantage..... well, let's say the radio has to be VERY bad before I'm willing to search through my music collection!
I also had my wheels refurbed. I believe they were done very shortly before I bought the car, but they were not really to the standard I would want - and a (small) kerbing I managed in the summer was the final straw. I'm really glad I had it done - they look absolutely fabulous now.
It's likely the mileage will drop significantly over the winter, since the nice comfortable Cayenne just seems the obvious choice when it's dark, cold and raining (or worse). Having said that - so far, I still find I'm quite keen to take the Vantage!
davek_964 said:
I also had a funny "problem" today - got into the car after work, started it and noticed that my passenger mirror was only half out (powerfold mirrors). Locked / unlocked and started the car again and it was fine - and was also fine a couple of times after that - so we'll see if it's a one off.
My passenger mirror would intermittently not open fully. Motor was replaced under warranty, fine after that.JohnPM said:
My passenger mirror would intermittently not open fully. Motor was replaced under warranty, fine after that.
Thanks. I've just booked the car into the local independent to get the engine noise sorted - which I hope is simply the pulley and belt. I did mention the mirror when I booked it in (it's done it twice now), and they told me it could be as simple as dirt in the mechanism so they'll have a look at that while it's in. Apparently, although you can obviously swap the motor over - you can't just buy the motor - you have to buy the mirror with the motor fitted (although you can avoid having the glass) - so I dread to think what the cost is if I need one!Jon39 said:
I think the Vantage door mirrors come from a Volvo car. Don't know which model, but it might be cheaper to buy from Volvo if you do need one. Being produced in large numbers
Thanks - a quick search suggests they might be V70 mirrors. Aston Bits look like they list then at about £350 new, and half that used so that's not quite as bad as I thought. But considerably less for a Volvo one would be better!
Speaking belt / pulley is v common.
Had mine done too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=119...
Had mine done too.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=119...
there could be some Truth in that………...
,with a capital T.
tonyhall38 said:
I have had the misfortune to have a v8 vantage this week as a loan car.....I want my car back....that sport shift box is s
te....is uncomfortable.....and the boot weighs a ton.....horrible car in my opinion.....
Tony you are far too old for a Vantage. No wonder you didn't like it.te....is uncomfortable.....and the boot weighs a ton.....horrible car in my opinion.....Ed50 said:
bentley01 said:
Tony you are far too old for a Vantage.
Love it……..to old,light the fuse,stand back and wait on the retort…….
Are you coming down for the McGurk wheel kick in December Darren……...
Dropped the car at the local Indy (Spellbound) after work on Monday.
Engine noise was the pulley - although apparently I already had a later one fitted - so that's now sorted.
They managed to get one of the relay things from James to fix my intermittent front speakers, so that is also sorted.
For the passenger mirror, they commented that the arms have been powder coated (previous owner did this to solve the common corrosion problem) but that it was a bit thick and the mirror was catching. They sorted this, and cleaned up the mechanism and the mirror now works fine (had started failing to fold out properly every morning before it went in unless the engine was running). Not expected to be a permanent fix - the motor clearly is getting tired - but it's delayed the need for buying a new mirror.
Asked them to check the fact that parts of the heated screen don't clear - power was present to all 4 bars so there must be a problem from the bars to the screen. Since it's got some major chips anyway, it will be replaced next Friday by my insurers.
The only minor irritation - I'm pretty sure my thermostat sticks, since it takes far too long to warm up and I completely forgot to get this sorted. But the service is due around march so I'll get it done then.
This is the second time I've used Spellbound and really impressed - when I bought the car, I was unsure whether to continue the full AMSH or go independent. To me, it's more important that the car is looked after than the stamp says 'Aston Martin', and my car will definitely be serviced by Spellbound. They know their stuff, are very professional and very reasonably priced.
Engine noise was the pulley - although apparently I already had a later one fitted - so that's now sorted.
They managed to get one of the relay things from James to fix my intermittent front speakers, so that is also sorted.
For the passenger mirror, they commented that the arms have been powder coated (previous owner did this to solve the common corrosion problem) but that it was a bit thick and the mirror was catching. They sorted this, and cleaned up the mechanism and the mirror now works fine (had started failing to fold out properly every morning before it went in unless the engine was running). Not expected to be a permanent fix - the motor clearly is getting tired - but it's delayed the need for buying a new mirror.
Asked them to check the fact that parts of the heated screen don't clear - power was present to all 4 bars so there must be a problem from the bars to the screen. Since it's got some major chips anyway, it will be replaced next Friday by my insurers.
The only minor irritation - I'm pretty sure my thermostat sticks, since it takes far too long to warm up and I completely forgot to get this sorted. But the service is due around march so I'll get it done then.
This is the second time I've used Spellbound and really impressed - when I bought the car, I was unsure whether to continue the full AMSH or go independent. To me, it's more important that the car is looked after than the stamp says 'Aston Martin', and my car will definitely be serviced by Spellbound. They know their stuff, are very professional and very reasonably priced.
Edited by davek_964 on Saturday 14th November 13:37
davek_964 said:
The only minor irritation - I'm pretty sure my thermostat sticks, since it takes far too long to warm up and I completely forgot to get this sorted. But the service is due around march so I'll get it done then.
Depending on how much mileage you do up to March, the cost of the extra fuel consumption (10%)will likely far exceed the cost of replacing the thermostat.
tonyhall38 said:
No one is more pleased than me.....don't get me wrong it's a great car....if you like that sort of thing.....but the vanquish is a different league...esp where comfort is concerned....
So a car that costs at least twice, if not three times plus more than my V8V is a nicer car? Thanks for the insight.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff