First Aston

[Elreg1]

Hi Guys

Just put a deposit down on my first Aston, a 2006 v8 vantage, 54k miles.

The car looks immaculate, however I have a few questions.

1 What is the best way to upgrade the stereo to incorporate hands free for my mobile and also Bluetooth for music? I've looked at the Dension 500 system, it gets positive and negative reviews.

2 The car has had 4 new tyres fitted, however they are Nankang, not NSR, what does everyone find to be the best tyre for the car, I've always used potenza's when possible for road use and a different tyre for trackdays(still unsure if I will use the car for trackdays)

Don't get the car until the 21st, seems like a lifetime away.

Thanks in advance

[markiep1]

Congratulations Elreg the wait is going to be impossible, I know as I just been through the same scenario but luckily for me I collected mine this morning I'm afraid I can not help with your enquiries, apart from saying how amazing the Vantage is

Cheers

[bigee]

Whilst not exactly knocking them,i personally would not have Nankangs on my Aston. Bridgestones are original tyres but i know that Michelins are well regarded.

[Elreg1]

Thanks, the Nankang tyres appear to be brand new so they will do until I decide what to replace them with.

The Bluetooth is something I need to sort asap though

[davek_964]

I have Dension in mine, and I also have it on the Cayenne - although in both cases it's for iPod connectivity not Bluetooth.

Finding albums etc. is easier in the Cayenne just because the stereo display is bigger. Due to the limitations of the existing Vantage stereo, operation is functional rather than slick - but you get used to it. And if you're going to select the music on your phone and stream it will be less of an issue anyway.

At the end of the day, if my dension broke I'd want the same again.

[AstonExige]

Drop James a message:

[e-mail]

Top guy and knows everything there is to know about the media systems in our cars. Dealers use him for custom work, Ive used him a number of times and so have many on here. Very well recommended

[LordBretSinclair]

You need these tyres
http://www.michelin.co.uk/GB/en/tyres/products/pil...

[Elreg1]

Thanks, the Nankang tyres appear to be brand new so they will do until I decide what to replace them with.

The Bluetooth is something I need to sort asap though

[paul1962]

For Bluetooth there is the Grom Audio MST4. Mine is still in it's box so can't tell you how good it is but others on here have fitted this unit.

[Steviebeee]

I'm very sorry, but if any car performance car was found to be wearing Nankangs when I view it, it would immediately be off the list. This is a sure sign the previous owner / seller has skimpt on maintenance. What other corners have been cut? Cheap discs / pads, oil / filter?

Sorry to take the shine off, but if leave that car well alone.

Stevie

[HBradley]

I would agree regarding the tyres, indicative of cost cutting.
If you haven't done it already, It's definitely not too late to have a full pre-purchase inspection done. Without being a damp rag on your first foray into Aston ownership, the bills can certainly mount up!
There are a number of experts on the forum who can do a comprehensive inspection, better that than a huge bill!

[Paza3]

Might just be a "dealer non AM" skimping on costs as opposed to the whole cars history, could be very well looked and just traded in ? but required 4 new tyres and they took the cheap option. It is an unusually choice I have to agree and would be looking to change to Michelin, thats my plan once my bridgestones retire.

P.s Congrats on the new wheels

[Elreg1]

The tyres are brand new and fitted by the dealer(bmw) car was traded against a new m3. The car has been to aston martin for a service and health check as they are providing a 12 month warranty.
Clutch was changed 7k miles ago

[Ken Figenus]

LordBretSinclair said:

You need these tyres
http://www.michelin.co.uk/GB/en/tyres/products/pil...

I know nothing about the Nangkangs and they may well be fine - I have fitted Falken 452 on my Beemers and many were sniffy then but it was a very good tyre - BUT I recently drove 200 miles N to S Wales on PSS with temps between 0 and 3 degrees and if I was on Corsas I'd definitely be dead! An excellent summer tyre behaving quite astonishingly in the winter cold and wet. With a RWD car at 500 bhp (fewer cats) that is quite a godsend

[gfc580]

AstonExige said:

Drop James a message:

[e-mail]

Top guy and knows everything there is to know about the media systems in our cars. Dealers use him for custom work, Ive used him a number of times and so have many on here. Very well recommended

+1 for James, very smart and a great guy.

[bigee]

Just remembered, when I viewed a Vantage a few months ago (didn't proceed with that one ) it had brand new Nankangs on all round, took it for a short test drive in wet road conditions,even driving with due consideration to road conditions and the fact it was not my car the back end slipped around quite a bit......compare that to having just done circa 1800 miles in all conditions on my car running Bridgestones which was a breeze. (even though,like others here, I will probably chance to Michelins next time round )

[Elreg1]

5 days to go until I collect the car, will be the longest 5 days of my life.

The garage I have bought the car from(Sytner) have had the car taken to Aston Martin for a service and check before I collect the car, Aston replaced front discs and pads, apart from that it's had a clean bill of health from Aston(I've seen the checklist).

My insurance company have asked what tracker is fitted? The dealer have advised they will look into it, does anyone know if an 06 comes standard with a tracker or if it was an option? Is there any obvious visual to confirm it has the tracker fitted?

Thanks in advance

[AstonExige]

Elreg1 said:

My insurance company have asked what tracker is fitted? The dealer have advised they will look into it, does anyone know if an 06 comes standard with a tracker or if it was an option? Is there any obvious visual to confirm it has the tracker fitted?

Thanks in advance

That'll be a long wait!

I'm pretty sure the tracker was an optional extra on an 06 plate. Have you noticed any tracker tags in the car?

[Ken Figenus]

Elreg1 said:

5 days to go until I collect the car, will be the longest 5 days of my life.

The garage I have bought the car from(Sytner) have had the car taken to Aston Martin for a service and check before I collect the car, Aston replaced front discs and pads, apart from that it's had a clean bill of health from Aston(I've seen the checklist).

My insurance company have asked what tracker is fitted? The dealer have advised they will look into it, does anyone know if an 06 comes standard with a tracker or if it was an option? Is there any obvious visual to confirm it has the tracker fitted?

Thanks in advance

Not sure what you mean by 'taken to Aston Martin' but good luck with the car and never forget the most diligent checks may be done by yourself. My AM MD checklist had everything needed ticked and all tyre wear totally was absolute totally even...

[JohnG1]

Elreg1 said:

5 days to go until I collect the car, will be the longest 5 days of my life.

The garage I have bought the car from(Sytner) have had the car taken to Aston Martin for a service and check before I collect the car, Aston replaced front discs and pads, apart from that it's had a clean bill of health from Aston(I've seen the checklist).

My insurance company have asked what tracker is fitted? The dealer have advised they will look into it, does anyone know if an 06 comes standard with a tracker or if it was an option? Is there any obvious visual to confirm it has the tracker fitted?

Thanks in advance

My 06 V8V had tracker tags,

I would take the car to a decent independent garage for a proper analysis and review before signing the cheque. A few hundred pounds upfront with a large potential saving...