DB7 Interior Modifications

[ashriggs]

Hi Everyone,

My name is Ashley. I am new to the forum and DB7 i6 ownership so please forgive and redirect me if this topic has already been covered.

I was just wondering if anyone has modified the interior of their DB7? For example I'm not that keen of the look of the wood trim and was thinking about changing it. Problem is that an aluminum trim set costs over £2000. That's a lot of money for a few bits of trim!

Would it be a crime worthy of the death penalty if I were to remove the trim and have it colour coded, thus giving the interior a much more 'today' look? I realise this is a matter of personal preference but what are your opinions, do you think this would affect the resale of the car in any way? Has anyone else done this or made other interior modifications?

I look forward to your replies.

[DB7 pilot]

Hi Ashley,

Welcome and don't worry, they're not ignoring you.

Interior mods? Try Chiltern first, they're more likely to have done this before rather than a generic auto trimmer.

[cerealsurfer]

Updating your interior is good as long as you keep it OEM and not Halfords.

You should try www.douglasvalley.co.uk as they have a lot of DB7's which you can get hold of the interiors used. You might be able to pick up a reasonable interior re-fresh at a sensible price.

[ashriggs]

Thanks Mark. I know they are not ignoring me. I will patiently wait

Chiltern was were I got the figure of £2100 for the Ali trim. I was thinking of having my bodyshop people colour code what's already there. I can get a lot of colour coding done for £2100!

[AyBee]

cerealsurfer said:

Updating your interior is good as long as you keep it OEM and not Halfords.

You should try www.douglasvalley.co.uk as they have a lot of DB7's which you can get hold of the interiors used. You might be able to pick up a reasonable interior re-fresh at a sensible price.

If I didn't like it, I'd probably get it covered in matching or a contrasting leather/alcantara but either way, if you do a good job then I can't see future buyers being put off. The other option is to buy the cheapest second hand interior parts you can find and then revert it all back to original when you come to sell. Either way, good luck and post up some pics when it's done

[ashriggs]

Thank you all for your replys so far. Much appreciated.

Keep them coming please. Anyone already done something similar?

Also does anyone know how to remove the wood trim from the dash, centre console and doors?

Edited by ashriggs on Wednesday 29th September 00:32

[XlBilbo]

ashriggs said:

Also does anyone know how to remove the wood trim from the dash, centre console and doors?

Ha Ha! That's a good start.
Leave it to someone who knows what they are doing. Or, better still leave it alone and buy something else.

[rick-derby-]

There is a range of veneers available including carbon fibre, also painted finishes such as piano black or matched to body colour etc, prices range between £400.00 to around £900.00 plus fitting some are available as an exchange kit, but it may be necessary to have your kit re done,depending on what is needed, and should be available I would of thought from most specialists, removal of the trims is not difficult just requires a bit of care and time, I can let you have instructions if required

[teen_cerbera]

Hi Ash

How about wrapping the interior parts in vinyl? Silver or any other colour shouldnt be a problem, laqcuered or naked carbon fibre (textured) is also available, if done properly I would be very suprised if anyone could tell it was wrapped.

Also protects the original veneers, when it comes to selling you have a choice of peeling the wrap back to original then

[RichB]

teen_cerbera said:

Hi Ash, How about wrapping the interior parts

If it's possible and I suppose everything is possible given enought time and money, that's not a bad idea. Personally I think the charm of the DB7 is the period cabin. It's not a modern Aston so why try to "modernise" it? But it's your car and your money.

[ashriggs]

Thank everyone for your suggestions so far.

Rick, some instructions would be very handy, thank you. Also if you could tell me the name of such a specialist I'll check that out too.

Vinyl wrap could be an option but I think where there are holes for the buttons etc to push through on the centre console it could be difficult to get a good finish. Unless you know better?

Please keep your replies coming. Preferably positive ones.

[teen_cerbera]

If the fascias are coming out of the car, then I suspect it would not be any problem at all. All other suggestions involve removing the originals anyway, if the panels are removed and taken to a specialist, I cant imagine them charging more than £50-100 for the lot, just dont tell them the fascias are out of an AM or the price might triple

[S1M VP]

ashriggs said:

Also if you could tell me the name of such a specialist I'll check that out too.

Try clicking on Rick's profile - he is a well respected Aston Specialist (although I've never had any dealings as I haven't had an Aston ... yet).

If you are an Automotive Trimmer, Auto Electrician or similar, used to removing and refitting trim parts to prestige vehicles, by all means do it yourself ... If you are not ... I would personally suggest that you bite the bullet and get it done by professionals, or leave it as it is.

The guys who do this sort of work are highly skilled (I employ Mechs, Elecs, Fitters and Trimmers) ... in the same way as I could 'have a go' at open heart surgery .... yes I would be happy to have a go, but the results might not be very pretty.

Good luck, which ever way you go!

[ashriggs]

I've been thinking about this while taking note of all your helpful suggestions, and thank you all for those.

Vinyl wrap would seem to be the way forward purley because the finish would be superb, and also because it is completely removable.

Luckily there is a chap near my area who can do this, however I need to remove the trim first. Can anyone tell me how the strip that runs along the dash is removed please?

[Actonlad48]

Regarding renovation of wood pieces, as well as leather- Since a 2000 DB7 I'm looking into needs refinishing of some console leather, (fancy that..) also the center wood strip is burred, can anyone;
1. Let me know the amount of difficulty to remove the wood piece, and 2. can anyone recommend using Coachworks to replace leather up in Connecticut? I've never tackled the leather aspect of any car, as I'm no leatherworker, but the wood could be done. Thanks for any inputs.

[Jon1982]

Removing the centre wood strip is pretty easy, if you remove the trim panel below the airbag panel (just pulls off) you can then get a grip on the airbag panel which again just pulls off (it will not come off totally as its held on with straps) once this is out of the way you will see a panel held on with 6 screws, if you take this off, you will be able to get your hands behind the wood strip, which is held on with 4 nylon nuts and a push fit at the far end.

Hope that helps