Aston Martin advice from Bamford Rose independent specialist

[callevascm]

The price quoted, £17,500, included fitting and VAT. The V12VS performance pack should be available next month and I also have asked if it is possible to drive a car with the upgrade. No pictures or further information on the diffuser either yet.

[Jon39]

trigbush said:

Thanks Simon. I get that but if you are going to invest a sizeable sum in what is commonly described as a thoroughbred car, and having read Mike and others' comments about the worst thing that you can do to these cars (i.e. not drive them), I am keen to get the best advice on storage in the short and mid-term. Hence the question. I'm a 911 Turbo owner already but I am new to AM ownership.

Some of the items I listed are standard items that I am aware of when you deal with certain supercar storage specialists. I wanted Mike's take on what he thought was necessary for my V12. Cheers

At times my Vantage is stored, but I would not want your 'Every 60 days, C. method used. For starters, it would probably create residual water vapour, some of which remains within the exhaust system.

My method instead would and does include:- At least every 30 days; Drive minimum of 20 miles on a DRY day. Drive under 3,000 rpm for at least the first 2 miles, during which light foot brake, and lightly apply the hand brake whilst moving. After those 2 miles, everything should be at normal operating temperatures, including the transmission oil. Exercise the car normally. Include some light braking and a heavy brake to clear any glaze on the brake discs. After that driving the car will be hot, so just right to go into the next 30 day period of not being moved.

I also use a humidifier to keep moisture levels under control, so never experience any surface corrosion on the brake discs during storage.

Edited by Jon39 on Wednesday 28th September 22:34

[trigbush]

Thanks Mate. That's helpful. I took delivery of the car yesterday and we just kind of agreed to keep it on a trickle charger, covered with a periodical check from the AML engineer from time to time...it's only until March so it should be okay.

Edited by trigbush on Thursday 29th September 07:35

Edited by trigbush on Thursday 29th September 07:36

[66MK]

Simon T said:

Good god man, its just a car

Simon

No it isn't.

[Simon T]

66MK said:

Simon T said:

Good god man, its just a car

Simon

No it isn't.

Then what is it?

Ps Happy to exercise it for the owner for a small fee

[CSK1]

Simon T said:

Ps Happy to exercise it for the owner for a small fee

You should be doing it for free!

[arinb12]

Could someone help me interpret these figures given with the car I just bought to tell me how the clutch wear is? The seller got me a print out after it had a warranty work done once I put the deposit down. But I have no idea how to interpret. Help would be great.

[The_Orange]

trigbush said:

Thanks Mate. That's helpful. I took delivery of the car yesterday and we just kind of agreed to keep it on a trickle charger, covered with a periodical check from the AML engineer from time to time...it's only until March so it should be okay.

Edited by trigbush on Thursday 29th September 07:35

Edited by trigbush on Thursday 29th September 07:36

Isn't that AM Brussels??

[trigbush]

yes

[The_Orange]

trigbush said:

yes

I recognise it from the website. Never been there actually.

My dealer is Michiels in Antwerp.

[HBradley]

My 2011 V8 Vantage S has just returned from a trip to BR. Summary of work:
1. Twin Plate Clutch & Lightened Flywheel upgrade.(Plus gearchange control unit reprogramme).
2. 4 new Michelin Pilot Super Sport tyres. (My original tyres were legal but severely perished)
3. 'Fast Road' geometry setup.
4. 7 new glass switches for centre stack.
5. Misc - plinth removal, tweaks to passenger door to eliminate excessive wind noise & repaint rear diffuser mesh panel.
Results:
1. Many electrons have been written about this & I'm writing specifically about the ASM 2 'box, but to reinforce the reviews, the upgrade is truly transformational. The lightened flywheel allows the car to rev much more freely which improves pick up & in-gear acceleration. The twin plate clutch & reprogrammed control unit greatly improves the quality & speed of changes, they are now much closer to those of a DSG than a robotised manual.
D Mode is much improved, the jerkiness has been all but eliminated even in D Sport mode.
Transmission clonks & shunts have been completely eliminated.
Only one 'characteristic' remains, that of 'Gear Chatter' at pull away, but it's a very minor issue which is more than made up for by the overall improvements.
2 & 3. In terms of ride & grip, the Michelin PSSs are a marked improvement over the standard Bridgestones. Combine this with a fast road geo setup the car is more focused & sharper in the bends than the previous factory setup & the whole driving experience is in a different league compared to before the work was carried out.
My attitude towards modifying cars is generally cynical, however in the case of 1, 2 & 3 are concerned, they are absolute no-brainers & have amplified the enjoyment of driving my car.
In summary, I conducted a lot of research before choosing BR to carry the work on my car & there are a number of highly reputable independent AM specialists offering this work, however I am completely satisfied by every aspect of the experience (superb quality of workmanship & customer service provided).
(I have no connection whatsoever to Bamford Rose).

Edited by HBradley on Friday 7th October 22:17

[V8V Pete]

HBradley said:

3. 'Fast Road' geometry setup.

Great to hear you are happy with your mods. A couple of questions:

1. Does the fast road geo set up cause any increase in "tram-lining" on rutted or steeply cambered roads?

2. When are you going for the manifold/exhaust/cats upgrade

[HBradley]

V8V Pete said:

HBradley said:

3. 'Fast Road' geometry setup.

Great to hear you are happy with your mods. A couple of questions:

1. Does the fast road geo set up cause any increase in "tram-lining" on rutted or steeply cambered roads?

2. When are you going for the manifold/exhaust/cats upgrade

Hi Pete,
1. Not driven on surfaces you've mentioned, but on the roundabouts on SE London in the wee small hours it feels much more planted than before. No hint of twitch, even in the wet, though that could be something to do with the new Michelins as well.
2. We'll see what Santa brings!

[V8V Pete]

HBradley said:

V8V Pete said:

HBradley said:

3. 'Fast Road' geometry setup.

Great to hear you are happy with your mods. A couple of questions:

1. Does the fast road geo set up cause any increase in "tram-lining" on rutted or steeply cambered roads?

2. When are you going for the manifold/exhaust/cats upgrade

Hi Pete,
1. Not driven on surfaces you've mentioned, but on the roundabouts on SE London in the wee small hours it feels much more planted than before. No hint of twitch, even in the wet, though that could be something to do with the new Michelins as well.
2. We'll see what Santa brings!

Santa can be so generous .......

[arinb12]

HBradley said:

Hi Pete,
1. Not driven on surfaces you've mentioned, but on the roundabouts on SE London in the wee small hours it feels much more planted than before. No hint of twitch, even in the wet, though that could be something to do with the new Michelins as well.
2. We'll see what Santa brings!

What is the fast road geo setup? Tweaking of current suspension(I have sports pack v8) or changing suspension?

[telum01]

arinb12 said:

What is the fast road geo setup? Tweaking of current suspension(I have sports pack v8) or changing suspension?

"geo" (geometry) refers to the settings of an existing suspension. a "fast road" geometry is when the setup is more aggressive that you'd see from the factory, but not as aggressive as a dedicated track car. when you change the suspension settings (geo) you change how the car handles as well as how it wears through tires.

[19RBB]

Following interesting and helpful posts a while back on this thread by V8V Pete and Ian_UK1 about exhaust mods, I've just ordered various bits from Bamford Rose for my 2014 V8 Vantage. I must commend Mike at B.R who has been very helpful with advice and patient while I made the decision, my experience so far has been all positive and I'm looking forward to collecting the bits and fitting them as a winter project. I'll update the forum once the work's done - hopefully with a YouTube video to give an idea of the sound of the various stages.

[whoami]

What did you buy?

[alan powley]

Come on what bits was on your list .

[19RBB]

I've gone for a decat and silencer option to make the car sound better and give a bit extra bhp (around 20) too. I'm away just now, will post more when back in the country.