Aston Martin advice from Bamford Rose independent specialist

Aston Martin advice from Bamford Rose independent specialist

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V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Thursday 21st July 2016
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Birdbrain said:
Just picked my Vantage from Bamford Rose after leaving it with Mike last Friday for the exhaust / performance upgrade. Phenomenal. At the flick of a (hidden) switch I can go full stealth mode, factory settings mode or loud. Oh my. I haven't stopped smiling since I got home. A beautiful sunny day, hood down and listen to that engine howl as I took every opportunity to overtake on the A roads back to Cheshire. At steady speeds it's just an unobtrusive burble but hit the throttle...........

Great service and I'll be back for the clutch upgrade when mine gives up the ghost.
Did you go for the X-pipe or not?

Birdbrain

65 posts

97 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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No. It's fully switchable so if I get fed up with the noise I can just switch back to factory spec.

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Birdbrain said:
No. It's fully switchable so if I get fed up with the noise I can just switch back to factory spec.
No, the x-pipe is separate and independent from the switch which works on the back box valves. The x-pipe is the different centre section which gives a different character to the sound and mutes it slightly overall. Just wondering as I'm likely to go for a BR exhaust when my warranty runs out and I'm not sure which version to go for yet.

BamfordMike

1,192 posts

156 months

Friday 22nd July 2016
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Birdbrain said:
Just picked my Vantage from Bamford Rose after leaving it with Mike last Friday for the exhaust / performance upgrade. Phenomenal. At the flick of a (hidden) switch I can go full stealth mode, factory settings mode or loud. Oh my. I haven't stopped smiling since I got home. A beautiful sunny day, hood down and listen to that engine howl as I took every opportunity to overtake on the A roads back to Cheshire. At steady speeds it's just an unobtrusive burble but hit the throttle...........

Great service and I'll be back for the clutch upgrade when mine gives up the ghost.
Excellent to hear you are so happy Phil - enjoy your car!!

Ian_UK1

1,514 posts

193 months

Saturday 23rd July 2016
quotequote all
Birdbrain said:
Just picked my Vantage from Bamford Rose after leaving it with Mike last Friday for the exhaust / performance upgrade. Phenomenal. At the flick of a (hidden) switch I can go full stealth mode, factory settings mode or loud. Oh my. I haven't stopped smiling since I got home. A beautiful sunny day, hood down and listen to that engine howl as I took every opportunity to overtake on the A roads back to Cheshire. At steady speeds it's just an unobtrusive burble but hit the throttle...........

Great service and I'll be back for the clutch upgrade when mine gives up the ghost.
Lucky fella! Not envious, not a bit, no sir!!

My Vantage (manual SP10 coupe) is booked-in for the same treatment at BR, but unfortunately not until 22nd August (first slot Mike had). Four whole weeks still to wait...... frown

Really pleased that you're delighted with the results (I'm sure I will be too). One thing I would like to ask - how does the before/after performance compare?



Edited by Ian_UK1 on Monday 25th July 11:54

Birdbrain

65 posts

97 months

Friday 29th July 2016
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Sorry Ian.
Been away for a week on holiday. I've noticed an improvement on performance - especially between 4-5th gears. Change down from 6th (or 5th) and floor the throttle and it takes off like the proverbial boiled moggie! Got a nice air horn salute from a Stobart truck as I blasted past him on the A41 coming home! He obviously appreciated the exhaust note.

Ian_UK1

1,514 posts

193 months

Saturday 30th July 2016
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Birdbrain said:
Sorry Ian.
Been away for a week on holiday. I've noticed an improvement on performance - especially between 4-5th gears. Change down from 6th (or 5th) and floor the throttle and it takes off like the proverbial boiled moggie! Got a nice air horn salute from a Stobart truck as I blasted past him on the A41 coming home! He obviously appreciated the exhaust note.
Thanks for the reply - great description! biggrin


Shinjuku79

141 posts

106 months

Tuesday 2nd August 2016
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My driver's side windscreen wiper has started to make a noise at the top of its travel. This is not caused by a worn wiper. It's been suggested that I might need a new wiper linkage. Disappointing as these are over £650 (excluding fitting), which seems like a lot to fix a noise which only occurs when the wipers are being used continuously. Is there a cheaper way to fix this - can one of the parts of the linkage be exchanged?

Thanks for any advice.
Shinjuku

TonysAMRapide

8 posts

91 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
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Birdbrain said:
No. It's fully switchable so if I get fed up with the noise I can just switch back to factory spec.
What did you have done ? I have a 2012 Rapide in installing a wireless remote to keep exhaust valve open when I want o and close when too or did you do something else!! By way do you know what fuse to pull for Rapide to install my remote!! Some say 15 some 22 neither for mine ! I heard they changed fuse to under rear seat by battery? Fuse 3 anyone else have input for me!!
New guy with Rapide!! Like it better then the Bentley I had!!

TonysAMRapide

8 posts

91 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
quotequote all
Birdbrain said:
No. It's fully switchable so if I get fed up with the noise I can just switch back to factory spec.
What did you have done ? I have a 2012 Rapide in installing a wireless remote to keep exhaust valve open when I want o and close when too or did you do something else!! By way do you know what fuse to pull for Rapide to install my remote!! Some say 15 some 22 neither for mine ! I heard they changed fuse to under rear seat by battery? Fuse 3 anyone else have input for me!!
New guy with Rapide!! Like it better then the Bentley I had!!

Ken Figenus

5,678 posts

116 months

Wednesday 24th August 2016
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I think the fuse is under passenger seat in the Rapide so bit of a faff to get to. BR can sort you out a hidden 3 way switch on the centre console - std, open, closed. You owe it to her!

Ian_UK1

1,514 posts

193 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
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Well, my car's finally done and I've just got home to Manchester (via the scenic route) from BR.

First impressions - the 'power enhancement' (as BR calls it on their invoice) does absolutely everything it says on the tin. The car accelerates noticeably harder through every gear - pretty well across the rev range - whilst sensible re-mapping of the throttle response (not all at the top of the pedal travel like some tuners do) makes the throttle feel a lot more linear. The new throttle map also removes the previous hesitancy coming off idle and makes the car easier to drive.

As others have noted, the upgrades have also made the car significantly more economical on the motorway (I drove the last few miles on the M6/M62) so the changes in fuelling work well.

I also had Mike, Adrian and the gang do a full geo on the car whilst it was there - they found inconsistencies in the ride heights (and consequently corner-weights) front and rear overall toe, rear thrust angle (unequal rear toe) and front and rear cambers. Correcting these discrepancies and changing the settings to a 'secret' (they wouldn't give their settings away) 'fast road' setup has made as big a difference to the car as the power enhancement. Sharper, more planted, better turn-in, better steering feel and a more progressive response in-corner is a great result! This just demonstrates that, like other makes of car I've owned before, Astons are probably just as likely to be a mile-out straight from the factory and most will probably benefit greatly from a proper setup.

The only item that doesn't currently work (for me, but my requirement isn't typical) is the 'loud mode' on the exhaust. This is just way too over the top for use, predominantly, in a built-up area. Knowing what Greater Manchester Police are like, I'd probably spend more time in the cells than enjoying my car if I used it regularly, in anger, as it stands. As using loud mode is required to get the maximum benefit from the power upgrade, it was obvious this needed to be addressed. Thankfully Adrian understood perfectly and I'm taking the car back to BR next week for the exhaust loud-mode to be toned-down somewhat. This is great customer service from BR and will ensure I'll get maximum enjoyment / benefit from their upgrades.

So a definite 10/10 so far. Will report back once more when the exhaust changes are completed.

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Thursday 25th August 18:08

AMDBSVNick

6,990 posts

161 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
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Hi Ian,

I watched the guys setting up your geo yesterday whilst mine was having a throttle remap. The attention to detail is outstanding. Most would not have the patience but I guess that is how perfection is achieved.

I quite liked the noise biggrin

You now have one stunning SP10 yes

Nick

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
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Ian_UK1 said:
So a definite 10/10 so far. Will report back once more when the exhaust changes are completed.
Hi Ian. Glad to hear you are happy with your BR upgrades as my SP10 is likely to get the same in the New Year. What exhaust setup did you go for and what changes are going to be made to tone it down? Do you have the X-pipe already or is that one of the changes that are going to be made? Are you still running Bridgestones or have you changed to Michelin PSS?

Ian_UK1

1,514 posts

193 months

Thursday 25th August 2016
quotequote all
AMDBSVNick said:
Hi Ian,

I watched the guys setting up your geo yesterday whilst mine was having a throttle remap. The attention to detail is outstanding. Most would not have the patience but I guess that is how perfection is achieved.

I quite liked the noise biggrin

You now have one stunning SP10 yes

Nick
Hi Nick - thank you for the positive comments re my car. If I didn't live where I do, then I think I'd probably feel differently about the sound too. Unfortunately, I just have to take the pragmatic view.... frown

I know what you mean about geo and attention to detail. Historically, I've always taken my cars to Center Gravity for alignment and having spent many hours/days watching how the guys work there, I've come to understand just how obsessive it's necessary to be to get everything exactly right. Great to know that the guys at BR work in the same way - it's very obvious from the results too.

V8V Pete said:
Hi Ian. Glad to hear you are happy with your BR upgrades as my SP10 is likely to get the same in the New Year. What exhaust setup did you go for and what changes are going to be made to tone it down? Do you have the X-pipe already or is that one of the changes that are going to be made? Are you still running Bridgestones or have you changed to Michelin PSS?
Hi Pete - I don't think you'll be disappointed with the BR upgrades - go for it! The exhaust setup on my car is currently just the new manifolds/cats and the rest untouched. Apparently the back box on the SP10 is a variant of the 'S' rear box and both the SP10 and 'S' boxes provide less silencing than the standard 4.7 Vantage rear silencer. This leads to a VERY loud result when the original, factory, primary and secondary cats are replaced with just a single 200-cell for each cylinder bank. Whilst the standard cats do a lot of silencing, the 200-cells do very little.

Unfortunately, BR weren't able to fit an X-pipe for me today as they didn't physically have one available. Adrian's having one fabricated for the car for next week and that will be the first change they make. If that doesn't tone things down sufficiently, the guys also have a plan 'B' which is basically to replace the back box with one that provides more silencing in loud-mode than the SP10 box does. Hopefully the X-pipe, or a combination of a different back box plus the X-pipe will give the results I'm looking for.

Regards tyres, I had fantastic results with Michelin SuperSports on my last car (997S.2 Porsche) and I will definitely upgrade the Aston similarly. However, I can't justify ditching a brand-new set of Bridgestones, so I'll just have to try as hard as possible to wear them out!

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Friday 26th August 07:54

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

178 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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Ian, I had a very similar issue to you and the x-pipe made a dramatic difference, much more to my liking. The great thing was that Mike and the team fitted the part and adjusted the sound for me completely free of charge, as they are very keen for the customer to be 100% happy before they leave the workshop. Really smart customer service and a true reflection of what real experts can achieve. Glad the performance and geo upgrades have made you smile, and the SP10 is probably my favourite V8 version, so you're a lucky man in my book. Enjoy.

Ian_UK1

1,514 posts

193 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
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Bincenzo said:
Ian, I had a very similar issue to you and the x-pipe made a dramatic difference, much more to my liking. The great thing was that Mike and the team fitted the part and adjusted the sound for me completely free of charge, as they are very keen for the customer to be 100% happy before they leave the workshop. Really smart customer service and a true reflection of what real experts can achieve. Glad the performance and geo upgrades have made you smile, and the SP10 is probably my favourite V8 version, so you're a lucky man in my book. Enjoy.
That's really interesting - I somehow got the impression (wrongly, it would seem) that the X-pipe only made a subtle difference. If the difference is more substantial, then it will probably be exactly what I'm looking-for. Mike and Adrian told me they will fit the pipe FOC for me too: as you say, smart customer care!

The manual DBS is probably my favourite Aston, so I think we're both lucky! (Which Aston owner isn't)? Sadly, I just couldn't afford to get into a DBS at the moment, but I don't feel too short-changed by the SP10. thumbup

What upgrades have Mike & team done to the DBS for you so far?

Edited by Ian_UK1 on Saturday 27th August 20:02

Bincenzo

2,606 posts

178 months

Saturday 27th August 2016
quotequote all
Ian_UK1 said:
That's really interesting - I somehow got the impression (wrongly, it would seem) that the X-pipe only made a subtle difference. If the difference is more substantial, then it will probably be exactly what I'm looking-for. Mike and Adrian told me they will fit the pipe FOC for me too: as you say, smart customer care!

The manual DBS is probably my favourite Aston, so I think we're both lucky! (Mind you, which Aston owner isn't)? Sadly, I just couldn't afford to get into a DBS at the moment, but I don't feel too short-changed by the SP10. thumbup

What upgrades have Mike & team done to the DBS for you so far?


Edited by Ian_UK1 on Saturday 27th August 20:01
I am absolutely banned from upgrading my DBS (a condition of purchase from my wife), but it already has a Quicksilver back box and it's booked in for a throttle remap.......can't imagine needing any more power once the throttle response is improved.

X-pipe, for me, was just what the doctor ordered. Took the edge off the metallic rasp and turned it into a softer howl. See how you get on with it, if you need to swap back boxes then that'll do it. Keep us informed!

pbe624

164 posts

134 months

Tuesday 30th August 2016
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Hi Mike and greetings from Belgium,

my name is Frank and I have been visiting the forums here for the last few years.

I am on my second DB9 (facelift model 2009), after having had a pre-facelift 2007 DB9 and have a few questions (not sure if answered before...):

1. Suspension: my current DB9 has the Bilstein dampers and I find that the ride is still a bit 'hard', at least harder than my 2007 DB9. Do you know if the 2010 MY with ADS has a more soft ride as it offers the two settings or is it still 'hard' , even in non -sport mode (I am thinking about getting a 2010 ADS model to replace my current DB9).

2. Wind noise near driver side miror: I keep hearing a lot of wind noise near the side mirror. I asked my dealer to have a look but does not sound like much changed... . I am not sure if this could be due to some rubber piece or if I should investigate some other part of the miror.

3. Now a new one ( I think): Due to excessive taxes imposed by the government since 2016, buying a second hand DB9 is very costly in one time road tax and annual taxes (CO based and also based on size of engine). For instance, the first year annual road tax and one time subscription tax will cost you close to 20.000 EUR... . You can imagine with second hand prices for DB9 starting around 45.000 EUR, this has an impact on the second hand market.
However, there is an opportunity to avoid this: the government will waive road and subscription tax on second hand cars (in general) until 2020 if they are equiped with (dditional) CNG fuel system. This means that if you install a CNG (not LPG) system on your car, you will save thousands of euros in taxes.
My AM dealer pointed this out and said they can do a conversion on the DB9 for about 7.000 EUR, which would allow the car to run normal petrol or CNG. They say no influence on engine power or wear, but you will lose some of the (already small) bootspace to install a tank, and no external differences noticeable.

This sounds like a good idea as I don't use the boot much anyway, but my question to you is if you have any experience with these engines running on CNG and if this does not harm the engine in any way.

I am all for it not only due to taxes but also having the possibility to reduce enviromental impact. I just want to be sure that engine is not negatively impacted (p.s. if I would lose some HP, would not mind as I don't drive that often at high speeds on the Autobahn).

Anyway, any feedback welcome !

Regards,
Frank

PhastPhil

44 posts

91 months

Friday 2nd September 2016
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I need some help on my 2007 AM Vantage. The brake lights are not working. I replaced the bad brake switch and installed a new one, but when I applied the brake, no brake lights. When I checked the fuse, it was blown so I put in a new 15a fuse and applied the brakes again only to blow the fuse once more. What could the most likely cause be for this failure? I really would appreciate a solution.