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PhilSm
Original Poster
78 posts
22 months
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All,
I’m coming to the end of my first year of Aston ownership and this morning dropped my car off at the dealer for its annual service. The car is a 56 plate V8 Vantage with 32k miles, of which I’ve done roughly 3k since purchase. It was bought it from a main dealer with (very handily it would appear...) an AM extended warranty.
I’ve just had an update call which turned into quite a long discussion as I was talked through a rather sizeable report following the service. The points range from the trivial “we recommend Nitrogen in the tyres” through normal wear and tear “handbrake pads worn out” to the eye-watering (for me) “oil leaks from the cam cover at £759”, with a number of others thrown in for good measure (seat belts, frayed, window mechanism loose, door not always locking etc).
To be fair, many of these, including the eye-watering are being put forwards as claims against the extended warranty, but this has given me a very different perspective on ownership and particularly re-opening the question as to whether I should renew the warranty or not. I had previously decided against it.
So fellow owners, is this par for the course and something to expected each year, or is this pretty unusual?
Thanks in advance,
Phil.
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AMDBSNick
2,249 posts
31 months
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PhilSm said: All,
“oil leaks from the cam cover at £759”,
door not always locking etc
Common faults I believe and will be covered under warranty. I would not own one without as I love peace of mind. Others will disagree
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Neil1300R
2,866 posts
47 months
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Had the same today. Saw it as a positive - car is fully checked over. Got the rear brake pads will only last ~3k miles, rear tyre is down to 3mm, need new tyre sealant (out of date), cv joint needs replacing etc etc.
Some things I've authorised to be done, some i've said no to - I can get tyres cheaper.
Liked having a sensible conversation with the dealer - no hard sell, most were advisories.
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michael gould
3,223 posts
110 months
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PhilSm said: All,
I’m coming to the end of my first year of Aston ownership and this morning dropped my car off at the dealer for its annual service. The car is a 56 plate V8 Vantage with 32k miles, of which I’ve done roughly 3k since purchase. It was bought it from a main dealer with (very handily it would appear...) an AM extended warranty.
I’ve just had an update call which turned into quite a long discussion as I was talked through a rather sizeable report following the service. The points range from the trivial “we recommend Nitrogen in the tyres” through normal wear and tear “handbrake pads worn out” to the eye-watering (for me) “oil leaks from the cam cover at £759”, with a number of others thrown in for good measure (seat belts, frayed, window mechanism loose, door not always locking etc).
To be fair, many of these, including the eye-watering are being put forwards as claims against the extended warranty, but this has given me a very different perspective on ownership and particularly re-opening the question as to whether I should renew the warranty or not. I had previously decided against it.
So fellow owners, is this par for the course and something to expected each year, or is this pretty unusual?
Thanks in advance,
Phil. Well first golden rule is to negotiate the price for the service before you book it in ( but I’m sure you did that)....with regards to the cam cover....every time I have taken my DB9 in for a service they have told me one of the cam covers is leaking.....its normally just a weep and the very small amount of oil is caught by the tray.....all the other stuff is normal and most of the time tell em to bugger off unless they are doing it under warranty.....with regards to the hand brake pads the cost should be no more than £90 including parts.......love the nitrogen in the tyres....how much did they want for that ? You did buy an 80k car so service bills are going to be higher than a 3 series BMW 
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petesv8v
34 posts
22 months
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My car similar age to yours and owned from virtualy new (600 m)now 30000 miles - nearly all that you mention has occured on mine and was fixed under warranty at various stages. I extended warranty for 2 years however in last year no big issues so decided to save on warranty renewal.
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Neilc123
196 posts
12 months
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Interesting perspective "you did buy an 80K car therefore servicing is going to be higher". Another perspective and the reason why I am holding back from buying an Aston Martin is "you did buy an 80K car therefore you would expect it to be pretty bulletproof!"
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michael gould
3,223 posts
110 months
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Neilc123 said: Interesting perspective "you did buy an 80K car therefore servicing is going to be higher". Another perspective and the reason why I am holding back from buying an Aston Martin is "you did buy an 80K car therefore you would expect it to be pretty bulletproof!" well you totaly correct ....so stick with your salon directors car
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AMDBSNick
2,249 posts
31 months
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Neilc123 said: Interesting perspective "you did buy an 80K car therefore servicing is going to be higher". Another perspective and the reason why I am holding back from buying an Aston Martin is "you did buy an 80K car therefore you would expect it to be pretty bulletproof!" Neil. I swapped my SLK55AMG for my old V8V. Get it done matey you will not regret it  Oh and ignore Michael it's his period this week
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michael gould
3,223 posts
110 months
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AMDBSNick said: Neilc123 said: Interesting perspective "you did buy an 80K car therefore servicing is going to be higher". Another perspective and the reason why I am holding back from buying an Aston Martin is "you did buy an 80K car therefore you would expect it to be pretty bulletproof!" Neil. I swapped my SLK55AMG for my old V8V. Get it done matey you will not regret it Oh and ignore Michael it's his period this week  listen.....a couple of years ago I had an SLK 230 ......not even a salon directors car......probably just a senior stylist
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AMDBSNick
2,249 posts
31 months
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michael gould said: listen.....a couple of years ago I had an SLK 230 ......not even a salon directors car......probably just a senior stylist 
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outofstepuk
257 posts
21 months
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have they covered your seat belt? I'm currently having this issue and they are putting in a 50% goodwill payment, but not the rest on the extended warranty. Ridiculous that a seat belt can wear out on a 5 year old car.
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jarodw
77 posts
16 months
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I had a similar experience the last time I took my car to the service. . I think I reported it in a different thread. I ended up with a offer > 12k CHF. I said they should just do the service and the obvious necessary parts e.g.brake pads. Anyhow IMHO it's not necessary to replace the parking brake pads or discs unless you use it heavily for drifting. Seriously how often do you use your parking brake?
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peterr96
1,701 posts
44 months
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jarodw said: Seriously how often do you use your parking brake? More to the point, why do they wear out?
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michael gould
3,223 posts
110 months
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peterr96 said: jarodw said: Seriously how often do you use your parking brake? More to the point, why do they wear out? Bloody hell Peter.......good point !!
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krisdelta
1,805 posts
70 months
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Neilc123 said: Interesting perspective "you did buy an 80K car therefore servicing is going to be higher". Another perspective and the reason why I am holding back from buying an Aston Martin is "you did buy an 80K car therefore you would expect it to be pretty bulletproof!" To interject if I may, I've come from an E46 M3 and have allowed myself a £2k cushion - e.g. saved it away (as I did with the beemer) to cover a years running costs "just in case". I, like you was looking at the earlier cars (I was very lucky to get an low mile '07 car for my budget) and expect pretty good reliability - and you know what, I've run mine every day since picking it up in December and despite a dodgy hub which I had replaced and a small snag list (squeaking hand brake and belts), it's been brilliant, coping with journeys long and short. Passengers, luggage, shopping... still have 50% of my maintanence budget left too (I am running without warranty - none of the work I've had done would be covered) Just do it 
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PhilSm
Original Poster
78 posts
22 months
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Thanks for the replies, all - much appreciated. Neil1300R, In this instance, with warranty cover, I agree it's good to have a full check and fix - it's whether this is going to an annual "event" that worries me, tbh... Michael, I did negotiate for the service price (it might even have been your post on another thread that gave me the idea - if so, thanks ). It's the fact that the price of the service is somewhat dwarfed by the advisory list - I was expecting the cost of the service, but to pick up on Neil123c's point - there's no reason that things not normally considered consumables (like the door lock / window mechanism, IMHO) should be any worse than a cooking hatchback. petesv8, glad it's not just mine then! outofsetpuk, I don't know yet about the seatbelt - the warranty inspection is to yet to happen. I'll let you know the outcome, but I won't be happy with a 50% offer - I've had the car for 3k miles of it's 32k life and as I bought the car from the dealer who has also serviced it previously and now has the car... Well, a chat will be in order. jarodw, I use the parking brake every time I park ...but do see you point, however, overtrumped by.... Peterr96, Damn good point about how can they wear out - I'll post up the reason (excuse?!) when I get it. I have to say that the dealer has been good thus far in explaining the issues and following up those I think should be covered by the warranty - time will tell if the final outcome is as acceptable.... Thanks, Phil.
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Neilc123
196 posts
12 months
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I think if I was given such a surprise when i took a car in for a service, especially having only put 3K mileage one it I would be appalled so I totally understand where you are coming from. Now to respond to some people, I know people say well that is the "joy" of owning an Aston, even the dealers try to put a positive spin on it and I appreciate people on here say their cars are fine, but a lot I speak to both on here and off do say their cars have little snags that they put up with as it is part of the character of owning an Aston and then they only get goodwill gestures from the manufacturer, I am not sure I would ever be happy with that. Make Aston work harder to build better cars so that the perfect cars are not in a minority, don't just let them live on the cache of their badge.
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Lunablack
2,844 posts
31 months
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Nitrogen in tyres on a road car is nonsense....
It's called bill padding and it can soon add up
£5 screen wash... No thanks I'll fill it myself
£15 fuel treatment.... No idea what I is, but my car doesn't need it
Air fresheners
Sundries....... Think of a figure.... But no idea what they are..
There are others....
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krisdelta
1,805 posts
70 months
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Neilc123 said: Make Aston work harder to build better cars so that the perfect cars are not in a minority, don't just let them live on the cache of their badge. The problem there is, that reliability you seek comes with a cost, and that cost will be passed to the consumer - and will reflect in the cars value. When you take it into a dealer, they are going to highlight every cough and sneeze as it's in their interest (and their role) to do so. If you look at any sports car manufacturer (Porsche - IMS issues lunching engines 996 to the end of 997.1, Ferrari 458's with gearbox issues, Lambo Gallardo's catching fire), there are always foibles. Even manufacturers with massive finance clout get it wrong! It's unrealistic to think a car will be perfect - they are designed to go wrong eventually, my wifes Golf has had £2k of work done in two years, and that's a "realiable family car"! The extra money you spend on an Aston gets you a car that is fantastic to drive, look at and own - not bullet proof reliability. Cheers Kris
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michael gould
3,223 posts
110 months
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Lunablack said: Nitrogen in tyres on a road car is nonsense....
It's called bill padding and it can soon add up
£5 screen wash... No thanks I'll fill it myself
£15 fuel treatment.... No idea what I is, but my car doesn't need it
Air fresheners
Sundries....... Think of a figure.... But no idea what they are..
There are others.... That's why it's always best to agree the price beforehand........I always tell Stratstone that I don't care if they clean the car or check how much tread is left on my tires........I won't pay anymore than the agreed price unless they ring me and agree a new price........and I always supply my own oil......saves me £220
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