Buying / improving used V8V 4.3 – what I’ve learned:

[NealCS]

I’ve just finished sprucing up my first (used) Aston. I trawled Pistonheads for hours for most of this information so thought I’d share for anyone buying a used V8 4.3

Buying from Stratstone:

Found the car I wanted at Stratstone Mayfair – 07 V8 Vantage 4.3 Roadster Sportshift in Grigio Titanio Ferrari with Anthracite alloys and red calipers.


No discount but very accommodating fixing things – machine-polished the surface scratches, new headlight – I didn’t ask them to replace the chipped rear tyre – from reading other posts I should have. Salesman Brad Carr was very helpful and took us on a factory visit to Gaydon in a shiny new Rapide. Fantastic day out. Can never drive a non-Aston now!

A couple of weeks later I had a dodgy boot button fixed under warranty– collected and returned same day –fixed and nicely polished.

Front plate/plinth:

Removed the plinth as described in the thread below– really easy (but needed to touch up some bumper paint, see later for paint link):

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=994...

Found an online Irish number plate maker who supplied smallerplate without needing the DVLA form, only £15. (shorter but still within DVLA rules). Came in two days: http://www.myshowplates.com



Clear rear lights:

Harwoods quoted £1200 fitted – Stratstone price-matched and did the work while it was in for the boot-catch. For me makes a huge difference, especially with a darkish-silver metallic.


Shiny glass gear buttons:

The only thing I didn’t like about the car was the plastic Drive, Neutral, Reverse, Comfort buttons.

Nicholas Mee – who were very knowledgeable and helpful - changed them for the glass ones. I LOVE the new ones. The button labeled SPORT actually does whatever the COMFORT button used to – anyone know what that ACTUALLY does? Is it gearing/suspension/nothing at all???


Adding Front and reversing camera.

I curbed the alloys on Day 1 (insured, phew) and narrowly missed grounding on a curb – the bonnet is much longer than I thought – so I wanted cameras installed.

They were (very professionally) installed by the famous James from Trackaphone on the same day as changing the buttons. Nicholas Mee charged £2.2k with VAT for cameras and buttons.



iPod/iPhone integration:

It has the Denison glovebox-ipod kit installed already on the standard audio system– I found the Tune2Air gizmo works like a charm with my iPhone (£58):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00B73MIUY/ref=...

Though had a funny moment when I left Google navigator running on my iphone and the common Google voice started arguing with the posh Aston voice as they tried to navigate me to different places!

Also found a discreet iphone5 charger to sit in the socket between the seats £13:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B009I2UH2W/ref=...



Touch up paint for stone/key chips:

FANTASTIC kit from Chipex.co.uk –perfect colour match clever little application tools and solvent to wipe off excess – much better than what I’ve had from BMW, Vauxhall and Mercedes in the past – truly invisible repairs. The cheapest kit did the job. There’s a fixed chip on the right back edge of the rear boot lid but you cant see it in the photo, and barely even in daylight even though I know where it is. Their ref for Grigio Titanio Ferrari is Aston Martin 1173D


Wheel touch up paint:

If you have Anthracite painted alloys Fix-a-chip FORD Dark Shadow Grey 26B was a perfect match for me– again the cheapest kit worked for (£8), plus their pro-brush and cleaner – makes minor chips/scrapes invisible.


Aston GRIN:

The grin came with the car – it’s not going anywhere. Every time I drive it. Yesterday a white van driver pulled alongside to help guide me into a space… I was expecting abuse but got a thumbs-up. I’m truly loving every minute in it.

Any mods left? Maybe cruise-control – what do you think?

Neal ☺


Edit:

I have since added Twin plate clutch, Adjustable electronic suspension, Michelin tyres: write-up further down this post (page 3)

Edited by NealCS on Monday 19th January 17:05

[justin220]

Great thread, good write up.

I'd like a reverse camera on mine, but not sure I can justify the cost! :O

[good grief]

Looks fab, glad to hear of another happy owner. Had my V8VR 15 months now and it's the best "good feeling " car I've owned. I've got cruise on mine and must say I personally wouldn't bother with it as an add on.

[NealCS]

Thanks Justin - I'm very grateful to all those who posted info for me. Feel like I've got a new Aston for less than half price!

I saw somewhere on here you can get just the reversing camera for a lot less. Though I've found the bleeps pretty accurate, whereas seeing forward was my problem. Also, the reverse camera display doesn't have the lines on it like the forward one. Not sure why. They are very useful - once I spent a while calibrating then with the help of some cones!

[good grief]

Looks fab, glad to hear of another happy owner. Had my V8VR 15 months now and it's the best "good feeling " car I've owned. I've got cruise on mine and must say I personally wouldn't bother with it as an add on.

[JimboA]

I just wanted to add that this was a great thread and worth the read. Thanks for the post... there is always something I can spend money on it seems!

[Grant3]

Nice write-up Neal, nothing like treating your lovely new Aston to a few new goodies

[NealCS]

Thanks Jimbo & Grant..

"Good grief" do you find the cruise control doesn't work well or just £500 a lot to spend for peace of mind in the occasional roadworks?



Anyone got an answer about what effect the "Comfort" button has?

[mikey k]

NealCS said:

Anyone got an answer about what effect the "Comfort" button has?

Ironically the opposite of the Sport button
So it slows the changes and deadens the throttle response for more "comfort"
At least that's what I found out on my last one which had the C button
I suspect AM have simply relabelled it and changed the type of map to be "sporty"

[MollyGTi]

Nice, entertaining write up Neal!

I particularly like the bit about the Aston Grin and white van man - get used to that sort of thing We were on a motorway oop north one day when a white van man alongside us mimed with the aid of his lottery ticket 'when I win this I'm going to buy one of those'

[Bravo73]

NealCS said:

"Good grief" do you find the cruise control doesn't work well or just £500 a lot to spend for peace of mind in the occasional roadworks?

Personally, the cruise control works absolutely fine and I use it regularly. It was one of my 'must have' options when I was looking for my V8V.

[V8 Animal]

Highly recommend cruise it is worth it you may as well seeing what you have all ready spent.

[Jon39]

Thank you Neal for your interesting description.

You certainly have a beautiful car, with some good improvements.

I particularly like both the colour, and the dateless registration mark.
But, I would say that.

Enjoy.

[PiloteAM]

Nice write up I had a great buying experience with Stratstone too.

If you're based in London make sure you get yourself along to the next Dog and Duck meet. On the 4th I think.

[NealCS]

Thanks all - I'll probably bite the bullet and add cruise as next year's upgrade then - anyone with a suitable perforated leather steeringwheel for sale should let me know! (Telephone + cruise)

...only other thing I was wondering is that I've been getting lower back pain on runs over 2hrs - is this common - is it likely I have the seat maladjusted or are there any options available that can switch between softer and sportier suspension?

[NealCS]

Also, Molly, the grins continued today when the sun came out and I finally got the top down- just in time for a family 70th birthday so I was giving rides to three generations of whooping grinning relatives - I decide to answer every question with " let's see"....


How fast does it get to 60... "Let's see..." Floors throttle ( grin )
How fast can you go round a roundabout "let's see..." (squeal )
Etc etc...

So far my nerve has run out before the grip has - though I have glimpsed the yellow (traction/DSC control I assume) light flickering on the dash on skittery wet white lines.

[FrankieBee50]

Great write up Neal very interesting reading.
I'm due to pick up my V8V in a few weeks and would like to get the glass button mod. Can you supply me with more details on how/who can do this for me?
Thanks

[Laser Sag]

FrankieBee50 said:

Great write up Neal very interesting reading.
I'm due to pick up my V8V in a few weeks and would like to get the glass button mod. Can you supply me with more details on how/who can do this for me?
Thanks

Just had a quote from Lancasters at Cambridge of £860 including the VAT for the glass buttons including fitting.

[FrankieBee50]

Blimey! Thought it might be less than that for four buttons!

Welcome to AM prices?

[Laser Sag]

FrankieBee50 said:

Blimey! Thought it might be less than that for four buttons!

Welcome to AM prices?

Surprised me somewhat as well, think that sort of money will go towards 200 cell cats etc, the buttons look good but come a long way down the priority list.
It is for 8 buttons not 4 if that helps!