Tales of a V8V (illustrated)
Discussion
EVR said:
Wise words! Do you know how many Prodrive have been made overall?
Sorry, I have no idea. After looking on Google, it seems that the Prodrive performance parts were sold for cars already registered.
Does not therefore appear to be a model sold directly by Aston Martin. New car regulations perhaps.
Everybody likes a bit of good, constructive advice, and some folks also enjoy a good whinge. While I do not fall into the latter I think it`s still pertinent to talk of experiences that have not gone 100% according to plan. As followers of this thread may know, I have fitted carbon fibre mirror caps, side strakes and an N420 rear diffuser to my car, all sourced from DivinaTech in the UK. They were easy to deal with and the prices on point, and the products looked terrific on the car and achieved the appearance I was hoping for.
Unfortunately the composite mirror caps, which never fitted as snuggly as the original caps but were acceptable, would pop out of seat after a few months, leaving a unsightly kit-car gap, and it got to the point where they would not go back in place. I wrote to DivinaTech and they sent me replacements, but sadly they ended up doing the same thing. I decided that the composite approach just made the caps too fat to fit properly, and asked DivinaTech if I could return them and upgrade to the full carbon versions, which was no problem and I paid the difference and the new caps duly arrived. They certainly looked the part, but I had trouble lining them up and on closer inspection found the lugs were not lined up as per the originals, and in order to make one lug fit, the other had to snap off. Sadly once this occurred, and bonding material was applied, they still did not fit into the mirror frame. I tried and tried again but to no avail, and recently they too were returned for a refund, the process of which was no problem, but very disappointing as these items are the best bang for your buck CF in my view and I really liked the look.
Six months ago I also noted that the lacquer on the diffuser and one of the side strakes appears to have bubbled/chipped away in a couple of places. They are now about three years old, and I am guessing this is not typical. While it`s not a major issue to address and I will have it attended to later this month when I have the bonnet re-sprayed, it`s not really what you want after two and a half years.
Original composite fit, composite popped out, full carbon alignment lugs, full carbon fit.
Bits look great when first fitted, side strake and diffuser less so three years later.
Unfortunately the composite mirror caps, which never fitted as snuggly as the original caps but were acceptable, would pop out of seat after a few months, leaving a unsightly kit-car gap, and it got to the point where they would not go back in place. I wrote to DivinaTech and they sent me replacements, but sadly they ended up doing the same thing. I decided that the composite approach just made the caps too fat to fit properly, and asked DivinaTech if I could return them and upgrade to the full carbon versions, which was no problem and I paid the difference and the new caps duly arrived. They certainly looked the part, but I had trouble lining them up and on closer inspection found the lugs were not lined up as per the originals, and in order to make one lug fit, the other had to snap off. Sadly once this occurred, and bonding material was applied, they still did not fit into the mirror frame. I tried and tried again but to no avail, and recently they too were returned for a refund, the process of which was no problem, but very disappointing as these items are the best bang for your buck CF in my view and I really liked the look.
Six months ago I also noted that the lacquer on the diffuser and one of the side strakes appears to have bubbled/chipped away in a couple of places. They are now about three years old, and I am guessing this is not typical. While it`s not a major issue to address and I will have it attended to later this month when I have the bonnet re-sprayed, it`s not really what you want after two and a half years.
Original composite fit, composite popped out, full carbon alignment lugs, full carbon fit.
Bits look great when first fitted, side strake and diffuser less so three years later.
Mr.Tremlini said:
...but very disappointing as these items are the best bang for your buck CF ...
I would suggest evidently not 
CF parts can be a nightmare. Manufacturing processes have to be absolutely spot on to get the end product right, and that costs money.
They did look great from the photos on first install, but the last thing you want is for them to look scabby after not very long (Aston used to be good enough at that themselves
).Murph7355 said:
I would suggest evidently not
Indeed! Even so, other than an entire roof or something similar, the mirror caps are probably the most visible carbon you can fit so compared to a slam panel or side strake still represent good value, if CF could ever be said to be good value...Picked up the car today after having the front end resprayed. Originally I was only going to do the bonnet because of stone chips, but as the front valance was also a bit peppered, and the body shop noticed a tiny bit of corrosion appearing next to the drivers door handle that I hadn`t seen, so did the front guards and top section of the doors as well. Very happy with the work. They also re-lacquered the carbon side strakes and rear diffuser, removed the front number plate mounting plate that was always a bit visible, and a couple of other little touch ups.
Just down the road from home the autumn leaves were laying everywhere in a car park, so stopped to take a couple of shots with the phone. The Tungsten Silver doing it`s colour change thing as you can see here in the third & last image, quite warm compared to the others.
Just down the road from home the autumn leaves were laying everywhere in a car park, so stopped to take a couple of shots with the phone. The Tungsten Silver doing it`s colour change thing as you can see here in the third & last image, quite warm compared to the others.
V8V Pete said:
Great to hear that you've managed to keep hold of your Vantage Dean and I hope work is picking up and surviving the second wave a bit better than the first.
Are you going to put PPF over all that lovely new paint?
good comment Pete, I did the bonnet, bumper, grille & both front guards, both sills and double layers up the rear wheel arches to the fold line on mine and it has protected it massivelyAre you going to put PPF over all that lovely new paint?
Graeme
Well, the Vantage is officially on the market.
I listed it a couple of weeks ago here in Switzerland, and it has been quite the process of coming to terms with the fact that such a s
t year as 2020 can rapidly dent the dreams and aspirations that took many years to realise. I am sure I am not alone with this dilemma but fingers crossed that we all come out the other side well and happy.
During my five-plus years of ownership, my whole approach to the Tungsten Terror never involved selling, so it meant that I had to relinquish it mentally, and now that I have done that, I just want it gone. Sounds terrible, I know, but needs must, and while I relish a reprieve I just want to move on and find all of us in a more secure and recognisable world, and then start to plot my return to AM ownership!
I could look at my Vantage forever and appreciate its timelessness, its design. I walk back to it sometimes even knowing it`s a work of art and think "Damn, that looks good" in a way that is astonishing even to me. These cars have the ability to get under your skin, of that there is no doubt. I have approached this car with zero regard to what its resale is, as I have driven it to the shops, across borders, on a track, over mountains, taking my son to kindergarten, my wife to dinner, and just for the hell of it. It`s a better car now after my 50,000km than when I bought it. I hope a driver finds it and continues to enjoy it the same way.
I`ll keep you posted.
I listed it a couple of weeks ago here in Switzerland, and it has been quite the process of coming to terms with the fact that such a s
t year as 2020 can rapidly dent the dreams and aspirations that took many years to realise. I am sure I am not alone with this dilemma but fingers crossed that we all come out the other side well and happy. During my five-plus years of ownership, my whole approach to the Tungsten Terror never involved selling, so it meant that I had to relinquish it mentally, and now that I have done that, I just want it gone. Sounds terrible, I know, but needs must, and while I relish a reprieve I just want to move on and find all of us in a more secure and recognisable world, and then start to plot my return to AM ownership!
I could look at my Vantage forever and appreciate its timelessness, its design. I walk back to it sometimes even knowing it`s a work of art and think "Damn, that looks good" in a way that is astonishing even to me. These cars have the ability to get under your skin, of that there is no doubt. I have approached this car with zero regard to what its resale is, as I have driven it to the shops, across borders, on a track, over mountains, taking my son to kindergarten, my wife to dinner, and just for the hell of it. It`s a better car now after my 50,000km than when I bought it. I hope a driver finds it and continues to enjoy it the same way.
I`ll keep you posted.
Edited by Mr.Tremlini on Tuesday 22 December 14:36
Dean
Sorry you need to part ways with your Vantage. I've enjoyed seeing and reading stories of your lovely car, and will miss your inputs to the forum which have always been considered and valuable. Don't be a stranger!
I wish you well for the future and hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe Xmas and a better new year than this one has been.
Stay safe a GLWS
Graeme
Sorry you need to part ways with your Vantage. I've enjoyed seeing and reading stories of your lovely car, and will miss your inputs to the forum which have always been considered and valuable. Don't be a stranger!
I wish you well for the future and hope you and your family have a wonderful and safe Xmas and a better new year than this one has been.
Stay safe a GLWS
Graeme
Really sorry to hear that you're having to part with your Vantage. I doubt it will come as much consolation but you should know that your stated intention (in the opening post of this thread) that it should serve as some assistance to future hopefuls was achieved. Whilst I ended up buying a later (2014) model just two weeks ago, your eloquent words and fabulous photos helped me greatly to put aside any lingering doubts I had about joining you in "having one of those one day".
Hope you get a good price and that you're soon back behind the wheel of a Vantage.
Hope you get a good price and that you're soon back behind the wheel of a Vantage.
So very sorry to hear that you have to sell Dean.
I've enjoyed your posts and wonderful photos immensely and will very much miss your input.
If it's any consolation, at least you've used your Vantage as it's supposed to be enjoyed and have obviously had some memorable times with it.
I hope things go better in 2021 and hope to see you back on the forum before too long.
Good Luck!
I've enjoyed your posts and wonderful photos immensely and will very much miss your input.
If it's any consolation, at least you've used your Vantage as it's supposed to be enjoyed and have obviously had some memorable times with it.
I hope things go better in 2021 and hope to see you back on the forum before too long.
Good Luck!
Thanks for the kind words people! Better to have loved and lost, than never to have loved, etc etc 
Mind you at this stage it still belongs to me so these words are maybe a little premature, especially as it is a rotten time of the year to sell a car of this nature, particularly in Switzerland.
Life is good, the year has been productive from a home and family perspective and we`re far better off than many, but the work has been slim and sporadic at best, and as the next few months are typically down time, after 12 months of downtime it seems that the four-wheeled Tungsten sculpture in the garage begins to resemble a pile of cash more and more!
Don`t worry, If it does move on I am sure I will stick my nose into the forum on occasion
Steve*B, yeah... I am in constant contact with sundry bods and it seems nearly normal. If 2020 had been regular, myself and the family would have been there for the last five weeks or so! (face/palm)
Mind you at this stage it still belongs to me so these words are maybe a little premature, especially as it is a rotten time of the year to sell a car of this nature, particularly in Switzerland.Life is good, the year has been productive from a home and family perspective and we`re far better off than many, but the work has been slim and sporadic at best, and as the next few months are typically down time, after 12 months of downtime it seems that the four-wheeled Tungsten sculpture in the garage begins to resemble a pile of cash more and more!
Don`t worry, If it does move on I am sure I will stick my nose into the forum on occasion
Steve*B, yeah...
I am in constant contact with sundry bods and it seems nearly normal. If 2020 had been regular, myself and the family would have been there for the last five weeks or so! (face/palm) Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff