BR - A Cautionary Tale

[Bincenzo]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
For those that are of a sensitive disposition when it comes to all matters BR, then please feel free not to read this post. Mind you, if you have any inclination or intention to either carry out any form of upgrades to improve your performance, or put your pride and joy outside the dealer network for servicing, then you may be interested.

As some of you may know, I had the sports manifold, cats etc done some time last year, and you'll also remember how it transformed my car. I was immediately taken by the change. So, all good so far.

I recently had my car serviced by BR. It was a big one, and the team also identified that my front pads were worn. The work was done and I picked up the car the following day, and after eating donuts and pastries galore, I departed following my chauffeur in his DBS (Callsign Tandoori Express). So, all still good.

Given the dreadful weather, I've not really had chance to get 'Buck' out, but coincidence intervened when my barmy wife locked my Golf keys in her Building Society, and then couldn't get in to retrieve them without triggering a manhunt for the burglars. So, rather unbelievably, the planets aligned and I had to take the car to work and back over two days in the best weather we've had since last year.

Well, I skipped out of work (in a sailor like fashion), jumped in the Aston and opted to take the cross country route from work (Barkston Heath, near Cranwell) to Melton Mowbray then onwards to Rugby. The road is epic and was, I was delighted to see, virtually empty.

What happened next surprised the st out of me: notwithstanding the fact that I haven't been out in it for a while, I can genuinely say that my V8V is simply as fast as I would ever want a car to be. It absolutely sang in the cold crisp air, the brakes were ultra sharp and the handling felt spot on. I don't know what on earth Mike and the team did, but clearly all the bits that were done have culminated in my perfect car becoming just a little bit scary......which was a complete revelation.

So, what's your point Bins? The point is, we all, I think, love our cars for what they are, but when they are improved by total experts (other independent garages are clearly available, genuinely) it rejuvenates that compelling need to stare at it, drive it, listen to it and enjoy it. I left the garage with the smile of contentment that annoys my wife......so my cautionary tale is this. Unless your wife, partner or significant other is a fan of your Aston, don't take it to BR, as you will drop yourself ever deeper in the relationship poo than ever before.

Again, sorry for the rather narrow field of this topic, but you probably sense the fun I've had and I genuinely believe it is down to, well, a certain group of rather talented blokes.

[J12MOC]

That's a nice tale Bins. It's great that your enjoyment of your car has been transformed . I'm really pleased for you.

By the way....is this you???

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77e_1389637750

[J12MOC]

That's a nice tale Bins. It's great that your enjoyment of your car has been transformed . I'm really pleased for you.

By the way....is this you???

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77e_1389637750

[Bincenzo]

J12MOC said:

That's a nice tale Bins. It's great that your enjoyment of your car has been transformed . I'm really pleased for you.

By the way....is this you???

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77e_1389637750

Took me a while to work out the first duo were models! Good vid that. The second aircraft displayed is a belter in a dogfight. Not something my current aircraft gets involved in!

[robgt]

Fantastic Bins! What a truly excellent account of your car. Others hopefully will know understand what Bamford Rose can do to dramatically improve our cars. When Purdey (R.I.P) was written off I was lucky enough to replace her with a new V8VS. Trouble was even after a bit of running in the pesky thing did not rev the same, was down on power plus the standard suspension was dire in comparison, talk about wallow. I had no choice off the car went to BR. Low and behold Pearl was born, even more power than Purdey and even better handling. Fanbloodytastic! Thanks BR

[MollyGTi]

Read this tale heart-in-mouth Bins but seems we need not have worried

[Gettoff]

Good write-up chap, always nice to hear about someone enjoying their car on a drive like that, wherever it may be serviced. Sounds like a good job jobbed.

[Little Donkey]

I haven't required the services of BR recently because in terms of performance, my V12V really is everything I need out of a car. However, I could be talked into sorting the suspension as it can cause passengers to have a loose moment when things get a little twitchy. I hear BR will be at Rockingham.........sod it, sorry Bob, forget to sort the bank transfer today. Will defo do tomorrow. Sorry, pal......... So may have a little chat then.

[Bincenzo]

Little Donkey said:

I haven't required the services of BR recently because in terms of performance, my V12V really is everything I need out of a car. However, I could be talked into sorting the suspension as it can cause passengers to have a loose moment when things get a little twitchy. I hear BR will be at Rockingham.........sod it, sorry Bob, forget to sort the bank transfer today. Will defo do tomorrow. Sorry, pal......... So may have a little chat then.

I haven't pulled the trigger on the adjustable dampers yet LD, but I know a few that have and are mightily impressed with it. Someone will be along soon I'm sure

My next event will be the clutch and flywheel, as despite it being an early V8V, it's a keeper and there's just soooo much that I've got planned. Just don't tell the wife.......

[bentley01]

Bincenzo said:

I haven't pulled the trigger on the adjustable dampers yet LD, but I know a few that have and are mightily impressed with it. Someone will be along soon I'm sure

My next event will be the clutch and flywheel, as despite it being an early V8V, it's a keeper and there's just soooo much that I've got planned. Just don't tell the wife.......

They must be paying you too much !!! Good write up ant I think it is great to have a car you intend to keep and then make it the very best it can be. Thinking of changing the Cats on mine. Need to listen to a few to decide if I like the sound

[Bincenzo]

bentley01 said:

They must be paying you too much !!! Good write up ant I think it is great to have a car you intend to keep and then make it the very best it can be. Thinking of changing the Cats on mine. Need to listen to a few to decide if I like the sound

No, they really don't pay me too much, sadly. Get yourself along to a meet and have a listen. Mine is a raucous bark and very poppy/crackly, particularly when cold. I love it, but wifey hates the noise. The beauty is, BR fitted a switch so stealth mode is available at all times.....well, until you go above about 5.5 when the valves have to open to accommodate the gas flow. Mike can set the valve to whatever you like. I like the flexibility. The cats will make a big difference to the noise, particularly if coupled with new manifolds. More than welcome to have a listen to mine. Where are you based?

[robgt]

Little Donkey said:

I haven't required the services of BR recently because in terms of performance, my V12V really is everything I need out of a car. However, I could be talked into sorting the suspension as it can cause passengers to have a loose moment when things get a little twitchy. I hear BR will be at Rockingham.........sod it, sorry Bob, forget to sort the bank transfer today. Will defo do tomorrow. Sorry, pal......... So may have a little chat then.

Had BR's switchable suspension fitted to our last V8S. On soft, the ride quality improved dramatically. On hard it firmed up no end, in fact you would only switch it on when you were getting really serious.

Pearl our latest V8S is fitted with BR's latest offering which is active suspension, now this is a vast improvement . Once again you have a soft and hard setting but both can be fine tuned by BR to perform as you wish. In soft mode which is probably 90% of our driving time we have a superb ride quality with no wallowing whatsoever. Alter to hard, there is no immediate change until you arrive a bit hot into the next corner. The car is much more settled and seems to shrug off corners with total ease. on fast sweepers you get this sense of turn in which is superb. If enhancing your V12V is on the cards I would go for their suspension first. Remember they can easily extract 570BHP as well if you so require.

[woolders]

Steady on Bins, you will be dabbing your eyes at RomComs and be off games for a while every month at this level of enthusiasm.

Fortunately, I am now past the "hot flush" stage, or so my wife tells me.

[Bincenzo]

woolders said:

Steady on Bins, you will be dabbing your eyes at RomComs and be off games for a while every month at this level of enthusiasm.

Fortunately, I am now past the "hot flush" stage, or so my wife tells me.

Christ Woolders, you're right, I need to get a grip. I'm a trained killer FFS!!

[woolders]

Bincenzo said:

Christ Woolders, you're right, I need to get a grip. I'm a trained killer FFS!!

Molly, can you make sure that he gets a grip and sort the poor lad out?

[handyman 1417]

Well done Mark, you'll have to get her to lock your golf keys at work every weekend!

[Little Donkey]

Bincenzo said:

Little Donkey said:

I haven't required the services of BR recently because in terms of performance, my V12V really is everything I need out of a car. However, I could be talked into sorting the suspension as it can cause passengers to have a loose moment when things get a little twitchy. I hear BR will be at Rockingham.........sod it, sorry Bob, forget to sort the bank transfer today. Will defo do tomorrow. Sorry, pal......... So may have a little chat then.

I haven't pulled the trigger on the adjustable dampers yet LD, but I know a few that have and are mightily impressed with it. Someone will be along soon I'm sure

My next event will be the clutch and flywheel, as despite it being an early V8V, it's a keeper and there's just soooo much that I've got planned. Just don't tell the wife.......

I promise not to tell your wife although she does cook a lovely breakfast!

Apparently.

[bentley01]

Bincenzo said:

No, they really don't pay me too much, sadly. Get yourself along to a meet and have a listen. Mine is a raucous bark and very poppy/crackly, particularly when cold. I love it, but wifey hates the noise. The beauty is, BR fitted a switch so stealth mode is available at all times.....well, until you go above about 5.5 when the valves have to open to accommodate the gas flow. Mike can set the valve to whatever you like. I like the flexibility. The cats will make a big difference to the noise, particularly if coupled with new manifolds. More than welcome to have a listen to mine. Where are you based?

Based up near Lancaster. Will be going to Eds weekend in July but I could be persuaded to head down sooner for a meet up.

[mikey k]

J12MOC said:

That's a nice tale Bins. It's great that your enjoyment of your car has been transformed . I'm really pleased for you.

By the way....is this you???

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77e_1389637750

bloody amazing!

[stimshady]

J12MOC said:

That's a nice tale Bins. It's great that your enjoyment of your car has been transformed . I'm really pleased for you.

By the way....is this you???

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=77e_1389637750

Wow! I remember being at Fairford as a kid in '93 and watching two Migs crash right in-front of me - seems they have improved a bit since then!

Amazing how that jet is literally 'floating' just above the ground - pointing upwards!