Hello - V8V

[Harry Flashman]

Morning, fellow Aston folks. I have swapped this

Muddy Land Rover by baconrashers, on Flickr

for one of these



It was a bit of an impulse - Lady F was surprised, to say the least. And it doesn't exactly improve the practicality of the Flashman household fleet terribly. But I'm looking forward to ownership!

Any tips, apart from this fuse 22 thing? Servicing in London - it has a full AM history: is this worth keeping up on a 2007 V8V on 30k miles, or are there very well regarded independents out there in my area?

[Shnozz]

Nice motor Flashman. Was very, very close to acquiring one myself last week but a coin toss and went with an Evora instead on the basis I could head to an Aston in my late 30s whereas going for sportier options I might start to look even more mid-life crisis.

Most of my friends (particular the female variety) think I've lost the plot in choosing the Evora over an Aston...I'm still undecided...

I'm sure you'll love it - if I had parking options for a V8V and a sports car I think I would have gone down this route.

[shropshireAston]

Nice change...:-) Enjoy the new baby.. looks amazing in black - I'm sure it will be just as good off-road!

[Neil1300r]

Welcome looks great
Top of the Aston forum is a FAQ. Has recommended Indys in there.
How does it compare to the Morgan?

Edited by Neil1300r on Thursday 7th May 21:05

[Salterns]

Funny enough I went from a Defender to an Aston, they are about as different as its possible to get.

I think you will miss the Defender, but the Aston will give you a bigger smile.

[mikey k]

Welcome!
Have you sold the defender ?

[AndyV8V]

Welcome and Enjoy
Personally, 30k miles is low, and I would try to maintain the full AM service history for resale purposes.
If it was 50k miles with 1-2 non AM stamps, then i would look at independent servicing

[davek_964]

Did you look specifically for full AMSH when you were viewing cars?

I must admit, I did (collect mine tomorrow!) so I feel I should probably stick to AM. Although I've never even considered dealer servicing for my other cars.

I think there are some independents that are good enough I'd consider them (e.g. Bamford Rose) but not sure there are any near to me.

[MadMacMcMad]

Bamford Rose is a must.
The V8V 4.3 clutch is agricultural at best. Replace it with a twin plate and lightened flywheel, have BR do their magic with new/tuned primaries and fast flow cats and hey presto, 4.7 power with a sound track to embarrase nascar! I love the 4.3. I prefer the look without the sills and bling of a 4.7.
Enjoy it.

[Harry Flashman]

Thanks chaps. Literally swapped my much loved Defender for a friend's Vantage - as I said, unexpected.

Very different to the Morgan. Slower, but far more civilised and rather less hairy when pressing on.

Lovely sound, but could be better. In the metal, a lovely thing to look at - so little bling, and gorgeous proportions!

[Diablos-666]

Your old defender looks ace!

[Harry Flashman]

Thanks - it is lovely - and rather well-modified. The deal with the Vantage is that if my friend wants to sell my Landy, I get to buy it back...

Wasn't getting much use in London!

Have another gratuitous 4x4 pic - the aston has replaced the Defender now...

Defender and Morgan by baconrashers, on Flickr

Edited by Harry Flashman on Friday 8th May 15:43

[George29]

That Defender is very cool.

Nice British garage you've got.

[Shnozz]

Harry Flashman said:

Defender and Morgan by baconrashers, on Flickr

As fantastic and classy as the Aston is, this shot is just achingly cool in a moody London car park.

[buckster]

Congrats on new purchase.

Where in London are you from? I'm out in South West London if you fancy meeting and hearing a V8V with sorted exhaust (Prodrive); bet you but a B&R setup after you hear it!

Drop me an email if you are close by.

Cheers

[Harry Flashman]

Thanks Buckster - also South London. May well take you up on that!

[buckster]

Nice one..

You can wake the dead with my Prodrive exhaust (cats), but it comes with a switch in the cabin to have vales fully open, setup as standard (open above 4K) or fully closed.... My neighbour told me he likes the fully closed option at 6am.

[Jon39]

MadMacMcMad said:

I love the 4.3. I prefer the look without the sills and bling of a 4.7.

The 'original classic' shape did not come to an end, with the introduction of the 4.7.
Model year 2009 = 4.7.
Model year 2012.25 = Body changes.

So there were three years, when the Vantages had 4.7 engines with the 'classic' body.

[Quarterly]

Jon39 said:

The 'original classic' shape did not come to an end, with the introduction of the 4.7.
Model year 2009 = 4.7.
Model year 2012.25 = Body changes.

So there were three years, when the Vantages had 4.7 engines with the 'classic' body.

I've got one and I prefer the classic shape.

Edited by Quarterly on Friday 8th May 20:57

Edited by Quarterly on Friday 8th May 21:03

[Jon39]

Quarterly said:

Jon39 said:

The 'original classic' shape did not come to an end, with the introduction of the 4.7.
Model year 2009 = 4.7.
Model year 2012.25 = Body changes.

So there were three years, when the Vantages had 4.7 engines with the 'classic' body.

I've got one and I prefer the classic shape.

Your 'classic' is a beauty Quarterly. Even more original than mine, because you still have the plinth.

At first I liked the 20 spoke, but am thinking now of buying SportPack wheels. They are of the period, so should still be in keeping.