Side sills question
Discussion
There are so many Knowledgeable people on this forum, I'm sure I can get the answer. 
I have a 2009 V8 Vantage and am thinking about adding the side sills, does anyone know if the factory was building them in 2009 with side sills or was that later? Also where's the best place to have it done? recommendations? Thank in advance.
I have a 2009 V8 Vantage and am thinking about adding the side sills, does anyone know if the factory was building them in 2009 with side sills or was that later? Also where's the best place to have it done? recommendations? Thank in advance. This is a ‘Marmite' subject.
The 'sticky out bits' were added at Model Year 2012.25 on the V8V.
Your car was made in the three-year period, of 4.7 engine, but still with the 'classic' Fisker original bodywork. In future it might be the equivalent of the Series 1 E-Type, but the one with the 4.2 engine not the 3.8.
Jon39 said:
This is a ‘Marmite' subject.
The 'sticky out bits' were added at Model Year 2012.25 on the V8V.
Your car was made in the three-year period, of 4.7 engine, but still with the 'classic' Fisker original bodywork. In future it might be the equivalent of the Series 1 E-Type, but the one with the 4.2 engine not the 3.8.
yes thanks Jon, this is the problem. The 'sticky out bits' were added at Model Year 2012.25 on the V8V.
Your car was made in the three-year period, of 4.7 engine, but still with the 'classic' Fisker original bodywork. In future it might be the equivalent of the Series 1 E-Type, but the one with the 4.2 engine not the 3.8.
I do love it as it is, I just sometimes think it might look even better with the sills. The fact that it wasn't until 2012 when they started to add it makes me less likely do have them now. Thats really what I wanted to know. The side sills were first used on the 4.3 N400, with a new design (without the rear twist /wider) introduced on V12V and then V8S (+specials). They became a factory fit option from the 10MY, standard from 12.25 as the guys have said.
It's all down to personal taste, I like both the clean lines of the original and the V12/V8S design on the latest cars, as ever only you can decide
It's all down to personal taste, I like both the clean lines of the original and the V12/V8S design on the latest cars, as ever only you can decide
full details & image in the options section, along with the top quality ladies & gents of this forum it's the Aston owner's friend Ive just had some V12 side sills fitted on my 2006 V8 Vantage and they look fantastic. I know there are purists out there that like to keep the car as standard, but I really think the V12 side skirts give it a more modern agressive look. Combined with the clear rear lights and it brings the V8 up to date. Mine was recently in the paint shop for a bit of work, so I got them to fit the side skirts and tubi exhaust. They charged me 3 hours labour for the side skirts fitting and new seals. In addition, if you are fitted different side skirts, you might need some new stone chip protectors. Your probably looking at a £1000+ all in for skirts, seals, stone chip protectos, paint and fitting.
It is a Marmite job and I'm in the camp that I like them. I had the N400 sills put on my MY07 V8V and I love them. (If you go to my profile you will see an image of my car)
I already had stone guards on my car, but made sure that I had some protective film put on the sills when they were fitted.
I also have clear rear lights along with sports pack wheels fitted too, but these changes are my preference and I love the look of my car. I did like it before, but to me, this makes it look better, but like I said this is my preference.
It's your call.....
I already had stone guards on my car, but made sure that I had some protective film put on the sills when they were fitted.
I also have clear rear lights along with sports pack wheels fitted too, but these changes are my preference and I love the look of my car. I did like it before, but to me, this makes it look better, but like I said this is my preference.
It's your call.....
It is 100% personal opinion on Side Skirts or No Side Skirts & N400 or V12....
I think the V12 ones are the nicest, however you have to have other parts to compliment it (i.e lower front splitter, rear diffuser, clear lights) as it creates a more balanced look on the Pre Facelift cars, if you have a Facelift then it suit them straight away due to the more aggressive front end.
When I priced it the V12 Sills were £750+VAT from DAE, and about another £150 for seals and stone guards, then it was cost for painting and fitting on top.
All going well should have them all painted and fitted in the next month
I think the V12 ones are the nicest, however you have to have other parts to compliment it (i.e lower front splitter, rear diffuser, clear lights) as it creates a more balanced look on the Pre Facelift cars, if you have a Facelift then it suit them straight away due to the more aggressive front end.
When I priced it the V12 Sills were £750+VAT from DAE, and about another £150 for seals and stone guards, then it was cost for painting and fitting on top.
All going well should have them all painted and fitted in the next month
The Surveyor said:
How are the side sills attached?
They aren't structural so are they bonded in place, and can the old ones be re-fitted easily if the owner decides they prefer the original look?
There are a number of screws which hold the sills in place along the top and side aspects of the sill. As far as I am aware (I could be wrong) there is no bonding done to keep them in place.They aren't structural so are they bonded in place, and can the old ones be re-fitted easily if the owner decides they prefer the original look?
Grant3 said:
How are you enjoying the Vantage?
I'm really enjoying it. I'm finding that the car takes a while to properly warm up, but when it does it goes like **** of a shovel! Back to the sills. I like my dealer so have made an enquiry with them. They have quoted £375 per sill + labour to fit, + spraying, but its the spraying they have a problem with. They say its not easy to match up the paint, so they 'might end up having to blend it in' and 'that could cost a couple of thousand'. So that puts me off having it done to be honest.
I fitted some on my old vantage....and did a couple of videos showing the process...
http://youtu.be/yJ7D8HKLNZM
http://youtu.be/vE4ryMeLetU
http://youtu.be/yJ7D8HKLNZM
http://youtu.be/vE4ryMeLetU
The sills are held on by a number of screws/couple of tabs (wheels off, front/rear wheel arch liners off, undertray off), there is an excellent youtube video of a guy replacing them if you can find it.
I'm not sure where you are based, but mine were sprayed with other parts of the car and although they struggled to get a match at first, its now absoutely bang on. I would recommend these guys 100% for paint matching, quality of work (Based in Bristol).
Will be posting pics up when I get chance to find a nice setting to take them.
I'm not sure where you are based, but mine were sprayed with other parts of the car and although they struggled to get a match at first, its now absoutely bang on. I would recommend these guys 100% for paint matching, quality of work (Based in Bristol).
Will be posting pics up when I get chance to find a nice setting to take them.
Quarterly said:
So that puts me off having it done to be honest.
Don't worry.
If you want to, you could look at it this way.
Most Aston Martins are designed without superfluous fins, exaggerated arches, extra unnecessary intake grilles, unwanted bodywork creases. In other words, only if any detail is required, is it present. Understated is the watchword.
When the Vantage was designed, if extra aerodynamics were required to keep it stable at 180 mph, they would have been included. The sales graph headed downwards in 2008, so a looks refresh eventually arrived.
PS. I love the aerodynamics on the Vantage GTE and GT3, but of course they are present for a lap time reason.
Glad you are enjoying your car.
Edited by Jon39 on Friday 14th August 21:42
Quarterly said:
... its the spraying they have a problem with. They say its not easy to match up the paint, so they 'might end up having to blend it in' and 'that could cost a couple of thousand'. So that puts me off having it done to be honest.
I'm in the original-looks-best camp, but aside from that... I certainly would not want to have anyone "blend" into the other panels in order to get a paint match -- then you'll have done paintwork over (I'm assuming) original paint. To each his own, but that sounds like a bad idea to me.Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff