Clear Rear Lights

[Robbo1969]

Hi all,

I've decided to go for the clear rear lights for my Midnight Blue DB9 Volante 2008.

Popped into JCT600 Leeds yesterday and met the service guys. What great down to earth blokes. Gave me details of servicing prices to expect, (they give 30% discount on all cars over 5 years by the way). Popped my new plate on in 15 mins, plus new centre caps. I did remark the bill of £35 was the last and probs smallest bill ever to do with my car!

Anyway, I was quoted approx £1300 for the rear lights conversion. Does that sound about right?

By the way, I darent attempt it myself! I mean well, but am sh@te with jobs like this and being to do with electrics would probs short circuit/electrocute myself and the car!

[telum01]

Price seems good, especially if it includes fitting.
Easy job to do, if you did want to attempt it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNUgU7xT9s&t=...

[Shnozz]

I haven't done the swap on the Aston as not a fan of the clears, but surely this is a 30 min (max) job? Have done light swaps on other cars and from looking at the Vantage its 3 bolts, unplugging the electric feed and plugging it back in?

Nice touch on the discounted rate for older cars to make it competitive. Mind you, not sure how I'd feel if I had a <3 yr old car insofar as paying the inflated price because my wallet was deeper. Bit of a funny one to think the hourly rate/margin alters to denote the cars value and not the time spent.

[Robbo1969]

Shnozz said:

I haven't done the swap on the Aston as not a fan of the clears, but surely this is a 30 min (max) job? Have done light swaps on other cars and from looking at the Vantage its 3 bolts, unplugging the electric feed and plugging it back in?

Nice touch on the discounted rate for older cars to make it competitive. Mind you, not sure how I'd feel if I had a <3 yr old car insofar as paying the inflated price because my wallet was deeper. Bit of a funny one to think the hourly rate/margin alters to denote the cars value and not the time spent.

Cheers chaps.

Yes, £1300 was the finished job.

If I did have a go myself, then I'll have to buy them separately. If the saving is a few 100's then I'll have a Google!
Cheers!

[dbs2000]

telum01 said:

Price seems good, especially if it includes fitting.
Easy job to do, if you did want to attempt it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-GNUgU7xT9s&t=...

If you've never done it then getting things lined up, especially the first time can be a pain. I've had 4 Aston's and they've all needed rear liights at somepoint >

[raceboy]

Shnozz said:

I haven't done the swap on the Aston as not a fan of the clears, but surely this is a 30 min (max) job? Have done light swaps on other cars and from looking at the Vantage its 3 bolts, unplugging the electric feed and plugging it back in?

Pulling the painted infill section off would worry me slightly and I've been known to take rear light clusters out on other cars just to clean behind them.

Shnozz said:

Nice touch on the discounted rate for older cars to make it competitive. Mind you, not sure how I'd feel if I had a <3 yr old car insofar as paying the inflated price because my wallet was deeper. Bit of a funny one to think the hourly rate/margin alters to denote the cars value and not the time spent.

Had this on BMW's and more recently Porsche, it's a good way to keep the car in the Main Dealer loop if the price is comparable with an indy, also keeps you in touch with the dealer, I'm still getting invites to car launches at Porsche and we only had the Boxster serviced there once.
I'm guessing they just let the YTS/Apprentice have a bash at the old cars to keep their rates down.

[rovcallum]

Assuming they give you the old red lights back, they can get a fair price on ebay.
Or keep them as a choice for the next owner?

[telum01]

rovcallum said:

Assuming they give you the old red lights back, they can get a fair price on ebay.
Or keep them as a choice for the next owner?

They should give them back to you, no reason not to unless they want to sell them for the money.

If they don't have any condensation, sell them individually or as a set. Center light might be hard to sell on its own, but people with condensation issues will probably snatch up the tail lights quickly.

[Robbo1969]

Been googling between phone calls and a new set from AM costs around £1000.
The Youtube vid seems simple enough, thanks. I agree that prising the painted strip off might just crack the paint which would be awful!

SO, for £300 extra I think I'll pay the pros to do the job!

Cheers all!

[Robbo1969]

Plus, I shall be asking for my red set back too...ebay here I come!