Self service conundrum
Discussion
So I am thinking of going DIY service, having done work on the car but currently have FAMSH. If I had a stock, low miles Aston with the full dealer history I would carry on, I think, as most buyers and certainly new-to-Aston buyers would be re-assured by this enhancing residuals.
But I am thinking about DIY because;
The car is quite high miles, 68k miles
It has been modified with BR exhausts and suspension
... and so will not attract those seeking pure Aston virgins!
It's now over 10 years old, 09 4.7 coupe
I have been disappointed with some main dealers' tech knowledge; not BR and other main dealers!
I have done work already on the car, eg new disks and pads, brake fluid change and other simple stuff
Over the years I have fully serviced+repaired many car and motorbikes - I would say I am competent
I would record the work and have receipts etc
The car is a keeper but you just never know if you'll need to sell...
So I suppose I am erring on the side of going for it, but thoughts welcome.
For those that do this stuff I'd also be very welcome for recommendations, whereby manuals (?), essentials and reflections?
But I am thinking about DIY because;
The car is quite high miles, 68k miles
It has been modified with BR exhausts and suspension
... and so will not attract those seeking pure Aston virgins!
It's now over 10 years old, 09 4.7 coupe
I have been disappointed with some main dealers' tech knowledge; not BR and other main dealers!
I have done work already on the car, eg new disks and pads, brake fluid change and other simple stuff
Over the years I have fully serviced+repaired many car and motorbikes - I would say I am competent
I would record the work and have receipts etc
The car is a keeper but you just never know if you'll need to sell...
So I suppose I am erring on the side of going for it, but thoughts welcome.
For those that do this stuff I'd also be very welcome for recommendations, whereby manuals (?), essentials and reflections?
I DIY my DB9, not because i can't afford it but because I can do a better job and i really enjoy working on it.
If your thinking of having the car for a few years and moving on then i would recommend a good inde like BR or Mcgurks servicing, but my DB9 is a life long keeper so it doesn't matter.
Plus the franchise dealers do a terrible job servicing these cars, undertray bolts are sheared and wheel liners damaged.
Defo go home DIY, your car will be better than going to a garage because you'll care for it better and if you see something which needs replacing you'll do it.
I record all the jobs with receipts, the car is my hobby and I've already serviced her and replaced brakes and the radiator, next job is the rear subframe removal job over the winter, can't wait!!
But obviously you might need to go to a garage if the job is not possible at home, BR is who i use for that.
If your thinking of having the car for a few years and moving on then i would recommend a good inde like BR or Mcgurks servicing, but my DB9 is a life long keeper so it doesn't matter.
Plus the franchise dealers do a terrible job servicing these cars, undertray bolts are sheared and wheel liners damaged.
Defo go home DIY, your car will be better than going to a garage because you'll care for it better and if you see something which needs replacing you'll do it.
I record all the jobs with receipts, the car is my hobby and I've already serviced her and replaced brakes and the radiator, next job is the rear subframe removal job over the winter, can't wait!!
But obviously you might need to go to a garage if the job is not possible at home, BR is who i use for that.
Edited by paulrog1 on Saturday 6th June 22:26
I do as much servicing and other mechanical work I can. I enjoy working on my cars and have the satisfaction of knowing exactly what has been and that it has been properly, even if it does, sometimes, take longer than anticipated. As has been said keep all receipts for parts and make up a file of what has been spent and when work has been carried out.
As well as a good set of tools, I recommend a workshop manual plus, in the garage, I have a drive over hydraulic scissor lift to get the whole car off the ground. Doing your own work will soon repay the investment!
Good luck, David.
As well as a good set of tools, I recommend a workshop manual plus, in the garage, I have a drive over hydraulic scissor lift to get the whole car off the ground. Doing your own work will soon repay the investment!
Good luck, David.
My Vantage is the same age as yours, Mike.
The servicing is now on a bi-annual basis with BR, because it is a lightly used keeper. Modern car complexity and a busy life, are my excuses for ceasing car mechanical work.
AM is now just back on the road once again, and I really must try to make it go over 18,000 on the 'clock'!
Your main concern seems to be resale, so my suggestion Mike, would be to keep a photographic record of your own maintenance work. JonnyCJ does this with his MY2009 - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&... - and if he ever wants to sell, I expect there would be a queue of eager buyers. Everything looks so spotless.
Just after cleaning the suspension and repainting the hubs, is a good close-up shot.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Sunday 7th June 16:01
Thank you all for your responses - really encouraging I have to say!
@ManxV8V yes it does, I'm coming to the same conclusion and I can source parts from the best places too.
@David Ramsbotham Can I ask where you got your manual from? There are download sites but I've never fancied the pop-ups and the risk of (non-COVID-19) viruses. I have, however, always fancied one of those scissor lifts, perhaps this will be the opportunity!
It does seem a good photo record is key, so 'll follow that one. It's plugs (and coils for me) soon, at least it's not as bad as when I did my Mercedes V8 which has two plugs per cylinder and I had to cut up an offset 17mm ring spanner to pop off the caps - Mercedes won't sell you the special tool!
@Dewi2 what constitutes a low enough mileage to warrant bi-annual do you think? I did 1200 miles last year and did wonder although as I was in 'must have MD history' mode I had the work done to get the stamp...
Thanks again all
@ManxV8V yes it does, I'm coming to the same conclusion and I can source parts from the best places too.
@David Ramsbotham Can I ask where you got your manual from? There are download sites but I've never fancied the pop-ups and the risk of (non-COVID-19) viruses. I have, however, always fancied one of those scissor lifts, perhaps this will be the opportunity!
It does seem a good photo record is key, so 'll follow that one. It's plugs (and coils for me) soon, at least it's not as bad as when I did my Mercedes V8 which has two plugs per cylinder and I had to cut up an offset 17mm ring spanner to pop off the caps - Mercedes won't sell you the special tool!
@Dewi2 what constitutes a low enough mileage to warrant bi-annual do you think? I did 1200 miles last year and did wonder although as I was in 'must have MD history' mode I had the work done to get the stamp...
Thanks again all
vernierMike said:
@Dewi2 what constitutes a low enough mileage to warrant bi-annual do you think? I did 1200 miles last year and did wonder although as I was in 'must have MD history' mode I had the work done to get the stamp...
Must have 'stamps for resale', no longer applies for keepers, so I decided to go bi-annual.
From an engineering point of view, my Mercedes officially only requires bi-annual servicing (dashboard indicator, about 6000m pa).
For low mileage use, I just try to be sensible, eg. never start the engine cold unless driven for 25 miles, making everything hot.
EG. At 7 years and 15,000 miles, changing spark plugs should not be necessary, but inspect a couple of plugs for condition.
Edited by Dewi 2 on Monday 8th June 08:47
Currently looking for an older/cheaper V8 Vantage (07-10 plate) - self service with lots of receipts to back it up (and a chat to gauge competence) wouldn’t put me off.
The odd visit to a specialist would be nice to see though.
And a bit of a cheeky request, but anyone thinking of parting with a manual Coupe please let me know. Thanks
The odd visit to a specialist would be nice to see though.
And a bit of a cheeky request, but anyone thinking of parting with a manual Coupe please let me know. Thanks
I had exactly the same connundrum and decided to do it myself.
Mine is a 2006 4.3l with 70k miles, its had the Velocity AP manifolds, cats and remap (plus lots of other upgrades)
I bought the service kit from AM bristol (About £32) and ordered the oil online (10 litres of Mobil 10/60) for about £100
I then just read up on the internet and followed the video created by Rich at Redpants (great guy and site for info).
Took me a couple of hours and I took pictures of all the parts and at various stages so that I can put it in my service history book.
I might get AM or indie to service it next year and see if they find anything else that might need doing too.
Whilst the wheels were off, i noticed how bad the front drop links had corroded, so got some to install at some point.
I can stick some photos up if you want.
Mine is a 2006 4.3l with 70k miles, its had the Velocity AP manifolds, cats and remap (plus lots of other upgrades)
I bought the service kit from AM bristol (About £32) and ordered the oil online (10 litres of Mobil 10/60) for about £100
I then just read up on the internet and followed the video created by Rich at Redpants (great guy and site for info).
Took me a couple of hours and I took pictures of all the parts and at various stages so that I can put it in my service history book.
I might get AM or indie to service it next year and see if they find anything else that might need doing too.
Whilst the wheels were off, i noticed how bad the front drop links had corroded, so got some to install at some point.
I can stick some photos up if you want.
So yes I think I shall self service this car. Just looking at the 70k miles service with oil change and plugs, the parts are around £200 so that's an £800 saving at a specialist so the price of the coil packs and (possibly!) air filters will not be so painful. There will be things I cannot do, but Chiltern is close enough and BR for the big stuff when I need it.
I've also just finished a DIY full valve-clearance service and radiator replacement on my KTM 1290r and that also saved me a lot of dough and has further encouraged me. It definitely brings you closer to the machinery.
Thank you all for your thoughts, tips and feedback - really useful and interesting stuff. I'm sure I shall be asking for more guidance down the line and offering it back when I can.....
Cheers!
I've also just finished a DIY full valve-clearance service and radiator replacement on my KTM 1290r and that also saved me a lot of dough and has further encouraged me. It definitely brings you closer to the machinery.
Thank you all for your thoughts, tips and feedback - really useful and interesting stuff. I'm sure I shall be asking for more guidance down the line and offering it back when I can.....
Cheers!
Mike, I’m guessing by the cost of parts you mentioned that you know where to source the spark plugs a bit cheaper, I did my late last year and got the plugs from Brit Part, Jag plugs C2C41805.
I think the mileage on my car, also 09 4.7 coupe, was pretty much the same as well at around 68k, and they were ready for replacement. I didn’t do the coil packs though as I wasn’t experiencing any issues that suggested they needed doing.
It’s a fairly straightforward job, I watched the guide on redpants.lol and everything went smoothly. Other than having to head out to get a new torque wrench of the correct range as the two I already had weren’t calibrated for the 18-20Nm 🙄
Old and new
I think the mileage on my car, also 09 4.7 coupe, was pretty much the same as well at around 68k, and they were ready for replacement. I didn’t do the coil packs though as I wasn’t experiencing any issues that suggested they needed doing.
It’s a fairly straightforward job, I watched the guide on redpants.lol and everything went smoothly. Other than having to head out to get a new torque wrench of the correct range as the two I already had weren’t calibrated for the 18-20Nm 🙄
Old and new
You've made the right choice Mike.
I've been doing most things on my 2002 Vanquish for quite a few years now. Re bushed and new bearings to the rear suspension, new security module, plugs and coils etc. I have refurbished the headlights and had all the front of the car apart and much more.
Fortunately I have a two post lift which makes a massive difference to my old days of crawling around the garage floor on my back. With the money I've saved on dealer servicing I have bought all the correct tools I need (this is well over half the battle) and I find most jobs a pleasure to do.
I also take the opportunity to clean everything I can get at while I have wheels and panels off. This never happens when you take your car in for a service and if you don't do it yourself as most don't, the unseen bits of the car really do deteriorate. Most of all I've now realised it's just a car and nothing to be in awe of. This means I can just get on with the job with confidence.
I downloaded all the workshop manuals and technical bulletins from AML website and I'm on the AMOC forum which has a fantastic amount of information and expertise on my car. The club can really come in and save you very big money. If you have any problems with the automated gearbox system for example AML dealers will be starting at over 11k. The forum guys have found people who can service the system (cannot be done according to AML) and you are looking at much smaller bills, especially if you can take the box out yourself.
Good luck Mike, roll your sleeves up and have fun.
I've been doing most things on my 2002 Vanquish for quite a few years now. Re bushed and new bearings to the rear suspension, new security module, plugs and coils etc. I have refurbished the headlights and had all the front of the car apart and much more.
Fortunately I have a two post lift which makes a massive difference to my old days of crawling around the garage floor on my back. With the money I've saved on dealer servicing I have bought all the correct tools I need (this is well over half the battle) and I find most jobs a pleasure to do.
I also take the opportunity to clean everything I can get at while I have wheels and panels off. This never happens when you take your car in for a service and if you don't do it yourself as most don't, the unseen bits of the car really do deteriorate. Most of all I've now realised it's just a car and nothing to be in awe of. This means I can just get on with the job with confidence.
I downloaded all the workshop manuals and technical bulletins from AML website and I'm on the AMOC forum which has a fantastic amount of information and expertise on my car. The club can really come in and save you very big money. If you have any problems with the automated gearbox system for example AML dealers will be starting at over 11k. The forum guys have found people who can service the system (cannot be done according to AML) and you are looking at much smaller bills, especially if you can take the box out yourself.
Good luck Mike, roll your sleeves up and have fun.
Edited by F1NDW on Monday 8th June 22:30
BigMig said:
Mike, I’m guessing by the cost of parts you mentioned that you know where to source the spark plugs a bit cheaper, I did my late last year and got the plugs from Brit Part, Jag plugs C2C41805.
I think the mileage on my car, also 09 4.7 coupe, was pretty much the same as well at around 68k, and they were ready for replacement. I didn’t do the coil packs though as I wasn’t experiencing any issues that suggested they needed doing.
It’s a fairly straightforward job, I watched the guide on redpants.lol and everything went smoothly. Other than having to head out to get a new torque wrench of the correct range as the two I already had weren’t calibrated for the 18-20Nm ??
Old and new
Hi James - Opie oils do the NGK version of the Jag plug a bit cheaper than Brit Part https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-206131-ngk-ifr7n10-97...I think the mileage on my car, also 09 4.7 coupe, was pretty much the same as well at around 68k, and they were ready for replacement. I didn’t do the coil packs though as I wasn’t experiencing any issues that suggested they needed doing.
It’s a fairly straightforward job, I watched the guide on redpants.lol and everything went smoothly. Other than having to head out to get a new torque wrench of the correct range as the two I already had weren’t calibrated for the 18-20Nm ??
Old and new
Probably saves £20 or so on a set of 8.
JonnyCJ said:
Hi James - Opie oils do the NGK version of the Jag plug a bit cheaper than Brit Part https://www.opieoils.co.uk/p-206131-ngk-ifr7n10-97...
Probably saves £20 or so on a set of 8.
The Green Spark Plug Company do NGK usually much cheaper than anyone else. Used them a few times without problems. Opie charge £11.95 per plug. GSP charge £4.38 each. Probably saves £20 or so on a set of 8.
https://www.gsparkplug.com/ngk-ifr7n10-97105-spark...
Edited by N7GTX on Monday 8th June 23:24
It's amazing, I priced plugs and coils from Aston suppliers and the price was about £750 on average. With Green and Euro's or similar (yes the coils are pattern, Beru in this case) the plugs are under £40 all up, taxed and posted and the coils £56 each. Hmmm... So I'm saving £1000 on the specialist price, albeit with sometimes non-Aston parts.
What's the feeling on decent quality pattern parts? I confess I bought all-KTM branded spares for the service just done, even the spark plugs...
I have been having the hesitancy and slight stuttering on the odd occasion so am doing the coils at the same time - saving the labour is making more more enthusiastic about preventative too. So maybe I'll just spend the 'savings' the car!
Rich at RedPants is indeed a star... shame his stuff is in the US.
What's the feeling on decent quality pattern parts? I confess I bought all-KTM branded spares for the service just done, even the spark plugs...
I have been having the hesitancy and slight stuttering on the odd occasion so am doing the coils at the same time - saving the labour is making more more enthusiastic about preventative too. So maybe I'll just spend the 'savings' the car!
Rich at RedPants is indeed a star... shame his stuff is in the US.
They are listing these Champion plugs for the 2009 on V12 Vantage
https://www.gsparkplug.com/ignition/spark-plugs?fi...
The OEM ones are Aston branded NGK's I believe and finding an equivalent has been quite a holy grail even for the experts so could this be another way of avoiding the Aston tax ?
https://www.gsparkplug.com/ignition/spark-plugs?fi...
The OEM ones are Aston branded NGK's I believe and finding an equivalent has been quite a holy grail even for the experts so could this be another way of avoiding the Aston tax ?
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