Discussion
For me it would depend on price. I would shop for under 30k but if a 60k one came up for absolutely nothing and the Pre purchase inspection came up good I would be ok with it.
When I bought my V8 I called about one with 65k on it but it had everything done and was very well priced. Unfortunately I missed out and bought another with 34k on it. Since found several issues I’ve had to sort.
I’m rambling..... where’s my beer
When I bought my V8 I called about one with 65k on it but it had everything done and was very well priced. Unfortunately I missed out and bought another with 34k on it. Since found several issues I’ve had to sort.
I’m rambling..... where’s my beer
Macdeb, don't know if I sound as your target member but my Mercedes AMG is over 100k miles (7 years owned) and the V8V (3 years owned) is 70k miles so I am used to running high mileage cars and actually quite like it, but I am a bit odd like that. It sounds like you're sussing one out with high miles, so I'd say 'be very worried, get a princess and pass me the details of the car...!'
In terms of engineering, and it's all a lottery of course, a car with high miles and, as Graze above, impeccable (timely) complete maintenance should be capable of going well north of 100,000 miles. All cars tend to lose value in the market quite dramatically after that psychological milestone (and hence you residual would be valued accordingly) but the car will carry on for 30,000 maybe more...with modern oils and manufacturing I don't really hear of these engines being mileage-limited. A well cared for car will have coil packs and plugs at the right miles, transmission oil changes, these are the things to look for beyond the stamps - just stamps is NOT enough data for a high mileage purchase.
As far as the V12 engine goes, in earlier 450bhp form I would say it is modestly-stressed. As it got up to 565bhp it's highly stressed and so possibly more vulnerable to the consequences of wear as miles build.
I did see a V12 in a DB9 let go at a track day big style, con rod out of the side of the engine job, oil everywhere but I had noticed before when the car was stationary that brakes etc had been well worn, so I had thought it might have been run with economy in mind, so that's worth noting. And the talk was of 'he'll have trouble finding a re-conditioned one as they so rarely come on the market'. Anyway...
With miles, wear of suspension, bearings and all that makes bills more likely it's either a worrying cost or an opportunity to refresh, renew and upgrade with the dosh you've saved! Perspective. Also likelihood of having had bumps and scrapes, or a collision... it's statistics (yes, I know damned lies...) Repairs aren't necessarily problem, in my view, as long as done really properly to a high standard - the paint is probably thicker too ;-)
And those brakes..... well, you will know all about these. At high mileage they may well have been replaced but if not budget for them in the price as inspection is not easy - shiny, clean, physical wear and weight etc.
Age, as we know, does not come alone and things will go wrong from time to time.
To directly answer your question, when would I NOT buy one at the right price... look very carefully above 60k, even if all is perfect, I'd need a lot of persuading/very tempting price above 125k miles
In terms of engineering, and it's all a lottery of course, a car with high miles and, as Graze above, impeccable (timely) complete maintenance should be capable of going well north of 100,000 miles. All cars tend to lose value in the market quite dramatically after that psychological milestone (and hence you residual would be valued accordingly) but the car will carry on for 30,000 maybe more...with modern oils and manufacturing I don't really hear of these engines being mileage-limited. A well cared for car will have coil packs and plugs at the right miles, transmission oil changes, these are the things to look for beyond the stamps - just stamps is NOT enough data for a high mileage purchase.
As far as the V12 engine goes, in earlier 450bhp form I would say it is modestly-stressed. As it got up to 565bhp it's highly stressed and so possibly more vulnerable to the consequences of wear as miles build.
I did see a V12 in a DB9 let go at a track day big style, con rod out of the side of the engine job, oil everywhere but I had noticed before when the car was stationary that brakes etc had been well worn, so I had thought it might have been run with economy in mind, so that's worth noting. And the talk was of 'he'll have trouble finding a re-conditioned one as they so rarely come on the market'. Anyway...
With miles, wear of suspension, bearings and all that makes bills more likely it's either a worrying cost or an opportunity to refresh, renew and upgrade with the dosh you've saved! Perspective. Also likelihood of having had bumps and scrapes, or a collision... it's statistics (yes, I know damned lies...) Repairs aren't necessarily problem, in my view, as long as done really properly to a high standard - the paint is probably thicker too ;-)
And those brakes..... well, you will know all about these. At high mileage they may well have been replaced but if not budget for them in the price as inspection is not easy - shiny, clean, physical wear and weight etc.
Age, as we know, does not come alone and things will go wrong from time to time.
To directly answer your question, when would I NOT buy one at the right price... look very carefully above 60k, even if all is perfect, I'd need a lot of persuading/very tempting price above 125k miles
macdeb said:
Question for the more informed on here, what mileage on a V12 Vantage would you consider too high to purchase? Anything to look out for? Very tempted at moment but,,,,,,,?. Honest opinions appreciated, cheers.
I bought a 2011 Carbon Black V12 Vantage from Grange Aston Martin in September 2014 with just under 59k mile on the clock. It was a one owed car which was used pretty much as a daily driver! It was part exchanged for a yellow V12S apparently!Edited by macdeb on Saturday 22 August 09:22
Anyway, car came immaculately presented by AM Grange, New steering wheel and looked almost new. Only issue cosmetically was the Alloy gear knob which was a little worse for wear as expected, this I sorted by buying a newly refurbed one to replace mine, got mine refurbed and then sold it.
Two mechanical issues I had were, collected it on a a very warm Saturday and decided to drive home via Bluewater mall as has SHMBO with me! Unfortunately we got stuck in very heavy traffic over QE bridge and the clutch was juddering badly. Once home I raised this with Gavin the dealer principle and he said he would warrant the clutch if it was faulty if I would pay 20% of the labour cost. Second issue I discovered that one of the exhaust valve actuators linkage was broken.
The clutch got sorted but the exhaust not has they could not convince AM to cover it under warranty!
Anyway, seems Grange didn’t carry out the new clutch learning process very well as I kept getting a warning so rather than go to Brentwood, I went to the then new AM Reading in Pangbourne and they fixed the clutch learning and managed to get a new back box replaced under warranty on the basis that the valve and actuator were mechanical.
Since collecting the car some 6 years ago I have put about 16k miles on it and mainly drive it like I have stollen it! It’s been serviced only once by a main dealer the last one that being Reading because they go the corrosion on the door mirror mount repainted under the body warranty so while it was there it had its last service.
In summary said many place before high mileage is not an issue as long as the car has been serviced regularly and looked after. The V12 does use a bit of oil but the engine is so under stressed given the power it’s nor normally an issue. Do get as much information as you can about the life in the ceramic brake discs and pad life. I have never touched mine since buying it.
If you buy for a main dealer you’ll get a warranty if not a main dealer have it inspected by a good indie such as Chicane Classics who are local to me and have serviced my car in the past.
Good luck and I hope you get what you’re looking for!
V12Vman its good to know these cars can do these milages with very few problems, enjoy your car!
The only thing i worry about with mine is the primary cats , have you still gots your,s V12V? as i hardly use the car perhaps i shouldn't worry if i had the car back in the UK i would get then changed by BR.
The only thing i worry about with mine is the primary cats , have you still gots your,s V12V? as i hardly use the car perhaps i shouldn't worry if i had the car back in the UK i would get then changed by BR.
Edited by cayman-black on Sunday 23 August 10:03
cayman-black said:
V12Vman its good to know these cars can do these milages with very few problems, enjoy your car!
The only thing i worry about with mine is the primary cats , have you still gots your,s V12V? as i hardly use the car perhaps i shouldn't worry if i had the car back in the UK i would get then changed by BR.
Thanks Chap. Yes as far as know primary cats still fitted and OK!The only thing i worry about with mine is the primary cats , have you still gots your,s V12V? as i hardly use the car perhaps i shouldn't worry if i had the car back in the UK i would get then changed by BR.
Edited by cayman-black on Sunday 23 August 10:03
It was at Grange in B'ham and buyer was at Grange Brentwood I believe, anyone on here? 
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