About to buy a Rapide - A few questions
Discussion
Hi, It is ages since I have visited piston heads and this is the first time I have posted in the Aston section.
As the title, I am about to buy a Rapide, unless I get cold feet in the next 24 hours.
Fault codes. It had warnings for air bag service and child lock service. The previous Owner said he had recently replaced the 12 V battery and the warning lights came on then, so he thinks that it just needs a trip to a specialist to be reset. I have googled this and it appears correct, but if someone on here can confirm that would give me a bit of confidence.
Specialist servicing. Having been through the car service history, it has had an annual service. Initially by main dealers and lately by independent specialists. I live in Eastbourne, East Sussex and when I googled independent specialists I get them in Kent, West Sussex and Surrey, but not East Sussex. I live very close to HPC Classics who don't specialise in Aston Martin particularly, but do service high end cars of all makes. I have asked and they say that they regularly service several other local V12 Astons and indeed, I have seen several in their workshops over the years. If I was to use them for servicing, and you were looking to buy the car when I sold it, would it put you off if it has been serviced at HPC?
Would I be correct in thinking they prefer super unleaded due to less ethanol in it?
Finally, I have done loads of research, including discussing at length with several Aston Martin owning friends, Bamford Rose vids, and general reading of the internet, but if anyone has any last minute "check this before you buy tips" then feel free to advise me.
As the title, I am about to buy a Rapide, unless I get cold feet in the next 24 hours.
Fault codes. It had warnings for air bag service and child lock service. The previous Owner said he had recently replaced the 12 V battery and the warning lights came on then, so he thinks that it just needs a trip to a specialist to be reset. I have googled this and it appears correct, but if someone on here can confirm that would give me a bit of confidence.
Specialist servicing. Having been through the car service history, it has had an annual service. Initially by main dealers and lately by independent specialists. I live in Eastbourne, East Sussex and when I googled independent specialists I get them in Kent, West Sussex and Surrey, but not East Sussex. I live very close to HPC Classics who don't specialise in Aston Martin particularly, but do service high end cars of all makes. I have asked and they say that they regularly service several other local V12 Astons and indeed, I have seen several in their workshops over the years. If I was to use them for servicing, and you were looking to buy the car when I sold it, would it put you off if it has been serviced at HPC?
Would I be correct in thinking they prefer super unleaded due to less ethanol in it?
Finally, I have done loads of research, including discussing at length with several Aston Martin owning friends, Bamford Rose vids, and general reading of the internet, but if anyone has any last minute "check this before you buy tips" then feel free to advise me.
I can't give any specific advice regarding a Rapide but a massive red flag is a seller saying "It just needs X to fix the warning lights".
If it's "Just X" then why haven't you done it? Bad enough on a £10k car but on a £50k+ Aston I'd just walk away.
It's easy to get seduced into making a rash decision with these cars. Is there anything about this specific car that appeals to you? Colour, interior spec, general condition etc?
If it's "Just X" then why haven't you done it? Bad enough on a £10k car but on a £50k+ Aston I'd just walk away.
It's easy to get seduced into making a rash decision with these cars. Is there anything about this specific car that appeals to you? Colour, interior spec, general condition etc?
What I didnt say in post is that the seller is a friend.
He is in the middle of moving house and has a lot going on. (downsizing house and garage and has several other very nice cars and the Aston has taken the short straw I believe to be genuine reason for selling).
I am thinking I will say something along the lines of "I will get the fault codes reset, but if there is an actual problem that cost more than a diagnoses then I would expect you to contribute" and see what his reaction is.
He is in the middle of moving house and has a lot going on. (downsizing house and garage and has several other very nice cars and the Aston has taken the short straw I believe to be genuine reason for selling).
I am thinking I will say something along the lines of "I will get the fault codes reset, but if there is an actual problem that cost more than a diagnoses then I would expect you to contribute" and see what his reaction is.
The airbag service can be reset by a Foxwell OBD box with Aston software, about £140.
The child lock alert should be able to be reset from the centre console menu. Go to child lock menu, enable and then disable. Should cure it.
Might be worth investing in the Foxwell unit so you can do a quick scan of the car and see if any other error messages are being stored.
The child lock alert should be able to be reset from the centre console menu. Go to child lock menu, enable and then disable. Should cure it.
Might be worth investing in the Foxwell unit so you can do a quick scan of the car and see if any other error messages are being stored.
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