A servicing question
Discussion
I recently collected a 2014 Vanquish Volante with 25K miles. It's in superb condition and the service book has an AM main dealer stamp every year.
My first thought, as with the DB9, was to assume that an annual service isn't mechanically necessary and push it to 18 months simply to save faff and expense (I do about 4,500 miles a year). The car is after all nearly 12 years old and any warranty vanished long ago. But then someone said it could affect the resale and cost me more in the long run. With this car he may be right.
If so then I'm looking at a service in August/September. My preferred place for customer service and workmanship is Nicholas Mee who I've used before, but then the history would lose the unbroken line of Wings, and the fact they don't have a courtesy car is a PITA. My nearest main dealer is Grange in Brentwood, but I've never used them and don't know their competence level - but it would keep the history looking 100% shiny. Which way should I jump?
My first thought, as with the DB9, was to assume that an annual service isn't mechanically necessary and push it to 18 months simply to save faff and expense (I do about 4,500 miles a year). The car is after all nearly 12 years old and any warranty vanished long ago. But then someone said it could affect the resale and cost me more in the long run. With this car he may be right.
If so then I'm looking at a service in August/September. My preferred place for customer service and workmanship is Nicholas Mee who I've used before, but then the history would lose the unbroken line of Wings, and the fact they don't have a courtesy car is a PITA. My nearest main dealer is Grange in Brentwood, but I've never used them and don't know their competence level - but it would keep the history looking 100% shiny. Which way should I jump?
Personally if me I would keep the dealer stamp history going.
I think my GT8 has done less than 300 miles between services.
Have you considered Aston Martin works who offer a delivery and collection service but not sure if your location works for that ?
HWM also do a “ at home “ mobile service but again location mileage wise may be an issue.
I think my GT8 has done less than 300 miles between services.
Have you considered Aston Martin works who offer a delivery and collection service but not sure if your location works for that ?
HWM also do a “ at home “ mobile service but again location mileage wise may be an issue.
Most of my cars have broken service histories due to COVID.
I certainly wouldn't worry about someone extending service intervals on a vehicle with limited mileage.
In fact I do it on a couple of mine, but they're not cars that I ever expect to sell and (in some cases) do a couple of hundred miles a year.
I certainly wouldn't worry about someone extending service intervals on a vehicle with limited mileage.
In fact I do it on a couple of mine, but they're not cars that I ever expect to sell and (in some cases) do a couple of hundred miles a year.
Thanks for the replies and variety of thoughts!
Interval aside and all else being equal, Grange makes the most sense - Wings and distance - but has anyone here used them and if so how did it go?
I looked at the HWM Flying Technician but don't have 'an area of approximately 6 metres by 9 metres'.
Interval aside and all else being equal, Grange makes the most sense - Wings and distance - but has anyone here used them and if so how did it go?
I looked at the HWM Flying Technician but don't have 'an area of approximately 6 metres by 9 metres'.
Simpo Two said:
Thanks for the replies and variety of thoughts!
Interval aside and all else being equal, Grange makes the most sense - Wings and distance - but has anyone here used them and if so how did it go?
I looked at the HWM Flying Technician but don't have 'an area of approximately 6 metres by 9 metres'.
Grange Brentwood is my closest AM MD too. I bought my first V8V from them brand new, and bought my current V12V from them too, although it was eighteen months old at the time and was originally for sale at Grange Hatfield. All my servicing has been done by them, plus a few other jobs, and I have never had any issues with them at all. My car is currently on a three year fixed price servicing plan and every time I visit I always take a look in the candy store and have a catch up with the sales guys there. They always ask me to let them know first if I ever decide to sell. However, I do know that one or two on here may have had a different experience. If you’re unsure, maybe take a trip down there, ask a few questions and take a look at their workshop? I can’t see why that would be an issue for them. HTH helps a bit. BRM. Interval aside and all else being equal, Grange makes the most sense - Wings and distance - but has anyone here used them and if so how did it go?
I looked at the HWM Flying Technician but don't have 'an area of approximately 6 metres by 9 metres'.
Voguely said:
AM Works does free pickup and collection within a 50 mile radius if you fall into that sphere?
112 
Nick Mee will collect and deliver but at significant cost.
Minglar said:
Grange Brentwood is my closest AM MD too. I bought my first V8V from them brand new, and bought my current V12V from them too, although it was eighteen months old at the time and was originally for sale at Grange Hatfield. All my servicing has been done by them, plus a few other jobs, and I have never had any issues with them at all.
That's encouraging, many thanks. If they have a courtesy car (I don't mind what it is as long as it works) that would be perfect.Simpo Two said:
Voguely said:
AM Works does free pickup and collection within a 50 mile radius if you fall into that sphere?
112 Nick Mee will collect and deliver but at significant cost.
Minglar said:
Grange Brentwood is my closest AM MD too. I bought my first V8V from them brand new, and bought my current V12V from them too, although it was eighteen months old at the time and was originally for sale at Grange Hatfield. All my servicing has been done by them, plus a few other jobs, and I have never had any issues with them at all.
That's encouraging, many thanks. If they have a courtesy car (I don't mind what it is as long as it works) that would be perfect.Simpo Two said:
I recently collected a 2014 Vanquish Volante with 25K miles. It's in superb condition and the service book has an AM main dealer stamp every year.
My first thought, as with the DB9, was to assume that an annual service isn't mechanically necessary and push it to 18 months simply to save faff and expense (I do about 4,500 miles a year). The car is after all nearly 12 years old and any warranty vanished long ago. But then someone said it could affect the resale and cost me more in the long run. With this car he may be right.
If so then I'm looking at a service in August/September. My preferred place for customer service and workmanship is Nicholas Mee who I've used before, but then the history would lose the unbroken line of Wings, and the fact they don't have a courtesy car is a PITA. My nearest main dealer is Grange in Brentwood, but I've never used them and don't know their competence level - but it would keep the history looking 100% shiny. Which way should I jump?
My first thought, as with the DB9, was to assume that an annual service isn't mechanically necessary and push it to 18 months simply to save faff and expense (I do about 4,500 miles a year). The car is after all nearly 12 years old and any warranty vanished long ago. But then someone said it could affect the resale and cost me more in the long run. With this car he may be right.
If so then I'm looking at a service in August/September. My preferred place for customer service and workmanship is Nicholas Mee who I've used before, but then the history would lose the unbroken line of Wings, and the fact they don't have a courtesy car is a PITA. My nearest main dealer is Grange in Brentwood, but I've never used them and don't know their competence level - but it would keep the history looking 100% shiny. Which way should I jump?
For about the past 8 years, my V8V has been serviced bi-annually.
Only about 1,000 miles a year and it has always been a keeper, so hopefully it will be many years before hopeful owners will be fighting over a pristine 1 of 7.
I think your decision should perhaps be based on how long you think you will own your car.
The older our cars become, the less important is a main dealer service history.
Ensure the misfire test is conducted properly.
As your Vanquish is a beautiful 1 of 1, a buyer will obviously only have a choice of yours, with servicing by a commendable independent, or nothing.
I used to conduct a one man silent protest against the 'Aston Tax', which took the form of only having annual AM tax free MoTs at a main dealer. Think I might have gone too far though, because the dealer closed last year. Oops.
The coffee and cakes were nice while they lasted.
Dewi 2 said:
I used to conduct a one man silent protest against the 'Aston Tax'
That reminds me of the last time I used the phrase 'Aston tax'. A week or two ago I was wondering how to replace the worn out buttons on the plastic 'valet' key. Enquiries here led me to a video on YouTube showing a chap cutting out the old buttons and fitting new ones. A link in the text showed the company he bought the four tiny plastic buttons from.I followed the link and found their page with the four tiny plastic buttons on - and a price of £150. Clearly I'd misunderstood something so dropped them a line explaining that I just wanted the four tiny plastic buttons. They replied saying that the four tiny plastic buttons were indeed £150. This prompted my reply to the effect that £150 was a ludicrous amount to pay for four tiny plastic buttons. They again replied saying 'We understand that it can't be easy trying to run an Aston Martin on a budget'. As a matter of principle I'm not paying £150 for four tiny plastic buttons worth no more than a fiver.
Moderator edit: no naming & shaming
Noted, sorry, got carried away. I would however like to reiterate that I found the person's comment arrogant and insulting. Aston Martin can charge 'Aston tax', but not some aftermarket outfit importing bits from China. Get your buttons here for £7.99
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Replacement-Housing-Batte...Edited by Simpo Two on Wednesday 18th March 19:30
Simpo Two said:
- - - 'We understand that it can't be easy trying to run an Aston Martin on a budget'. - - -
I agree with you, a dreadful and stupid comment.
Aston Martin dealer staff would never make assumptions of that kind.
They are trained to ignore the dress sense of approaching potential customers.
These days it is impossible to spot a millionaire amongst vagrants, by looking at their clothing. Take Mr. Stroll as an example. Most of his suits are so creased and crumpled, someone might jump to the conclusion that he must buy his suits in a charity shop.
That reminds me of a Warren Buffett joke. "I buy expensive suits, they just look cheap on me."
Glad that you eventually found replacement buttons, for appropriately, buttons.
Dewi 2 said:
They are trained to ignore the dress sense of approaching potential customers.
These days it is impossible to spot a millionaire amongst vagrants, by looking at their clothing.
Yep, though I find it a bit sad.These days it is impossible to spot a millionaire amongst vagrants, by looking at their clothing.
Years ago a friend of mine did voiceovers, and worked up to doing trailers for Star Trek films. He earned a lot and fancied a Mercedes, so he went to a Mercedes dealer. The problem was that he was somewhat fat and dressed in denim and looked like a Motorhead roadie. Accordingly the salesman ignored him - he virtually had to grab him by the lapels and say 'Listen, I earn 5x as much as you, now sell me a Mercedes'.
Dewi 2 said:
Glad that you eventually found replacement buttons, for appropriately, buttons.
I purchased both my Astons from Grange Brentwood albeit they actually both came down from their Edinburgh branch. Have used their warranty repairs and servicing (whilst they were in warranty) and took advantage of their courtesy car - normally an Audi A6 hybrid but last time was the Service Managers Focus. Courtesy cars are always booked well in advance so if you do need one make a booking early. I don't have any issues with their servicing, apart from the Aston tax, they are a knowledgeable and friendly bunch, I was there for an MOT at the end of last year and they were doing a PDI on a Valkyrie and they let me have a look round.
Thanks Stuart, I think that's all the boxes ticked then - dealer stamp, relative proximity and and a courtesy car too 
The service interval question got mixed answers between one and two years, which seems to be dependent on how long I plan to keep the car. I don't know. I certainly have no plans to go further up the Aston tree, though it may be that eventually a VV2 in my 'intended' colour combo comes along so I swap them.
Perhaps the best thing is to 'err on the side of caution' and keep them annual. If you assume that a basic price for a service is £1,000 (weak laughter from the back lol but at present I only know DB9 costs) then it's £1,000 a year as opposed to £667 for going to 18 months, a difference of £333 a year which is only two sets of fob buttons!!
From now on the sum of £150 shall be known as a 'Fob Button'
The service interval question got mixed answers between one and two years, which seems to be dependent on how long I plan to keep the car. I don't know. I certainly have no plans to go further up the Aston tree, though it may be that eventually a VV2 in my 'intended' colour combo comes along so I swap them.
Perhaps the best thing is to 'err on the side of caution' and keep them annual. If you assume that a basic price for a service is £1,000 (weak laughter from the back lol but at present I only know DB9 costs) then it's £1,000 a year as opposed to £667 for going to 18 months, a difference of £333 a year which is only two sets of fob buttons!!
From now on the sum of £150 shall be known as a 'Fob Button'
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