V8V manual gear lever surround

[limey1]

Folks,

Question - my manual V8V has some dings on the gear lever surround (the shiny chrome U/D shape). I can't understand how this happened...unless the metal is really soft and marks easily? Is this a common issue with these, and is it easy to replace? Looking online there seems to be a carbon fibre version. Attached is a pic to help illustrate the part I am talking about.

Thanks!

[djmac56]

Have you been whacking anything off it in the car?

[limey1]

Nope...I can't fathom how you could damage this... the surrounding area is mark free and the rest of the interior is immaculate. Seems odd that this would be marked so wondered if it's a soft metal that somehow got damaged when the dealer was changing the ski slope fascia, but that's quite a distance away...

[GlynV8]

I have a spare one in my garage.
I got a new one when I got a V12V gear knob. Pretty sure the original one is unmarked.
Let me know if you interested.

[leerandle]

If the console surround is anything like the cast/chromed side strakes then I think it is made from Mazak a kind of zinc/aluminium alloy. This is probably why they mark so easily as the metal is quite soft.

[telum01]

limey1 said:

Folks,

Question - my manual V8V has some dings on the gear lever surround (the shiny chrome U/D shape). I can't understand how this happened...unless the metal is really soft and marks easily? Is this a common issue with these, and is it easy to replace? Looking online there seems to be a carbon fibre version. Attached is a pic to help illustrate the part I am talking about.

Thanks!

Super easy to swap them out, and the optional carbon one is truly carbon fiber (super lightweight).
http://www.redpants.lol/shift-knob-and-shifter-sur...

The original has a hard coating (probably hard-anodized), so it may take some work to refinish. I have a spare one being experimented on right now - I want to anodize it black

[triple5]

Mine is the same, I have a new one waiting to go on.

I think mine has been damaged by the ECU being clumsily dropped when it's being removed, I only know this because I did it myself once

[limey1]

I found out that the original is made from aluminium so that explains why they mark easy; this is mentioned in the accessories brochure.
"Replace your aluminium gearshift surround with
lightweight carbon fibre for added sporting appeal."

Does anyone know how much a new part is (original) and the carbon fibre version?

[leerandle]

limey1 said:

I found out that the original is made from aluminium so that explains why they mark easy; this is mentioned in the accessories brochure.
"Replace your aluminium gearshift surround with
lightweight carbon fibre for added sporting appeal."

Does anyone know how much a new part is (original) and the carbon fibre version?

From Astonmartinbits:

[ChilliWhizz]

£436 for a CF gear shift surround.......... [falls theatrically off chair onto office floor feining mild seizure]

[rovcallum]

4D Carbon Fibre Vinyl - Black 0.3m x1.52m (11.8" x59.8") (30cm x152cm) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DUGTHIM/ref=cm_sw_r...

[ChilliWhizz]

rovcallum said:

4D Carbon Fibre Vinyl - Black 0.3m x1.52m (11.8" x59.8") (30cm x152cm) https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00DUGTHIM/ref=cm_sw_r...

rovcallum, I have to ask... Fugro? Canyon? S7?

[divetheworld]

ChilliWhizz said:

£436 for a CF gear shift surround.......... [falls theatrically off chair onto office floor feining mild seizure]

Main dealers are often the same or better price than astonbits. - http://www.astonmartinparts.net/Details/Item/1372/...
£387 inc VAT from a main dealer......

[tonyhall38]

On my dbs I removed , polished a re plated the Ali in chrome.....much better and harder wearing finish....

[speedracer800]

Just had mine plated in a brushed nickel finish.. Along with all the other alloy pieces in the interior. If you're after the carbon fiber effect, you could consider hydrographics done in a carbon pattern. Very inexpensive and quick. I had this treatment done to some of the interior pieces in my Ferrari over the winter and really thrilled with the results. Definitely don't buy a replacement one because of some scratches.. It's got an anodized finish now and can be easily stripped and refinished. Good luck.

Edited by speedracer800 on Friday 26th May 03:22

[nickv8]

telum01 said:

I have a spare one being experimented on right now - I want to anodize it black

That sounds like it could be perfect! Photos please

[telum01]

nickv8 said:

That sounds like it could be perfect! Photos please

The one being experimented on probably won't be too pretty - we're trying a few things on it. It was the original one from my grey car that I had replaced with the carbon fiber one. But once we figure out what we want to do, I've got the one in my red car we'll be doing in black