V8 Vantage - what's it really like?
Discussion
LordBretSinclair said:
Grey surround 
Thanks.Seems the option is black or grey - I assumed that for a black car, black would be the obvious choice. But having looked at a few pictures, I think grey surround actually looks better on black cars. It makes it look like part of the light (which it obviously is) - the black surround looked a bit odd in the pictures I found even on black cars.
So, the snow last week postponed the collection of my new clear rear lights, but I got them this morning and fitted them:
I've wanted clear lights ever since buying the car, and despite being annoyed that my right side one failed I was really looking forward to fitting these today. And...
I must admit I'm slightly underwhelmed. They look nice, no question and I do think clear lights suit a black car. But I'm less impressed than I was expecting. I'm happy with them but glad I only did it when I'd had a light fail - if I'd done it purely for cosmetic reasons I think I'd have been disappointed.
ETA: Walked up to the car this evening and thought they looked fabulous. So happy now!
I've wanted clear lights ever since buying the car, and despite being annoyed that my right side one failed I was really looking forward to fitting these today. And...
I must admit I'm slightly underwhelmed. They look nice, no question and I do think clear lights suit a black car. But I'm less impressed than I was expecting. I'm happy with them but glad I only did it when I'd had a light fail - if I'd done it purely for cosmetic reasons I think I'd have been disappointed.
ETA: Walked up to the car this evening and thought they looked fabulous. So happy now!
Edited by davek_964 on Saturday 24th March 20:16
: On BLACK paintwork the clear rear lights do make sense and they indeed look beautiful there! So relax, you made the right choice
I've spent a leisurely evening reading through this thread and I'd like the thank davek_964 for such an informative and well communicated thread. I came here wondering whether to change my E46 M3 for a Vantage. I still have no idea whether to do so, as the M3 is a lovely car, but after 7 years of ownership, I feel a change is in order.
It sounds like the cost of ownership is slightly higher than my M3, but not by much. I have certainly had some eye-watering servicing costs associated with the M3! I'm interested in how your ownership experience continues, but you have kept the car so far, and that speaks volumes in itself.
Cheers,
Steve
It sounds like the cost of ownership is slightly higher than my M3, but not by much. I have certainly had some eye-watering servicing costs associated with the M3! I'm interested in how your ownership experience continues, but you have kept the car so far, and that speaks volumes in itself.
Cheers,
Steve
bass2rez said:
I've spent a leisurely evening reading through this thread and I'd like the thank davek_964 for such an informative and well communicated thread. I came here wondering whether to change my E46 M3 for a Vantage. I still have no idea whether to do so, as the M3 is a lovely car, but after 7 years of ownership, I feel a change is in order.
It sounds like the cost of ownership is slightly higher than my M3, but not by much. I have certainly had some eye-watering servicing costs associated with the M3! I'm interested in how your ownership experience continues, but you have kept the car so far, and that speaks volumes in itself.
Cheers,
Steve
I would think carefully about the move. I adore my Vantage, but the E46 M3 is something hooligan special IMO. There has been few cars I properly adored but my ex's E46 M3 is one. Later M3's I couldnt give a fook about. My Vantage I adore, but I also have very fond memories of the E46 M3. It sounds like the cost of ownership is slightly higher than my M3, but not by much. I have certainly had some eye-watering servicing costs associated with the M3! I'm interested in how your ownership experience continues, but you have kept the car so far, and that speaks volumes in itself.
Cheers,
Steve
davek_964 said:
So, the snow last week postponed the collection of my new clear rear lights, but I got them this morning and fitted them:
I've wanted clear lights ever since buying the car, and despite being annoyed that my right side one failed I was really looking forward to fitting these today. And...
I must admit I'm slightly underwhelmed. They look nice, no question and I do think clear lights suit a black car. But I'm less impressed than I was expecting. I'm happy with them but glad I only did it when I'd had a light fail - if I'd done it purely for cosmetic reasons I think I'd have been disappointed.
ETA: Walked up to the car this evening and thought they looked fabulous. So happy now!
They look really nice on a clean car though......I've wanted clear lights ever since buying the car, and despite being annoyed that my right side one failed I was really looking forward to fitting these today. And...
I must admit I'm slightly underwhelmed. They look nice, no question and I do think clear lights suit a black car. But I'm less impressed than I was expecting. I'm happy with them but glad I only did it when I'd had a light fail - if I'd done it purely for cosmetic reasons I think I'd have been disappointed.
ETA: Walked up to the car this evening and thought they looked fabulous. So happy now!
Edited by davek_964 on Saturday 24th March 20:16
Buster73 said:
They look really nice on a clean car though......
Unfortunately, I didn't take the picture on my driveway and since it was raining that day the car wasn't very clean by the time I took the picture. Plus my Vantage lives outside, so although it is usually pretty clean, at this time of year it sometimes gets dirty even without being moved!As of lunchtime, the car is off the road for a few weeks.
An oncoming lorry decided he wanted half of my side of the road, and although I avoided him it was at the expense of hitting the kerb. I now have damage to both wheels - although less than I expected - and two blown tyres. Plus a need to get the tracking done. Hopefully no damage apart from that.
Car is currently parked on a side street waiting for the recovery to call me. I can't do anything to sort it next week, so will deal with it after that. However - I will be checking the camera footage to get the lorry registration. And I pray it shows him doing something like using his phone.
ETA : Ah, you have to laugh. Between blowing the tyres and getting the car home on the recovery truck, the emission warning came on! Second time in a year and probably confirms the need for an oxygen sensor that was mentioned at the last service.
But the really funny thing - I always thought my tyre pressure monitor was disconnected. But it seems not, because it's now warning me about tyre pressure!
An oncoming lorry decided he wanted half of my side of the road, and although I avoided him it was at the expense of hitting the kerb. I now have damage to both wheels - although less than I expected - and two blown tyres. Plus a need to get the tracking done. Hopefully no damage apart from that.
Car is currently parked on a side street waiting for the recovery to call me. I can't do anything to sort it next week, so will deal with it after that. However - I will be checking the camera footage to get the lorry registration. And I pray it shows him doing something like using his phone.
ETA : Ah, you have to laugh. Between blowing the tyres and getting the car home on the recovery truck, the emission warning came on! Second time in a year and probably confirms the need for an oxygen sensor that was mentioned at the last service.
But the really funny thing - I always thought my tyre pressure monitor was disconnected. But it seems not, because it's now warning me about tyre pressure!
Edited by davek_964 on Friday 20th April 18:41
soofsayer said:
Sorry to read this dave, hope it all gets sorted.
My dash cam showed the car dipping as you hear the tyres explode, which made me suspect a pothole. Sure enough I've gone back and checked and I hit a pothole with a solid edge about 2.5" deep.I will be telling the council they need to repair my tyres and wheels. The video evidence makes it fairly clear, you can hear the tires explode as the car dips into the portion of the road that has sunk and then hits the other edge.
davek_964 said:
My dash cam showed the car dipping as you hear the tyres explode, which made me suspect a pothole. Sure enough I've gone back and checked and I hit a pothole with a solid edge about 2.5" deep.
I will be telling the council they need to repair my tyres and wheels. The video evidence makes it fairly clear, you can hear the tires explode as the car dips into the portion of the road that has sunk and then hits the other edge.
Good luck with that, my daughter had the same last year, went back and took photographic evidence with a rule in situ and despite this and several other drivers all suffering the same fate on the same day the council wouldn't play ball. It cost her 2 tyres and a new rim as to replace the one that buckled.I will be telling the council they need to repair my tyres and wheels. The video evidence makes it fairly clear, you can hear the tires explode as the car dips into the portion of the road that has sunk and then hits the other edge.
So, the car has been off the road for the last two weeks, although that was partly due to me being away for a week. With two totally flat tyres it did look a bit like an abandoned stolen car which had been dumped on my driveway.
It now has 4 new tyres, and I figured it deserved a quick clean at the same time. I cleared the emission code which occurred as it was reversed off of the recovery truck (I will wait until it triggers one more time and will then order an O2 sensor) and the TPMS warning cleared after a 100 yard drive.
I still need to get the front left wheel refurbed, but at least now I know it's not buckled, and there appears to be no other damage.
This is what caused it - I initially thought I'd caught the kerb, but the dash cam showed the car dipping down as the tyres exploded (you can hear them go). I went back and checked the road, and there is a repaired section which gradually dips down and up again - unfortunately, the dip means this edge runs parallel to the kerb, and as I moved to the left to avoid the incoming van which wanted some of my lane, I caught the edge. Bad luck really.
Glad the car is back on the road again.
ETA: Car is booked for wheel refurb on 14th May. Although I really shouldn't be doing it now - it will also have some paint to get rid of scratches / chips on the left front wing and the boot - and they will give the car some paint correction at the same time.
It should look better than it has at any time in my ownership.
It now has 4 new tyres, and I figured it deserved a quick clean at the same time. I cleared the emission code which occurred as it was reversed off of the recovery truck (I will wait until it triggers one more time and will then order an O2 sensor) and the TPMS warning cleared after a 100 yard drive.
I still need to get the front left wheel refurbed, but at least now I know it's not buckled, and there appears to be no other damage.
This is what caused it - I initially thought I'd caught the kerb, but the dash cam showed the car dipping down as the tyres exploded (you can hear them go). I went back and checked the road, and there is a repaired section which gradually dips down and up again - unfortunately, the dip means this edge runs parallel to the kerb, and as I moved to the left to avoid the incoming van which wanted some of my lane, I caught the edge. Bad luck really.
Glad the car is back on the road again.
ETA: Car is booked for wheel refurb on 14th May. Although I really shouldn't be doing it now - it will also have some paint to get rid of scratches / chips on the left front wing and the boot - and they will give the car some paint correction at the same time.
It should look better than it has at any time in my ownership.
Edited by davek_964 on Thursday 3rd May 13:43
I've replied to your other thread, but I'll repeat the answer here :
Unfortunately, I don't have the working light anymore. I bought the clear ones from a guy that sells Aston Parts (Paul Cheeseman) and part ex'd my working light. He can probably do you a much better deal on that working light than Aston would for a new one though. If you PM me, I'll send you his email address.
Unfortunately, I don't have the working light anymore. I bought the clear ones from a guy that sells Aston Parts (Paul Cheeseman) and part ex'd my working light. He can probably do you a much better deal on that working light than Aston would for a new one though. If you PM me, I'll send you his email address.
Harry Flashman said:
OP - I was pointed in your direction. Do you want to get rid of your right hand (working) original (red) rear lamp cluster? I'd rather give my money to a PHer than a random ebay seller...
Let me know! I've just had my passenger side cluster fail...
I might have a rear red cluster light for sale.Let me know! I've just had my passenger side cluster fail...
I swapped mine for the clear lights as one of the red lights weren't working properly (But I cant remember which side).
I can check over the weekend and let you know if you 're still interested.
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