Considering leaving Aston...

Considering leaving Aston...

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Discussion

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Saturday 29th April 2017
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Bought my dream Aston Martin Vanquish brand new end of 2016 and has small irritating issues from day one - general build quality, squeaky noises, attention to details in general and despite efforts from the dealer (more than 10 visits to the workshop) the problems where not resolved.

This is my 3rd Aston and although I really want to love the Aston's perhaps it is time to try something totally different - a Lamborghini Huracan 610-4 is on the cards - thought are welcomed.

huntsen

135 posts

93 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Every time you pull into garage to fill up, someone will say, 'Plonker'.

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Yes, maybe but I have the feeling that is what the Aston Martin service center guys think every time I show up with a new strange noise

Gettoff

1,434 posts

207 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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I'd say try it. It's possible that your car is bit of a Friday afternooner, and consequently you're falling out of love a bit. There's nothing to say you can't get another AM in the future but if you try the Lambo and love it then you'll be happy, which ultimately is the main thing.

james-witton

1,363 posts

107 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Try contacting Dr. Andy Palmer directly.
There has been a thread on here where he has listened to a similar situation and he reacred brilliantly by ordering the dealer to sort it out at no cost.
You get the feeling that as a CEO he cares passionately about his company and his brand.
It's worth a go.
Good luck
James

M5MarkM

1,555 posts

171 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Sad to say I had the same issues. Picked new Vanquish in September and then new Vanquish S in February and both complete with little issues, also same issues on both cars, bonnet doesn't fit one side so needed to be refitted. same on both. Cannot adjust clock. Satnav crashes etc. I think these faults are called "character" when it's an Aston Martin.

Last year I also had an AMG GTS, and I didn't expect any issues with that but still had them, even worse when power steering pump failed I had to wait 9 weeks for parts! I think all cars have their issues and the reality is that built by a robot in Germany probably assures better quality than hand built in England. This all being said, I've tried most marques out there including Fezza and Lambo and I still prefer the Aston brand. Never tried Porchse though, but for me it's not about the raw speed/performance, we could spend a LOT less money than a Vanquish and get something much faster. It's something entirely different with an Aston and I truly cannot put my finger on it. All I can say is that having tired other marques I still have 2 Astons now....

leerandle

743 posts

107 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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james-witton said:
Try contacting Dr. Andy Palmer directly.
There has been a thread on here where he has listened to a similar situation and he reacred brilliantly by ordering the dealer to sort it out at no cost.
You get the feeling that as a CEO he cares passionately about his company and his brand.
It's worth a go.
Good luck
James
Off topic, but were you stuck in the A1 traffic jam on Saturday morning ? I noticed a lovely orange Aston, and assumed it could be you....I was driving the other way.

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
quotequote all
james-witton said:
Try contacting Dr. Andy Palmer directly.
There has been a thread on here where he has listened to a similar situation and he reacred brilliantly by ordering the dealer to sort it out at no cost.
You get the feeling that as a CEO he cares passionately about his company and his brand.
It's worth a go.
Good luck
James
Thanks James - trouble is the dealer have tried to solve the problems but without any solution thus far and in the meantime new strange sounds keep popping up. I might have a go with Andy

RobDown

3,803 posts

128 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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I would definitely tweet Andy Palmer, he's been great at getting things resolved. Sounds like the factory need to take the car back in and get it sorted

IanV12VR

2,749 posts

155 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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RobDown said:
I would definitely tweet Andy Palmer, he's been great at getting things resolved. Sounds like the factory need to take the car back in and get it sorted
+1 you are probably not helped by being in Monaco as I guess you do not have any alternatives in terms of getting it repaired.

james-witton

1,363 posts

107 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Off topic, but were you stuck in the A1 traffic jam on Saturday morning ? I noticed a lovely orange Aston, and assumed it could be you....I was driving the other way.

[/quote]

Hi Lee
Yes that was me. Was getting annoyed due to a 30 minute delay until I saw the state of the crashed cars that closed the road. Put it into perspective. What was left of the silver one didn't look good. I hope they survived.
James

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
quotequote all
IanV12VR said:
+1 you are probably not helped by being in Monaco as I guess you do not have any alternatives in terms of getting it repaired.
That's right - and it feels like it is coming back with other issues when sending it in.

OLDBENZ

397 posts

136 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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klmc said:
That's right - and it feels like it is coming back with other issues when sending it in.
I would ask the factory to organize for it to be taken back to Works Service to fix. Its not difficult or that expensive to have cars transported to and from Monaco. People do it all the time and sounds as though you have been more than patient with the dealer and it is time for the factory to step in.

I have to say I have had a couple of dealings over the years with the service side in Monaco (which deals in one smallish set up with Rolls, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and maybe also Ferrari and Bugatti) in a fairly inadequate set up outside Monaco on the road up to La Turbie off the A8 link and have not been impressed at all. Customer cars are left in the day gathering dust by the side of the public road and their attitude stinks: think French waiter with spanners. Maybe I was just unlucky.

Earlier this month I took delivery of a new Huracan and have been very impressed so far with build quality and performance etc. I ran a Gallardo for 9 years without any significant issues which I sold in 2014. I found myself missing it - hence the Huracan. I have a small collection of older Astons and after I ordered the Huracan I did wonder why it had not crossed my mind to think about a new Aston. I did, however, slightly worry about the Huracan's image - i.e. youngsters revving the nuts off their cars up and down Sloane Street - but decided to press on regardless.

Of course, if you get the Lamborghini Huracan you will be dealing in Monaco with the same people on the service side.

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
quotequote all
OLDBENZ said:
I would ask the factory to organize for it to be taken back to Works Service to fix. Its not difficult or that expensive to have cars transported to and from Monaco. People do it all the time and sounds as though you have been more than patient with the dealer and it is time for the factory to step in.

I have to say I have had a couple of dealings over the years with the service side in Monaco (which deals in one smallish set up with Rolls, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and maybe also Ferrari and Bugatti) in a fairly inadequate set up outside Monaco on the road up to La Turbie off the A8 link and have not been impressed at all. Customer cars are left in the day gathering dust by the side of the public road and their attitude stinks: think French waiter with spanners. Maybe I was just unlucky.

Earlier this month I took delivery of a new Huracan and have been very impressed so far with build quality and performance etc. I ran a Gallardo for 9 years without any significant issues which I sold in 2014. I found myself missing it - hence the Huracan. I have a small collection of older Astons and after I ordered the Huracan I did wonder why it had not crossed my mind to think about a new Aston. I did, however, slightly worry about the Huracan's image - i.e. youngsters revving the nuts off their cars up and down Sloane Street - but decided to press on regardless.

Of course, if you get the Lamborghini Huracan you will be dealing in Monaco with the same people on the service side.
Interesting that you ordered a Huracan and yes the service around here is not that impressive considering how many luxury cars there are in this area. Lamborghini is in Menton I believe (together with Audi) - not sure if that is any better - but Italy is not too far away so maybe that would make the most sense.

Thanks for your comments, appreciate it and I have sent a mail to Andy Palmer directly (I have of course filled all the feedback forms Aston is sending out but nobody ever replied).




james-witton

1,363 posts

107 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Well good luck to you, I hope AP is able to help.
James

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
quotequote all
james-witton said:
Try contacting Dr. Andy Palmer directly.
There has been a thread on here where he has listened to a similar situation and he reacred brilliantly by ordering the dealer to sort it out at no cost.
You get the feeling that as a CEO he cares passionately about his company and his brand.
It's worth a go.
Good luck
James
Andy responded already that his team will reach out to me - so let's see.

RobDown

3,803 posts

128 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Hope it gets sorted for you. Would be great for an update wgen there's progress (or if there's no progress)

klmc

Original Poster:

71 posts

138 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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Thanks for feedback and suggestions. I will let you you what happens.

CSK1

1,603 posts

124 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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OLDBENZ said:
I have to say I have had a couple of dealings over the years with the service side in Monaco (which deals in one smallish set up with Rolls, Bentley, Lamborghini, Aston Martin, McLaren and maybe also Ferrari and Bugatti) in a fairly inadequate set up outside Monaco on the road up to La Turbie off the A8 link and have not been impressed at all. Customer cars are left in the day gathering dust by the side of the public road and their attitude stinks: think French waiter with spanners. Maybe I was just unlucky.
I live near St Tropez, never dealt with Monaco but as you said Aston is just a tiny part of their offering.
Cannes is also one to avoid, I've had a bad experience just as a potential buyer and they couldn't care less, I know of one guy who ordered a new V12VS there and they messed it up real bad!
So I avoid both Monaco and Cannes dealers and much prefer to get my car serviced by Auto Performance in Lyon which is affiliated to the Aston Martin importer for France (Paris, Bordeaux and Lyon).
They only do Aston Martin, the guys who work there are all passionate about what they do, service is great, I rather drive the extra mile to get top service from people who actually care.
They can organise transport to and from Lyon if requested.
I have no affiliation whatsoever with Auto Performance.

rog007

5,759 posts

224 months

Sunday 30th April 2017
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klmc said:
Andy responded already that his team will reach out to me - so let's see.