My V8 Vantage

Author
Discussion

shinjuku

Original Poster:

476 posts

80 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Intro

Well, here she is, my pride and joy. New to me, not new to the UK roads, though low miles. 2006 Vantage, Tungsten with black obsidian interior. My first Aston, hopefully not my last. Whether I go forward with mods on the car or save up for a newer model... jury is still out. Anthracite wheels are nice on a daily driver for sure, and I'm on the younger side of AM ownership, and don't yet own a pair of red chinos (pair from mum in the post).



I am split on the V12 side skirts, and would quite like to get the AP lowering springs to sink her down 22mm. I would also like V12 wheels to fill out the arches a little more (width ways), and am considering the AMR mesh grille.





Rattles


I totally love the car, the sound, the handling, the image, the driving position... everything except the rattles that have started over the last month. However, what's prompting me to post this right now is that I fixed three rattles and squeaks yesterday that were driving me mad. Didn't exist when I bought the car, but made it feel about 10 years older than it is (2006 V8 Vantage), especially on our lovely potholes and even road surfaces.

After speaking to AM and being quoted £150 to inspect (i.e. just "look") where the problem might be, I decided to get in there myself and see what's what.

Rattle #1:
Tinny rattle coming from the front passenger side. I originally thought in the door... it's difficult to diagnose when driving—after tapping around the dash with a clenched fist, it was obviously coming from the very top air vent area. Tapping the vent confirmed this.



OK great, but how do you get this thing out? You'd need to be a very co-ordinated, strong 4 year old, or you need some kind of plastic spudger tool like what you get with computer disassembly kits. So that's what I wedged under the vent all the way around until it popped out of its clips.

Once out, I found the culprit. It wasn't the vent itself, but this screw and washer beneath. Must have come loose in the summer after extensive heating and then having the air conditioning on etc. Plus, my dodgy driving. The screw is a pretty shape so get yourself some star-shaped screw driver extensions and tighten up that bad boy.





Rattle#2:
Cheapo plastic rattle sound, again coming from the passenger side. Using the same fist, I tapped around the entire dash until I found it was the very bottom of the glove box, underneath... that the tyre pressure sensor monitor system was not fixed in place (long since been turned off I think) and my plan was to fix it down but I accidentally unclipped it from wherever the hell it's supposed to go, so now it's sitting in my glove box. Sorted.





Squeak #1:
Interesting one this. Passenger side AGAIN (most underused side I suppose), this time from the rear quarter. I thought oh crap, perhaps the suspension is going or some expensive thing like that, but no... this one was the trim at the top squeaking against the tiny glass C pillar window. Unsure whether I have fixed this yet as I only hear this when cornering right under higher load, and then I can't easily look behind myself to my left. I removed the trim and put it back in place with a bit more gusto—if anyone has a tip for this particular part/trim against glass, it would be appreciated.

My plan is to update this thread with my Aston Martin journey.

rog007

5,748 posts

223 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Looks lovely!

I'd thought about mods too, then watched 'Worlds Most Expensive Cars' and thought I'd give it a fighting chance in 50 years time when at auction and originality would be key! smash

Mine's 2007 and only this morning when out enjoying the empty roads did I marvel at how squeak-free it was, which when I saw your post I thought what a coincidence. Looks like you've sorted things. I wonder if lack of use (you said low miles) may be a factor.

avinalarf

6,438 posts

141 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Congrats on your new Aston.
Looks good just as is IMO.
Helpful tips on rattles.

RobDown

3,803 posts

127 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Great post.

Is it worth someone starting a thread on "how to fix rattles" so it's easy to find in future from a search? Or a thread with rattle in the title at least.

shinjuku

Original Poster:

476 posts

80 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
rog007 said:
Looks lovely!

I'd thought about mods too, then watched 'Worlds Most Expensive Cars' and thought I'd give it a fighting chance in 50 years time when at auction and originality would be key! smash
Thanks, and something to consider! smile

avinalarf said:
Congrats on your new Aston.
Looks good just as is IMO.
Helpful tips on rattles.
Thank you! smile

RobDown said:
Great post.

Is it worth someone starting a thread on "how to fix rattles" so it's easy to find in future from a search? Or a thread with rattle in the title at least.
Thank you! I did originally make this a rattle thread, but then also wanted to make it "my vantage" thread. I have found numerous rattle posts throughout these forums, but none with the rattles I had discovered. Perhaps if there's the option for tags in posts it would be useful? If not, the word should bring people here from searches I suppose. Rattle rattle rattle! smile

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Welcome.

Your car looks terrific.

Like your very clear guidance about dealing with the rattle.
As already suggested, a Rattle thread or perhaps FAQs, would enable people to find your information in the future.

Go ahead with your mods idea. Hopefully my car will be the only one with Series 1 original bodywork eventually. (Joking).

Enjoy.





Edited by Jon39 on Sunday 16th July 12:29

shinjuku

Original Poster:

476 posts

80 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
Jon39 said:
Welcome.

Your car looks terrific.

Like your very clear guidance about dealing with the rattle.
As already suggested, a Rattle thread or perhaps FAQs, would enable people to find your information in the future.

Go ahead with your mods idea. Hopefully my car will be the only one with Series 1 original bodywork eventually. (Joking).

Enjoy.
Thanks Jon smile

Any mods will be fully reversible, and I will keep all original parts—the side skirts are the hardest too choose. I do like the current look so maybe any change would just be for the sake of it and not worth it. Will leave it for at least a year and see how I feel.

Edited by shinjuku on Sunday 16th July 12:57

woodsypedia

870 posts

152 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
Congrats on the new toy - looks great. I also suffered from a few rattles. Keep an eye on the sat nav cover - that's another known source of rattles. smile

Muffster

312 posts

192 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Wow that looks fantastic.
I too have picked up my first AM today. A 2007 V8V. Really enjoyed the drive home. The sound is addictive. Those wheels look superb, something i may look to change on mine in the future.
Enjoy.

johns355

523 posts

153 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
quotequote all
Car looks great, I too bought a tungsten V8V a few months ago but mines the roadster. Nice write up on the rattles btw, good to see people try and inform others from their own experiences, enjoy!!



Paza3

196 posts

130 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Looking good

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Sunday 16th July 2017
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Congrats, looks in great condition ...my Roadster is Tungsten, is really nice in sunlight, yet really easy to keep clean. Combined with the anthracite wheels, very practical for a daily car

Graze01

1,034 posts

91 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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Shinjuku

I have just fitted V12V wheels to mine

You will need 15 mm spacers for the rear and 5mm for the front to make sure they clear the inside suspension and don't foul at full lock. They look great though. I can give you a lead on where to get them if you want - just PM me your email.



Graeme

Edited by Graze01 on Monday 17th July 01:51

V8V Pete

2,496 posts

125 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Congratulations! Good work on the rattles - they drive me mad too but mine is now all sorted. I have added a link to your thread under the rattles section of the Frequently Asked Questions sticky.

My advice re modifications would be do whatever you want to make YOUR car better for YOU and completely ignore what the next potential owner may think. As you say, virtually everything you do is reversible anyway. After all, just about all cars are subject to design by committee, with the manufacturer trying to make it suit a wide range of people/tastes. To some extent this is even more true for Aton Martin, trying to please the more senior red trouser types and the younger sportier types who want to drive it like they stole it. Result is compromise. Undoing some of that to make the car perfect for you is a great idea in my opinion. Enjoy your AM journey smile


Jibberingloon

848 posts

199 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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FYI

V12 wheels fit with NO spacers needed, I have run both the Standard and the V12S Wheels on a V8 and had no issues with rubbing.

My car was also lowered 20mm

wink


Graze01

1,034 posts

91 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Jibberingloon said:
FYI

V12 wheels fit with NO spacers needed, I have run both the Standard and the V12S Wheels on a V8 and had no issues with rubbing.

My car was also lowered 20mm

wink
I was worried about the inner clearance and when we checked it is seemed to close on the rear

but happy to be corrected - cheers

Graze

Grant3

3,635 posts

254 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
looking good... congrat's on joining the exclusive aston club thumbup and contributing with some well found rattle fixing tips... glad they are sorted rattles can drive you nuts!

Jibberingloon

848 posts

199 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
Graze01 said:
I was worried about the inner clearance and when we checked it is seemed to close on the rear

but happy to be corrected - cheers

Graze
PS... it does look better with spacers tho' wink

peteA

2,680 posts

233 months

Monday 17th July 2017
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Wow - Love that + well done re the 'rattle tips'

Jibberingloon

848 posts

199 months

Monday 17th July 2017
quotequote all
shinjuku said:
=Intro=

I am split on the V12 side skirts, and would quite like to get the AP lowering springs to sink her down 22mm. I would also like V12 wheels to fill out the arches a little more (width ways), and am considering the AMR mesh grille.
wink

So did I!!!