Just unlucky, or?
Discussion
I think you’ve summed it up yourself. To have a significant engine problem is unlucky. To have a significant gearbox problem also unlucky. To get both? Clearly it’s going to happen to someone but the probabilities are low (there’s no connection between the two faults I guess).
But then with a glass half full approach, as you say, you mechanically will have a virtually new car. Always look on the bright side!
But then with a glass half full approach, as you say, you mechanically will have a virtually new car. Always look on the bright side!
The probability of both terminal engine and terminal gearbox failure is low. Fag packet maths based off my experience over the last 8 years from real examples is something like 1 owner in 300-500 will unfortunately be bitten by their dream car in this or a similarly bad way.
Based off my experience working for them for 10 years, back then, the money box they sold each car with which they lovingly left in the boot for the owner to pick off - aka a 3 year maker warranty policy, was so high that at any other auto maker the quality department would have been marched off site in an instant, so I recall management saying back then, but I’ve heard AP cares more for quality now.
On V8, in my experience the heading which most engine failures comes under is ‘remanufactured units’, ie non production line built engines. There’s a forum member on here (and many others with a similar tale I know of) who’s car had:
a) engine failure (high oil consumption) remedied by replacement re manufactured engine.
b) gearbox replacement under warranty (noisy)
c) the first remanufactured engine failed on the ramp at the garage who fitted it (lost coolant out of gasket)
d) the second remanufactured engine blew up (put a rod and piston out the top) within 2k Miles
When your Aston journey is problem free, it’s a very pleasant ride indeed and this is where you read majority of owners saying their Aston caused them no bother at all. But when the car has niggles to such extents listed here, the ownership experience can try the patience and the wallet of even the most forgiving owner
Based off my experience working for them for 10 years, back then, the money box they sold each car with which they lovingly left in the boot for the owner to pick off - aka a 3 year maker warranty policy, was so high that at any other auto maker the quality department would have been marched off site in an instant, so I recall management saying back then, but I’ve heard AP cares more for quality now.
On V8, in my experience the heading which most engine failures comes under is ‘remanufactured units’, ie non production line built engines. There’s a forum member on here (and many others with a similar tale I know of) who’s car had:
a) engine failure (high oil consumption) remedied by replacement re manufactured engine.
b) gearbox replacement under warranty (noisy)
c) the first remanufactured engine failed on the ramp at the garage who fitted it (lost coolant out of gasket)
d) the second remanufactured engine blew up (put a rod and piston out the top) within 2k Miles
When your Aston journey is problem free, it’s a very pleasant ride indeed and this is where you read majority of owners saying their Aston caused them no bother at all. But when the car has niggles to such extents listed here, the ownership experience can try the patience and the wallet of even the most forgiving owner
bogie said:
Really unlucky...unheard of
)
Unlucky yes, but what’s the size of the dataset you have to come to the “unheard” of conclusion? )
There’s what? +/- 30k V8’s around the world? and in UK +/- 10k? If you personally spoke with even a meagre 10% market share (1000 owners / cars) then what you ‘hear’ would suddenly change your outlook somewhat if you walked in those bigger circles instead of a handful of folk.
The point of my comment isn’t to pull you up on a generalisation, the point is to make wider readers aware that these sorts of fundamental failures can / do occur, rarely, but more often than you think and potential buyers need to go into ownership with eyes open and either have a warranty policy or a spare bit of cash to sort out the unexpected.
Really bad luck and sorry to read it. As others have said, hopefully you enjoy a car which now has two new major components in the drivetrain!
Possibly the warranty period for these parts also reset?
Really no inside knowledge or experience, but do low mileage cars throw up more problems? Your example did less than 700 miles per year. Perhaps it stood still in the nine years for considerable time? Seals, oils, and all that, over time...
Better luck from here on!
Possibly the warranty period for these parts also reset?
Really no inside knowledge or experience, but do low mileage cars throw up more problems? Your example did less than 700 miles per year. Perhaps it stood still in the nine years for considerable time? Seals, oils, and all that, over time...
Better luck from here on!
Lucky, unlucky, whatever. Personally I'm suspicious of really low mileage cars but that's not at all scientific. Perhaps the only science I can apply to that view is that "enthusiasts" probably drive their cars more and probably, on average, drive with more mechanical sympathy. The dicks that have no knowledge of/respect for their car and thrash them from cold almost certainly cause significantly more damage to them than lots of brisk driving when everything is properly up to temperature.
Anyway, as has been said, you have a clean slate of new engine/clutch/gearbox now. Respect and enjoy
Anyway, as has been said, you have a clean slate of new engine/clutch/gearbox now. Respect and enjoy
I`d be laughing! All this brand new running gear in a low mileage 9 year old car... I`d cover it with dust and call it a barn find! Obviously problems are not what you want and being without a recently purchased "dream" car while they work to replace the engine would have been tough, and I recall your disillusionment back when that was happening, but if the warranty is doing it`s job then fantastic!
As an old proverb (possibly) said: May your vehicular woes be behind you, and a thousand sweeping bends await your enthusiastic driving!
As an old proverb (possibly) said: May your vehicular woes be behind you, and a thousand sweeping bends await your enthusiastic driving!
Mac, I know you've had a bad time with the AM experience, and you had one of the most amazing and completely mint TVR's out there which you sacrificed to fulfill the AM dream. I remember seeing your car on the TVR stand at NEC I think it was 2011..? Absolutely amazing..... stunning car and better than any that left the old factory in Blackpool. So, I'm going to be completely blunt with you... this experience hasn't worked out as you'd wished, and I know the journey has been painful... As a good mate, I'm here for you, and willing to offer you £35k for your Vantage in the hope that it might save you any future heartache... I make this offer as a good friend that only has your best interests at heart, and have no interest in profiting from your misfortune... I hope you know me well enough to know this is true.....
Sincerely yours,
Richard
Sincerely yours,
Richard
The 996 and Gen1 997 models and famous for the IMS issue (which trashes the engine completely) so much so that in the US there was a successful lawsuit against Porsche by US owners. Around 5% of engines will die this way. They also are known to get leaky Rear Main Seals on them.
The most common issue with modern Porsches is Borescore. Again the 996 and Gen1 997 suffer the most but the Gen2's are starting to develop issues now as well. It's not an 'if' but 'when' sort of thing, which costs around £13,000 to fix (The Heartech company spends all of its time replacing 911& Boxster scored bores and there is a long waiting list for their services). Waterpump, Oil Air separators are also a common place for issues as are the 'coffin arms' lower wishbones, and training links which are known as 'tuning forks'.
From my experience (and homework) Aston tends to have more electrical issues compared to a Porsche as in this area they are good, but when a Porsche does have a problem it will be mechanical and will cost thousands. For instance, Porsche does not produce any form of spares (apart for the seals) for the PDK Gearbox, so if you have a problem with one the only thing you can do is replace it at a cost of £15,000+fitting.
I've still got my Boxster and I'm hoping to change it for another 911 next year - even with all the risks - because they are amazing to drive.
The Aston is a wonderful thing for 95% of the time but if you want a Sunday morning blast or a spirited drive through an Alpine pass, there's no better 2+2 than a 911.
The most common issue with modern Porsches is Borescore. Again the 996 and Gen1 997 suffer the most but the Gen2's are starting to develop issues now as well. It's not an 'if' but 'when' sort of thing, which costs around £13,000 to fix (The Heartech company spends all of its time replacing 911& Boxster scored bores and there is a long waiting list for their services). Waterpump, Oil Air separators are also a common place for issues as are the 'coffin arms' lower wishbones, and training links which are known as 'tuning forks'.
From my experience (and homework) Aston tends to have more electrical issues compared to a Porsche as in this area they are good, but when a Porsche does have a problem it will be mechanical and will cost thousands. For instance, Porsche does not produce any form of spares (apart for the seals) for the PDK Gearbox, so if you have a problem with one the only thing you can do is replace it at a cost of £15,000+fitting.
I've still got my Boxster and I'm hoping to change it for another 911 next year - even with all the risks - because they are amazing to drive.
The Aston is a wonderful thing for 95% of the time but if you want a Sunday morning blast or a spirited drive through an Alpine pass, there's no better 2+2 than a 911.
Edited by LesF on Wednesday 22 August 13:06
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