So what have you done with your Aston today? (Vol. 2)
Discussion
caiss4 said:
Glad that you enjoyed your drive.
Sorry that you are disabled. Was it pre-existing, or did it occur during the journey?
Some English road surfaces are in such a shocking state now.
They were not much better years ago, when people had great trouble moving huge stones from Wales to Wiltshire. They wondered why they were doing it, but the Amazon Ancient order had to be fulfilled. Expect they were dreading any Returns.
Starting to do a few DIY jobs on the Vantage. Fixed the dead fag lighter (it had been disconnected...) and decided to have a crack at the pollen filters, as there was a musty smell in the car. For a car with full history, I'm thinking that the pollen filters have been skipped for some time - can they get this bad between services?
Nigel_O said:
Starting to do a few DIY jobs on the Vantage. Fixed the dead fag lighter (it had been disconnected...) and decided to have a crack at the pollen filters, as there was a musty smell in the car. For a car with full history, I'm thinking that the pollen filters have been skipped for some time - can they get this bad between services?
Typical "stealer" ploy - charged as part of service but not actually changed.
Nigel_O said:
Starting to do a few DIY jobs on the Vantage. Fixed the dead fag lighter (it had been disconnected...) and decided to have a crack at the pollen filters, as there was a musty smell in the car. For a car with full history, I'm thinking that the pollen filters have been skipped for some time - can they get this bad between services?
maybe they were waiting for the rain, to get green herbal tea?but yeah, a lot stealers can do that... a shame/crime.
Nigel_O said:
Starting to do a few DIY jobs on the Vantage. Fixed the dead fag lighter (it had been disconnected...) and decided to have a crack at the pollen filters, as there was a musty smell in the car. For a car with full history, I'm thinking that the pollen filters have been skipped for some time - can they get this bad between services?
This is awful. Not very intelligent from a dealer perspective to cut corner on things that are easily a DIY job.You know you can get them from elsewhere (Mazda if I recall it correctly?) for pennies compared to what the dealer/Scuderia charges, right?
Drove a 500 mile round trip on Friday taking in the M4, M40, M42, M6 toll, M6, M60, M56, M53.
Found that there are so many idiots that want to tailgate an Aston, want to race, mainly BMW drivers.
For the most part the drive was great save for the idiots.
Car was faultless throughout, comfortable for a 6'4" frame and returned an average of 21mpg.
Found that there are so many idiots that want to tailgate an Aston, want to race, mainly BMW drivers.
For the most part the drive was great save for the idiots.
Car was faultless throughout, comfortable for a 6'4" frame and returned an average of 21mpg.
I visited Valiant Ecosse at the Nurburgring for the car's service. I had planned on visiting Bamford Rose, originally, but since you-know-what happened, I simply didn't make it over. Then, I'd been less and less impressed with something of a priority over social media and drone-videography, rather than customer replies and transparency. They don't feel so much like the outfit I recommended so much 5 years ago, and I am cautious to recommend them at present, after reading/receiving various feedback from other members.
Anyway, Alister was superb, fit me in at short notice, and is very customer-orientated. So, if you're "in the area" (it was a 250-mile/3.5 hour drive one-way for me), then I can very much recommend Valiant Ecosse.
My car performed brilliantly on the drive (both ways), but with a fresh service, I opened the taps on the way home and saved 30 mins on the autobahn. I did pay for it in petrol, I suppose, but that's what the car is for.
Now, I have some choices to make regarding how long I keep the car, upgrades, etc etc.
Anyway, Alister was superb, fit me in at short notice, and is very customer-orientated. So, if you're "in the area" (it was a 250-mile/3.5 hour drive one-way for me), then I can very much recommend Valiant Ecosse.
My car performed brilliantly on the drive (both ways), but with a fresh service, I opened the taps on the way home and saved 30 mins on the autobahn. I did pay for it in petrol, I suppose, but that's what the car is for.
Now, I have some choices to make regarding how long I keep the car, upgrades, etc etc.
My other mid-life crisis car is a Westfield, which I really enjoy hooning around in during the warm, dry months. Some of the hardier Westfield club owners use their cars all year round, while the sensible ones put them away while the roads are greasy.
Yesterday, there was a quick meeting in the Peak District, with two Westies and three club members in their "ordinary" cars (a 911 C4S Targa and a Boxster S, plus me in the V8V). We went for an entertaining drive through some lovely scenery. Or at least the scenery would have been nice if it wasn't obscured by thick fog. After a nice lunch in a country pub, we went our separate ways and I gambled on the long route home taking in the Cat & Fiddle pass.
It was looking like a poor choice as I crawled out of Buxton in yet more thick fog, but as I got near the summit I popped out of the mist and fog to a glorious sunny day. I only had my phone with me, but it was still worth a photo. What looks like the sea in the distance is actualy the thick fog that blanketed most of the country on Sunday.
Vantage point by Nigel Ogram, on Flickr
Yesterday, there was a quick meeting in the Peak District, with two Westies and three club members in their "ordinary" cars (a 911 C4S Targa and a Boxster S, plus me in the V8V). We went for an entertaining drive through some lovely scenery. Or at least the scenery would have been nice if it wasn't obscured by thick fog. After a nice lunch in a country pub, we went our separate ways and I gambled on the long route home taking in the Cat & Fiddle pass.
It was looking like a poor choice as I crawled out of Buxton in yet more thick fog, but as I got near the summit I popped out of the mist and fog to a glorious sunny day. I only had my phone with me, but it was still worth a photo. What looks like the sea in the distance is actualy the thick fog that blanketed most of the country on Sunday.
Vantage point by Nigel Ogram, on FlickrNigel_O said:
A magnificent picture, Nigel.
I note from your Profile, My Garage, you mention 'THAT noise'.
Have you had any exhaust 'improvements' done? I see that your Vantage must be a fairly early 4.7.
My 2009 Vantage (ie. only one pair of cats.) is missing one pair of 'bricks' from the two 'brick' catalysts.
THAT noise is now even more glorious. No louder when cruising, but press the pedal and wow.
There is a 3-way switch, but the always open position is just fine for me.
Together with an airbox mod, and ECU adjustment, the power is estimsted to be up to about 450bhp. The difference is noticeable.
A discrete change and the cost is reasonable.
My car also has the twin plate clutch, together with lighter flywheel. No more mods are planned, but am very pleased with these changes.
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