Annual service!
Discussion
ian448 said:
Like I said above take it to dove house , they carry out a full comprehensive inspection , test drive etc . But won’t change the oil / filters etc as as don’t require changing but will stamp the service book
So they do no work other than drive the car and inspect, and they are happy to stamp the book? Thanks so if I see a car with a stamp from Dove House, I now know not to trust that anything was actually done. I appreciate what you are saying, but they should not be stamping a service schedule book if nothing has been done.
OP, If you’re concerned have an inspection and the oil changed, by the oil and filters yourself and keep invoices. Pay any indie an hours labour to do the work. If they are not happy to stamp the book, you have the invoices to show.
You guys on the other side of the pond seem to be obsessed with getting little stamps put in their books. I've had my annual and other services done by three different AM dealers, none of which ever bothered to take the book out of the glove compartment and stamp it. Now I keep the book at home as an engineering degree is required to reposition it back in the tiny glove compartment after it is taken out so the door will close, and now I can actually use the compartment for something much more useful, like a .22 cal. Beretta. If anyone ever inquires about service I can show the receipts.
Edited by Parvenu on Wednesday 8th July 14:23
Parvenu said:
You guys on the other side of the pond seem to be obsessed with getting little stamps put in their books. I've had my annual and other services done by three different AM dealers, none of which ever bothered to take the book out of the glove compartment and stamp it. Now I keep the book at home as an engineering degree is required to reposition it back in the tiny glove compartment after it is taken out so the door will close, and now I can actually use the compartment for something much more useful, like a .22 cal. Beretta. If anyone ever inquires about service I can show the receipts.
It's a culture embedded in us to get those stamps in the service book. Will never change I'm afraid.Edited by Parvenu on Wednesday 8th July 14:23
Must admit, I only recently realised my owner's manual fitted in the glove box. It was a revelation after commenting to myself on how stupid the design was that it wouldn't fit. I had excused it on the grounds that it would mess up the perfect external lines of the car by altering the glove box....
JonnyCJ said:
It's a culture embedded in us to get those stamps in the service book. Will never change I'm afraid.
Must admit, I only recently realised my owner's manual fitted in the glove box. It was a revelation after commenting to myself on how stupid the design was that it wouldn't fit. I had excused it on the grounds that it would mess up the perfect external lines of the car by altering the glove box....
You don't even get the luxury of a glove box in a DB11. The manual is instead located in a compartment at the top of the boot (trunk). Not particularly convenient, so I just keep mine on one of the rear 'seats'.Must admit, I only recently realised my owner's manual fitted in the glove box. It was a revelation after commenting to myself on how stupid the design was that it wouldn't fit. I had excused it on the grounds that it would mess up the perfect external lines of the car by altering the glove box....
^^ What Johnny CJ said.
It's a hard culture to walk away from, as the horrors of NOT having all AM stamps threatens the sales value of expensive-to-repair cars. It's the same with the AMG I have. Paranoia from buyer of instant engine explosion/clutch failure/brake fade if one stamp is missed. But it's one we self-propagate as the discussion on here and other places reinforces. Is it real? Insofar as Aston apparently won't take back a non-franchise stamped AM into Timeless? Who does that benefit? Now let me think....
We reap what we sow.
It's a hard culture to walk away from, as the horrors of NOT having all AM stamps threatens the sales value of expensive-to-repair cars. It's the same with the AMG I have. Paranoia from buyer of instant engine explosion/clutch failure/brake fade if one stamp is missed. But it's one we self-propagate as the discussion on here and other places reinforces. Is it real? Insofar as Aston apparently won't take back a non-franchise stamped AM into Timeless? Who does that benefit? Now let me think....
We reap what we sow.
Jon39 said:
vernierMike said:
..... and as the plugs and coil packs need doing too, a Saturday of automotive indulgence and gentle spannering. ..
Think the plug change appears in the service schedule at 7 years/70,000 miles.
Wonder if main dealers change the plugs at 7 years, irrespective of mileage?
If anyone has only done say 25,000 miles after 7 years, I would expect to see the plugs still in good condition. They should not wear unless sparking.
vernierMike said:
^^ What Johnny CJ said.
It's a hard culture to walk away from, as the horrors of NOT having all AM stamps threatens the sales value of expensive-to-repair cars. It's the same with the AMG I have. Paranoia from buyer of instant engine explosion/clutch failure/brake fade if one stamp is missed. But it's one we self-propagate as the discussion on here and other places reinforces. Is it real? Insofar as Aston apparently won't take back a non-franchise stamped AM into Timeless? Who does that benefit? Now let me think....
We reap what we sow.
Not correct. It's a hard culture to walk away from, as the horrors of NOT having all AM stamps threatens the sales value of expensive-to-repair cars. It's the same with the AMG I have. Paranoia from buyer of instant engine explosion/clutch failure/brake fade if one stamp is missed. But it's one we self-propagate as the discussion on here and other places reinforces. Is it real? Insofar as Aston apparently won't take back a non-franchise stamped AM into Timeless? Who does that benefit? Now let me think....
We reap what we sow.
My Aston was sold to me by a main dealer with timeless warranty but had 3 services by a non franchised dealer.
R129 300SL said:
vernierMike said:
^^ What Johnny CJ said.
It's a hard culture to walk away from, as the horrors of NOT having all AM stamps threatens the sales value of expensive-to-repair cars. It's the same with the AMG I have. Paranoia from buyer of instant engine explosion/clutch failure/brake fade if one stamp is missed. But it's one we self-propagate as the discussion on here and other places reinforces. Is it real? Insofar as Aston apparently won't take back a non-franchise stamped AM into Timeless? Who does that benefit? Now let me think....
We reap what we sow.
Not correct. It's a hard culture to walk away from, as the horrors of NOT having all AM stamps threatens the sales value of expensive-to-repair cars. It's the same with the AMG I have. Paranoia from buyer of instant engine explosion/clutch failure/brake fade if one stamp is missed. But it's one we self-propagate as the discussion on here and other places reinforces. Is it real? Insofar as Aston apparently won't take back a non-franchise stamped AM into Timeless? Who does that benefit? Now let me think....
We reap what we sow.
My Aston was sold to me by a main dealer with timeless warranty but had 3 services by a non franchised dealer.
In other ad-hoc conversations in dealers over the years. I have had it explained to me before that a FAMSH is a must have, particularly come resale. They also recommend a yearly service regardless of only doing 1k miles.....I guess it just default patter, protecting their business. They cant really say "dont bother take it anywhere you like and skip a service if you wish, it will be ok"
vernierMike said:
I stand corrected, and pleased to be so! 
No, that's not how the internet works. If somebody disagrees with you, even on a minor factual point, you must immediately declare they are an idiot who has no idea what they are talking about. You should probably throw in some assumptions about their background, and insult them for presumably having different political views to yours, and for voting for a different party from the one you voted for. Tell them off for getting their news from the wrong place (wrong being wherever you don't get your news), perhaps throw in some comments about brexit while you are at it. Under no circumstances can you gracefully accept being corrected even when proven wrong.murphyaj said:
vernierMike said:
I stand corrected, and pleased to be so!
No, that's not how the internet works. If somebody disagrees with you, even on a minor factual point, you must immediately declare they are an idiot who has no idea what they are talking about. You should probably throw in some assumptions about their background, and insult them for presumably having different political views to yours, and for voting for a different party from the one you voted for. Tell them off for getting their news from the wrong place (wrong being wherever you don't get your news), perhaps throw in some comments about brexit while you are at it. Under no circumstances can you gracefully accept being corrected even when proven wrong.murphyaj said:
No, that's not how the internet works. If somebody disagrees with you, even on a minor factual point, you must immediately declare they are an idiot who has no idea what they are talking about. You should probably throw in some assumptions about their background, and insult them for presumably having different political views to yours, and for voting for a different party from the one you voted for. Tell them off for getting their news from the wrong place (wrong being wherever you don't get your news), perhaps throw in some comments about brexit while you are at it. Under no circumstances can you gracefully accept being corrected even when proven wrong.
No, I've checked with my wife and I am definitely an opinionated know it all knobhead. This was clearly an aberration and every effort will be made to resume normal insulting service 
It is interesting, though, I signed up to a single-marque motorcycle forum (not on PH) with what I thought was a friendly Hello posting on the, well, Hello part of the forum and I had just one reply, which was a useful if curt pointer but not a word of welcome or warmth whatsoever.
It is interesting, though, I signed up to a single-marque motorcycle forum (not on PH) with what I thought was a friendly Hello posting on the, well, Hello part of the forum and I had just one reply, which was a useful if curt pointer but not a word of welcome or warmth whatsoever.
I find that on some single make forums (im on some bike ones too) are just not that busy, or regulars may not always check in the "welcome newbies area". Im guilty of that myself, as there is not much traffic on that forum , i pop in, see whats changed in sub forums of interest, then thats it. In the meanwhile there may have been 3 months worth of newbie forum posts.
Thankfully we have enough regulars on here to keep the daily banter up and twenty years of history to search on.....
Thankfully we have enough regulars on here to keep the daily banter up and twenty years of history to search on.....
blueg33 said:
Doesn't oil break down even when the car is unused?
The no use shelf life is at least 5 years and most major manufacturers dont let it go more than 2 years/15k miles even in extended/variable range service intervals.2 years even with low miles would be my limit, just based on time.
Its really the contaminants that build up over time with use, the recommendation before putting vehicles away in storage is to change the oil beforehand. Some people do similar on their bikes pre winter lay up. Do the service first and check over 3-4 months later pre-ride
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