potential new owner in Belgium, some DB9 questions
Discussion
Hi all and greetings from Antwerp !
As many on these forums have done before, I had some questions on a potential car I am looking to buy. Unfortunately, the search function does not seem to give me the results I am looking for so sorry if this is a repeat... . (P.S. yes, I bought the book on the Gaydon models :-)
I am interested in buying a 2007 DB9 model in Belgium. Car has done some decent miles (45,000mls= 73,000Km) but is a one owner car, full service history with main dealer who sold the car. See link:
http://www.astonmartin-belgium.com/nl/detail_db9-c...
Some things I noted:
- the interior door paint on driver side has some spots where paint is gone, which makes the door look like it has some paint chips. Apparently happens mainly by contact with metal or the seat belt hitting it. Q1: Is this repairable (i.e. can it be repainted) or does this require removing and fitting new pannel (at what price?)
- Driver seat (new model) seems to be making cracking sounds quite a lot, I assume because of usage (car is a daily driver). Q2: Can this be fixed by adding some felt, oiling somewhere, etc... . I can imagine on long drives it can become a bit annoying
- Although car has Sports Wheels, it does not have Sports Pack (I am ok with that). I prefer the look of the original wheels and would ask dealer to put originals on. I know they are a bit heavier but I don't care. Q3: Does this require any change to the car set up (spacers?).
- I heard as car was driven around garage brakes squeeling, Q4: would this generally mean changing brake pads or putting some magic fluid on the brakes to stop the noise ? (Car still has about 6,000 miles to go before next schedules service)
I have seen the car inside and out but will probably make a test drive next weekend to compare it to my previous test drive of a 2004 DB9 model.
Pricewise of course things are a bit more expensive here due to limited supply and I keep asking myself the same questions; if I should go for lower mileage earlier model or higher mileage after 2007 model in same price range. My plan is to buy a DB9 this year as I think the pre 2012 models look nicer and don't have the add on skirts and extras that (to me) destroy the purity of the design a bit.
Best regards,
Frank
As many on these forums have done before, I had some questions on a potential car I am looking to buy. Unfortunately, the search function does not seem to give me the results I am looking for so sorry if this is a repeat... . (P.S. yes, I bought the book on the Gaydon models :-)
I am interested in buying a 2007 DB9 model in Belgium. Car has done some decent miles (45,000mls= 73,000Km) but is a one owner car, full service history with main dealer who sold the car. See link:
http://www.astonmartin-belgium.com/nl/detail_db9-c...
Some things I noted:
- the interior door paint on driver side has some spots where paint is gone, which makes the door look like it has some paint chips. Apparently happens mainly by contact with metal or the seat belt hitting it. Q1: Is this repairable (i.e. can it be repainted) or does this require removing and fitting new pannel (at what price?)
- Driver seat (new model) seems to be making cracking sounds quite a lot, I assume because of usage (car is a daily driver). Q2: Can this be fixed by adding some felt, oiling somewhere, etc... . I can imagine on long drives it can become a bit annoying
- Although car has Sports Wheels, it does not have Sports Pack (I am ok with that). I prefer the look of the original wheels and would ask dealer to put originals on. I know they are a bit heavier but I don't care. Q3: Does this require any change to the car set up (spacers?).
- I heard as car was driven around garage brakes squeeling, Q4: would this generally mean changing brake pads or putting some magic fluid on the brakes to stop the noise ? (Car still has about 6,000 miles to go before next schedules service)
I have seen the car inside and out but will probably make a test drive next weekend to compare it to my previous test drive of a 2004 DB9 model.
Pricewise of course things are a bit more expensive here due to limited supply and I keep asking myself the same questions; if I should go for lower mileage earlier model or higher mileage after 2007 model in same price range. My plan is to buy a DB9 this year as I think the pre 2012 models look nicer and don't have the add on skirts and extras that (to me) destroy the purity of the design a bit.
Best regards,
Frank
Edited by pbe624 on Monday 4th March 10:12
I have an October 2007 DB9.
I cant answer the technical questions but on the new / old debate...
- 2007 car has electric seat release to tilt the seats. We use the back seats for kids daily so this is actually useful
- 2007 car has memory seats. Wife and I drive it so again this is actually a very useful extra.
One driver, no kids both enhancements would do nothing for you!
I cant answer the technical questions but on the new / old debate...
- 2007 car has electric seat release to tilt the seats. We use the back seats for kids daily so this is actually useful
- 2007 car has memory seats. Wife and I drive it so again this is actually a very useful extra.
One driver, no kids both enhancements would do nothing for you!
Hello.
In answer to some of your questions...
Q1. The door pulls are easy to remove and refit. They can easily. Be repainted, or covered. I have had mine doe in Carbon Fibre.
Q2. Sorry, don't know.
Q3. The wheels can can just be changed. There should be a ready market for the Sports Pack wheels. But like you, I much prefer others!
Q4. The brakes probably squeal because its been sitting around. Brake hard a couple of times and this should go.
Unless its something else.....
Car looks very nice!!!
In answer to some of your questions...
Q1. The door pulls are easy to remove and refit. They can easily. Be repainted, or covered. I have had mine doe in Carbon Fibre.
Q2. Sorry, don't know.
Q3. The wheels can can just be changed. There should be a ready market for the Sports Pack wheels. But like you, I much prefer others!
Q4. The brakes probably squeal because its been sitting around. Brake hard a couple of times and this should go.
Unless its something else.....
Car looks very nice!!!
Edited by Ice27 on Monday 4th March 10:41
One thing to note, in terms of the Sports Pack wheels, they are EXTREMELY desirable.
If you do not want them, then there are many, many people on here who will gve you a great price for them
They are a straight swap to standard wheels and the tyre just swap over too. DO NOT let the dealer keep these wheels, buy the car with them on and make some good money, takes 30mins to swap over.
Standard DB9 wheels... I gave mine away, they have NO value at all, you'll pick them up for a few pounds n eBay or from a scrap yard.
If you do not want them, then there are many, many people on here who will gve you a great price for them
They are a straight swap to standard wheels and the tyre just swap over too. DO NOT let the dealer keep these wheels, buy the car with them on and make some good money, takes 30mins to swap over.
Standard DB9 wheels... I gave mine away, they have NO value at all, you'll pick them up for a few pounds n eBay or from a scrap yard.
Yep, make sure you get a good deal on the wheels.
I would recommend you keep them for a bit to see how you get on with them. My car had them as factory fit, and I didn't really like them at first, but they grew on me.
You don't want to sell them, then 6 months later regret it, you'll have to pay a fortune to get replacements.
The interior door handles are made from quite soft alloy, so jewellery will chip them easily.
As someone else said, the dealer should fix all the problems with the car before delivery. The one I used in London were very keen to address any issues I found.
- Steve
I would recommend you keep them for a bit to see how you get on with them. My car had them as factory fit, and I didn't really like them at first, but they grew on me.
You don't want to sell them, then 6 months later regret it, you'll have to pay a fortune to get replacements.
The interior door handles are made from quite soft alloy, so jewellery will chip them easily.
As someone else said, the dealer should fix all the problems with the car before delivery. The one I used in London were very keen to address any issues I found.
- Steve
Hi all,
thanks already for the quick responses!
I understand that the door chipping is fixable without having to replace the handle, so in due course (i.e. if and when I buy the car, will take some detailed pictures and ask the experts for advice :-)
As far as the wheels are concerned, seems like the route to take is to keep them for the moment... . If so, I would plan a daytrip/weekendtrip to do a factory visit (dealer suggested they arrange one) and then meet up with one of you so we can do a deal for the wheels and I drive back with standard wheels. The wheels do have some scratches from curbing, but nothing major. Again, will post something on this site if and when... .
As far as dealer fixing things before the sale, I am afraid that won't be the case. If I am lucky , I will get the warranty but that's it.
You may have noticed that this car is advertised at 65,000 EUR. The dealer is trying to get the seller to buy a new model, and therefore will be paying the seller the difference between what the seller wants (65,000 EUR) and what the car actually sells for (dealer is expecting it to sell between 55,000 and 60,000 EUR) in order to make a new sale. So no freebees I think.
If anybody else has any experiences with squeeling brakes or seats, keep the advice coming.
Best regards,
Frank
thanks already for the quick responses!
I understand that the door chipping is fixable without having to replace the handle, so in due course (i.e. if and when I buy the car, will take some detailed pictures and ask the experts for advice :-)
As far as the wheels are concerned, seems like the route to take is to keep them for the moment... . If so, I would plan a daytrip/weekendtrip to do a factory visit (dealer suggested they arrange one) and then meet up with one of you so we can do a deal for the wheels and I drive back with standard wheels. The wheels do have some scratches from curbing, but nothing major. Again, will post something on this site if and when... .
As far as dealer fixing things before the sale, I am afraid that won't be the case. If I am lucky , I will get the warranty but that's it.
You may have noticed that this car is advertised at 65,000 EUR. The dealer is trying to get the seller to buy a new model, and therefore will be paying the seller the difference between what the seller wants (65,000 EUR) and what the car actually sells for (dealer is expecting it to sell between 55,000 and 60,000 EUR) in order to make a new sale. So no freebees I think.
If anybody else has any experiences with squeeling brakes or seats, keep the advice coming.
Best regards,
Frank
Brake squale is probably lack of use as deailed above. It is also possible the handbrake caliper is binding slightly, is the noise coming from the back or front? The pads may also have a slight misalignment to them or need some copperslip behind them to seat them better. It is a easy to cure anyway, whatever it is.
The seat sqeaking... Hmm, could just be wear and tear, the previous onwer may have been on the large side.... If it's a suicide black seat (99.99*% of them are) then it could just be replaced with a second hand one. It's the nature of leather to squeak though.
The seat sqeaking... Hmm, could just be wear and tear, the previous onwer may have been on the large side.... If it's a suicide black seat (99.99*% of them are) then it could just be replaced with a second hand one. It's the nature of leather to squeak though.
yeti said:
....If it's a suicide black seat (99.99*% of them are) then it could just be replaced with a second hand one.
I see Johnny Nice-Painter’s back, or should that be BLACK! 
It’s just ‘classic black’ to the rest of us and it's the easiest colour to refurbish/ repair.
I can’t see the point in replacing/swapping the entire seat just for a squeak.
You’ll probably find it’s an easy fix.
Edited by Gibberish on Monday 4th March 13:24
Hi all,
update on the topic.
I went for my test drive yesterday and basically told the garage I'm taking it :-)
The seats was not cracking anymore and brakes seemed also to be ok.
I arranged that they would fix the door paint issue so that should be done.
Meanwhile, unpleasant surprise will be coming from the Belgian tax authorities which have raised car taxes in 2013 based on CO levels rather than fiscal horsepower, which means my road tax bill will be +10.000 EUR this year (7000 one time tax and 3000 annual).... . As in many countries, you get punished for driving a good looking car ... . So will need to manage finances carefully...
All right, going back to the topic that most of you are interested in: wheels !
I checked the wheels carefully and 3 have some scratches. The worst one I will have fixed by the dealer before delivery, the others are not very visible so can live with them.
Dealer offered me new original wheels and tyres if they could keep the Sports Pack wheels. So here is my doubt: take him up on that or keep the Sports Pack wheels (tyres are still very good but not new)as you have all been suggesting.
If I keep the Sports Wheels, I am willing to do an exchange plus cash with any of you. The way I see it: I would need a set of standard clean wheels with some good tires and some cash to do the exchange. Alternatlively, of course, I can take the tyres off and just change the alloys, whatever works best.
I have no intention of going the E-bay route but if any on the forum want to propose a deal, send me a private email and we can see if we can work someting out. The dealer told me the first owner of this car had standard wheels and only fitted the Sports wheels about 2 years ago, so they are only 2 years old, I assume.
At that time, they were selling them to this customer for about 9000 EUR he said (I have no idea of the new price and dealer was not sure either but this was his guess).
I don't know what I want to get for them, but at least the deal should contain some original wheels set and tyres (optionally). (I will of course forward some detailed pictures of the alloys to the people interested).
Once I have an agreement with one of you, we can arrange the exchange either by me coming to UK or you coming on a one day trip to Belgium. I have my address in De Panne, which is the first village along the highway across Belgian border from Calais going to Belgium (E-40), so about 30 minutes drive from the ferry. (Lots of shops here to fill up on drinks and cigarettes in case interested)
I will probably only have my car first week of April as I am on some business trips before that.
Finally, I am not doing this to make big bucks, I just want to give fair opportunity to this forum so that both of us come away happy if we do a deal.
Best regards,
Frank
p.s. I will check the website occasionally but not every day
update on the topic.
I went for my test drive yesterday and basically told the garage I'm taking it :-)
The seats was not cracking anymore and brakes seemed also to be ok.
I arranged that they would fix the door paint issue so that should be done.
Meanwhile, unpleasant surprise will be coming from the Belgian tax authorities which have raised car taxes in 2013 based on CO levels rather than fiscal horsepower, which means my road tax bill will be +10.000 EUR this year (7000 one time tax and 3000 annual).... . As in many countries, you get punished for driving a good looking car ... . So will need to manage finances carefully...
All right, going back to the topic that most of you are interested in: wheels !
I checked the wheels carefully and 3 have some scratches. The worst one I will have fixed by the dealer before delivery, the others are not very visible so can live with them.
Dealer offered me new original wheels and tyres if they could keep the Sports Pack wheels. So here is my doubt: take him up on that or keep the Sports Pack wheels (tyres are still very good but not new)as you have all been suggesting.
If I keep the Sports Wheels, I am willing to do an exchange plus cash with any of you. The way I see it: I would need a set of standard clean wheels with some good tires and some cash to do the exchange. Alternatlively, of course, I can take the tyres off and just change the alloys, whatever works best.
I have no intention of going the E-bay route but if any on the forum want to propose a deal, send me a private email and we can see if we can work someting out. The dealer told me the first owner of this car had standard wheels and only fitted the Sports wheels about 2 years ago, so they are only 2 years old, I assume.
At that time, they were selling them to this customer for about 9000 EUR he said (I have no idea of the new price and dealer was not sure either but this was his guess).
I don't know what I want to get for them, but at least the deal should contain some original wheels set and tyres (optionally). (I will of course forward some detailed pictures of the alloys to the people interested).
Once I have an agreement with one of you, we can arrange the exchange either by me coming to UK or you coming on a one day trip to Belgium. I have my address in De Panne, which is the first village along the highway across Belgian border from Calais going to Belgium (E-40), so about 30 minutes drive from the ferry. (Lots of shops here to fill up on drinks and cigarettes in case interested)
I will probably only have my car first week of April as I am on some business trips before that.
Finally, I am not doing this to make big bucks, I just want to give fair opportunity to this forum so that both of us come away happy if we do a deal.
Best regards,
Frank
p.s. I will check the website occasionally but not every day
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