Bought a V8 Vantage.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Hello all. After years of owning TVR,s Corvette,s and a Mercedes SL 500. I finally took the plunge into AM ownership after an unsuccessful search to find a Corvette Z06. The car i bought has an impeccable device history. But from the records it shows no record of a clutch change and the owner said its never had one. The car has done 44,000 miles. So i am budgeting for a clutch at some point.

I have heard all figures from £1,700-£4000 depending on who you talk to. So what is the true figure. And does anyone know of a good independent in s.e London or Kent?.

[Lunablack]

Not going to tell you until you post some pictures

[dredders]

congratulations on the purchase, but we need some pictures - it's the law

[BLUETHUNDER]

I cant. For the simple reason. I don't want to embarrass myself as to the fact. That apart from service history and virtually unmarked body and interior the previous owners nephew who had the car for a few months painted the wheels, rear diffuser,and bonnet vents WHITE!!!. I am not even looking forward to the drive back due to the looks i get.

I have the car booked in straight away to have all the wheels professionally refurbished and the vents painted and rear diffuser i am having done in carbon fibre.

Apart from that the only other job i am doing is having spacers fitted to the hubs in order to bring the wheels closer to the arch i have always thought that the Vantage had its wheels (rear in particular) to far inboard. Plenty of photos will follow once the work has been carried out.

[stevewushu]

before and after

[BLUETHUNDER]

Ok. When i get it. I will do the before and after shots.

[paddy328]

What colour is it?

[BLUETHUNDER]

Metallic grey. Cant think of the exact name for the colour.

[bogie]

congrats
clutch components are £1200 ish the rest is labour, hence the big price range between independants and dealers. could be £60 per hour or £150 ph in London

im on original clutch still in my 2006 car, 64K miles, so you could be lucky......

[V8 Animal]

9 replies and no one has mentioned BR for the clutch I'm shocked.

Bamford Rose a independent now offer a replacement clutch which is dearer than AM but apparently better than the stock part.

[BLUETHUNDER]

Any good indi,s close to me. s.e London/kent

[F1 NDW]

Bluethunder I would advise you read up on the clutch threads on here before you do anything.
You certainly need to read up on the clutch BR fit. You would hate to spend 3 grand on a standard part and then find out what you could have had for just a bit more.

[Neil1300R]

BLUETHUNDER said:

Any good indi,s close to me. s.e London/kent

Frequently Asked Question Wiki at top of the Aston forum page

[BLUETHUNDER]

Thankyou. I will take a look.

[BLUETHUNDER]

F1 NDW said:

Bluethunder I would advise you read up on the clutch threads on here before you do anything.
You certainly need to read up on the clutch BR fit. You would hate to spend 3 grand on a standard part and then find out what you could have had for just a bit more.

Thanks. I will start delving through the threads.

[peterr96]

I'm based in Mid Kent (Marden). Used to live near M20/M26 junction.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Trinity Engineering, however cheap they are not.

Tony Hall recommends Pugeley & Lewis.
Ours has just been to Bamford for service. Frankly I'd not be too worried about travelling to get the right service

If you are talking clutches, I would thoroughly recommend a trip to BR for the greatly improved replacement they offer.

Not sure where you're based, but you are welcome to experience the upgrades on our 4.3 and if I were you I would definitely do that before (wasting) money on the standard item. It is now a completely different animal!

[shunt]

F1 NDW said:

Bluethunder I would advise you read up on the clutch threads on here before you do anything.
You certainly need to read up on the clutch BR fit. You would hate to spend 3 grand on a standard part and then find out what you could have had for just a bit more.

3 grand? If you're near Macclesfield give Bridge Mill a ring and pocket half that 3k!