V8V question

[birdcage]

I'm looking at a V8V today for a private sale in London.

It's a a paddle shift car with 29k miles and very recent service. Does anyone have any experience on how long a clutch might last on one if these and anywhere near central London to get it checked over PPI'd?

Thanks

[krisdelta]

Clutch life can vary considerably with usage. Several very knowledgable folks here - but you'll want to ask about clutch learns of the current owner. I believe any AM authorised dealer will offer an inspection, also well known indy's like Nick Mee and McGurk would be good places to ask too. Happy shopping!

[Gettoff]

29k seems about average for clutch life, but it can be a lot more or a lot less, just depends on how it has been driven. If it's on the original clutch I suspect the mileage left will not be that great, but AFAIK the sportshift can be checked for remaining life, is there no mention of replacement in the service history?

A main dealer would check it over obviously, stratstones are in Mayfair or Western avenue, Nick Mee could do it, there will also be others I'm not aware of I'm sure, good luck!

[robgt]

Chances are that it has already been replaced. Clutch learn is very important with the ASM gearbox. I always do it every time I start my car.

[robgt]

Chances are that it has already been replaced. Clutch learn is very important with the ASM gearbox. I always do it every time I start my car.

[Jon1967x]

Any Aston Martin dealer will inspect the car for you (for a fee) and you'd get a reasonable assessment of the cars condition inc clutch. That will also probably give you the option to take out the Astom Martin warranty if you wanted some peace of mind. There are also some indy garages of repute who would also do an inspection, check the FAQ thread.

I'm more cynical than most but some people sell cars when they see bills coming so its worth getting it checked. If as Robs suggested the clutch has been done, they should have a receipt for that. I can't see London roads being especially kind to the clutch

[birdcage]

That's great thanks chaps, the owner tells me the car is on its origional clutch so I will bear this in mind for any conversations I have with him

[mikey k]

I'd knock the cost of one off the asking price at that mileage on ASM1 round London

[birdcage]

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

This looks like a well written private ad, any pointers on it and I am guessing clutch is more robust on the manual cars?

[Jon1967x]

birdcage said:

..and I am guessing clutch is more robust on the manual cars?

Not really - and a poor driver can do more harm with a manual.

The car looks tidy enough, its one of the very early ones with those seats and they were all manual. Has anyone mentioned Grants book on the cars - the best buyers guide you can buy and will tell you all the subtle differences between the model years.

[mikey k]

It doesn't follow that a manual clutch will last longer
It all down to who drove it
That is an early 4.3 looks OK from the ad
I'd be haggling the price of a clutch off don't fall for the service carrot
It won't be that much from an indie and some one like Bridge Mill or Bamford Rose will do a fair better job than a dealer for less IME

[BravoV8V]

birdcage said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

This looks like a well written private ad, any pointers on it and I am guessing clutch is more robust on the manual cars?

Blimey. Values must be on the rise again.

[nw28840]

birdcage said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

This looks like a well written private ad, any pointers on it and I am guessing clutch is more robust on the manual cars?

Sorry but that looks an awful ad. Private sale, but no mention of service history and states the car will be serviced only if full asking price is paid...dream on ! If the car is due a service surely it should be serviced or i would be taking money off the asking price anyway.
Alarm bells start ringing, funny how the service history isn't mentioned.

...and the 3rd part warranty is useless (IMO) and anyway it only lasts until June 2014.

Oh and I sold my 55 plate manual Tungsten Coupe with 30,000 miles on it for £30k in March 2012 privately. The car was in very good condition although the previous owner neglected to keep the service history up to date during his ownership (he did 5000 miles in 3 years and didn't service the car).
OII had the car full checked out and serviced and paid only £32k for it back in February 2011.

This looks £4-5k over-priced in my opinion.

I'd be looking at something like this if i was buying (I have no connection with the car below , i just checked the classifieds):

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Lots of new bits , recently serviced - sounds well looked after.
Take it to an Aston dealer and stick a years warranty on it (if you want a safety net for the first years ownership).
Pay £27.5k for the car and for +- £29k all in you'd be sorted

Edited by nw28840 on Tuesday 29th April 10:31

[birdcage]

nw28840 said:

birdcage said:

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

This looks like a well written private ad, any pointers on it and I am guessing clutch is more robust on the manual cars?

Sorry but that looks an awful ad. Private sale, but no mention of service history and states the car will be serviced only if full asking price is paid...dream on ! If the car is due a service surely it should be serviced or i would be taking money off the asking price anyway.
Alarm bells start ringing, funny how the service history isn't mentioned.

...and the 3rd part warranty is useless (IMO) and anyway it only lasts until June 2014.

Oh and I sold my 55 plate manual Tungsten Coupe with 30,000 miles on it for £30k in March 2012 privately. The car was in very good condition although the previous owner neglected to keep the service history up to date during his ownership (he did 5000 miles in 3 years and didn't service the car).
OII had the car full checked out and serviced and paid only £32k for it back in February 2011.

This looks £4-5k over-priced in my opinion.

I'd be looking at something like this if i was buying (I have no connection with the car below , i just checked the classifieds):

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/a...

Lots of new bits , recently serviced - sounds well looked after.
Take it to an Aston dealer and stick a years warranty on it (if you want a safety net for the first years ownership).
Pay £27.5k for the car and for +- £29k all in you'd be sorted

Thank you for your help, its must appreciated! are they mileage sensitive?

[Jon1967x]

birdcage said:

Thank you for your help, its must appreciated! are they mileage sensitive?

Yes, but you can work that to your advantage. The cars take miles well (within reason) and many prefer a regularly used one than a garage queen. A well maintained 7 year old one with 60k could be a better buy than one with only 15k on, or one with lots of previous owners.

This one could be good..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

6 years, well used, one owner, a newer version than the one you first looked at, if they have the paperwork to back it up could be good, although still looks a little expensive to lower mileage cars of a similar age

[nw28840]

Jon1967x said:

birdcage said:

Thank you for your help, its must appreciated! are they mileage sensitive?

Yes, but you can work that to your advantage. The cars take miles well (within reason) and many prefer a regularly used one than a garage queen. A well maintained 7 year old one with 60k could be a better buy than one with only 15k on, or one with lots of previous owners.

This one could be good..
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2013...

6 years, well used, one owner, a newer version than the one you first looked at, if they have the paperwork to back it up could be good, although still looks a little expensive to lower mileage cars of a similar age

That's a nice looking 2007 car , has the updated interior also and controls on the steering wheel.

OP just for your information , I have a V8V Roadster (it's a March 2008 car), the car has done 60,700 miles. I bought it at +- 48,000 miles in March 2012 and was able to get it a littlre cheaper due to the mileage. I've paid for the extended warranty on the car the last 2 years and have had several small claims. I'm as yet undecided if I will renew the warranty this coming June, I may just have the car serviced and then bank the warranty cash in a seperate 'car fund'....that's if i can stop looking at the classifieds for a 4.7 Roadtser in the meantime

[krisdelta]

To add to this, my car is a 2007 MY - just hit 48k miles and is still on the original clutch. It's my daily drive and just drove it to Monaco and back without any fuss. Don't be shy of higher miles, they love being used regularly! £35k should get you a very nice example, buy on condition and evidence of servicing rather than explicit miles.