Using non AM Dealers or Specialists for modifications?
Discussion
I recently bought a 19k mile 2007 (2006 MY) V8 Vantage. It's 12 years old and has had 11 services, 9 at AM Wilmslow and 2 at AML Performance in Macclesfield. A service every 1700 miles on average. It's had lots of mods over it's life such a sport pack, performance pack, CF diffuser / splitter, sports silencer etc. all done at AM Wilmslow. Even stuff like replacement battery was done at the dealer.
Now it's in my ownership I will keep the service history at a know specialist - maybe Aston Engineering in Derby as they are my closest. But I have plans to fit a twin pate clutch and possibly some other bits. The clutch will be the AMR one but I will probably take it to a local mechanic I have used for years on my previous cars (Lotus).
The guy is a bloomin' genius. Ex Lotus/TVR trained and set up on his own a number of years ago. He a proper old-school fix anything, lateral thinking bloke. He's started doing work on his mate's supercars as they get older, stuff like Hurracans, MP4-12Cs and R8s. Today he was telling me about the time he changed the cambelts on a mate's 355 on his driveway! He called a Ferrari dealer to order some parts and got talking, they told him it was impossible to do the belts the way he was suggesting. He pointed out he already had them off and all was good, they were amazed and said they'd never heard of anyone being able to do it the way he did.
So I have total confidence that a clutch change on my V8 will be a walk in the park for him, and will cost much less than a dealer and even less than a specialist. However, from what I've seen, the world of Aston's seems quite particular about main dealer or know specialists for any work if the re-sale value is to be kept. if I go down the
If you were in the market for a V8 and came to see a car for sale with a history like this but the clutch fitted by an 'unknown' would it put you off?
Apologies for the rambling post!
Cheers
Now it's in my ownership I will keep the service history at a know specialist - maybe Aston Engineering in Derby as they are my closest. But I have plans to fit a twin pate clutch and possibly some other bits. The clutch will be the AMR one but I will probably take it to a local mechanic I have used for years on my previous cars (Lotus).
The guy is a bloomin' genius. Ex Lotus/TVR trained and set up on his own a number of years ago. He a proper old-school fix anything, lateral thinking bloke. He's started doing work on his mate's supercars as they get older, stuff like Hurracans, MP4-12Cs and R8s. Today he was telling me about the time he changed the cambelts on a mate's 355 on his driveway! He called a Ferrari dealer to order some parts and got talking, they told him it was impossible to do the belts the way he was suggesting. He pointed out he already had them off and all was good, they were amazed and said they'd never heard of anyone being able to do it the way he did.
So I have total confidence that a clutch change on my V8 will be a walk in the park for him, and will cost much less than a dealer and even less than a specialist. However, from what I've seen, the world of Aston's seems quite particular about main dealer or know specialists for any work if the re-sale value is to be kept. if I go down the
If you were in the market for a V8 and came to see a car for sale with a history like this but the clutch fitted by an 'unknown' would it put you off?
Apologies for the rambling post!
Cheers
Although its re-assuring to see known Indy or dealer stamps in the book, it is after a all just a clutch in a car. Its not unknown technology and there is a workshop manual readily available to follow.
Personally on a 12 year old car that had a £3k clutch fitted, It wouldnt bother me so long as it was a reputable tax registered garage that is known to work on a variety of performance cars. It might be a bit different if it was your local Kwikfit or mate on his drive
Personally on a 12 year old car that had a £3k clutch fitted, It wouldnt bother me so long as it was a reputable tax registered garage that is known to work on a variety of performance cars. It might be a bit different if it was your local Kwikfit or mate on his drive
bogie said:
Although its re-assuring to see known Indy or dealer stamps in the book, it is after a all just a clutch in a car. Its not unknown technology and there is a workshop manual readily available to follow.
Personally on a 12 year old car that had a £3k clutch fitted, It wouldnt bother me so long as it was a reputable tax registered garage that is known to work on a variety of performance cars. It might be a bit different if it was your local Kwikfit or mate on his drive
Agree with the above. However, if you want to retain the “Aston” history perhaps you should consider whether the saving you are making following the route you are going down are worth it. Only you can answer that one.Personally on a 12 year old car that had a £3k clutch fitted, It wouldnt bother me so long as it was a reputable tax registered garage that is known to work on a variety of performance cars. It might be a bit different if it was your local Kwikfit or mate on his drive
If I was buying an older car at a decent private price and you had receipts for the quality parts and for the labour and maybe even a snap of the new part going in and the car on the ramp I'd be fine with it. You will put off some buyers mind but will appeal to others.
I sold an older 'self serviced' car once myself and once the guy saw all my old oil bottles and a few snaps of the oil changes and parts receipts he was far happier than via any stamp in the book. The stamp in the book is just a bit of ink - this was conclusive proof of fitment and receipts for parts.
I sold an older 'self serviced' car once myself and once the guy saw all my old oil bottles and a few snaps of the oil changes and parts receipts he was far happier than via any stamp in the book. The stamp in the book is just a bit of ink - this was conclusive proof of fitment and receipts for parts.
As above, mine is an 06 Vantage and goes to a local guy who I know and trust, he also services my Jag XF, he's a qualified Jaguar Master Technician who left the main dealer and set up on his own some years ago, he regularly services other Aston's, Bentleys, Rollers etc, and knows his stuff, he is also as fussy as me when it comes to doing things properly.
When I bought mine it already had some Independant service stamps in the book, but I wasn't concerned as it was accompanied by a ring bound folder containing all receipts for services and even tyres etc, everything that had ever been spent on the car was in there, and I have continued adding to this, so I personally can't see the future value of the car being affected in any way.
When I bought mine it already had some Independant service stamps in the book, but I wasn't concerned as it was accompanied by a ring bound folder containing all receipts for services and even tyres etc, everything that had ever been spent on the car was in there, and I have continued adding to this, so I personally can't see the future value of the car being affected in any way.
Twelve year old car, so less importance on main dealer stamps.
If it's a keeper then that's great. If you are going to sell, then it's a tool to beat you down on price.
Less well accepted is modification by an unknown independent garage. Even well known independent garages can screw-up. Anyone remember Rick and DMS?
Cosmetic modifications such as replacing metal side strake with carbon fibre is ok. But mechanical changes or "invasive surgery" such as replacing reciprocating or rotating engine parts, not so much...
If it's a keeper then that's great. If you are going to sell, then it's a tool to beat you down on price.
Less well accepted is modification by an unknown independent garage. Even well known independent garages can screw-up. Anyone remember Rick and DMS?
Cosmetic modifications such as replacing metal side strake with carbon fibre is ok. But mechanical changes or "invasive surgery" such as replacing reciprocating or rotating engine parts, not so much...
Edited by JohnG1 on Sunday 10th March 14:56
Cheers for the replies. Pretty much as I expected, some wouldn't have an issue, some would.
Car will be a 'keeper' for a few years. I keep cars for a while and tend to spend lots of money on them so they are 'right' in my eyes. This usually means spending s
t loads of money to make cars as close to perfect as I can get them in my eyes. When most people think they are perfect already!
The car has the dealer stamps but also a complete file of receipts that back this up. Which in my opinion are much more important. I will keep all the receipts for anything I do to it, either with a dealer/specialist or stuff I will do myself like internal LED bulbs, shorter aerial, replacement coil / plug cover, headlamp protection film. That's just the first 2 weeks of ownership
I'm going to call my local specialist and see what they charge to fit the AMR clutch. Aston is £3,800. Buying it and getting it fitted by my non-Aston specialist guy will be more like £2,900. So I guess it's 'only' a £900 saving. Will be interesting to see what a specialist would charge.
Car will be a 'keeper' for a few years. I keep cars for a while and tend to spend lots of money on them so they are 'right' in my eyes. This usually means spending s
t loads of money to make cars as close to perfect as I can get them in my eyes. When most people think they are perfect already! The car has the dealer stamps but also a complete file of receipts that back this up. Which in my opinion are much more important. I will keep all the receipts for anything I do to it, either with a dealer/specialist or stuff I will do myself like internal LED bulbs, shorter aerial, replacement coil / plug cover, headlamp protection film. That's just the first 2 weeks of ownership
I'm going to call my local specialist and see what they charge to fit the AMR clutch. Aston is £3,800. Buying it and getting it fitted by my non-Aston specialist guy will be more like £2,900. So I guess it's 'only' a £900 saving. Will be interesting to see what a specialist would charge.
LPH said:
Cheers for the replies. Pretty much as I expected, some wouldn't have an issue, some would.
Car will be a 'keeper' for a few years. I keep cars for a while and tend to spend lots of money on them so they are 'right' in my eyes. This usually means spending st loads of money to make cars as close to perfect as I can get them in my eyes. When most people think they are perfect already!
The car has the dealer stamps but also a complete file of receipts that back this up. Which in my opinion are much more important. I will keep all the receipts for anything I do to it, either with a dealer/specialist or stuff I will do myself like internal LED bulbs, shorter aerial, replacement coil / plug cover, headlamp protection film. That's just the first 2 weeks of ownership
I'm going to call my local specialist and see what they charge to fit the AMR clutch. Aston is £3,800. Buying it and getting it fitted by my non-Aston specialist guy will be more like £2,900. So I guess it's 'only' a £900 saving. Will be interesting to see what a specialist would charge.
I would think that someone buying a (by the time you sell it) 14/15 year old Vantage will either be an enthusiast who will appreciate the twin plate mod and be happy to see the reams of receipts and a well cared for car or someone who just wants to own an "Aston" and will see a clutch replacement in the last few years and be equally happy.Car will be a 'keeper' for a few years. I keep cars for a while and tend to spend lots of money on them so they are 'right' in my eyes. This usually means spending s
t loads of money to make cars as close to perfect as I can get them in my eyes. When most people think they are perfect already! The car has the dealer stamps but also a complete file of receipts that back this up. Which in my opinion are much more important. I will keep all the receipts for anything I do to it, either with a dealer/specialist or stuff I will do myself like internal LED bulbs, shorter aerial, replacement coil / plug cover, headlamp protection film. That's just the first 2 weeks of ownership
I'm going to call my local specialist and see what they charge to fit the AMR clutch. Aston is £3,800. Buying it and getting it fitted by my non-Aston specialist guy will be more like £2,900. So I guess it's 'only' a £900 saving. Will be interesting to see what a specialist would charge.
Also that 'only' £900 saving can be spent on other things that you want to improve. If you are that happy with the mechanic get it done.
I agree broadly with what others have said. If you trust the guy and are happy yourself, then go with it.
If you come to sell it in 2-3 years and can prove the work was done and have receipts to confirm the parts that were fitted, then I don't really see it as being an issue at all. Also, the fact that you had continued to drive it for maybe 2-3 years after having it fitted would be proof in itself that the job was done properly. If you said to a buyer your mate changed it last Wednesday then that may be a bigger issue, but that's not going to be the case.
We all spend too much time fretting over this sort of stuff (myself included) when really it's not that important, just pull the trigger, get it done and enjoy the damn thing
If you come to sell it in 2-3 years and can prove the work was done and have receipts to confirm the parts that were fitted, then I don't really see it as being an issue at all. Also, the fact that you had continued to drive it for maybe 2-3 years after having it fitted would be proof in itself that the job was done properly. If you said to a buyer your mate changed it last Wednesday then that may be a bigger issue, but that's not going to be the case.
We all spend too much time fretting over this sort of stuff (myself included) when really it's not that important, just pull the trigger, get it done and enjoy the damn thing
If I was a potential buyer I wouldn't mind one bit as long as the quality of the work can be proven, and if it's been in a couple of years, that would be good enough for me, as it sounds like you're somewhere around my neck of the woods I'd be more interested in knowing a reputable mechanic that can save me nearly a grand come the inevitable 'new clutch' time.
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