V8 Vantage Roadster

[Gixer]

Following on from my previous thread. I'm looking at a couple of roadsters this weekend. The control box was mentioned on my previous thread.
If a Google control box failure I do get quite a few hits.
Is this a common issue? Does it affect only certain years? Should I go for a coupe instead? I don't want to end up stranded on a road trip somewhere and I've read this is possible because it can make the car undriveable if it fails.
I originally thought I'd just buy one and keep in the car as a spare but that idea doesn't work because AM have to program them.

[DAMIT]

If you mean the roof module failing then yes it does cause a number of issues. (All the warnings flashing up on the display, no indicators, no fuel or temp displays, no gear indicators with sportshift, no radio / satnav control ect ect) as well as no roof movement.

But it does not stop the car, it will still drive as normal including lights, wipers ect. I know because I drove back from the south of France with constant warning bongs going off all the way.

When I got it to the dealer, they simply unplugged it and everything went back to normal except the roof operation until a new unit was supplied. (AM dealers do not have to reprogram them, just plug and go)


The car was 4 years old when it failed and 6 years on the replacement is still going strong.

Apparently, the failure is likely caused by dry circuits due to heat from the rear exhaust pipes, it’s in the drivers side rear wing area it gets very hot in there.

[johns355]

Had my 08 roadster for 2.5 years with hardly any problems. You really can’t beat the look and sound of it with the roof down! Obviously there’s more moving parts to go wrong than on a coupe! Just go with your gut feeling, get the best you can with a warranty for peace of mind

[Gixer]

Thanks for the input. If they don't need programming, I may go with my original idea of buying a spare and keeping it in the car.

[bogie]

Dunno how common it is, but I bought I traded in my coupe for a roadster 4 years ago and touch wood, no issues, 60k miles on a 2012 now.

Its a 2nd car and I drive roof down much of the year around if its dry, plenty warm enough with heater and seats on ....I ride a bike much of the time and prefer to be out in the open

[johnnyBv8]

It's fairly common at 5-8 years old, but once replaced then you shouldn't have to worry about it again. They're around £600 from memory. A definite bonus if you buy a car that's had it done recently, but not something to worry about.

It definitely doesn't make the car undriveable - worst case scenario you pull the fuse for the module and everything works again except the roof wont go down. Tends to start as an intermittent fault, so you can put the hood back up electronically (there's a manual procedure too though).

Edited by johnnyBv8 on Saturday 2nd November 11:45

[South tdf]

As above, mine failed at 9 years old, AM Assist pulled the fuse and all was OK apart from the roof not working.

[Gixer]

Thanks for the input. Test drove my first Vantage roadster today. Couldn't have asked for worse weather but I'm hooked. Just got to find the right car now

[Greathey]

Gixer said:

Thanks for the input. Test drove my first Vantage roadster today. Couldn't have asked for worse weather but I'm hooked. Just got to find the right car now

Congratulations in advance. I wouldn't worry too much about the roof module, I'd rather check the remaining life of the clutch which is possible if your prospect car is SportShift.

Otherwise, make sure to haggle for 4K at least to cover the cost of the new clutch

Engines are bulletproof if serviced regularly and not revved hard when cold, electrics seem alright apart from the satnav screen raising mechanism, rear lights can condense and fail, door actuators won't keep the door open and just the little niggles

I am sure many 4.3 also suffer from back seal oil leak, i fixed mine very cheaply with some oil seal stop additives but if the leak is major you have to remove the whole engine and the front of the car which cost north of 5k