Daily Drving Rapide - Pick Up Next Week

[Jeb291]

So, don't tell my wife but I think I'm about to make an enjoyable, possibly expensive, mistake!

After some engagement here I've bought a 2010 Rapide (was budget limit). And here is what I laughably call my plan:

1. Daily driver for me. And when appropriate for me and family (Kids 12 & 14 so will fit in back).

2. Dealer is servicing (car has FAMSH - indeed I rang last Service provider who said it had been very well cared for) and giving new MOT. Car has good tyres and new battery. So I'm hoping maintenance costs low for my intended 12 months of ownership.

3. No garage and no gates on drive. Worried about theft and vandalism. Had intended to put car cover on overnight but general advice here makes me think that's bad for paintwork? Any thoughts? Car has 'upgraded ' alarm (for 2010!). Tracker but not enabled. Again any thoughts? Overt steering lock ?

4. I'm slightly nervous about driving as it's big and expensive. Already planning to park at far end of supermarkets and presume multi stories are a thing of the past for me! Umming and ahhing about taking it to Lakes in Oct for walking holiday due to some narrow roads, but equally ... want to use it!

5. No intention of speeding but again slightly nervous about power of car. General advice here is 'Don't be a dick' - sound driving and indeed life advice. On driving, do people use the paddles at all?

6. Removing the exhaust fuse. Everyone says it's easy and good; some say it effects torque and possibly long term damages something!? Don't intend to remove but if I choose to - is it a DIY job?

7. Intend to use phone for music and satnav. Have bought Bovee adapter, need something to attach phone to ... something. Any ideas please? Will use old CDs for full B&O experience!

8. I'm presuming (Ha) with daily use I shouldn't need a trickle charging thingy? Would be away (work trips) max 10 days.

9. Insurance was cheap (a surprise); tax less so. Wife wanting to be on insurance was an unexpected and unpleasant surprise (she has crash form).

And, that's about it, yes there are some potential issues ahead but I'm going to achieve a childhood ambition of having an Aston in the garage ... well on the drive anyway. Any other advice appreciated.

Pics when I pick it up next week. Presuming it flies through MOT!!

Oh, and does anyone have any ideas about numbers of Gen 1 Rapides around in UK?

Thanks in advance,

Jeb

[anonymous-user]

Jeb291 said:

So, don't tell my wife but I think I'm about to make an enjoyable, possibly expensive, mistake!

After some engagement here I've bought a 2010 Rapide (was budget limit). And here is what I laughably call my plan:

1. Daily driver for me. And when appropriate for me and family (Kids 12 & 14 so will fit in back).

2. Dealer is servicing (car has FAMSH - indeed I rang last Service provider who said it had been very well cared for) and giving new MOT. Car has good tyres and new battery. So I'm hoping maintenance costs low for my intended 12 months of ownership.

3. No garage and no gates on drive. Worried about theft and vandalism. Had intended to put car cover on overnight but general advice here makes me think that's bad for paintwork? Any thoughts? Car has 'upgraded ' alarm (for 2010!). Tracker but not enabled. Again any thoughts? Overt steering lock ?

4. I'm slightly nervous about driving as it's big and expensive. Already planning to park at far end of supermarkets and presume multi stories are a thing of the past for me! Umming and ahhing about taking it to Lakes in Oct for walking holiday due to some narrow roads, but equally ... want to use it!

5. No intention of speeding but again slightly nervous about power of car. General advice here is 'Don't be a dick' - sound driving and indeed life advice. On driving, do people use the paddles at all?

6. Removing the exhaust fuse. Everyone says it's easy and good; some say it effects torque and possibly long term damages something!? Don't intend to remove but if I choose to - is it a DIY job?

7. Intend to use phone for music and satnav. Have bought Bovee adapter, need something to attach phone to ... something. Any ideas please? Will use old CDs for full B&O experience!

8. I'm presuming (Ha) with daily use I shouldn't need a trickle charging thingy? Would be away (work trips) max 10 days.

9. Insurance was cheap (a surprise); tax less so. Wife wanting to be on insurance was an unexpected and unpleasant surprise (she has crash form).

And, that's about it, yes there are some potential issues ahead but I'm going to achieve a childhood ambition of having an Aston in the garage ... well on the drive anyway. Any other advice appreciated.

Pics when I pick it up next week. Presuming it flies through MOT!!

Oh, and does anyone have any ideas about numbers of Gen 1 Rapides around in UK?

Thanks in advance,

Jeb

Can’t help with all of them, but

1. Why not? YOLO, etc.

3. I’ve used an outdoor car cover on my AM for over three years. The paranoia about ruining the paintwork is just that - it’s fine to use a cover and the car need not be spotless every time you use it. I’d recommend looking at the Specialised Stormshield+. Generally there is a lot of of love in the UK for AMs so I wouldn’t fret too much about vandalism. And AFAIK the key fob makes them quite hard to nick without first nicking the key fob. Insurance savings are << tracker cost for me, so a tracker really is only for you if you want the car back. Plenty of stories around about the police not being interested in recovering a stolen car that has been located with a tracker, plenty too about how to defeat a tracker. Presumably there are at least as many stories pointing the other way.

4. You get used to the size of a large car quite quickly. Watch out for the rear wings taking a tighter line on corners though.

5. Power’s fine. It’s easy to drive a fast car slowly. Paddles or not is really dependent on your driving preferences.

6. Removing the exhaust fuse is as simple a job as you can find and shouldn’t cause long term damage to anything.

7. To make the most of the B&O system I would download stuff at the highest bitrate you can find, and use a wired connection.

They are very nice cars. The only true rival I see for them is a Panamera Turbo (S). An S8 or an AMG tweaked S Class isn’t quite there because of the versatility the hatch gives.

Don’t be surprised at finding you want to hang onto it 12m from now.

[AdamV12V]

3. I think that all really depends on your neighbourhood and if such things happen. Ive never had any issues, and I park wherever / whenever, but I do appreciate not all parts of the country are the same.

6. Its mildly more fiddly on a Rapide than any other Aston as the correct fusebox is located under the rear side passenger seat. I have never heard anyone who has said it either adversely affects torque or does any long term damage to anything other than to the valves in the exhaust which is true - they will seize up due to lack of use with the fuse out. The end result of this however is the same as removing the fuse, so if you are happy with it out, there is no real consequence to worry over. If you are bothered about such, then buy a remote switch kit from CCCharger.co.uk

7. Did you try the cable combo suggested in the last thread you posted on this to assist attaching the phone?

8. 10 days is fine, car should last double that easily if its a daily driver and otherwise being driven regularly. Unless of course your battery is on its way out, in which case a new battery will resolve.

[Jeb291]

Thanks to you both - reassuring!

I went Bluetooth (Bovee) for now as I mainly listen to talk radio / podcasts where sound quality not a big deal. And will use CDs in short term. Wired connection may follow but I don't actually have much music on my phone.

Thanks again, Jeb

[MMarkM]

I think you'll be absolutely fine with it as a DD!

[krisdelta]

Mine is a daily, nothing to fear! Cc charger remote for exhaust and you’re all set!

[Jeb291]

Thanks to you all - excitement for next Tues growing!!

Ref cc charger, price seems good but is it something you fit yourself (I'm horrible at that sort of thing - rubbish at DIY) or can I take it somewhere to be fitted?

Again thanks to all,

Jeb

[AdamV12V]

Jeb291 said:

Thanks to you all - excitement for next Tues growing!!

Ref cc charger, price seems good but is it something you fit yourself (I'm horrible at that sort of thing - rubbish at DIY) or can I take it somewhere to be fitted?

Again thanks to all,

Jeb

If you can remove a fuse from a fusebox then you can fit it yourself. If not, then best goto a dealer or even Clive himself will fit I believe if you live close. There are videos on youtube if you search.

That said as I put above, on the Rapide its quite a bit more fiddly than other cars as the fusebox is under the rear seat.

[EVR]

Jeb291 said:

Thanks to you all - excitement for next Tues growing!!

Ref cc charger, price seems good but is it something you fit yourself (I'm horrible at that sort of thing - rubbish at DIY) or can I take it somewhere to be fitted?

Again thanks to all,

Jeb

You can fit it yourself or the gentleman selling it can do it for you if you are nearby. It is ultra-easy to do it anyway (at least on a Vantage), with super clear instructions.

[Jeb291]

Should have my Rapide on the drive tonight...

However, after getting train to dealer, the valet had left the key 'half in' the ignition, resulting in a flat battery...

And the flat battery had caused the windows to 'forget' how they should function...

And the local specialist said normal fixes weren't working...

And so I don't have an Aston on the drive, instead I just have disappointment and worries!

[krisdelta]

Best case, battery needs a re-condition
Worst case, battery needs replacing

Windows can be reset in a few moments - you'll find the "how" in the sticky at the top of this forum. Its so simple my Mum can do it.

And breathhhhhhhe

V12 lovelyness isn't far away!

[Jeb291]

Thanks, hopefully will all resolve soon.

Specialist did try that reset, didn't work.

And something about driver panel switches not controlling windows.

Will keep breathing, hopefully inside my Aston soon &#128512;

[AdamV12V]

Jeb291 said:

Should have my Rapide on the drive tonight...

However, after getting train to dealer, the valet had left the key 'half in' the ignition, resulting in a flat battery...

And the flat battery had caused the windows to 'forget' how they should function...

And the local specialist said normal fixes weren't working...

And so I don't have an Aston on the drive, instead I just have disappointment and worries!

Just take it to one of the MD who knows what they are talking about. Sounds very much like a dying battery, which on an old car is not to be unexpected. Dont be worried by so called specialists who just want to scare with tales of woe...

Batteries last 4-10years depending on how hard you use/abuse them. Just get the selling dealer to fit a new AM battery and dont be too disheartened, nor should you settle for an aftermarket part. The cars are amazing, but car batteries are what they are and need replacing every once in a while. A new battery will make the world of difference.

[Jeb291]

Ta,
Battery was replaced AM Nottingham April this year. Should still be healthy - but having been on forecourt won't have helped I guess.
Hopefully specialist who the cat has been left with will sort all out, soon.

[BiggaJ]

[quote=AdamV12V

If you can remove a fuse from a fusebox then you can fit it yourself. If not, then best goto a dealer or even Clive himself will fit I believe if you live close. There are videos on youtube if you search.
[/quote]

I'm afraid he won't, I live a few miles away and work in the same town as he is located. While he is a lovely guy, he won't fit things for you.

[MMarkM]

Surely this should all be sorted by the dealer you bought the car from?

[CB07]

Cc charger on a Rapide is a doddle. If you have reasonable flexibility that is! I found myself half upside down with my head in the footwell trying to figure out which relay it is. 20 mins to fit.

As an aside and specifically for the Rapide, Clive and the website seem to actively discourage you from buying one that starts in “loud mode” because the Rapide has a frankly bonkers exhaust. In fact it now appears they don’t offer it at all!

I ignored that advice as I’m a bit of a rascal and asked Clive nicely to knock up a loud one for me. I can confirm on a cold start, in flap open loud mode it was properly loud, Vanquish levels of noise. I’m not sure that would work in a daily driver. If you are having a mental debate on whether to unleash the beast on start up, I would probably advise on the sensible option and have it start in standard/quiet mode.

Ref the battery I would just be telling the dealer to fit a new one. Then you know you have a solid base. Astons and batteries have a volatile relationship. Occam’s razor to me suggests that leaving the fob half in and it being sat has very simply finished yours off despite it being new ish. Lob a new one in, keep her trickle charged and you can sleep easily at night!

[Jeb291]

Thanks to all and yes it is with dealer to put right.

They are apologetic and working hard to put right. They also gave me a loaner to drive home (Golf GTI - fun drive).

Thinking it was a quick fix I went to the specialists and I had a lovely tour round while they tried to put right. Chicane - nice people and some lovely cars!

So hopefully it's just a matter of time. Disappointing not fatal.

Made Mrs Jeb raise her 'this is a folly' eyebrows even higher!!

Edited by Jeb291 on Wednesday 8th September 07:42

[Jeb291]

So, by way of update, specialists say 'no can do' so it's going off to Main Dealer for a 'known software upgrade' to synch battery and windows ... dare I say allegedly.

[Trahison]

Christ, not the smoothest of introductions to the fold is it! Fingers crossed you get sorted soon.