Suggestions for Servicing
Suggestions for Servicing
Author
Discussion

Matt1tibby

Original Poster:

14 posts

65 months

Tuesday 15th February 2022
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Hi, First time posting after a couple of years watching and learning.

I’ve owned my 09 plate Vantage V8 for 2 years and its been an interesting experience. It started by me buying the car of my dreams 1 week before the world locks down and I can’t drive it…

It hasn’t been the complete dream experience I’d hoped but that’s another (lengthy…) tale. Anyway I’m now part of the parallel universe that is being an Aston owner. It can’t be all bad as I still get a kick out of saying I own an Aston, looking at it and even driving it!

When I bought it I had a bit of work done by Aston Engineering in Derby and last year they did the annual service and MOT, and I was very impressed with the customer service and work done. Without doubt the best service experience I’ve ever had, despite a typical Aston bill at the end.

This year in plenty of time I again booked the car in for annual service etc. But I had an email from them about 3 weeks before the service date telling me they were cancelling all service bookings for 3 months as they had a huge backlog of work, nearly 80 cars at their premises and they needed to clear the work. I understand that, and I’m sure Covid related problems haven’t helped, but I wonder if anyone else has had the same experience?

I stress this isn’t a complaint about the company, and I will try and book again in April, but if that’s still not possible does anyone have any suggestions for good independent garages fairly near to Derby?

Thanks.


morty1961

379 posts

211 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Take a trip across the Peak District to AM Performance in Macclesfield ...great service know their stuff

leerandle

831 posts

136 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Mines an 06 Vantage and with it being nearly 16 years old now and only doing max 3000 miles per year, I am going to start getting it serviced every 18 months rather 12 months.

This makes sense to me and keeps the servicing costs down and me still going to AM.

Might be a thought, if you're not in a rush to just wait or if you really want your annual stamp find another good recommended garage.



raceboy

13,890 posts

309 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Interesting to hear about Aston Engineering's lead times as that would be my 'goto' place for service and repairs as I'm only 30 minutes away.
But as another poster mentioned depending on usage, mileage, etc I've stretched my service intervals out a little longer than 12 months as even under normal world circumstances my car is only taxed for 7 months of the year, add in Pandemic restrictions and the mileage has been low too, obviously things can deteriorate/break just sat in the garage though.

V8V Pete

2,536 posts

155 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Matt1tibby said:
But I had an email from them about 3 weeks before the service date telling me they were cancelling all service bookings for 3 months as they had a huge backlog of work ............ I wonder if anyone else has had the same experience?

I stress this isn’t a complaint about the company, and I will try and book again in April, but if that’s still not possible does anyone have any suggestions for good independent garages fairly near to Derby?
I was booked in just for some tyres at the beginning of March and got a phone call to the same effect; can't do it until May so, don't worry, they are not singling you out.

I got the tyres done today at Bamford Rose, my usual favoured independent who I was only not using this time because it was only tyres and it's that bit further away. My experiences with both Bamford Rose and Aston Engineering have been superb. However, I suspect you may encounter the same problem at BR because they are also extremely busy.

bogie

17,068 posts

301 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Im in Notts and have used the main dealer in Nottingham for 6 years now. They pick up and deliver and have offered great service so far, sorted out a few warranty issues a few years back. They offer fixed price servicing, depending on which service you need it may not be far out from a good Indy price. Usually its when you need additional work at hourly rate at a main dealer when you notice the bill ramp up due to the labour rate differences.

JonnyCJ

1,309 posts

83 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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Another thumbs up for AM Performance in Macclesfield. I also have moved to 18 month service intervals for the paltry mileage I do.

phumy

5,827 posts

266 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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JonnyCJ said:
Another thumbs up for AM Performance in Macclesfield. I also have moved to 18 month service intervals for the paltry mileage I do.
Is 18 month service intervals something youve made up or is it actually a thing?

JonnyCJ

1,309 posts

83 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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phumy said:
Is 18 month service intervals something youve made up or is it actually a thing?
Both AM Performance and Bamford Rose say that for cars doing low mileage and that are out of warranty, 15-18 month servicing is sensible.

SL500UK

374 posts

182 months

Wednesday 16th February 2022
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This is what I'm doing with my one too. I think if people plan to sell theirs soon then maybe they should service it more regularly - not for the car's benefit, but it could be easier to sell. I've had mine for over 11 years now and as it only covers 3000 miles pa, it definitely doesn't need to be serviced every 12 months

Matt1tibby

Original Poster:

14 posts

65 months

Friday 18th February 2022
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Thanks for all the replies, and at least I know for sure its not just me!

I'm comfortable with waiting till May(ish) and go for the '18 month service plan', but I now have some options if I can't get in to Aston Engineering.

The help is much appreciated.


GupKing

13 posts

55 months

Saturday 19th February 2022
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Another for AM Performance. I took my 07 DB9 for it's first service since I bought it and they were spot on there.

Happy to talk through anything and everything and as someone completely new to owning an AM they made me very comfortable.

They were very pragmatic with what needed doing as well and were happy to say "if it was my car I wouldn't worry about x until next service but do y straight away".

Matt1tibby

Original Poster:

14 posts

65 months

Saturday 19th February 2022
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Thanks again

Why me

2 posts

133 months

Sunday 20th February 2022
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Hi, sorry to hi jack the thread.
My V8 Vantage (2013) is due for a service in March.
Does anyone have any experience of Aston Workshop near Durham?
Car was bought from McGurk and still within the 1 year warranty but it’s a long drive down.
Any suggestions welcomed

Buster73

5,612 posts

182 months

Sunday 20th February 2022
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Why me said:
Hi, sorry to hi jack the thread.
My V8 Vantage (2013) is due for a service in March.
Does anyone have any experience of Aston Workshop near Durham?
Car was bought from McGurk and still within the 1 year warranty but it’s a long drive down.
Any suggestions welcomed
I haven't got any experience at Aston Workshop but I've been round their set up and its superb , an alternative is the AM dealership at Silverlink , very good with me and have been known knock a few bob off advertised servicing prices if you ask nicely .

Jonathank56

64 posts

74 months

Sunday 20th February 2022
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I was at Bamford Rose on Thursday having my 9 Volante serviced. They’re roofed but you might be lucky.

Edited by Jonathank56 on Sunday 20th February 21:10

Nigel_O

3,844 posts

248 months

Monday 21st February 2022
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I have my '07 V8V booked in at Aston Engineering in early March and I haven't received a call or email advising me it's been cancelled.

Fingers crossed...

Matt1tibby

Original Poster:

14 posts

65 months

Monday 28th February 2022
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Nigel_O I'm interested to see if your booking works ok, might mean I can re-book mine!

Nigel_O

3,844 posts

248 months

Friday 4th March 2022
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Matt1tibby said:
Nigel_O I'm interested to see if your booking works ok, might mean I can re-book mine!
My car is booked in for Monday 7th and I've just checked with Aston Engineering to see if it's still OK. Confirmed as still booked in.

Dean said they are extremely busy and they are now booking vehicles for May. It must be a difficult position to be in, but it has to be better than not having enough work.

I'm quite looking forward to that feeling you get when a car has been properly serviced by people that really know what they are doing. I'll report back when I get the car back.

Matt1tibby

Original Poster:

14 posts

65 months

Friday 4th March 2022
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Thanks for the update. I'll give them a ring