Timeless warranty benefits

[sirmarcus]

Hi folks, I have just moved on my DB9 to a new home and have bought a 2010 V8V from AM Leeds. The car is well known to them so despite being >10 yrs old has been provided with the Timeless warranty, which I know can sometimes not be the case on older cars.

I have never bought from an AM main dealer before, so what would be a good list of things for me to check during the period of warranty coverage in order to take advantage of it should anything need doing?

Thanks as ever.

Pics are already on the pics thread before the inevitable replies!

[Dewi 2]

Your new car looks wonderful.
You have made the correct suspension choice, for the bumpy UK roads.

What to look for - Well I suppose the majors might be rear subframe condition and engine front cover oil leaks.
If the Midlands is convenient for you, a post purchase inspection by BR may be worthwhile.

Do you find the driver/passenger cabin space feels fairly similar to your DB9?
The DB9 area behind the front seats I guess is larger.
Vantage is shorter than DB9 (I don't know about width difference), but as if by magic, has a bigger boot.

Enjoy.

[sirmarcus]

Thanks - rear subframe is as good as I’ve seen on one this age - I don’t think it’s had a lot of use in the wet.

Definitely more driver legroom in the V8V than the DB9 - I’m just over 6’ 1’” and used to have the rear of the seat rubbing on the front of the rear “seat” in my DB9, and still felt a little too close. In the V8V I can get the seat where I want it without any rubbing on what’s behind.

Yes - comfort suspension is plenty firm enough for real world driving I think - and absorbs our roads a lot better.

[Longy00000]

I just enjoyed my car for the year under warranty and then booked its annual service a month before warranty expiry. The dealer was then given very clear instructions to find as many issues as possible that would be covered by timeless and they duly obliged. Small oil leak found and both window regulators replaced, everything else was fine.

Enjoy your new purchase

[sirmarcus]

Longy00000 said:

I just enjoyed my car for the year under warranty and then booked its annual service a month before warranty expiry. The dealer was then given very clear instructions to find as many issues as possible that would be covered by timeless and they duly obliged. Small oil leak found and both window regulators replaced, everything else was fine.

Enjoy your new purchase

Thank you - I think this was my default position too

[kevin_cambs_uk]

Similar to above, mine went to a different dealer the following year, for the service and MOT, and given the once over, only 2 issues, of which one was red which was 8 cracked wheel nuts and so I replaced them all.

I will be renewing the warranty anyway, just for piece of mind.

Kevin

[Jon39]

Is it true that main dealers don't look too hard for waranty work, because not profitable ?

Hence the comments on PH, suggesting an independent inspection prior to warranty expiry.

Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 6th May 11:53

[phumy]

Jon39 said:

Is it true that main dealers don't look too hard for waranty work, because not profitable ?

Hence the comments on PH, suggesting an independent inspection prior to warranty expiry.

Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 6th May 11:53

I found exactly that, the MD had no interest in changing my ASM pipes when in for warranty renewal, yet 11 months later, after a well known independent did a full inspection and detailed report, and the report went to the MD, did they agree that they would change them. Plus many other things that needed doing under warranty. I feel the MD couldn't give a flying fk when I asked about warranty work to be done, yet when the Indies report went it, everything was agreed to be done. One of the reasons I do not now use an MD for servicing or any other work. Other serious issues I had with the same MD at service time really turned me off from ever using them again, I have found a fantastic indie and will be using him in the future.

[Dewi 2]

phumy said:

I found exactly that, the MD had no interest in changing my ASM pipes when in for warranty renewal, yet 11 months later, after a well known independent did a full inspection and detailed report, and the report went to the MD, did they agree that they would change them. Plus many other things that needed doing under warranty. I feel the MD couldn't give a flying fk when I asked about warranty work to be done, yet when the Indies report went it, everything was agreed to be done. One of the reasons I do not now use an MD for servicing or any other work. Other serious issues I had with the same MD at service time really turned me off from ever using them again, I have found a fantastic indie and will be using him in the future.

I also moved from the MD network to an indie.

Quite fun now though, to visit an MD, just for MoT.
Aston tax exempt, free coffee, cakes and cars to look at.
Just be careful though. Look away quickly, if you see an Aston Martin you want.

[moktabe]

Jon39 said:

Is it true that main dealers don't look too hard for waranty work, because not profitable ?

Hence the comments on PH, suggesting an independent inspection prior to warranty expiry.

Edited by Jon39 on Saturday 6th May 11:53

Not in my experience with the dealer I use.

First job was to replace a headlight, car was in for service and the first I new about the light was when the service had been completed.

Second was a tail light that had a small amount of condensation, it was changed without me even mentioning it.

Not saying all MDs are the same though, however, that impressed with mine I've just coughed up for another 2 years cover.

[AdamV12V]

Jon39 said:

Is it true that main dealers don't look too hard for waranty work, because not profitable ?

Hence the comments on PH, suggesting an independent inspection prior to warranty expiry.

Why would it not be profitable - quite the opposite, warranty work is guaranteed to be undertaken and paid for, whereas if its privately funded some owners will decline, try to take it to an Indi to save money or DIY.

I think there maybe some truth to say the pre-warranty inspection may not be too thorough because anything missed will then be picked up under the warranty and paid for, whereas anything found prior to the warranty being issued is at the dealers expense.

[M1AGM]

Dewi 2 said:

phumy said:

I found exactly that, the MD had no interest in changing my ASM pipes when in for warranty renewal, yet 11 months later, after a well known independent did a full inspection and detailed report, and the report went to the MD, did they agree that they would change them. Plus many other things that needed doing under warranty. I feel the MD couldn't give a flying fk when I asked about warranty work to be done, yet when the Indies report went it, everything was agreed to be done. One of the reasons I do not now use an MD for servicing or any other work. Other serious issues I had with the same MD at service time really turned me off from ever using them again, I have found a fantastic indie and will be using him in the future.

I also moved from the MD network to an indie.

Quite fun now though, to visit an MD, just for MoT.
Aston tax exempt, free coffee, cakes and cars to look at.
Just be careful though. Look away quickly, if you see an Aston Martin you want.

Same boat.

MD missed a lot of things on my car, a well known indy picked up on them.

When I did take my car for MoT at the same MD they broke the handbrake cable and said it was my fault and I couldn't have my car back until it was fixed by them at significant cost. What was more surprising to me was I’d just been out for a test drive in a DB11 AMR and was very keen. Asked to take it home for the night (30 miles) to show the wife for approval and check the garage size etc, seeing as I had no car to drive. They declined the opportunity and after a long wait sent me home in an E class instead.

Perhaps foolishly, I am taking the car to another MD for a service on Tuesday to see how the MD experience goes after a few years with indies. Had a call confirming the appointment yesterday. When I mentioned the courtesy car I requested at the time of booking many months ago I was told I hadn’t asked for a car. After they went away with a flea in the ear and checked their call recording they rang me back to confirm I was getting a courtesy car. Sigh.

[Jon39]

AdamV12V said:

Jon39 said:

Is it true that main dealers don't look too hard for waranty work, because not profitable ?

Hence the comments on PH, suggesting an independent inspection prior to warranty expiry.

Why would it not be profitable - quite the opposite, warranty work is guaranteed to be undertaken and paid for, whereas if its privately funded some owners will decline, try to take it to an Indi to save money or DIY.

I think there maybe some truth to say the pre-warranty inspection may not be too thorough because anything missed will then be picked up under the warranty and paid for, whereas anything found prior to the warranty being issued is at the dealers expense.

I don't know, Adam. I posed the question.
Seem to recall some PH comments about dealers not being too keen on warranty work, presumably because the warranty insurers put pressure on price.

Sometimes claimable faults would need to be spotted promptly, if extended warranty was about to expire.

[AdamV12V]

M1AGM said:

Same boat.

MD missed a lot of things on my car, a well known indy picked up on them.

When I did take my car for MoT at the same MD they broke the handbrake cable and said it was my fault and I couldn't have my car back until it was fixed by them at significant cost.

To be fair to anyone doing an MOT test, a part of the rules state a handbrake “yank test”, which is intended to break any cable thats near the end of its life. Thats why its done as part of the mot which is a road safety check.

If it snapped as part of that test then its probably fair for them to quote you to replace it.

That said the handbrake cables are notoriously expensive to replace. The cable itself is costly then I believe its a total pita to fit amd requires the drivers seat out etc…

I was quoted just under £1k for mine when it was sticking a couple of years ago, so I guess its likely to fail sometime soon as i declined. I tried an Indi who couldnt quote because they didnt want to invest in AMDS which was needed post work - although I still dont quite understand why it would be needed for a new handbrake cable.

Edited by AdamV12V on Saturday 6th May 15:33

[M1AGM]

AdamV12V said:

To be fair to anyone doing an MOT test, a part of the rules state a handbrake “yank test”, which is intended to break any cable thats near the end of its life. Thats why its done as part of the mot which is a road safety check.

If it snapped as part of that test then its probably fair for them to quote you to replace it.

That said the handbrake cables are notoriously expensive to replace. The cable itself is costly then I believe its a total pita to fit amd requires the drivers seat out etc…

I was quoted just under £1k for mine when it was sticking a couple of years ago, so I guess its likely to fail sometime soon as i declined. I tried an Indi who couldnt quote because they didnt want to invest in AMDS which was needed post work - although I still dont quite understand why it would be needed for a new handbrake cable.

Edited by AdamV12V on Saturday 6th May 15:33

Yes you’re quite right about the yank test. What pissed me off was when they blamed me saying that it often happens because aston owners dont use the handbrake and it seizes, I use mine every time I park. And yes it was a fair few £ to sort out and a lot of faff.

Just a note on the warranty work. My understanding is that the warranty work covered by the timeless product is less per hour for labour than their normal ‘punter’ rates. I found this out when I made a claim using a third party warranty and was told by the MD about the different hourly rates. It was about 4 years ago but iirc the retail labour rate was £160 and the timeless warranty cover rate was £110 (dealer picks up the difference so the user doesn’t pay anything). Perhaps that is why dealers dont want to spend too much time on warranty if their workshops are full with full price jobs.

[AdamV12V]

M1AGM said:

Just a note on the warranty work. My understanding is that the warranty work covered by the timeless product is less per hour for labour than their normal ‘punter’ rates. I found this out when I made a claim using a third party warranty and was told by the MD about the different hourly rates. It was about 4 years ago but iirc the retail labour rate was £160 and the timeless warranty cover rate was £110 (dealer picks up the difference so the user doesn’t pay anything). Perhaps that is why dealers dont want to spend too much time on warranty if their workshops are full with full price jobs.

Well that does make a lot of sense - if I was running the warranty company I'd be pretty sure I would flex my purchasing power to get a substantial discount on the hourly rate over what the normal customer paid!

[Angelis]

Have to say I am quite impressed with the Timeless Warranty and my local Aston Martin dealer in Brentwood.

Around six months after purchasing my 2005 DB9 from another Main Dealer up North, it's already had over £5k plus worth of warranty work undertaken.

- Replace header tank
- Replace gerbox coolant pipe
- Replace boot struts
- Replace rear offside light.

I will definetly extend the warranty on it's first anniversary, although teh limit is 20 years I believe.

[Longy00000]

Timeless do indeed get a mates rates deal but that doesn't mean its not profitable for the dealer, just less profitable than a regular customer paying for it.

Some of my warranty work went through to timeless at £2600 and rhe dealer told me it woukd have been closer to £3500 if I had been paying.
I think one of the best ways to maximise your relationship with a dealer is to have your maintenance/ servicing scheduled for the depths of winter if you can. They are far less busy, have plenty time to spend on your car and even discounted warranty work is better than no work.
I've always done this on my motorbikes too as most are sorned during winter so dealers often quiet and happy to discount when pushed and also happy to spend more time on your vehicle.

[Ninja59]

Well Works picked up some warranty items no problem on mine, another has had no issues accepting some window regulator work either.

I always prepare mine to be away for around 3 days st least though really.

[jason61c]

sirmarcus said:

Hi folks, I have just moved on my DB9 to a new home and have bought a 2010 V8V from AM Leeds. The car is well known to them so despite being >10 yrs old has been provided with the Timeless warranty, which I know can sometimes not be the case on older cars.

I have never bought from an AM main dealer before, so what would be a good list of things for me to check during the period of warranty coverage in order to take advantage of it should anything need doing?

Thanks as ever.

Pics are already on the pics thread before the inevitable replies!

If it was like my car from leeds, i'd check its fully prepped, properly.

Check everything before you drive it away.