Another Aston parts rip off...
Discussion
Car in for service with AM Nottingham. Got the 'vehicle inspection report' this lunch time. Not good news....
One of the front springs has snapped right at the base. No evidence when driving but it's knackered and needs replacing.
So a new spring needed, we'll get the parts ordered. I point out that my car has the 'sports pack' suspension. Ah....Let me check. Just as I thought, sir you can't buy springs for the sport pack suspension, you have to buy the full strut with damper and spring. That's be £1,517.08 each fitted,
Why the hell can't you just sell me a spring FFS!!! The suspension has only done 17k miles since being fitted.
One of the front springs has snapped right at the base. No evidence when driving but it's knackered and needs replacing.
So a new spring needed, we'll get the parts ordered. I point out that my car has the 'sports pack' suspension. Ah....Let me check. Just as I thought, sir you can't buy springs for the sport pack suspension, you have to buy the full strut with damper and spring. That's be £1,517.08 each fitted,
Why the hell can't you just sell me a spring FFS!!! The suspension has only done 17k miles since being fitted.
Looks like it’s a “unit”, it’s a small volume manufacturer that’s had a small volume of parts produced to meet demand. https://www.astonmartinbits.com/models/5-V8-Vantag...
Highly likely you could get 2 x new springs for the axle for significantly less, and potentially make the ride a bit better too
Highly likely you could get 2 x new springs for the axle for significantly less, and potentially make the ride a bit better too
It's sold as a unit but it's still a damper and a spring that can be easily separated from each other.
The issue is getting the specs of the spring. if I knew those I could probably get them made for reasonable money.
Car with dealer, spring snapped, MOT expiring and won't pass with knackered spring. No space to do it at home myself, even though I'm confident I could. So looks like I'm in for a big bill....
Once I have the old unit and spring I could use it to get some springs made but then it's too late!
The issue is getting the specs of the spring. if I knew those I could probably get them made for reasonable money.
Car with dealer, spring snapped, MOT expiring and won't pass with knackered spring. No space to do it at home myself, even though I'm confident I could. So looks like I'm in for a big bill....
Once I have the old unit and spring I could use it to get some springs made but then it's too late!
LPH said:
Simpo Two said:
If your Sport Pack suspension is anything like mine don't worry about the broken spring, it wasn't doing anything anyway 
I think the ride is pretty good tbh!Having watched a couple of videos removal of front dampers looks a piece of piss to be honest. I'm not scared of spannering,
Getting the correct springs is more difficult, can't get them form AM and I need them to match the same spec as I have on the car now. That would mean removing the good spring and sending it off to a manufacturer to get them made (if possible).
I don't have space to have the car in bits for possibly weeks.
Why Aston can't just sell a spring I have no idea. It's not the dealer's decision it's AM.
Getting the correct springs is more difficult, can't get them form AM and I need them to match the same spec as I have on the car now. That would mean removing the good spring and sending it off to a manufacturer to get them made (if possible).
I don't have space to have the car in bits for possibly weeks.
Why Aston can't just sell a spring I have no idea. It's not the dealer's decision it's AM.
Can you find who the manufacturer of the spring was, get the rating or specs and buy a similar rating from a good manufacturer.
I have a Vanquish11 2015 and my bushes were worn, upper and lower, Aston said 'Oh you have to buy the whole arm with bushes in tow. My local indy sourced the same size bush, pressed them in and all is perfect. This saved me about $2000. Manufacturers don't usually do one off creations they usually supply somewhere else. I bet your springs are also used in another vehicle, probably a Lada
I have a Vanquish11 2015 and my bushes were worn, upper and lower, Aston said 'Oh you have to buy the whole arm with bushes in tow. My local indy sourced the same size bush, pressed them in and all is perfect. This saved me about $2000. Manufacturers don't usually do one off creations they usually supply somewhere else. I bet your springs are also used in another vehicle, probably a Lada
Do you know the part number? Theres several used ones for sale on ambits but they only say part number not if they are sport pack.
If you’re lucky one maybe sport pack. Looks to be about half the cost if it is. Order and take it in for them to fit.
Edit - and scuderiaparts seem to sell the spring on its own but it may not be sportpack looking at the item descriptions. Could be that the combined item is specific to sportpack, which i guess would make a tiny bit more sense, albeit no less painful if you have a sportpack car.
If you’re lucky one maybe sport pack. Looks to be about half the cost if it is. Order and take it in for them to fit.
Edit - and scuderiaparts seem to sell the spring on its own but it may not be sportpack looking at the item descriptions. Could be that the combined item is specific to sportpack, which i guess would make a tiny bit more sense, albeit no less painful if you have a sportpack car.
Edited by AdamV12V on Saturday 13th May 08:40
Seems to be an overwhelming number of people suggesting quadrulping the cost of fitting for the OP who had made it very clear where he stands on the issue.
Are these 3rd party sets of 4 springs really so cheap that its worthwhile paying to buy 4 of them and paying to fit 4 of them when the OP needs only 1?
Maybe thats why AM feel confy charging what they do for one full sportpack set.
Are these 3rd party sets of 4 springs really so cheap that its worthwhile paying to buy 4 of them and paying to fit 4 of them when the OP needs only 1?
Maybe thats why AM feel confy charging what they do for one full sportpack set.
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