Used V12 Vantage brake wear

[disco666]

Hi all.

First post!

I am looking at buying a 1st gen V12V (manual).

I've done a fair bit of research, buyers guides etc. and obviously the thing I am most conscious of is regarding the brakes.
I have read a few of the threads on here, there's some conflicting information, but lots of useful stuff, the essence of which seems to be:

In respect of bedding-in, cleaning, cooling-
Treat them carefully and they are excellent, and will last a long time.
Mistreat them and they can wear very quickly.

Buying used I can't be sure things have been done correctly, so I'm going in to it with my eyes open, but obviously I would prefer to limit the risk if possible.

Anyway, I have found a car I am interested in.
It's advertised on this site (and elsewhere), through a dealer in Wimborne.
2009
1 owner
27k miles
£75K (seems average for age, mileage and spec)

There is no record of brake pads having been replaced.
Incidentally, plugs and coils, as I understand, the other major concern with early cars, have been replaced recently.

The dealer has been helpful and has measured the brake thicknesses:


"Front Discs 36mm Across
Front Pads including backing 14.2 Pad at 5.7mm
Rear Discs 32mm
Rear Pads Including backing 13.9mm Pads at 5.7mm

Discs all round show no signs of wear and are flat both sides to the touch"

However, I cannot find much information as to how this related to the wear on the discs, maybe as a percentage as to how worn they are.

I have found a little information on the pads though, and from what I gather this would mean the pads are close(ish) to needing replacing.
So if these are still the first pads that would suggest reasonably light use and the discs would be nowhere near needing replacement.
But if these were the second pads it would suggest that the discs would be over halfway through their lives.

If anybody can shed some light on how these measurements should be interpreted I would be most grateful.

Similarly, any other information/advice will always be welcome, in respect of brakes, other issues to watch out for or any experiences of the dealer Dorset Spots Cars.

Incidentally, there is another car up for sale at Aston Martin Works- similar spec (bar the seats) 18k miles, 2 owners, but £8k more expensive.

Would this be the better bet?

Apologies if this has been covered before, I have not had time to read all the related threads in detail, but I will get back to doing so now.

Thanks in advance.

[macdeb]

First off, great choice, still tempted by one of these cars. I'm sure many will be along to give more accurate advice but for my two penneth. Carbon discs should look shiny with no graining, secondly the dealer in question. We went there to look at Porsche Macan as a daily and after doing a 330 mile round trip, the car was not as described having few dinks and a burnt patch on centre consul?? I know the dinks could have been removed etc and we almost bought it because of colour/spec etc was what we wanted hence the trip. But, that was until they lied about the Porsche warranty on transfer boxes (common fault) saying it was 10 years when we found it was 7 years and so almost out of warranty at the time. Put me off thinking what else would they lie about. I'd also check out reviews on them. Good luck with search/purchase.

Edited by macdeb on Monday 24th July 17:38

[disco666]

Thank you macdeb, noted.

Google reviews seem decent for what it's worth.

[Phil57DBS]

New pads are 16mm 🙂

[Minglar]

I wouldn’t be overly concerned with the pads. They are relatively cheap to replace if required. The main area of concern with the carbon ceramic brakes is the discs themselves. They should be smooth, and shiny, with no pitting. If there is any sign of roughness to the touch, or the disc itself looks dull and mottled, walk away. The legendary expense that everyone mentions is mainly in the cost of new discs. You can ask the dealer to remove them and weigh them too, although that may not be easy to do if it’s not an AM MD you are dealing with. But a visual and touch inspection should give you enough clues as to the previous use. They do no react well to acidic wheel cleaners. Always just use warm water when cleaning the wheels, or a very very mild pH neutral soap solution. Good luck with the purchase. They really are very special cars, even now, almost fifteen years after launch.

Best Regards

Minglar

[LTP]

No direct experience of CCM brakes but from what I've read the condition of the discs is absolutely crucial, as replacements are eye-watering. The issue is not just wear, as CCMs are pretty difficult to wear out compared to steel, but common wheel cleaning compounds that people use to get brake dust off wheels, especially when it's baked on, can etch the surface of the discs - a bit like coffee machine descaler or lemon juice on a granite worktop (don't ask me how I know ).

If you don't know what mint CCMs should look like it'd be worth asking someone who does to do an independent assessment - even if you have to pay for it.

[disco666]

The problem with an independent assessment is that the garages that do the assessments understandably need the car to go to them. And the dealer selling the car understandably won't let the vehicle off site.

[disco666]

Phil57DBS said:

New pads are 16mm ??

So 14.2 and 13.9 would suggest plenty of life in these pads?
So suggests at 27k miles these would not be the first pads?
So suggests that the discs could be around 50% worn?

[CSK1]

The only way to know the carbon ceramic brake condition is to weigh them. A dealer or specialist will do that for you.
There’s an alternative to new brake discs, you can have them refurbished.
There’s a company in Germany which specialises in carbon ceramic brake disc refurbishment.
https://www.rebrake.de/en/
I have no affiliation whatsoever with the company to be clear.

[andymadmak]

disco666 said:

Phil57DBS said:

New pads are 16mm ??

So 14.2 and 13.9 would suggest plenty of life in these pads?
So suggests at 27k miles these would not be the first pads?
So suggests that the discs could be around 50% worn?

I very much doubt if these are replacement pads. Typically pads of this type last 60k+ miles. (unless someone is doing multiple track days! ) My car has done 36k miles, still on original pads, and still at least 50% life left according to my AM main dealer.
The pads are not that expensive anyway, so its the discs that should be the focus. As others have said, so long as the discs are in super smooth, shiny and blemish free condition then they will be fine too.

[alscar]

The Works one has done a lot less miles and doesn't have the lightweight seats and is one year newer -whether that all adds up to +£8k is a more difficult call - being very sad and pedantic the Steering wheel looks well used and the floor mats are ..interesting.
Its also Silver versus the Grey one at DSC.
I assume with Works you could get a Classic Warranty or whatever they call it for probably 12 months.
I'd certainly look at the Works one though -assuming the price differential doesn't put you off.

[cayman-black]

With that mileage I would expect the pads to be originals and the discs to be perfect unless the car has been tracked.

With road use the pads should be ok for 50k miles, and with careful washing the discs double that.

[EvoOlli]

cayman-black said:

With road use the pads should be ok for 50k miles, and with careful washing the discs double that.

No.

[andymadmak]

EvoOlli said:

cayman-black said:

With road use the pads should be ok for 50k miles, and with careful washing the discs double that.

No.

yes

[ds666]

I think you can do 3 pad changes as a max - there should be a record of any pad changes in the service book .
My v12 has 34k miles and is on the first set of pads .

[macdeb]

disco666 said:

Thank you macdeb, noted.

Google reviews seem decent for what it's worth.

Hmm, I found it mixed at the time, left a sour taste for me so I personally wouldn't go back. I emailed them with my findings and had no reply yet all over me when I said I was to go visit. Good luck, let us know how you get on whichever car you choose.

[vpr]

I would always go with the lower mileage car, assuming it’s been cared for.

Mileage is king

[Phil57DBS]

My first front pad at 74000kms, rear at 82000 !

[cayman-black]

vpr said:

I would always go with the lower mileage car, assuming it’s been cared for.

Mileage is king

I fully agree!

[geresey]

disco666 said:

Thank you macdeb, noted.

Google reviews seem decent for what it's worth.

Maybe take with a pinch of salt…. At the end of the day there is a reason one dealer is charging more than the other…