belated pics and our first foreign foray

[ladyallegra]

So having finally received a replacement computer after nasty little b*ggars invaded our home and stole everything, am finally able to post photos of our baby (or try to, we'll see). While i'm at it, i stupidly bought a magnetic GB mark, but of course it doesn't stick! I don't want to use a sticker, will I need a new number plate to drive in France? Off for the first road trip abroad in a couple of weeks. Have had to delay it by a week, so hopefully now have time to sort this out

[aphrodite]

and sorry, changed the car's name, as my grandmother decided she should be called aphrodite before measuring up the boot for golf clubs

[Neil1300R]

Cool car, welcome to the club!
yes you will need a GB sticker / identification. You can get ones that stick to the inside of the rear window. don't forget a yellow jacket (one each in Spain) and a warning triangle, all your documentation (insurance etc) and cash to pay the 'fines' of the police. Either that or just don't get caught - dont speed within 20 miles of the channel ports, use the back roads if possible, more fun anyway.

[Stratman1]

I did London - Rome and back without a GB sticker (or GB number plate) for the same reason - cue much hilarity on Eurotunnel as I tried to find various places on a V8V to stick a magnetic GB sticker! I may have got lucky. I would go for the number plate with the little GB on - saves having to worry about again.

By the way, good tip for hi-vis jacket: leave it somewhere obvious where it can be seen from behind as you drive along, so the police can see it without having to pull you over. Alot of French drivers put them over the back of their headrest; I left mine in plain view under my back window.

Have a fab trip.

[djakarta]

beautiful - my first choice was silver!

[Ash250k]

I have recently done 4000 miles in Europe including the Swiss and French Alps from Aberdeen. I put my magnetic GB sticker onto the mesh under and to the left of the rear number plate. If your sticker is the same size as mine ( small oval shape from Halfords )then it fits just perfectly. No need for the unsightly Euro number plates. And no - it didn't blow off !

[aphrodite]

This isn't going quite to plan. Awaiting the pick-up truck to tow away our bad tempered friend. After hundreds of miles of beautiful autoroute we climbed back in after stopping for petrol and nothing. Electrics had completely gone. Eventually tried replacing filler cap and reset battery and we were on our merry way to bordeaux. Alas after not driving her yesterday we tried to start her this morning and got a really horrible grating sound followed by electric failure. All our cases now locked in boot. System mentioned brake failure and passenger airbag issues. Now we get no response at all to the keys. Unfortunately it is a french holiday so our touring has come to an end! Can't believe on drive of her life car is having a tantrum! Any suggestions gratefully received!

[djakarta]

try resetting using the 'yellow' button behind one of the seats. i've only read about this but there was a thread with the same issues and the posted fixed it by resetting using that yellow button.

[aphrodite]

That was how we got her going again last time but no response this time. Did get boot unlocked by putting a charge through the battery. As not driving off to sample bordeaux's finest before taxi trip to st emilion!

[cardigankid]

Don't want to sound ungrateful, but the pictures are a bit small. My eyes aren't what they were.

[aphrodite]

As soon as we get rest of our luggage back will post a lovely picture of her mounting the flat bed truck!

[clorenzen]

I am amazed by the "perceived" calmness of your tone in your post. Braking down in the middle of nowhere without access to your stuff in the boot sounds like a complete nightmare to me. I suggest you open a seriously good bottle of red wine to calm the nerves whilst waiting for the tow truck. Good Luck.

[aphrodite]

Not so calm any more. Monsieur le mechanique won't look at the car until monday so holiday ends here. Also not sure of the point in owning a car I can't trust with a european road trip. Had her 4 months and driven 4000 miles no problems but she appears to be allergic to france. Has anyone had to use aston european breakdown service? How do we get car back to uk? Most unamused about thought of someone else driving her back on the autoroutes - that's the best joy ride in the world.

[Ocean53]

That treatment seems unreasonable to me. Try a phone call to AM perhaps and advise them of the 100's of Piston Headers watching this thread with great interest!
Good luck

Edited by Ocean53 on Thursday 12th November 11:52

[996GT2]

Ocean53 said:

That treatment seems unreasonable to me. Try a phone call to AM perhaps and advise them of the 100's of Piston Headers wathching this thread with great interest!
Good luck

Agreed, I'd give AM in the UK a call. As a new owner this kind of post about being stranded in Europe isn't what I want to read as I've got plans to take my AMV8 to Germany early next year.

Aston have been fantastic at dealing with the issues I've raised since buying my car last week, I'd be surprised if they didn't help get this sorted out.

[aphrodite]

Woohoo well done aston! They got the regional manager to make monsieur aston bordeaux to take a look. Apparently battery had died and software re-programme required. Seems strange after so much driving but will find out more tomorrow. Big bottle of st emilion to celebrate I think!

[Tacitus]

aphrodite said:

Woohoo well done aston! They got the regional manager to make monsieur aston bordeaux to take a look. Apparently battery had died and software re-programme required. Seems strange after so much driving but will find out more tomorrow. Big bottle of st emilion to celebrate I think!

Great news aphrodite - I hope you can now enjoy the rest of your holiday. Ever since I have bought my Vantage I have been incredibly impressed with customer service of my dealer (Stratstone)and AM overall. Its good to hear stories like this which give you lots of confidence in owning one of these cars.

[WantanewV12V]

Good ending to a sad story. I agree with Tacticus - had nothing but exemplary treatment from AM network since buying my first car (N400) from them 17 months ago. Knocks Porsche for 6. Enjoy your hols.

[cardigankid]

OK now can we get some pictures?

[aphrodite]

Totally back in love with my v8. Apparently the doors had been badly programmed and were draining the battery which is why she wouldn"t start and then immobilised. Possibly due to recently having the locks changed. However once they took a look and reprogrammed her twisted mind they gave her a fantastic clean (which she needed). Photos as soon as we are home. No internet connection here in deepest normandie. I promise!