Partial Orphan Partial Defector to the Aston Side

[Andyk]

I found a contact for Paul Cheeseman from PH who does the later clear light sets either used or new, delivered. They are £650 used. Just waiting for the new price. Seen them for £1k but not sure if they are OEM or copies as would only want OEM.

Under Construction

There is also a clear one with a black surround as well apparently.

Not heard of those before Dean....Everything you need there. Those N400 sills at 645 are worth having as well.. Thought they were much more than that.

Yes you can get the grey, black and carbon ones.

 

[Mancserati]

New little accessory arrived this morning as well for weekend fitting

Wouldn’t it be simpler to fit a switch than use a remote?

 

[makeshiftUK]

Looks good Dean - I’ll jump in with my two cents worth on this as well.

All just my opinion, but as a general rule I’m not a big fan of trying to make a car look like something it isn’t. I know plenty of people do this, but I tend to think that if someone is willing to pay, for example, to make a normal Audi look like an RS, or want to try and make a BMW330 look like an M3, then they probably should have bought the RS or the M3 in the first place.

This means, for me personally, I would remove the wrap that tries to make it look a N430, and I wouldn’t pay to upgrade the rear lights to make it look like a newer / Vantage S.

Having said that I do think the clearer rear lenses look nicer... and the later lights and keeping the wrap could increase the chance of selling it on when you have your next itch to scratch?!

I stuck a vented ‘Williams’ bonnet onto my ‘94 Renault Clio RT 1.4 (my first car)!! Couldn’t afford those signature Gold ‘Prima’ alloy wheels though...

 

[rockits]

Wouldn’t it be simpler to fit a switch than use a remote?

Not really. The remote system takes 10 mins to fit and works well. I agree you could simply install some kind of inline switch but the fuse is rear right corner and you'd need to run it to the front which would take.longer and be more obtrusive. The remote system is easier to fit, less obstrusive and easily reversible but a smidge more expensive.

 

[rockits]

There are some light scuff marks to the sill/cill (which one?!) and door card bar. Although I'm not a fan of going carbon mad it might look nice to hydrodip these and maybe the wing mirrors and mount.

Will be more cost effective than buying new parts I expect. I'll try to find some pics with them on to compare.

I should really live with as is for a bit but you know how it often is. If you don't use the momentum early days it often gets left and never done. That's what I'm telling myself!

 

[Felonious Crud]

I should really live with as is for a bit but you know how it often is. If you don't use the momentum early days it often gets left and never done. That's what I'm telling myself!

And you’re right!

The mirror mounts are a common problem but an easy fix (apparently). Likewise the windscreen wiper arms, by the way. I’d suggest carbon warp or hydrodip the mirrors but stick with satin or matt black for the mounts. While you’re at it, the waterfall console looks good in carbon. Mines piano black and very prone to scratching.

PS - sill, I think.

 

[hashluck]

Sill

 

[rockits]

I only asked as when I worked at my dad's business in the Window game we had cill's.

 

[philw696]

I only asked as when I worked at my dad's business in the Window game we had cill's.

I would agree cill on windows and will on cars.
Welded quite a few back on in the 80s and 90s.

 

[rockits]

Well I've had an interesting first few days with the Vantage. Had the service done @ Nicholas Mee with inspection. The car in the main is good which is a good start. However.....

It needs new rear discs, front tyres although I'm ditching the rear Nankangs for PS4S all round. A passenger door strut, upgraded air bag bolts, a battery and a few other bits and bobs so nothing disastrous or too unexpected.

Until......this is the however bit.....

A bolt has sheared off on the manual gearbox gear selector mechanism. They have advised it should not be driven at all with immediate effect as could fail at any time therefore meaning no gears. They aren't keen or aren't prepared to compromise and do a repair only replacement. Which is fair enough. The replacement isn't an individual part so is the whole gear selector mechanism. So gearbox out, new part and gearbox back in.

Competition......guess the cost?

 

[philw696]

£3,500

 

[rockits]

Mmmm not quite.......£6k!

 

[rockits]

£4k for the part and £2k labour.

I've spoken to Aldous & Ed and they reckon they can fashion a good repair as it is literally just one bolt. Going to get it low loader'd down there next week. The dealer I bought it from is footing the bill so I'm happy as long as I have a happy car at the end of it.

Cracked alloy as well needs replacement and new AM OEM part from NM is £600. I've sourced a pair of newly refurb'd rear 19" AM 7 Spoke alloys for half that.

 

[philw696]

Mmmm not quite.......£6k!

Wow down to the seller especially as your advised not to drive it ???

 

[jasst]

Mmmm not quite.......£6k!

Jesus H Christ, I guess Aston tax is a higher rate than Maser tax!

 

[rockits]

Wow down to the seller especially as your advised not to drive it ???

Yup, seller needs to deal with. I am doing lots of leg work to get all costs down and being very accomodating as it is best for both we work this through as best we can.

 

[Felonious Crud]

£6k?? Jeez. Mind you. my new clutch and flywheel was about £4k in parts plus I'd guess 15-20 hours of labour.

Still, hats off for your total pragmatism, Dean. A lot of people would have got pissy, you just got practical. The kind of approach to business that more people should take.

 

[philw696]

£6k?? Jeez. Mind you. my new clutch and flywheel was about £4k in parts plus I'd guess 15-20 hours of labour.

Still, hats off for your total pragmatism, Dean. A lot of people would have got pissy, you just got practical. The kind of approach to business that more people should take.

The British Government could take note on how Dean deals with situations in current times.

 

[rockits]

The British Government could take note on how Dean deals with situations in current times.

Indeed..bl00dy politians.....little to no idea!

 

[rockits]

£6k?? Jeez. Mind you. my new clutch and flywheel was about £4k in parts plus I'd guess 15-20 hours of labour.

Still, hats off for your total pragmatism, Dean. A lot of people would have got pissy, you just got practical. The kind of approach to business that more people should take.

Indeed....the dealer has been very good and not tried to shy away or ignore his responsibilities at all so fair play to that. I think it helps how I have been but we are in this together so will get through it together.

Had a cracked alloy that he said he would pay for. NM quoted £600 for a new one. I've sourced a pair of refurbs for less than half that price.

I don't see the need to spend £6k on fixing a broken bolt. It isn't an F1 car or a rocket. I'm sure Ed & Voicey will fashion an appropriate and perfectly adequate repair.

I've written off driving it for this month which is a shame as I just taxed it and SORN the XJ. Going to tax the XJ now

I'm happy with the car and want to keep it. Just need to get over this first hurdle and I'm sure we will spend some great time together.