Classic Aston Martin? Do You Have What It Takes To Own One?!

[@steve77nr]

Mike do you deliberately set out to be so depressingly negative? Video after video is designed to scare everybody interested in Astons. Other people, not you, have worked hard to solve many of the issues you describe here. Several of them you pass off as your own work or product. Do you ever stop to think how your negativity towards fairly standard issues any car of those eras suffer affect the brand and the experience of those that own the cars? You constantly make it sound like every Aston is doomed to expensive failure and only you have the solution. Which is very far from the truth. You are very highly skilled and knowledgeable. Why don't you sell those attributes instead of fear?

[@BamfordRose]

Today in my workshop was a prominent pistonheads poster (go on the forum, the discussion is fairly live) with an early DB9. He’s looking down the barrel of a £15-£20k DB9 engine tick issue to unexpectedly fix. I felt absolutely gutted for him, he’s going to struggle to fix it. Knowing about the potential at pre purchase for the small end bush without an oil channel to develop the tick before he purchased the car, he could have made the choice to either risk it, because most engines don’t develop the problem, or avoid it altogether by spending extra and going for the glass key 470 BHP Now that there are videos which outline real problems and the realities of ownership, folk can make their own mind up and choose the path accordingly. The poor chap with the tick has no path, apart from to shovel the £15k into a repair. All the problems I mentioned about the Vanquish might well be able to be fixed, but at a cost and downtime. If folk weren’t that committed to the Clasic car, and they don’t want to risk all the faults and find the cash for the fixes, they should think about a newer car to avoid the uncertainty of Classic car ownership. I’m content that message is correct and balanced. It’s not you that fields many phone conversations with recently retired folk who dream of a Vanquish totally unaware that the car has the potential to gobble a pension pot, it’s not you that has to console owners starring down the barrel of a big repair bill because the car has bitten them. I do Hence the health warnings. Why with this brand, must all the issues be kept hush, hush. Resale value? Problems with Ferrari, Porsche, TVR are well known, explicit amongst owners, and battled against to keep the car on the road, because those owners are committed to the ownership experience. Why should it be any different for Aston’s?

[@steve77nr]

@@BamfordRose Lets be clear, any owner would be lucky if you actually answered the phone to them. Let alone talk to them. However, yes, the car might develop a tick. But how likely is that to occur? Less than 1% of DB9's have done it? Can you claim and prove it is more? How many of those "Tick" engines have a perfect history of correct oil changes and never over revved or abused? It isn't a £10-£15k job to fix unless they send all the work your way either. Any decent engine builder can solve the tick problem. Other engine problems, which are even less likely to occur are a £10k + fix and Barry Hart is well into the R&D and testing of that fix. Thankfully it exists and at 20 years old and 100K miles is that engine rebuild cost totally unexpected? No it isn't. Is it more expensive than any NP based car engine rebuild? No it isn't. Nobody is hiding any issues with the car. The difference between those solving the issues and your approach is very stark indeed. You try to scare people into something. The rest reassure prospective or current owners that a fix is available if the worst happens. That is the difference. Not many people if anyone at all appreciate your approach. Especially those who see it as demeaning the cars to the point where you actively discourage ownership. There simply is a better way to sell your considerable skills and knowledge. But I'm guessing you will just come back with another "Rant Video" like you did when McGurk very clearly told everyone they did not need to rush out and buy a Mike Beak Primary CAT delete. Which is both illegal and unnecessary. A problem we both know would be highly unlikely if drivers understood the risk of driving with active misfires. These cars do not suffer an engine or ECU failure rate greater than their peers. But if everyone listened to you they would think it was imminent unless they pay you a chunk of dosh. Mike you need to ask yourself why everyone admires your skills and capabilities but don't admire you. Why is that? Take a look in the mirror and ask yourself how you could be better at what you are very, very good at. Scaremongering doom laden videos will not be the correct answer to that equation.

[@BamfordRose]

@@steve77nrI think you are losing the plot, are you okay? No, really okay??. Why does anyone need to admire anyone else? We’re talking about fixing cars and choosing the best solutions to do that. Where does admiration fit into the equation? Customers choose me because I fix the cars the best, period, nobody comes close. If they did, or could, open a garage and stick a sign above the door saying “Vanquish, we fix every problem”. That won’t happen because that outfit doesn’t / can’t exist, and even those garages who think they are close to achieving that, if the truth be known, will need my help when they come across a car they can’t fix. Customers do not seek me out because they admire me, nor do I seek any admiration. Your commentary is plane daft there. My phone rings off the hook. I can only speak to one person at a time, hence the difficulty to get hold of me. If another garage owner was available every time you called them, then clearly they are not in demand. You think I’m difficult to get hold of because I’ve got feet up on the table and can’t be bothered? Although annoying to customers, the extent I’m in demand proves Bamford Rose is the company they should seek out if there’s a problem which needs a bit of magic which can’t be found elsewhere Rather than try to categorise the DB9 tick, or catalyst ingestion, or front cover / sump seal leak, vanquish exhaust manifold cracking, harness chaffing causing electrical issues, complete ASM gear system failure in terms of a percentage, try instead stating a percentage of cars which make it past, let’s say, 75k miles which do not require the engine / powertrain removal for one reason or another. That high figure would shock most folk, hence the health warnings put out on this channel, which marries a committed owner with the right (pre purchased) and fault free car, with buyers going in eyes wide opened and fully informed. When I worked at the factory, on average, each car went out the door with £25k in the boot, because that was approximately the average warranty claim per car ever built. At other car companies, engineering and quality would have been fired for that status. When the cars start off life like that, the future probably isn’t going to be fault free either. The cars have their flaws, but if you don’t think so, fine, move on, nothing to see here, the message in this video is not for you. One last game you could try… phone each of the 17 franchised dealers and say you have a classic vanquish in part ex for a newer model. I know someone who played that game. The answer was 2. Yes, approx. 15 didn’t want a Vanq. Does that info align with my caution, or more align with your commentary? Don’t forget to give me that % of engines / gearbox figure needing to come out before 75k. I’ll give you a clue, the answer has got 3 digits. That answer is no problem to those who can and want to fix around it. That answer is a problem to those without the budget or the will to do that - hence this videos health warning.

[@steve77nr]

@@BamfordRose Mike I'm a great believer that the size of a response is equal to rage contained within it. • You really are not the only solution to all these issues with Aston Martin cars. Many other equally talented specialists exist. All with excellent reputations. All answer the phone. • Your unique talent is in writing code to PTEC’s. This capability only exists because you “Acquired” AML capabilities. • Some of the other specialists have capabilities you do not have and parts you do not have. Slowly, but surely the word is getting out that these people offer the same or better capability at a far more sensible price without scaring people into a purchase. • Mike, given the chance you would have every gearbox and every engine out and add a bill of half the cars value to every customer you see. • You ranting about the factory engineering quality, but you yourself were that engineer and that quality when you were there the quality was exactly as you describe? • Do you understand the word “Hubris”? Mike, I won't respond again. I'll leave you to your Hubris. I'm sure everyone will still commend your abilities but fear your invoice.

[@jobijon80]

@@BamfordRose at 75k miles they'll all have had their gbox removed at least for a clutch change. Hence the question is rather irrelevant. My 2cts.

[@armenmotors1749]

To all potential Vanquish/S buyers : go for it ! 2007 Vanquish S owner here, the car has been very reliable since almost 15 years of ownership. Such a fantastic machine to drive. Much more fun than driving a DB9 or even a DBS, the Vanquish feels completely different, louder, more planted, more analogue, rawer. And that V12 soundtrack, unmatchable. The potential reliability problems are known (thanks to the AMOC great community and the different topics) but once the car is maintained correctly and is driven regularly there is no need to be afraid. This car is so underrated but fore sure its time will come. Catch them while you can :)

[@user-uf4ki9fk2g]

I have a classic Vanquish and I adore it. Don't be put off. There are some superb experts out there (in addition to Bamford Rose) who understand these cars and can maintain & fix them. And you've got a near-200 mph supercar, one of Ian Callum's best ever designs, for a third or a quarter of the price of an equivalent new supercar.

[@steverichards1025]

1. The ECU issue is common for almost all cars of the era - none for Ferrari 360 for example 2. I agree it's astonishing AML (and Ferrari, Lambo etc) don't get actively involved in keeping the heritage cars going, the damage to their brands is terrible 3. In the Aston Owners world there are an amazing set of engineers that have solved the ECU issue, can fix them, we are lucky to have their passion and expertise. My V12 Vanquish will be the last car I sell

[@rcfurse]

The reason that the car fires up on all 12 cylinders when hot is because there is a chip on the PTEC that physically fails because of a voltage spike. When the chip is heated up (you can achieve the same result by leaving the ignition on for 5 minutes) it works OK BUT this problem is not going away. We bought all the remaining chips in the world once we worked it out, You can only be sure about this issue by putting the PTEC in the freezer and then testing them on a test rig. We do and we have been fixing them for a couple of years. Cost is £1k.

[@rcfurse]

We remake all the exhaust system (to pattern but in proper SS) have all the suspension parts etc, Of course get a pre-purchase inspection. There are several knowledgeable people who know these cars and can travel. They can then fix them too.

[@castorman9076]

Do I have what it takes to own one? is the question in the title. To which the answer is a resounding yes as there is a very active and well informed support group that has found answers to the ECU (PTEC) issue. Why does this video willingly ignore this? If someone wants to buy a V12 Vanquish they should do their homework and they will find fantastic resources on the forums. I own one and it is my executors who will sell it.

[@judemurphy3356]

The first Aston I was ever in was 2007 onyx black vanquish s .A good friend of mines father had just bought it brand new sitting in it the day after it arrived with a few hundred miles on the clock is something that has stayed with me since and driven my passion for one day owning a Aston . It would be a terrible shame for such a halo model to be let go by the way side with no factory support to keep these legends alive .

[@dereksweeney8776]

More negativity in the series of Bamford Rose Scary Aston Martin videos . I made the mistake of delaying buying a Vanquish after one of his early Scary videos . Missed out for too long . Yes they require looking after , but what supercar of that era doesn't ( maybe Porsche is the exception?) They seem to think they are the only place in the world who can repair certain Aston Martins ... well fortunately they are not , although outside of these videos they do have a good reputation. For the classic Vanquish a number of people have developed cures for most of the issues . And they don't make annoying videos to scare people .

[@rcfurse]

I am disappointed that Mike fails to mention that we have a developed and proven PTEC fix (for the OBD codes 1585/1233) AND a spike protection kit to protect the PTECs from voltage spikes. He also knows that we have engineered a proper engine rebuild process that solves the inherent V12 liner problem that affects all AML V12s. The liners issue is what leads to "the dreaded tick". There is a focussed and dedicated Vanquish owners team that have solved most of the issues and parts shortages. Further they are reducing the costs of mainting the cars significantly with many items at

[@BamfordRose]

I’m disappointed that before commenting you didn’t ask what fault codes followed the ECU when I swapped them. It’s not one that I’ve seen before or is related to the ice breaker.

[@steve77nr]

@@BamfordRose I'm surprised you didn't give the full facts to your audience.

[@BamfordRose]

@@steve77nrthe full facts go over 99.99% of the audience heads. There was enough detail to highlight that ownership of the classic cars needs to be thought about, and then thought about again, before committing.

[@steve77nr]

@@BamfordRose How complimentary to your audience. Declare 99.99% of them are not intelligent enough to understand. An articulate engineer would be able to accommodate any non technical audience without too much difficulty. Most classic car buyers have some technical skills and abilities. Plenty don't. but that doesn't mean they lack intelligence. Rather than thought about twice. A good inspection by a non financially interested expert followed by solid advice and guidance would be better?

[@rayborg7378]

Its very good to have a clear picture of it all. Once a car ages than problems always start popping up.

[@lukeshardlow768]

The way I like to see it is that you can choose what to watch and what not to watch. Yes they are a business who need to make money to survive but they don’t have to make these videos. The videos definitely helped me a few years ago when I went to look for a DB9. You can go into a viewing with your eyes wide open and not take the usual comments of “they are all like that” first one I went to view, I was instantly smitten until I had watched a few videos and seen how much it was going to cost to make it perfect. Second one was physically shaking when started. Third has been great. I keep an eye on the oil level religiously and know what is normal idle feel.

[@paulgalpin1786]

Always fails to name check Stratton Motor Company for being a good maintenance facility for Astons (an Aston Heritage Workshop too). Is there beef between Roger and Mike, I wonder?

[@dereksweeney8776]

Between Mike and anyone else in the Aston world …😂😂

[@doctorhouxoflemans]

I have used Stratton for last 10 years for servicing to keep the annual service stamps up to date as I do much of the other work myself. SMC also did some minor corrosion, paint and PPF work a few years back as they are an AML approved bodyshop. Always pleased with quality and value of their work 👍

[@russellsmith1375]

Fascinating video, thankyou. Agree with the other posters its rather short sighted of AM to not support the heritage cars, particularly a model as high profile as the Vanquish

[@davidg7624]

Another great video. Thanks for your ongoing series. I think AM is being short-sighted by not producing the ECU for the Vanquish. Granted it may not make sense from a profit or even a break-even standpoint, but won't AM suffer a tarnished image if there is no such thing as a replacement ECU and Vanquishes start becoming derelict heaps that can't be fixed? That could ultimately cost them more than the cost (even at a loss) of producing replacement ECU's. If AM doesn't want to produce them, then they should give/sell the proprietary property to the aftermarket market so someone can produce them. It will be a sin if these magnificent cars are "vanquished" from the landscape.

[@BamfordRose]

Indeed, they should make a proper go at stocking heritage car parts so that no car was left behind. If they furnished aftermarket / independents with ECU files, we could write calibrations which coded out the particular diagnostics which shut the cars down, leaving enough checking running in the background to capture gross errors. Sometimes the ECU functions, but it’s the diagnostic and plausibility checking running to sensitively which is the only problem

[@markchip1]

​@@BamfordRose‐ it's almost a criminal act of disservice to NOT be prepared to do such a release of software! What are they going to suggest when NO such replacements are available - wherever you look? Are they then going to change their mind? Or will owners be forced to wait until another such car is broken for parts?

[@alhemmings8554]

Or even worse.....they get LS swapped 🤐

[@davidg7624]

Worse indeed.@@alhemmings8554

[@user-uf4ki9fk2g]

Fear not: there are experts who can repair the ECUs (which, incidentally, are called PTECs - Power Train Electronic Controllers)

[@davidwitham5588]

On the Vanquish could you fit an after market ecu to run the engine but leave the original ecu in place to perform the other functions?

[@djwarren5081]

Excellent advice.

[@911Swanny]

Mike, it’s your channel and you can obviously use it how you please. In respect to the Gen 1 Vanquish, it simply feels like you do not like the model very much, as you seem to make it appear like such a high % of cars are likely to have the potential issues you mention and rarely balance your comments with reference to others that have found cost effective solutions to issues. It seems you have a view that 20 year+ cars from other performance and prestige makes are that much more reliable and present far less issues. As an owner of a few different makes from around that age, plus a Vanquish S for 13 years, the Vanquish fares quite well in context of the costs to rectify (potential) problems that could occur and parts availability, from my experience. When researching various makes performance models from the past, you can quickly get a sense of a cars potential issues, what is and is no longer available and common problems etc, from many different sources. The really good references manage to also provide readers/viewers with a sense of the likelihood of these issues occurring, what to look for in the cars history and ofcourse, point out people to see that have found solutions, or means of prevention. I wish you would do more of that for the Gen 1 Vanquish to help people build a more balanced picture of the car, than I think you offer presently.

[@xicofaria]

Hi, I'm considering either a DBS or a 2012 Virage. In your webpage on engine upgrades you group as a "gen 1" V12 both the DBS and the Virage, however, wiki states the 2012 Virage has a AM11 V12 engine with a power output of 496 PS (365 kW; 489 hp) and 570 N⋅m (420 lb⋅ft) of torque. Isn't this AM11 variant the "gen 2" V12? If so, the Virage doesn't have the same engine as the DBS, but rather the evolution "gen 2", correct?

[@londonman8688]

any thoughts about a virage 6.3 ?

[@Anneberg124]

I wonder if all the people complaining have a vanquish 🤣🤣🤣

[@user-uf4ki9fk2g]

Perhaps they know the truth!

[@doctorhouxoflemans]

Well if they all do own one, then they are well qualified in the real life experience of owning one, and it seems from those comments that despite the potential issues Mike mentions, that they are still delighted with their cars and the overall ownership experience. As Mike says, there is no doubting their beauty and as the last hand built AM out of NP in small numbers, then they have a great deal going for them. Several commentators said they will be keeping them for life. 🤩

[@Anneberg124]

@@doctorhouxoflemans It could be, but on the other hand, who likes to assume they made a mistake??

[@steverichards1025]

@@Anneberg124 I'm on my 3rd V12 Vanquish, the only mistake I ever made was to sell...

[@dereksweeney8776]

@@Anneberg124 Every time I start the car , go out for an enjoyable drive , maybe to Paris ,get home , put it back in the garage and have a glance over my shoulder to check out how beautiful a car it is , I remind myself what an idiot I was buying it :)

[@garyfoster]

Glad I decided not to own that vanquish

[@steve77nr]

You'd be a fool to ignore the Vanquish just because Mike Beake can't control his runaway negativity. Do you ever consider why Mike churns out these constant KZbin videos of scaremongering? He's selling a solution to a problem. But to drum up trade he tries to convince everyone they are going to have that problem. The reality is that very few us will. Yes Mike sells some fine products has great skills and knowledge. But he's so bloody negative half the Aston community won't go near him.

[@steverichards1025]

I’m fortunate to have owned and driven many wonderful classics. Nothing compares to the original Vanquish. The looks, the sound and the drive are stunning. And there’s an active V12 Vanquish owners community that’s helpful from a tech support stance, and also really nice people from a social POV!

[@user-uf4ki9fk2g]

You've missed out