What is the real cost of repair and is extended warrantee

[millsjq]

I know this has been debating much with much opinion but no data. It is hard to really know the true costs. If owners can submit what their costs per year for repairs, maintenance, tire and brakes as separate amounts. I suggest that tires and brakes are separate from repairs as they are essentially consumables and are driving style and mileage dependent. One could argue the same for clutches but think it is more accurate to include in the repair category.

For example: 2009 Vantage

1st year, no known cost, bought car at 3rd year
2nd year, no known cost, bought car at 3rd year
3rd year, 0 repairs, $1,400 maintenance, 0 for tire and brakes

I would be willing to collect the data by age of car, and at least have some real data. I would suggest that Vantage cost be one category, and DB9 and DBS as the other. I am making assumption the cost for DBS except brakes should be similar. Thoughts?

Edited by millsjq on Thursday 2nd February 00:05

[bogie]

probably would give some idea, but really, a few dozen owners stats on here is statistically insignificant for over 10,000 units sold

if we had a few hundred people in the survey it might be better.....

Mines 6 years old, owned since 9 months old ish

year 4 - 2 wheel bearings £500 fitted
year 5 - thermostat £180 fitted + coolant sensor £20

touch wood they are the only out of warranty faults Ive had to pay for in 60K miles

[Jockman]

bogie said:

Mines 6 years old, owned since 9 months old ish

year 4 - 2 wheel bearings £500 fitted
year 5 - thermostat £180 fitted + coolant sensor £20

touch wood they are the only out of warranty faults Ive had to pay for in 60K miles

Bogie - you and Murph don't run with extended warranties. I know there are more in this category.

My Original Warranty expires in 8 weeks. I shall get the pre-warranty inspection done with the service next month (foc?) and any diagnosed items fixed then before expiration (already had new thermo).

Sorely tempted to run without one thereafter on the basis that it's a 2009 MY, and that I can fund most other items out of the savings.

More than happy to be advised on this one

[millsjq]

I agree that the results will not be statistically significant (I was a statistician years ago) and even if we had hundreds of data points they would not be random, and therefore any confidence intervals would he large.

However, a few dozen inputs would be much more helpful than a few antidote’s. If we could get thirty data points I would be comfortable make some inferences.

I feel quite certain that the expected cost of repair will be less than what Aston charges for an extended warrantee. Most auto companies have a gross margin of nearly 100% on their warrantees.

[steveatesh]

Jockman said:

Bogie - you and Murph don't run with extended warranties. I know there are more in this category.

My Original Warranty expires in 8 weeks. I shall get the pre-warranty inspection done with the service next month (foc?) and any diagnosed items fixed then before expiration (already had new thermo).

Sorely tempted to run without one thereafter on the basis that it's a 2009 MY, and that I can fund most other items out of the savings.

More than happy to be advised on this one

Mine is 3 years old in November. I intend to have an inspection done a couple months before expiry, have anything fixed that Needs fixing then carry on without the extended warranty, same as yourself. The cost of any work that need to be done will of course be offset by not paying for a warranty. At the end of the day like all transactions, we take a particular view then rely on that most common human emotion - hope.

[Jockman]

steveatesh said:

Mine is 3 years old in November. I intend to have an inspection done a couple months before expiry, have anything fixed that Needs fixing then carry on without the extended warranty, same as yourself. The cost of any work that need to be done will of course be offset by not paying for a warranty. At the end of the day like all transactions, we take a particular view then rely on that most common human emotion - hope.

Same wavelength then Steve. I was trying to guage a comment in a previous thread about 90% (approx) of people who adopt our strategy actually ending up out of pocket. I'm sure that figure does not apply to more modern cars just coming out of warranty ??

I intend getting my inspection / service done second week in March (I'm abroad in the first week), which then gives me 2.5 weeks to get any issues sorted before expiration.

I believe Georgeous H also loses his original warranty this year. There must be more people pondering this issue too.

BTW: apologies for thread interference Jack, but it is topic-related and could? bring a wider audience into the topic

Edited by Jockman on Thursday 2nd February 07:18

[kabman]

It's obvious that, given a large enough sample size, the average cost of repairs under extended warranties will be less than the average cost of the warranties. Companies that provide extended warranties aren't in it for the love

[BingoBob]

The problem is that while wheel bearings and handbrake cables and things are low cost repairs and if this is all that happens to you while under warranty then you may well lose out. However, if you break a conrod and pierce your block then you are looking at a hideous amount of money to put it right. This is where a warranty provides peace of mind. Not for the small things. At least, that's how I see it.

[michael gould]

i had about 3k worth of work done over the 3 services which my DB9 was covered......most of the expence was the timing chain cover (common problem ) which they did twice ....minor suspension problem......hand brake cable.....couple of other bits

[BingoBob]

Is the timing chain cover an issue on the Vantage V8 also?

[Lunablack]

BingoBob said:

Is the timing chain cover an issue on the Vantage V8 also?

It can be on the earlier cars.....

Mine (06) was done under warranty (just before it ran out) but to be honest, the weep was so minor, if I hadn't had a warranty, I'd have left it....

It's a really big job, because the whole front subframe needs dropping..

[steveatesh]

Jockman said:

I was trying to guage a comment in a previous thread about 90% (approx) of people who adopt our strategy actually ending up out of pocket. I'm sure that figure does not apply to more modern cars just coming out of warranty ??

Edited by Jockman on Thursday 2nd February 07:18

For me I'd like to see the source for that figure - 90% - where did it come from, how was the survey conducted, what was involved etc. Reading these pages there appears to be a general consensus that the modern AM cars are reliable with no regular major failures on the engine and running gear apparent (at the moment! and I accept that not everybody with an AM posts here) There have been a number of issues where a poster will say "thats a well known issue....." for example the thermostat, LED lights, and various rattles but nothing really bad around the engine or drive train. This has given me confidence in the cars reliabilty over the long term, plus I dont do track days and my driver training for traffic all those years ago contained a lot about driving with "car sympathy", which I still practice to be honest. In addition I am a low mileage car user because I work from home and don't need to do daily driving. So for me it comes down to a measure of probablity - whats the probablity of something going wrong with my car that would justify annual warranty fees? At the moment my assessment is quite low, but that may well change in the future if expensive relaibility issues start appearing regularly as the cars mature and gain miles. Hopefully, that doesn't happen!

[yeti]

My car is a 2006 DB9 Volante.

Costs throughout the 6 years are a driver's wiondow module and a piece of rubber trim for the same window surround.

I did not renew my extended warranty

[peterr96]

Jockman said:

I intend getting my inspection / service done second week in March (I'm abroad in the first week), which then gives me 2.5 weeks to get any issues sorted before expiration.

In my experience you don't necessarily need to get the work completed before the expiration for it to be covered in full.

On our V8V I noted a wheel bearing as needing attention at service with WS just prior to end of warranty a few years ago.
In the event they did not find it as it came and went.
Subsequently the issue became a "hard fault" and WS managed to get the new bearing done under warranty.
Providing the issue is raised prior to end of warranty period I think AM will look at it sympathetically.... as they should really.

[michael gould]

Lunablack said:

BingoBob said:

Is the timing chain cover an issue on the Vantage V8 also?

It can be on the earlier cars.....

Mine (06) was done under warranty (just before it ran out) but to be honest, the weep was so minor, if I hadn't had a warranty, I'd have left it....

It's a really big job, because the whole front subframe needs dropping..

same for me ....very small weep.....Rick always recomended a nip up on the cover bolts which cured 90% of the problem

[Jockman]

peterr96 said:

In my experience you don't necessarily need to get the work completed before the expiration for it to be covered in full.

Thanks for the heads up Peter. I shall get them to confirm that at the service / inspection point.

I'm assuming the pre-warranty inspection is still FOC if you have a service with the dealer?

[michael gould]

Jockman said:

peterr96 said:

In my experience you don't necessarily need to get the work completed before the expiration for it to be covered in full.

Thanks for the heads up Peter. I shall get them to confirm that at the service / inspection point.

I'm assuming the pre-warranty inspection is still FOC if you have a service with the dealer?

it is provided you have pre agreed it

[Token Jock]

2006 Vantage with 26k on it, owned it from 15k, had a warranty for first 3 months of ownership and didn't renew.

Did get the coolant stat replaced under warranty.

Scheduled servicing is all it has had in my ownership of last 2years apart from brake pressure transducer switch failed, £80 to replace.

[BingoBob]

michael gould said:

it is provided you have pre agreed it

That's interesting. My dealer said it would be 2 hours labour if done while at a service. Maybe I misunderstood.

[CatalystV12V]

My 56 plate had 15 months manufacturers warranty left when I bought it..
I had a lot of problems with the gearbox, which Aston finally replaced, I was told this was circa £10k.
Both door lock modules, problem with the self levelling systems on lights. It went back numerous times for squeaks from centre console... thermostat issue, replaced the alarm battery.... RE-spray of both doors due to paint bubbling... corroded wheel centre caps
I think the dealership drove more miles in it than I did in the first year