Aston Martin key fob

[AMV8Vantage]

When I got my V8 Vantage earlier this year, I must admit that I was a little dissapointed that the key fob seems to be borrowed from a 15 year-old Ford! Does anybody else think that this isn't really good enough?

Has Aston done anything about this yet, or does anybody know of any plans to improve this?

[Norfolk n'chance]

AMV8Vantage said:

When I got my V8 Vantage earlier this year, I must admit that I was a little dissapointed that the key fob seems to be borrowed from a 15 year-old Ford! Does anybody else think that this isn't really good enough?

Has Aston done anything about this yet, or does anybody know of any plans to improve this?

I agree entirely, the key fob is a major disappointment, it is exactly the same as a Volvo one. The actual key isn't much better! I can't really help with regard to any improvement in the future, just agreeing with you.

I love the car though, the gearbox is getting a bit better, which is a major relief (still not great) and now I have fuse 22 out, well.............

On another matter, has anyone seen the long termer AMV8 in Autocar that one of the staffers is running? Generally pretty good but one thing I do not get is; At the last review he was getting about 20 mpg, or maybe a bit more. HOW ON EARTH is he managing that?? I get around 13 showing on the computer although I reckon its improved a bit since I took that fuse out as I don't need to keep the revs up above 4k so much. I actually don't care that much about my mpg but I was amazed that he was getting 20+

[petrol_noggin]

AMV8Vantage said:

When I got my V8 Vantage earlier this year, I must admit that I was a little dissapointed that the key fob seems to be borrowed from a 15 year-old Ford! Does anybody else think that this isn't really good enough?

Has Aston done anything about this yet, or does anybody know of any plans to improve this?

I should think Aston are focusing on the DBS release, the AMV8 lightweight model, the Rapide and engine and chassis development. I really, really hope that the keyfob is right at the bottom of their list tbh, you start the car with a gorgeous, crafted button, the key is irrelevant.

If I'm the only one that doesn't give two shites about the key, then I apologise.

ETA: this is under the presumption that the Vantage keyfob is identical to the DB9, I can't remember tbh. Also, this isn't an attack on your opinion, I'm simply stating what matters to me in a car

Edited by petrol_noggin on Wednesday 22 November 21:08

[:J:]

Unless you are one of those people that likes to throw their keys down in a pub to show off, which I would hope would be beneath Aston owners, what's the problem ??

IT'S ONLY A KEY FOB

Just take solice in the fact that it starts an Aston

Edited by :J: on Thursday 23 November 13:30

[2whippetz]

While it's true that a fob is just a fob, one expects EVERY element of a special car to be exquisite, and since so many other cars have cool keys (check out the new Jaguar or BMW keys), I was stunned at the cheap-looking and mundane keys to my AMV8. The things you have tactile and visual contact with in your initial exposure to a car are an important element in establishing your feeling aboout the build quality of the vehicle. A cheap little key out of the parts bin simply doesn't match the purported quality of the Aston. Period.

It's not that hard to design a key with interesting character, and if Aston can't spare a designer for a day or two to come up with something interesting, I'd be happy to do it for them.

And make sure you can order one to fit existing cars, not just the new cars.

[Norfolk n'chance]

2whippetz said:

While it's true that a fob is just a fob, one expects EVERY element of a special car to be exquisite, and since so many other cars have cool keys (check out the new Jaguar or BMW keys), I was stunned at the cheap-looking and mundane keys to my AMV8. The things you have tactile and visual contact with in your initial exposure to a car are an important element in establishing your feeling aboout the build quality of the vehicle. A cheap little key out of the parts bin simply doesn't match the purported quality of the Aston. Period.

It's not that hard to design a key with interesting character, and if Aston can't spare a designer for a day or two to come up with something interesting, I'd be happy to do it for them.

And make sure you can order one to fit existing cars, not just the new cars.

Yeah, what he said.

[GetCarter]

Didn't bother me. Spent 20k more on a 996 and the fob was equally as boring. TBH I never look at the fob, I just drive the car... having said that, if Aston gave me a really sexy one, I'd probably look at it more!

[grant3]

:J: said:

Unless you are one of those people that likes to throw their keys down in a pub to show off, which I would hope would be beneath Aston owners, what's the problem ??

IT'S ONLY A KEY FOB

Just take solice in the fact that it starts an Aston

Edited by :J: on Thursday 23 November 13:30

I'm with J on this one, although I would add that the SIZE of the bl**dy remote is a pain in the rear, makes your pockets bulge a bit....mind you can look impressive from some angles!!!!!!

[Carlos DA51LVA]

tbh, rather than upgrading the key to look light a pair of bristols, I'd be happier if AM would spend the couple of quid on fitting a light around the key barrel of the AMV8 so that you don't have to stab around in the dark to find the hole.....

[andy355]

does anyone tell Aston about the little things that could be improved? im sure they would welcome free feedback from customers, even if they cant/wont necessarily make the changes

[Beej]

I already told them..

a sidelights left on warning would be handy
a one touch window up (as well as just down)
a light round the key barrel rim
a seat back release you can reach (they did that one)
overmats (I think this is now an option)
paint protection tape higher up the rear arches and across the chin (I think they've done this as well)
(whisper) a sexier key fob?

and a few other things

but the one I really really really wish they would do, is give us a dealer retro fit AM approved rechip to run on 98/99/102 and remove the throttle delay below 3000rpm. That is basically what Prodrive have done and its worth 425bhp. Why did it take Prodrive to offer it and why should we pay £5k for it?

[richb]

petrol_noggin said:

you start the car with a gorgeous, crafted button, the key is irrelevant.

If I'm the only one that doesn't give two shites about the key, then I apologise.

And stop dissing Volvo keys chaps, a keys, a key...

[Carlos DA51LVA]

Beej said:

I already told them..

a sidelights left on warning would be handy
a one touch window up (as well as just down)
a light round the key barrel rim
a seat back release you can reach (they did that one)
overmats (I think this is now an option)
paint protection tape higher up the rear arches and across the chin (I think they've done this as well)
(whisper) a sexier key fob?

and a few other things

but the one I really really really wish they would do, is give us a dealer retro fit AM approved rechip to run on 98/99/102 and remove the throttle delay below 3000rpm. That is basically what Prodrive have done and its worth 425bhp. Why did it take Prodrive to offer it and why should we pay £5k for it?

The stalks are the same as in the X Type Jag, however, the right hand one doesn't have the "dab down" facility to wipe the windscreen once. Is this same across everybodies?

[razbox]

petrol_noggin said:

you start the car with a gorgeous, crafted button, the key is irrelevant.

The key is important to me:

1. the oblong bit is too big in your pockets
2. it just doesn't feel very well crafted

Compare with the key from the 1990s Fiat Coupe - that was gorgeous and special...

Edited by razbox on Friday 24th November 23:41

Edited by razbox on Friday 24th November 23:43

[petrol_noggin]

razbox said:

petrol_noggin said:

you start the car with a gorgeous, crafted button, the key is irrelevant.

The key is important to me:

1. the oblong bit is too big in your pockets
2. it just doesn't feel very well crafted

Compare with the key from the 1990s Fiat Coupe - that was gorgeous and special...

Edited by razbox on Friday 24th November 23:41

Edited by razbox on Friday 24th November 23:43

If its important to you, then that's fine, that is the meaning of personal opinion and choice.

My opinion is that if someone purchases a £80-140,000 Aston and complains about a piece of plastic with a 2 inch piece of metal sticking out that came free with the car, and essentially serves no other purpose to the naked eye but to light the starter button, then they need to reconsider their priorities, the same goes for shared components like climate control knobs and warning lights, if the V8/DB9 shared the same grill or rear lights as a ford mondeo, I'd feel cheated but I'm not the type who goes looking for an Audi rearview mirror in a Gallardo or a VW filler cap on a Bentley GT. However I must reinforce the fact that this is my opinion.

I'll consider a Fiat Coupe after the Murci.

Edited by petrol_noggin on Saturday 25th November 00:27

[roar]

The Volvo key is better as the key arm folds into the plastic body! My former porsche key had a bonnet release which kept going off in my pocket - not good for security and annoying.

[chumley-warner]

yeah, but how cool are the two little LEDs in the door handle when you blip to unlock the car at night! Love mine!

[joust]

Ford spent something like £20m on making that key and it's one of the best in the business security wise.

Hey, at least you get an Aston logo in it, my Noble one isn't plain Ford

J