20k mile service

[Murph7355]

Just had this done. The car's 21mths old, a trip to Spain and Portugal, plus 3k miles over December racking a fair few miles up recently.

HWM did the service and were excellent (on time, informed me what was happening, friendly etc). All up cost was 1k.

Nothing major to report. Alarm siren had to be replaced (it inexplicably went off last Thursday night much to my other half's chagrin - I was out). Dash leather bubbling was fixed (again - should be included on the annual service check list ). Brake pads were deglazed, the tracking was checked/adjusted etc. But generally a straightforward service.

Had the audible alarm set to warn that the sidelights have been left on. Am sure there must be a list as long as your arm of the options available on the ECUs...

HWM noted the rear tyres were at 3mm - the point where they recommend considering replacing them. However, I've not noticed any ill handling traits (dry, rain or snow), and with brand new tyres having 8mm of tread, and the legal limit being 1,6mm, I reckon I probably have another 3k miles at least in the ones that are on (23-25k miles out of a set of rears on a RWD car driven enthusiastically is pretty good IMO).

Front tyres have ~5mm left on them so should be good for another 20k+ miles.

Incidentally, tyres were quoted as 280GBP fitted. It is possible to get them 25% cheaper so always shop around before committing to dealer fit tyres (this is no sleight on HWM. This is always the case with dealers IME and I'm sure HWM may have negotiated on the price had I wanted them).

Brake pads are about 50% worn apparently.

Painless and incredibly good fun 20k miles!

PS Anyone getting a DBS should get one in black. They look very, very good in this colour.

[clorenzen]

I have just passed the 20k mark. The car is faultless and has only been with HWM 3 times for its 3 annual services since 05. Pretty impressive.

[superlightr]

there was an article some year ago (cant remember which or when) testing tyres and tead depth. The fall off of how much water a 1.6 and 3mm to say 5 mm is dramatic. The conculsion I cam to was not to let them get lower than 3 mm as the wet water dispersal is dramatically worse at this and under this level.

[Murph7355]

superlightr said:

there was an article some year ago (cant remember which or when) testing tyres and tead depth. The fall off of how much water a 1.6 and 3mm to say 5 mm is dramatic. The conculsion I cam to was not to let them get lower than 3 mm as the wet water dispersal is dramatically worse at this and under this level.

Will see what happens with the handling over the next month or so....

[Trikster]

For the sake of a couple of hundered quid on a car like this I'd be replacing the tyres when they hit 3mm (actually just did @ 19k). Got the Bridgestones again from Micheldever @ approx £180 a corner.

IMHO opinion a false econcomy delaying for the sake of 3k of wear...

[clorenzen]

Trikster said:

For the sake of a couple of hundered quid on a car like this I'd be replacing the tyres when they hit 3mm (actually just did @ 19k). Got the Bridgestones again from Micheldever @ approx £180 a corner.

IMHO opinion a false econcomy delaying for the sake of 3k of wear...

Completely agree with Trikster,

The DB9 is a quite tail-happy car especially in the wet and I would not hesitate to change the tyres at that point, especially during the winter months where you have excess water or even frost/sleet on the roads. Had mine changed at Micheldever as well.

[Murph7355]

Trikster said:

For the sake of a couple of hundered quid on a car like this I'd be replacing the tyres when they hit 3mm (actually just did @ 19k). Got the Bridgestones again from Micheldever @ approx £180 a corner.

IMHO opinion a false econcomy delaying for the sake of 3k of wear...

The car's as planted now as it always has been. Why change unless there's a problem?

On top of the cost (Micheldever quote me 210GBP ea for the rear Bridgestones - was your price fitted?), there's also the waste - no tree hugger, but do these get recycled?

[Murph7355]

PS And driving 12k miles a year...

[V8A*ndy]

clorenzen said:

Trikster said:

For the sake of a couple of hundered quid on a car like this I'd be replacing the tyres when they hit 3mm (actually just did @ 19k). Got the Bridgestones again from Micheldever @ approx £180 a corner.

IMHO opinion a false econcomy delaying for the sake of 3k of wear...

Completely agree with Trikster,

But go and have some fun on your last 3mm first

[JohnG1]

Can you expand a little on this please?

"Had the audible alarm set to warn that the sidelights have been left on. Am sure there must be a list as long as your arm of the options available on the ECUs..."

Is there a list of stuff where you can ask the dealer to flick some software switch???

thanks!

[Murph7355]

JohnG1 said:

Can you expand a little on this please?

"Had the audible alarm set to warn that the sidelights have been left on. Am sure there must be a list as long as your arm of the options available on the ECUs..."

Is there a list of stuff where you can ask the dealer to flick some software switch???

thanks!

The two I've had thus far:

1) Mirrors to fold automatically when the doors are locked.
2) Audible alarm when I leave the lights on (it actually goes off regardless of whether it was sidelights or main lights left on).

I'm also convinced you can get the mirrors to dip when in reverse, but thus far the service guys have said not Basically the car uses a lot of the electronics from the Ford parts bin (Volvo specifically I think), so think what most of the mundanery they produce can do...

[JohnG1]

Murph - thanks very much

[Murph7355]

JohnG1 said:

Murph - thanks very much

No worries.