Thinking of buying a Rapide S

[Bluebottle_GB]

Hi all,

Long time reader of the forums, I've wanted an Aston since I was little (my uncle used to co-own an independent garage specialising in them) then I saw "that" Top Gear episode where the DB9 beat the TGV and I have lusted after one for 20 years. However, children and real life have got in the way and I have had to make some compromises.

I've spotted a Rapide S in a spec I like and at a price I hope I can make work...

Reg is KX64 LDK and just wondered if anyone knows the car or has access to AM insider info (I have the VIN too)?

I'm particularly interested in the engine management as I think this is a MY15 car so should have the AM29 engine with Bosch brains and the ZF 8-speed.

Many thanks in advance!

[filski]

Hi There,

I recently got myself a pre S version, mainly because i preferred the elegance of an earlier version rather than the aggressive front of the S and the racier spoiler, although still very much a pretty car. i did test drive both and i think both are great cars!!!

I would strongly recommend a pre purchase inspection to give you an idea of any potential items that would need rectifications and someone to check ECU for any fault codes or past log.

Where are you? Indy specialist all offer this service and so do the main dealers just make sure you opt for the comprehensive one with the main dealers as i felt like their basic one although cheaper, was the sort of inspection that you could yourself.

I would also say have a look at the paintwork as my experience is that the paintwork with many of the ones i looked at suffered due to these being more of "commuter vehicle" or perhaps me being very picky.

[josh bear]

Hi

Don't know that particular car but I have owned 2 Rapide S. Loved both of them. Great for the family, big enough for weekends away and very much fun to drive.

I had an electrical issue (cables were being pinched by a cable tidy) with my second one but the dealer sorted it. Apart from that I can't recall any big issues.

Good luck with the purchase.

Josh

[dokkodo]

If you want the AM29/ZF 8 speed, then you are correct in needing a 2015MY. However these began to be registered in late 2014 so you need to make sure of the spec directly. As above, get a good independent to do an inspection, these are sophisticated cars and you really need somebody who knows them inside out.

I have had my MY15 for just over a year and I was very specific in what I wanted, AM29/8 speed with the button & analogue clock console - this changed for 2016, IMHO for the worse. Some criticise the lack of toys - I disagree, everything necessary for a great driver's car is present, works logically/well enough and I much prefer the lack of screens and distractions.

No problems with mine at all, excellent to drive/handle and very quiet even at autobahn speeds (and I do mean speed) and eats miles like no other car I have driven. Would you believe, 25mpg average too!

Good luck, you won't be disappointed.

Edited by dokkodo on Wednesday 29th May 10:01

Edited by dokkodo on Wednesday 29th May 10:03

[Emilio Largo]

Bluebottle, since no-one has answered your question yet:

There are two possibilities: Either help yourself by registering for free on technicalhub.astonmartin.com and enter the last six digits of the VIN. Or ask a friendly main dealer to send you the build specification data from the dealer communication system. Both data sheets will reveal the engine type of the particular Rapide S in question and hence the relevant engine management system:

13-14.5MY	AM11	Visteon engine management
15MY onwards	AM29	Bosch engine management

[Bluebottle_GB]

Thanks, I’ve just done the free registration thing and it is as I hoped an AM29.

I had hoped to go to AM Works for a pre purchase inspection but the lead time for this is likely to be a problem. The selling dealer has said he’s happy to send it to his local AM main dealer for them to do one - anyone had experience of Nottingham AM? It has FAMSH which I’m hoping should be helpful as well.

[Jon39]

Bluebottle_GB said:

Thanks, I’ve just done the free registration thing and it is as I hoped an AM29.

I had hoped to go to AM Works for a pre purchase inspection but the lead time for this is likely to be a problem. The selling dealer has said he’s happy to send it to his local AM main dealer for them to do one - anyone had experience of Nottingham AM? It has FAMSH which I’m hoping should be helpful as well.

An alternative approach for those buying from a main dealer (with the one year warranty), is to have a post-purchase inspection by one of the Aston Martin workshop independent specialists. Some of those use toothcombs and have almost x-ray eyes. A printed list of faults then gets action at the selling dealer, to sort using the warranty.

Often the inspection cost, turns out to be money well spent.

[Bluebottle_GB]

Interesting, my problem is the selling dealer is independent but has a close relationship apparently with Nottingham AM due to the number of cars that pass through them etc.

[DB4DM]

With that registration number, is it an ex-AML car?

[Bluebottle_GB]

I think it might have been - the first service stamp at just under 10k miles, six months after registration date, was for "Fleet Operations".

My current cars are an L322 Range Rover (which I am fairly sure was a JLR manager's car due to the high/unusual spec) and a Jaguar F Type R Coupe which I know was run through "Paragon" which is their fleet car system.

Opinions seem divided on some owners' forums about whether this is a good thing or not. I'd be glad of the combined experience here too...

[Bluebottle_GB]

Now seen the car, it's in excellent condition, seen all the invoices for last few years of servicing, all AM stamps so that's as good as I can hope for I guess.

My remaining concern is whether a cursory PPI completed by the local AM dealership on behalf of the selling independent, combined with an RAC warranty, is sufficient insurance - obviously I know that nothing is really guaranteed and something can break a day after it was inspected or not for years.

I'm hoping that since there seems to have been nothing major cropping up in the last few services that it's fundamentally sound? Coils were done in 2021 so I think they're ok until 2028?

[reddiesel]

I think what you have achieved so far is as good as it gets when it comes to purchasing a second hand car let alone an Aston . I took the liberty of checking your cars MOT history , it has averaged 3800 miles a year which is 29485 miles below average considering the age of the car and has a single MOT advisory for a wiper blade ?? ( I can never understand why some of these idiots sully a cars history for the sake of a triviality such as a wiper blade ) and apart from that an unblemished history . It strikes me that in the final analysis your worry is whether the Independent Inspection is Independent enough and my feeling is it probably is . Ultimately you get the car bought or simply instruct another Independent to assess your intended purchase . Not the answer you perhaps want to hear but there it is . I think you are going to have a lovely summer enjoying the car and you will be back on here extolling your good fortune and I shall be amongst the first to congratulate you .

Edited by reddiesel on Saturday 1st June 18:53

[Bluebottle_GB]

Selling dealer now being cagey about an unspecified leak spotted at the rear. Says he’s waiting for quote for repair/parts from AM… I fear he’s worried that whatever the issue is will eat his profit so now doesn’t want to sell to me.

Wondering, given how few of these cars there are in the UK let alone those for sale, should I just give it up, go and buy a 2013 DB9 and settle for not being able to take the whole family out, as is currently the case with the Jag?

[krisdelta]

The Rapide is a great way of moving a family about, don't assume the dealer is being cagey - they've readily disclosed an issue which they are getting repaired. This sounds positive to me!

[MMarkM]

Bluebottle_GB said:

Selling dealer now being cagey about an unspecified leak spotted at the rear. Says he’s waiting for quote for repair/parts from AM… I fear he’s worried that whatever the issue is will eat his profit so now doesn’t want to sell to me.

Wondering, given how few of these cars there are in the UK let alone those for sale, should I just give it up, go and buy a 2013 DB9 and settle for not being able to take the whole family out, as is currently the case with the Jag?

Or he is wary that you you've been looking for the car for a while now and can't make you're mind up. Sounds like he is doing the right thing waiting for parts/prices

[Bluebottle_GB]

MMarkM said:

Or he is wary that you you've been looking for the car for a while now and can't make you're mind up. Sounds like he is doing the right thing waiting for parts/prices

I don’t think so, I made up my mind after I saw the car…

I’ve been trying to pay him a deposit for the last three weeks. He won’t answer the phone, and I know he hasn’t put the car in at the local main dealer because they’ve told me so.

[filski]

Bluebottle_GB said:

MMarkM said:

Or he is wary that you you've been looking for the car for a while now and can't make you're mind up. Sounds like he is doing the right thing waiting for parts/prices

I don’t think so, I made up my mind after I saw the car…

I’ve been trying to pay him a deposit for the last three weeks. He won’t answer the phone, and I know he hasn’t put the car in at the local main dealer because they’ve told me so.

I would suggest going out and viewing few other Rapides. In your search radius, doesnt hurt and helps to 'wet the appetite' Don't rule out Rapide (non s) as they do look fairly elegant rather than nore aggressive. In my search I looked at both S and non S and actually settled for non S with pre purchase inspection etc.

Hope the one you really want does get fixed and sorted

[Bluebottle_GB]

filski said:

I would suggest going out and viewing few other Rapides. In your search radius, doesnt hurt and helps to 'wet the appetite' Don't rule out Rapide (non s) as they do look fairly elegant rather than nore aggressive. In my search I looked at both S and non S and actually settled for non S with pre purchase inspection etc.

Hope the one you really want does get fixed and sorted

Thanks, I’ve since had contact and awaiting for news from the dealer on the potential extent of the problem…
I might look at some others, the problem is that I really like the idea of the Touchtronic III. I agree the front end of the non-S is much classier though.

[Simpo Two]

Bluebottle_GB said:

I’ve been trying to pay him a deposit for the last three weeks. He won’t answer the phone

That's a warning light to me. I would go round in person and ask him what the matter is. If you really want the car and there's an obstacle, remove the obstacle.

[skyebear]

I'd be in no hurry to hand over a wedge of cash to someone who can't answer your calls.

Is there something specific about this car that it has to be this one?