DB9 Volante servicing

[OldVolante]

Hi all,

Bought the 2010 DB9 just over a year ago and love the thing-no garage queen with 68k on it when I purchased and will continue to be used regular, put 3.5k on it in May 2024 on a road trip to France, Switzerland, northern Italy, Austria and Germany.

I studied the user comments here before buying and accepted the £700+ Road tax, £900 insurance, 13-18 mpg and “£2k/yr servicing costs” However my experience hasn’t gone to plan - a year into ownership and £5k down on servicing costs alone?!? Just had its “minor” annual service at the main dealer here and was told £865. But then got the call “air filter needs changing - £350” “diff oil needs changing - £280” “on road test our technician thinks the car is unstable when braking - rear wheels need tracking - £350” All in addition to the minor service. I know the wiper blades need replacing so am expecting the total to hit something around £2k on top of £2k in April in advance or the European trip (front brake pads, replaced battery, checked TPM for a loose wire) and £1k September 2023 to check the car after purchase with a few minor superficial repairs.

I asked what the £865 actually included and was told replace engine oil and filter, top up brake fluid. That’s all? Is this unusual ?

Anybody aware of specialists around Yorkshire who don’t charge mechanics out at consultant surgeon rates?

Comment appreciated thanks

[4Q]

I always get a list totalling many £1000’s when I take my car in for service at a main dealer, none of which needs doing. For example they always try and tell me to change things like air filter or pollen filters even though the car has only done 1500 miles since they were last changed or recommending that I change my transmission fluid until I remind them it was done last year! One of the things this year was weak bonnet struts at £1200, I bought OEM ones online at £31 each and it took me 5 mins to swap them.

[Aluminati]

Badge pricing. Look elsewhere.

[Rough101]

These are not complicated cars, look to any non franchised exotic specialist who will discuss the pragmatic options, like, do you want to do the air filter and wipers yourself, or use a specialist alignment shop that has half the hourly rate etc.

I flip flop between two places, they cover all exotics, one being deeper into Porsche/Ferrari, the other Ferrari/Maserati.

They both cover Astons as well, but the latter doesn’t touch VAG clone Bentleys neither will entertain McLarens other than for existing customers as McLaren doesn’t offer any independent tech support and trade supply of parts is apparently a nightmare.

Last time I was in they were fitting and coding a new (used) set of instruments and central screen to an F488 that the customer had sourced themselves as Ferrari and the independent spares places were all over £20k. It’s that sort of stuff that makes ownership semi affordable. I left promising to poke the brake dust out the holes in the discs having declined the 30 mins quoted.

Must be similar near you.

[Simpo Two]

OldVolante said:

I studied the user comments here before buying and accepted the £700+ Road tax, £900 insurance, 13-18 mpg and “£2k/yr servicing costs” However my experience hasn’t gone to plan - a year into ownership and £5k down on servicing costs alone?!? Just had its “minor” annual service at the main dealer here and was told £865. But then got the call “air filter needs changing - £350” “diff oil needs changing - £280” “on road test our technician thinks the car is unstable when braking - rear wheels need tracking - £350” All in addition to the minor service. I know the wiper blades need replacing so am expecting the total to hit something around £2k on top of £2k in April in advance or the European trip (front brake pads, replaced battery, checked TPM for a loose wire) and £1k September 2023 to check the car after purchase with a few minor superficial repairs.

I get about 20mpg from mine.

For the stamp in the book I pay an Aston specialist the £800+ for the basic annual service, but get the other things they list by a competent 'normal' garage. You really don't need an Aston dealer to change brake pads, wiper blades or track wheels.

One thing I wouldn't ignore is the diff oil - old oil can damage torque converters. £280 seems cheap to me.

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 29th August 23:29