DB11 V12 Purchase ~ AM Warranty?
Discussion
Hi guys
Planning on a sport GT in the coming months.
Thinking a DB11 V12 is a logical next move for me, done the 911 / Masser thing. Lexus LC in the running. California a bit flash perhaps. Have an E63S as a daily so the DB11 V8 not of interest given same engine.
The DB11 V12 seem reliable, but I would image bills can be big if a fault develops. Just had a £5k bill on the Merc for a faulty cabin screen!
Tell me about AM warranties - well regarded, cost, can they be added to a private purchase?
Any other DB11 views welcome.
Planning on a sport GT in the coming months.
Thinking a DB11 V12 is a logical next move for me, done the 911 / Masser thing. Lexus LC in the running. California a bit flash perhaps. Have an E63S as a daily so the DB11 V8 not of interest given same engine.
The DB11 V12 seem reliable, but I would image bills can be big if a fault develops. Just had a £5k bill on the Merc for a faulty cabin screen!
Tell me about AM warranties - well regarded, cost, can they be added to a private purchase?
Any other DB11 views welcome.
vanman1936 said:
Hi guys
<snip>
Tell me about AM warranties - well regarded, cost, can they be added to a private purchase?
Any other DB11 views welcome.
Timeless is well regarded (by me at least) but it is not the same as the OEM warranty that comes with the car - Timeless is an insurance product and there are some things they don't cover that the OEM one would. So read the literature. They are also not cheap and driving through a claim can often depend on the effort your AML MD is prepared to put in on your behalf. Mine went a long way to get a new nav joystick for my V8V, and it involved them sending pictures, reports, videos and pushing back on the initial push-back. But then they sold me the car and the Timeless, so they have an interest in me as a customer.<snip>
Tell me about AM warranties - well regarded, cost, can they be added to a private purchase?
Any other DB11 views welcome.
I've touched on cost being expensive and I don't know how much for a V12 DB11 - others may know. I do know it's £000's rather than £00's. It's cheaper if you take out 2 years rather than one. It also gets more expensive as the car ages
Yes you can add it to a private purchase, as long as the car passes the mandatory inspection required to be allowed back into the scheme (once it's in, it's in, unless you let it lapse again). The inspection also costs you, so buying a car with even a little bit of Timeless still active (it's transferable) will save you that hassle and expense.
Personally, having gotten my money's worth for a few items and fixing all the issues (most of which were irritations rather than VOR), I'm self-insuring.
I have a 2018 DB11 V12 for going on 3 years. Other than a few niggles that have nothing to do with the engine, I very much like this powerplant. In fact, I would not have been interested in the DB11 if only the V8 was available. Not that there is anything wrong with the V8. In fact, I had essentially the same engine in my AMG GTS. It's just that I have a weakness (desire) for 12 cylinder engines. Especially since so many manufacturers are moving to smaller displacements and V12s are becoming rare.
By now I would have been interested in and moving towards the MC20, but for the V6 only powerplant.
By now I would have been interested in and moving towards the MC20, but for the V6 only powerplant.
I’ve been running a DB11 V8 Volante for the last 4 years. Bought from the dealer and when the warranty expired I didn’t renew. Found that I had to argue a lot for the small niggles that I had and there was always a lot of “thats not covered” etc…
Not that I had any significant problems, but feel that you’d be better off leaving the warranty money in a rainy day account and not touching it till needed. Best advice is above - make sure the battery is adequately charged and use the car, they hate being sat around.
Finding a good independent is also my preference these days as the hourly charges are ridiculous, so another reason for not using main dealers anymore (owned 4 Astons in my time).
Would suggest doing a back to back V12/V8 test drive as the dynamics are quite different. Either way, brilliant cars and great value and lots of fun.
Not that I had any significant problems, but feel that you’d be better off leaving the warranty money in a rainy day account and not touching it till needed. Best advice is above - make sure the battery is adequately charged and use the car, they hate being sat around.
Finding a good independent is also my preference these days as the hourly charges are ridiculous, so another reason for not using main dealers anymore (owned 4 Astons in my time).
Would suggest doing a back to back V12/V8 test drive as the dynamics are quite different. Either way, brilliant cars and great value and lots of fun.
DB11 AMR for nearly 3 years. First year was with a timeless warranty from AM main dealer. It covered a misfire repair, windscreen pump replaced, and all my front brake assembly including discs and pads replaced due to warping (may have had something to do with a trip to Switzerland but probably just coincidence lol).
Apart from the front brakes the costs of repairs (all together around £1500) was a lot less than the warranty. Warranty is circa £2500k a year.
The front brakes was a bonus, even the dealer was surprised it got approved, that was over £4k.
If I was buying another AM I would get the car under the timeless warranty for the first year of ownership just incase its a lemon or hiding some big bills. That requires a paid for inspection with a main dealer first if buying outside of the network but I think its essential for piece of mind.
Apart from the front brakes the costs of repairs (all together around £1500) was a lot less than the warranty. Warranty is circa £2500k a year.
The front brakes was a bonus, even the dealer was surprised it got approved, that was over £4k.
If I was buying another AM I would get the car under the timeless warranty for the first year of ownership just incase its a lemon or hiding some big bills. That requires a paid for inspection with a main dealer first if buying outside of the network but I think its essential for piece of mind.
M1AGM said:
If I was buying another AM I would get the car under the timeless warranty for the first year of ownership just incase its a lemon or hiding some big bills. That requires a paid for inspection with a main dealer first if buying outside of the network but I think its essential for piece of mind.
That's the best strategy to take. After the first year, you'll have a much better idea of how good that particular car is and how much you trust not having the warranty.How many thousands you can save in 2 or 3 years. Invest back in the car geting mpre often serviced and batterry changed. And dont let it hours outdoor....its what i ve done and 0 faults in 9 years.
Make sure the diferencial is not noisy and all things have been checked fixed. Or ask to have it done instead.
Make sure the diferencial is not noisy and all things have been checked fixed. Or ask to have it done instead.
Edited by Aml21s on Monday 15th September 11:38
Had my V12 DB11 for 6 years. Bought at 1yr and 10k miles. Loads of miles in 1st year.
They are incredibly robust cars. I have a rattle im investigating currently but that's the only issue. High level brake light replaced under warranty. AC has needed regas twice. That's it.
Maybe a warranty for a year in case as others have said it's a lemon, then i'd only get a warranty if it was my daily. If it's used infrequently (sub 3-5k ish miles a year) I'd bank the warranty money and keep it in the kitty for brakes and tyres. Just buy the best you can afford from a reputable dealer.
These things are not the same as the flakey VH stuff, where you generally need a bigger budget just to keep them decent, especially if it's early and/or has a clutch.
They are incredibly robust cars. I have a rattle im investigating currently but that's the only issue. High level brake light replaced under warranty. AC has needed regas twice. That's it.
Maybe a warranty for a year in case as others have said it's a lemon, then i'd only get a warranty if it was my daily. If it's used infrequently (sub 3-5k ish miles a year) I'd bank the warranty money and keep it in the kitty for brakes and tyres. Just buy the best you can afford from a reputable dealer.
These things are not the same as the flakey VH stuff, where you generally need a bigger budget just to keep them decent, especially if it's early and/or has a clutch.
Calinours said:
OK, different noise. I was dealing with a noise in the cabin and turned out to be the passenger's door panel was not secured. Best,
skhannes said:
OK, different noise. I was dealing with a noise in the cabin and turned out to be the passenger's door panel was not secured.
Best,
I’m midway through trying to sort a similar sounding rattle. Dealer changed some broken clips inside the door just prior to me buying it but it didn’t resolve it. Like a buzzing coming from where your elbow is when on the armrest especially when on rougher road surfaces. In for a service next week so it’s on the investigation list.Best,
Anything you learnt that I can quickly check?
I have owned my 2020 DB11 AMR for a little over 2 years. I invested in the warranty and will continue to do so. It’s a personal choice but as we know these cars are very expensive to repair should there be an issue, even minor problems can rack up the ££££s.
For me it’s all about peace of mind, I also pay monthly towards its annual Main Dealer service.
Ive never had any issues making a claim and never had one turned down.
Therefore I’m very happy, so far…….
For me it’s all about peace of mind, I also pay monthly towards its annual Main Dealer service.
Ive never had any issues making a claim and never had one turned down.
Therefore I’m very happy, so far…….
Brian_Blessed said:
I m midway through trying to sort a similar sounding rattle. Dealer changed some broken clips inside the door just prior to me buying it but it didn t resolve it. Like a buzzing coming from where your elbow is when on the armrest especially when on rougher road surfaces. In for a service next week so it s on the investigation list.
Anything you learnt that I can quickly check?
I had a very loud and annoying "buzzing" coming from the passenger's door panel on my LHD DB11. It sounded very much like it was the speaker grille. After several unsuccessful attempts to try and secure it without removing the door card, I finally removed the card and worked the back of the grille (as it fastens with spring nuts from the back). Reassembled the door card and the noise was STILL there and at this point I realized the grille was not the issue.Anything you learnt that I can quickly check?
I removed the door card again, looked at it carefully and THEN it came to me. The problem was two internal clips that hold the card in place were not secured and these were vibrating on themselves. Once I reassembled the card and applied pressure to these two areas (actually punched the card with my palm), the noise was gone. I'll explain below:
Besides the typical series of PLASTIC fasteners around the edges that are common on all door cards, this card uses 3 metal/plastic fasteners that require more pressure to get them secured. It appears a common mistake either by a novice (me in this case until I learned) and maybe even Aston techs unfamiliar with these two internal clips (marked with red arrows) to assemble the card and forget to ensure these two are secured. If they are not secured they will vibrate on their mating part causing a pretty loud vibrating sound. For reference I show the 3rd clip located on the edge of the card, but the issue is the internal ones.
I do miss my 2019 V12. The engine is superb but so is the quality of the ride, the comfort and, surprisingly, the build. I went to a 992 911 and regret it - my wife won’t even go in it.
Buying again it would be from a main dealer (and I’d be very picky about which one!) with Timeless Warranty.
I bought mine with a transferable Timeless warranty and it failed to pay out on an incredibly expensive repair. Just make sure every single service was carried on schedule and correctly at an AM main dealer! That should be no surprise, really, but it’s amazing how many people are so ignorant (stupid) and fail to service their very expensive vehicles.
Buying again it would be from a main dealer (and I’d be very picky about which one!) with Timeless Warranty.
I bought mine with a transferable Timeless warranty and it failed to pay out on an incredibly expensive repair. Just make sure every single service was carried on schedule and correctly at an AM main dealer! That should be no surprise, really, but it’s amazing how many people are so ignorant (stupid) and fail to service their very expensive vehicles.
^ that’s another part of the warranty problem. For example, in my area, the local Aston dealer quoted me over $6k for a service that a well regarded independent shop completed with AM parts for $1500. So not only are you paying for the warranty but you’re getting bent over the barrel on the service costs too.
Quick tip for fixing rattles in any car - take your car to a Car Stereo expert.
They are masters at finding and fixing noises causes by resonance and will use the cars own stereo to play though single frequencies until it triggers the rattle and then they have all the tools to dismantle panels and apply fixes.
They are masters at finding and fixing noises causes by resonance and will use the cars own stereo to play though single frequencies until it triggers the rattle and then they have all the tools to dismantle panels and apply fixes.
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