Aston Martin DB9 (450, 470, 510 bhp), V12 Vantage, GT12, DBS, Virage, Vanquish, Rapide
Using our engineering credentials the Bamford Rose approach to servicing is pragmatically based upon analysis of the car itself. Our approach takes into account three major factors: i) The mileage your vehicle has done – in total and since the last service, ii) What consumables were changed at last service and iii) Your vehicles intended usage for the coming year.
Thus our servicing is tailored to each customer and their car. For that reason, we believe the OEM service schedule is too prescriptive and is over the top given the mileages done by most Aston Martins (we are, however, very happy to follow the full OEM schedule if that is requested!).
The first moment your car is presented to us it is thoroughly inspected – air filters, pollen filter, wiper blades, brake fluid, clutch fluid, transmission gear oil and where applicable hydraulic auto-shift gear oil are all checked. We then recommend what needs changing (with no needless expenditure on consumables that do not need replacing). This particularly important for the 7 years 70,000 mile service for V12.
Although spark plug replacement is prescribed in the service schedule, in reality, the plugs are good for 100,000 miles and at year 7 less than 1 in 50 V12’s reach 70,000 miles. Replacing the spark plugs is a big job because the inlet manifolds have to be removed. Instead of an automatic replacement, the health of the spark plugs is analysed using data from the ECU. If current and historic ECU data indicates a misfire problem and the car is approaching 70,000 miles the plugs will require replacement if not then the plugs do not require replacing. However, this is not the end of the story. Another common failure point and contributor to misfires are the one-way oil breather PCV (Positive Crankcase Ventilation) valves which also can only be accessed when the inlet manifolds are removed which is a seven-hour job. These PCV valves have a finite life , so Bamford Rose strongly recommends their replacement at this point to avoid big bills later on (see the Engine Repair Section for further details).
Here at Bamford Rose, a “service” also goes well beyond what you’d receive elsewhere. For instance, if you examine the service time booking target at a franchised dealer it is typically 3.5hrs for a service. This doesn’t include the essential maintenance tasks that our years of experience have identified as important.
The undertray is always removed and cleaned during service. This allows us to check for leaks that otherwise would remain undetected (and unmeasured) for another year or until the next time the undertray is removed. When replacing the undertrays and the wheelarch liners, all of the bolts are treated with copperslip to ensure threads remain in good condition lessening the likelihood of sezure.
Another example of our obsession with quality is during a brake service. We repaint the brake disk hubs, which can un-slightly oxidise and rust, as part of brake servicing as well as lubricating the hand brake adjuster during the service – a simple step preventing potential seizure of the handbrake that necessitates a new handbrake cable. These are just some additional steps and quality controls that are standard at Bamford Rose, that a franchised dealer won’t do.
But above and beyond each service is also a detailed inspection process and report. A process which has been evolved over the years togreatly exceed standard dealer 140 point check. The Bamford Rose list focuses on known trouble spots and opportunities for preventative maintenance. For this reason, a Bamford service takes typically six hours whilst remaining competitive with franchised rates. A minor service around is typically £650 (inclusive of VAT) a major service around £1000 (inclusive of VAT).