Hello all,

I purchased a 2008 V8 Vantage on BaT a few weeks ago and will document maintenance and updates here. I generally DIY, so enjoy my trials and tribulations.

The car is Midnight Blue over Sahara Tan, and is a Sportshift model. I've been a manual guy for a long time, but thought this might be an interesting new experience. So far I am enjoying it.

Cosmetically it looks to be in really nice shape, with the only let down being the typical leather pealing on the dash and cracked wood trim. Mechanically, it runs well with no warning lights, but I'm going to fully reset the maintenance clock on this to give a starting point. It has some of the common foibles which I'll get into later.

 

First up is an order from Eurospares. Seems to be the best pricing (although with the tariffs I don't know), but if you all know a better source for OE parts I'm all ears.

All struts are worn, and the fuel filler cap is sticking, small easy things that are super annoying if not addressed.

6G33-16C826-AB x 2 - Hood struts
4G43-23504-AB x 2 - Door struts
6G33-406A10-AC x 2 - Hatch struts
8D33-F21982-BA x 2 Door strikers (they just look ugly, and it's one of the first things you see when you open the door)
700610 x 4 - bolts for strikers
4G43-37-10067 - Fuel filler cap actuator
GG33-9030-AA - Gas cap (disappointingly it's plastic and not metal like the one currently on the car so will look into this further)
6G33-FA0115-AB-PK x 20 - license plate screws

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Next up is address the belt squeak by updating to the 4.7 pulley/belt, and coil packs/spark plugs. Please tell me someone has found an OE supplier match for the genuine Aston ones because my goodness.

 

Hello @sirhodjibob ,
Welcome to 6speedonline !

Johnny


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Nice ride..welcome…looks like you have the catchup maintenance well in hand…love the blue…enjoy..

 

This arrived from Switzerland, the Smart EMT F1 relay. It's just a relay, so not expecting any miracles, but hopefully his helps prolong the pump life for the Sportshift transmission. Seems to be well regarded over on Fchat.

 

what are you going to do with that relay?

 

This replaces the ASM relay. Just finished installing it. I trimmed a slot in the fuse panel cover lid and just used velco strips to secure to the top. There is a grounding strap- I used the bottom stud where the fuse bracket attaches to the chassis and lightly sanded so it has a good ground. Tidier than some of the other installs I've seen.

Detailed explanation here (I have zero affiliation, just came across it when researching the Sportshift gearbox before purchase) : https://www.scuding.com/Shop/en/ecu-solutions/101-smart-emt-relay-ecu.html



Also found this in the CD player. Safe to say it probably led a gentle previous life

 

Ordered a few more things. Learned that the cabin filter is the same as a Mazda RX8, so that's fun.

-cabin filter set (Mahle LAK235S)
-air filter set (using Blue Print part number ADJ132232)

Brakes:
-set of Hawk HPS 5.0 brake pads (570 & 586)
Brembo 09.8780.21 x 2 - front rotors
Brembo 98.8248.40 x 4 - caliper/brake pad hardware
4G43-2N389-AA x 4 - rotor retention screw
​​​​​​4G43-2C564-AB x 8 - caliper bolts
Brembo 09.8781.21 x 2 rear rotors

Engine:
9G33-8620-AB - 4.7 accessory belt
​​​​​​9G33-19A216-AA - updated idler pulley
​​​​​​6G33-19A21-BA - idler pulley (on the alternator)
6G43-07-10056-PK x 2 - spark plugs (pack of 4)
9G33-12A366-AA x 8 - coilpacks
Motorcraft RT1163 - Thermostat
​​​​​​Motorcraft RTS1079 - Thermostat O-ring
6G33-9F809-AA - throttle body gasket
702544 x 4 - throttle body bolts

Try as I might to find a coilpack alternative to Aston Martin, I came up empty. It seems the OE supplier is Beru, part number Beru ZS389 but no sources for it. Also not going to go for a full cooling system overhaul just yet, researching water pump/radiator options. And wouldn't a louder exhaust just be so much more fun?

Suspension
​​​​​​703216-PK - x 2 shock mount nuts (pack of 10)
​​​​​​703135 x 4 - front lower shock bolts
​​​​​​703166-PK x 1 - front lower shock nuts (pack of 5)
703154-PK x 1 - rear lower shock bolt (pack of 2)

 

Sharp looking car! All the best with it!

 

not safe to assume that those of us who enjoy a little Roxy Music on occasion won’t wring the neck out of our Astons now and then .

 

Looks like Orient blue?

 

Awesome project! Hope everything goes smoothly.

My car had low miles and was in perfect condition, but needed a 10 year fluid service, and new tires. So that was around $5k right off the bat. I'll end up doing oil changes from here on out.

 

get you clutch checked. these are notorious for early failures...

also the timing cover gasket

great calls

 

Congrats on the new Vantage! Beautiful spec on that one!