When I got my car the top of the rear bumper where it shuts against the trunk was wavy and bugged the heck out of me. I did some research and found a lot of the cars have that and some dealers have even told owners that it was normal and did not even offer to try to correct it. I found out that the top of the bumper is held in place with 2 velcro strips (?!?) that glue onto two 5 inch metal ledges that come off the posterior frame. My bumper was pushed up and touching the trunk lid right where those 2 strips of velcro were. So I pulled up the edge of the bumper exposing the 2 velcro strips, pried the end of the strips off the bumper with a plastic flat panel tool, then pulled it off with some pliers. The strips were a little over 1/8 inch thick and without them the bumper laid down nicely against the ledge. I then heated the bumper up with a very hot blow dryer to try to remold it a little and put 2 small drops of super glue on each ledge to hold the bumper lip against it because I didn't want the thickness of double sided tape etc. That was a week ago and it is holding up nicely! I have included before and after pics below and an old bumper inner shot to show the 2 velcro strips in place. Now I purposely look at the rear instead of avoid it!

 

There it is!!! Awesome fix and thanks for the writeup/pics

 

Interesting. I may try something like this. My rear bumper recently separated near the bottom edge of the hatch. The velcro strips are locked onto each other but their adhesive is not enough to keep the bumper cover pulled into the body.

 

Very interesting. I do not have any wavyness on my 2007 but obviously have read about the complaints on here and Pistonheads for years. Great fix and write-up!

Just curious, what year is your car?

 

Alevene, It is brand new but I swapped bumpers with someone on the board. I just couldn't tolerate the look of the new bumpers as I think the old bumpers look much more classy and beautiful. I am sure I am in the minority but it made me happy

 

^^^^ I much prefer the old style bumper and diffuser as well.

 

anyh tips to remove bumper? do you have to remove tails first?

 

Yes. The taillights, wheel well covers, and diffuser/airfoil must be removed to remove the bumper.

 

Tim,

Nicely done. Of course, I had to go take a look at mine ('09) to see if it looks right, and happily it's as it should be.

BTW, I prefer the original style bumpers (and sills) also. When a design is this perfect, pretty much any change detracts from it IMO (although all Vantages are still gorgeous).

 

Fix: Good job Tim...shows skill and initiative. Don't you hope the responsible people at Aston read outstanding stuff like this and put it to use? Could include in an internal service bulletin, or class they hold for dealer technicians.

Appearance: I too think the early bumper fascias are the best execution of this appearance. Aston has struggled for years to improve...without success.

Recently been offered a bargain 2013 Vantage, $99K. Took a good, side by side, look vs. my 07 coupe:

Positives:
-4.7L Torque improvement
-6 Speed manual
-A new clutch (plus Aston must have done something to improve it?)
-6 Blade grille
-New warranty

Negatives:
-Less desirable appearance of bumpers, rockers and O/S mirrors
-The same car I already own...Coupe,Tungsten, 6 Speed (without the external oil cooler)

I walked, actually drove, away in my 07

 

^^^ Just out of curiosity, did you test-drive the '13?

 

I'd also like to get people's thoughts who drove the 13 compared to the 09-11
Not feeling the bumpers either but heard it is a better handling/responsive car from dealer.

 

We know they are improving...torque+, standard equipment+, the options on the build sheet+.
Reviews speak to refinement, why? Because the whole of the engineering and manufacturing system is working to this end, it is what they have to sell.
It is a fact, new cars are better than old ones.

But how do I justify buying the "same" car again?
I can not. I like (love) the car I have now. It just needs a few upgrades, which I have been applying since new. Just a few more...it will be perfect.

 

It's great that you love your car. It's a great car, and it's indicative of how good these cars are. That said, I think the differences b/w an '07 and a '13 are pretty significant. AXA Runner just moved into a '13 S (from an '07 or '08) and has commented on the change. The difference in performance b/w a 4.3 and a 4.7 is significant IMO, though it's not night and day.

The differences b/w the '09 - '11 (or really '09 - '12.25), IMO, are much less significant (S proponents in particular may disagree). The biggest difference is the suspension. For the '12.25 - '14 cars, the sports suspension is the same setup as the S, and they all have the quicker steering rack of the S. Personally, I find the '09 - '12.25 Sports Pack suspension superb -- for me, it's the sweet spot in Vantage suspension setups. It's beautifully balanced, very neutral and sharp, and while the ride is quite firm, it rides noticeably more compliantly than the S setup. For the truly awful roads in the northeast US, I prefer it to the later sport suspension/S suspension.

 

Do the 2013+ regular v8 vantage have the normal suspension? I don't see any offered with the "sports package" suspension anymore.