Mine is a 2015 DB9. Love it ! But ... the tail lamps keep showing condensation. They were already replaced once. Leather in parcel area shrinks ... and was replaced. Now I see red stitching fading to white. When I am not driving, I always keep it covered under Aston Martin Ultimate Car Cover. Recently side panels were replaced as the red stitching became white. Apart from these, I love the car. I like Db9 compared to DB11.
I really hate to see the red stitching fade to white and condensation in tail lamps.
Is it even worth to keep this car after warranty ?

 

Yes, don't really need to say anymore.


but.....
1. Tail light condensation? That is a pain, but not a huge big deal. I have it on my 05 DB9 with clear lights. It is a known issue and like your having, AM will replace under warranty. A lot of owners only ever see it after washing the car. I used the hot air from the air blower and it dried up on mine. But, washed it and it happened again. Headlights get it too once in a while. But, DIY repair members have drilled a small hole you cant see and put those air dry packets in the housing, and/or installing some small fans on the headlights and have no more issues. But, just keep it in the service records and keep taking it back for new ones, whenever you see it.


2. Leather peeling in dash corners and or on the gauge binnacle. Most upper end cars with leather on the dash do this. ITs due to several things but mostly heat. If the car is left out in the sun over time, the glue loosens underneath the leather and at the same time the leather shrinks some ie.... showing a corner area not covered. No issues on my DB9, however it does not sit in the sun for long periods. Most owners who have complained get the part replaced under the warranty, then they take care of it. A lot of cars get this due to sitting on dealers lots out in the sun for days on end.


3. Stiching ----- IMHO something was used as a cleaner on the seats or elsewhere that faded the red color. I haven't heard anything close to that problem, or seen another member mention it. Might have and I missed it, but I think it is a cleaner someone used on those parts which started the red to fade or BLEACH to white. I have silver stitching so cant help color wise. Mine is perfect condition all over. But I know the previous owner and they only used proper products on the parts.


GET all taken care of under warranty now, then you should be fine for a long time to come. As you have not mentioned, all else (the important parts (mechanical)) all seem to be working as they should. A couple small annoyances shouldn't detract your ownership if you love the car. If you just like it, then that's different.


Many or most exotic cars fair much worse, many BMW M5's or AMGs fair worse than this also.


Hope this helps you some, yes it can be frustrating sometimes, but in the end, you have a iconic perfect car and much better looking than the DB11

 

I remember once I was driving through Death Valley... the interior trim started peeling away. I don't know how I made it out of there alive with such an unreliable car.

 

12,500km in 9 months
Thermostat to replace
Brilliant, timeless,classy and reliable

Graze

 

When the car is covered is it also garaged? A covered car in the sun can generate a significant amount of heat which will shrink the dashboard leather panels. On any car with real leather dashboard I recommend a good leather treatment regularly.

 

I think no matter what year - warranty or not Aston should replace the tail lights until they are forced to actually fix the problem! On my 15 GT last year I called the dealer to complain, they said to bring the car in for a replacement (under warranty) and I asked: Don't you want to see the problem first? They replied that 1/2 the NEW cars they deliver have that problem (end of last summer)... just bring it in! This has been a problem now going on 12 years. If Aston actually paid for out of warranty changes, perpetually, I think it would be fair, but these are very expensive lights that should have been fixed 11 years ago. The fault lies with the Canadian supplier - maybe it would be better in China or Mexico!

 

I wonder if there is any way for Class Action NTSB stuff. I know for the leaking smelling gas fumes from W211 MB E-Class it took about 7 years for MB to finally settle, both reimbursing owners who paid out of pocket for repairs, and for current ones for done under extended warranty.

Just wondering if anyone has complained to AM about Clear Tailights who are not under warranty and likely have no receipts of purchase. Usually SOL for this, but since its a documented issue, I wonder if AM would respond.

 

They don't recall cars for cosmetic issues.

 

All good advice guys...My concern is AFTER the repairs are made and corrected except the rear lights...What solutions can be offered to avoid again? It sounds like the car needs better ventilation when covered...How? Not sure but there are many smart people here that I bet have an answer...
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don't get me started on the tail lights, 7 days out of warranty and DENIED.

 

Like someone mentioned above----- a good leather conditioner applied every 1-2 months or more often if kept out in the sun a lot. Leatherique products are the best i believe, but i typically i use PoorBoys Leather conditioner, but recently switched to AMMO Mouse. I would stay away from Lexol and the more consumer grade products. They are typically really watered down. A 16oz bottle of good conditioner likely is about $20-25 and will last 1-2 years. I sometimes, depending on how dried out the leather is, and/or if it is like MB with holes in it, will massage it in wearing gloves. You can heat up the leather with a hair dryer (it opens the pores) and then apply and massage the conditioner in. Cleaning sprays like window cleaner dries the leather faster. So on dash parts, that is typically a larger issue. Best to spray cleaner on towel then wipe the window. Or apply leather conditioner after cleaning the leather.
Hope that helps.



That I think would be about just as bad as getting denied for a loan, or having a cashier say "Sir your card is denied"

 

Thanks everybody for your responses. Here is a picture of the parcel area ... it is clearly visible red stitching is faded to pink and becoming white. I do leather treatment myself with Aston Martin Leather Care which comes with leather cleaner solution, leather softener solution and protection cream.
Another issue that I noticed is ... side view mirrors which make whirring noise and start shaking. At first they were lubricated, second ... working as designed, third ... waiting for replacement.

 

If that is the only area where the stitching is being a pain, then it is one of two things:

1. SUN is fading it----- get your windows tinted and that will help with that, AFTER you have AM replace the part

2. Whatever window cleaner was used on the back window, is having a chemical reaction to the RED stitching and causing it to bleach out. Could be ammonia, or some other chemical. Way forward is to spray the cloth first, then wipe the window rather than spraying the window which caused the cleaner to fall onto anything below.

Those are your two causes, one or the other.

 

Yes. Will be issuing 100k mile report soon. There are only a few, very few, items to be mindful about more than a factory robot built car. I plan on buying another, if I ever wear this one out...

 

An update .... tail lights and exterior (side view) mirrors were replaced. Exterior mirrors (open/close) have become very noisy ... they sounded like a power generator is running. I am glad they were replaced ... very smooth mechanism now

Another annoying thing I noticed .. stains in both the headlights I have no idea how it can happen. Please see the picture here. Any thoughts ?