I want to replace the 10 year old battery in my 2009 Vantage V8 Roadster before it leaves me stranded. The prior posts and the Redpants video on replacing the battery seem to be based on the Vantage coupe. In both models the carpeted vertical panel in front of the battery must be removed to change the battery (see photos). In the roadster the right top lip of resin back of the carpeted vertical panel extends under the center console assembly by about 2 inches. This extension prevents the panel from being pulled forward toward the back of the seat. The left side of this panel is somehow attached but would probably come free if I could get the right side out. Any helpful tricks short of removing a number of panels would be appreciated and save many $$ by not going to the dealer! Thanks.

 

It's been a few years since I've done it. I'm not sure I removed much more than you have. there is a bolt that you need a very long ratchet extension to reach. And you have to do it blind because it is so deep. I remember it was in the back of the battery where there looks to be a slight curve.

Re-installing the fresh battery was an adventure. You have to reconnect the bolt in the back, making sure you don't lose it. If I were to do it again now I would install a new lightweight lithium ion battery. The prices have come way down, they are much lighter and smaller, so much easier to reinstall.

I think I looked up some videos on youtube. Keep the faith; I am a newbie to holding a screwdriver and I was able to do it. Mine is a 2007 Roadster, so probably similar effort.

 

I have read, with extreme interest, most of the posts on the battery and how to change it. I have also closely followed the new lighter method installing a lightweight battery and new mount. This endeavor seems to cost around $600 for the battery and the mount. The battery, which is not to bad, seems to cost around $250 but it only lasts for a year! The warranty on the battery is only one year and most of the posts seem to indicate that it does not last more than 2 years! Now, the original battery costs approximately $180 and seems to last 8 to 10 years or about $25 per year vs $249 per year!

I think that I can live with the extra 25 pounds when one stops to consider the labor involved to change it every year, even if it is much easier. One could say that I am too practical to own an Aston Martin but, one could also say that this type of practicality is how I afforded on in the first place.

 

Thanks for the insights. However, my main problem is the removal of the vertical, carpeted panel to be able to remove the battery and install a new one. Unless the panel is removed or moved forward toward the seat back, there is not enough space to remove the battery. Apparently the V8V roadster set up is different from the V8V coupe and all of the videos and posts deal with the coupe set up from what I have seen. There should be some way to remove the vertical panel without cutting it or removing three or four other panels!

 

Actually, there is.... I simply manhandled it from the center section until it cleared the back of the center console. After that, if I remember correctly, you could move the left hand section out from the right trim piece and it simply laid down and the battery was totally exposed. Hope this helps. Lifting the 60 pound battery out was the next challenge.

 

Thanks! I was afraid that I would just have to muscle it out but hoped that there was another way. Now I know - what a design or more accurately, lack of design!!

 

Manhandling the panel worked and battery is replaced. Just remember to do a window reset after changing the battery. With the ignition on, press and hold both window buttons in the up position and then 15 seconds in the down position. I thought that leaving the battery tender plugged in when I replaced the battery would obviate the need for a reset. However, when I tried to retract the convertible top I got a message that the top was not operable. The window reset fixed the problem.

 

The battery symbolizes how little thought AM gave to do work on this car. Most things, big and small are harder here than most other cars. It's the thing I truly miss about my Porsche's. When it was time to work on them I was always a little excited because of what I'd learn and the feeling of accomplishment I'd get after completing the job.

The Aston always brings a slight feeling of dread about what piece is going to be impossible to get to and stretch my 2 hour job into a 6 hour one. At the end of the job all I usually feel is relief that it's over.

 

Hey guys - I am going to need to change the battery in my MY12 roadster over the next couple of days and found this thread helpful - thanks!

I know those thread is some months old, but I had a couple of questions and was hoping those of you who have done a battery change on a roadster might be able to answer:

1) When "manhandling" the carpeted piece, any tips on how to get it out? Did you push it back and then try and squeeze it out? Or did you just pull straight back and get it to come free from the center console? i'm a little aprehensive to go in with brute force on these interior panels, so any tips would be appreciated!
2) Did you have an issue with the sliding brackets and the trim piece on the left hand side? I watched Rich's video on the battery change and was wondering if the roadster had the same sliding bracket issue

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

The panel is flexible enough to pull it free one side at a time but it does take some muscle. After the panel is free, I didn't have trouble with the bolts or the sliding bracket. Putting the top down gives much better access to the area especially to lift out the battery.

 

Thank you! I am in the middle of the job now, and I was able to pull the panel back without too much of a problem.

 

So I have the battery switched out and everything is seated properly. It wasn't too hard of a job actually - the biggest pain being getting the screw in on the back of the battery. I ended up using a flex extension with a touch of electrical tape to hold the screw to the bit until I could get it seated.

 

Great read, thank you everyone. I'm about to embark on this myself on my 2009 V8V roadster. Quick question: what brand battery did you use? The local Batteries Plus has a Duracell battery with a 5 year warranty for @220, and another with a 3 year warranty for $160 (minus 10% on each). Just wondering if these are okay, or if there is any reason to get another brand.
Thanks!

 

I have used Duracell from Sam's club last year in a friend's V8V. He rarely drives it and its been fine. Batteries plus is a convenient place. They seem to keep good inventory.

 

I used an Exide MXH8L549 from Rock Auto for $167 with a four year warranty.