Some of the parts pricing are just plain crazy!
For example, the PCV parts on the V12

$427 for one PCV valve - a Motorcraft EV-152 that goes for $35-55
The Vacuum harness assembly (which includes two of the PCV valves) goes for $244
go figure

 

Aston Martin seems to be trying run themselves out of business. Thankfully there are a lot of Ford parts so you can get them cheaper. I know a guy who was a parts manager for a MB dealer. The policy was to mark it up 3 times their cost.

 

I saved big going for Ford Motorsport O2 sensors on the Rapide. Replaced the back 4 sensors for less than one AM boxed one.

 

AM is a small manufacturer and as such has to make a profit wherever they can. I understand marking up a part 100%. I can live with that. But a 3 to 4 times markup is bordering on greed.

 

did it fixed the yellow light you had?

 

I've found that AM, different from most manufacturers, does not make available, or authorize aftermarket parts manufacturers to cross reference their parts. This makes it particularly difficult for DIYers to acquire parts as they end up to be dealer inquiries only at stupidly high prices. AMs business strategy is to force owners back into their dealership network for any, even the simplest of work. This strategy hurts AM (but mostly hurts their dealer network), especially with after warranty owners.

AM goes out of its way to negotiate with parts suppliers to supply common catalog parts with AMs P/N (only), so, even indies find it difficult to acquire simple parts. As an example, I inquired with an Indy (just for fun) to quote a complete brake job on my DB11. It was $12,000 as he could only quote the work with AM parts acquired from a local dealer.

The truth - AM, being a small manufacturer, and when it comes to wear and replacement parts, makes practically nothing themselves. Instead, they go to the "catalogs", choose existing parts, then negotiate a certain buy quantity with the stipulation the supplier offers the catalog part with an AM P/N.

My DB11 is the first Aston I've owned. I've been able to keep it maintained myself, so far, just spending the time investigating where AM went "shopping" for the part in which I am interested. The brake job, for example, I did myself. Not a direct compare as the Indy was going to replace everything, I didn't need rotors, only a brake pad refresh on all 4 corners. Once I found which Brembo systems AM used out of the Brembo catalog, and what other common cars use the same systems, this opened up a "universe" of replacement options that an Indy probably wouldn't/couldn't find. The complete brake job DYI cost less than $200, and I got rid of the brake dust common with all AMs and got rid of the brake squeal common to all DB11s. The AM dealer would only use factory supplied parts (same brake job quoted above, the dealer wanted $14,000), and I would still have had the dust and the squeal.

Conclusion - It's a lot of research, but finding AMs supplier for any given part is worth the work when you then realize just how much markup there is.

 

maybe they calculate the price of parts depending on the new value you know, thats why it has to be super expensive, yes its sad, how it is, and when you can research and do the job yourself its really great. it must be part of the aston ego, corporates, i m convinced they coudl buolt cars much cheaper too, if there was nt so much hype and eg and coprorate stuff...or instead of having 10 models you had 2 super well built, but its not possible today due to competitor how the car industry acts....like how much it cost to run f1 and what you could have done instead....

 

If they want people going back to the dealers, include free maintenance with the three year warranty then include maintenance in the extended warranty. Lastly, publish the 3rd party parts information once the cars are 12+ years old so people can maintain older cars more cost effectively. That seems like it would be a win for everyone.

 

Well I just paid $78 (plus tariff) for a thermostat o-ring (OEM part #702730). I'm sure there's an alternative, but I just tell myself that this was less than the $147 the dealer wanted for it

 

Yes, the emissions light is now fixed. The ECM's needed to be flashed and updated. All good now.

 

its great and your mecanics could do all of that...great! i will check myself the 4 first o2 sensors, not sure where they are but will fidn out.

 

My progression of "Where did this part come from?" on my DB9 is Ford/Jag/Volvo/AM... I usually get to stop at Ford, sometimes Jag, rarely Volvo and then painfully AM. The most random is the center mirror is from a Volvo S40, the side mirrors from a Jag S-type... Don't knock a "parts bin" car till you try it!

 

I’m flummoxed… and not deft w/ internet.
I cannot find the Ford equivalent for my 2007 Vantage V8 w/clutch pedal for thermostat/gasket-o-ring…

I’ve tried to find pads similar to process “BWings” described (kudos!), for same reason; much less dust, no squeal & less $$$)… but I throw my hands up (sometimes my stomach, too!) in frustration…

 

thermostat ford motorcraft pt# RTS-1163
o-ring ford motorcraft pt# RTS-1079

 

I need to replace my center view mirror, ( lot of scratches/fug inside the glass) I'm wondering if it's from another volvo model? any chance do you that?
13- V8 vantage