I was wondering how many miles your Aero 8 has and whether people here are aware of "patterns" of what needs addressing as the car reaches certain "landmarks" in mileage.

Starting with mine, Areo 8 S1, 12,700 miles, no problem that I can see, but then it was cerealsurfer's car! Edited to correct, really minor marks on driver's side seat bolster (both to seat and piping)

Currently 46000km. I replaced lower trunnion on ft rt suspension (nearside in France!) last year when car had about 38000km, otherwise just routine servicing and one dreaded electric window motor due to fretted cable.

Still have the original hydraulic assistance on steering rack and wear on pump drive currently not excessive.

Cheers

9500km and just 10months in use

Is this the maxies mileage????

The aero has just passed 9000 miles 14400km since November 2009. I think its just about run in now.

23,000 miles since April 2008, no mechanical problems during my ownership - just routine servicing.

23000 miles in 2 years. 5000 of them mine. No issues at all in my stewardship.... touch wood!

18000m in 3 years with annual services. Loads of warranty issues but nothing that actually stopped the car from being used (except in the rain). The only BMW fault was with dual mass flywheel that needed replacing at 12000 miles.

Potential issues for the future....paint bubbling round the edges, especially rear lights and wear marks along the hood beams.

Otherwise I still love it and will not be changing it for the forseeable future

5000 miles since December 2009. 1500 of those going to the south of France and back. A few minor snags which the factory sorted under the warranty but nothing serious.

Still a total joy to drive.

David

22.000 kilometers with the Max in 20 months

Many minor issues, most of them sorted now, all under warranty

Broken hose on oil radiator (7 milles post delivery)
Faulty connection on the fuse box that prevented engine start(200 milles after the second delivery)
Windows opening under heavy rain (Loose connector)
Tail windows opening under heavy rain (Bad joints)
Tail lights not working under rain (Bad joints)
Noisy air con (New air con system to be fitted)
Radio disfonctioning (Bad connection)
Leakage of the steering pump
Noisy air box (Nex air filter to be developed and fitted)
Isulation piece badly located in the gearbox tunnel
Cruise control working sporadically (No cure as of today)
Noisy air filter (New box being developed by MMC to be fitted)
Exhausts brackets broken (Interim brackets fitted)
Tyre pressure system having its own mind (No hope)
Main switch on fuse box broken
Lost two tails windows under severe heat
One tail window breaking when temperature went below -20°C

Other than that, everything is fine.

Still love the car, most issues sorted in the first 12.000 kmh

Engine wonderul, and according to the French Gendarme, the car goes at 289 kmh...............

New January 2009, current mileage 40,000. Water ingress issues meant factory have had the car to correct so allowing for that and holidays away from car would say probaly mileage accumulated over 14 months of driving.

Apart from scheduled servicing every 10,000 plus an extra fluids change every 5,000 the car is on it's second set of tyres, has had new brake discs at the front at 35,000 miles, new donut on driveshaft (warranty) at 30,000 miles, replacement speedometer due to faulty electronics in the speedo (fault developed when leaving factory on Jan 2nd 09), drivers door acctuator under warranty.

So, on the whole, mechanically pretty excellent. Yes, there seems to be an electronics issue for many which I guess will eventually get resolved but on the everyday mechanical stuff not much to be concerned with.

The drivers seat does get scuffed and I have a simple solution which means that it doesn't get any worse and the design of the roof when folded does have a wear point which I can see will eventually put a hole in the fabric. Working on a solution to prevent that.

I expect that there are a bunch of Aero's on higher mileage but unlikely to be many S4's at this level. If we discount the issues we all know about, water finding it's way in and the potential leather wear and tear due to small doors and tight spaces getting in and out of the car, I think that overall the reliability is fine. Just need to resolve the electrical glitches for people.

Both the factory and Richard Thorne Classic Cars do a fantastic job with the car and between them go out of their way to ensure things are right.

Could you share your solution? I am also trying to keep driver's seat in good condition. Thanks!

Maybe you should send that ticket to MMC so they can update the cars performance statistics.

I assume that was the magic 750 Euro fine

That was a good hand shake and a 'drive safely Sir, beautiful car'

Being a French national, on a French motrway, that speed means:

Immediate jail
Canceling the license with five years period before getting the right to pass the test
Probably a suspended year of jail
Car confiscated and sold for the State profit
A 5.000 Euro fine

It happened on a closed motorway, two days before the grand opening and upon invitation, so no risks

Enzo was the fastet car of the day, a GT3 RS being second and the Max being third

Got the 2005 S2 13 months ago.
RTCC demo car +2 owners prior to me and 11,700 miles on it.
On arrival it had a number of issues. I don't think the previous owner had spent the time sorting it as it was not driven enough ?

Purchase 12,000
Headlight electronics/controller duff and needing replacement.
Alignment out at the front end.
Engine light on dashboard on constantly leading to sensor replacement.
One roof clamp seized and the other poorly fitting, both replaced.
Poor fit of roof and leakage resulting in damp needing interior clean and valet.
Door alignment of drivers side well out of kilter and trim needing replacement.
Significant engine smells in cabin, air intake surround and bulkhead needing sorting to block holes

Recent 18,000 Service.
Battery going flat regularly, subsequently found to be caused by chaffed cables - noticed when both engine fans failed leading to new cabling, not cheap.
Power steering failing resulting in new pump motor and also rebuilding of front end geometry and cleaning out under tray.
Air-conditioning needed new compressor and condenser.
6000 mile full service to bring it up to date.

So for 12 months and 7000 miles it has cost a lot of money, some of which was overdue from previous care.

In the same period the Turbo-Sofa Phaeton V10 has done 22,000 had a single service at £400, turned 100,000 miles and 6 years old and from time to time the "check rear light" signal pops up on the dashboard. I perform a Microsoft style reset by removing the key and rebooting the braincells and it goes away. Oh and I have blown up a door speaker on the drivers door through excessive enjoyment of the Shapshifters "Live" album, I cannot really blame the car for that as I have abused the upgraded system for a long long time. Despite being a twinturbo V10 that covers ground at the same rate in our photo-sensitive road network it gives better MPG. In total silence, comfort and safety.

Hmmmmm. This seems like a poor deal on face value.

Yup - I have totally lost it, no common sense involved. You will have to tear the Morgan keys from my dead hand before I become sensible and sell the Aero.

My S1 has now done 6100 miles. I am the third owner and bought the car 3 months ago. It had been dry stored for much of the last 6 years although fluids had been changed regularly during that period and so I am carefully re-commissioning and checking just about everything!

So far it has had the following work in addition to normal servicing:
PAS "upgrade"
New heater/air con electronic control module
Complete brake strip down, clean and re-build
New Series 1 OZ alloys
All fluids changed

It now drives like an absolute dream!

I am currently detailing the paintwork which is very good in any event - just getting the usual swirls etc. out

It does have some minor wear to the bolster on the drivers seat

Really looking forward to putting some miles on it!

Dave

Wow, that's 180.625 mph! As you mention the Gendarme's, I guess this was electronically timed Loiseau? I don't have the AeroMax brochure with me, but from memory MMC give the top speed of the Max as 170 mph (273 kmh). A useful increase ...

I'd love to really extend mine, but where do you get the opportunity? Unfortunately, I can't make VMAX200 this year.

I have a fleece scarf that hangs around the back of the seat and down over the bolster so as I get in it protects the bolster from getting scuffed. Not elegent but it works.

Simple! Thanks.

Now I know what to use my MSCC scarf for in the Boxster!

Cheers,

That's heresy Graham

Heresy for the car or the scarf

So long as I wear it outside of said motor Brian?
Anyway, thought it would be putting another good badge in the car
I wear it IN the Land Rover in winter
Gets regular use in Mog too...

Cheers,

A new strectch of motorway has been build last year, close to where I live.

The few before public opening, a number of cars fanatics were invited to visit the HQ and the Gendarmerie.

They offered to test their speeding equipments and put one 1.000 after the toll booth, which in essence became the start line, one after 5.000 méters and one at 10.000 meters

Each of us had three go.

My Max being auto the variation was very small, but on a number of manual cars, even if somehow traction control can work its magic, changing gears creates a significant variation

VEry impressed y the Gendarmes equipements. In real life, no chance at all to escape

Went to Germany as well and drove fast. However there traffic is quite heavy so it isn t safe

Bought mine in Nov 09 with 1,000 miles on the clock. She's now done about 7,000 including a jaunt across Europe.

Problems so far:
Bad corrosion on all door handles & badges, both of which I replaced. Dealer even asked me if I lived next to the sea as he'd never seen that sort of corrosion before.
Some water ingress when it rains. Got told by dealer not to drive in the rain in future
Flat battery if not used for a week or so. Solved with a trickle charger.
Passenger's side window went completely bonkers in the rain. Fixed by enclosing electrics in the door in plastic to stop water ingress.

And a few weeks ago, my air flow meter went bang. I always thought there was something slightly wrong with the car as she popped and banged more than she should have done, she was badly down on power and fuel consumption was worse than expected. Now fixed (for an arm and a leg) and throttle response is much better I have to admit I was so cross when it went that I almost put the car up for sale, but there's nothing like a spirited run to make you realise there's no way you want to sell up

Sounds as if you are with the wrong Dealer Selcouth! In my experience they do vary enormously, but a visit to the works usually sorts out the issues.



I don't know the age of your Aero, but from the mileage and your avatar I guess it's relatively new? Wasn't this a warranty issue?

Glad to hear that it has been sorted, but to improve performance at little or no cost, the factory take out most of the internals of the air filter housing. Not sure exactly what it entails, but it does make quite a big difference to the performance and most Aero's serviced at the works have had it done.

I'm pleased to hear that you are now enjoying your car.

Brian

Went for a great drive from Glasgow -> Glencoe -> Port Appin -> Oban -> Inveraray (bought nice bottles of whisky here, highly recommended if you are in the area and can stretch for their 55,000 pounds 1919 whisky bottle on display behind the counter http://www.lfw.co.uk/) -> Loch Lomond -> Glasgow.

First problem to report: Over the two-day trip, on three separate occasions (out of about 10), the starter motor emitted the ominous "click" sound without turning. Each time, starter motor turned and engine started on the second button push.

Time to change the starter motor, or is this still OK? (Car sporadically used)

Other than that, I am still amazed at the compliance of the chassis. Coming from 911s, the "no turn-in understeer" and "slight drift attitude from the apex out" of the Aero 8 is a revelation. And very easy to control when it starts to drift or slide--which it does easily in the wet.

Also, as you all know already, but I am discovering, enjoyment of the car starts within "keep your driving license" speeds.

They did try to fix the water ingress but it made absolutely no difference whatsoever, other than to my wallet (the bill was horrendous for no result )



2007 S3 (57 plate). I don't think I have any warranty remaining - I was only given a 6 month warranty when I bought the car and obviously I'm out of that now and I assume that it's not under any sort of factory warranty?

In future, I am going to take my Aero elsewhere as I do feel I'm getting royally ripped off. It's a good excuse to go for a nice long drive too so it's no great hardship

Aero 8 s1 2003 since 15 month
Purchase 55'000 km, now 63'000

-Replace the hydraulic steering pump with an electrical one (problem already known when I bought the car). 5 months to get the parts!
-Replace air flow meter (still have idle problem when the engine is warm and also sometime a "turbo effect")
-Replace a broken side window (with polycarbonate)
-Issue with the articulation of the roof

Current issue: electric windows motor system damaged, due to a broken cable (does anyone know where this system comes from?)

Water in the cockpit and knees wet when it rains ;-)

Lot of trouble but always enthusiastic, with this fantastic car

Chris

Can't help you on where the window motor/mechanism comes from. However when I did my rt hand window last year, reason for the cable fretting in the first place was that a pulley was not able to turn properly due to excess weld on a joint in the frame. Having resolved this problem and fitted a new motor/mechanism, do not expect any more problem.

Cheers

If it's 57 then surely it's *only just* out of its 3-year warranty? Isn't that the norm for cars nowadays?

2005 series 2. 43,000 miles.

Water ingress from hood on purchase. Factory cured, virtually dry as a bone.
New clutch at 35,000 miles
Split hose where suspension upright fixing bolt rubbed and wore down the hose (resolved by turning the uprights outwards - known issue).
On lap of Scotland lots of water in boot and passenger footwell traced to third brake light coming loose and water running in car from there.
A few rattles and bumps??

There's nothing like an Aero on full 'chatter' on nice roads to make everything else seem irrelevant

Nasty, Boshers -- only place for water in Scotland is in a nice single malt!!!!!

Cheers!

Only thing to go in a single malt, is more single malt

Too right Graham, but one has to be careful with Boshers, he's a delicate chap, so a little dilution to start with!!!

We are trying to properly induct him to PaddyMog standards, but I expect it'll take time!!!!!!

My S4 is also to all intents and purposes 100% waterproof, unless you aim a hose at the window seals. Certainly no issues with getting wet inside unless it's absolutely monsoon conditions, and then only via the side windows where the seals are not 100% perfect. In normal british weather no issues at all.

Again, it's a factory fettled car - makes all the difference in these things I think...

So true Robbie, but I'm trying hard.

I'm still on the 'glass of water and showing it the bottle of Malt' stage. With any luck I'll be at the 'glass of water and having an open bottle of Malt adjacent' by this time next year.

In no time at all I'll be downing the bottle with ya all

Progress, Boshers.........progress!!!!!!!

S4 owned for six months (out of the country for 6 six weeks) now done 3000kms. Had a long list of minor problems to be dealt with during first service. Many loose bolts and a few missing !!

Rain no problem for speeds over 80 kmph.

Car not designed for NZ conditions - on delivery trip weather was 25 Deg C plus most of the 800 kms. With the aircon on and the roof down the condensation off the aircon unit RAINED on my wife's feet in the passenger's footwell.

I'm not sure that the aircon is designed to work with the roof down - the system would be trying to cool the entire southern hemisphere!

David

shouldn't condensate like that.. used my aircon in much hotter temps roof down and no issues...

But at what humidity level Rich?

Shouldn't be in the footwell though...

Cheers,

Fair point. Was driving in South of France (30 degrees), and sitting in traffic (after heavy rainstorm so wet roads all steaming) this summer, so would think that was pretty humid..

Other than that, driving in Italy last summer at a constant 35 degrees. Humidity probably not that high though...

I figure that condensation on these is going to be par for the course, leaking into the footwell shoudl not be - suggests that there is some kind of failure in waterproofing / shielding in the footwell perhaps..

Water coming out of the footwell vents is not uncommon on the Aero or a lot of other cars. I've had several cars that once in a while water has come out.