Talk Morgan Forums Morgan Sports Cars Morgan Aero 8, 2012< Plus 8, SuperSports, Coupe & Aeromax Took the Aero out - few issues

Don't get me wrong, I loved the Aston and every three months or so feel the temptation to return.
But £2500 for an annual routine service and £3500 for a new clutch at 28k miles!!!
Running costs of the Aero have been, annual service and MOT circa £400, new battery circa £150 and new MAF and Heater control valve were around £120 each, so three years of aero < one year of aston.
The story with the new clutch at £28k is what did it for me. I had the semi automatic clutch on the Vantage, essentially a manual style friction clutch operated by very basic electronics. When in it went in for its service at 28k, was told by Aston that it would need it's second clutch. I said what do you mean a second clutch it's only done 28k of largely motorway miles. Sir we have never heard of anyone getting more than 20K out of one of these clutches you have done very well - and that will be £3500!!!
Notwithstanding Aston's still beautiful to look at and beautiful to drive but not an Aero

Two of my wheels came loose in Wales last year, as they loosened when cornering a grinding noise was audible but not felt. FOS was 1/4 turn loose, ROS was 1/2 turn loose. It was the grub screws that had loosened following servicing the week before. Near side was fine.

Nick, regular use and simple preventative maintenance are all important on these cars. So using the A/c in the winter and the heater in the summer just keeps the units serviceable. Use the elec Windows regularly and if in doubt grease the cables.....by NS window fell out last year on the same Wales trip, the cable had snapped due to chaffing and lack of grease.
I now build in a preventative maintence schedule on top of the service items.

Ctek battery conditioner is a fantastic idea, only £40 and works through the fag lighter so no need for Anderson clips or terminal clamps.
Air chamber is an idea, good for post wash drying off as well......I will look into that myself.....more than polish sell them and the owner Mark is a top chap.

As for the 5000 rpm advise, perhaps I am in the minority here, but that is the target for pretty much all gear changes I thought.

reading the post from Taffy has jogged my memory for something I meant to acquire a while back.It is a bespoke wheel nut tool that fits the OZ wheel perfectly and has a 38mm socket on the end so you can use a socket and long breaker bar and/or torque wrench.

(Apologies to the originator of this information , I got it from TM but can't remember the source... )


Quote:

Talked to Lionel Roberts, sent him the original wheel tool and...magic: a perfect tool with 38mm socket on which I use an extending ratchet/breaker bar. His prices are very reasonable ; not sure what his final price for these will be but expect around same as spinners. He is able to machine to fit 2/3-eared spinners/octagonals as well and up for a challenge on anything else -
contact: 0794 7712427 or wheelwidget@hotmail.co.uk


I have spoken to Lionel today and he is out of stock of the adaptor but is going to make one up for me in 3 to 4 weeks time.I said I would mention details on here and if anyone else is interested he can make a batch up at the same time.

James