2005 SLK 55 to 4200 Gransport

[Punchdrunk]

Good day to this here great website.

I’ve literally just jo8ned to ask this burning question before I make a mistake.

Now, I have MY05 SLK 55 but now need 4 seats to occasionally thrill my 6 and 9 year old kids. The 55 can’t do that and as I’m a weekend dad, I can’t ask one to stay in my flat while I thrill the other - They're too young to be home alone and my ex would kill me if I did.

So that got me thinking about changing the 55 to a 911 (997) or the Gransport. I also considered the 4200 but I live in a ULEZ area so that ruled them out. I leaning more towards the GS but need your guidance, please.

The question: on paper both cars are comparable in performance terms, bhp/ton and acceleration. The 55 is much better on fuel consumption and servicing costs, but doesn’t have 4 seats. Has anyone swapped to a 55 in either direction? I cover about 2k miles a year and live NE of London but the car will only be used for high days and fun days.

Thanks

 

[hashluck]

First of all, the Gransport is a great choice to seat four in comfort. Good choice. Keep in mind that not all Gransport are ULEZ so check the reg. no. of any you are interested in against the TFL checker.

 

[Mavster]

I'd take a Gransport over any 997 which is lesser than a C4S with PSE. Great choice to have.

 

[Punchdrunk]

First of all, the Gransport is a great choice to seat four in comfort. Good choice. Keep in mind that not all Gransport are ULEZ so check the reg. no. of any you are interested in against the TFL checker.

Thanks for the response and the ULEZ is a good shout. Interestingly, I spotted a MY05 4200 which wasn't ULEZ compatible but a MY04 GS was. Go figure.

Out of interest, can the front passenger air bag be switched off in the GS?

 

[3hcp]

You could probably get an early granturismo if you wanted to avoid any clutch issues

 

[Ianed0]

Get a Gransport you won't be disappointed, had mine for some years now and very few issues, speak with Richard Grace (Richard Grace Cars, Chester) Rich sells Gransports all the time and got mine from him, as always get the best you can afford but for what you get they are no money and very little on the market that compares in my view.

 

[zagatoes30]

The GS is a great car but as above would the Granturismo not be a better option? Reasonable mileage 4.2 are low £20s with similar 4.7 starting just over £25k

 

[Punchdrunk]

Thanks folks. The GT and QP for that matter, sound amazing but I find them to be too big - they’re probably as big an S Class, but are great looking cars.

Regarding the GS, is there anything to look out for when viewing suitable cars? The Cambiocorsa clutch wear percentage for example. Anything else?

I forgot to mention that I had Spyder SE back in the day. A Swan white biturbo version with a reported 250bhp. Those were the days when the 330 bhp Ghibli Cup and Shamal were a thing.

 

[hashluck]

Thanks for the response and the ULEZ is a good shout. Interestingly, I spotted a MY05 4200 which wasn't ULEZ compatible but a MY04 GS was. Go figure.

Out of interest, can the front passenger air bag be switched off in the GS?

Yes, as long as the switch is working (common failure

Regarding suggestions to look at GranTurismos also, I own both and thing the the GranSport is a better more compact package with just as much room inside. A better car for London I think (assuming the GT would also be the MC-Shift version rather than full Auto).

 

[Guy]

I just picked up a GS from Richard Grace today. Like all Maserati, good ones are wonderful things so never cut corners. Buy from Richard (he refuses to sell anything without a clean bill of health) or at the least pay for a thorough inspection from a Maserati specialist. Buy badly and it could cost a fortune. I used to use a 911 with small children but headroom disappears rapidly unless you don't feed them.....

 

[Gazcw]

Good day to this here great website.

I’ve literally just jo8ned to ask this burning question before I make a mistake.

Now, I have MY05 SLK 55 but now need 4 seats to occasionally thrill my 6 and 9 year old kids. The 55 can’t do that and as I’m a weekend dad, I can’t ask one to stay in my flat while I thrill the other - They're too young to be home alone and my ex would kill me if I did.

So that got me thinking about changing the 55 to a 911 (997) or the Gransport. I also considered the 4200 but I live in a ULEZ area so that ruled them out. I leaning more towards the GS but need your guidance, please.

The question: on paper both cars are comparable in performance terms, bhp/ton and acceleration. The 55 is much better on fuel consumption and servicing costs, but doesn’t have 4 seats. Has anyone swapped to a 55 in either direction? I cover about 2k miles a year and live NE of London but the car will only be used for high days and fun days.

Thanks

You will be requiring this:

https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/maserati-gransport-le-2007-57-two-owners-20-996-miles-full-main-dealer-service-history-%C2%A327-500.36476/

 

[Mavster]

Thanks folks. The GT and QP for that matter, sound amazing but I find them to be too big - they’re probably as big an S Class, but are great looking cars.

Regarding the GS, is there anything to look out for when viewing suitable cars? The Cambiocorsa clutch wear percentage for example. Anything else?

I forgot to mention that I had Spyder SE back in the day. A Swan white biturbo version with a reported 250bhp. Those were the days when the 330 bhp Ghibli Cup and Shamal were a thing.

Speak to the garages that serviced the car most recently, get a PPI from a specialist. Take one for a drive, any clanks or whines from the diff are of concern.

 

[makeshiftUK]

For what it’s worth, the rear seats are properly usable… even with car seats in the back. Our family of four happily squeezed in, including our daughter with a Recaro Young Sport… if you squint at the picture below you can see the car seat fitted in the back.

Our ‘56 plate GranSport was ULEZ compliant, IIRC 2005-ish is the cut off year?

 

[dem maser]

Good day to this here great website.

I’ve literally just jo8ned to ask this burning question before I make a mistake.

Now, I have MY05 SLK 55 but now need 4 seats to occasionally thrill my 6 and 9 year old kids. The 55 can’t do that and as I’m a weekend dad, I can’t ask one to stay in my flat while I thrill the other - They're too young to be home alone and my ex would kill me if I did.

So that got me thinking about changing the 55 to a 911 (997) or the Gransport. I also considered the 4200 but I live in a ULEZ area so that ruled them out. I leaning more towards the GS but need your guidance, please.

The question: on paper both cars are comparable in performance terms, bhp/ton and acceleration. The 55 is much better on fuel consumption and servicing costs, but doesn’t have 4 seats. Has anyone swapped to a 55 in either direction? I cover about 2k miles a year and live NE of London but the car will only be used for high days and fun days.

Thanks

Hi and welcome to our forum

I live in North London if you ever want to meet or see anything together.
I certainly agree with you that a GS is far more fun that a large GT if you want just a weekend car then you can’t go wrong with one

Good luck with the search…..you just missed out on a good one from a forum owner, let’s see how it pans out but good luck

 

[DLax69]

I've been that weekend dad; I've had everything from Detroit muscle to German elegance. You'll not regret the Maser, if you do your homework. There have been fine examples on this very forum, and you have a lead on who appears (from here) to be the most reputable dealer of these cars...and then the knowledge base and ill humo(u)r of the denizens of this very site if something should go sideways...

 

[Andyk]

Welcome and great choice of cars there.

I think if you want to four seats the GS is the best bet although depends how old your two children as if young they would fit in the 911 also. If you go the Maserati route go in with your eyes open as they aren’t easy to buy unless you go to a recommended specialist or maybe a forum car but either way if you find what you are looking for get it inspected by a independent. If you get a great car you will not stop smiling but if not it could cost you thousands and thousands and you will running to the hills. These cars are old these days and need live and care so find one that has this lavished on it and you will not regret it. As above I would start with a Richard Grace cars as he is the most respected Maserati specialist in the UK even if it for a chat. It is worth noting that Richard doesn’t sell GT’s or QP’s under a certain age these days due to the known issues but does continue to sell good GS’s so tells you what you really need to know about the GS against the others for me.

 

[CatmanV2]

they’re probably as big an S Class

Welcome.
They really aren't you know!

Well QP is but GT is about a foot shorter

Anyway they are all fab

C

 

[hashluck]

I certainly agree with you that a GS is far more fun that a large GT if you want just a weekend car then you can’t go wrong with one

Good luck with the search…..you just missed out on a good one from a forum owner, let’s see how it pans out but good luck

Unless the OP bought it Dem? But then I assume you would know.

Unusually Richard has none showing in stock at the moment and there are only 3 GS for sale on Car and Classic - (shameless plug that includes mine, but that is an MC-Victory at a different budget level).

 

[dickygrace]

Unless the OP bought it Dem? But then I assume you would know.

Unusually Richard has none showing in stock at the moment and there are only 3 GS for sale on Car and Classic - (shameless plug that includes mine, but that is an MC-Victory at a different budget level).

Sold all the ones we had, the last and best one was delivered yesterday. I do know of a good price point car that belongs to a chap I know. Some of the cars for sale are really good ones, previously sold by us, some I believe to be good ones that I know something about; there’s also some poor ones for sale. As mentioned by others buy with a PPI. If you can find a GS with a clean bill of health from a main dealer or recognised indie you’ll not go far wrong. That is a big ‘if’ though at 15-19 years of age. As with all things you get what you pay for, I know the two dearest ones on AT at £29750 and £29950 respectively are both outstanding cars; ex Maserati Concours winners.

 

[hashluck]

Sold all the ones we had, the last and best one was delivered yesterday. I do know of a good price point car that belongs to a chap I know. Some of the cars for sale are really good ones, previously sold by us, some I believe to be good ones that I know something about; there’s also some poor ones for sale. As mentioned by others buy with a PPI. If you can find a GS with a clean bill of health from a main dealer or recognised indie you’ll not go far wrong. That is a big ‘if’ though at 15-19 years of age. As with all things you get what you pay for, I know the two dearest ones on AT at £29750 and £29950 respectively are both outstanding cars; ex Maserati Concours winners.

Thanks for the summary Richard. It is amazing to think these cars are of that age now. It looks like all the GS for sale currently are at the right price points and indeed you get what you pay for. The blue one of the two dearest you mention will need some light re-commissioning (nothing really beyond MOT and Service and using it - brake clean up etc). To the OP, buy the best you can afford as it will be cheaper in the long run and you will get it back come resale.