Bored with Germans....

K

Kooky1976

New Member
Messages
6
Hi all. I've been lurking for a little while and have been trawling through the historic threads researching the 4200 Cambiocorsa. I have been driving a modified CLS55 AMG (>500bhp) for a couple of years and before that a Boxster. I've started to realise that I can only really have fun in the AMG at illegal speeds and after 25 years with a clean licence, I'm pretty certain I'm going to land in hot water soon. With around 70 cars under my belt, I've only ever had one Italian car; an Alfa 155 2.5 24v. I have a real itch for a Ferrari era Maserati and have spent a long time considering 4200 Cambio, Gransport and also the GT 4.2. I think I've settled on the 4200 and with a budget of around £15k I appreciate it will probably be a pre-facelift if I concentrate on condition and history (mileage doesn't necessarily bother me too much). Everything I read suggests these are not as well rounded as the facelift and I wonder what would be involved in fettling an older car to improve it? Or am I better off just investing a bit more and getting something already sorted? Can the PIS be upgraded on the older cars to 2005/6 spec?

I do enjoy playing with my cars and I have a well equipped garage (and an engineering background). Am I likely to get any satisfaction from improving a pre-facelift?

I need to remortgage in March 20 so will only be researching until then. Really like the feel of this forum and the lack of knobbish attitudes (unlike PHs)

This is my current chariot. Cheers everyone!60514
 
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D

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,279
I was similar , had many BMWs but always wanted a Maserati.
I bought an Alfa GTV then the V6 then i got my Maserati and never really looked back.
Until recently i had a 159 and i still have the V6 so i get it.
German cars are good for dailies or just mile munchers but an Italian is needed in life for “those days” you can let loose
 
K

Kooky1976

New Member
Messages
6
Wanderer said:
What's the forum collective's view on the green calipers?
Click to expand...

They're not my cup of tea. The previous owner painted the whole engine in the same colour (Kawasaki) and I've been steadily stripping it away. I've yet to deal with the callipers.
 
K

Kooky1976

New Member
Messages
6
Wanderer said:
There was a massive debate on here this week about caliper colour, red won with yellow second. Then you turn up with green and nothing makes sense any more!

#irishcalipers
Click to expand...

Oh I see! Yellow, red or silver for me. I will put these back to original silver.
 
Wanderer

Wanderer

Member
Messages
5,791
dem maser said:
I was similar , had many BMWs but always wanted a Maserati.
I bought an Alfa GTV then the V6 then i got my Maserati and never really looked back.
Until recently i had a 159 and i still have the V6 so i get it.
German cars are good for dailies or just mile munchers but an Italian is needed in life for “those days” you can let loose
Click to expand...
I couldn't go back to Alfa now, much like John Shuttleworth can't go back to savoury...

 
Gazcw

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,807
Wanderer said:
There was a massive debate on here this week about caliper colour, red won with yellow second. Then you turn up with green and nothing makes sense any more!

#irishcalipers
Click to expand...
You keep telling yourself that 'Jeremy'.... Zep party has majority ;)
 
K

Kooky1976

New Member
Messages
6
Wanderer said:
There was a massive debate on here this week about caliper colour, red won with yellow second. Then you turn up with green and nothing makes sense any more!

#irishcalipers
Click to expand...
If you thought that was bad, this is why the calipers haven't been dealt with yet. All the green is now gone.

60515
 
rockits

rockits

Member
Messages
9,191
I don't mind the green calipers on the right car. A green Lambo with black wheels for example.

Nice choice of AMG btw OP. I've never had a CLS55 and always wanted one. Just never happened at the times it could have for one reason or the other. I've had an SL60, SL55 and 2 x E55K's. When I fancied a CLS55 last time I needed up buying a Quattroporte. Then a while back I was lurking again and went for the 2010 XJL SuperSport I have.

I'm starting to realise like you that this is the first car I've had that is just too fast now. Maybe it is the refinement of a big double glazed saloon but 510 horses in the aluminium bodied XJ is pretty rapid at any speed in any gear at any time.

I am tinkering with the idea of selling it in a few months even though it is an immense car. Not sure yet but maybe.

Back to your original post. A 4200 is a cracking idea. There are plenty out there to choose from these days. I sold a 2005/55 recently for less than your £15k budget. You should be able to get a facelift for that £15k which is what I would be buying.

Great VFM IMHO. Not much or anything out there as special and as characterful as a 4200 at that money.
 
Davidt99

Davidt99

Member
Messages
184
Kooky1976 said:
Hi all. I've been lurking for a little while and have been trawling through the historic threads researching the 4200 Cambiocorsa. I have been driving a modified CLS55 AMG (>500bhp) for a couple of years and before that a Boxster. I've started to realise that I can only really have fun in the AMG at illegal speeds and after 25 years with a clean licence, I'm pretty certain I'm going to land in hot water soon. With around 70 cars under my belt, I've only ever had one Italian car; an Alfa 155 2.5 24v. I have a real itch for a Ferrari era Maserati and have spent a long time considering 4200 Cambio, Gransport and also the GT 4.2. I think I've settled on the 4200 and with a budget of around £15k I appreciate it will probably be a pre-facelift if I concentrate on condition and history (mileage doesn't necessarily bother me too much). Everything I read suggests these are not as well rounded as the facelift and I wonder what would be involved in fettling an older car to improve it? Or am I better off just investing a bit more and getting something already sorted? Can the PIS be upgraded on the older cars to 2005/6 spec?

I do enjoy playing with my cars and I have a well equipped garage (and an engineering background). Am I likely to get any satisfaction from improving a pre-facelift?

I need to remortgage in March 20 so will only be researching until then. Really like the feel of this forum and the lack of knobbish attitudes (unlike PHs)

This is my current chariot. Cheers everyone!View attachment 60514
Click to expand...
£15k will get you a facelift, there's what looks like a decent one discussed in the thread below....

 
C

cheshiremaserati

Member
Messages
1,125
I think you have some interesting choices where Maserati is concerned. I would steer you towards a facelift 4200 or ideally a Gransport. A chat with Richard Grace may give clarity on GS v 4200 v facelift 4200.

I have a GS bought from Richard Grace three years ago and am very happy with it as a stablemate to a Porsche 911 (996) Turbo.
 
azapa

azapa

Member
Messages
1,300
I came from a forever line of German cars and still have one. Italian mistress is everything I might have imagined. Do it!
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,370
Loveyour AMG Mercedes......4200 prices are at rock bottom so I think you will get a facelift car. They are pretty hard to sell st the moment wih a very limited market as with most V8 cars so a buyers market. I think you may be suprised what you will get for your 15k.
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,370
dem maser said:
The QV Giulia? 4C? Stelvio?
I love the direction they are going
Click to expand...

QV Giulia and QV Stelvio are great Dem...Build quality still needs help but I have to say when i drove a 4C it was one of the most disappointing drives I've had. Alfa did not get this car right and I so wanted it to be great. It was jittery, poor riding and just not fun. Want a car like this buy a Lotus as they do it so much better.
 
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