Buying 3200GT AC advice

[Potakas]

Hello all,

As I said on another post, it seems that finally, I will get my first 3200GT. Everything checked out today and tomorrow I am doing my payment.

It is an AC model which was originally sold in Germany and then at mid 07s was imported in Greece. The car is really well maintained and the owner is a collector who take cares of his cars. I asked the dealership and the service records checked out. I will post some photos and please if anything seems off to you kindly let me know. There are not any signs of rust and my only legitimate question is about the steering wheel, have you ever seen it in that colour? Couldn't find any similar option online.

Dealership couldn't give me an exact answer since it was not originally sold from them and I have found hard to get replies from Maserati (in Italy) on previous emails.

Thank you,
Panos

 

[Oneball]

Steering wheels were available in matching leather.

 

[Potakas]

Thank you Sir!

 

[allandwf]

It has AC cills, but not the carbon fibre gear knob, again maybe an option like the steering wheel. You really need to contact the factory to confirm.

 

[Potakas]

Thank you Allan, the car is a confirmed AC, the dealership confirmed it, they just can’t give me further details in regards to the special customizations. They could only tell me that it is an AC, Nero metallic and Grigio interior.

 

[lozcb]

We like a man that likes a challenge on here , welcome to the madhouse , a few owners on here and not my field of expertise , but loads of info if you search the threads for 3200 , Dem maser long time 3200 AC owner maybe along later , I take it it has all the correct keys with the history you have , along with the ignition keys should be a red key i believe used for programming ...........engine bay looks pretty clean so hopefully it hasnt been played about with too much

 

[Potakas]

Yes, I became a little bit of expert reading through the forum, at least I learn what to look for and what the common issues are. Yes, keys, books, toolbox, all exist the previous owner had indeed everything in order. I was indeed amazed with the condition of the engine compartment and the colour of the fluid tanks, given that the car was not moving for a long time.

 

[Ebenezer]

Don't know much about geometry, don't know much about biology,

but I do know that you need to check the End float....!

Eb

 

[urquattrogus]

This looks lovely!

My main advice would be just to check the condition of the coolant hoses and rubber wiring boots etc; can't really see in the pictures but the turbos seem to cook all components like these, they certainly did on mine anyway. The hoses had gone very soft and also started to bubble out through the end of the weave, looks like small witness marks by the thermostat? Again can't really see in the photos. Then there is the infamous coolant manifold where the 4 stubby hoses meet under the inlet manifold, have these ever been replaced?

Nothing that can't be sorted, but if the car has been laid up and not used I would probably get them all changed if it was me, Roose Motorsport do an OEM looking matt silicon set. No doubt it varies from car to car but it certainly gives piece of mind.

I guess there are AC specific thing like the quicker steering rack, presume that is all good? Also the carbon brake ducts which are unique to the AC...?

Then finally obviously the standard 3200 throttle body stuff.

 

[Potakas]

Well it is done,

Thank you guys and wish me safe travels and to be lucky with this car. I placed my deposit and next week the paperwork will be ready. Then I will pay a visit to the local Maserati Service for the first major maintenance in years.. The dealership quoted 1k including cam belt, which honestly I didn't find it bad enough (including 24% VAT) I will report back.

 

[HTAFC4200]

1k seems pretty good to me.

 

[allandwf]

Well it is done,

Thank you guys and wish me safe travels and to be lucky with this car. I placed my deposit and next week the paperwork will be ready. Then I will pay a visit to the local Maserati Service for the first major maintenance in years.. The dealership quoted 1k including cam belt, which honestly I didn't find it bad enough (including 24% VAT) I will report back.

It sometimes makes sense to change the water pump when doing, and some of the idlers, so expect the 1k to grow, but still good.

 

[Assetto 52]

Just a quick note the AC version usually has a plaque denoting the number ie mine is 52/75 on the glove box next to the 3200gt logo!

 

[RichTaps]

Just a quick note the AC version usually has a plaque denoting the number ie mine is 52/75 on the glove box next to the 3200gt logo!

I think this relates to UK cars only? Europe and the rest of the world specified their AC's differently I believe

 

[Potakas]

I think this relates to UK cars only? Europe and the rest of the world specified their AC's differently I believe

Yes, I believe this related to cars sold in Italy, UK and Japan, I haven't seen it on all of them, certainly it was not the case in Greece where only two were sold. I can't comment for Germany (where my car was initially sold).

 

[gemini]

Japan, Australia, UK, Italy and Greece for the number plate on the glove box. No numeration in the others countries.

1k€ for a big service is really cheap. You should need, at least, two air filter, an oil filter, a timing belt, an accessory belt, two tensioner bearings, oil and coolant. I suspect the thermostat will need to be replaced too.
Probably between 600 and 700€ only for the parts if you shop around to find the best deals. And it doesn't include the waterpump (if there is no play and no leak, it should be ok...).

Congrats for the purchase !

 

[Potakas]

Japan, Australia, UK, Italy and Greece for the number plate on the glove box. No numeration in the others countries.

1k€ for a big service is really cheap. You should need, at least, two air filter, an oil filter, a timing belt, an accessory belt, two tensioner bearings, oil and coolant. I suspect the thermostat will need to be replaced too.
Probably between 600 and 700€ only for the parts if you shop around to find the best deals. And it doesn't include the waterpump (if there is no play and no leak, it should be ok...).

Congrats for the purchase !

Honestly, I don't know what the service will include, the chief engineer at Maserati Greece told me that I should bring it immediately once I have the vehicle for the big service (including the belt) and he told me around 1k that will be.

By the way has anyone a photo of the Greek plate for ACs?I want to understand how many have been ordered new for the market, I don't really want to bother them again with geeky questions.

 

[allandwf]

Honestly, I don't know what the service will include, the chief engineer at Maserati Greece told me that I should bring it immediately once I have the vehicle for the big service (including the belt) and he told me around 1k that will be.

By the way has anyone a photo of the Greek plate for ACs?I want to understand how many have been ordered new for the market, I don't really want to bother them again with geeky questions.

I have somewhere , there is one not numbered it may be it. The rest are one of something.

 

[allandwf]

As discussed, examples of the glovebox plaques. Greece does not have a total.

 

[Potakas]

As discussed, examples of the glovebox plaques. Greece does not have a total.

So, interesting... I discussed with the dealership, there is only one dealer (who is the importer as well) and they told me that only two were sold to Greece. They knew that there was a third AC in Greece (because of the services) which is the one that I am getting and was imported from Germany, but they didn't know of any others.

I believe that someone make it by himself perhaps and uploaded somewhere.

Anyway thank you for sharing it with me!