Certification

[Ewan]

Heading to Modena on Friday, booked in for Monday morning with another factory tour and Panini museum afterwards. Then off to Florence whilst they are prodding and probing. Photos and feedback to follow.

Good luck. You’ll pass with flying colours I’m sure.

 

[DLax69]

 

[Marco07]

I love these cars. 481 miles completed today and 360 to go tomorrow before we arrive in Modena.

I wish the AC was a bit more predictable because it was fairly warm to have it making it’s own mind up when it wanted to cool us.

Listening to the full commentary from the 2005 2nd Ashes test whilst eating up the French roads to Basel. Over 400 runs in day even back then. Bazball, what Bazball?!

 

[philw696]

Absolutely brilliant that's some driving done just like when I bought my Jaguar back from Spain last month but the air-conditioning was predictable.

 

[Marco07]

I don’t love these cars quite as much as I did yesterday.

Now in Modena drinking a refreshing beverage but what a day. Left Basel at 9am. Arrived Modena 10:15pm.

6hrs queuing at Gotthard Pass and then both fans stopped. Suspect temp switch failed causing fans to keep running without switching off and took the 30A permanent live fuse to blow. (Both fans on one fuse! I’ll sort that when I have facilities.) Anyway, used Mrs M’s nail scissors to cut cable to temp switch and twisted together. Then wrapped in makeshift electrical tape and replaced fuse and unplugged one fan. Up and running but need to disconnect fan every time I turn of the engine.

And then one turbo let go…..

Drove another 200 miles like that so very relieved to have made it. Now need to spend tomorrow sorting the wiring as much as I can and deciding whether I can drive home next week with a knackered turbo.

Any thoughts?

 

[Potakas]

My worry Marco is that for the certification they need the car to be operational, they will not bother for items like AC but i am not sure about the Turbo. Please keep us posted, i am currently speaking with them in order to book an appointment for october.

 

[Marco07]

I’m sure you’re right about that and I’ve pretty much accepted that certification won’t happen. Unless they can fix it, of course. Will be discussing with them on Monday.

The AC is working again. I suspect that both fans running was too much draw and the AC was struggling. May not be related of course.

 

[Marco07]

My worry Marco is that for the certification they need the car to be operational, they will not bother for items like AC but i am not sure about the Turbo. Please keep us posted, i am currently speaking with them in order to book an appointment for october.

Which car are you looking at taking to them?

 

[Potakas]

Which car are you looking at taking to them?

3200GT Assetto Corsa, my AC doesnt work and they told me that AC is not going to be a problem, especially since they dont have the parts available. Would have been a problem though if I was fixing it /replacing it with a non maserati part. They absolutely care the car to be original and operational. I am not sure where they draw the line for operational.

They also care about details such us brake pads, they didnt want me to wear the normal Maserati 3200 pads, they want me the car to wear the yellow pagid, since they will certify an Assetto Corsa model. Thank god these were available.

 

[Marco07]

All ready for the factory gurus tomorrow. A bit warm though.

 

[Oishi]

So €2k plus €2.5k to ship it....anyone nervous about their report potentially saying you need to spend €16k or something ridiculous to fix it so we can issue the certificate???

But can they supply the parts?

 

[Potakas]

All ready for the factory gurus tomorrow. A bit warm though.

Wish you all the best, keep us informed !

 

[general_piffle]

All ready for the factory gurus tomorrow. A bit warm though.

As Potakas said, best of luck for tomorrow and let us know how you get on.

 

[Marco07]

Well the Factory Classiche team are fantastic. They’re taking care of repairs and will then complete their inspections. Couldn’t have been more helpful.

On the manufacture of obsolete parts front, they tell me they’ve just signed off a unique run of Pirelli 14” tyres for Biturbo that ceased production in 1989. (Shame mine are 15”). And some new clutch parts for older cars are in production but I’m not sure for which models. Definitely a good direction for us owners of older cars.

 

[general_piffle]

Well the Factory Classiche team are fantastic. They’re taking care of repairs and will then complete their inspections. Couldn’t have been more helpful.

On the manufacture of obsolete parts front, they tell me they’ve just signed off a unique run of Pirelli 14” tyres for Biturbo that ceased production in 1989. (Shame mine are 15”). And some new clutch parts for older cars are in production but I’m not sure for which models. Definitely a good direction for us owners of older cars.

Marco, cheeky request, while you're there could you please ask them what they're planning to remake for the Ghibli II?

 

[Wack61]

So on the day of the test the engine was ok........

I cant help but think this is a way to extract money from owners, but it does appear to work very well in the Ferrari world.

The difference there is you'll never see a 20 year old ferrari struggling to sell at £8k so it's probably worth it to them

This just seems like an expensive MOT, any certificate issued will be worthless by the time the car has any value as a classic.

 

[Marco07]

All good. Car being sorted. 2weeks for collection.

Off to Venice for an unplanned extra stay.

Happy

 

[Marco07]

Marco, cheeky request, while you're there could you please ask them what they're planning to remake for the Ghibli II?

Not cheeky at all. What are you after? Send me a pm and I can share details of my contact, if you prefer.

 

[Ewan]

All good. Car being sorted. 2weeks for collection.

Off to Venice for an unplanned extra stay.

Happy

Good news, both on the car and the extra holiday!

I'll be interested to hear what the factory charges. I'd like to compare their hourly rate with that of a typical UK based Maserati main dealer. Please let us know in due course.

A friend of mine from London used to take his QP V and VI to be repaired and serviced by a Maserati dealer in Umbria - he calculated it was cheaper (even with the drive there and back) than using HR Owen (or similar) in the UK.

 

[Marco07]

Thanks Ewan.

Yes, I’ll be interested too, but in reality I don’t have any other option. I might be proven wrong but I think it will be reasonable.

Because it couldn’t be fixed during my planned stay, my breakdown insurance will cover flights back and then my return trip to collect the car. Worth the £168 cost.

A few local photos for my forum pals to enjoy.