Ditching Skyhook?

[Simon1963]

France must have some of the best roads in Europe. Even the minor D roads are good. Always a bummer when we come back through the tunnel and hit the M20, M25 and head up north.

 

[RoaryRati]

Even the minor D roads are good

Not the one my other half somewhere in north east France - even worse than UK ones!

 

[Marwood]

Thanks friends for the replies. To answer some of the points raised:

"Live with it a while"....good advice in general but I've done 30k in the car now - and love it - and keep coming back to this issue.

"What do you want to achieve?" To be able to go down a British B road with more comfort and control and not feel the thing shaking itself apart. I don't expect it to be a Jag but having experienced 911s and R8s back to back on the same cruddy roads (never mind more modern stuff like 458s) the GS is way worse (I should add too that my car has new springs all round and dampers are in good condition).

"Smaller wheels"....interesting idea. Before playing with wheel sizes however, you have made me think about the tyres. I run the car on Vredesteins, which I like for their grip, predictability and a really solid feel on turn in. I have been told however they are particularly 'stiff' so wonder if this may cause the ride to feel especially brittle in my car? I haven't tried Michelins but understand many rate them. Have any of you experience of the two brands? I'd welcome your thoughts.

"Roads better in France"....yes, and the GS is fantastic when I take it over there. But I live in the South East where the secondary roads are rubbish and likely to stay that way.

 

[safrane]

I have michellin and its still hard.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Pretty much all modern Ferraris have the option to do that, it’s called the “bumpy road” button and it on the steering wheel. It give you sport or race mapping, open valves and a slightly more compliant suspension. It’s really good in poorer quality tarmac. Keeps your fillings intact.

It's a God-send. Vantage has the same independent switchability of damping, throttle mapping / gearshift and exhaust.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I have michellin and its still hard.

You must really like those Michelins, Peter.

 

[TimR]

Thanks friends for the replies. To answer some of the points raised:

"Live with it a while"....good advice in general but I've done 30k in the car now - and love it - and keep coming back to this issue.

"What do you want to achieve?" To be able to go down a British B road with more comfort and control and not feel the thing shaking itself apart. I don't expect it to be a Jag but having experienced 911s and R8s back to back on the same cruddy roads (never mind more modern stuff like 458s) the GS is way worse (I should add too that my car has new springs all round and dampers are in good condition).

"Smaller wheels"....interesting idea. Before playing with wheel sizes however, you have made me think about the tyres. I run the car on Vredesteins, which I like for their grip, predictability and a really solid feel on turn in. I have been told however they are particularly 'stiff' so wonder if this may cause the ride to feel especially brittle in my car? I haven't tried Michelins but understand many rate them. Have any of you experience of the two brands? I'd welcome your thoughts.

"Roads better in France"....yes, and the GS is fantastic when I take it over there. But I live in the South East where the secondary roads are rubbish and likely to stay that way.

I wouldnt be thinking of dropping £5K on wheels in the hope it transforms the ride. It'll fall short of your expectations at significant cost..( that'd be + tyres too remember.)
Its worth noting that going down to 18's reduces your tyre choice options too....

You are not alone- I wasnt impressed by Skyhook either. (and I am not alone...!)
Ditch it. Sink £5K into V3s and a cancel plug from FD ( Skyhook error delete) & geo set-up instead. Transforms the car.
Rebuildable, fully adjustable, tried and tested...!

Regarding the rust- ditch the Honda Prelude light clusters and graft the 3200 LEDs in place...

 

[Marwood]

Thanks all. Interested to hear Michelins don't make a big difference.

Tim R - we're thinking along similar lines. If I can find some 3200 LEDS for less than 3k I may go that route...

 

[Evo Cymru]

Hi - completely agree with your thoughts on this! The hard suspension is the one thing that still irks me about my car. A cheap set of 18’s may be a good shout but can’t imagine it would make a massive difference to be honest - reminds me of going from 16 to 15’s in my old integrale, better but not huge change. I’m saving for KWs but think the clutch will demand some attention first.... Good luck and let us know how you get on!

 

[rockits]

I agree with you as well OP. The gearbox I love and is fine. The suspension on all 4200's and GS is way too hard for no good reason IMHO then way too soft on track. Does neither job well really.

I don't think18's would make enough of a difference. Maybe if Ohlin or a high end manufacturer did a kit then that would make a massive difference I'm sure. If I drove mine more I might explore it but I don't drive it enough to worry or warrant changes.

You see this a lot for some reason on many modern cars....rock hard suspension.....well it's a sports car so it needs to be hard.....BS! Lotus had it licked years ago. Alpine have a softer better riding car. My old Boxster S 987 was great....TT...horrible.....E55K Estate....awesome.

My wife's Discovery Sport is a great car and suits her and kids needs fine. I barely ever drive it. But it rides so hard it is ridiculous. Certainly no Range Rover.

It can be done to have a sports car ride well... it shouldn't and doesn't have to be hard. I think a decent set of quality coilovers or decent dampers/springs could make all the difference and would be interested to see the results.

 

[TimR]

Tim R - we're thinking along similar lines. If I can find some 3200 LEDS for less than 3k I may go that route...

Have you considered 3D printing reproduction LEDs..? The boot lids are within reach cost wise I believe.

 

[GTVGEOFF]

Ok sorry for the lack of knowledge but what exactly are KW's, and is there anyone here that has done the conversion. If yes please let us know your thoughts on it. Thanks.

 

[Twinspark]

Ok sorry for the lack of knowledge but what exactly are KW's, and is there anyone here that has done the conversion. If yes please let us know your thoughts on it. Thanks.

Its an aftermarket brand that makes coilovers for many cars with the 4200 being one. Its well renowned for its quality. Similar to Bilstein or Ohlins(although this one is a bit more premium)

 

[safrane]

https://www.kwsuspensions.co.uk/shop/MASERATI_GRANSPORT_Coupe_06_2004-12_2007__all_4.2_Petrol_295KW_4244ccm_ugDMbk4c9bE0n0JnQQGhbA

..

 

[GTVGEOFF]

https://www.kwsuspensions.co.uk/shop/MASERATI_GRANSPORT_Coupe_06_2004-12_2007__all_4.2_Petrol_295KW_4244ccm_ugDMbk4c9bE0n0JnQQGhbA

..

Thanks Twinspark and Safrane, yes I have had a look at their site, not cheap as there is the fitting cost to go on top. Worth it I suppose if you intend to keep the car long term or are doing high milage. Would still like feed back from someone who has fitted it.
TimR have you done this?
I know this is an old chestnut but just deleting the hard suspension from the sport button setting would be a good start

 

[FIFTY]

Thanks Twinspark and Safrane, yes I have had a look at their site, not cheap as there is the fitting cost to go on top. Worth it I suppose if you intend to keep the car long term or are doing high milage. Would still like feed back from someone who has fitted it.
TimR have you done this?
I know this is an old chestnut but just deleting the hard suspension from the sport button setting would be a good start

It's not the fitting cost but the set up cost to get all of the geometry redone to work with the new coilovers by someone who knows what they are doing.

Swapping out the shocks is fairly simple (DIYable). IIRC Timr installed them himself and took his 4200 to a shop with experience in setting up geo on cars like this

 

[CatmanV2]

It's not the fitting cost but the set up cost to get all of the geometry redone to work with the new coilovers by someone who knows what they are doing.

Swapping out the shocks is fairly simple (DIYable). IIRC Timr installed them himself and took his 4200 to a shop with experience in setting up geo on cars like this

Oh geometry shouldn't be that much. ISTR it was sub £200 at Wheels in Motion. Might take the Bentley there

C

 

[FIFTY]

Oh geometry shouldn't be that much. ISTR it was sub £200 at Wheels in Motion. Might take the Bentley there

C

It is when you are setting up the car from scratch with a set of adjustable coilovers

Probably half a day and then back for another half day when the springs settle

This is to do the job right though... You could whack them on the "middle setting" and hope for the best

 

[CatmanV2]

It is when you are setting up the car from scratch with a set of adjustable coilovers

Probably half a day and then back for another half day when the springs settle

This is to do the job right though... You could whack them on the "middle setting" and hope for the best

If you say so, sir! I've never done what you are suggesting

C

 

[Twinspark]

Oh geometry shouldn't be that much. ISTR it was sub £200 at Wheels in Motion. Might take the Bentley there

C

Offtopic but just have to say that its so strange seeing your profile with a picture of the Bentley after having that 4200 for so long.