Hi All. Intro and some GranTurismo qs

M

MattW

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Hi All. My name is Matt and I am new to the forum. I have a few questions relating to the GT (or GC), but first a little introduction.

I currently have a 2014 BMW M5; I have this car until early 2017, at which point i will have had it for 3 years and the lease is up. I have been considering which car to replace it with for some time, and have compiled a long list of possibilities including an M6, RS7/6, AMG C63s, 991, Evora 400, DB9, GranTurismo and others.

I decided I wanted a car that was a bit more special to be in than the M5; more of an event.... this pushed the Evora 400, DB9, GT and possibly 991 up the list. I also needed a 2+2 as we were planning on starting a family soon which is why I ruled out 2 seaters (although we do have another family sized car).

I recently drove the Evora 400 and was sold on it. It looks great, sounds amazing, handles excellently and provides a supercar-like experience in terms of looks, sound, seating position, view out of rear view and side mirrors etc. The plan was..... I could get a rear facing child seat for a baby in the front and squeeze the wife into the back for relatively short journeys until the baby was old enough to face forwards and go in the back. Sorted.... or so I thought.

We had our 12 week scan on Friday.... and we are having twins! Well obviously the most important consideration here is the implication on the choice of car :saifi4:

So, my Evora 400 plan has gone out the window and the GranTurismo becomes the most "sensible" :thumb1: choice. I love the GT (although haven't driven it yet) and I am very grateful that a car this special and with the capability to fit two baby seat in the back exists.

So I am trying to do some more research about the GT. I have a budget of around £50k (reduced from the £65k for the Evora 400 to allow for the doubling of baby costs and the higher running costs of the Masa). I will be using it as a daily driver and doing around 10k-12k miles per year. From what I have read, I am leaning towards the full Auto 4.7 rather than the MC shift, mainly to avoid the clutch replacement, however as i said, i haven't driven them yet.

So..... the questions....

- Is there a substantial difference in sound between the auto and MC shift? I know the MC has the valves open all the time in sport and the auto opens at 3k rpm, but how different are they when actually driving?

- I am getting a little confused between MC sport and MC shift and Auto; the gearboxes, when they were introduced and how to tell them apart. At first it seemed that auto had 4 exhaust tips and MC shift had 2.... but i have seen some listed as auto with 2 tips.

- How does the fuel economy on the auto vs MC shift compare? Harry Metcalfe suggested in his video that the MC shift is considerably worse.

- Are there any good independent Maserati specialists (service centres or dealers) in/near Berkshire?

- Anyone up to speed on baby seats in the GT? More specifically which isofix bases will fit in the GT for the Maxi Cosi Pebble Plus car seat?

I am sure other questions will arise, but this will do for now!

Thanks in advance. :thumb3:
 
BennyD

BennyD

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Change your name; Matt, on here, means a w4nker with little discernable intelligence. Conaero, is a Matt, and he's a c*nt!
 
CatmanV2

CatmanV2

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BennyD said:
Change your name; Matt, on here, means a w4nker with little discernable intelligence. Conaero, is a Matt, and he's a c*nt!
Click to expand...

Just don't pick Benny as a replacement or it'll be even worse. ;)

Welcome, Matt :)

C

(Is this a record for the fastest thread drift?)
 
conaero

conaero

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BennyD said:
Change your name; Matt, on here, means a w4nker with little discernable intelligence. Conaero, is a Matt, and he's a c*nt!
Click to expand...

Shut it you, been drinking early today Ben?

Sorry Matt....nice name BTW.

Ok, I am sure Bob will be on shortly to sing the praises of the Auto but that is one I have not driven so I can't really comment. I have had, amongst others a 4.7 MC shift and it was awesome.

You need to drive them all but there was a Sport revision in circa 2012 which are all updated ZF autos. I would up your budget slightly and try and try one of these. They have more modern seats and steering wheel and a nicer face.

There is load of room in the back so infant seats are not a problem. They do like a drop of fuel and these cars are mileage sensitive. Check any pre 2011 cars have had the variator modification but go try them and don't be put off by the clutches, they last much better and 50k should be achievable.

Your in luck, go for a more vibrant colour, blacks and dark colours don't show off the trim, this is lovely and you should be able to get it very close to your budget:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...searchad=new,nearlynew,used&logcode=p&adPos=6
 
Contigo

Contigo

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Welcome Matt.

As an ex M car fanatic (M3's, M5 Touring, M6 etc.. ) you have to drive a MC Shift, that is the one to get into or a strad if you can stretch. The F1 box on the MC Shift it way better than the SMG-2 boxes on the CSL and M5 V10's.

Drive one and you will wonder why you haven't had one in your life ages ago. To drive one is to Love one!
 
Contigo

Contigo

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MC Shift has twin Ovals. Auto generally have quad pipes unless the S had the Sport pack where it got ovals and side skirts.

Soundwise MC has valves open all the time in SPORT mode as you say and auto above 3k rpm. The car needs a centre resonator delete for X or H pipe.

MPG I average 16MPG but 22 is possible on a long run and 6MPG on track.

Yes near Berkshire ish, I am in Newbury so if you want to see my motor then feel free to contact me and we can meet up.

We have Maxi Cosi XP's in ours for the youngest.
 
B

beau

Member
Messages
1,391
+1 vote for the MC shift, I didn't need to test drive, I just knew this was what I needed :)

You need to decide if you want a Manual or an auto driving experience? I don't think the MC shift is recommended to be used in auto mode

Mine is a September 2009 registered car Matt (in reply to old Matt, not the new one lol), it has the later engine number so variators ok :)
 
iainw

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
I am with Phil / Beau -
I had same concerns as you at first when I was looking to buy - but it simply has to be driven with Paddles in Sport all the time, gear changes are beautiful , The MC looks and sounds better. When the Clutch Goes I will gladly pay for it to be replaced - its worth it. I don't think at a good indie it would cost the earth. If you were looking at spending up to 65K you can get a cracking MC Shift for 45-50 with no problems and in great Condition and have big war chest.
 
granturismo

granturismo

Junior Member
Messages
192
on the baby seat front I've got older Maxi Cosi Pearl with Isofix base and it fits fine if a little tight. I don't remove it from the car.
For an infant, whilst Pebble is likely to fit okay on the same Isofix base, it will be a major pita taking it in and out of the car due to the way the seat opens up. I mean you'll be able to do it but you'll have to slide seat all the way forward first....
Also two in the back should be no bother at all.
 
M

MattW

New Member
Messages
23
Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if it would be worth stretching to a newer car, but in reality, based on a calculated monthly budget, I'd like to keep the price below £50k so it will be a 2011 or 2012.

Do you mean the clutch on MC shift models generally lasts 50k miles? I had read people normally get 20k to 30k miles.

What is the variator modification? And do I not have to worry about it if I go for a 2011 or newer?
 
M

MattW

New Member
Messages
23
Conaero said:
Shut it you, been drinking early today Ben?

Sorry Matt....nice name BTW.

Ok, I am sure Bob will be on shortly to sing the praises of the Auto but that is one I have not driven so I can't really comment. I have had, amongst others a 4.7 MC shift and it was awesome.

You need to drive them all but there was a Sport revision in circa 2012 which are all updated ZF autos. I would up your budget slightly and try and try one of these. They have more modern seats and steering wheel and a nicer face.

There is load of room in the back so infant seats are not a problem. They do like a drop of fuel and these cars are mileage sensitive. Check any pre 2011 cars have had the variator modification but go try them and don't be put off by the clutches, they last much better and 50k should be achievable.

Your in luck, go for a more vibrant colour, blacks and dark colours don't show off the trim, this is lovely and you should be able to get it very close to your budget:

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classif...searchad=new,nearlynew,used&logcode=p&adPos=6
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply. I was wondering if it would be worth stretching to a newer car, but in reality, based on a calculated monthly budget, I'd like to keep the price below £50k so it will be a 2011 or 2012.

Do you mean the clutch on MC shift models generally lasts 50k miles? I had read people normally get 20k to 30k miles.

What is the variator modification? And do I not have to worry about it if I go for a 2011 or newer?
 
M

MattW

New Member
Messages
23
Contigo said:
MC Shift has twin Ovals. Auto generally have quad pipes unless the S had the Sport pack where it got ovals and side skirts.

Soundwise MC has valves open all the time in SPORT mode as you say and auto above 3k rpm. The car needs a centre resonator delete for X or H pipe.

MPG I average 16MPG but 22 is possible on a long run and 6MPG on track.

Yes near Berkshire ish, I am in Newbury so if you want to see my motor then feel free to contact me and we can meet up.

We have Maxi Cosi XP's in ours for the youngest.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the offer. I might just take you up on that at some point!

When you say the car needs a centre resonator delete for x or H pipe..... what do you mean. Excuse my lack of knowledge!
 
M

MattW

New Member
Messages
23
iainw said:
I am with Phil / Beau -
I had same concerns as you at first when I was looking to buy - but it simply has to be driven with Paddles in Sport all the time, gear changes are beautiful , The MC looks and sounds better. When the Clutch Goes I will gladly pay for it to be replaced - its worth it. I don't think at a good indie it would cost the earth. If you were looking at spending up to 65K you can get a cracking MC Shift for 45-50 with no problems and in great Condition and have big war chest.
Click to expand...

Yeah, if i drive them both and the MC is much more fun then i'll get that. My aim would be to get one with a low amount of clutch wear do I don't have to replace for a while.
 
M

MattW

New Member
Messages
23
granturismo said:
on the baby seat front I've got older Maxi Cosi Pearl with Isofix base and it fits fine if a little tight. I don't remove it from the car.
For an infant, whilst Pebble is likely to fit okay on the same Isofix base, it will be a major pita taking it in and out of the car due to the way the seat opens up. I mean you'll be able to do it but you'll have to slide seat all the way forward first....
Also two in the back should be no bother at all.
Click to expand...

Good to know! I'd be looking for the isofix base which can be used for both the newborn car seat, and then the car seat for when they are older. The reason I even know what isofix is is because my sister is expecting a baby any time now so have done all the research. Otherwise I'd have no clue.
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
Messages
34,646
MattW said:
Do you mean the clutch on MC shift models generally lasts 50k miles? I had read people normally get 20k to 30k miles.

What is the variator modification? And do I not have to worry about it if I go for a 2011 or newer?
Click to expand...

You seem to be talking of the earlier CambioCorsa on the 4200 and GranSports. They do indeed only last on average 12-24k miles but the GTS is much better. It has the gearbox from a F599 and with all these things they get better every evolution. 50k miles is an acceptable life. With your budget make sure it's been done.

Variator, it was fixed from an engine number in circa 2009/10 onwards. See Beau's post as he has knowledge of this.
 
iainw

iainw

Member
Messages
3,386
+1 for Maxi Cosi Pearl with Isofix base.
Back seats are huge compared to other cars in class. It is a PITA until they are forward facing but the memory seat function I find makes things easier.

In addition to all the useful info on here from long term and in some cases multiple maserati owners, I would speak to Richard Grace for advice on current purchase options. He always has sensible unbiased advice and if I was buying again - it would be from him.
 
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