Hi All. Intro and some GranTurismo qs

[Contigo]

If Dicky's Med Blue GTS hasn't gone then that would be the one I'd buy right now.

And on a GTS you have the Primary cats off the downpipes and then there is a centre exhaust silencer (Silenced X Pipe) and the easy modification is to remove it and replaced with an unsilenced X or H pipe.

 

[bigbob]

Welcome. Both gearboxes are great, just get the one that best suits your needs.

You are already discovering the variations in spec and kit as Maserati are very obliging in letting customers have what they want. In terms of model id, the GTS Auto has a gearknob and the GTS some buttons instead, ditto for MC Autoshift and MC Shift on the facelift cars (September 12 production on). The product names do not help and dealers are often confused with what they are selling and mis-describe the cars....it's a real voyage of discovery.

A GTS Auto will have skyhook suspension, a continuously variable electronic system with two settings whereas the GTS will have this or a fixed rate set up. The latter can be upgraded to a firmer system with suspension from the Stradale. Again mis-description is rife as you cannot tell which suspension is fitted from looking at the dash, you have to drive a car and see if it firms up when you press sport.

I bought my first Maserati when the kids arrived as the brand really understands this gap in the market so fully agree with what you are doing.

PS The auto is longer geared, hence the better economy. Mine can do 14 to 28 mpg depending on the road.

PPS As Matt infers mine is a GTS Auto and I drive it in either normal auto or sport manual depending on traffic and rain.

 

[murph7355]

Congrats on the new arrivals. Prepare for no sleep for the next few years. But they're great fun

- 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 never tried the earlier auto so can't comment on the 'S'.

The 'Sport' (2012 on as mentioned above - face lifted car) sounds very similar in MC Shift or Auto models. The MC Shift has a bit more popping and gurgling on the overrun, but to be honest it's very close.

- 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.

Again, I didn't drive the earlier auto version. However I believe it was possible to get them with the same 'box software as the 2012 car. Others have posted on this previously (search for dickygrace posts ).

Sport is the later car and what I have. Here are my thoughts...

- the MC Shift is definitely and discernibly the sharper car in terms of its gearbox. But...there aren't many Sports around with an MC Shift box.
- despite preferring the MC Shift car, the auto isn't a million miles behind. I ended up with one as the spec on the car I bought was, apart from the box, significantly better than the MC Shift cars that were available.
- the biggest single difference that gives these impressions on the box, IMO, is the choice of ratios between the two boxes. They are not the same and the auto suffers a big gap between 2nd and 3rd. I'm fairly certain that if the ratios were better chosen, the differences would be much, much less.
- the more I drive it, the happier I am I made the choice I did. Especially where "family duties are concerned...let me explain.

With the sport button pressed and in manual change mode, when pressing on, the shifts in the auto are very, very good. It allows you to bounce off the rev limiter if you so desire, and the only time it intervenes is if you're in too high a gear for the road speed, ie to prevent it stalling.

Without the sport button pressed it's just a little more gentle.

In auto mode it acts how you'd expect. And this is where it trumps the MC Shift. Auto really works with nice smooth changes (and kick down iif you need it etc). With the sport button you get more noise and tighter suspension, but with it off the car's nice and quiet and nice and comfy. This is the mode that comes into its own on long motorway journeys when you're 4 up with 2 small kids. And the MC Shift simply can't match that.

I bought a GT to be able to use it more on family duties, so having the option of that mode really does come into its own. And if I want something firmer, more raucous and alert then I can simply knock the lever to the left and press the sport button.

Like Bob I tend to use it in normal auto or sport manual. But the 4 modes are pretty distinct and useful.

(You also don't have clutch replacement costs of course!)

- 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.

This is going to depend how you drive.

When in manual mode, I think you tend to use a lower gear anyway, especially with the sport button pressed The same is likely to apply to the auto.

The gear ratio differences mentioned might also help the autp a little.

I'm using mine mostly on b-roads/unnamed roads, with a bit of fast a-road work. I'm getting something like 18mpg out of it - a smidge better than the Aston V8 it replaced, a tad worse than the RS4 it shares garage space with. So par for the course for n/a 4-5 litre V8s

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

Not sure on this one.

- 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've had a standard Pebble in the back using belts and it was no issue. I'm very sure the standard Maxi-Cosi Isofix base would work fine too. As mentioned above, using car seats with a three door car is not ideal. I'm looking forward to my youngest migrating to the Pearl (which should be imminent) as it'll make life much easier.

The seats automatically go as far forward as they can when you tilt the seat back, which is handy and IME does give decent room to manoeuvre kids. What is less ideal is that they take an age to move backwards and forwards.

My eldest (4) is in a Max-Cosi Rodi Airprotect and that works just fine. I also have a Recaro Young Sport which works OK (though am not so keen on that as a seat generally - too bulky (which is what you get for being tight and buying a seat that should last from exiting a Pebble all the way through to not needing a seat).

The above's a bit of a ramble, but if you need more info just ask. IMO there isn't another car available this side of an FF/Lusso that can handle a family of 4 and give that special feeling you tend to want from a car like this.

One last comment...the blue/white combo is nice enough, but you'd have to be nuts to have that colour interior when using the car with kids

 

[murph7355]

PS try a Sport. Yes they're more expensive but they're newer of course, have a number of aesthetic tweaks and have more power. So worth considering.

 

[MattW]

bearing in mind its twins, you really need a QP not one of these GT thingys!

I'll manage! We have a another family car too.

 

[MattW]

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.

Ok, that is reassuring! Is this the experience of others; 50k miles for an MC clutch?

 

[MattW]

I'm UB8 about 20 miles from you - Dicky has a lovely example well under budget

http://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/listing/maserati-granturismo-mc-shift-6/

Ok great. I am away on business quite a lot at the moment, but I'd definately be interested in meeting up to see what it is like to live with. Thanks.

That car looks great; a lovely colour. I am not looking to buy until March though, and I would be looking for a 2011 or newer.

 

[MattW]

Welcome. Both gearboxes are great, just get the one that best suits your needs.

You are already discovering the variations in spec and kit as Maserati are very obliging in letting customers have what they want. In terms of model id, the GTS Auto has a gearknob and the GTS some buttons instead, ditto for MC Autoshift and MC Shift on the facelift cars (September 12 production on). The product names do not help and dealers are often confused with what they are selling and mis-describe the cars....it's a real voyage of discovery.

A GTS Auto will have skyhook suspension, a continuously variable electronic system with two settings whereas the GTS will have this or a fixed rate set up. The latter can be upgraded to a firmer system with suspension from the Stradale. Again mis-description is rife as you cannot tell which suspension is fitted from looking at the dash, you have to drive a car and see if it firms up when you press sport.

I bought my first Maserati when the kids arrived as the brand really understands this gap in the market so fully agree with what you are doing.

PS The auto is longer geared, hence the better economy. Mine can do 14 to 28 mpg depending on the road.

PPS As Matt infers mine is a GTS Auto and I drive it in either normal auto or sport manual depending on traffic and rain.

I am glad it isn't just me being "special" and that the variants really are that confusing (at least at first).

So on re 2012 face lift there is the GTS auto and the GTS MC shift.... and then after the 2012 face lift there is the MC sport (autoshift) and then some with the MC Shift gearbox?

Glad to see you agree with my car decision; I was saying this to my wife last night; there is no other manufacturer that offers a comparative car which can actually fit adults/rear facing baby seats in the back.

 

[Contigo]

Ok, that is reassuring! Is this the experience of others; 50k miles for an MC clutch?

45k is about right. Mine just had a new clutch at 45k and was on the original one.

 

[MattW]

Congrats on the new arrivals. Prepare for no sleep for the next few years. But they're great fun


I never tried the earlier auto so can't comment on the 'S'.

The 'Sport' (2012 on as mentioned above - face lifted car) sounds very similar in MC Shift or Auto models. The MC Shift has a bit more popping and gurgling on the overrun, but to be honest it's very close.


Again, I didn't drive the earlier auto version. However I believe it was possible to get them with the same 'box software as the 2012 car. Others have posted on this previously (search for dickygrace posts ).

Sport is the later car and what I have. Here are my thoughts...

- the MC Shift is definitely and discernibly the sharper car in terms of its gearbox. But...there aren't many Sports around with an MC Shift box.
- despite preferring the MC Shift car, the auto isn't a million miles behind. I ended up with one as the spec on the car I bought was, apart from the box, significantly better than the MC Shift cars that were available.
- the biggest single difference that gives these impressions on the box, IMO, is the choice of ratios between the two boxes. They are not the same and the auto suffers a big gap between 2nd and 3rd. I'm fairly certain that if the ratios were better chosen, the differences would be much, much less.
- the more I drive it, the happier I am I made the choice I did. Especially where "family duties are concerned...let me explain.

With the sport button pressed and in manual change mode, when pressing on, the shifts in the auto are very, very good. It allows you to bounce off the rev limiter if you so desire, and the only time it intervenes is if you're in too high a gear for the road speed, ie to prevent it stalling.

Without the sport button pressed it's just a little more gentle.

In auto mode it acts how you'd expect. And this is where it trumps the MC Shift. Auto really works with nice smooth changes (and kick down iif you need it etc). With the sport button you get more noise and tighter suspension, but with it off the car's nice and quiet and nice and comfy. This is the mode that comes into its own on long motorway journeys when you're 4 up with 2 small kids. And the MC Shift simply can't match that.

I bought a GT to be able to use it more on family duties, so having the option of that mode really does come into its own. And if I want something firmer, more raucous and alert then I can simply knock the lever to the left and press the sport button.

Like Bob I tend to use it in normal auto or sport manual. But the 4 modes are pretty distinct and useful.

(You also don't have clutch replacement costs of course!)


This is going to depend how you drive.

When in manual mode, I think you tend to use a lower gear anyway, especially with the sport button pressed The same is likely to apply to the auto.

The gear ratio differences mentioned might also help the autp a little.

I'm using mine mostly on b-roads/unnamed roads, with a bit of fast a-road work. I'm getting something like 18mpg out of it - a smidge better than the Aston V8 it replaced, a tad worse than the RS4 it shares garage space with. So par for the course for n/a 4-5 litre V8s


Not sure on this one.


I've had a standard Pebble in the back using belts and it was no issue. I'm very sure the standard Maxi-Cosi Isofix base would work fine too. As mentioned above, using car seats with a three door car is not ideal. I'm looking forward to my youngest migrating to the Pearl (which should be imminent) as it'll make life much easier.

The seats automatically go as far forward as they can when you tilt the seat back, which is handy and IME does give decent room to manoeuvre kids. What is less ideal is that they take an age to move backwards and forwards.

My eldest (4) is in a Max-Cosi Rodi Airprotect and that works just fine. I also have a Recaro Young Sport which works OK (though am not so keen on that as a seat generally - too bulky (which is what you get for being tight and buying a seat that should last from exiting a Pebble all the way through to not needing a seat).

The above's a bit of a ramble, but if you need more info just ask. IMO there isn't another car available this side of an FF/Lusso that can handle a family of 4 and give that special feeling you tend to want from a car like this.

One last comment...the blue/white combo is nice enough, but you'd have to be nuts to have that colour interior when using the car with kids

Thanks for the detailed response. That is a lot of really useful info. I will drive both and see how I get on. I do want something as "sporty" as possible.... but then I do quite a few miles, am sometimes stuck on the M4 in traffic and my wife will drive it a couple of times a week. I also need to compare the difference in looks as i haven't seen them next to each other.

 

[MattW]

45k is about right. Mine just had a new clutch at 45k and was on the original one.

Great! It makes it a much more viable option.

 

[MattW]

I have thought of another question! Do you guys have independent warranties when outside of the manufacturer's warranty? I think i would want one; warranty direct seem to be around £1.5k for a year.

 

[Ryandoc]

My WD warranty works out about £98 a month with betterment clause removed. I went for 3 years and paid upfront.

Good luck you won't be disappointed !

 

[AaronE]

I'm with murph here – 2012+ Sport with the ZF is where it's at for family duties.

you get all the same pops and overruns, similar* aggressive shift in sport manual, rev matched blips on downshift, firm suspension in sport mode...
all while having a transmission and suspension that can do super smooth and quiet while the babies are trying to sleep.

it really does transform the car from aggressive to luxury in a way that's perfect for a family. you simply won't get that from the F1 and MC single rates.

as others have said, rear-facing is tough, especially ingress and egress. I solved that problem by getting a convertible – top open and lift 'em right out.

 

[Contigo]

2012 are great cars but also a big difference in outlay on facelift cars.

 

[hoyin]

I have an MC Shift and use a maxi cosi pebble.

A couple of practical things you need to be happy with.

1. You will always have to remove the seat before you put or take your child out. There is no way of doing it in the car.

2. When removing the child seat you have to allow the front seat to slide forward and then use your hand to push it a bit further down as the pebble only only only just fits through the widest part of the gap and only at a slight angle.

3. As your child gets older and heavier it becomes a real struggle to get your child seat out with them in it without pulling a muscle in your back at least once.

4. How tall are you? If you have two child seats in the back you find you can't push the front seats all the way back or perhaps recline them as much otherwise they will hit the baby seats. So you will probably want to check this! I usually don't push the carry handle all the way back so that gives me some additional room.

 

[MattW]

I have an MC Shift and use a maxi cosi pebble.

A couple of practical things you need to be happy with.

1. You will always have to remove the seat before you put or take your child out. There is no way of doing it in the car.

2. When removing the child seat you have to allow the front seat to slide forward and then use your hand to push it a bit further down as the pebble only only only just fits through the widest part of the gap and only at a slight angle.

3. As your child gets older and heavier it becomes a real struggle to get your child seat out with them in it without pulling a muscle in your back at least once.

4. How tall are you? If you have two child seats in the back you find you can't push the front seats all the way back or perhaps recline them as much otherwise they will hit the baby seats. So you will probably want to check this! I usually don't push the carry handle all the way back so that gives me some additional room.

Thanks for all the info. These are all important to consider. I am 5'11 and my wife is 5'9.

In terms of getting them in and out, as long as the seats can fit through the gap the weight won't be a problem.

 

[Ewan]

It'll be a real pain lifting them in and out when they are maybe a year old. Easy with a 4 door, but very awkward with a 2 door. And how is a twin seating buggy going to fit in the boot (as well all the other clobber)? As lovely as the GTS is, it really isn't a practical proposition when you have twin babies - it's a car for when they get to maybe about 3 or 4 years old and can get themselves in/out.

If you fancy a Maser, try a late QP V GTS which has the same 4.7 engine, same sound, same chassis, same performance - but more useable space. Ask Dicky Grace to find one for you.

 

[murph7355]

2012 are great cars but also a big difference in outlay on facelift cars.

It can be, but you have to be careful to be comparing spec and mileages etc. And when you consider the additional power, better box if going for the auto (unless the S has the software upgrades?), comfier seats (IMO) etc...it's worth a difference.

...I am 5'11 and my wife is 5'9. ....

You'll be fine. I'm 6'4" and can drive comfortably with a rear facing baby seat behind me. I do move the seat a little forwards from "perfect" but it's still OK. (My RS4, in contrast, is a non-starter for me to drive and have either kid behind me!).

 

[murph7355]

...And how is a twin seating buggy going to fit in the boot ...

He needs to invest in 2x BabyZen YoYos. He'll then be able to get two in the boot plus two or 3 flight bags And have the benefit that they can be put in the overhead lockers of planes (a massive, massive bonus!!).