Keenly priced Med Blu GS

[mjheathcote]

All facelift 4200's can have their gearbox software upgraded to the same GS software, as they have the same gearbox ecu.

 

[spkennyuk]

As Phil said with the engine changes - hardly seems worth it as I'd be surprised anyone would notice such a tiny difference. Gearbox software is different on the GS to all 4200s AFAIK

The gearbox software perception intrigued me. So after a bit of digging it appear that the GS and facelift 4200 had the same gearbox actuator upgrade, software upgrade and flash module upgrade as follows :-

HW CFC 201 (SOFAST) up to assembly 12203
HW CFC 231 (SOFASTII) from assembly 12204
(Taken from the maserati advanced electronics manual)

The perceived faster gear changes seem to be as a result of the auto press comparing pre facelift 4200 and GS's or possibly a marketing ploy by Maserati as the GS was as far as i know launched before the facelift 4200 and if that was the case then the GS would of had faster gear changes compared to the 4200 at the time.

As a complete package i agree the GS is probably a better car but it really comes down to personel choice as to which interior you prefer and if you prefer the more aggressive appearance on the M138 body.

I'm sure Voicey or Marios would be able to give a definative answer regarding the gearbox software.

 

[urquattrogus]

Having seen both side by side at Nuvola, I think the facelift 4200 looks nicer than the GS. More pure and elegant.

 

[Luna 06]

Never saw this one. Not on their web site though!!!
Lovely colour combo, and would certainly have had a look a few months earlier.

 

[rockits]

The main reason I wanted a facelift 4200 is I didn't like the interior on a GS and preferred the facelift 4200. Also not a fan of the surfboards on the GS. For me I have no idea what is the better car. I didn't and don't care. Just could live with the GS interior. Personal preference.

 

[Contigo]

Having seen both side by side at Nuvola, I think the facelift 4200 looks nicer than the GS. More pure and elegant.

And interestingly you drove a GS and decided it wasn't for you so looked for the AC. I know you like forced induction cars but fair play to you for going for the more temperaments car which does cost more to run than the other coupes but IMO has more passion and soul.

 

[Andyk]

Remember the EVO review of the GS and said it was the best incarnation of the 4200 range....They said it was the car the 4200 should have always been and the one they had been waiting for.....There was talk of it being a credible 911 alternative which they never said about the 4200.......Suppose the GS was a more focused driver car which is what Maserati wanted where as the 4200 was softer maybe.....Depends what you want I suppose.

 

[m1980k]

Remember the EVO review of the GS and said it was the best incarnation of the 4200 range....They said it was the car the 4200 should have always been and the one they had been waiting for.....There was talk of it being a credible 911 alternative which they never said about the 4200.......Suppose the GS was a more focused driver car which is what Maserati wanted where as the 4200 was softer maybe.....Depends what you want I suppose.

Re-reading that EVO review was a major factor in me considering GSs (and thinking about the facelift 4200 when I learned it had some of the same improvements). I wanted a focused drivers car but with space in the back and a boot.

Personally prefer the more aggressive look of the GS with the aero bits and carbon inside, but then I want a sports car more than a coupe.

 

[safrane]

I suspect, after the launch of the GS, that the press forgot the 4200 and few reviews if any were carried out to examine the upgrade.

I have had three coupes and the facelift 4200 was IMO better as a GT than the GS i have now which is too hard and sports oriented.

The press and car show presenter always go on about the sport vwrsion being better in most cars but the reality of living with them in the real world and not on a track and especially if its your daily car is somewhat different.

still like my GS by the way and as for this car...well Irish cars are usually a coupe of grand less than those here in the mainland.

 

[BenjaminBraddock]

The gearbox software perception intrigued me. So after a bit of digging it appear that the GS and facelift 4200 had the same gearbox actuator upgrade, software upgrade and flash module upgrade as follows :-

HW CFC 201 (SOFAST) up to assembly 12203
HW CFC 231 (SOFASTII) from assembly 12204
(Taken from the maserati advanced electronics manual)

The perceived faster gear changes seem to be as a result of the auto press comparing pre facelift 4200 and GS's or possibly a marketing ploy by Maserati as the GS was as far as i know launched before the facelift 4200 and if that was the case then the GS would of had faster gear changes compared to the 4200 at the time.

I can vouch for this it is absolutely the case - last week I drove the 4200 Facelift and GS back-2-back for a few laps on the track - there is absolutely no noticeable difference between the 2 cars in terms of driving experience around gear changes and road holding and accelaration. Both have the same Skyhook suspension. I have had my Facelift 4200 tweaked and it now sits an inch lower as-per the GS since I had the geometry done, but this hasn't made any dramatic change to the overall feel of the car.

Driving them together made it clear that there are absolutely no differences in terms of driving experience - after all they were assembled together at the same time on the same assembly line side-by-side with just different cosmetic parts bolted on - anybody who has visited the factory knows this (I highly recommend a visit if you haven't been, an excellent couple of hours!!)


I haven't driven a 4200 Classico so can't comment on if/how it is different.

 

[zagatoes30]

The than the fact I couldn't afford a GS, it is the interior and surfboards that put me off. They look like they are trying too hard. The GS Spyder doesn't look quite as bad but the price is a real oh factor with them.

 

[D Walker]

The than the fact I couldn't afford a GS, it is the interior and surfboards that put me off. They look like they are trying too hard. The GS Spyder doesn't look quite as bad but the price is a real oh factor with them.

When I was looking I had the same thoughts, all though I do like the exterior look of the GS but I was not fond of the interior, I much preferred the 42 interior as I think it is better suited to the GT tag..... therefore when Dicky sent me some pics of the car I now have my mind was easily made up. Afraid I could not live with the interior of the car in the OP but obviously the external colour is the best..........

 

[GeoffCapes]

There's obvious differences between the 4200 and the GS.

I think the biggest is the seats. The GS seats are much better than the 4200's.

I guess Dave, you have the best of both!

 

[D Walker]

There's obvious differences between the 4200 and the GS.

I think the biggest is the seats. The GS seats are much better than the 4200's.

I guess Dave, you have the best of both!

I think so!! They are very comfortable!!!

 

[CatmanV2]

I actually prefer the GS interior. Less sold on the exterior.

It's a good place when we all disagree

C

 

[Ewan]

I was offered this particular car a while back by a friend in Dublin, I think it had a very big gap in the history which was my reason for not buying.

I just checked this, as a Med Blu GS sitting in the garage next to my Med Blu QP GTS would be quite nice. Anyway, it was Maserati main dealer (Charles Hurst) serviced in 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2010. But then nothing until a Maserati specialist service (Ken Plant) late in 2015. So a 5 1/2 year gap. Apparently it only did 5019 miles between these times, but still, who has one of these and then forgets to service it for over 5 years?! I imagine the reduction in the value of the car would be at least equal to the cost of a couple of missing services, so it's not as if the last owner is actually any better off having avoided them. (That said, if I could Emblem for the next 5 years I'd be a rich man)

 

[Steve GS]

I think each to there own on the style. Could of had the choice of 2300 4200 and gs. Hated the infotainment in the 4200 and the thought of sticking something I front of it didn't do it for me. Then I see my gs just fell for it. Just whish I'd test drived the 3200 I looked at just to experience the twins under the hood.