Newbie here hoping to buy Masrati Biturbo Spyder

[Nibby]

Just saying hello and after some advice.
My name is Mark, over the years most of my interest has been Triumph Stags and can do most things mechanical on these but I fully understand that a Maserati is a lot more complex.
Long admirer of Maseratis and now looking to purchase one(hopefully).
For some years now I have liked the look of Biturbo Spyders and going by what I've read the 2.8 model is the one to go far, my knowledge of them is very limited, just trying to ascertain some pros and cons. Is manual more desirable than auto? Does mileage make a big difference regarding prices? Where to check for corrosion?
Thanks for any help.
Mark

 

[daverichardson]

Hya mate and welcome
I am afraid I cannot help with this but
other guys on here are excellent & I am sure they will be along when they have sobered up from Christmas!
Best wishes

 

[Phil H]

Welcome to the forum Mark.

A good source of info is Enrico's website:

http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri00a.htm

and for Biturbos this thread:

http://www.maserati-alfieri.co.uk/alfieri297.htm

As ever when buying a Maserati it's a case of 'eyes wide open' which is why ppi's are always recommended, and a detailed history of any prospective purchase is paramount.

Good luck with the hunt.

PH

 

[Nibby]

Thanks Dave and Phil for the warm welcome.
Them links are very helpful.
Mark

 

[highlander]

Hi mark.
Have always had a hankering for a B/T spyder.......preferably in white, one day maybe, one day. Until then, I'll watch your progress with envy.

 

[MAF260]

Welcome to the forum. I really like the biturbo spyder, keep looking at this one:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C680765

 

[Nibby]

Thanks Greg and Maf260.
Maf260 I tried contacting the guy selling that one but no one answered the phone when I tried contacting them a couple of times, if I got through I was going to ask them for another contact number as I've heard 07043 numbers are charged at a scandalous rate.
Mark

 

[highlander]

Welcome to the forum. I really like the biturbo spyder, keep looking at this one:

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C680765

Nice, but the zagato tempts me.......http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C602096#

 

[Andyk]

A big warm welcome to the forum Nibby...I'm sure you will get some great information from members on here to help you find a good car. Good luck with your search and keep us updated.

 

[safrane]

Welcome.

I think you have noted the most important thing to check on the Bi Turbo range - Rust.

The big killer is internal rust in the sills and also mount points. Cosmetically they also go in the normal places such as door bottoms, boot lid and bonnet edges and windscreen surroundings. In all a rusty one is just not worth the pain or cost compared to a good one.

Engines are strong but electrics are weak and won't be helped with old brittle wires.

Best if luck.

 

[zagatoes30]

Welcome, the BiTurbo experts will be a long shortly but as most have pointed out rust and independent inspection are the key points. Where are you based?

I contemplated replacing my 4200 Spyder with a GT and then get a Zagato Spider for those open top days

 

[Nibby]

Thanks for the input everyone.
Greg I remember seeing that red one up for auction on the Kings Lynn website but was unfortunate that I could not attend on the day of sale, someone did say the 2.8 was the one to go for so still learning a bit before I rush in (paranoia after the first stag I bought in the 80s when I well and truly got my fingers burnt).
I'm based just outside Newmarket.
Mark

 

[Nibby]

Welcome, the BiTurbo experts will be a long shortly but as most have pointed out rust and independent inspection are the key points. Where are you based?

I contemplated replacing my 4200 Spyder with a GT and then get a Zagato Spider for those open top days

Like the look of your car Zagatoes.

 

[StuartW]

Welcome along & good luck with the search

 

[dickyb]

As previously mentioned, the biggest enemy of Biturbos is rust but Spyders seem to be less severely affected probably due to them not seeing regular winter use. As Ewan says, check sills, wheelarches etc, also have a good look underneath, at the front there is a chassis member on either side (behind the front wheels), these are often mistakenly used to jack the car up & if this has happened they will crush under the weight of the car. Also check the screen surround and crucially, the bulkhead between the engine bay and cabin, particularly around the bonnet hinges. This is a very expensive area to fix properly if rusty. The area of the front wings close to the headlights is particularly prone to rust too so check carefully.

From a mechanical point of view they are very strong, I'd recommend you consider a fuel injected car (2.8 for export markets) as they generally have less issues than the carb versions which can suffer from hot starting problems due to the carb being encased in a plenum chamber. They are also prone to going off tune fairly quickly. Later cars were also better built and are slightly less rust prone although its all relative (!).

Gearbox is down to personal preference or what is available when you come to buy, the auto is fine and very strong but the manual is a lot more involving.

Spyders are very nice to drive but don't handle or go as well as the coupes but i suppose outright performance is not what they're about. The shell is not as strong on the Spyder and the engines were de-tuned slightly to allow for this so the 2.5 litre engine develops around 190 BHP in the Spyder when compared to 220 ish for the coupe, and the 2.8 Spyder has around 225 BHP compared to the 250 BHP of the coupe. The 2.8 24v was unfortunately never fitted to the Spyder as Maserati didn't consider the chassis able to cope, the very last Spyder IIIs for the Italian market did get the 2.0 24v unit however.

All in all a Biturbo Spyder is a stylish, discrete car that is plenty quick enough for most people and will certainly still embarrass a lot of modern performance cars, in a straight line at least.