Rear end slip

Keiff99

Keiff99

New Member
Messages
7
Hi guys,

I have just purchased my first Maserati and I am really pleased with it. It's a 2010 Gran Turismo sport 4.7. Not the MC shift. 20,000 miles.

The car handles great but I have one concern but it may be just me. Mainly in the wet, if I drive over a drain cover with one wheel the back end does a noticeable twitch. This is when the rear wheels goes over it. It happens when I drive over with either wheel so it will either twitch right or left. It happens during normal low speed driving. If I drive along a bumpy road it is perfectly fine.
It's happened since I bought the car and the tyres were pretty worn. I have now replaced them with the correct tyres for the car, it seems slightly better but I might just be trying to convince myself.

I have driven a reasonable amount of performance cars and not come across this before. Is it a Maserati trait or have I got a problem. I have a warranty on the car which runs out in a few weeks so I need to log the issue, if it is an issue.

I would be grateful for some comments.

Thanks

Keith
 
Keiff99

Keiff99

New Member
Messages
7
Hi Phil,

Thanks.

I haven't noticed it at high speed. Generally normal everyday driving so 30 - 40. I don't know if it does it at high speed but can try to find a few drains if necessary and have a go.

Keith
 
Keiff99

Keiff99

New Member
Messages
7
Hi Dave,

It's any sort of drain. I will post a picture when I can work out how to do it.

Keith
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,275
Hi Keith,

You may not be used to the amount of information you get back through the wheel and seat of your pants driving these :) great fun.

I take it you are not running winter tyres? On big rear wheel drives like these they make a true transformation to the car. May want to get it put on a laser/Hunter 5 wheel geometory check for your own peace of mind; shouldn't cost more than £60 unless they do work on it.

Welcome to the madness.
 
Keiff99

Keiff99

New Member
Messages
7
Hi Newton,

Thanks, you may well be right, this is my first Maserati. I think i'll take your advice and get the geometry checked.

Thanks

Keith
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,275
If you are up in London (East End) or Essex over the holidays in it I can seriously recommend Elite in Rainham; they are so helpful and are happy to discuss how you want it set up. I paid < £60 earlier this summer and it makes a real difference. I also run winters :D
 
outrun

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
My Ghibli does that on the silly 21" wheels that I chose. It's the combination of damp, temperature, small sidewalls and the change in surface from tarmac to metal drain or white lines. It can be very unnerving and you need to be alert to it.

I agree that a geometry check may help and also you may find, although you have new rear tyres, that different brands will react in different ways. For example, I have Pirelli and they are rubbish unless it's 70 or above. They're just not good at all in lower temperatures. I've also got winter tyres and smaller 18" wheels and the car is completely different on these with no slipping in any weather.

Down the line, try a different tyre brand, loads of recommendations on here in other posts, especially if you have Pirelli on right now.
 
outrun

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
My Ghibli does that on the silly 21" wheels that I chose. It's the combination of damp, temperature, small sidewalls and the change in surface from tarmac to metal drain or white lines. It can be very unnerving and you need to be alert to it.

I agree that a geometry check may help and also you may find, although you have new rear tyres, that different brands will react in different ways. For example, I have Pirelli and they are rubbish unless it's 70 or above. They're just not good at all in lower temperatures. I've also got winter tyres and smaller 18" wheels and the car is completely different on these with no slipping in any weather.

Down the line, try a different tyre brand, loads of recommendations on here in other posts, especially if you have Pirelli on right now.
 
B

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,972
Outrun has given the correct advice here, and twice too for Christmas!

I fully agree on the Pirelli P Zero comment and I now run the other approved tyre in the summer which is the Conti SC3. In the winter I run winter tyres - Pirelli Sotto Zeros - and the difference is amazing if it is lower than about 10c. I have the same car as you so will be interested to hear how you settle in with it. Welcome BTW!
 
Swedish Paul

Swedish Paul

Member
Messages
1,811
Do the car have LSD? Different surfaces for a fraction of a second, different grip levels. Maybe not so surprised. I live in Sweden and drive on ice a lot, negative cambers, corners, you learn to feel the car. I wonder if that's what you are doing, feeling the car.

Try lifting off before you hit the cover, if you don't feel the same thing, you'll know.
 
Keiff99

Keiff99

New Member
Messages
7
Thanks Outrun, Big bob and Swedish Paul,
Outrun, That makes a lot of sense and sounds as though you've had a similar experience. I'm in the "sunny south" so won't use winters. I will check the geometry to be certain and then look at different brands when I renew the tyres next time. Bigbob thanks for your comments too.
Swedish Paul, Thanks I will experiment and let you know.
Thanks to you all for taking the time to comment, I am starting to feel more re-assured.
Have a great Xmas
Keith
 
hoyin

hoyin

Member
Messages
1,842
Yeah. You are pushing 450bhp through the tyres!

Are you running Pirelli's? And cold?

I changed to Michellins SS and they seem to be better. But you still have to be careful. Needs to be dry and tyres warm.
 
Keiff99

Keiff99

New Member
Messages
7
Hi All,
Thanks for your comments. The problem is resolved. Whilst I had the correct tyres, or so I thought, I had the wrong Dot code (I think this is the actual compound). This was pointed out by Meridien Modena at Southampton. Even the company I get my tyres from did not know that the dot code made such a difference. I guess it is not so noticeable in the warm but in the cold the compound difference is very noticeable.
Keith
 
2b1ask1

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,275
Glad you got is sorted Keith, can you pop up the specifics when you get a moment, it is handy to know.
 
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