Warning!

[karatemaserati]

iv just emailed Conaero to see if we can have a sticky thread named 'Attention all 3200/4200 owners, possible broken wishbones issue... what to do and who to contact' As i feel a simplified sticky thread with a brief synopsis of the issue of the problem that these cars may have and who to contact is a must. this thread is a bit of a marathon and lurkers/people who may not have time to trawl it maybe put off takng action.

 

[Wack61]

Old and used, unless x-rayed you may not be able to see any fractures... you can make these look like new cleaning them.

The company I work for uses these for non destructive crack testing

No idea what they charge but if Maserati aren't interested for your own piece of mind it might be worth taking them off and finding out.

http://www.nortest.ltd.uk

 

[mchristyuk]

Got another letter back from the DVSA.. had to bite my hand whilst reading it owing to the amount of "What the f*ck?" moments when reading it.. I've had a deep breath now and just resigned myself to the fact that the cronyism and job complacency that appeared to exist is in fact alive and well.

This whole process has made me fall out of love with my car.. but I'm trying to remind myself that all manufacturers are the same and the real culpable useless people here are those employed at the DVSA.

For your enjoyment....





Mark

 

[Contigo]

Am I being unreasonable in that I see that as a perfectly sound response? The only bit I completely disagree with is the noise detection part.

 

[stefanocirillo]

Am I being unreasonable in that I see that as a perfectly sound response? The only bit I completely disagree with is the noise detection part.

+1. I guess we could argue some GS are not over 10 years old and also the noise part as above. I guess we need to reserve ultimate judgement for when they reveal 'the action'.

 

[drewf]

On the whole, I agree that is a measured and reasonable letter.

However, it contradicts a number of points made in previous communications, and quite clearly states the the DVSA cannot and will not act without the manufacturer's permission; that being apparently just one man in a global organisation. "Reasonable time to act" clearly exceeds 12 months, so might as well be forever. Leave issues at the manufacturer are clearly stated as being beyond the DVSA control, and they hint that the process will be paused until such matters are resolved - no hint of deadlines whatsoever.

I'm appalled at the light touch this public body exerts over the manufacturers - it truly is virtually worthless.

I can only imagine that there cannot be a decision of critical safety issue to come from this, otherwise surely the DVSA wouldn't accept it being moved on at the whim of literally just one chap in an Italian (I assume) office?

And I agree they've made up the point about noise being a forewarning of the potential failure.

 

[mchristyuk]

Phil,

My issues with it were that..

1) The noise detection part
2) That they're happy to wait on the manufacturer whilst they have "leave issues".. even if it is a safety issue
3) That they can't release any information without the manufacturers consent.. we know this not to be true
4) They state that they've receive notice of 5 further failures.. but not had any other reported instances of failure (eh?!)
5) That the 8 months this has been dragging on is "reasonable time"
6) They're happy that the change in design is purely down to a change in sub contractor.. even if it does conveniently remedy the weak spots we've identified

I'm sorry but the letter just highlights everything that is wrong with the way the DVSA handle these cases.. they've done pretty much no investigation work themselves and are happy to believe everything Maserati have told them. Their priority appears to be the manufacturer first and our safety way, way, down the line.. and for me that is unacceptable.

Mark

 

[drewf]

Abso-f*cking-lutely spot on Mark.

 

[mjheathcote]

Is the new arm design due to a change of sub-contractor, or are they made to a new design by the original sub-contractor?

 

[mchristyuk]

Mike,

It appears the only people who know the real answer to that are Maserati.. the DVSA don't seem to know, and neither do we...

Mark

 

[Contigo]

I understand your points but are you surprised?

Let's wait to hear what Maserati say, I know this has dragged on but let's react when we are given a chance to.

 

[Wack61]

I think what you're going to end up with is a letter saying tough luck, hand over thousands to Maserati or scrap it

The phrase about low volume high cost seems to suggest the price is nothing to do with them and never will be

If it were me I'd either be taking mine off and crack testing them through somebody like in the link I posted above or buying used ones and crack testing them

Under the distance selling regulations you have 14 days to notify the business you don't want them then another 14 days to send them back.

If you buy they through eBay and they turn out to be cracked the seller has to pay the post both ways so the only cost to you is the X-ray test

 

[mchristyuk]

I understand your points but are you surprised?

Let's wait to hear what Maserati say, I know this has dragged on but let's react when we are given a chance to.

Surprised? No not in the slightest!

Does that make it right? I don't think so....

 

[D Walker]

Can somebody please record and post a sound bite of the "warning sound" so I know what to listen for.
Joke, muppets, and if I did not pay tax to pay for these bodies I could probably afford 4 new arms!!!

 

[Guest 1678]

We may have to go down the freedom of information route with Maserati UK.

Reading the letter and its disregard for safety (we are wise enough to know that low volume, exclusive, Italian product carries a premium) confirms that the DVSA are just an intermediary with little/no influence over the manufacturers supplying into the market they "protect". I surmise they have very weak regulatory power.

 

[GeoffK]

I like many other owners of these cars have followed this thread with interest, the one thing that strikes me is the lack of input from independent specialist, surely if inspected cars at these service centres were coming in in any worryingly high numbers they would have raised the mater considering all our safety and well-being is at stake.
I for one would love to know what percentage of cars are affected, mine thankfully is OK, perhaps one of the independents could throw some light on the matter?
I very much doubt that professional and experienced independent maserati specialist are afraid to share there experiences on this long running thread.. I really do feel sorry for all affected by cracked wishbones but I think a voice from a fresh angle could clear a few concerns regarding this issue

Geoff

It's a month since I posted this and not one independent or specialist replied, so I got on the phone and it was of no surprise that a great many more owners had done exactly the same.
The general consensus of the trade is as we all know there is a problem but its only affecting around 2 to 3% of cars and if checked at service by someone who knows to look for the cars are safe to use, in fact members on here were more than happy to push there cars at a well organised track day.
Surely if you have gone out and bought an expensive super car, that a clutch alone costs around 2k, other expenses such as suspension components must have been considered??

Geoff

 

[safrane]

We may have to go down the freedom of information route with Maserati UK.

Reading the letter and its disregard for safety (we are wise enough to know that low volume, exclusive, Italian product carries a premium) confirms that the DVSA are just an intermediary with little/no influence over the manufacturers supplying into the market they "protect". I surmise they have very weak regulatory power.

Its only UK Gov organisations who you can get FOI requests from...Maserati and all private Co's are not subject to it.

 

[safrane]

It's a month since I posted this and not one independent or specialist replied, so I got on the phone and it was of no surprise that a great many more owners had done exactly the same.
The general consensus of the trade is as we all know there is a problem but its only affecting around 2 to 3% of cars and if checked at service by someone who knows to look for the cars are safe to use, in fact members on here were more than happy to push there cars at a well organised track day.
Surely if you have gone out and bought an expensive super car, that a clutch alone costs around 2k, other expenses such as suspension components must have been considered??

Geoff

Geoff, I am sure most purchasers have considered most costs. But to replace a full set of wishbones will cost you £12,000 via Maserati - I have had this quote from Maserati Cardiff and that's for the parts that may only last 5/6 years.

 

[GeoffK]

Geoff, I am sure most purchasers have considered most costs. But to replace a full set of wishbones will cost you £12,000 via Maserati - I have had this quote from Maserati Cardiff and that's for the parts that may only last 5/6 years.

And how many people have replaced all there wishbones?

Geoff

 

[safrane]

I have no idea, but each type of W/B has been found cracked on cars...so it may not be in one go, but will have to be done at one stage