Independent 4200 Service in Melbourne

Tas4200coupe

Junior Member
Messages
69
G'day Melbourne Maseratisti's!

I'm thinking of taking my '04 4200 to Melbourne for a bit of work. The regular fluid changes, filters, brakes, etc. have all been able to be carried out here in Hobart but it's three years or so since it was plugged into an SD2 for full diagnostics - plus - I've got a pair of flashing airbag lights on the dashboard AND both keys recently stopped activating the remote central locking. No one in Tassie has the right diagnostic tools nor seems up to the job of fixing this kind of electronic niggle.

Thus, I'd be very grateful to anyone who could suggest a reputable, capable and reasonably priced independent Maserati specialist to whom I could take my car. There seem to be a number of alternatives but how do you know who's good and who isn't?

Many thanks in advance.
 

BL330

Member
Messages
1,121
No response from our Melbourne friends? It is a public holiday there today for the afl grand final, so they all must
be busy. Hopefully you'll get the good word soon.
 

adam01

Member
Messages
1,079
On osea sojourn Bellagio

There r 2 maybe 3 indies but havnt tried yet

My guy went busy big way






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AlfaRomeoGTV6

Junior Member
Messages
119
G'day, Mr. Paul Placzek is a very friendly and incredibly well accomplished in the global classic and sports car scene. His labour costs are very favourable compared to Melbourne's main Maserati dealership. He actually 'fixes' things, not just simply swaps or replaces parts. Cheers mate, Ron

www.sportscarservices.com.au
 

adam01

Member
Messages
1,079
Yep 2nd above, thats one i was thinking of

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Ed Vit

New Member
Messages
15
G'day, Mr. Paul Placzek is a very friendly and incredibly well accomplished in the global classic and sports car scene. His labour costs are very favourable compared to Melbourne's main Maserati dealership. He actually 'fixes' things, not just simply swaps or replaces parts. Cheers mate, Ron

www.sportscarservices.com.au

Yep - I was going to recommend Paul. My GS has been to his shop - has all the gear - always has Ferrari's lambos and other exotics there.
Can't recall his rate but I recollect it as reasonable - mine is due to go back shortly for service etc. He was happy to have parts pre purchased by owner (to save $$). Good Luck
 

Tas4200coupe

Junior Member
Messages
69
Thanks very much fellas. These guys were on the short list and looked pretty good. I'm pleased to hear that they are.

Thanks again, I'll give them a call.
 

Ed Vit

New Member
Messages
15
Thanks very much fellas. These guys were on the short list and looked pretty good. I'm pleased to hear that they are.

Thanks again, I'll give them a call.

Glad to see reply's have assisted - just curious, who else did you have on your short list? - Cheers Ed
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
It's nice to see the Italian car scene is well catered for the other side of the planet..;)

I must get over there one day for a looksee before I get too old...

There was a Ford Exec who I know came over last week.. 23 hours straight from Melbourne he was completely knackered!


Dave
 

Tas4200coupe

Junior Member
Messages
69
Glad to see reply's have assisted - just curious, who else did you have on your short list? - Cheers Ed

Hi Ed, there was Maranello Motorsport, Terzini Motori, and Maranello Pur-Sang Motors as well as Sports & Classic.

Have you had any experience with any of these?

Cheers, Kim
 

Tas4200coupe

Junior Member
Messages
69
It's nice to see the Italian car scene is well catered for the other side of the planet..;)

I must get over there one day for a looksee before I get too old...

There was a Ford Exec who I know came over last week.. 23 hours straight from Melbourne he was completely knackered!


Dave

Ha, ha Dave - that's just soft! Earlier this year my family and I shot over for a bit of French Leave (including Le Mans) and it was 40 hours from door in Hobart to door in Béziers - with three children! That's hard-core travel I reckon!
 

adam01

Member
Messages
1,079
Terzini gone bust
Pursang do mainly older models but worth a call. Dont think they have SD2/3 analyser
Maranello have used but not for service. Other owners may comment

Dutton garage but again need to borrow SD gear

Black Stallion but also borrow SD




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Ed Vit

New Member
Messages
15
Hi Ed, there was Maranello Motorsport, Terzini Motori, and Maranello Pur-Sang Motors as well as Sports & Classic.

Have you had any experience with any of these?

Cheers, Kim

Hi Kim
The GS I have was taken to Maranello last year specifically to have an error condition checked (MSP, ABS, & Skyhook lights on and no Traction control).

This is what they reported;
"Attempt to scan vehicle for error codes - unable to read any errors"
"Vehicle drives well other than no traction"
"Scan gearbox for clutch wear% - find clutch wear at 100%" - BS
"Suggest raising vehicle on hoist to visually check clutch"
"Check service history" ??

An invoice which had a "discounted" rate of $198 for 1 hr was presented.

Not bad! it was taken there specifically to read errors - charged $198 for not being able to read them!

Based on that I would NOT recommend them - they obviously don't have the gear/knowledge and on top of that are thieves!

The GS was subsequently taken to Paul at Sport & Classic Car Services - just called in and he had the correct scanner and immediately identified the problem as a rear left sensor in rear bearing failure - he did that on the spot and didn't charge - he suggested buying the bearing from EuroSpares. He then got the job of replacing the bung bearing.
I have just booked the GS in with him to iron out some problems and to do a service. I mentioned to him that he may get a visit from a Tassie GS owner in the near future - tell him Ed recommended you.

I recollect reading a review where it made reference to driving with most of those features off and it said "mortality is in your hands".
At the time the GS was like an unleashed monster, put the foot down slightly and she was all over the place!! One minute looking through windscreen at cars in front, next minute looking through windscreen at cars behind me - scary when you don't expect it!

Good luck with the service.
Ed
 

VMSRTI

Member
Messages
1,704
Hi Kim
The GS I have was taken to Maranello last year specifically to have an error condition checked (MSP, ABS, & Skyhook lights on and no Traction control).

This is what they reported;
"Attempt to scan vehicle for error codes - unable to read any errors"
"Vehicle drives well other than no traction"
"Scan gearbox for clutch wear% - find clutch wear at 100%" - BS
"Suggest raising vehicle on hoist to visually check clutch"
"Check service history" ??

An invoice which had a "discounted" rate of $198 for 1 hr was presented.

Not bad! it was taken there specifically to read errors - charged $198 for not being able to read them!

Based on that I would NOT recommend them - they obviously don't have the gear/knowledge and on top of that are thieves!

The GS was subsequently taken to Paul at Sport & Classic Car Services - just called in and he had the correct scanner and immediately identified the problem as a rear left sensor in rear bearing failure - he did that on the spot and didn't charge - he suggested buying the bearing from EuroSpares. He then got the job of replacing the bung bearing.
I have just booked the GS in with him to iron out some problems and to do a service. I mentioned to him that he may get a visit from a Tassie GS owner in the near future - tell him Ed recommended you.

I recollect reading a review where it made reference to driving with most of those features off and it said "mortality is in your hands".
At the time the GS was like an unleashed monster, put the foot down slightly and she was all over the place!! One minute looking through windscreen at cars in front, next minute looking through windscreen at cars behind me - scary when you don't expect it!

Good luck with the service.
Ed

Maranello don't have the analyser. They send the car around the corner to Zagames and then charge accordingly.
 

Ed Vit

New Member
Messages
15
Maranello don't have the analyzer. They send the car around the corner to Zagames and then charge accordingly.

Not surprised George - on that occasion they obviously didn't even send the car to Zagames (I'm sure Zagames would have had the analyser - and they would have been able to read the errors) just like Indie Paul did within 5 minutes (at no charge).

Marenello, didn't get it analyzed and padded out to 1hr of **** which was outside the scope of the task. Even more reason not to use them. Whatever their "own" hourly rate is, or how good they are with mechanical tasks, I would steer well clear of them based on that experience of bad work ethics.
Cheers
Ed
 

Tas4200coupe

Junior Member
Messages
69
Thanks again everyone, particularly the case studies! Crooks everywhere it seems.

I spoke to Paul today and I'm booked in for a week of love and attention on the 24/11. Thanks again guys.

Cheers,

Kim.
 

AUSAndrew

New Member
Messages
4
A few months late, but here are some of my experiences to add. I've been to both Maranello Pur-Sang and Sports & Classic for different issues and both do good work.

Maranello Pur-Sang (in Brunswick) were able to organise and source a replacement Alfa window motor from Italy at a much cheaper price than any Maserati part. They also have the scan/analyser tool and helped clear an annoying "passenger airbag" light. I was very happy with what they'd done. That said, their workshop is full of older classic-style Maseratis rather than newer cars; I don't think they were particularly interested about a Gransport.

Paul from Sports & Classic (Braeside) did my recent yearly service. He helped sort out a few things around the car, and installed my FD DBW. The workshop was full of other modern Italian sports cars, including another Gransport. Paul seemed very genuine and was happy to talk through things relating to the car, he also knew about common/uncommon issues with Gransports specifically. I will be going back here in future, even though it's an hour drive away.