Gransport advice and anyone know this car?

Delmonte

Member
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878
Sorry, repeating myself a bit here, this was my first post and was delayed appearing. Still, I'm interested if anyone knows this car or has opinions on its history (or lack of?)

Firstly does anyone know this car. :

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classi...d=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New

I'm attracted to pearl paint and low miles, also the interior. I'm put off by the listed history, it's first service really not for 2 years and 23k? Also a few services there less than yearly. What's the service schedule on these? And is it usual for some to go say 2 years but within mileage limits? Does this affect the car or the values much?

I appreciate would need to examine the history in some detail.
What sort of stuff should I be looking for in the history?
Any advice greatly appreciated.
 
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1,117
As far as I know the servicing is annual. There are two-yearly items also. Every so often, the annual service becomes a "mileage" service which is much bigger.
In the history, dont be too fussed if it has had very few services from a Main Dealer. Most of these cars are in better hands at good independent specialists.
Clutch life is important - a dealer can read the clutch wear using SD2 diagnostics and interpret it for you meaningfully.
Corrosion around the rear bottom of the rear lights is a known corrosion risk area.

My only advice would be (a) to have any such car independently inspected if its not for sales through reputable and recognised specialists and (b) buy the very best car you can afford and do not budget on a car that needs work doing as the parts are expensive and the work inevitably expands when the car is dismantled.
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
This car in question has been discussed a lot and been for sale for ages. It moved from one dealer to another and it needs paint to one of the rear quarters I believe as what has been done is not very good...maybe its been redone.

The front bumper is a bad match too. Interior, well, if thats your thing then ok but you will struggle to resell it as the current trader is finding.
 

allandwf

Member
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10,958
I seriously thought about changing the AC for it. Garage seemed to want to take mine on SOR though, so went no further. For me the launch colour scheme suits it perfectly. History, for me, is not a great issue as long as recent is good, obviously will effect resale if that is an issue to you.
 

redsonnylee

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1,540
I looked at this one a few weeks ago, and as per the overall view of most its not a very tidy example. I was surprised at how it was presented, there are much better options out there.
 

StuartW

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9,306
I too saw this ad a little while ago and was tempted, I was thinking of going for a GS these past few months, but am now cooling on the idea I think.
I do like the colour combination and there's a lot to like about this car on the surface but it sounds like there are better examples out there
 

safrane

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16,748
This car was offered to one of our respected traders a couple of years ago when the original owner passes on.

The fact that they declined the offer despite it being a very rare colour and low miles say as much as you need it to.
 

Ewan

Member
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6,757
I like this. And if it needs a few hundred Pounds of paint, so what? Buy it, spend a bit on it, enjoy it, and watch it increase in value over the years. A "launch" spec GS has to be a good long term investment, as well as being a fun car to own/drive.
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
I like this. And if it needs a few hundred Pounds of paint, so what? Buy it, spend a bit on it, enjoy it, and watch it increase in value over the years. A "launch" spec GS has to be a good long term investment, as well as being a fun car to own/drive.

This was exactly my thoughts.
 

D Walker

Member
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9,827
Mt 2p worth, it does look good and I do like the colour,
I was talking to somebody earlier in the week about a car with this colour,
He did point out that its a nightmare to match, as in his had multiple attempts to get spot on therefore as Ewan says might be worth finding someone who is good with paint (Conaero's guy) maybe and get it done.

I believe in the other thread somewhere Moz had viewed this and considered it too much of a task to take on.

Dave

Found the link, have a read of this and the original link contained within,
http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/24722-Bianco-Fuji-GS?highlight=fuji
 

D Walker

Member
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9,827
extract of Moz report

For those interested in this car, here is the PPI I had done by Emblem. Many minor items. Regarding the apparent shade difference between the front bumper and the bonnet, in real life it doesn't look as bad as in the photos. Emblem commented that this is common and due to the fact that the bonnet and wings are steel and the bumper plastic. You will see that the main items requiring work are the clutch and the A/C compressor which made a nasty noise when I drove the car. Be wary of the service just carried out as 4th year service items were due when I saw the car which would have made the service costly. Question to ask is who did the last service and were the 4th year items done. Hope this helps interested parties.

Moz

Dave,
Further to our earlier conversation please find listed below the pre-purchase inspection report for the Gransport (RX54 VMO):
Service history / Keys etc
1. No service book / service history in car recommend 31000 mile service + 2nd year fluids inc air con + 3rd year operation
2. Only 1 key present (no spare key in car)
3. Mot test due when
Mechanical report:
1. Air Con compressor noisy / pulley bearing has play
2. Clutch 71 % worn
3. Gearbox loom chaffed on subframe
4. Oil pressure gauge reading when ignition on
5. Handbrake high – holding ok. Recommnend inspection at service
6. Brake discs cross drillings blocked – clean out during service
7. 2 x BBS dust caps missing
8. Rattle from O/S of headlining
9. O/S window switch spring loose
10. N/S door internal lock button adrift
11. Interior lights in/op from N/S door
12. Glovebox light cover missing
13. Headlamp aim needs checking at service
14. Key button pad split
15. No radio reception
16. O/S door door check strap worn / clicking
17. Front number plate cracked / rear number plate delaminating
18. Airbags expired 10/2014
19. Seat easy entry needs resetting
20. Battery vent pipe not connected
21. Puncture repair fluid used / replacement required
22. O/S heated mirror in/op
23. O/S/F shock gaitor split – report only
24. Coolant level low – no signs of a leak
25. Oil weep from rear of cam covers
26. Touch up O/S/F wheel arch rear edge
27. Underbody waxoyl treatment would be a benefit
Cosmetic / trim report:
1. Wear to steering wheel leather
2. Car park dings to O/S/F wing top and N/S/F wing top
3. Touched in stone chip in middle of bonnet
4. Scratch under N/S side repeater and middle / rear of bonnet
5. Wheel bolts have surface corrosion
6. Nose badge corroded
7. O/S overmat split
8. Small split to O/S door seal
9. O/S door mirror gasket split
Compression test results:
1. Cylinder 1 – 11 bar
2. Cylinder 2 – 10.5 bar
3. Cylinder 3 – 11 bar
4. Cylinder 4 – 11 bar
5. Cylinder 5 – 10.5 bar
6. Cylinder 6 – 10 bar
7. Cylinder 7 – 10.5 bar
8. Cylinder 8 – 11 bar
 

Delmonte

Member
Messages
878
Thanks guys, some good opinions there. It does make me suss about it if it's finding it hard to find a loving home. I could work around it (subject to price) if all it needs is paint.. I know all about pearl paint, yes it's a total nightmare to match, (my Alfa is Nuvola blue, that cost me £4.5k to respray 5 years ago, and there is only one place I trust to do it (Surface And Design, the ex TVR factory boys in Blackpool, if anyone is looking for the masters of pearl or iridescent paint)

Back to the history (or rather the gaps in it...) it certainly hasn't had annual servicesbut so haven't many I've seen advertised as FSH. The one that concerns me is the gap to the first one. No first service till 23k?
 

Delmonte

Member
Messages
878
OK, I've read the other thread and you guys have put me off the car (in a good way!) Thanks, I dont think its worth the 350 mile round trip to look at
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
TBF, apart from the clutch, most 4200's hide a similar list. All sortable with some TLC.
 

Corranga

Member
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1,219
Bianco Fuji looks stunning in those photos, and I even like the blue / tech cloth combo, what a beautiful car!

From the PPI list above...

Does anyone change these? Surely all cars of this age will be similar now?
18. Airbags expired 10/2014

What does this mean / do?
19. Seat easy entry needs resetting

I completely understand what a PPI is, but really...
20. Battery vent pipe not connected
:O
 

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,593
Bianco Fuji does look stunning in certain light (bright) but it can also have the 'urine tinge' on dull days. Personally, I like it.

Airbags expired, I don't think anyone changes these and all our airbags will be out of date.

Seat entry, I would suspect that means the drivers bolster is worn, simple fix with the correct colonising fluid from Woolies trim

Battery vent, I had battery positive terminal cover fallen off...I still mention that to Miles jokingly when he PPI'd my old Spyder Zag had done by them :)
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,547
Bianco Fuji looks stunning in those photos, and I even like the blue / tech cloth combo, what a beautiful car!

From the PPI list above...

Does anyone change these? Surely all cars of this age will be similar now?
18. Airbags expired 10/2014

What does this mean / do?
19. Seat easy entry needs resetting

I completely understand what a PPI is, but really...
20. Battery vent pipe not connected
:O

fwd > back > fwd > back tilt

Should reset the auto slide when you tilt the seat forward so people can get in the back.

A bit surprised the PPI didn't mention that there was no fuel and it was raining ;)

C
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,748
I've almost completed my list from Emblem when they checked out the GS... even down to the little red cover on the positive terminal of the battery.

All thats left is the rubber covers on the front shocks and the outer vent chrome rings...its taken a while but almost there.

Fortunately I started with a car that has been serviced every year...parts can be replaced at any time but you can't turn back a service history.
 

zagatoes30

Member
Messages
20,759
This is a normal emblem nothing major bar the clutch and even at 71% there is a lot of driving still left in that assuming the tangs don't break and the positive terminal cover never got replaced on my Spyder