New Granturismo owner from overseas

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
Hi All,

Thought I would introduce myself since I have been looking around here the last couple of weeks. I already found a lot of usefull information and the Dutch Maserati forum isn't nearly as active en insightfull as this one.

Around 5 weeks ago I picked up my new old Granturismo 4.2. Was really planning on buying an first generation Porsche 997, but found a Granturismo in the same price range, had a test drive and the rest is history. Although I always was focussed on buying a Porsche, there is something more magical and special about the Granturismo. Also, after back to back driving the Porsche felt really small and too much sportcar for me. And it seems the Granturismo is more practical and as reliable as the Porsche (maybe even more reliable?).

So now I ended up with a late 2007 4.2. It was a first owner car, all the maintenance was done at the dealer I got it from. It has done over 150.000 km. But since the biggest service was just done 10.000km ago I'm not too worried about the miles. The outside still looks great, original paint except for the left rear quarter. There is a bit more wear and tear on the leather, but nothing that can't be fixed.

Overall i'm verry happy with the car and every time I drive it I feel the adrenaline and energy. Still hard to believe i'm driving a beautifull Maserati as my daily driver.
IMG_20180422_190646 (2).jpg


After a couple of weeks there are some issues that need to be adressed. First of them are the variators (again :( ) and most likely a wheel bearing. I got a 6 month warranty so that shouldn't be an issue. Also the leather could do with a good cleaning and some small repairs. And so it happens I will be in Las Vegas in June, so i'll probably stop by FD to get an x-pipe and improved brake pads. I was looking into getting the DBW upgrade, but for now I will enjoy the car as is.
 

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,445
If you can, get the DBW while you're there since you will save lots on import duties and courier fees
Take your VIN details with you
Eb
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,039
Looks black to me also....either way what a great looking car and a big welcome to the forum.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Schweet ! :clapps:
I thought I wanted a Porsche too. For me, the 997 is getting BIG. Really, I wanted a 40th Jahre car but I drove the first gen 997 car as it was there, and my first drive. Boy, what a massive disappointment that was. I then tried a backdated outlaw. Way out of my price range but hey, why settle for second best ? Loved the "classic" vibe but it was somehow a little underwhelming, with much Id still want to see improved...!
Then I drove a Coupe GT. Loved it. It wasnt at its best but that made no difference. I knew i wanted one.
:yeah:
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
She's black, i guess these camera filters give it the blue hue. I usually like my cars a bit less black, but on the GT it suits the car fine.
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
Picking the car up tomorrow after a few weeks at the dealer. It needed the full variator fix, a new horn and wheels needed to be straightened. There is still a whining noise at about 120 km/h. I suspected a bearing but they all checked out. Afters some reading and investagation I'm now thinking that it could be the differential. Read it is quite common on these cars that the differential is making noise. Will probably request a diff oil change at some point and maybe have them use a thicker oil or use an additive.

On the weekend I'll be putting on the BMC air filter and the larini x-pipe. Looking forward to driving the car again after those changes :)
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
Well. The differential is confirmed as a known issue and within tolerance. So for now ill just have to drive a bit slower, or faster. Not the biggest problem. I did replace the diff oil myself with some royal purple, which has some added additives. But that didn't help either.

I got the larini x-pipe installed and that does change the sound pretty nicely. The car now sounds like a v8 on low rpm and has a bit more raspy sound. And the cracks and pops are a lot present, also when upshifting under heavy load. I'm sure not everyone will like it, bit i think its great and very driveable when cruising. I don't think adding cats will be needed anymore, unless i replace the x-pipe. This is loud enough.
I have short before and after videos.
Before:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=10N6IQRAmJ8d8UGanLdvH2igaK5Uj5u24

After:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1VQFLQkimodx61cm3vPQxzzmxMTv9Ncil
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
So, after almost 6 months the car has been at the dealer for about a month in total. It still has vibrations in the steering wheel and car. I had a second opinion and it still feels like a bent rim which just needs to be replaced. But my guess the dealer already spent a lot of money on repairs, so they are not keen on replacing rims.

Also, there seems to be a bit too much vibration between 1000 and 2000 rpm from the engine. I suspect my motor mounts could do with a replacement. Im going to try to make the dealer do it under warranty, but otherwise ill put it on a todo list for the winter.

With all the vibration issues not being fixed, owning the car really started to be less and less enjoyable. But today i took her out for some spirited driving around some nice roads and boy, am i glad i did. It was such a rewarding drive. Car is so good and easy to drive at speed and sometimes i forget how good it looks, but seeing another granturismo while driving just made me realise why i bought the car in the first place.
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
That's what the specialist said, it's probably im more aware of everything since im still experiencing a problem. Didnt notice that before. Car was picked up again today, so hopefully they get it driving smooth again.
 

Felonious Crud

Administrator
Staff member
Messages
21,013
Considering how close you are to the UK, I suggest booking in with Aldous Voice at AV Engineering / @voicey, getting the ferry over to Harwich and then driving down to AV, which is probably 2 hours drive. Make a few days away out of it and get your car sorted out by one of the best Ferrari-Maserati techs in the country (if not the known world!)
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
Short update, vibrations where back due to hard braking just after the tires where mounted to the rims. There was still mounting grease on the tire and rim and the tires moved 2 inches. So that is all sorted out now.

In the meantime I prepared winter tires and booked the car in for a polish and glass coating. The front end does need a respray to really get things sorted out, but for now i'll leave it as is and push that a bit further down the road. The polish should really help get the paint back and remove all swirls and small scratches after 10 years and 100.000 miles. Really looking forward to seeing the end results.

Also bought some aftermarket speakers, subwoofer and amplifier and still have to do some work on the leather. All is planned for the christmas holidays. After that the car has up to date audio&bluetooth and should be good for a couple of nice roadtrips in 2019.
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
It goes on the sidewall to make mounting easier. Needs to wear off after mounting, which can take some time. New for me too, but explained the problem being gone and coming back. The markings from matching the tires to the rim were still there. So it was pretty clear.
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
Car is now running on 18 inch winter tires, which dont really fit the car, but with a higher sidewall its great for those few days of snow.
Also had a full polish and glass coating. The coating is really great, car is so easy to clean and keeps looking perfect. There were some issues replacing the factory stone guards, seems they had been in stock for too long and the glue went bad. Luckily my installer was able to replace them using Xpel. I want convinced about Xpel, but now it is on the car I understand why it is more expensive. But if anyone is thinking about replacing, just go to an Xpel installer and let them cut custom foil from the existing stone guards.

Picture of a charity ride couple of weeks ago. this was after a week of driving in rainy conditions. As you can see, the coating keeps the car pretty clean.
47386288_2184379795222351_4557603377919295488_o.jpg
 

ChrissGT

Member
Messages
341
How is the car now?...great looking photo....how much did the variator fix cost?...once done is that a permanent fix?

No more issues related to variators. The repair was carried out under warranty, so cant help with the cost. It's a permanent fix, they send out the camshaft cap to make sure oil stays in the engine when its turned off.
There is quite a bit info on this topic here and on the american forum.