Considering a 3200/4200 Manual

2b1ask1

Special case
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20,223
Looks beautifully presented, well priced lMHO... That said I know little about 3200s
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,123
Looks lovely in the picture's.
Crankshaft end float is the important one and wishbone condition.
The 3200 experts will be along once they have managed to start their cars and got all the warning lights out ;)
 

Contigo

Sponsor
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18,376
I really want to know how to create a classified listing on Ebay, no matter what I do it always lists it as a 7 day or 10 day Auction/Buy it now.
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
That does look nice, used so hopefully niggle free. As previously mentioned endfloat check is a must, but it normally manifests itself well before 75k. I have a manual 3200, it can be a little hard work in heavy traffic, but it wasn't bought for that :)
 

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
Looks well enough cared for judging from the bills. At 74k miles i would be wondering whether it has been checked for wishbones for cracks, engine for end float, and whether the water pump and cam belt pulleys and tensioner has been replaced. otherwise looks like a nice example.
 

redsonnylee

Member
Messages
1,540
I agree on needs checking for wishbones, at 77 I'd be worried about the radiators and suspension to as I had these to do around 77k miles, also no mention on the rear chains. I've never heard of the Chiswick Maserati specialist & cant seem to find their address as this is only 10mins from me. The mot history notes future work on brakes and coils so need save some pennies for these. Otherwise looks a nice example.
 

voicey

Member
Messages
660
Chiswick Maserati Specialist is Voicey, get in contact with him and he'll give you the low down. He's now moved down to Kent but was there last year. https://aldousvoice.com

Thanks but this car didn't come through my workshop in Chiswick. I think I know the outfit referred to in the advert - if it is the place I'm thinking of then they are not a specialist, Maserati or otherwise.
 

Benbuhagiar

New Member
Messages
25
Looks well enough cared for judging from the bills. At 74k miles i would be wondering whether it has been checked for wishbones for cracks, engine for end float, and whether the water pump and cam belt pulleys and tensioner has been replaced. otherwise looks like a nice example.

Thanks. How much would that work roughly cost please?
 

Phil H

Member
Messages
4,107
It looks a nice example, although with that mileage buying is easy but selling later perhaps not unless you're prepared to take the hit, and that assumes it is a good one.

A quick Google search brings up adverts for it at £17,950 and £16,500.

PH
 

allandwf

Member
Messages
10,958
Hence make sure you get a good one, and a wee war chest just in case. Don't try to run one on a shoestring.
 

davy83

Member
Messages
2,809
Its not quite as black and white as 15k i reckon. It depends if you use an indie garage or a dealer, or indeed do repairs yourself. Wishbones are a bit scary, because there are 8 of them and they cost in the region of 400 a piece to replace, and the main suspension ball joints are integral with the wishbones so they do need changed. The front uppers have separate ball joints and are easy to change, and ironically never fail. All the rest can develop cracks around the bushes and these are hard to see and really requires the arms taken off the car to inspect, so MOT does not pick it up. IT is unusual for more than one or even two of them to have cracks so its unlikely you would be hit with the whole set in one go. Just making sure this is ok can be a bit of a pest even if your car has no cracks, would be worth asking if the garage looking after it have checked for this you never know. i checked all of my wishbones last year, i had a couple of ball joints gone, so i know its a bit of work. I would say 4-6 hours in a garage so a few hundred to check it and add the cost of the wishbones if there were problems. End float can be the end of the engine, or at least a complete engine rebuild, so second hand engine 4-5k rebuild depends who does it i guess. Water pump and cam belt pulleys are cheap enough the parts all in probably 500 but a fair but of labour in there so a dealer will charge 2k perhaps. I have done the wishbone work my self and had a garage deal with the set up afterwards (important!) similarly i have generally changed the CAM belt myself and although in principle its scary its not much harder than any other car, and garage bills should be similar. A god indie garage with some knowledge of these cars can save you a lot of heartache, by getting things right when needed, and this forum is full of good suggestions if you look. Buying a 3200 is a bit illogical on the surface of it, because of all the potential problems, but once you have established the main scare stories are ok and its not going to disintegrate, you will not regret it, its one of the most infectious cars to drive, it is literally a drug. If you haven't driven one yet i suggest you do, its either going to seal the deal or put you off. i could not resist and bought my car 10 years ago meaning to keep it for a year or two and sell it before it got old or high miles. Ah well here we are still got it and cant really find it in me to sell it.

Thanks. How much would that work roughly cost please?
 
Messages
1,117
Wow that's frightening! Suddenly not sure I want one :(

From my limited research that's why I decided to steer clear of this model - it has lovely looks but I don't like to take such risks playing Russian Roulette - guys play the same game with a Porsche which is why I bought the mezger engine turbo as I don't like to take such risks. Other people are more comfortable with risks and enjoy the 3200 when its going well. On the Maserati, I narrowed it down to a 4200 coupe or a Gransport and chose the latter - with an LE pack and I'm happy with it.
 

alfatwo

Member
Messages
5,517
As with any 16 year old high performance car you have to expect trouble, they all fail at some point!

Dave
 

BuckRog64

Member
Messages
334
Hi, I joined this forum way back last October as I commenced my search for a 3200 manual. I wanted a 2001 model as it had many improvements and an OBD2 compliant fault code watsit, which makes diagnostics of all the CELs much easier. I think the manual box suits the frenetic nature of the 3200 with those twin turbos but for the slightly more sensible chap a facelift 4200 is a much more sorted car. Very few 3200 manuals have come to market and those that I enquired about or viewed needed plenty of money thrown at them so I'm now going straight to Phase 2 of my Maserati ownership plan and starting to think about a Granturismo S (or maybe a GranSport). The buyers guide Contigo put together is pretty comprehensive and a valuable reference tool.

The car you are looking at has some big gaps in service history. That, plus fact it's a pre 2001 model, makes it a bit expensive imo for the mileage unless it is a properly sorted car. At that mileage it should have had the 68k miles service, which includes new timing chain, but most owners haven't splashed out for this and anyway the chains are no longer available.

Can't believe Philip Contigo has not tried to flog you his 3200 Auto yet!
 

BuckRog64

Member
Messages
334
I really want to know how to create a classified listing on Ebay, no matter what I do it always lists it as a 7 day or 10 day Auction/Buy it now.

Phil, Start the sell listing in the usual way and in the Selling section, under Format, choose Classified Ad.
 

jack.pe

New Member
Messages
65
There is a very nice manual 4200 car up in Scotland, have spoken to the owner (Davidc) and to PK cars who look after it, seems a corker. His asking price seems reasonable and he sounds like a nice guy. I considered it but then decided I wanted a CC. It is a known car on the forum through the previous owner who was fastidious. If it sounds good his post is on my thread below.. good luck!

http://www.sportsmaserati.co.uk/showthread.php/24484-Looking-for-a-4200/page6