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hi everyone !

Just joined up. Im still searching for the right car for me, ideally a Black 4200GT. i have heard from a few people the flappy paddle gear box is rather unreliable, and to stick to a manual box.

any thoughts ? or if they do go wrong, are they expensive to fix ?

cheers
james
 

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
Heresy James..............if near a sink with carbolic soap near to hand, please rinse mouth out!!!!


:)

Horses for courses, CC vs GT an ongoing debate, but 80% are CCs.....manuals have their own issues


Welcome to our wonderful forum, post lots and stay long!

P
 

VMSRTI

Member
Messages
1,704
Welcome James. Buy one that has been checked out properly and you wont go wrong.
A good starting point would be Richard Grace.
I love the paddles!
 

2b1ask1

Special case
Messages
20,281
Hi James and welcome to the world's finest Maserati forum. These vehicles are astonishingly reliable given they are a budget supercar. Early 4200 Cambiocorsa units did have a short clutch life but beyond that they are near bomb proof. The engine is Ferarri as is the gearbox and this vehicle was used as the test bed for each. Even hooning just makes them better as they love to be driven hard.

Spend lots of time reading this forum in detail and you will see these claims are borne out and misconceptions are dispelled.
 

Mr.Cambio

Member
Messages
7,096
Never heard of any cc or manual gearbox having problem. Well...people blame the cc cause they cannot use it properly...and here's the deal: you learn it, you'll never want to drive a manual again.
 

Parisien

Moderator
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34,927
Problem being more to clutch wear, happening a bit too early, but improved and last a lot longer now................

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rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
The problems with the CC box (that I am aware of) are:
- F1 relay - any old relay talks to the pump - it can get burnt out and "over-run" the use of the F1 pump causing it to die. Changing an F1 relay is a DIY and very cheap job.
- F1 pump - this is less common, and probably less likely to die if the relay is changed often. It is an expensive part if it goes wrong (I think £1k).
- Clutch wear - This is a talking point, some people's last for ages, and some people get through their's a bit quicker. I think [EDITED] 20-30k is a fair mileage, but stand to be corrected. A new complete clutch costs around £1.5+k from an independent to fix. The first clutch that was brought out with the car was a single tang, this was replaced by a dual-tang that lasts longer. You are unlikely to find any car that has the old version.

One thing that is difficult with the CC box is parallel parking. I miss being able to balance the clutch.

All that said...touch wood...I have never had any problems with my CC box. I also absolutely love it. It's just such a great way to drive, to change gear and for me adds to the whole Maserati experience.

One thing I would say, as soon as you get it, change the rear boxes to Larini, Tubi, straight-throughs or something other standard. It sounds beautiful!
 
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hodroyd

Member
Messages
14,150
I think the CC box is brilliant when driving hard, with a very fast change on full throttle, just keep your foot down and change when ready, no lifting of throttle. I know some people have made the early mistake of lifting when changing, this messes things up and the change is not a happy one. If the clutch has been changed and the bearings done at the same time which is a small cost, you should get up to 25K approx from a clutch. Ask an F1 driver if he would like to have to change gear with a floor lever instead of paddles, see what they say..??
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,888
As people have indicated clutch wear is dependant on so many variables. I got over 40k from my third clutch on my 2003 4200. The other clutch changes were due to a new gear box (warranty claim) and main agent selling it with a new one due to more than 40% wear.
 

rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
And there you have the joy of this forum ... owning one becomes much more affordable!

Shame we've not cracked the oil/water pump issue. I think with the amount of labour involved and the cost of the part, it's very expensive if that goes wrong. But there don't seem to be many that it has happened to.
 

Parisien

Moderator
Messages
34,927
The problems with the CC box (that I am aware of) are:

- Clutch wear - This is a talking point, some people's last for ages, and some people get through their's a bit quicker. I think 10-15k is a fair mileage, but stand to be corrected. A new complete clutch costs around £1.5+k from an independent to fix. The first clutch that was brought out with the car was a single tang, this was replaced by a dual-tang that lasts longer. You are unlikely to find any car that has the old version.


Ist clutch on my 4200 changed at 26K, next when only 3/4 worn, at 65K................ergo....the newer clutch has a life of around 30-50K depending, so if only doing 4-6K miles per annum.........lasts for 8-12 years....!! Clutches are no longer an issue....bar being a bit pricey


P
 

Parisien

Moderator
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34,927
Parrallel parking........piece of cake.......well it is if using parking sensors....:)


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rossyl

Member
Messages
3,312
Ist clutch on my 4200 changed at 26K, next when only 3/4 worn, at 65K................ergo....the newer clutch has a life of around 30-50K depending, so if only doing 4-6K miles per annum.........lasts for 8-12 years....!! Clutches are no longer an issue....bar being a bit pricey


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I've edited mine, as I wouldn't want a wrong answer lingering about!