The Importance of an 'Annual'

[Woody]

I've often wondered whether the annual service on a Maserati is really that important, and whether it was really just a way for Maserati to ensure their service department got regular income.

When I was looking for my GS, I was surprised quite how many were described as "FULL" service history, but has one, two or even more annuals missing. Towards the end, I was getting to think "well, perhaps they're not that important".

As I've now had my GS two years, I booked it in with Bill McGrath's for a look over. Paul, the chap who looks after the more modern stuff there, picked it up and did his usual appraisal before doing the annual. This was the larger of the annuals, so a bit more expensive than 'just' and annual. Great, just having paid out for another years insurance, with Baby Woody due any day...just what you need!

There were a couple of issues which needed sorting - window sensor, squeeky trim (both of which I knew about), on top of a couple of things McGrath's highlighted ( failed fan sensor, brakes had a bit of a spruice up). I bit the bullet and had all the advisorires done (excluding a full set of tyres - that'll be done for next 'season') and while the bill was a bit of a kick in the stones, I rather mirraculously forgot about that when I came home and saw the ol' girl sat on the driveway a couple of days later, all sprakling and dropped off without a hitch. Naturally, I drove 10-12 miles to put it in the garage which was just a few feet away

In short, yet again great service from Paul and the guys at Bill McGraths and a bit of a reminder why annuals are so important. While I get that oils etc might be OK for more than a year, the fettling carried out makes the car feel fresher and it also allows you to keep on top of anything thats going wrong, make sure you're aware of any potential issues and hopfully help avoiding any big and potentially ruinour bills!

On a side note, I don't think my car has ever had a clutch and is currently working just fine, with 69% wear (from memory)....not bad for 49k! Long may it continue....

 

[bigbob]

Always good to look after them.

I think some people are confused by the Maserati service schedule.

For the 4200/GS to my mind it means getting it serviced once a year with an annual or a mileage service depending on the miles on the car. The layout of the service book confuses though with the two sections. The GranTurismo service book is just the same FWIW.

 

[Woody]

Yeah, if you've had a milage one, then the 12 month clock starts ticking.....and either when 12 months is up or miles, you go again. I think a lot of poeple don't care too much, and I wasnt convinced it was worth the money, but the car feels loads better. Maybe its a placebo!

For the GT, is it 2 years/ x miles rather than the 12 months/ x miles?

 

[TridentTested]

window sensor................. failed fan sensor

Funnily enough they're to two things McGraths have done on mine.

When I was there we had a long conversation about 'annuals' because there is a lot of confusion over mileage-related and annual servicing. Andy was explaining to me that they are trying to encourage owners to bring them in to be checked because there is a new generation of owners used to racking up big mileage, and sometimes two-yearly servicing, on other marques who don't understand a QP can get through a set of rear tyres in 5,000 miles. He said he's seen QPs on the canvas because the owner just hadn't looked.

The best of luck with your other baby - keep us posted.

 

[bigbob]

GT/QP are 2 yr 12.5k miles. Mine is running at 14/15 month intervals so it gets checked earlier. Have to watch tyres as you say though.

 

[Woody]

Funnily enough they're to two things McGraths have done on mine.

The window relay was gone when I bought it, and its merely slipped my mind to get it done, its not realy noticable. Now I've had it done, its a pleasure opening the door! (more than before ). The fan things, IIRC, I've had one of these done before too....must be fragile!

The best of luck with your other baby - keep us posted.

Thanks! Got a pram that fits nicely in the boot so that puts off the GS>>>QP move. For now.

 

[Woody]

GT/QP are 2 yr 12.5k miles. Mine is running at 14/15 month intervals so it gets checked earlier. Have to watch tyres as you say though.

Interstingly, thats the one surprise. I was told I'd need to do the tyres. I was genuinely not expecting to be told that, but since looking, I can see what they mean. They're certainly not hammered (fronts are only maybe 5-6k miles old, rears not much older but worn more on the insides than the out), but on a car with the power of these, it's worth having good boots on.

That'll be done with full geo next, I think.

 

[Andyk]

Can never understand having the car service every twelve months if you have only covered 2k in a year...and I've seen that.....There is a reason why most have service schedules on miles now and not every year.....Dealers are beginning to understand that people do not want to spend a fortune every year and actually its not needed....Yearly is another money grabbing exercise by the car makers..........

 

[Elliott653]

Can never understand having the car service every twelve months if you have only covered 2k in a year...and I've seen that.....There is a reason why most have service schedules on miles now and not every year.....Dealers are beginning to understand that people do not want to spend a fortune every year and actually its not needed....Yearly is another money grabbing exercise by the car makers..........

An interesting point. I had my 42 serviced annually. But, as I used it as a daily driver for the most part, I thought an annual service necessary. I won't be using the QP much at all. No more than 3,000 miles in the next twelve months and that's because we've a long trip in and around France pencilled in for next August.

I wonder how much missing out on an annual service and only doing mileage ones would affect the resale price?

One for Richard Grace to answer, methinks.

 

[mjheathcote]

Interesting, as mine as only done 13k miles in 10 years.
Over that time it's had three mileage services, but too the book it should have only had one! and between those three mileage services its had an annual service.
A few occasions its been serviced every 2 years, when its only done 500 miles a year, so 1000 miles between 2 yearly services, and then its done 3000 miles and got serviced after a year.
So it's been over serviced based on mileage, but under serviced based on age.
It was last serviced a year ago before I bought her, and she's done another 1500 miles.
So do I have a mileage service, as the last one was an annual (but in theory it doesn't need a mileage one for another 8,000 miles) or skip to 2 years?
If you ask a dealer or specialist, they would say definitely a service every year...it's in their interest after all for the business, or am I being unfair?

 

[beau]

i at least do an oil change on my cars every 6 months, which works out about 3000 miles, doesnt matter what car it is, just always done it

 

[Andyk]

Porsche has had 2 years service intervals since the 997 so thats around 2004......High performance BMW's is on miles...WHen I had the M3 CSL it's service light came on after 2.5 years as I just didn't do the miles......Now it other car makers can do this then all can.......Maserati now have a 2 year service interval on the GT depending on miles.......A car that has been serviced on miles nad not annual wouldn't put me off buying.........ok I will say I would expect it checked over on the 2nd year just to be sure but if these top end car makers are saying there cars need looking at every year even if its done sod all miles then thats a worry about the quality of the product.......As I said keeps the dealers profitable...

 

[Brendan]

If a car only does 3000 pa then it may not of been serviced for 4 years. Too long in my book.

 

[Andyk]

Yep agree....as above needs a check over after 2 years probably but any car maker saying it needs a service every year no matter what miles you do is ripping you off....

 

[TridentTested]

My Ducati gets very few miles put on it these days so I've adjusted the service schedule to suit.

It is supposed to be annually, or every so many miles, whichever comes sooner. But nowadays I get it serviced every two years even though it won't even be close to the mileage requirement. At that service I get the belts done (every two years is the recommendation) as I don't fancy a seized engine (it is an interference design, if a belt lets go there is a big mechanical mess) at motorway speeds.

If skipping services is having a detrimental effect on its resale value I don't care. I've owned it since 2000 and have long ago written the purchase cost off, plus I can never see myself selling. Furthermore the services I've skipped when added up would probably have cost more than the bike would ever fetch even in mint+++ condition.

So I think you have to take a view on whatever is best for you, your mileage, and your desired resale value.

 

[safrane]

Have to say when my first Maserati hit 72k miles, spending 10% of its value each year even though it had only done 5k miles each year did stick in my throat a little. Ove the 4 years I had it I spent 40% of its sale value on servicing...but as the previous owners [inc warranty claims] had spent £38k of items it was not too bad.

 

[BJL123]

Any Maserati dealer will tell you, especially 'Meridien' that well used cars give minimal trouble whereas those that are used on high days only often have sensor problems and ECU related problems needing magic box attention. Annuals pick up this problem and keep the 'unreliable critisism' down to a managable level.

I suppose the upshot is if you use your car regularly, say 5-8k per year then mileage servicing is fine but one sat on its tyres without a battery conditioner, de-humidifier and frost prevention heating will enevitably be more prone to niggles which annuals sort out.

 

[maserati300]

When i had my car at Autofficina a couple of weeks ago to get F1 pump sorted they actually said to me it's not worth me having the mileage service for my next service as i don't do enough miles (less than 3K per year). They said it's a waste of money but if i wanted it they would gladly accept the greater sum!!!

Great customer service I thought. im not due another annual until april next year but was surprised they told me that.

 

[dickygrace]

An interesting point. I had my 42 serviced annually. But, as I used it as a daily driver for the most part, I thought an annual service necessary. I won't be using the QP much at all. No more than 3,000 miles in the next twelve months and that's because we've a long trip in and around France pencilled in for next August.

I wonder how much missing out on an annual service and only doing mileage ones would affect the resale price?

One for Richard Grace to answer, methinks.

I would say that in my opinion, they need servicing annually, if they do more than the '12500pa' then they need servicing according to mileage also. I don't buy cars that have partial service histories as I pick and choose, if I sold higher volume, I'd have to take what was available which would sometimes mean partial history cars. It does affect the value if it's a big gap, if, say, it's 10 years old with 8 stamps, it's unlikely to affect the price. If it's 6 years old with 3 stamps, more so.

 

[CatmanV2]

Makes perfect sense to me.
Have you been peeking in my book?

C