All three versions of the 3200 - GT, Automatica and Assetto Corsa - come with the same suspension design. Double wishbones are used front and rear with Bilstein shock absorbers, coil springs and an anti-roll bar. The front lower ball joints are the weak spot here and need replacing around the 20,000-mile mark. It's an easy problem to solve, but it's a costly one as the ball joints are integral with the lower aluminium wishbone, so it's £400 per side to sort and should be done in pairs, so reckon on £1,000 including labour.
At the back, an adjustable tie-rod also fails around the 20,000-mile point, so factor this in for replacement at the same time as the front ball joints. Some relief here as the tie-rod is a simple, sub-£100 job to replace.
Chassis can catch out unwary drivers
The Assetto Corsa has suspension that sits 15mm lower than the standard Coupe's and adjusts itself automatically to one of 14 different settings depending on sensors for vertical and lateral suspension travel. This is achieved with an electronic damping control, which has so far proved to be reliable, though it's helped by the exclusive nature of the Assetto Corsa and its enthusiastic owners. The Assetto Corsa also has a thicker front anti-roll bar and stiffer springs that some may find too hard when the standard 3200 GT already has quite a firm ride.
One point to be wary of is any seller describing the 3200 GT with 'Skyhook' suspension. This was introduced on the later 4200 GT and was not fitted to the 3200. Some owners mistake the Sport button for Skyhook.
Braking for the 3200 GT comes courtesy of ventilated 330x32mm front and 310x28mm rear discs with ABS and electronic brake force distribution. The standard brakes are strong and durable, but original replacements direct from Maserati will set you back around £1000 per axle for discs and pads. Luckily, quality aftermarket discs and pads are available for around £500.
The Assetto Corsa benefitted from larger rear discs, upgrading to 330x32mm discs, while Maserati fitted racing-spec pads all round to this model. Red-painted brake calipers were another unique feature of this model. Maserati also gave the Assetto Corsa a revised steering servo with a faster response to the standard car's rack and pinion set-up, as well as unique BBS 15-spoke alloy wheels painted dark grey and shod with Pirelli P-Zero Corsa tyres. These tyres were broader, coming in at 245/40 ZR18 front and 285/35 ZR 18 rear compared to the standard model's 235/40 ZR18 front and 265/35 ZR18 rear tyres.
Maserati's ASR (anti-slip regulation) traction control has its work cut out with the 3200 GT even in normal driving. For the Assetto Corsa, Maserati modified the ASR so it could be fully disengaged for track driving.
Owner's view
The ASR tends to cut in like a sledge hammer, killing any fun stone dead. However, due to the 'spiky' handling, turning the ASR off will result in the car trying to kill you, especially in the wet.
Buying Guide contents
Introduction
Powertrain
Rolling chassis
Body
Interior