3200 - first impressions
Discussion
Woke up Saturday feeling like I was seven, and it was Christmas Day. Ran through all the formalities at the dealers (thanks to Andrew at Maranellos), got a fax to confirm the insurance was valid and cautiously drove off.
So 48 hours on how it it behaving?
Well, it isn't easy to drive, but it's not that hard either. Most difficult as expected when cold, and it is easy to stall when pulling away in these conditions.
This is purely becuase I don't have a good handle on the bite points etc, and always happens a bit with a new car anyway, it's just noticable because the throttle is pretty sensitive.
The sheer power of the thing is quite something.
The turbo thump in the back at 3k revs is grin inducing stuff, but I'm being pretty reserved for now trying to learn the cars ways before I let it go too ballistic.
Others on the road seem to appreciate it but not regard it as something too 'fly'. Had a few comments in car parks along the lines of nice car etc which is cool, and so far no negative reactions.
Colour is definitely a good thing, parked up next to a black 3200 in kensington on saturday, and red makes the curves more dramatic, black kind of flattens the car a bit I think.
Boot is too clever for me, after repeatedly trying to click the boot shut I realised it's just one of those you close, that then locks itself. Very posh
Lucky I didn't get too violent with it!!!
All in all if you've been considering one - don't be shy. Its very drivable (if I can anyone can!) - not the hair trigger nightmare some suggest, and the interior is leagues ahead of anything German. Indeed overall it seems very well put together, and the engine bay is a wonderful sight.
All in all so far so good. Can't wait for another spin later
If you've got any questions, post em here, or mail me via my profile.
So 48 hours on how it it behaving?
Well, it isn't easy to drive, but it's not that hard either. Most difficult as expected when cold, and it is easy to stall when pulling away in these conditions.
This is purely becuase I don't have a good handle on the bite points etc, and always happens a bit with a new car anyway, it's just noticable because the throttle is pretty sensitive.
The sheer power of the thing is quite something.
The turbo thump in the back at 3k revs is grin inducing stuff, but I'm being pretty reserved for now trying to learn the cars ways before I let it go too ballistic.
Others on the road seem to appreciate it but not regard it as something too 'fly'. Had a few comments in car parks along the lines of nice car etc which is cool, and so far no negative reactions.
Colour is definitely a good thing, parked up next to a black 3200 in kensington on saturday, and red makes the curves more dramatic, black kind of flattens the car a bit I think.
Boot is too clever for me, after repeatedly trying to click the boot shut I realised it's just one of those you close, that then locks itself. Very posh
Lucky I didn't get too violent with it!!! All in all if you've been considering one - don't be shy. Its very drivable (if I can anyone can!) - not the hair trigger nightmare some suggest, and the interior is leagues ahead of anything German. Indeed overall it seems very well put together, and the engine bay is a wonderful sight.
All in all so far so good. Can't wait for another spin later
If you've got any questions, post em here, or mail me via my profile.
Cool, glad you like it
My neighbour had two as courtesy cars when his 360 was being worked on. He said that the power is ridiculous (and this is a man who's had ALL the fastest cars!) and that so long as you could drive it properly that it was a really rewarding car.
He mentioned something about either the gearbox or the clutch being a real pain, have you had a problem with either of them?
My neighbour had two as courtesy cars when his 360 was being worked on. He said that the power is ridiculous (and this is a man who's had ALL the fastest cars!) and that so long as you could drive it properly that it was a really rewarding car.
He mentioned something about either the gearbox or the clutch being a real pain, have you had a problem with either of them?
Gearbox is clunky when cold - its the same Getrag unit from the outgoing BMW M5 if I remember correctly. Gets much better as the gearbox oil warms up, and in any case it's mostly that it's just a bit noisy, rather than hard to use.
No problems with the clutch at all, but then mine is a very late car (02), earlier cars are a bit trickier I understand. Main issue as already mentioned is judging the throttle when pulling aways.
No problems with the clutch at all, but then mine is a very late car (02), earlier cars are a bit trickier I understand. Main issue as already mentioned is judging the throttle when pulling aways.
A sack bag of the famous 'large potatoes' are on order for this evening 456. Somewhere quiet (or not so quiet around 6750 RPM) so as not to awake the ire of the law though 
I've taken it to the red line a few times, but not had the chance to let it rip in consecutive gears. And not touched 6th yet...mr_tony said:What a great way to describe the feeling!
Woke up Saturday feeling like I was seven, and it was Christmas Day.
btw There's a film out called Underworld. It's quite jolly in a sort of Blade meets Matrix way, and one of the chief protagonists drives about in a silver 3200GT
mr_tony said:
So what were your spuds like? Bit overcooked?
Hi Guys, I am new to the Pistonheads, but have had a manual 3200Gt for over two years. Mr Tony, you wont be dissappointed with the car as long as you enjoy cars you have to 'drive' and not just get in and point. The more I drive it the more I enjoy it even after two years. The responses, the noise, the speed are all superb and yet it is a little more subtle and classy then its italian stablemate(IMO)
Hi Mal, good to have another 3200 Owner on here, interesting collection of motors you have there, healy3000 - very nice!
Out of interest how have you found the car as an ownership prospect over the two years you've had it - many niggles, anything to keep my eye on?
My only 'bad' observation is that when i fire the car up, the Climate Control usually blows a blast of hot moist air onto the windscreen, that then immediately is cleared up as the CC kicks in and from then on it's fine. I'm considering this 'character' for now, but keeping an eye on it!
Out of interest how have you found the car as an ownership prospect over the two years you've had it - many niggles, anything to keep my eye on?
My only 'bad' observation is that when i fire the car up, the Climate Control usually blows a blast of hot moist air onto the windscreen, that then immediately is cleared up as the CC kicks in and from then on it's fine. I'm considering this 'character' for now, but keeping an eye on it!
craigw said:
my only quirks are that my passenger sunvisor mirror light wont turn off and is at blast furnace temps within 5 minutes
Also a bit of power steering noise.
Mmm yes I noticed the power steering nose. Thats character though I figure...
Chris - rear lights are half of why I went for the 3200 and didn't wait for a 4200 to be honest!
Yes I love the lights. I havent had the condensation problem you have at all. The only niggles are the electrical warning lights which seem to have a mind of their own. From time to time the error light comes on and this is usually cleared by swithcing the ignition off and restarting. Occasionally this has stayed on and on checking at the dealer it has always been a faulty sensor. The car is great fun though, I have the sports exhaust on mine and the noise it makes is great, puts a grin on my face everytime we go past 3000 revs and the turbos kick in!!
mr_tony said:It was put on by the dealer when I bought it so I really am not sure, but I will try and find out if you like.
Interesting Mal, I'll keep an eye on my air con then, maybe i should get it checked out. Be interested to know more about your sports exhaust though - is it a tubi?
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