Number of Owners?
Discussion
BDM said:
Im looking for the 4.7 myself, i do abit of town driving but from all the reviews im seeing is the MC Shift is for me. It a weekend car really for me. I wouldnt mind confirming what the pre-2012 cars differ with? Ive seen seats? Apparently LED rear lights? Anyone else have experience with the MC shift compared to Auto? I had an M6 V10 before and liked the engagement with the car with driving, i had a CLS 63 AMG and just hated the paddleshift and just more a point and go kinda drive which is why i am leaning towards MC shift myself
theres an intresting one on BCA, low mileage as well....
BDM said:
Whats BCA? Ive just been using standard auto trader, few I've shortlisted. You are right alot in black or silver. Kinda do want something abit exciting.
Its an Auction House, typically where dealers get their cars from, give me a shout if you want more details about that specific car, it is really cheap in comparison to anything out there 22k, and yes a lot in silver and black, as long as their not mated to the Trident alloys they seem okAV55 said:
Lee Jones Jnr said:
This one is on the EVO 'deals of the week'
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
yes i did see that, has been up since Jan, and rear bumper respray doesn't seem too appealing https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/202...
BDM said:
Are you looking for full Maserati history or entertaining specialists also? Again car thats 10years old guess specialists are expected i suppose. The few ive found with with full Maserati History seem to command a premium. Not sure they sell though at that.
as you said its over 10 years old, so expecting specalist history at my price pointI'm 6th owner of mine, my view is as they get older they are cheap to buy..but maintenance/service costs are still pretty high ( invoices for mine show services of around £4k, the last before I bought it was £5k)...these were done at so called "Maserati Experts" so I reckon most owners being faced with that sort of bill will look to move them on. They are not really that complex and mine is looked after by my local very competent mechanic, parts are available cheaper than dealers from Scuderia or Eurospares. They are magnificent cars to look at and drive very well too, I fitted a Larini cross pipe which just gives it a very nice sound track...pity we cant go anywhere right now though!!
I have a 2011 4.7 MC Shift.
Had it nearly 2 years now. I've done about 5k miles in it so far. Its still an event to drive every time, and still feels really special.
In terms of maintenance I've probably spent about a grand a year so far. It was due a service when I bought it, but I negotiated that into the price so didn't count that in the above figure. Later that year it needed front suspension bushes doing, which is quite common but cost me circa £1k at a specialist. Following year I opted for an oil and filter change and a sort of 'interim' service (Service schedule is 2 years or 12k miles.) I also had an X pipe fitted at the same time as that, again at the specialist and the bill was circa £1k. I've spent money on other things such as X pipe and wheel spacers but obviously that's personal choice.
That said, I haven't had a bill for anything on the car yet that I haven't completely forgot about the money as soon as I start it up !
Regarding number of owners... Mine had 6 previous owners but that didn't really bother me. You don't really stumble into ownership of one of these cars, you have to want one. All the owners of them I have come across really look after them (This may change now the value is coming down) But I personally look at it as you are generally buying the result of X amount of honeymoon periods rather than X amount of people who couldn't care less about it.
Had it nearly 2 years now. I've done about 5k miles in it so far. Its still an event to drive every time, and still feels really special.
In terms of maintenance I've probably spent about a grand a year so far. It was due a service when I bought it, but I negotiated that into the price so didn't count that in the above figure. Later that year it needed front suspension bushes doing, which is quite common but cost me circa £1k at a specialist. Following year I opted for an oil and filter change and a sort of 'interim' service (Service schedule is 2 years or 12k miles.) I also had an X pipe fitted at the same time as that, again at the specialist and the bill was circa £1k. I've spent money on other things such as X pipe and wheel spacers but obviously that's personal choice.
That said, I haven't had a bill for anything on the car yet that I haven't completely forgot about the money as soon as I start it up !
Regarding number of owners... Mine had 6 previous owners but that didn't really bother me. You don't really stumble into ownership of one of these cars, you have to want one. All the owners of them I have come across really look after them (This may change now the value is coming down) But I personally look at it as you are generally buying the result of X amount of honeymoon periods rather than X amount of people who couldn't care less about it.
Edited by ab90 on Tuesday 5th May 10:39
BDM said:
Thanks for the insight. What was your clutch wear when you bought it to now? Were your brakes done or something you are having to factor in? Cheers
When I had it serviced just after I bought it, the clutch was about 60% worn on the diagnostic readout, which are a good ballpark but not gospel. It's not due its second proper service in my ownership until August, so will find out the difference in wear readout then, but when it had my optional interim oil and filter change the specialist told me the clutch is still biting nicely and with the miles I do should last a good couple of years yet. At that time (Around October) they said all in a clutch change would be about £2.5k.My car is still on its original clutch at 48k miles, so I think the wear and how long they last depends very much on how much you use it and how you drive it. I wouldn't recommend an MC Shift for daily use, they don't really like stop start traffic and given that the main point of wear for the clutch is pulling off from a stand still, you'd get through one pretty quickly. ZF Auto box is less maintenance in that respect, but if you want a car for weekends and occasions in my opinion the MC Shift is the one to get, its a much more involved driving experience and despite the bad press the F1 gearboxes get, I find once you learn how to drive with it its perfectly fine, just keep it in manual mode all the time as the auto function gives pretty jerky changes. On a spirited drive though, if you put it in manual and sport mode, once the box is warmed up it will enable MC Shift mode which basically means at over 80% throttle input over 5k rpm it will do 100m/s changes. Sport mode enables faster changes than non sport, but the MC Shift ones feel pretty instant. I've also heard of people putting the Ferrari 599 software in which can improve shifting as well, and you can buy a plug in box that effectively increases the response of the throttle that in turn makes the clutch bite quicker, reducing wear.
Another thing on the MC Shift cars is that exhaust valves are always open when in sport mode. With the auto boxes, even in sport mode the valves in the exhaust wont open until 3k rpms, unless you do the mod to open them all the time. Personally, I have mine permanently in manual and sport mode as I want the noise all the time, and I don't really like the slow non-sport shifts, the only time I would drive it like that is on the motorway.
With regard to the brakes, they were all done on my car at the service before I bought it, so should be good for a while yet. They are definitely something to consider when buying though, as they are quite pricey.
Other than those the other thing to look at now is the subframes, some of these are getting rust now and once they're done for they are eye watering to replace.
Other than a few points to look for(As with every car!) they are very reliable cars, and have seen plenty with 100k+ miles. You seem to have done your research though and know what to look for. I'd recommend having a PPI done by a specialist on any car you're considering buying though as there is a potential for big bills if things go unnoticed.
Fun things to recommend once you have one are an X pipe and wheel spacers. The X pipe really turns the noise up to 11 on sport mode, but barely affects it in non sport mode if you need to be quiet and is well worth doing in my opinion! And wheel spacers make it sit much better, and helps minimise the huge arch gap at the rear.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link to youtube but if you look for this video:
You can hear the shifting in MC Shift/Sport mode, the first is a 100m/s one and the ones after are just sport mode without enough input to the trigger the super fast shifts.
Definitiely go for the 4.7 if you have the funds to do so!
I know these cars like the back of my hand and have seen every possible issue.
tons of owners doesnt mean its a lemon, could have been well looked after. As another member explained, it could just be a bucket list car.
If youre looking for cars drop me a message and il happily drop you some advice on what to look for etc.
Follow @prestige.autoworks on instagram if you get a chance.
I know these cars like the back of my hand and have seen every possible issue.
tons of owners doesnt mean its a lemon, could have been well looked after. As another member explained, it could just be a bucket list car.
If youre looking for cars drop me a message and il happily drop you some advice on what to look for etc.
Follow @prestige.autoworks on instagram if you get a chance.
Thanks for all the help here guys, i ended up putting a deposit down on a 4.7 MC Shift. I also got PrestigeDale to do a PPI which i highly recommend which has defo provided me some comfort (after some fun times in a TVR). Hopefully i can pick up this weekend 
Edited by BDM on Saturday 23 May 08:21
ab90 said:
When I had it serviced just after I bought it, the clutch was about 60% worn on the diagnostic readout, which are a good ballpark but not gospel. It's not due its second proper service in my ownership until August, so will find out the difference in wear readout then, but when it had my optional interim oil and filter change the specialist told me the clutch is still biting nicely and with the miles I do should last a good couple of years yet. At that time (Around October) they said all in a clutch change would be about £2.5k.
My car is still on its original clutch at 48k miles, so I think the wear and how long they last depends very much on how much you use it and how you drive it. I wouldn't recommend an MC Shift for daily use, they don't really like stop start traffic and given that the main point of wear for the clutch is pulling off from a stand still, you'd get through one pretty quickly. ZF Auto box is less maintenance in that respect, but if you want a car for weekends and occasions in my opinion the MC Shift is the one to get, its a much more involved driving experience and despite the bad press the F1 gearboxes get, I find once you learn how to drive with it its perfectly fine, just keep it in manual mode all the time as the auto function gives pretty jerky changes. On a spirited drive though, if you put it in manual and sport mode, once the box is warmed up it will enable MC Shift mode which basically means at over 80% throttle input over 5k rpm it will do 100m/s changes. Sport mode enables faster changes than non sport, but the MC Shift ones feel pretty instant. I've also heard of people putting the Ferrari 599 software in which can improve shifting as well, and you can buy a plug in box that effectively increases the response of the throttle that in turn makes the clutch bite quicker, reducing wear.
Another thing on the MC Shift cars is that exhaust valves are always open when in sport mode. With the auto boxes, even in sport mode the valves in the exhaust wont open until 3k rpms, unless you do the mod to open them all the time. Personally, I have mine permanently in manual and sport mode as I want the noise all the time, and I don't really like the slow non-sport shifts, the only time I would drive it like that is on the motorway.
With regard to the brakes, they were all done on my car at the service before I bought it, so should be good for a while yet. They are definitely something to consider when buying though, as they are quite pricey.
Other than those the other thing to look at now is the subframes, some of these are getting rust now and once they're done for they are eye watering to replace.
Other than a few points to look for(As with every car!) they are very reliable cars, and have seen plenty with 100k+ miles. You seem to have done your research though and know what to look for. I'd recommend having a PPI done by a specialist on any car you're considering buying though as there is a potential for big bills if things go unnoticed.
Fun things to recommend once you have one are an X pipe and wheel spacers. The X pipe really turns the noise up to 11 on sport mode, but barely affects it in non sport mode if you need to be quiet and is well worth doing in my opinion! And wheel spacers make it sit much better, and helps minimise the huge arch gap at the rear.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link to youtube but if you look for this video:
You can hear the shifting in MC Shift/Sport mode, the first is a 100m/s one and the ones after are just sport mode without enough input to the trigger the super fast shifts.
What spacers did you end up with 25mm front and 35mm back? Did you go for H&R? I would be looking at something like this also probably.My car is still on its original clutch at 48k miles, so I think the wear and how long they last depends very much on how much you use it and how you drive it. I wouldn't recommend an MC Shift for daily use, they don't really like stop start traffic and given that the main point of wear for the clutch is pulling off from a stand still, you'd get through one pretty quickly. ZF Auto box is less maintenance in that respect, but if you want a car for weekends and occasions in my opinion the MC Shift is the one to get, its a much more involved driving experience and despite the bad press the F1 gearboxes get, I find once you learn how to drive with it its perfectly fine, just keep it in manual mode all the time as the auto function gives pretty jerky changes. On a spirited drive though, if you put it in manual and sport mode, once the box is warmed up it will enable MC Shift mode which basically means at over 80% throttle input over 5k rpm it will do 100m/s changes. Sport mode enables faster changes than non sport, but the MC Shift ones feel pretty instant. I've also heard of people putting the Ferrari 599 software in which can improve shifting as well, and you can buy a plug in box that effectively increases the response of the throttle that in turn makes the clutch bite quicker, reducing wear.
Another thing on the MC Shift cars is that exhaust valves are always open when in sport mode. With the auto boxes, even in sport mode the valves in the exhaust wont open until 3k rpms, unless you do the mod to open them all the time. Personally, I have mine permanently in manual and sport mode as I want the noise all the time, and I don't really like the slow non-sport shifts, the only time I would drive it like that is on the motorway.
With regard to the brakes, they were all done on my car at the service before I bought it, so should be good for a while yet. They are definitely something to consider when buying though, as they are quite pricey.
Other than those the other thing to look at now is the subframes, some of these are getting rust now and once they're done for they are eye watering to replace.
Other than a few points to look for(As with every car!) they are very reliable cars, and have seen plenty with 100k+ miles. You seem to have done your research though and know what to look for. I'd recommend having a PPI done by a specialist on any car you're considering buying though as there is a potential for big bills if things go unnoticed.
Fun things to recommend once you have one are an X pipe and wheel spacers. The X pipe really turns the noise up to 11 on sport mode, but barely affects it in non sport mode if you need to be quiet and is well worth doing in my opinion! And wheel spacers make it sit much better, and helps minimise the huge arch gap at the rear.
I'm not sure if I'm allowed to link to youtube but if you look for this video:
You can hear the shifting in MC Shift/Sport mode, the first is a 100m/s one and the ones after are just sport mode without enough input to the trigger the super fast shifts.
They're quite renowned for an average of 18mths ownership - ask any specialist trader, so 6 in 10 years is reasonably average. As a previous owner, I've no real idea why this happens other than my own experience and that is simply that I do chop & change my cars every 18mths. It's certainly no reflection on the cars themselves which still are a thing of beauty.
AV55 said:
Its an Auction House, typically where dealers get their cars from, give me a shout if you want more details about that specific car, it is really cheap in comparison to anything out there 22k, and yes a lot in silver and black, as long as their not mated to the Trident alloys they seem ok
I have to say btw i saw a few colours including a light blue and actually preferred it in black with silver trim and actually like the trident alloys with red callipers 😯BDM said:
What spacers did you end up with 25mm front and 35mm back? Did you go for H&R? I would be looking at something like this also probably.
Hey, sorry I only just saw this. Congrats on your purchase! Pics?!Yes, I've got H&R Spacers yes but went 22mm on the front and 25mm on the back. Fronts are ever so slightly inboard rears are about flush with the arches.
If you fit them just remember to take them off after a couple of hundred miles and re tighten, If I remember rightly I could tighten mine up about 1/8-1/4 turn after doing this, they weren't loose by any stretch but did bed in a bit so worth bearing in mind.
Also, another thing I'd highly recommend is a good geometry set up, even more so if you are fitting spacers. With the factory set up the front wheels are toed in a bit, which as well as causing uneven tyre wear makes the handling quite jitterish on the front. I went to the guys at Centre Gravity in Atherstone ( http://www.centregravity.co.uk/) to have mine set up. It's quite pricey compared to a run of the mill set up, but in my opinion it really was worth every penny. They spend around half a day, maybe more setting the car up, but rather than to factory spec its set up to what you want and its all correctly corner weighted etc, the difference on my car was night and day and made it SO much more confidence inspiring.
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