Maserati / PistonHeads Virgin. Clutch worries.....

[Doshy]

Went for test drive yesterday in an 03' 4200CC. I'm hooked so thought I'd join up to PistHeads and read a few threads. It seems there are some issues with the clutch on this car and scare stories of 7k miles and £2k bills is somewhat worrying. What is the deal with these clutches? Reading your postings it seems to be a reliable car and I'm up for getting one and learning how to use those paddles it's just that I want to have some idea of what bills are on the horizon. Looking forward to joining you all......

Phil.

[David A]

I'm at 7.5K on mine and getting nervous !

But seriously when coming to a stop flick it into neutral (both paddles), when accelerating, don't fanny about creeping (therefore slipping the clutch) give it a good stab (no smoking tyres please!) and hopefully it will last longer the 355s missus 4200 clutch!

Dave

[Doshy]

7.5K, sorry am I missing something here? that is a woefully low mileage.

[David A]

I refer you to your quote of 7K miles and 2K bills - thats why I'm nervous. Only had the car 7 months so yes for me it is woefully low, but not necessarily for these cars (it had only done 2K in 2.5 years when I bought it !!)

Dave

[F355GTS]

Ours has just gone at 8k miles, started showing itself as dropping into Neutral on light throttle gear changes between 5th and 6th and 1st and 2nd. Not happy but the car spent 15 months being moved around vodafone shops as a competiton prze so I guess the clutch took a hammering

the price is £1600 inc vat at main dealer, probably nearer £1300 at a specialist

[300zxtt]

Cambiocorsa clutch scare stories are usually anecdotal.
If treated sensibly they will last 20-30,000 miles. Some users in the 'states are still on their first clutch at 40,000 miles (OK different driving conditions)

Like any clutch treated harshly or abused they will wear quicker (& with nearly 400bhp it is easy to abuse them)
Mines going strong at 20,000 miles; I always flip into neutral when coasting to a stop to save the box changing down gear by gear, and always put it into neutral when waiting at a standstill.

Maserati dealers can check the percentage a cambio cluch is worn .If there is plenty of wear life in it treat it with care and you shouldn't have any problems.

[Doshy]

Just seems wierd that 4200CC owners accept 7.5K as normal. I looked at some 911's before the coupe and there was no mention of a 2 grand bill once a year and this is a car that will out perform the Maserati in nearly all areas. Just a shame the porkers are so German and everywhere. I did love the 4200 and am 'bitten' but I was not expecting this clutch issue when everthing else with the car seems so sorted.

[maser sod]

David A said:

I refer you to your quote of 7K miles and 2K bills - thats why I'm nervous. Only had the car 7 months so yes for me it is woefully low, but not necessarily for these cars (it had only done 2K in 2.5 years when I bought it !!) Dave

You've done a fair few miles in it already then David!

How are you finding it compared to the 3200GT? Took a ride in a Gransport a few weeks ago, but I wasn't that blown away with it. I think I might miss that extra torque if I upgraded to a n/a Maserati.

[Doshy]

Thanks for your postings guys, really helpful. Just gotta sell a pristine 62' split screen combi that the kids don't fit in anymore and a Maserati is mine. Are there any significant dates in the production of the 4200 that I should be aware of and once I've got it are there any meets etc with other owners/ Thanks again.

Phil.

[David A]

maser sod said:

David A said: I refer you to your quote of 7K miles and 2K bills - thats why I'm nervous. Only had the car 7 months so yes for me it is woefully low, but not necessarily for these cars (it had only done 2K in 2.5 years when I bought it !!) Dave You've done a fair few miles in it already then David! How are you finding it compared to the 3200GT? Took a ride in a Gransport a few weeks ago, but I wasn't that blown away with it. I think I might miss that extra torque if I upgraded to a n/a Maserati.

Love it to bits, not sure I would think if it as "that" differnt if I hadn't moved to a spider. The cambi gearbox is great (wait an see on the clutch questions!) paddles are the way forward. It does feel more modern, better built and solid than the 3200 but it is a newer generation of car so to be expected. It is less shit scarey than the 3200 was, though I have had that tail out in a straight line moment in this one.

How is the 3200?

Dave

Or to put it another way - I've no clue what to buy next other than a gransport spider, unless amv8s, db9s, 360 spiders are low enough and sensible enough.

>> Edited by David A on Thursday 30th March 15:22

[David A]

Doshy said:

Thanks for your postings guys, really helpful. Just gotta sell a pristine 62' split screen combi that the kids don't fit in anymore and a Maserati is mine. Are there any significant dates in the production of the 4200 that I should be aware of and once I've got it are there any meets etc with other owners/ Thanks again. Phil.

If you buy a spider get the post 2003 version as these have a glass rear screen (not that anything matters if its behind you!)

Dave

[singh]

Fantastic cars you won't regret it, I think all the clutch advice already given is sensible and something I have always done since i bought mine(dropped into neutral etc). The original one on my car was changed at about 19K so you have to get the horror stories into perspective, read something on here recently about Murcie clutches often fairing no better but again not everyones experience. As a simple test the car should pull from about 1100rpm if your having to give it a lot more than this to get it to move this would/could indicate a clutch on its way out. It's the best all round car I have ever owned but have sadly put it up on classifieds today(blatant plug)simply because I dont get a chance to drive it....BTW mine pulls cleanly from low revs

>> Edited by singh on Friday 31st March 01:01

[johnnyboy225]

hey Doshy,

Don't think most 4200 owners would feel that 7,500 was par for course for a clutch, but agree with everything written above that it all depends on how its driven.... (same argument would apply to tyres etc)

I wholeheartedly recommend the paddles - my 4200 CC has been fantastic since getting it - hope you go for one, and its a good-un...... (is it the one at Lancasters Colchester?)

Get the dealer to produce a report on the clutch wear - they can run a simple test so you can get an idea of how 'worn' the one is that you are considering....

As for meets, some Maserati's meet every month or so (near Colchester) on a Sunday morning for a blast on some lovely conuntry roads - you would of course be more than welcome, and there are a number of events throughout the year where you will see a number of lovely examples at shows, gatherings etc...

cheers

[Doshy]

Nice one, thanks.

[maser sod]

David A said:

maser sod said: David A said: I refer you to your quote of 7K miles and 2K bills - thats why I'm nervous. Only had the car 7 months so yes for me it is woefully low, but not necessarily for these cars (it had only done 2K in 2.5 years when I bought it !!) Dave You've done a fair few miles in it already then David! How are you finding it compared to the 3200GT? Took a ride in a Gransport a few weeks ago, but I wasn't that blown away with it. I think I might miss that extra torque if I upgraded to a n/a Maserati. Love it to bits, not sure I would think if it as "that" differnt if I hadn't moved to a spider. The cambi gearbox is great (wait an see on the clutch questions!) paddles are the way forward. It does feel more modern, better built and solid than the 3200 but it is a newer generation of car so to be expected. It is less shit scarey than the 3200 was, though I have had that tail out in a straight line moment in this one. How is the 3200? Dave Or to put it another way - I've no clue what to buy next other than a gransport spider, unless amv8s, db9s, 360 spiders are low enough and sensible enough. >> Edited by David A on Thursday 30th March 15:22

yep, the 3200 is going great guns, love the fact that it is shit scarey, can't really see myself turning my back on the two turbos for a good while yet. The gransport is the obvious step up, but not really a big enough step forward IMO to justify the outlay. Not that sold on the looks either, inside or out. Will wait and see what happens with the much-vaunted Coupe replacement, or possibly the AR 8C, which rumour has it will soon make it into production (possibly with the Maser 4.2 V8 lump).