E46 M3 to Gransport ?
Discussion
I've been cosidering changing to a late Gransport for a while now, it's an itch that won't go away.
I'd be using it as a daily driver doing about 5k miles a year, any owners care to comment on actual running costs?
For those that have had an M3, how does the Gransport compare in terms of performance?
Anything to be aware of, or any spec/colours to avoid? (i do have a soft spot for the pearl white one at lovetts in the classifieds).
I'd be using it as a daily driver doing about 5k miles a year, any owners care to comment on actual running costs?
For those that have had an M3, how does the Gransport compare in terms of performance?
Anything to be aware of, or any spec/colours to avoid? (i do have a soft spot for the pearl white one at lovetts in the classifieds).
darreni said:
I've been cosidering changing to a late Gransport for a while now, it's an itch that won't go away.
I'd be using it as a daily driver doing about 5k miles a year, any owners care to comment on actual running costs?
For those that have had an M3, how does the Gransport compare in terms of performance?
Anything to be aware of, or any spec/colours to avoid? (i do have a soft spot for the pearl white one at lovetts in the classifieds).
Driven both hard over the same welsh blacktop so can offer some input here in terms of their performance... i'll leave running costs to owners... M3's smg box at least as good as the maser and seems to be quicker acting - M3 to my ears also makes a nicer sound when revved out - the maser is quite smooth and never really seems to let rip vocally... Maser much more torquey and ultimately faster plus the chassis feels a league above the M3 - less ruffled over severe camber changes or ruts in road, less roll, and generally more planted, plus the maser's steering is far more direct and confidence inspiring. I'd be using it as a daily driver doing about 5k miles a year, any owners care to comment on actual running costs?
For those that have had an M3, how does the Gransport compare in terms of performance?
Anything to be aware of, or any spec/colours to avoid? (i do have a soft spot for the pearl white one at lovetts in the classifieds).
The gransport i've driven was bianca fuji... amazing colour, espec with the blood red pimp daddy interior
Just a word of warning, maser friend has just had new gearbox which he split bill with maserati on... car had less than 10k miles !
I've owned both (and still currently own the GS).
They are both very good cars in terms of performance and handling, however the running costs are miles apart. I agree with ZeroH's comments on performance. I believe the SMG box is better in daily use (commute) than the CC box, but when opened up they are both exceptional; the CC suffers at low speeds.
There is plenty of information at www.maseratiforum.co.uk, but the highlights are:
- Make sure you get a good one, as an unloved (any possibly cheaper one) could cost you in the long run. Make sure all servicing is done etc.
- Like with all cars, options and colours will impact price (and on resale). The perferred option is always full leather.
- The clutch wear can be measured (not 100% accurate) so get this done before purchase, as a new one could cost over £1,500 (indie's are cheaper); common clutch life is between every 16,000-20,000 miles.
- Keep a budget for servicing/tyres/etc and I would say ensure you get a good warranty to cover those etcs going wrong. Servicing is round average £1,000 a time (12,000miles/annual and there are 2,4 etc year checks) and tyres typically only last 6,000 miles (depending on driving style!)
Hope this helps
Chris
They are both very good cars in terms of performance and handling, however the running costs are miles apart. I agree with ZeroH's comments on performance. I believe the SMG box is better in daily use (commute) than the CC box, but when opened up they are both exceptional; the CC suffers at low speeds.
There is plenty of information at www.maseratiforum.co.uk, but the highlights are:
- Make sure you get a good one, as an unloved (any possibly cheaper one) could cost you in the long run. Make sure all servicing is done etc.
- Like with all cars, options and colours will impact price (and on resale). The perferred option is always full leather.
- The clutch wear can be measured (not 100% accurate) so get this done before purchase, as a new one could cost over £1,500 (indie's are cheaper); common clutch life is between every 16,000-20,000 miles.
- Keep a budget for servicing/tyres/etc and I would say ensure you get a good warranty to cover those etcs going wrong. Servicing is round average £1,000 a time (12,000miles/annual and there are 2,4 etc year checks) and tyres typically only last 6,000 miles (depending on driving style!)
Hope this helps
Chris
Service costs vary depending on which is due. My 2 year plus options service last year cost around 1500GBP, whilst my 3 year service this year cost me just 400GBP (Both from same dealership franchise.) Which is next due is worth factoring into a purchase price, as are the usual suspects such as % clutch wear, disc wear, tyres, etc.
The GranSport is quite tunable in regards to air flow plus ECU, so should go quicker than the M3 with the right mods, if that is important to you. 430/440BHP is easily reached. The block is closely related to the F430 powerplant, which chucks out 483BHP IIRC.
Clutches aren't that expensive, but labour is. Keep car in Sport mode to prolong life of the clutch, the lazier change in Normal mode or Auto can hasten wear.
IIRC, production of GranSports ended in late 2006, so there shouldn't be much if any difference between cars on an 06 plate and later registrations.
HTH
The GranSport is quite tunable in regards to air flow plus ECU, so should go quicker than the M3 with the right mods, if that is important to you. 430/440BHP is easily reached. The block is closely related to the F430 powerplant, which chucks out 483BHP IIRC.
Clutches aren't that expensive, but labour is. Keep car in Sport mode to prolong life of the clutch, the lazier change in Normal mode or Auto can hasten wear.
IIRC, production of GranSports ended in late 2006, so there shouldn't be much if any difference between cars on an 06 plate and later registrations.
HTH
I came from a M3csl so a little more of a contrast than a normal M3, to be honest I cant compare a csl to a gransport handling wise (csl is more a gt3/stradele= rock hard road scalpel compared to the GS etc).
Totally different cars, to me it is more of a comparison to the late model 996C2 i had prior to the csl!
Ultimately it is a bit more lardy/soft and feels like a bigger car it is to the 996, but it can move and in an out and out drag there wont be that much in it.
It really has got some serious lunge and the motor is a peach!
Running cost are not that much higher if you use a good indy for servicing etc
I had a 3yr done at a Maser main dealer, price matched for £480 and a clutch at an indy for £1100 all up.
Tyres are the same size as a csl at 235/265.
It does have a rather healthy appetite for fuel though but i think every v8 does.
Lots of info to be found on the maser forum previously quoted.
The white one at DL is a beaut but colour is all down to personal preference, there is no right or wrong colour to be honest, i lean away from silver towards balck or red but that is just me!
The biggest thing for me about it is you enjoy the ride and ambience more than simply caning it!
Totally different cars, to me it is more of a comparison to the late model 996C2 i had prior to the csl!
Ultimately it is a bit more lardy/soft and feels like a bigger car it is to the 996, but it can move and in an out and out drag there wont be that much in it.
It really has got some serious lunge and the motor is a peach!
Running cost are not that much higher if you use a good indy for servicing etc
I had a 3yr done at a Maser main dealer, price matched for £480 and a clutch at an indy for £1100 all up.
Tyres are the same size as a csl at 235/265.
It does have a rather healthy appetite for fuel though but i think every v8 does.
Lots of info to be found on the maser forum previously quoted.
The white one at DL is a beaut but colour is all down to personal preference, there is no right or wrong colour to be honest, i lean away from silver towards balck or red but that is just me!
The biggest thing for me about it is you enjoy the ride and ambience more than simply caning it!
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