£28k GranSport

halbe01

Junior Member
Messages
281
Hi all,

I tested this 2007 GS at Autofficina today

http://www.autofficina.co.uk/used_car_maserati_gransport_coupe_440.htm

It's in great condition, and I'm happy it's mechanically sound given they've fully checked it over. However there were a few things which I didn't love about it compared with my old 4200. Some of them I will probably not care about after a while, but maybe not, so I'm wondering what I can easily tweak and what isn't practical. Any and all advice welcomed!

1. Gear changes - not as quick as my 4200 wish the DBW fitted. I expect to fit the DBW immediately to rectify that - so an easy (if expensive) one to start with.
2. Trim - some of the interior trim looks cheap. The plastic surrounding the heater controls for example, and all the carbon effect plastic (not sure if it's carbon or not but it doesn't look that great to me). Can I replace some of this? Was there a non-carbon option in the GS perhaps?
3. Carpets - a bit shaggy for my liking! Perhaps with a good interior detail these won't bother me and I expect re-carpeting isn't too specialist or expensive a job - anyone got any experience of this?
4. Exhausts - better sound than a stock 4200, but not as good as my custom pipes were. A Larini or custom back box would resolve this of course.
5. Steering wheel - the top bit is plastic (carbon?) and I really don't like it! How easy is it to source and fit a full leather one?
6. Any prevailing wisdom about the stereo - I could easily fit a new head unit of course, perhaps with Bluetooth and Nav, but would this spoil the originality of the interior? What have others done there?

Overall it's a lovely car with low miles and impeccable condition. I don't think it'll appreciate but I also don't think it'll depreciate much (other than the immediate loss to cover warrantee cost and dealer margin) over the next few years. Interested in others thoughts on this though.

So maybe a return to the fold for me. Or maybe not...!

Cheers
Ben
 

outrun

Member
Messages
5,017
Hey

It's all real carbon and for me it's one of the best bits of a gransport ! I added more of it with carbon paddles and door entry plates etc. I can understand why you don't like it though, it is a particular taste.

The gear change can be improved by changing the PIS settings on the gearbox. A good specialist can do this for you. I've not tried the FD box but hear good things. I changed my PIS on one of my gransports and did feel a strong difference. Be careful not to go too harsh though as you can cause the clutch to drag and lead to premature wear.

Exhausts can certainly be sorted. An X-pipe first, then back boxes.

I upgraded both Gransports to Alpine head units. Not the entry ones but decent ones with bluetooth, CD, DAB and good outputs for amplifiers. I also added an amp and upgraded speakers, keeping the factory look (no drilling or cutting etc). It's not hard to improve on the utter rubbish installed at the factory. Paper speakers have no place in these cars!

I've nothing to say about the carpets! I never considered them an issue.

The Gransport is all about handling and subtlety. It's only 5% better than a 4200 (although there are some who disagree) but for me, it's a vital 5%.
 

spkennyuk

Member
Messages
5,932
Ben, thats a lovely looking car. I would be more than happy to swap my steering wheel from my 4200 for the one from the GS if you buy it ;)

I'm pretty sure myself and a few other from SM would buy the steerting wheel off you. They are difficult to get hold of and expensive over a standard 4200 steering wheel. A new retrimmed 4200 steeering wheel is £200 to £265. The GS wheel is worth around 3 times that.

The trim and fittings on the GS are carbon fibre as far as i know they all the GS's have the carbon fibre.

Carpet wise you could always go for some decent car mats if the carpet is a bit too wooly for your liking. a decent set of custom fit mats is around £45. Thinner grade are £25 to £30.

Stereo wise then you can change it out for a more up to date unit and as long as its not too over the top with lights on the front then I dont think it will spoil the interior. You can always keep the original unit to change back when you go to sell in the future. I think there is a thread somewhere about changing the head unit on the GS and if my memory serves it was an understated kenwood unit that was the replacement.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
Hi Ben, hope you are keeping well....Glad to see you are thinking of coming back...How's the Tesla...It was a Tesla you bought wasn't it.......
 

halbe01

Junior Member
Messages
281
Thanks guys - this is exactly what I was looking for - a good insight into group wisdom. With luck my opinion will be swayed nicely by those who like the carbon and the steering wheel and I can enjoy it as it is!

Andy - I still pop in occasionally to see what's going on! Indeed it was a Tesla Model S I bought. It's turning out to be a really excellent car, the only issue being they keep bringing out faster ones now. The best ones do 0-60 in 2.9 seconds now, and mine takes a leisurely 4.0..! I've got a Tesla Roadster (the one based on a Lotus Elise) this week as a loaner - that's a crazy car, but fortunately having now driven one it has completely cured me of my desire to buy one. A bit too hard core for me these days! What happened to your 6-series - it's not in your sig any more - did you not keep it long?

B.
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
I seem to remember me saying I didn't like it but it has really grown on me Ben. I see one everyday and I think it looks great and has presence...Bloody fast as well.

6 went as Asda moved me further from home and it cost to much on fuel. Got an Alfa Brera Diesel which went bang.....moving jobs and getting a company car now.
 

Steve GS

Member
Messages
1,526
I have the full carbon pack in my car. Door seals and door trim. And trim on the rear sides I love it. As for the sterio I have an alpine unit I think it looks good with the car has all the mod cons you need. Just need to change them speakers.
 

hilts uk

Member
Messages
945
I've seen the car in the showroom and it looks on great shape. Interior looks better than mine to be honest in terms of wear and tear. The carbon wheel is great. Bodywork is almost perfect. Some small scuffs on alloys but easy to fix. A good example of I'd say and autoficina will be there for you if there are any issues.

Sent from my HTC One M9 using Tapatalk
 

halbe01

Junior Member
Messages
281
I am going to have to go back and see it again I think. Roll on the weekend...!

Thanks for all the comments guys.
 

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
There is little between a GranSport and 4200 in terms of performance and handling unless you are on a track. The significant differences are mostly aesthetic and choice comes down to whether you want something that looks and drives more like a sports car, or prefer a GT style car. The 4200 is a little softer - seats, ride etc and suits many over the harsher-riding GS. 4200s are cheaper, GranSports hold their value well and are believed to be appreciating.
 

Contigo

Sponsor
Messages
18,376
Interesting, I thought the GS was designed to handle better. It sits lower, has stiffer setup and is better planted. Aren't there improvements in the CC software too?
 

MAF260

Member
Messages
7,662
All correct, Phil. Little of this will be noticeable on the road in everyday driving, though. On a track or a long drive cross country these improvements may be more apparent. I've driven with Benny on a few occasions over many different roads now where there's nothing to separate our cars' performance.
 

dem maser

Moderator
Messages
34,221
GS does it for me from an aesthetic point..... love the sideskirts etc....looks good VFM aswel with those miles....go for it
 

Fran

Junior Member
Messages
94
for the carpets you can buy excellent ones tailor made on ebay at very cheap prices. Only problem you will have to swap the original clips yourself

F
 

halbe01

Junior Member
Messages
281
I'm still on the fence - so I need some more opinions to help me decide please! This car is perfect I think EXCEPT for the colour. I don't think silver really does it for me. If it were grey like my old 4200 then I'm sure I'd have bought it already. What do people think about this blue one?

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi.../gransport/maserati-gransport-4-2-2dr/4699334

It doesn't look quite as good in terms of age and mileage, and it's not just down the road from me at a known dealer - but, at least in the photos, it looks so much prettier! Is this a known car, or indeed a known dealer? It's 140 miles from me but I'm sorely tempted to take a drive over there next week to see it in person.
 

stefanocirillo

Junior Member
Messages
214
That interior/exterior colour combination looks fantastic. Fairly good mileage and decent regular service history. You would want a clutch wear percentage before buying. Agreed that discs look worn too. But otherwise looks a good example!