3200 GT Servicing

[sdlangford]

I have take my 3200 GT to a specialist for a full service including cambelt change, estimate nearly £2k.

Before they even started the service they sent me a list of works I should consider having carried out which total nearly as much as I paid for the car.

Is this normal ?

I have a simple philosophy of "if it isn't broke do not fix it".

Car drives and runs fine for me, but reading this report it could be a write off !

Not had an experiences with Maserati specialists, my other weekend car a 911 goes to its specialist every year and just has its service, job done.

I have to say I was a little bit taken back.

Simon

 

[alfatwo]

2k for a service plus a cambelt is really pushing it! who did you get the estimate from Simon?

Its only about a 6 hour job plus parts and oil etc.

Dave

 

[Contigo]

These inspection reports can be daunting but many are diy jobs! Send us the list and will see if you are being taken for a ride!

 

[Rex B]

Emblem and McGrath's both do inspection reports as part of the service, listing items as advisory or essential. At the end of the day its up to you what you have done I have always found the inspection useful and had some items done, and done others myself.

Rex B
Manual 3200

 

[alfatwo]

Quoting nearly 2K for a service and a cambelt change is taking the p*ss..no wonder Maser dealers and some Ind's have a bad name!

Dave

 

[allandwf]

Yes, agree with the others, far too high. But if it is belt, water pump, idlers, FULL service with all fluids it will get on to close to that.

 

[Potenza3200]

Mine went in for a major service, cambelt and several other items at Ftech, who completed a comprehensive inspection before carrying out any work. A list of essentials and advisorie items backed up by photographs was sent to me beforehand so everything stated was backed up.

Post the list and quotes, we've all had our own good and bad experiences and will be able to see if they pulling one on you!

 

[Rex B]

Major service all filters,all fluids, AC regas,, check valve clearances, both belts and brakes with a few bits will get close to 2k. inspection worth while as Indies know these cars inside out and know what to look for, and you can then decide what you can do yourself.

Rex B
manual 3200

 

[cheshiremaserati]

I don't know where you are based, but I'd recommend a call to Marios at Autoshield in South Manchester. His guidance will be immensely helpful and he has customers who travel the length and breadth of the country as well as from abroad to have him service and maintain their Maserati cars.

No idea about that service cost, but I'm sure a chat with Marios will clarify and put essential versus desirable maintenance into perspective.

 

[redsonnylee]

I paid 2k first year, 3k second year and £7.5k the third year to get it through mot and servicing. Most of this was London labour rates and RRP for parts, for the last two years I've taken it to the Maserati Shed apart from the labour costs, he really knows the cars and will diagnose cause and effect. This year I paid a huge amount £254.00

It's worth shopping around I don't use Giallo anymore as it's too far away and Emblem even further. If your in the south one of these are highly recommended.

So check the parts list as they might have quoted list for everything when you might be able to use the usual specialists for second hand ones. The price difference is huge, e.g. I refurbished my brake shoes for £60 including courier costs at Belfast Brakes.

 

[davy83]

i had the same experience with Grey Paul when i first got the car, they quoted me 2800 for a service with cam belt change, in the end i did it myself for i think less than 400 pounds including plugs gearbox filter and diff and gearbox oil. There are a lot of weaknesses with this car so you may want to think carefully about the list of advisories, some will be easy other perhaps less so. I have had a repair bill that was more than i paid for the car, so it happens, but i have not touched the dealers as the prices were just not viable to my mind.

 

[highlander]

I agree with Davy, ignore advisories at your peril with these cars, either fix advisories yourself or if like me you are spanner inept, then get the garage to do them but do not ignore them.
Belt service should be just over 1k at an Indy but if as Allan says it includes the water pump and other associated parts, known failure point, then it will stretch nearer the price you have been quoted.

 

[StuartW]

Some MDs will not touch cars pre Granturismo as their mechanics don't have the expertise/experience, if it is beyond your DIY skills you need to go to someone you can trust and are familiar with your model.

 

[rs48635]

agree with most sentiments above. My own QP went into Bill Mcrath who produced a very detailed list of snags on my car because it was the first time they had seen the car. We discussed it and decided on the "must-do" items for now. I can tackle most of the rest myself.
They do advise that their list is a comprehensive appraisal of task to "bring the car up to standard". Lots of minor stuff and useful technical details.
I look at it as built-in inspection, that only costs one hours labour. How much do people pay for pre-purchase inspection (cost me several hundred)?

 

[Ian3200]

As has been said, Maserati Shed with slash these costs by a massive amount... annual service is £300

 

[TTP]

i had the same experience with Grey Paul when i first got the car, they quoted me 2800 for a service with cam belt change, in the end i did it myself for i think less than 400 pounds including plugs gearbox filter and diff and gearbox oil. There are a lot of weaknesses with this car so you may want to think carefully about the list of advisories, some will be easy other perhaps less so. I have had a repair bill that was more than i paid for the car, so it happens, but i have not touched the dealers as the prices were just not viable to my mind.

What's involved in the cambelt change Davy? Is it difficult or just a lengthy task?

 

[Boomerang_GT]

I have take my 3200 GT to a specialist for a full service including cambelt change, estimate nearly £2k.

Before they even started the service they sent me a list of works I should consider having carried out which total nearly as much as I paid for the car.

Is this normal ?

I have a simple philosophy of "if it isn't broke do not fix it".

Car drives and runs fine for me, but reading this report it could be a write off !

Not had an experiences with Maserati specialists, my other weekend car a 911 goes to its specialist every year and just has its service, job done.

I have to say I was a little bit taken back.

Simon

Can you list what was on their consideration list? If its not broken do not fix it is the wrong approach. Or why would you change the timing belt if it's not yet broken?

 

[sdlangford]

Thanks for the mixed responses, all usefull, and thanks.

I will not go into detail of the garage for obvious reasons.

This is the list i have been given.

Major Service and cambelt 11 hours labour and parts £1,594.00
Replace cambelt cover, thermostat, cambox o ring, front cam oil seal, oil return hoses 8 hours labour and parts £1,011.80
Replace hoses from cooler to throttle body, radiator fan restrictor and push rod bush 2 hours labour and parts £341.82
Replace rear discs and pads, handbrak cable and shoes, LH & RH lower suspension arm, LH & RH front hub carriers, RH lower suspension arm, replace coroded brake pipes 16 hours labour and parts £7,219.66

Nice list.

SImon

 

[safrane]

The suspension arms are very costly and there are pattern alternative that could reduce that bill by 50%. They do require some fettling though on a 3200.

Brake disc are also daft hence the forum parts system.

I would be nervous of not doing some of those items if advised esp given the ability of the car.

 

[jluis]

They are taking a p1ss on the labor time.
I'm an amateur and it takes me less than that to change the Cambelt.

All prices seem inflated
The brake parts you can get much cheaper if someone sells you disks bought in the group purchase we had a while ago
As for the suspension arm, yep those cost an arm and a leg.
There are supposed to be some sold by the manufacturer without the Maserati stamp for a fraction of the price but I never saw them.