Initial thoughts from a first time Maserati owner: Gran Turismo Sport (new)

[outrun]

Aston Martin nailed it when they chose Linn for the DB9. I know that JLR have some Meridian options, not heard them however that's also a good choice of proper audio expert so I expect they will be pretty good.

I find that the head units are usually OK sound wise, it's the speakers and lack of proper amplification that causes the poor quality. Good speakers, good vibration deadening and a decent Alpine or similar amp and things get much, much better.

 

[dickygrace]

To solve your issues with exhaust note vs. skyhook suspension in sport, install Larini valved backboxes with the optional remote valve control. You can then use the exhausts in normal with open valves, or sport with closed valves, or normal with closed valves or sport with open valves - this one will blow your mind. It's a few quid but worth every penny. Besides, you'll get a chunk of the cash back when you sell as Larini products are very desirable and hold value.

http://www.formuladynamics.com/prod...ni_mufflers/granturismo_s_larini_mufflers.php

Otherwise, nice car and nice write up. They are great and you're right about the infotainment. It's just dated and a little frustrating but once you get around the clunkiness, it's not too bad and the rest of the car more than makes up for it.

The only complaint I have about mine is the lack of bluetooth streaming. I use Spotify like there's no tomorrow. I can do it through an aux cable but simple streaming, with tracks on the display would really make my day.

Anyone know if you can add a Dension or similar to make that possible?

You can just fit the valve control unit for £250. Then you've a remote to open baffles, comes on a key fob. This way you can drive it in normal mode but sports noise....

 

[bigbob]

Ahh, I also have suffered from some minor lower back ailments over the years. Did the car you tested have lumbar support? If it did, for the back electric switch if you pull it upwards, it pushes the lumbar support out, push it down it goes in. I've found it very supportive and it helped me a lot.

Yes, Maranello's I had a similar experience to you. It's a shame as they are my "local" dealer. I spoke to them about 4 or 5 times over a period of a few months as I was also interested in Ferrari's at one point. Asked them to get back to me on the back of several conversations, discuss financing options etc, specific options questions.

Never called me back. Every. Single. Time.

It's all well and good having a car that sells itself but I'm dropping over 100k sheets on a car, I expect a bit of customer service. As such, I'll not get my car serviced there either now (it'll go back to HR Owen) so they've lost out on that business too.

When I first contacted HR Owen last year, this was the list of what they had available new. Keep in mind the 12.5k discount, they may offer a bigger discount to shift the remaining ones before new plate comes in, I don't know. Not sure if you can stretch a bit or if new is very far off your budget but if you're not far off, may be worth having a conversation. The top car in the list is obviously gone (it's mine!)

£105,852

BLU MEDITERRANEO
NERO
NERO

£102,384
BLU OCEANO
PEARL BEIGE
BLU

£101,760
NERO CARBONIO
NERO
NERO

£104,112
GRIGIO GRANITO
NERO
GRIGIO CHRONO

£103,488
NERO CARBONIO
NERO
NERO

£101,760
NERO CARBONIO
PEARL BEIGE
NERO

£103,488
BLU OCEANO
BIANCO PREGIATO
BLU

£103,344
BIANCO ELDORADO
NERO
NERO

£104,112
GRIGIO GRANITO
NERO
NERO

£105,828
ROSSO MONDIALE
NERO
NERO

£104,532
GRIGIO GRANITO
NERO
NERO

£103,380
BIANCO ELDORADO
ROSSO CORALLO
NERO

£103,488
GRIGIO GRANITO
CUOIO
GRIGIO CHRONO

£104,532
GRIGIO ALFIERI
NERO
NERO

£101,760
GRIGIO GRANITO
CUOIO
GRIGIO CHRONO

£104,532
BLU OCEANO
PEARL BEIGE
BLU

£101,760
GRIGIO GRANITO
PEARL BEIGE
GRIGIO CHRONO

Can't believe how much spec all those cars have. I'd be happy with a £95k list car if I was re-ordering.

 

[azapa]

Welcome Soleith and congratulations on your lovely car. I bought mine in July and spent a month fighting with the stereo, I have the same system as yours (usb in glovebox, bluetooth etc). I thought it was badly configured but after resetting it to factory settings, adjusting and playing around for an age, I finally discovered the truth: its crxp!

I have not even switched it on now for 4 months, but don't miss it with that amazing exhaust note - I fitted a Larini Xpipe, but it was great before, too.

My old BMW M5 had an incredible sound system, really. I have a very good hifi system at home, German amps + brit speakers etc, but music inside the BMW always just sounded better! So, I do miss it, but an Italian exotic is just a different experience from top to bottom.

 

[JohnC]

Ahh, I also have suffered from some minor lower back ailments over the years. Did the car you tested have lumbar support? If it did, for the back electric switch if you pull it upwards, it pushes the lumbar support out, push it down it goes in. I've found it very supportive and it helped me a lot.

Yes, Maranello's I had a similar experience to you. It's a shame as they are my "local" dealer. I spoke to them about 4 or 5 times over a period of a few months as I was also interested in Ferrari's at one point. Asked them to get back to me on the back of several conversations, discuss financing options etc, specific options questions.

Never called me back. Every. Single. Time.

It's all well and good having a car that sells itself but I'm dropping over 100k sheets on a car, I expect a bit of customer service. As such, I'll not get my car serviced there either now (it'll go back to HR Owen) so they've lost out on that business too.

When I first contacted HR Owen last year, this was the list of what they had available new. Keep in mind the 12.5k discount, they may offer a bigger discount to shift the remaining ones before new plate comes in, I don't know. Not sure if you can stretch a bit or if new is very far off your budget but if you're not far off, may be worth having a conversation.

The car I drove does list lumbar support although I have traditionally not got on with lumbar support. If it sticks out - it gives me more pain (or it used to). I've recently had the lumbar function repaired in my car under warranty so I might try using it to see what the situation is these days. I guess we change as we get older. I've not had problems with my back historically except when my legs aren't supported or I get tension about something. A historical said I was "lucky" to not suffer up until the age I was then (late 30s probably).

This is the car I drove:

http://www.motorline.co.uk/maserati/used-car-details/used-maserati-granturismo-sport-auto-coupe-bianco-white-automatic-petrol-id_6977.aspx

I would be the same too with regard to a company's sales experience. If they can't be bothered to win your business, just how interested are they going to be in looking after your car correctly too? Doesn't always follow I know - sometimes you get a good service dept and poor sales and vice vera - but it tarnishes the whole experience for me. I think a lot of main dealers hide under an umbrella of arrogance (not just Maserati). There are some good eggs out there though like the one I went to and clearly HR Owen seem to be good from what you say...

£100k is way off my budget. I've seen some figures for financing this sort of £100k > £150k level and it is far too rich for me. Even if I could stump up the kind of deposit needed, I couldn't bring myself to sign up for that sort of money in a car! The most I'd want to spend is c£50k. I thought this is what put off ME but if they couldn't be bothered with you at £100k - it's ingrained it seems!

Aston Martin nailed it when they chose Linn for the DB9. I know that JLR have some Meridian options, not heard them however that's also a good choice of proper audio expert so I expect they will be pretty good.

I find that the head units are usually OK sound wise, it's the speakers and lack of proper amplification that causes the poor quality. Good speakers, good vibration deadening and a decent Alpine or similar amp and things get much, much better.

I too am a bit of an audio geek too. I wouldn't say audiophile but certainly dedicated to getting a sound I am happy with so I get a bit bogged down with how good a car sound system is. Many people just don't get it or say the acoustics in a car are rubbish. That may be true but I prefer to hear my music on the road to the way in which it was intended. I don't want to go deaf or wake up half of France but I just want the acoustic range to be audible at my preferred listening levels and sound stage.

I tested out the BOSE in a 57 plate 4.2 and was utterly disappointed.

In contrast, I tried the Meridian sound system in a late first generation Jaguar XF. I was thoroughly impressed for a stock sound system and would have never had to change anything about it. I just couldn't get on with the side bolsters on the seats!

 

[CatmanV2]

You can just fit the valve control unit for £250. Then you've a remote to open baffles, comes on a key fob. This way you can drive it in normal mode but sports noise....

Done this to mine. It's a good bit of kit

C

 

[hoyin]

I don't believe there are different grades of the Bose. It's possible they've changed it or maybe removed one that was previously available throughout the production cycle but the website just lists one premium audio option in the configurator.

I'm a somewhat lapsed semi-audiophile geek, although never really in cars, more home cinema etc. Not one of those who hates Bose products (I've had several over the years and enjoyed them) and have also spent tens of thousands on home cinema/audio gear in the past. Perhaps I was harsh on the system, it's only a £1.2k option after all but I was hoping for better. Yes, in general I enjoy the exhaust sound more than music too! But I'd also like a great audio system. Certainly the sound is reasonable, was just hoping for a bit more.

For an audiophile it is not an amazing system.

However I find that adjusting the tone settings makes a huge difference. I.e. Turning down the treble a touch and the base up a little.

However you need to note that you need to do it for each of its play settings I.e. Radio, Aux, HD etc.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[JohnC]

Just as a footnote to this thread...

I am the first to highlight a poor dealer and / or poor customer service so in the interests of balance, I think it is only fair to highlight opposite experiences!

Maranello in Egham have since contacted me with regard to looking at Granturismos.

So either they read this or it is a coincidence!

Either way, they have done what they said although that's all I can say at this stage...

 

[ChrisQP09]

Good little tool on Motorline called 'Make an Offer'

 

[Serkie]

Just as a footnote to this thread...

I am the first to highlight a poor dealer and / or poor customer service so in the interests of balance, I think it is only fair to highlight opposite experiences!

Maranello in Egham have since contacted me with regard to looking at Granturismos.

So either they read this or it is a coincidence!

Either way, they have done what they said although that's all I can say at this stage...

Maranello sourced my car for me, from start to finish and even afterwards they couldn't have done more for me. Very positive experience and befitting of the marquee. Don't write them off...

 

[Cogsy]

Bluetooth Streaming

I use one of these to stream from my iPhone and it works very well. You have to use the phone to control the content, but sound quality is good. I use it for Dab, Spotify & iTunes Content.

Bovee 1000 Wireless Bluetooth Music Interface Adapter for in Car iPod Integration by Bovee
Link: http://amzn.eu/4TyGOWt

I have also had no problems downloading music on to the hard drive. I have about 50+ albums stored by album with all the track titles. Just leave the jump drive in the car and let it download the content over a couple of hours....

Bose system is okay, but IMHO is not worth the premium you have to pay for it. The Bose systems I have had in most Porsche's out performs the Maserati version and it is not in the same league as the B&O or Burmester systems.

Presume this is powered by the USB? I once mistakenly left an iPod plugged in to the USB and it drained the battery completely to the point where I had to open doors with key and use the cable to open boot.

Thanks to the OP for the original post. Matches my thoughts almost to the word. I find it incredible that with a vehicle this good Maserati could not have undertaken some sort of ICE upgrade in the last 10 years. To still be selling brand new cars that don't have DAB or the ability to enter a post code into a sat nav is baffling. The technology clearly exists in house so it must just be down to laziness.

Has anyone solved the DAB issue? Only aftermarket units I've seen all require an ariel.

 

[CatmanV2]

Presume this is powered by the USB? I once mistakenly left an iPod plugged in to the USB and it drained the battery completely to the point where I had to open doors with key and use the cable to open boot.

Thanks to the OP for the original post. Matches my thoughts almost to the word. I find it incredible that with a vehicle this good Maserati could not have undertaken some sort of ICE upgrade in the last 10 years. To still be selling brand new cars that don't have DAB or the ability to enter a post code into a sat nav is baffling. The technology clearly exists in house so it must just be down to laziness.

Has anyone solved the DAB issue? Only aftermarket units I've seen all require an ariel.

I've fitted a DAB converter to mine. But yes, you're going to need an aerial unless you hook into the existing one, which I understand may be possible

C

 

[Cogsy]

I've fitted a DAB converter to mine. But yes, you're going to need an aerial unless you hook into the existing one, which I understand may be possible

C

Thanks mate. I'm going to look at getting this done soon and will report back. In the meantime any feedback on this bluetooth unit from anyone would be welcome. It says that it connects to your vehicle ICE system which would be great if you could access music on phone that way.

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks mate. I'm going to look at getting this done soon and will report back. In the meantime any feedback on this bluetooth unit from anyone would be welcome. It says that it connects to your vehicle ICE system which would be great if you could access music on phone that way.

You mean the Bovee unit?

C

 

[VMSRTI]

great review and beautiful car!