New to the club

[FIFTY]

Hi. The reverse sensors are after market ones.

The headlight kit soinds like the right way to go...just mask the paint so its not damaged.

Thanks for clarifying... so that makes things more difficult I guess because I don't know what has been installed on it...

 

[CatmanV2]

Thanks for clarifying... so that makes things more difficult I guess because I don't know what has been installed on it...

Correct. First thing to check would be the reversing lights. Make sure they come on. (See below)

Next ignition on. Don't start the car. Select reverse. Hop out.

Either put your ear close to each sensor or place a finger on each on in turn. If they are working you will hear / feel a sharp ticking about once per second. That would at least indicate you've got power.

Typically aftermarket sensors are wired into the reversing lights. So if you whip the boot lining out (which is quite simple) you may well find a small box that's not doing what it should, and is spliced into a cable feeding the reversing lights.

Hope that's of some help.

C

 

[FIFTY]

Correct. First thing to check would be the reversing lights. Make sure they come on. (See below)

Next ignition on. Don't start the car. Select reverse. Hop out.

Either put your ear close to each sensor or place a finger on each on in turn. If they are working you will hear / feel a sharp ticking about once per second. That would at least indicate you've got power.

Typically aftermarket sensors are wired into the reversing lights. So if you whip the boot lining out (which is quite simple) you may well find a small box that's not doing what it should, and is spliced into a cable feeding the reversing lights.

Hope that's of some help.

C

Great, thank you for the tip. I will add it to the to do list

 

[CatmanV2]

Great, thank you for the tip. I will add it to the to do list

If you're over this way, I'd be glad to poke around in your boot

C

 

[outrun]

If you're over this way, I'd be glad to poke around in your boot

C

My word. Poor guy has only been here for 2 minutes and already you're lowering the tone. I expected this from Dem, Contigo or Benny but not you....

 

[CatmanV2]

My word. Poor guy has only been here for 2 minutes and already you're lowering the tone. I expected this from Dem, Contigo or Benny but not you....

I thought I'd make an effort to fit in more. I can see it's not working

C

 

[StuartW]

I thought I'd make an effort to fit in more. I can see it's not working

C

They'll be making you a mod next!

 

[FIFTY]

If you're over this way, I'd be glad to poke around in your boot

C

Hope you offer a gyal a drink before offering those services



I used to be a mod on skyscrapercity, guess I'll fit right in then lol.


May have a buyer for the 330i, lets see if he bothers driving the 130 miles tomorrow to see it.

 

[CatmanV2]

Hope you offer a gyal a drink before offering those services

In honesty, they normally offer me one

C

 

[FIFTY]

The 330 is sold! Happy days... I am getting the rear discs sorted... the pads are newish shall I order a new set for the new discs? I don't want to risk scoring the new discs

I found a way of coaxing the CD player in the centre console to play CD-r's... I put an original CD in first played ejected the put the copy in... it's a bit choppy for a few tracks but once the disc warms up it works well... however I live in Surrey with awful roads so I think a solid state device will be better. I am going to invest in the loud link.

Thinking more about the headlights, after giving the car a wash and giving the lights a good scrub with my wool wash mit using meguiars gold class shampoo the headlight lens has drastically improved. Instead of going straight to polish I am going to clay bar then apply carnauba wax using a foam applicator then remove. This should not cut so the factory UV protection on the lens will remain in tacked

 

[FIFTY]

Does the rear Maserati badge clean up or does it need replacing? Mine is a bit faded but it mostly looks like water staining.

 

[safrane]

You can remove them and polish or plate them.

 

[FIFTY]

Thanks safrane, I read that it comes off pretty easily.

Is metal polish like autosol too abrasive?

 

[MAF260]

Is metal polish like autosol too abrasive?

No. You might find it doesn't sort the water marks, though. If your badge is aluminium you could use very fine wet & dry to remove the top surface and then polish it back to a shine.

 

[FIFTY]

No. You might find it doesn't sort the water marks, though. If your badge is aluminium you could use very fine wet & dry to remove the top surface and then polish it back to a shine.

Cheers MAF, I am going to crack out the detailing kit today, lets see how far I can get in the cold

There are some sticky marks on the drivers sill which I am going to attempt to lift off... focus on the small details in the interior like cleaning off the pedals and getting a fine paint brush into crevices with some quick detailer... you know all of the small details that make the car feel like it has not had previous owners lol

I got the lambda sensor replaced today under warranty yesterday morning, it blew the thread out! As it was bank 1 sensor 1 the car is running considerably quieter (shame), smoother, using less fuel, better idle, etc... glad it is sorted before it could do any long term damage.

I spoke with Simon at AMD who did the POI inspection before I bought the car, turns out the secondary silencers have been deleted which is why the exhaust is a little louder and occasionally pops. Needless to say I am thinking about definitely getting a pair of aftermarket back boxes.

 

[FIFTY]

Before wash, just with a quick soak


Washed, wheels cleaned and dried but the weather gets all British


After one coat of Meguiars Tech Wax 2.0 (synthetic sealant). There was no need to clay bar or polish because the dealer had got it machine polished, any imperfections I would not be able to remove by hand so there was no point wasting product.


I clay bar-ed and put a layer of carnauba wax (smart wax) on the headlights and it is pretty conclusive that the UV coating has become stained and broken down a bit giving this unsightly foggy look. Plus the fairly big scratch on the nearside headlight means that I am going to do a full restoration using fine grit, polish, UV protection and lots of layers of wax...


The old badge is coming off soon, I have a new one that I picked up from Maranello in Egham last week. I am hoping and praying that one of the last 4 owners got the badge changed not replaced the nut on the back! I am pretty sure an enthusiast had it at some point because I found maseraticlub stickers in the car!


Action shot at the petrol station, this is after I put an additional layer of carnauba wax.

 

[casadalloro]

Lovely looking car... Same outside as my 2002... Argentina metallic with dark wheels....previous owner has changed std back boxes to straight through pipes on my car and it sounds great... Hope you have many miles of enjoyment..

Another option on your lights is to check with local bodyshops if they have the 3M headlight resoration kit and get them to do it...i guess maybe a better job as 3M stuff though expensive always gives really good results...its on my list to dos.....