Problems...

[T10YYY]

Hi guys!

My 2008 4.2 GT has been in and out of the dealer with the following issues:

1) Rear suspension- Both shock absorbers changed
2) Front suspension- replaced all bushes due to creaks
3) Engine variators- replaced- (Big job ££££)
4) Cooling system leak- replaced a hose which burst (Possibly due to the work done to variators)
5) Trim coming away from dash- replaced with new trim )

And most recently it developed a creaking sounds on acceleration- they have said the driveshaft needs replacing and they are doing that now!

Luckily the car is under warranty (extended maserati) and the work cost well over 10K in total!

I though this car was meant to be reliable- Its only done 27K........Or is it the way i drive or just bad luck?!?!

By the way the dealer also said that my front and rear disks are bot very rusty and need replacing!! 3.5K for front and rear brakes! ANy advice for that?? Should i skim or should i look for aftermarket?

Thanks

 

[T10YYY]

*thought

 

[Andyk]

T10YYY, thats not good at all.....To be honest I've not heard of these cars being that bad. Hear of trim issues but not the above.......Low miles as well. Suppoe they are coming up to an age where bits need replacing but the not the bits you have listed....Sounds like ou ma have been unlucky with yours......At least it's warrenty work...

On the discs I would look around for some aftermarket ones....They will probably be better than the Maserati ones as well. NOt sure where you would get them but try Noor on here at http://www.performanceitalia.co.uk/ he may know.

 

[bigbob]

It's hard to comment about specific cars but how long have you had it? Has it experienced a lot of speed humps? It's got low miles but has it had a lot of running at low speed with city driving?

The car is getting to the age where brakes may need replacing and if it has always lived outside then the discs will corrode more. There was a thread on here recently which mentioned a company that skimmed discs, possibly worth a look.

 

[BennyD]

Did you get a second opinion on all these maladies? Sometimes, and we have seen it in the past especially regarding ECUs , a diagnosis is made, the repair is done but the problem remains. Main dealers aren't always right whereas a lot of indies have a lifetime of experience and are worth chatting to. The warranty is serving you well but for peace of mind I would always have a chat with the likes of Autoshield, Shiltech, Emblem etc and run it by them first. BTW, there is, I believe, a cheaper alternative to sort the brake issue and I am sure someone will be along to point you in the right direction. The GT is a good car, so keep the faith!

 

[Parisien]

Not very re-assuring T1oyy........lots of expensive thing happening esp at 27k miles.....as ever...a 2nd opinion is useful but if covered by warranty....why worry!


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[rossyl]

I'd concur with BigBob. It sounds like a lot of town driving and speed bumps. Not enough long runs.

If that's not the case, it sounds extremely unlucky.

As for the brakes, it sounds like it sits around without much driving. If that's the case, do some braking from 60mph down to 20mph, reasonably aggressively. That should take off the surface corrosion.

 

[roger102]

Christ and I thought I had problems, thank god you had the extended warranty!
Don't understand the breaks issue as many cars get rusty disks when they sit around in the rain for a few days? It gets removed on the first breaking. What do they look like, grooved and shiny, as per normal?

 

[Bowker Maserati]

We have had a 2008 GT in with similar suspension issues, and still continues to have a couple of creaks on the front suspension, despite all being changed and advice from head office............a couple of more ideas are in the pipeline and I will keep you posted if we have a solution.

Thanks god for the extended warranties is all I can say!!!

 

[roger102]

Some of us are relying on what seems to be luck and a design that should be fit for purpose, no extended warranty ...... Role those dice baby! Gulp

 

[T10YYY]

Good to have all your responses guys!!
I actually bought the car from a main dealer -meridian Modena under 1 year ago.
I do mainly city driving in London so yes there's pot holes and start stop driving etc. but I had a 911 before this and an sl500- both of which only required servicing. In fact my 911 was sold just before it needed its 2 yearly service so I actually didn't spend a penny on maintenance!

Anyway I'm thankful for the extended warranty however it runs out on 21st December and I can't extend given it's age. I am hoping the major problems have now been rectified and thinking of getting warranty direct at £1.5k a year - they may just cover some things that go wrong!

I love the car and it's my favorite out of all the others.

As for the disks.... Well i suppose it does sit around at times. I may get them skimmed and add those aftermarket pads from Noor!

 

[Parisien]

If they sit for a long time, surface rust turns into pitted rust...MOT fail......

SL500s, known for many problems too.......as for 911s, the less said the better.......


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[bigbob]

Yes 911s are known to corrode the inside faces of double discs.

Obviously comparing a new to 2 year old 911 against a GT bought at 4 years old is another matter.

I've had my GTS for 26 months from new and its great but I don't live in town and only really use it on days I will do 50-150 miles.

I've had a Boxster S from new and had brake problems early on. Had an SL 500 from new and it was great but the net is full of horror stories of what they cost when the electronics play up.

 

[BennyD]

I find it best not to wash it before putting it away as the discs get a soaking and are starting to rust before you get it in the garage. I put it away dirty and wash it just before I next use it. Also, apply the handbrake at regular intervals for about 10 secs whilst driving as it helps to keep the internal drum friction surface free of rust.

 

[dem maser]

Good idea Benny, i normally wash it and put it away.....will leave it and wash when ill be using it for a few miles.....
I never apply handbrake, is that wrong? I leave it in P.....

 

[BennyD]

That's correct Dem. If you put it away after washing it and leave it with the handbrake on the metal in the shoes can 'stick' to the drums. When this happens you can feel a thump through the car as you first pull away. This can lead to delamination/disintegration of the shoe material which can jam the back wheels. Best to leave it in P with the hand brake off.

 

[dem maser]

Happy to hear it, i leave it in P and move the car every 2 weeks max