Black 3200GT - Advice needed

[dem maser]

I drove manual and auto 3200, it had to be auto for me as the clutch was heavy and for a london car it would have been used a lot in traffic...

 

[Andyk]

That makes sense for you Dem ... A manual would have been a nightmare in London stop start traffic..

 

[dem maser]

Nothing wrong with a manual 3200 im just saying for me it was auto all the way because of where i live..... and the endfloat scared me....

 

[drellis]

I really wanted a manual, but in the end bought on condition, so bought a black 3200 ac like dems. I didnt event try a manual! as the other 3 cars i looked at were shabby and the as soon as i saw this immaculate one I decided on it, especially after a quick drive with Marios (autosheild) as it was his neighbours car. Only problem with buying immaculate is i dont drive the thing much, only in the dry, and not to anywhere it could be banged in car parts.
Sorry just try both but an auto aint slow, just no where near as quick off the line otherwise there is not much in it

 

[Andyk]

drellis, you not bringing the 3200 to Llandow then ....

 

[dem maser]

What number is your one

 

[bill]

I have never driven an auto 3200 but I prefer manual as this means her indoors cannot drive it as she can only drive autos!! That's what her licence says anyway!! The box on the is not the best particularly when hot as it uses auto oil it sounds terrible when hot and idling. I have put a slightly thicker oil in as recommended by a guy that used to work on these on mercs and it's great now if a bit noisy when cold. I think maserati could have done better on this manual box. How are their older boxes?

 

[drellis]

Hi my ac is no. 18, going in autosheild next week for service and fit larini back boxes so will be bit loud. Not sure about driving it on track as really prefer manual when gunning it, and it gets a hard enough time on the roads. I only bought the 155 so could drive on track without worrying about hurting the car too much. Only done one track day in the past in my esprit and needed new disks, driveshaft seals, and new rear tyres. The esprit AP brakes being lotus only and so have to pay big money (1500 for two disks!) or get custom bells made up to fit generic disks. So basically I do not want to risk the expense, but i may change my mind nearer the time as will probably do a track day before llandow so the 155 may be dead soon.

 

[dem maser]

We have identical cars.....
I have a black auto AC with larini backboxes.....

 

[drellis]

hi do you know how loud db yours is with the larini boxes I know the llandow day has no limit but most others do

cheers

 

[conaero]

Bill I always thought the 3200 Manual box was very clumsy, but it does have to take a fair bit of power. All I know is the box is made by Getrag a German firm and there are no service spares for them.

To be fair Getrag gearboxes are very very good.

 

[Rex B]

I have a manual and the gear change is stiff when cold but when it warms up it gets a lot easier to change gear . It is not as smooth as the box on the 159 I had but it does have to handle 370 H P, and its also not noisy when hot or cold.

Rex B
Manual 3200

 

[Andyk]

Bill I always thought the 3200 Manual box was very clumsy, but it does have to take a fair bit of power. All I know is the box is made by Getrag a German firm and there are no service spares for them.

To be fair Getrag gearboxes are very very good.

Getrag are very good ... I think they where used in BMW's M5 around that time as well...

 

[dem maser]

the e39 M5 had them....

 

[Andyk]

Thats a good box then ...... I should know.

 

[bill]

Bill I always thought the 3200 Manual box was very clumsy, but it does have to take a fair bit of power. All I know is the box is made by Getrag a German firm and there are no service spares for them.

To be fair Getrag gearboxes are very very good.

I have never driven the BMs and I agree on paper it should be a good choice. I got used to it now but I drove my van the other day after driving my car for a while, and noted how much better experience gear changing was! maybe it's the power, ratio choices or worn box I don't know. Don't get me wrong I love the instant pull I get with the lightest of throttle application. I drive a lot of superbikes and it's the only car I have driven that comes close to this instant throttle response! Maybe I should get the box overhauled. I know it can be done..

 

[Andyk]

Will say bill it was a much better fit in the M5 than my 3200 ... AT the end of the day its about what that gear box is hooked up to as well. Its the whole car...

 

[nigw]

It does sound like there's something not quite right with Bill's gearbox - 'terrible when hot and idling' and now 'noisy when cold' with a thicker oil. They shouldn't be noisy and they should be fine on manufacturer spec oil! Haven't heard of them needing to be refurb'd before, but maybe that's what's needed.

 

[the_raul]

Thanks for all the advice guys, in the end I had it inspected by Bill McGrath's. They are very good and Paul there neally knows his stuff. In the end he found a lot of small things wrong with it but nothing major so I went for it.
Hopefully it wont cost me the earth to keep!!

Keep an eye out for the torrent of questions from me about to how to fix things!!

Cheers,
Raul

 

[conaero]

Thanks for all the advice guys, in the end I had it inspected by Bill McGrath's. They are very good and Paul there neally knows his stuff. In the end he found a lot of small things wrong with it but nothing major so I went for it.
Hopefully it wont cost me the earth to keep!!

Keep an eye out for the torrent of questions from me about to how to fix things!!

Cheers,
Raul

You fire away, that's what we are here for.