First time Maserati owner

[Paulrv2]

Thanks everyone; appreciate all the welcome comments and suggestions. As I may have indicated decision to buy the car was spur of the moment and at auction so not really any time to check or learn the likely issues I might face. Car has been in my possession now for one week and has done one 160km round trip for a police identity check, which is a legal requirement before I can get it registered in South Australia (Adelaide is home these days). Trip went smoothly and what I’ve noticed so far is:

• a problem getting car into reverse ; t-bar is sloppy and engaging reverse can take several attempts. Selecting all forward gears using paddles, either up, down, or into neutral works fine. I’m hoping it’s the common problem with the t-bar yoke so have bought replacement from Hills and will have a go fitting myself as it looks a straightforward job once I’ve worked out how to extract the module without causing damage to the surround (it’s not held in by screws). Heavy pull on t-bar has been suggested but not sure that’s best way to go. Any advice welcome?
• a few knocks and rattles from rear end when driving over a railway crossing. Could be normal e.g. coil springs locating themselves, or something loose, or General wear and tear. Need to be sure nothing is about to break so have organised to take the car to a small independent workshop that specialises in Maserati, Ferrari etc for a check over. Will also get them to take a picture of the engine number for me as can’t complete the identity check without it! Gather it’s not easy to see even from underneath.

Having seen lots of comments about the FD DWB setup I’ve jumped gun and ordered one for my car. Apart from that think I’ll hold off further tweaks until the outcome of the inspection - best to see what that brings to light first.

I’m still smiling after my first drive, love the V8 muted growl and the paddle change.
Paul

 

[safrane]

The micro switches in the Tbar can become loose or soiled with fluff.

 

[safrane]

Oh and the ball joint in the rear lower control arms is a known weakness and can cause noise as well as the drop links.

 

[lozcb]

Thanks everyone; appreciate all the welcome comments and suggestions. As I may have indicated decision to buy the car was spur of the moment and at auction so not really any time to check or learn the likely issues I might face. Car has been in my possession now for one week and has done one 160km round trip for a police identity check, which is a legal requirement before I can get it registered in South Australia (Adelaide is home these days). Trip went smoothly and what I’ve noticed so far is:

• a problem getting car into reverse ; t-bar is sloppy and engaging reverse can take several attempts. Selecting all forward gears using paddles, either up, down, or into neutral works fine. I’m hoping it’s the common problem with the t-bar yoke so have bought replacement from Hills and will have a go fitting myself as it looks a straightforward job once I’ve worked out how to extract the module without causing damage to the surround (it’s not held in by screws). Heavy pull on t-bar has been suggested but not sure that’s best way to go. Any advice welcome?
• a few knocks and rattles from rear end when driving over a railway crossing. Could be normal e.g. coil springs locating themselves, or something loose, or General wear and tear. Need to be sure nothing is about to break so have organised to take the car to a small independent workshop that specialises in Maserati, Ferrari etc for a check over. Will also get them to take a picture of the engine number for me as can’t complete the identity check without it! Gather it’s not easy to see even from underneath.

Having seen lots of comments about the FD DWB setup I’ve jumped gun and ordered one for my car. Apart from that think I’ll hold off further tweaks until the outcome of the inspection - best to see what that brings to light first.

I’m still smiling after my first drive, love the V8 muted growl and the paddle change.
Paul

Hi Paul , just take care with it , once out it self explanitory , looks al lovely clean car from the pics ( in fact had one .....no had two just like it lol) enjoy that grin every time you take her to fill it up , for years work wise i used to fight and haggle over every single penny , taking the car to the gas station brought a wicked grin lol

 

[Paulrv2]

Ok I did manage to remove the unit; actually unclipped and came out quite easily without much persuasion. Disassembled it and sure enough two lugs were broken off the t-bar yoke so replaced that with the new one and all looked good I thought. However, when I came to reassemble the unit a couple of bits of broken plastic fell out of the plastic part that the yoke fits into, which was a concern. Reassembled and replaced the unit in the car but still have the same problem selecting reverse; car is in neutral and when I lift and pull T-bar “N” flashes and occasionally reverse is selected but mostly the red error symbol comes on. Seems problem isn’t just broken yoke but something in the switch as well. Anyone any suggestions as where to next?

 

[safrane]

Second hand unit off a 'parted' car?

 

[cheshiremaserati]

Things are rarely as simple as they first appear..

I'd recommend a booking with a specialist, ask him to go through the inspection, noting work required with estimates of cost. Then decide what you eant sorting, by when. The T-bar reverse selector looks like #1 priority with the rear suspension knocks #2.

 

[Felonious Crud]

I still say that every time I open the garage.

Your GTS was telling me that it suffers a similar shock every time you open the garage, but without the offset of "but it's gorgeous".

 

[Paulrv2]

Thanks for the input that pretty much confirms what I had already decided. Car is already booked into local specialist for a thorough check and am looking for a second hand T-bar selector unit. Have seen one off an earlier car with black top and screw fasteners which is wrong style for my car so wondering if I could swap the internals to my top and T-bar. Anyone know if this would work?

 

[Paulrv2]

In the end I’ve tracked down and purchased two secondhand T-Bar units. One can be installed as is but not sure if it’s 100% correct colour. The other is missing top off T-bar so combining with my existing unit will hopefully give me two good ones. Will give me a spare or one I can resell.

 

[Paulrv2]

Just to close this thread off. I used top of my existing T-Bar unit (including new yoke) with bottom of the one missing the top of the T-Bar and that seems to be working. However, think I’ll dissemble it again and carefully clean all connectors and contacts.

 

[rs48635]

Hi Paul
Can tell right away your are new. I have totally forgotten about the "muted growl" which I love. Think I am addicted to the top end howl-yowl-cock-shut-in-th-drawer noise above 5000rpm.
welcome

 

[safrane]

Pleased to read its fixed... all these dam brittle plastic parts.

We need to get these 3D printed to keep our cars on the road.