GS dash vs 4200

[hilts uk]

Probably a stupid question but does anyone know what the GS has a dash more like the 3200 than the 4200? What happened to the nice video screen?

 

[CatmanV2]

Nice video screen? You are confused, sir


C

 

[Mr.Cambio]

do you mean dash or info centre screen?

 

[Contigo]

Probably a stupid question but does anyone know what the GS has a dash more like the 3200 than the 4200? What happened to the nice video screen?

Yes they realised the error of their ways with all the faux leather on the 4200 and decided to make it higher end just like the 3200. I wouldn't complain if I were you.

 

[allandwf]

^+1

 

[hilts uk]

wow is it really that bad? The Becker unit on the GS is awful. I can't imagine sat nav or Bluetooth on it but it looks like these could be used on the 4200 with the screen.

 

[CatmanV2]

wow is it really that bad? The Becker unit on the GS is awful. I can't imagine sat nav or Bluetooth on it but it looks like these could be used on the 4200 with the screen.

Utterly rubbish thing. I mean it works, but is so out of date

C

 

[Chrisbassett]

wow is it really that bad? The Becker unit on the GS is awful. I can't imagine sat nav or Bluetooth on it but it looks like these could be used on the 4200 with the screen.

The infocenter screen is good for two things
1. Sticking a real satnav system to.
2. Displaying fuel consumption levels for light hearted relief.

Other than that it's a bad design that was probably a good idea for someone.

 

[mjheathcote]

Its not that bad!
Sat nav works, okay may seem clunky 13 years on, but still works.
If you have the phone option, i find that very good with its own sim card, very clear and the phone signal puts a mobile phone to shame! Can send and view txts too.
Shows heating/ac/radio info cleanly on the screen.
Range and mpg info...trying to avoid looking if possible at that one!

 

[safrane]

I for 1 prefer the 4200 dash...the ye olde world heating controls on my GS look poor for a car of its age. The computer trip functions were useful in the 4200 cars I owned as were the hi-fi sub menus and phone.

I retrofitted my first system with sat nav for just £4.99...cost the previous owner of my CS almost £2k to fit a sat nav unit with a screen and phone which apart from the better software for maps only does the same as my 4200's

 

[Chrisbassett]

Ok, I guess it's not *that* bad, and was probably viewed as the height of luxury to have it all built in and tucked away in the headrest, but the move away from DIN was just arrogant and I didn't forgive it for that. Made getting better noises out a real PITA involving tacked on bits & pieces instead of a simple swap-out (and yes, I know...the exhaust!!!! But that's not always the answer. Having said that, one of my favourite memories is charging through the Spanish countryside top-down with some passionate Spanish guitar music on full blast then dropping a couple of gears and adding the howl of the engine as I flew past a family in a big barge of a Merc soft-top - glorious!).

Each to their own.
: )

 

[mjheathcote]

If you search the US maserati life forum you can replace the screen with a Kenwood replacement with a media black box adding lots of modern functionality.
However nearly all the Kenwood kit is now obsolete itself now and the guy who made a replacement bezel to mount the screen appears to have moved on.
Thats not to say it can't be done again with the latest tech, given time and £ of course!

 

[safrane]

Still think it looks nice

 

[mjheathcote]

Agree.
Photo of Kenwood replacement:

 

[highlander]

Agree peter, think they all are nice places to sit.

 

[2b1ask1]

I've been following the US thread and even re-awakened it a while back! I'm hoping that someone can crack the can-bus/info-bus signals that are fed to the screen/console so the function is not lost by their removal to other parts. it seems two options are available, one being to extend these cables and move the screen to a stealth install so it can be accessed should any re-programming be needed, some it seems have relocated the whole NIT to the boot! Or just live with it....

I like the idea of a modern replacement and given that the signals must be pulse or serial it should be possible to interface with them. The question is have modern systems moved on too far to be able to do this? I did have a setup back in my old Merc where I ran an XP rugged tablet as an ICE which was pretty funky! Along those lines why not just go with the stealth setup and mount something like an i-pad or other tablet behind a bezel, link the AUX directly to an amp, enjoy the bluetooth, satnav and phone capabilities as well as touch screen, with the power lead permanently connected it would wake up on startup for you...

So who has a 3-D printer at their disposal?

 

[mjheathcote]

I would love to do something interesting on the above, but apart from the challenge, not being a daily drive, it would not really be worth it.

 

[Duetto]

The 90s dash was main reason that I never seriously considered a GS. After the satnav of my 4200 packed in (and I was quoted € 3.5k for a replacement), I found someone who hooked a Garmin to the existing screen. Now I have the best of both worlds: built-in satnav that is actually up to date - and with the added bonus of displaying my true speed

 

[mjheathcote]

The 90s dash was main reason that I never seriously considered a GS. After the satnav of my 4200 packed in (and I was quoted € 3.5k for a replacement), I found someone who hooked a Garmin to the existing screen. Now I have the best of both worlds: built-in satnav that is actually up to date - and with the added bonus of displaying my true speed

We need to know more!

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Why do we have to change all of the car?...Info centre is just fine for a 10+ year car. I collect cds, so i don't find it useful to have ipods, i pads, usb, bluetooth and all this hi tech accessories.
If you like it more modern, then maybe sell it and get a GT?..
.............................
Please get immediately to your garage, turn on the engine an go for a ride. Life is simple.