GT-S buying advice

[granturismo]

Right so I'm now more actively starting search for GT-S. Probably will need to trade in S4 rather than sell outright as I'm not getting that much serious interest and for potentially £500 more over trade in prices its not worth the hassle.

I've decided on GT-S and options, possibly can stretch to facelift version i.e. 2012 < but want to clarify couple of points.

1. Were side skirts and spoiler option on pre-facelift GT-S? Some have if, some don't?
2. I've decided I at the very least need memory seat (with easy access) and front parking sensor - is there any must have options I need to look for?
3. Is service schedule detailing individual service items available somewhere online so I could check i.e. 2010/35k miles car should have 3 services and what should have been included in each service?
4. what has actually changed in the facelift (other than exhaust from twin pipe to oval)? Is it worth looking for face-lift?

Edit: actually just checked Wikipedia and when I say facelift I meant 2012 car with oval exhausts and newer type seats (wide horizontal blocks rather than vertical stripes) but it seems that 2013 was a Granturismo Sport which is different front altogether. So now I'm even more puzzled why some 2011-12 cars have sideskirts and spoiler and oval exhaust and some don't.

Also I'm only looking at the automatic version, not MC-Shift ones

 

[Contigo]

Good choice and yes less hassle on trade in.

1) Only on GTS MC Shift, the Auto box GTS's unless specced don't have the sporty side skirts and also have the Quad pipes as standard.
2) Parking sensors front and back as they are big cars. An H or X pipe is a must have.
3) 12.5k miles as a rule or 2 years whichever comes first. http://www.maseratiraleigh.com/service_GT.html
4) Front end changes too, the mesh grille and also DRL's IIRC.

Dicky will be along soon or Bigbob to elaborate.

 

[bigbob]

I understand why you are confused as many items were options.

For 2009, 10 & 11MY build the GTS auto had small side skirts and quad pipes but you could upgrade to GTS MC side skirts and boot spoiler - the Red Esse pack. Later on (2011MY?) there was the sports pack which took the Red Esse and added oval pipes, more aggressive sports manual changes and exhaust valves open in sport at all revs rather than at 3000+ as on cars without the pack. For 2012MY the seats went from vertical stitching to horizonal as you say.

The GT Sport is 2013MY onwards and is the current production model - seats, steering wheel, skyhook settings all changed together with a new nose, DRLs as Phil says and new wheel choices.

All are fine so balance the budget with miles/colours etc.

 

[bigbob]

Heated/memory seats were an option but I've not seen a car without them.

I've also got front sensors - can be iffy - and TPMS. I did not get BOSE and the ICE in my Discovery is much better but I can't be bothered to deal with it and BOSE has never impressed me in Audis'.

It's possible a 2010 has only had two services. The schedule Phil has supplied is useful to cross check against invoices (mind it is 1 year oil changes in the US versus 2 years in Europe) and/or a call to the servicing dealer as the stamp tells you little.

In terms of costs look at brakes and tyres as you could blow £2.5-4k replacing these items. Oh and a/c compressors can fail - mine did - but a warranty will cover it.

 

[Felonious Crud]

Likewise on the a/c. Not a cheap fix. Also check cam cover and timing cover gaskets. Cheap parts, lots of labour.

Happy hunting!

 

[Contigo]

bigbob, please can you answer a question i have too?

When revving (in Neutral) a GTS MC Shift and GT Sport Auto I noticed that it imposed a rev limiter at around 5k rpm. Is this a protection system? Both cars were up to running temp but seemed to limit revs even in SPORT mode and manual.

 

[Guest 1678]

Also a small power hike in MY2012 from 434 to 444 bhp or 440 to 450 PS as our continental cousins would have it. I believe it shares the engine of the early Stradale 2 seaters.

 

[bigbob]

bigbob, please can you answer a question i have too?

When revving (in Neutral) a GTS MC Shift and GT Sport Auto I noticed that it imposed a rev limiter at around 5k rpm. Is this a protection system? Both cars were up to running temp but seemed to limit revs even in SPORT mode and manual.

Let me check Phil. Another thing with the regular 4.7 auto like I have is that after the valves have closed following the switch on cycle, you cannot get the valves to open in sport above 3000 revs but in neutral; ie it needs to be in moving.

 

[granturismo]

so its worth looking for 450PS models over 440PS ?

 

[Contigo]

Let me check Phil. Another thing with the regular 4.7 auto like I have is that after the valves have closed following the switch on cycle, you cannot get the valves to open in sport above 3000 revs but in neutral; ie it needs to be in moving.

Yes, I knew it closed them in auto SPORT mode too until a certain rev range, now you say that it makes sense about it needing motion probably something to do with Vacuum pressure controlling the valves.

It seemed really weird when I sat revving them and pretty restrictive for a hooligan like me

 

[bigbob]

Also a small power hike in MY2012 from 434 to 444 bhp or 440 to 450 PS as our continental cousins would have it. I believe it shares the engine of the early Stradale 2 sweaters.

Nearly, for some strange reason the 2012MY 10PS hike (440 to 450) was only on the MC shift. Then with the GT Sport for 2013MY onwards all 4.7 GranTurismos went to 460PS. Strangely though they still run a split output system on the GC. Therefore a GranTurismo with the single clutch gearbox can actually have one of three power output levels depending on when it was built....not that they are probably any different really!

 

[bigbob]

so its worth looking for 450PS models over 440PS ?

Auto never made as a 450PS.

 

[bigbob]

Yes, I knew it closed them in auto SPORT mode too until a certain rev range, now you say that it makes sense about it needing motion probably something to do with Vacuum pressure controlling the valves.

It seemed really weird when I sat revving them and pretty restrictive for a hooligan like me

I am going somewhere tomorrow that involves an underground car park. I intended to start up from cold with my foot to the floor...

 

[Jkulin]

bigbob, please can you answer a question i have too?

When revving (in Neutral) a GTS MC Shift and GT Sport Auto I noticed that it imposed a rev limiter at around 5k rpm. Is this a protection system? Both cars were up to running temp but seemed to limit revs even in SPORT mode and manual.

Phil, if it is any help then my QP is limited to 5K in Park, only discovered that last week at the ACE.

 

[Contigo]

You are shattering my dreams!!!!

 

[Contigo]

Phil, if it is any help then my QP is limited to 5K in Park, only discovered that last week at the ACE.

It's funny you say that, my QP (DS) was not limited to any revs and happily bounced off the limited in Neutral SPORT mode.

I can understand it on an auto (to a certain extent) but why limit it?

 

[dickygrace]

Just a note to let you know I've emailed you a reply to your enquiry about my 2012 car. It is a 2012MY, so has the uprated seats and small power hike but no exhaust change. If you want the noise of an MC from start up, I have an FD kit which I can have fitted for you at a small cost. This will give you MC noise from start up when in sport mode and not solely >3000RPM.

 

[granturismo]

Auto never made as a 450PS.

All the GT-S models 2011/12 on AutoTrader are listed as 450ps regardless whether its MCShift or Auto..... I take its a mistake then?

 

[bigbob]

All the GT-S models 2011/12 on AutoTrader are listed as 450ps regardless whether its MCShift or Auto..... I take its a mistake then?

Well I have the 2012MY dealer briefing pack and it makes it clear that the MC has the 450PS engine but the auto has the 440PS engine. A year later they both had 460PS FWIW.

 

[Bobby Dandruff]

Right so I'm now more actively starting search for GT-S. Probably will need to trade in S4 rather than sell outright as I'm not getting that much serious interest and for potentially £500 more over trade in prices its not worth the hassle.

I've decided on GT-S and options, possibly can stretch to facelift version i.e. 2012 < but want to clarify couple of points.

1. Were side skirts and spoiler option on pre-facelift GT-S? Some have if, some don't?
2. I've decided I at the very least need memory seat (with easy access) and front parking sensor - is there any must have options I need to look for?
3. Is service schedule detailing individual service items available somewhere online so I could check i.e. 2010/35k miles car should have 3 services and what should have been included in each service?
4. what has actually changed in the facelift (other than exhaust from twin pipe to oval)? Is it worth looking for face-lift?

Edit: actually just checked Wikipedia and when I say facelift I meant 2012 car with oval exhausts and newer type seats (wide horizontal blocks rather than vertical stripes) but it seems that 2013 was a Granturismo Sport which is different front altogether. So now I'm even more puzzled why some 2011-12 cars have sideskirts and spoiler and oval exhaust and some don't.

Also I'm only looking at the automatic version, not MC-Shift ones

From bigbob's post below: 'Later on (2011MY?) there was the Sports Pack which took the Red Esse and added oval pipes, more aggressive sports manual changes and exhaust valves open in sport at all revs rather than at 3000+ as on cars without the pack.'

This is what I have and for me at least it is the perfect combination of the all that is best with the GTS Auto plus the best bits from the MC Shift (i.e. the body kit, quick gear changes and NOISE!) but without the MC Shift gearbox, which didn't really suit me personally.