Just joined 4200 GT ownership

tidus72

Junior Member
Messages
49
Hi one and all,

A couple of weeks ago I was fortunate enough to purchase my first ever Maserati, I was originally looking for a Porsche 911, after seeing a few rather disappointing Porsches I ended up falling for this Italian beauty.

She is a 2003 4200 Coupe Manual in Grigio Alfieri Metallic with a Black leather interior.

She is not going to be stashed away in a garage but used as much as possible even at only 19 mpg !

I look forward to learning more about these great cars.
 

FIFTY

Member
Messages
3,100
Welcome to the forum

Good to see more enthusiasts buying up the manual 4200's there seems to have been a few join in the last few months
 

tidus72

Junior Member
Messages
49
"Welcome...!
That looks like the car from Titty Ho Garage ?
Good luck with it. :)"

Yep that`s the car, is that a bad thing ?
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
"Welcome...!
That looks like the car from Titty Ho Garage ?
Good luck with it. :)"

Yep that`s the car, is that a bad thing ?

I’m no expert but I thought it had glazing seal problems both front & rear. Keep an eye on the heater matrix too...;)
I thought it drove well tbh. There was evidence of it’s having been cared for over the years to boot...

Tim
 

tidus72

Junior Member
Messages
49
I just looked through all the paper work, it had a new heater Matrix in 2011 and a new radiator fitted in 2014, that was 3000 miles ago, what are the glazing seal problems ?

Thanks :)
 

tidus72

Junior Member
Messages
49
Thanks everyone, I did some nosing around under the bonnet the other day and noticed the throttle body hose was loose and the "one time only" clamp had been undone on the MAF sensor and been hooked back together very badly, both these clamps have now been replaced by stainless steel jubilee clips and should now be a bit more air tight !

I was unsure on the 1000 RPM idle speed when warm but apparently this is normal ;)

As for MPG it hit 19.7 the other day but its normally around 17.6 :) I don`t know how a accurate this is but who cares !
 

tidus72

Junior Member
Messages
49
I found this car is pretty good in town traffic, stop start stuff, but it is so much better on a clear open road, I do feel guilty when a big old 4.2 V8 is just stuck in a traffic jam raring to go !

Also a notchy second gear when cold makes you look a bit of an idiot whilst stuck in a traffic jam too :(

With reference to the clutches on these cars I understand nearly 400 bhp is a lot to cope with but surely clutch technology as moved on over the years to make them last a bit longer ?

Is the clutch in the manual 4200 derived from a Ferrari design ?
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
Also a notchy second gear when cold makes you look a bit of an idiot whilst stuck in a traffic jam too :(

They can be a little more reluctant into second when cold....
I drove your car and thought it was sticky. The one I bought was the same. The mech is offset, under the gearbox, and completely open to the elements on the rear axle. Making sure the mech is regularly serviced and lubricated will transform your car....!

;)
 

tidus72

Junior Member
Messages
49
Thanks for the advise, just been out for a blast in the pouring rain (avoiding big puddles) managed to get her down to 14.6 MPG ;)

Only problem when its raining it pours into the car if you have your window open just a bit as no rain gutters !

Just about to go online and get her booked in for a wheel refurb, rear wheels are pretty scuffed in places on the edges, also I have noticed there is a metal foot rest under the passenger carpet mat, is anything under this ?
It was raining a bit too heavy to investigate further.
 

TimR

Member
Messages
2,656
..... also I have noticed there is a metal foot rest under the passenger carpet mat, is anything under this ?
It was raining a bit too heavy to investigate further.

Its a somewhat badly thought out "door". It hinges from the floor and opens towards the dash- it cannot be opened without bending the plate to clear the dash...!! Once deformed, it doesnt really like closing again and pops the dzus type clip- patience is required ! :p

Under it, you will find fuses and relays..
I have a schematic of whats wot somewhere. I'll see if I can dig it out.....

edit- scroll down to Canaero's post for detailed annotation ....
http://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/please-help-lost-battery-charging.26907/
 
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