Funnily enough I saw that in the manual yesterday when I was looking for the “select neutral “ bit.fun fact: you can bump start a MC Shift car, ignition on, good push and a couple of right paddle clicks and off she goes. Ask me how I know, some other time.
The "stoplight GrandPrix", if that is what you want to conduct, then the automatic GT is overwhelmingly the choice for you (IMHO). I say this because the MC Shift car, well the dual-disk clutch is smallish in diameter, and aggressive starts take their toll on this very expensive to change clutch car. Generally, European exotics target suburban and higher speeds performance (I believe)... and used judiciously in this manner, well, reasonable clutch life can be extracted from the car.Thought a launch on the MC Autoshift was TC off sports mode on, and stamp on it from stationary (no holding the brake). I’ve done sports mode and stamp but never tried it with TC off. Seemed to go well enough so never bothered!
I say this because the MC Shift car, well the dual-disk clutch
It comprises two disks, I believe. If you view the thickness of the so-called "clutch cover" which has the diaphragm fingers, there is also a driven disk in there, with two clutch lining mounted disks either side of it. It's a really thick clutch cover. To maintain closeness to the ground mounting of the transaxle, with small diameter clutch disks, this is how they achieve enough sq inches of clutch lining. I could be wrong... but...I thought it was only a single disc?
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It comprises two disks, I believe. If you view the thickness of the so-called "clutch cover" which has the diaphragm fingers, there is also a driven disk in there, with two clutch lining mounted disks either side of it. It's a really thick clutch cover. To maintain closeness to the ground mounting of the transaxle, with small diameter clutch disks, this is how they achieve enough sq inches of clutch lining. I could be wrong... but...
Well, that's the gamut of parts in there (along with the position sensor); replacing that - all that - is exactly what I would do. Barring clutch abuse, considering that list of parts to be the expendable/wear parts, you can then get the mileages you mention, and can remain pretty confident that nothing internal to the bellhousing is faulting if a gearbox prb presents itself...In the workshop from what I have witnessed, I tell owners the following:
Clutches on GT MCS start to miss gears in the late 30k’s miles.
They limp on to the mid 40k’s
The highest mileage clutch we have replaced was 52k miles and that was slipping.
We don’t see tang failure.
Every clutch we do we replace the clutch pack, flywheel, bearing, bellhousing bearing, pilot bearing and clutch and flywheel bolts and washers at a cost of £3,200 plus vat of which the labour is £800
Any premature issues are usually the clutch position sensor.
I thought the MC Stradale 60ms gear change was the fastest out there ……. live and learn I guess.This I can never understand - I love the MC Box and Maserati that I will buy one day will be with the Graziano unit, but the relatively short clutch life is beyond my understanding. The BMW SMG II single plate clutch will easily see 90k + miles of mixed driving and is quicker, while the more comparable from torque/mass of car point of view SMG III as found in the V10 BMWs of the mid 2000s, which happens to be the fastest automated manual box, will easily see 50k between changes... The twin-plate manual clutch in the Porsche 928 will easily handle 500hp/ftlbs, it is controlled by one's left leg (imperfect) and would easily last 100k... Go figure...
SMG III as found in the V10 BMWs of the mid 2000s, which happens to be the fastest automated manual box
As I understand it, the fastest SMG shift is 65ms, with the Stradale at 60ms.
The robotised manual ‘box on my Vantage is also Graziano. The manual manual version is, er, identical. Just with a lever to wiggle instead of paddles.Well sort of....
The engine isn't (really, AFAIK) and the box is Graziano from memory. Which is a bit like saying that my Bentley (or Granturismo) had a Hyundai box
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Remember that a Maserati is a Ferrari for people who don’t have ‘size issues’.(yes, I wanted a Ferrari but couldn't afford it....)
I guess you're caught in the middle, Brian, so to speak. Which sounds painful!Remember that a Maserati is a Ferrari for people who don’t have ‘size issues’.
I think it comes down, strangely, to clutch disk dia versus square inches of clutch lining. Me thinks the Valeo disks in the Maser and the F-cars are small dia... even though I believe they are twin disks. Dia. (or lack thereof) may be the dominant factor.This I can never understand - I love the MC Box and Maserati that I will buy one day will be with the Graziano unit, but the relatively short clutch life is beyond my understanding. The BMW SMG II single plate clutch will easily see 90k + miles of mixed driving and is quicker, while the more comparable from torque/mass of car point of view SMG III as found in the V10 BMWs of the mid 2000s, which happens to be the fastest automated manual box, will easily see 50k between changes... The twin-plate manual clutch in the Porsche 928 will easily handle 500hp/ftlbs, it is controlled by one's left leg (imperfect) and would easily last 100k... Go figure...
I think it comes down, strangely, to clutch disk dia versus square inches of clutch lining. Me thinks the Valeo disks in the Maser and the F-cars are small dia... even though I believe they are twin disks. Dia. (or lack thereof) may be the dominant factor.