MC Suspension Kit cost - cast your votes!

[Palmball]

Right...need some serious opinion here please chaps.

There are two suspension systems in question here - 1) the MC Handling Pack which is a factory option on any GT-S and 2) the set-up from the MC Stradale.

I had a call from GP today to confirm all the part numbers they quoted are for the MC 'Handling Pack' yet they are in fact identical part numbers as those fitted to their MC Stradale demonstrator. With the sole exception of the dampers.

So, the difference between the two set-ups is entirely down to the dampers but I reckon its the dampers that are key to the way the Stradale drives so it's important I get this right. Just to confirm....all the other bits - anti-roll bars, bushes and springs - are all identical whichever set up I go for but they are keen to sell me the 'handling pack' option dampers as thats the one thats approved for my car.

They say that Maserati don't approve the fitment of the MC Stradale dampers despite the fact that if I fit them with all the other bits, it'll be identical to the MC Stradale - IMO, of course Maserati don't approve because they want me to actually buy the full car lol!

Personally, I can't see any reason not to fit the MC dampers given all the other components have been designed to work with them (to such good effect too) meaning the only difference between my car and an MC Stradale chassis wise would be the extra 100kg of weight...so, no different to having a large person in the passenger seat.

They will fit the MC Stradale dampers if I want and I can see no reason not to especially as I reckon the MC Stradale versions will have benefited from more intensive development than the dampers from the MC 'Handling Pack'. I 'm also keen to go for this option as I have driven and have been mightily impressed with the MC Stradale but I have had no experience of the 'Handling Pack' option.

Thoughts?

 

[BennyD]

If I was in your position Andrew, I would go for it. I don't know how much difference they will make but I guess any little helps a lot!

 

[Palmball]

Errm....Benny. Go for it? Which one?

 

[Emtee]

Hi Andrew,

If you go for the dampers without their approval, what does it do to your warranty?
How much more for the dampers?

I think the weight difference and balance need further investigation as following (what I accept might be a flawed) logic, they won't behave anything like the same on yours compared to the Stradale.

Just my thoughts.......

Cheers, Em.

 

[Palmball]

Thats the only thing making me waver Miles.

I've done a bit of research and the weight distribution is virtually identical between the two cars so it is really only that 100kg difference between the two (mostly, the rest of the money for an MC Stradale buys you an extra 10hp from less fiction losses in the engine and different cosmetics). Given the weight of the car, that 100kg is negligible and nothing more than having a passenger.

Warranty is not an issue as they've confirmed it's all still official parts and they are happy to sell them to me...it's just they'd rather sell me the MC Handling Pack!

They're confirming parts prices with me tomorrow - I reckon if they similar then I'll go for the Stradale set-up. If the dampers are significantly more, then it looks like I'll be going for the untried (to me) MC Handling Pack.

 

[BennyD]

Errm....Benny. Go for it? Which one?

Apologies, the MC kit. I appreciate the extra weight may make a difference to the ultimate set up but it's only the same as a fat friend in the pax seat!

 

[Palmball]

Confirmed today...the cost of the MC Stradale dampers is £50 more for all four of them (so barely a tenner more per corner!). This makes it a simple decision for me and I've ordered the MC Stradale parts. Hopefully they'll arrive for next week so it can all be fitted before I take it out to the 'ring!

 

[conaero]

Very nice, can you give us an idea of what the parts came to?

 

[Palmball]

Sure - £1,300 + vat.

They're charging a total of £2.5k fitted inc. vat.

 

[Simon]

I wonder how much they want for the MC Stradale carbon ceramic brakes?

 

[Palmball]

I wonder how much they want for the MC Stradale carbon ceramic brakes?

A fortune I'd imagine - when I had my Porsche I was always told that it was good that I DIDN'T have the ceramics as they weren't very durable and something like £9k to replace!

In all honesty, when I drove the Stradale the brakes didn't stand out to me - in fact, they have less feel at normal road speeds than the steels brakes. Therefore, for road driving I actually prefer my current brakes but I'll no doubt be wishing I had them fitted when I get it on track. Still, for the 99.5% of the time I'm using it on the queens highway, I reckon the standard brakes are sufficient.

The Stradale wheels however....now a set of those I do want (I haven't enquired as to cost yet). I wonder if theres any market for selling the 20" wheels that I have now which would go a long way to help fund the Stradale wheels?

 

[GransportFan1]

How the rear tyres holding on the GTS Andrew?? when you took me out i got the impression you like to drive enthusiastically

 

[Simon]

A fortune I'd imagine - when I had my Porsche I was always told that it was good that I DIDN'T have the ceramics as they weren't very durable and something like £9k to replace!

In all honesty, when I drove the Stradale the brakes didn't stand out to me - in fact, they have less feel at normal road speeds than the steels brakes. Therefore, for road driving I actually prefer my current brakes but I'll no doubt be wishing I had them fitted when I get it on track. Still, for the 99.5% of the time I'm using it on the queens highway, I reckon the standard brakes are sufficient.

The Stradale wheels however....now a set of those I do want (I haven't enquired as to cost yet). I wonder if theres any market for selling the 20" wheels that I have now which would go a long way to help fund the Stradale wheels?

I've heard that about the Porsche ones as well, install them in a box (for when you sell the car) and put Alcon's on for regular use.

 

[Palmball]

How the rear tyres holding on the GTS Andrew?? when you took me out i got the impression you like to drive enthusiastically

They're doing OK....nor brilliant but OK. I reckon they're good for 6-7k miles at most as the car does seem to be quite heavy on them (probably literally due to the weight of the thing!).

Anyway Adam, when I took you out we were just pootling around....I have no idea what goes you the impression I have a heavy foot

 

[GransportFan1]

when we came off some of the roundabouts the back end stepped out a couple of times

 

[bigbob]

The various regular 20" GT/GTS wheels retail for around £2500 incl VAT for four so I would guess somewhere under £1000 to sell a set used. Not sure on the cost of the MC S wheels.

As for rear tyres, I get around 6/7k out of those on my 4200GT so agree on wear. Fronts will do over double that though so it averages out ok.

 

[Palmball]

Thanks Bob - useful to know.

If I could get £1k for them and the new set were £2.5k then I'd probably go for it (once my funds have recovered....with the suspension and audio upgrades, I'm all spent out for a few months now!).

I'll find out the cost of the Stradale wheels and when I'm ready I might advertise mine (eBay?) with a reserve before removing them from the car - if they exceed the reserve then I'll buy the new wheels!

 

[bigbob]

I suspect that selling wheels for a relatively new Maserati is not that easy. You need to find someone with a 4.2 GT on standard 19" wheels and hope that they want to upgrade.

If you do, drop me a PM and I might buy their 19" wheels to put winter tyres on.