MY2016 diesel review

[keith]

I read that earlier in the week, and feel it really doesn't accord with my experience of the MY15 car. Would be very interesting to drive a MY16 car...

Having just taken delivery of a 16MY Ghibli diesel, I can confirm there is marked difference. In terms of refinement the car is a lot quieter, and it looks as though the side glass is double glazed.
The general build quality and finish is also improved to the standards of a premium German brand.
The most striking difference, and this is obviously not 16MY related, is the Skyhook suspension which gives a much better ride but with still very flat cornering.
Regards
Keith

 

[bigbob]

Ah, if you look closely at the UK price list under option packs, you will see that it is only the diesel which offer sports suspension in that pack. A shame, and the reason I ordered a diesel. Although I shall be fitting a Tunit pack which will give me 333bhp and 546 lbs ft. And a true 40 plus mpg. With all that torque, even a Ghibli S won't live me!

That's not what my price list says; ie the petrol cars include sports suspension in the sports pack but it could be wrong and my price list is a year out of date so it sounds like they decided to change it for the 2016MY.

 

[bigbob]

Having just taken delivery of a 16MY Ghibli diesel, I can confirm there is marked difference. In terms of refinement the car is a lot quieter, and it looks as though the side glass is double glazed.
The general build quality and finish is also improved to the standards of a premium German brand.
The most striking difference, and this is obviously not 16MY related, is the Skyhook suspension which gives a much better ride but with still very flat cornering.
Regards
Keith

With you on skyhook but there are three types of suspension option on the Ghibli to keep everyone happy.

Double glazing used to be a linked option with privacy glass so perhaps you have that?

 

[drewf]

I'll be driving one next week, this time with Skyhook rather than the fixed Sports suspension.

 

[Barryc]

The problem with Skyhook is the delay in reaction. Until Maserati start to use more current hardware this will always be the case. Ponderous is a good description when really trying hard, and certainly not the right choice for a track day! Lovely when floating about with wife! As I said earlier, tyre choice is critical, and the reason I like Sports Suspension is also because it transforms the steering. Much sharper. I was able to try all these different set ups one after the other over a two week period. It also has to be a diesel, because Sports Suspension is not available with petrol. Sorry Bigbob, but check your specs again.....!

 

[Barryc]

Really Barry, let's try that sometime. When you run out of revs, I'll just be hitting full power......

Not with all that torque from the Mercedes Benz diesel.......admitedly with Italian heads! If my wallet could stand , I'd have an S, in the mean time the diesel will have to do.

 

[bigbob]

The problem with Skyhook is the delay in reaction. Until Maserati start to use more current hardware this will always be the case. Ponderous is a good description when really trying hard, and certainly not the right choice for a track day! Lovely when floating about with wife! As I said earlier, tyre choice is critical, and the reason I like Sports Suspension is also because it transforms the steering. Much sharper. I was able to try all these different set ups one after the other over a two week period. It also has to be a diesel, because Sports Suspension is not available with petrol. Sorry Bigbob, but check your specs again.....!

You can get sports suspension on the petrol S. It's not just available on the diesel but quite why Maserati would shoot itself in the foot by offering sports suspension on the petrol S but not the standard petrol car is just silly.

The debate on standard, sport or skyhook suspension is just like that with auto verus CC/MC gearboxes in that lots of people on here have strong opinions and there is very little point in debating them as we all know we have bought what is right for us and, anyway, one answer is not universally right. The only point I take issue with is taking heavy cars on track. Drive them hard and tyres/brakes suffer. Far better to buy/rent a Caterham/Elise for this use. Much more fun and faster too.

 

[P R]

Is the sport suspension slightly lower springs and FSD dampers? If so you should be able to add this yourself (particularly the dampers)

 

[agouti12]

Keith

I ordered a Ghibli last week and have been advised of a late Dec or early Jan delivery. But being a dope I did not consider if my car would be an MY16 or MY15, looking at your dates do you think I will get an MY16?

Thanks

 

[bigbob]

Keith

I ordered a Ghibli last week and have been advised of a late Dec or early Jan delivery. But being a dope I did not consider if my car would be an MY16 or MY15, looking at your dates do you think I will get an MY16?

Thanks

16. MY production normally starts September but I think it started early this year to get the EU6 Diesel engines.

What did you order?

 

[agouti12]

Thanks, I should be well in then!

I ordered a diesel, blu emozione, nero/grigio with extended leather surfaces, 20" sports pack, heated seats, memory seats, elec wheel and red calipers.

No skyhook sadly! Looking forward to it though.

 

[keith]

The car will defiantly be a '16 model year. Production started in July, and therefore will benefit from the improvements. The engine will of course be Euro6 compliant, as are all new cars sold after September.
I am sure you will be more than pleased when it arrives, it really looks and feels like a premium product.

Regards
Keith