New owner, various questions!

[mjheathcote]

Hello, having picked up my 02 CC yesterday, I've a few questions!

Cambiocorsa gearbox:

It shifts well, no clunks or bangs, but a question on how you drive yours. In manual mode, how do you cope when you suddenly have to drop down several gears quickly if for example a car in front decides to slow down quickly? If I was driving a normal manual car, I would brake, shift into neutral, and then slip into a say second from being in say fourth or fifth, ie, skip a few gears. In the same situation yesterday I found myself flipping the down paddle, but it was not very elegant resulting in me going into first with the gear indicator flashing when in first, which I have read indicates it has not selected the gear correctly. In such a situation should I just brake, and let the gearbox ECU drop down the gears for me? How do you drive? It's also a shame one can't engage first while moving slowly in neutral, for example I engaged neutral before coming to a stop at some traffic lights..which then turned green but I had to brake to select first to continue. Frustrating!

Heating/air con:

Turned on the heater and I got a slight sweet smell of anti-freeze for a moment. This indicates a leaking matrix or hose joints. This is really frustrating after paying £360 for a Greypaul main dealer PPI. I do have 3 months warrantee from the garage I bought the car from, but how can I investigate further and prove, it was only for a moment, but I do realise this is a warning sign of future problems.
The air con is working, but it does appear to make a sort of gentle gurgling noise when on, which you can hear when the fan speed is at it's lowest. Is this normal?

Sunvisor vanity mirror light:

One side Is not illuminating, how do you get to the bulb?

Engine cam cover paint:

A few areas have lifted, has anyone successfully touched up the red paint?

Info centre:

It was awful wet weather when I picked her up, so I drove the 100 miles home up the M1 like miss daisy, this did according to the trip computer return 8.5 Km/l (24 mpg) with it defaulted to Italian. I've now changed the language to English and mpg, however I suspect reading the manual this maybe based on American gallons, not imperial gallons, is this the case?

Thanks,
Mike

 

[simonc]

Its alright, I won't tell SELOC you are here if you don't tell

Sorry can't answer any of your questions, but I may or may not be looking at buying a Gransport....shhhhshhhhhh


Simon

 

[mjheathcote]

Its alright, I won't tell SELOC you are here if you don't tell

Sorry can't answer any of your questions, but I may or may not be looking at buying a Gransport....shhhhshhhhhh


Simon

The world can be so small, your secret is safe with me!

...wait a minute, member since January, you been considering a Gransport for a while then?

 

[Grinzzz]

Welcome to MASLOC! It's like a seloc refugee camp here.

Not had mine too long and admit Im occasionally left sitting at junctions in neutral. With mine a very gentle touch of the brake allows me to flip back into 1st - enough to turn the brake light on but with no real braking effect.
Personally I do most driving just as per the lotus; as the speed drops I drop down a gear or two at a time. If I was emergency braking I'd worry about the brakes and let the computer sort out the gears - it goes into neutral really nice, just as mr walsh would want from a manual clutch.

Only real problem is the low speed behaviour but I'm getting used to it.

 

[mjheathcote]

I'm been stalked!!
Not sure about doing a walshy day in the Maserati after doing one in my old Elise, will have to get used to it first that's for sure. I've also half a dozen free track days with my insurance too...!

 

[Grinzzz]

Walshy day is definitely on the cards for me! I'd rather learn its handling on the limit there before I track it. Might see if a any others from here are interested in it - make it a bit of a day out preferably without any pesky elises to embarrass me

 

[mjheathcote]

It felt okay loosing the Elise after the high speed bend and doing a spin... Not too sure in the Maserati just seems too tall and big in comparison, although when I did the Walshy day one of my mates was in a new V8 M3, so similar size to the Maserati.

 

[Grinzzz]

I think it will be fine - it'll need a bit more pressure in the tyres to stop it leaning into the sidewalls at a guess.

 

[Andyk]

Hello, having picked up my 02 CC yesterday, I've a few questions!

Cambiocorsa gearbox:

It shifts well, no clunks or bangs, but a question on how you drive yours. In manual mode, how do you cope when you suddenly have to drop down several gears quickly if for example a car in front decides to slow down quickly? If I was driving a normal manual car, I would brake, shift into neutral, and then slip into a say second from being in say fourth or fifth, ie, skip a few gears. In the same situation yesterday I found myself flipping the down paddle, but it was not very elegant resulting in me going into first with the gear indicator flashing when in first, which I have read indicates it has not selected the gear correctly. In such a situation should I just brake, and let the gearbox ECU drop down the gears for me? How do you drive? It's also a shame one can't engage first while moving slowly in neutral, for example I engaged neutral before coming to a stop at some traffic lights..which then turned green but I had to brake to select first to continue. Frustrating!

Heating/air con:

Turned on the heater and I got a slight sweet smell of anti-freeze for a moment. This indicates a leaking matrix or hose joints. This is really frustrating after paying £360 for a Greypaul main dealer PPI. I do have 3 months warrantee from the garage I bought the car from, but how can I investigate further and prove, it was only for a moment, but I do realise this is a warning sign of future problems.
The air con is working, but it does appear to make a sort of gentle gurgling noise when on, which you can hear when the fan speed is at it's lowest. Is this normal?

Sunvisor vanity mirror light:

One side Is not illuminating, how do you get to the bulb?

Engine cam cover paint:

A few areas have lifted, has anyone successfully touched up the red paint?

Info centre:

It was awful wet weather when I picked her up, so I drove the 100 miles home up the M1 like miss daisy, this did according to the trip computer return 8.5 Km/l (24 mpg) with it defaulted to Italian. I've now changed the language to English and mpg, however I suspect reading the manual this maybe based on American gallons, not imperial gallons, is this the case?

Thanks,
Mike

Welcome to the forum...ANother Selocer....There are a few of us on here......Enjoy your Maserati..

 

[lozcb]

Hi there and welcome , re the gear shifts, once you are in neutral but still moving (albeit slowly due to breaking ) if you flick the right paddle it should automatically select the right gear for the speed of the car (not rev related ) with the 02/03 cars the earlier software is more aggresssive ( thats a positive believe me once you get used to it ) its takes a little while to master but it will come , you obviously have a fee lfor driving, worst of the early software makes it appear awkward when in stop start traffic , gearbox reverts back to 1st to early after you have changed into 2nd when pulling away briefly then slowing down , where as in the later 04 coupes/Gransports onwards they are more atune to driving slowly in 2nd when creeping ,in stop start traffic with my 03 coupe i tend to wait and leave a reasonable gap in front before pulling away assess the length and change accordingly or just hold it in first if really slow

Crinkle paint for the rockers is available , just make sure the surface is completely grease free before applying

Really owning a Maserati, MPG should be the least of your problems, most cars return around 22 on a decent run , and around 14 -17 around town , oh and around 8-10 on the track but well worth it , cornering and breaking is there archilies heel but enjoy


regards loz

 

[mjheathcote]

Hi there and welcome , re the gear shifts, once you are in neutral but still moving (albeit slowly due to breaking ) if you flick the right paddle it should automatically select the right gear for the speed of the car (not rev related ) with the 02/03 cars the earlier software is more aggresssive ( thats a positive believe me once you get used to it ) its takes a little while to master but it will come , you obviously have a fee lfor driving, worst of the early software makes it appear awkward when in stop start traffic , gearbox reverts back to 1st to early after you have changed into 2nd when pulling away briefly then slowing down , where as in the later 04 coupes/Gransports onwards they are more atune to driving slowly in 2nd when creeping ,in stop start traffic with my 03 coupe i tend to wait and leave a reasonable gap in front before pulling away assess the length and change accordingly or just hold it in first if really slow

Crinkle paint for the rockers is available , just make sure the surface is completely grease free before applying

Really owning a Maserati, MPG should be the least of your problems, most cars return around 22 on a decent run , and around 14 -17 around town , oh and around 8-10 on the track but well worth it , cornering and breaking is there archilies heel but enjoy


regards loz

I suspect it's the original software for the gearbox, the cars only done 11.5k miles in 9 years. Speaking to my local Indy, Millbrooke, they can update the software. As I understand this is a one trip pony, is it beneficial to upgrade, or stick to the original?

Thanks
Mike

 

[dickygrace]

Mike, welcome to the forum. I'm from just up the road in Upper Cumberworth originally however living in Chester nowadays. As far as I know on the software upgrade, it is worth doing but pre '04 cars can't be fully updated. They can have a certain level of software upgrade but can't be brought up to speed with the 05 revisions as the system won't allow it. I would definitely recommend having it updated as far as you can though. Being in Holmfirth, I'd suggest the short trip to Autoshield Maserati in Manchester as they are more efficient than most, although I know nothing about Millbrooke as I've never dealt with them in the past. There is a Ferrari Maserati specialist in Holmfirth called Italia Autosport. I bought a GS from a place near Harrogate a few years ago and Italia Autosport did a full service on the car. However a few weeks later, when a headlight bulb went, we found out that they'd not bothered changing the air filter as it's a bit of an awkward job! Best of luck with the car and enjoy every minute.

 

[lozcb]

Mike, welcome to the forum. I'm from just up the road in Upper Cumberworth originally however living in Chester nowadays. As far as I know on the software upgrade, it is worth doing but pre '04 cars can't be fully updated. They can have a certain level of software upgrade but can't be brought up to speed with the 05 revisions as the system won't allow it. I would definitely recommend having it updated as far as you can though. Being in Holmfirth, I'd suggest the short trip to Autoshield Maserati in Manchester as they are more efficient than most, although I know nothing about Millbrooke as I've never dealt with them in the past. There is a Ferrari Maserati specialist in Holmfirth called Italia Autosport. I bought a GS from a place near Harrogate a few years ago and Italia Autosport did a full service on the car. However a few weeks later, when a headlight bulb went, we found out that they'd not bothered changing the air filter as it's a bit of an awkward job! Best of luck with the car and enjoy every minute.

Have to agree with Dicky , definately worth getting the software updated , but NOTE you will lose the hill start facility, but in my view still worth getting done , Marios at Autoshield is a great guy and very very Maserati orientated , but Andy at Millbrooke also knows his stuff he's ex Graypaul ( and very well priced) and has good knowledge re lowering if you ever feel the need,


regards loz

 

[mjheathcote]

Thanks for the reply. To be honest, I'm in the middle between Millbrooke and Autoshield, both are 45 minutes away. I've called into Autosport, being 5 minutes away, before buying my car, I get the impression that Autosport are into the top end Ferrari, but they can do Maserati though. Like wise before buying i have called into Millbrooke to check them out, they appear very helpfull. I have not spoken to Autoshield at all.
Cheers
Mike

 

[Parisien]

Useful to have that chat Mike...get a feel for either place ask questions.....frequently and usually for these type of cars, you need the regularity and experience of working on them......so knowing what to look for, how to interpret the list of codes, whats the usual problem/solution which crops up with codes and getting it done properly.

Let us know how you get on

P

 

[Emtee]

Hi Mike and welcome. Hope you're getting to grips with your new Trident?

Some hopefully helpful comment below..

Hello, having picked up my 02 CC yesterday, I've a few questions!

Cambiocorsa gearbox:

It shifts well, no clunks or bangs, but a question on how you drive yours. In manual mode, how do you cope when you suddenly have to drop down several gears quickly if for example a car in front decides to slow down quickly? If I was driving a normal manual car, I would brake, shift into neutral, and then slip into a say second from being in say fourth or fifth, ie, skip a few gears. In the same situation yesterday I found myself flipping the down paddle, but it was not very elegant resulting in me going into first with the gear indicator flashing when in first, which I have read indicates it has not selected the gear correctly. In such a situation should I just brake, and let the gearbox ECU drop down the gears for me? How do you drive? It's also a shame one can't engage first while moving slowly in neutral, for example I engaged neutral before coming to a stop at some traffic lights..which then turned green but I had to brake to select first to continue. Frustrating!

I would brake but at the same time shift down quickly on the paddles. You'll get used to the speed of the change and most situations can be dealt with from second. You could also let the box do this for you, but it's slooooowwwww....

Heating/air con:

Turned on the heater and I got a slight sweet smell of anti-freeze for a moment. This indicates a leaking matrix or hose joints. This is really frustrating after paying £360 for a Greypaul main dealer PPI. I do have 3 months warrantee from the garage I bought the car from, but how can I investigate further and prove, it was only for a moment, but I do realise this is a warning sign of future problems.
The air con is working, but it does appear to make a sort of gentle gurgling noise when on, which you can hear when the fan speed is at it's lowest. Is this normal?

Get it checked whilst you're covered, as this can be an expensive fix.

Sunvisor vanity mirror light:

One side Is not illuminating, how do you get to the bulb?

Pop it out and take a look. It's probably a standard bulb. If not try Eurospares. Give them a call if it's not shown on their diagrams.

Engine cam cover paint:

A few areas have lifted, has anyone successfully touched up the red paint?

As per Loz's comment.

Info centre:

It was awful wet weather when I picked her up, so I drove the 100 miles home up the M1 like miss daisy, this did according to the trip computer return 8.5 Km/l (24 mpg) with it defaulted to Italian. I've now changed the language to English and mpg, however I suspect reading the manual this maybe based on American gallons, not imperial gallons, is this the case?

There's a thread on the forum covering this. just do a search.

Thanks,
Mike

Happy motoring....

 

[simonc]

Well fellow Ex-Selocers, the yellow peril is on PH and Seloc

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3328225.htm

As soon as its gone I'll be looking at a maserati, I'm already in touch with Nareman at Nuvola

Simon

 

[mjheathcote]

Thanks for the replies, a second drive today and a few more questions...

After reversing off the drive today, with the side mirrors dipping etc, once back in forward motion, the mirrors did not reset themselves, and the drivers seat would not move forward or adjust, only the heat heating and lumber support working, and the mirrors would not adjust at all. Fuses all okay, and as a last go I isolated the battery, and then switched back on...all working again! phew...

After the drive, I had water dripping on my left foot. Peering into the footwell it was condensation dripping off the very cold aluminium a/c line..should this be covered in some sort of insulation?

Near the line above, I noticed a dangling electrical cable, a light blue and light green wire with a White plug, should this be plugged in somewhere, or simply not used and should be neatly tied back?

Finally on the battery, I have a separate feed off the positive and negative disappearing to the back of the car, and also a black wire that appears to have been cut, both ends just dangling...?

Enjoyed the drive though, they sure do shift don't they!

Thanks,
Mike

 

[Mr.Cambio]

Hi Mike and welcome! About the driver seat, i seems to be an adjustment so that it will work properly.
Regarding the shifting down, you can brake and shift at the same time.You have got to get used to:You see how much distance you have until complete or nearly complete stop, and you shift down periodically in this period of time. You may find what i say a bit funny,but watch the incar camera from an F1 car:You see the distance and you watch the driver shifting down. It has been a good leson to me.
Note that the car manual says that shifting up/down in a very fast way is not highly recommended, but in case of emergency, is the best way to stop, cause if you simply brake, you won;t have the support from the engine braking, resulting bigger brake distance.
Please note that to save your clutch, you should never start with 2nd, and when in 1st, your right foot should give the pedal a clear feel you want to start.This way, you let the clutch engage with the minimum wear.
Hope this helps,
Nikos

 

[BennyD]

Thanks for the replies, a second drive today and a few more questions...

After reversing off the drive today, with the side mirrors dipping etc, once back in forward motion, the mirrors did not reset themselves, and the drivers seat would not move forward or adjust, only the heat heating and lumber support working, and the mirrors would not adjust at all. Fuses all okay, and as a last go I isolated the battery, and then switched back on...all working again! phew...

After the drive, I had water dripping on my left foot. Peering into the footwell it was condensation dripping off the very cold aluminium a/c line..should this be covered in some sort of insulation?

Near the line above, I noticed a dangling electrical cable, a light blue and light green wire with a White plug, should this be plugged in somewhere, or simply not used and should be neatly tied back?

Finally on the battery, I have a separate feed off the positive and negative disappearing to the back of the car, and also a black wire that appears to have been cut, both ends just dangling...?

Enjoyed the drive though, they sure do shift don't they!

Thanks,
Mike

Don't worry about it Mike, it's what we call Italian character. Less enlightened marques may call it un-reliabililty, but you will get used to it. I did!!!