Quick on the draw, looks like I'm driving a MC20!

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
The Club events tend to be populated by the same core group of people every time, no matter how the spaces are allocated. But as much as anything, I suspect that's because these people have become a group of friends, so naturally stick together, and this limits the appeal to the more fringe members. Much like the SM events really. I've no problem with that.

BTW, a friend of mine in the Club won the use of a Levante Trofeo for a week. The conclusion, much as expected, was that it was very fast, but that he'd not change his Rangie for one.
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
True. Although I read some statistic (years ago) that 75% of people who buy a new 7-series BMW don't test drive at all.
That's because they don't sit in the front (or have to look at the front front either for that matter).
 

will-w

Member
Messages
208
Congrats! Let us know how you get on..

I think the application system is flawed, but I guess that's just me. I emailed within 5 minutes of the London email arriving the other month, didn't even get a acknowledgment!

To be honest I see very little benefit of keeping the membership up next year; the forum is dead and the events don't feel very relevant.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Congrats! Let us know how you get on..

I think the application system is flawed, but I guess that's just me. I emailed within 5 minutes of the London email arriving the other month, didn't even get a acknowledgment!

To be honest I see very little benefit of keeping the membership up next year; the forum is dead and the events don't feel very relevant.

It was just over 30 mins after the email arrived I saw and replied, membership obviously decreasing the further north up the country!
I only just joined a month ago, see how it goes, it was a stipulation of the specialist Maserati car insurance I renewed with.
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
I hardy ever go to Club events, just as I hardly ever get to SM meets, mainly due to my lack of time and my location. But I'm still happy to support both institutions and pay the modest annual Club membership fee. Partly for the Club magazine, partly for the insurance benefit, and partly to be generally in touch with all things/people Maserati UK.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,796
I hardy ever go to Club events, just as I hardly ever get to SM meets, mainly due to my lack of time and my location. But I'm still happy to support both institutions and pay the modest annual Club membership fee. Partly for the Club magazine, partly for the insurance benefit, and partly to be generally in touch with all things/people Maserati UK.

Insurance benefit?
 
Messages
493
bought my 3200 and 4200 without driving first. just new i wanted one. test drove a db9 and was a bit disappointed but bought one anyway cause the bits i don't like can be ironed out :D
 

redsonnylee

Member
Messages
1,540
I always go to the club Christmas lunches with my wife. It’s the only car event she will attend with me.

Also as usual I’ll be on the Maserati stand at the NEC Classic Car show on Saturday as a volunteer. Always happy to speak with public& have night out with my northern friends.
 

GTVGEOFF

Member
Messages
381
The Club events tend to be populated by the same core group of people every time, no matter how the spaces are allocated. But as much as anything, I suspect that's because these people have become a group of friends, so naturally stick together, and this limits the appeal to the more fringe members. Much like the SM events really. I've no problem with that.

BTW, a friend of mine in the Club won the use of a Levante Trofeo for a week. The conclusion, much as expected, was that it was very fast, but that he'd not change his Rangie for one.
My wife and I attended our first club event which was close to us at the Shuttleworth collection, we were warmly welcomed. We then put our names down and was lucky enough to get onto the Alsace trip this year. Yes felt a little out of place on arrival has it was obvious most people knew each other. But by the end of the trip we had made many new friends and had a wonderful time. I have to add it was extremely well organised. We have now put our names forward and got places on the Highlands tour next year.
You have to give a thought to the organiser's it's a big undertaking to do it and at least this way you visit the club site regularly, you also have to pay a large deposit early to show your commitment for these trips.
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
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Got there early so straight out in the MC20.
At 6'4" it was built for me, perfect driving position, so easy to drive and had a good long drive with a racing driver. Roads a bit damp for the power today but very impressive driving to the conditions, which the racing driver complemented me on.
The Lavante Trofeo, what a beast. With four wheel drive booting it off the line was a "Holly ****" moment...is this really possible for such a big heavy car?
I'm not that familiar around Manchester neither was the racing driver, so ended up nearly driving completely around the M60!
The guys at HR Owen where great. I went in my 4200 and they put it up on the 2 post for a check over. I asked if they could give me a diagnostic on the sd2 and look at my air bag light, all FOC. Clutch wear 106% (not unexpected original clutch at 18.5k, but not slipping). Air bag wouldn't reset, open circuit passenger air bag, so need to investigate that one. Everything else all good, cleaner underneath that most of the more modern stuff they see was the comment.
Unfortunately after the third test drive in the MC20 they had to pull it, it decided not to fire on all 6, good job I went early.
Funny thing is, driving home in my 4200 was more of an event... :)
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
Shame the MC20 died. Do you know what happened.
Running rough and smelt of petrol, engine light on dash.
Went into the workshop to pick up my 4200, and the mc20 was blocking mine in.
Techs were messing with it with the engine cover off.
Being helpful as ever, I suggested have you tried turning the battery on and off, that usually works for me....they laughed!
They started it to move it forward so they could get my car out, sounded awful defo not on all 6.
More embarrassing when they started mine up with the usual v8 larini blip!
Apparently they had 15 guests booked today, obviously potential customers less the 3 freeloaders from the MOC!
Rather embarrassing for them really.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
When I sat in one the driving position was almost perfect (I’m 6ft 3”).

What was the sound like on the move?
 

mjheathcote

Centenary Club
Messages
9,033
When I sat in one the driving position was almost perfect (I’m 6ft 3”).

What was the sound like on the move?
Sounded nice, not V8 nice, but the V6 made a pleasant 'turbo' waffley noise!
It's certainly a supercar that could be driven daily, if you wanted too, felt at home instantly driving it on the paddles just like my 4200. Twin clutch 7 speed. Suspension wasn't crashy either, more comfortable than even my BMW M140i, which isn't hard to do to be honest.
The Trofeo Lavante/Ghibli have the zf 8 speed auto. Drove the Lavante on the paddles but felt awkward in comparison, simply too many gears!
Like I said, driving my 4200 home was really more of an event, noise, and I love the more mechanical cambriocorsa gearbox, even with its slower shift.