California 30 Advice

[Samuel-7x362]

Hi all,

Looking at purchasing a 2013 California. Just wondering if anyone can help with some advice and thoughts.

Firstly, its got 6 owners, is this a lot? Or do these type of cars move through owners fairly quickly?

Any major issues or reliabilty problems with these type of cars. I am in no means rich, so the thought of getting some big repair bills is quite scary.

And lastly for the minute. I have currently a small deposit down on a cali - BF13DXC - it feels as though it has rough idle and vibrates quite a bit, is this normal?

Thanks in advance

Sam

[johnnyreggae]

Samuel-7x362 said:

it feels as though it has rough idle and vibrates quite a bit, is this normal?

If you are not sure and not buying from an authorised dealer get it inspected

[d6dph]

The California suffers with a rough idle feel when the engine mounts fail, they are around 180+vat each plus fitting.
As a rule, cali's are pretty solid. Drive a few as the difference between a good one and a bad one is huge! There are quite a lot of ropey ones about.
Check the roof works smoothly, the seals need greasing to avoid the roof sticking closed and throwing a fit.

Don't expect a 458 style experience and you won't be disappointed. They are a good GT car.

[andrew]

buy an amg gt
hth

[HIS LM]

6 owners in 6 years is not an unusual pattern of ownership
As mentioned the roof mechanism can be problematic
Get a proper warranty and enjoy the peace and comfort this brings knowing if something major goes wrong it's covered
Enjoy the experience they are great cars - I just bought one for the summer

[DavidCBevan]

I’m on a California hunt too. I’ve seen one on Pistonheads for sale in Kent (Broadoak), sub £80k in special order Abu Dhabi blue. Full Lancaster Colchester strive history. Is anyone familiar with this car? I think it’s been up for sale for a while.

[smokeymo]

I have a 2013 Cali- 30 and the only issue I had was a couple of years ago when I bought it the gear sensors needed replacing which the dealer took care of.

Other than that it's been completely reliable and it's an incredibly smooth drive and ridiculously smooth gear change.

A joy to drive...

SmokeyMo

[jtremlett]

Samuel-7x362 said:

...I have currently a small deposit down on a cali - BF13DXC...

I don't know if it is of any use but here is a bit of history on this car for info:

Supplied new by Graypaul Birmingham and first registered on 14/03/2013.
For sale at Graypaul Birmingham April to July 2013 (3,500 miles, asking £169,850)
For sale at Graypaul Birmingham January to February 2015 (10,670 miles, asking £129,850 then £127,850)
For sale at Imperial Prestige February 2016 to July 2016 (16,000 miles, asking £124,994 then £119,994)
For sale at JustCompareCars September 2018 to March 2019 (20,000 miles, asking £102,500 then £93,000)
For sale at Imperial Prestige April 2019 to date (22,000 miles, asking £94,948 then £89,948)

I don't have the details of any previous owners of this car.

Edited by jtremlett on Monday 27th May 20:03

[Bo_apex]

andrew said:

buy an amg gt
hth

Cali is 2+2 and can take 3 sets of skis

[jtremlett]

DavidCBevan said:

I’m on a California hunt too. I’ve seen one on Pistonheads for sale in Kent (Broadoak), sub £80k in special order Abu Dhabi blue. Full Lancaster Colchester strive history. Is anyone familiar with this car? I think it’s been up for sale for a while.

For this car I have:

Supplied new by HR Owen London and first registered on 17/03/2010.
For sale at HR Owen June 2012 (7,800 miles, asking £122,950)
For sale at Graypaul Birmingham November to December 2013 (15,226 miles, asking £105,850 then £103,850)
For sale at Broadoak Performance March 2019 to date (21,000 miles, asking £79,995 then £78,950)

I think 4 owners in total. I reckon service history is with HR Owen then Maranello's rather than all Lancaster's but perhaps I've misunderstood what you meant.

[Armitage.Shanks]

What about the rosso/black Cali Broadoak have? Has a gloss black wrap on the roof/a-pillars and Kenwood sterao! At £73k looks to be good money?

[HIS LM]

jtremlett said:

DavidCBevan said:

I’m on a California hunt too. I’ve seen one on Pistonheads for sale in Kent (Broadoak), sub £80k in special order Abu Dhabi blue. Full Lancaster Colchester strive history. Is anyone familiar with this car? I think it’s been up for sale for a while.

For this car I have:

Supplied new by HR Owen London and first registered on 17/03/2010.
For sale at HR Owen June 2012 (7,800 miles, asking £122,950)
For sale at Graypaul Birmingham November to December 2013 (15,226 miles, asking £105,850 then £103,850)
For sale at Broadoak Performance March 2019 to date (21,000 miles, asking £79,995 then £78,950)

I think 4 owners in total. I reckon service history is with HR Owen then Maranello's rather than all Lancaster's but perhaps I've misunderstood what you meant.

Jonathan how rare is Abu Dhabi blue ?

[jtremlett]

HIS LM said:

Jonathan how rare is Abu Dhabi blue ?

A special order colour so pretty rare. I only know of one other UK California with it although I don't have the Factory Colour for all cars. I believe there are 60 blue Californias currently registered in the UK.

[Speculatore]

DavidCBevan said:

I’m on a California hunt too. I’ve seen one on Pistonheads for sale in Kent (Broadoak), sub £80k in special order Abu Dhabi blue. Full Lancaster Colchester strive history. Is anyone familiar with this car? I think it’s been up for sale for a while.

Also watching that one. Now under Offer though.

[Roof down]

I just love that (Under offer malarkey) I fell for that at Broadoak several years ago, tbf many dealers do it.
I reckon if you bid low and keep your nerves you’d get it .

[Speculatore]

Roof down said:

I just love that (Under offer malarkey) I fell for that at Broadoak several years ago, tbf many dealers do it.
I reckon if you bid low and keep your nerves you’d get it .

Just spoken to them. They have taken a deposit on the car....

[HIS LM]

jtremlett said:

special order colour so pretty rare. I only know of one other UK California with it although I don't have the Factory Colour for all cars. I believe there are 60 blue Californias currently registered in the UK.

Thanks JT - are the wheels from a later variant ?

[jtremlett]

HIS LM said:

Thanks JT - are the wheels from a later variant ?

Quite possibly. They're not the original wheels anyway.

[DavidCBevan]

Speculatore said:

Just spoken to them. They have taken a deposit on the car....

OK, thanks for the update. I'll keep watching in case it falls through...

[DavidCBevan]

jtremlett said:

or this car I have:

Supplied new by HR Owen London and first registered on 17/03/2010.
For sale at HR Owen June 2012 (7,800 miles, asking £122,950)
For sale at Graypaul Birmingham November to December 2013 (15,226 miles, asking £105,850 then £103,850)
For sale at Broadoak Performance March 2019 to date (21,000 miles, asking £79,995 then £78,950)

I think 4 owners in total. I reckon service history is with HR Owen then Maranello's rather than all Lancaster's but perhaps I've misunderstood what you meant.

Thanks for that - very comprehensive information and very useful. I won't chase it if it's sold, but great to see what a nice spec early car fetches realistically.