Advice on 4200 Coupe
Discussion
The Cambiocorsa takes a good couple of weeks to get used to.......I am totally hooked......the effortless gearchanges are much better than all the critics say once you get the hang of getting the best out of the system.
I hear the manual 4200's are a bit of a handful.
I nearly bought a '02 3200 auto as I was fed up with using a clutch....really glad I paid a bit extra for a CC ; it really is the best of both worlds; ease of an auto with the gear control of a manual.
I love it. You would not be disapointed!
I hear the manual 4200's are a bit of a handful.
I nearly bought a '02 3200 auto as I was fed up with using a clutch....really glad I paid a bit extra for a CC ; it really is the best of both worlds; ease of an auto with the gear control of a manual.
I love it. You would not be disapointed!
Manual,
Just got my 3200gt back after a service. They gave me a 4200GT CC for a loaner. Had it for about 4 days. Refused to drive it after 3 (not like me!).
Nice motor, i will be getting one in a years time. I have to say that the CC was a blob. Auto button is just abismal. The CC is a pain when you reversing into a garage. The down change even in sport is bumpy. The upchange is smooth when timed. A lot smoother with a manual. I don't like having to rev the engine to engage the clutch. Hill starts are a bit difficult (thats yorkshire hills).
Handling is a lot better, never took it out of sport even when it was raining. You can feel the difference when you press the button. Seating position was better.
Hope this helps
Just got my 3200gt back after a service. They gave me a 4200GT CC for a loaner. Had it for about 4 days. Refused to drive it after 3 (not like me!).
Nice motor, i will be getting one in a years time. I have to say that the CC was a blob. Auto button is just abismal. The CC is a pain when you reversing into a garage. The down change even in sport is bumpy. The upchange is smooth when timed. A lot smoother with a manual. I don't like having to rev the engine to engage the clutch. Hill starts are a bit difficult (thats yorkshire hills).
Handling is a lot better, never took it out of sport even when it was raining. You can feel the difference when you press the button. Seating position was better.
Hope this helps
It is VERY important to check the model year of the 4200 you are considering.
Put simply, do not buy a 2002 version.
From 2003 onward ( they have the little V8 badge on the wing - unless someone cheats and adds one to a 2002 model ! ) , Maserati made many changes to the 4200.
From 2003 model year on the traction control was changed to a very different set up, and the CC gearbox was considerably improved too.
From 2004 it got better still.
But the 2002 models do have pretty clunky and unsubtle CC transmissions. So best avoided. Sadly, however, most road tests are for when the 4200 came out and few have bothered retesting later versions of the car.
The Gransport road tests have commented on how the CC is improved over the original ,benchmarked against the 2002 versions.
A 2004 model I drove had a CC which, frankly, seemed pretty faultless to me.
Put simply, do not buy a 2002 version.
From 2003 onward ( they have the little V8 badge on the wing - unless someone cheats and adds one to a 2002 model ! ) , Maserati made many changes to the 4200.
From 2003 model year on the traction control was changed to a very different set up, and the CC gearbox was considerably improved too.
From 2004 it got better still.
But the 2002 models do have pretty clunky and unsubtle CC transmissions. So best avoided. Sadly, however, most road tests are for when the 4200 came out and few have bothered retesting later versions of the car.
The Gransport road tests have commented on how the CC is improved over the original ,benchmarked against the 2002 versions.
A 2004 model I drove had a CC which, frankly, seemed pretty faultless to me.
I wonder if you'll find a dealer willing to loan you a CC for a couple of weeks to get used to the gearbox 
Over on the Aston Martin owners club website you'll find many Vanquish owners defending the gearbox in their cars. Seems you need to adjust your driving style (which can take a few weeks) but it's worth it once you're used to it.
Over on the Aston Martin owners club website you'll find many Vanquish owners defending the gearbox in their cars. Seems you need to adjust your driving style (which can take a few weeks) but it's worth it once you're used to it.
chris_crossley said:
I have to say that the CC was a blob. Auto button is just abismal. The CC is a pain when you reversing into a garage. The down change even in sport is bumpy. The upchange is smooth when timed. A lot smoother with a manual. I don't like having to rev the engine to engage the clutch. Hill starts are a bit difficult (thats yorkshire hills).
Don't totally agree with all of this. I have a 04 4200 CC. Auto is pretty bad, but is IMHO really designed for people who are using the car on a temporary basis and have never used the Cambiocorsa before, anyone who uses Auto regularly is missing the point. Downshifts on the whole are pretty good, rev matching perfectly 99% of the time - you cannot achieve this consistency with a manual although I am sure with heel/toe it is possible but requires great skill. Upshifts are great from 2nd upwards, and clunky from 1st to 2nd. I suppose in all honsety you can achieve a smoother change with a manual but you miss out on the super fast changes, the ability to drop gear perfectly and then accelerate past traffic. Reversing - you get used to this fairly quickly, it is not that bad but takes a little time to become confident. Hill starts - now have a hill holder function, but use the handbrake.
I think it takes more than three days to become used to the Cambiocorsa system you really need a few weeks to become confident - as far as I am aware most people that have Cambiocorsa would not change back to a manual. It is also interesting to note that the motoring press who previosly praised the Audi/VW DSG system are starting to rumble on about the way it is too perfect (see a recent EVO review)
>> Edited by propaganda on Sunday 20th March 21:42
The car i drove was a new one, V8 badge and stainless front grill. Looked nice. Just hated the CC. I only found it usable in Sport and the downchange sucked. In comparrison i had a MINI ONE cvt loaner. No where near the same car but it had a very good semi-auto/auto. Changes where smooth/quick up and down. Now if they could get that in a masser 
. No doubt the new 5000GT will have flicky paddles and be improved again. For the moment i'll still with manual.
. No doubt the new 5000GT will have flicky paddles and be improved again. For the moment i'll still with manual. toppstuff said:
It is VERY important to check the model year of the 4200 you are considering.
Put simply, do not buy a 2002 version.
From 2003 onward ( they have the little V8 badge on the wing - unless someone cheats and adds one to a 2002 model ! ) , Maserati made many changes to the 4200.
From 2003 model year on the traction control was changed to a very different set up, and the CC gearbox was considerably improved too.
From 2004 it got better still.
But the 2002 models do have pretty clunky and unsubtle CC transmissions. So best avoided. Sadly, however, most road tests are for when the 4200 came out and few have bothered retesting later versions of the car.
The Gransport road tests have commented on how the CC is improved over the original ,benchmarked against the 2002 versions.
A 2004 model I drove had a CC which, frankly, seemed pretty faultless to me.
I have read a similar comment to this before(RE:4200 02model) may have been yourself toppstuff...not sure though.
Didn't think that what is stated above was the case having done the neccesary research before buying mine but decided to look into it again and confirmed the following.
There were NO mechanical changes to gearbox,suspension(skyhook)or anything else for that matter, betwixt a 02 car and as example a 04 car the only changes have been to the control software of these components therefore provided the car has been properly updated via maserati's 'campaigns' there is no reason,other than the obvious, to favour say a 03etc. car over a 02 car.
Admittedly my annoyance at reading a comment like "Put simply, do not buy a 2002 version."
is clearly down to the fact that i own a 02 car, but it remains misleading and incorrect to write such a thing, without pointing out that properly maintained 02cars(the vast majority i assume, given their still under warranty)have had the very same changes carried out retrospectively, making them no less a option for the potential buyer than a later car.....unless of course the V8 badge is a must have!
P.S. Sorry..rant over and back to original thread....my car is a CC and having gotten use to the system i am a fan(always leave in sport mode), however the auto is crap and was used only on the first day i bought the car and never since.
>> Edited by singh on Sunday 20th March 12:42
I also agree with Singh, I drove an '03 model against an '02 model and the '02 felt better sorted. Much depends upon the campaigns being up to date and being aware that the clutch is very expensive (£2K) to replace (due to labour involved?)
Don't believe diagnostic print-outs saying "5% Clutch Wear" because the figure can be altered by adjusting the clutch travel! You need to ascertain actual mileage on the clutch and allow for replacement every 20K miles (cambiocorsa). Factor this into the purchase.
Don't believe diagnostic print-outs saying "5% Clutch Wear" because the figure can be altered by adjusting the clutch travel! You need to ascertain actual mileage on the clutch and allow for replacement every 20K miles (cambiocorsa). Factor this into the purchase.
singh said:
toppstuff said:
It is VERY important to check the model year of the 4200 you are considering.
Put simply, do not buy a 2002 version.
From 2003 onward ( they have the little V8 badge on the wing - unless someone cheats and adds one to a 2002 model ! ) , Maserati made many changes to the 4200.
From 2003 model year on the traction control was changed to a very different set up, and the CC gearbox was considerably improved too.
From 2004 it got better still.
But the 2002 models do have pretty clunky and unsubtle CC transmissions. So best avoided. Sadly, however, most road tests are for when the 4200 came out and few have bothered retesting later versions of the car.
The Gransport road tests have commented on how the CC is improved over the original ,benchmarked against the 2002 versions.
A 2004 model I drove had a CC which, frankly, seemed pretty faultless to me.
I have read a similar comment to this before(RE:4200 02model) may have been yourself toppstuff...not sure though.
Didn't think that what is stated above was the case having done the neccesary research before buying mine but decided to look into it again and confirmed the following.
There were NO mechanical changes to gearbox,suspension(skyhook)or anything else for that matter, betwixt a 02 car and as example a 04 car the only changes have been to the control software of these components therefore provided the car has been properly updated via maserati's 'campaigns' there is no reason,other than the obvious, to favour say a 03etc. car over a 02 car.
Admittedly my annoyance at reading a comment like "Put simply, do not buy a 2002 version."
is clearly down to the fact that i own a 02 car, but it remains misleading and incorrect to write such a thing, without pointing out that properly maintained 02cars(the vast majority i assume, given their still under warranty)have had the very same changes carried out retrospectively, making them no less a option for the potential buyer than a later car.....unless of course the V8 badge is a must have!
P.S. Sorry..rant over and back to original thread....my car is a CC and having gotten use to the system i am a fan(always leave in sport mode), however the auto is crap and was used only on the first day i bought the car and never since.
>> Edited by singh on Sunday 20th March 12:42
A fair point , chap.
My comments came from the fact that I was speaking to a Maserati dealer salesman
, who I have known for years, about the 4200. I know that there is no mechanical difference in the CC for a 2002, but confess to being unsure about the degree to which improvement packages are the same for a 2002 or a 2003 car. One thing I do know is that the TC systems on a '03 car onwards are different and improved.
Fair point though, and well made. No intention to offend.
>> Edited by toppstuff on Sunday 20th March 18:11
well the answer depends if you will have a vehicle under warranty and seel it before it expires.
The cc system is very good fun; what all these systems lack though is consistency. In heavy traffic when the flywheel heats up they jump around a bit and up changes in certain circumstances could be better.
Auto mode is a waste of time but no one in their right mind would use that! problem is when it goes wrong!!
Stuck in gear and it wont start. If the actuator goes thats about £2K plus fitting and if its the pump its about 5K on a 355 its 2.5 K for the actuiator and £7K for the pump!! bear in mind its just a 12v electric pump running on a pressure switch all the time to give oil hyd pressure. - All destined to pack up in time im afraid!!
The cc system is very good fun; what all these systems lack though is consistency. In heavy traffic when the flywheel heats up they jump around a bit and up changes in certain circumstances could be better.
Auto mode is a waste of time but no one in their right mind would use that! problem is when it goes wrong!!
Stuck in gear and it wont start. If the actuator goes thats about £2K plus fitting and if its the pump its about 5K on a 355 its 2.5 K for the actuiator and £7K for the pump!! bear in mind its just a 12v electric pump running on a pressure switch all the time to give oil hyd pressure. - All destined to pack up in time im afraid!!
Can only speak about a 3200gt manual.
Gear box is a bit clunky when cold. Once you get
used to the throw, the gear changes can be really smooth by not having your cluch down for too long.
Same as the TVR really, quick with the gears so the engine has less time to run down.
Not being funny but my wife felt sick in the CC. It was the lunge when it dropped the gears in. You really have to have it in sport. That made her feel a lot less sick. Never had a problem in the 3200gt.
I will be upgrading to a later 4200 manual or a new 5000gt. Dependant on depth of pockets
Gear box is a bit clunky when cold. Once you get
used to the throw, the gear changes can be really smooth by not having your cluch down for too long.
Same as the TVR really, quick with the gears so the engine has less time to run down.
Not being funny but my wife felt sick in the CC. It was the lunge when it dropped the gears in. You really have to have it in sport. That made her feel a lot less sick. Never had a problem in the 3200gt.
I will be upgrading to a later 4200 manual or a new 5000gt. Dependant on depth of pockets
mph said:
Thanks for all the helpful info. It seems that there are more CC'c out there than manuals.To finish off - are there any drawbacks with the manual box as I feel I will probably play safe and go for that ?
Have you test driven a manual? I did and wasn't too impressed, thought that the changes were very clunky particularly from cold and it was enough to put me off the 4200 completely and go the cheaper earlier car (manual - also a bit clunky when cold but not as bad) . May have been a "bad apple" car, however, one well respected main dealer (who had stock of all cars to sell so no vested interest) thought that the relocation of the gearbox in the 4200 had led to problems with the manual.
>> Edited by sco on Monday 21st March 12:08
It doesnt take too long to get the hang of a cc. i test drove one a year ago and found it ok after a few minutes (sure it was confusing but its also a bit of a challenge which is nice). Then i bought a 355 f1 and that takes more time to get used to (it doesnt rev on down changes for example). Auto mode is best avoided completely on the 355 as it wears the clutch. Probably true on 4200 too. As an ex owner of a 3200 gt auto, i would say that maserati should offer 3 gear box options including a simple full auto. Tho it could be that the 4200 engine wouldnt work well with an auto box - its a free/high revving motor that, none of the low down torque and turbo blast that made the 3200 auto a great match.
General tips from the 355 which probably apply to the CC -
*never use auto mode
*lift off slightly on up changes
*in traffic, leave a gap in front of you so the gearbox engages properly. It doesnt like crawling.
*reverse wears the clutch as it slips constantly
*be aware that it will change down at below certain speeds. Anticipate this as you arrive at junctions and change down yourself otherwise it can change down at just the wrong moment i.e when you press the throttle again.
Cant think of much else, these boxes are not perfect by any means but they are great fun in the right environment. Think about how you use a clutch on a car, you adjust depending on the circumstances - normal upchange, traffic, hill start etc. The CC doesnt know what yuo are doing apart from throttle in put so its never going to be as clever as a human. Clutch wear is of course a big issue with these boxes, just budget for a new one every 10k miles or so. At the end of the day you are buying a maserati or a ferrari and you cant expect things to be as efficient as say a M3 or a Merc sl.
Maerati used to do 24 hour test drives. If they still do that would be a great way of seeing if you can live with it.
regards to all
Andy
General tips from the 355 which probably apply to the CC -
*never use auto mode
*lift off slightly on up changes
*in traffic, leave a gap in front of you so the gearbox engages properly. It doesnt like crawling.
*reverse wears the clutch as it slips constantly
*be aware that it will change down at below certain speeds. Anticipate this as you arrive at junctions and change down yourself otherwise it can change down at just the wrong moment i.e when you press the throttle again.
Cant think of much else, these boxes are not perfect by any means but they are great fun in the right environment. Think about how you use a clutch on a car, you adjust depending on the circumstances - normal upchange, traffic, hill start etc. The CC doesnt know what yuo are doing apart from throttle in put so its never going to be as clever as a human. Clutch wear is of course a big issue with these boxes, just budget for a new one every 10k miles or so. At the end of the day you are buying a maserati or a ferrari and you cant expect things to be as efficient as say a M3 or a Merc sl.
Maerati used to do 24 hour test drives. If they still do that would be a great way of seeing if you can live with it.
regards to all
Andy
toppstuff said:
A fair point , chap.
My comments came from the fact that I was speaking to a Maserati dealer salesman
One thing I do know is that the TC systems on a '03 car onwards are different and improved.
Fair point though, and well made. No intention to offend.
>> Edited by toppstuff on Sunday 20th March 18:11[/quote]
No worries toppstuff
, there is so much conflicting information bandied around about these cars,often by dealers etc. it's very difficult to get the right answer. Last point though the traction system is again only a software issue which is again subject to 'campaign evolution' allied as it is to the CC software, therefore older car's will(should) have been updated. Bear in mind even the later cars(03etc) are subject to changes as and when the factory finds improvements, so unless your buying brand new, look into 'campaign history'.
sjp63 said:
My last car was an M3 SMG, now I have an 04 Coupe CC. They both took about a month to get fully used to.
I would Never, ever, go back to a manual and thats the same as 95% of OWNERS
I cannot agree more. CC takes a bit of time to get used to, but once you feel comfortable you really don't wan't to go back to a manual as it is not as much fun (IMHO).
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