[EwanD]

Hi all

I've got a 02 Spyder GT and wondered if there were any updates to the design of the clutch which should/could be retro-fitted by the dealership under warranty? I believe they changed the design for the 03 model, but don't know if it's compatible or if the change would be available as a recall..?

I've noticed the clutch slipping a little so I reckon it probably needs replacing soon, but with only 14,000 miles in just under 3 years, I would have thought it should have lasted longer. Before I go to the dealership and ask them to switch it for a new one, it would be great to hear other Maseratistis' experiences

cheers
Ewan

 

[Frankie P]

Dear Ewan,

Like many topics, this one has been covered pretty completely in prior threads, so I encourage you to search for them. When you talk about slippage, when it this occurring, from a stop, or at speed? Obviously, from a stop the software prevents an aggressive engagement of the clutch. If you are at a stop and floor the engine, you won't move, as the software is designed to prevent the clutch from engaging in that scenario. I think all of us experience that. (It is unfortunate that there is no, "Launch mode," as found in other SMG-type tramsmissions). If that is all that you're experiencing, I think that initial hesitation is normal. I too have an '02 Coupe, production date in July. There was apparently a factory upgrade from a single tang clutch to a dual tang clutch to address problems with slippage. The first thing you should do is find out if your car received the upgrade. Complicating matters, of course, is that if you do get the mechanical upgrade, the dealer will likely insist on upgrading your software as well, which makes the shifts smoother and more luxurious, albeit slower, even in sport mode. Thus, some of us have been hesitant in allowing the upgrades to be installed in our cars. I believe there may have been some cars upgraded to the dual tang unit in the normal manufacturing process that still have the original software. I think that sometime in 2003 the software upgrade became the standard program. Thus, for those with sporting tendencies, this (an '02 WITH the dual tang clutch AND with the original software) is the setup to have. The same goes for other subtle changes made after the '02 year of production, for example in the suspenion tuning, which all went towards making the car more of a Jaguar and less of a Ferrari.

Just my thoughts. My opinions as expressed above may not be absolutely accurate, but rather reflect what I have gleaned over the time I have been a member of this and other forums, and in discussing our cars with various other owners.

Happy Motoring,

Frankie P

 

[scott]

Frankie, He does have "Launch mode" It's called floor the gas and drop the clutch as he states he has a GT not cambio. I also have a GT but cannot offer any help as mine is a 2004 and only 2,000 miles. He can try and search but not many GT owners here.

 

[EwanD]

Frankie, He does have "Launch mode" It's called floor the gas and drop the clutch as he states he has a GT not cambio. I also have a GT but cannot offer any help as mine is a 2004 and only 2,000 miles. He can try and search but not many GT owners here.

Thanks Frankie, Scott - yeah, the CC clutch wear has been well discussed however there's nothing about GT clutch wear etc. I'm guessing the clutch is different on the CC vs the GT though it would be interesting if anyone could confirm that for me ...

cheers
Ewan

 

[v12gte]

I general, the techs at 2 US dealerships told me that GT clutches last much longer than CC clutches. I only got a number on the latter, saying that 15K to 20K was pretty normal for the car needing a new disk.
I have an 02 GT with 6K miles now.

thx
luke

 

[iufan993]

computer controlled?

I just got my 02 GT Coupe and I haven't driven it much, but there is definitely a computer intervention if you drop the clutch, and it occurs even with traction control off. I have never seen any review of this feature other than the description of "computer controlled clutch" on the window sticker. I assume that the clutch is somehow connected to the ECU, and if so, it may be adjustable. Any other info out there?[/quote]

 

[scott]

Just looked at my sticker and noticed that with computer controlled clutch. I have no Idea what that means. besides turning off MSP did you also turn on sport mode? It seems for me to get my car not to intervene at all I must do both. Edit: Did find this
Cambiocorsa
The Maserati Coupé is available both with manual 6-speed gearshift and with computerised 6-speed servo-controlled gearshift. The latter solution, called the Cambiocorsa, enables the driver to opt for manual shifting in a strong sports style (two sports settings are available) or Full Automatic.

In both cases clutch disengagement/engagement are automatically controlled by the ECU electronics. The Cambiocorsa is actuated with paddles mounted behind the steering wheel while the four available functional settings – normal, sports, fully automatic, low grip – are selected from a button panel.

 

[EwanD]

I general, the techs at 2 US dealerships told me that GT clutches last much longer than CC clutches. I only got a number on the latter, saying that 15K to 20K was pretty normal for the car needing a new disk.
I have an 02 GT with 6K miles now.

thx
luke

Well, mine must have had a hard life in its 2 years as a demonstrator/press car - it's done about 14k miles and the dealer said the clutch is needing replacing - quoted nearly £1750 (ouch!).



Ewan

 

[rmclachlan]

Ewan,

My 4200 CC has done 16k miles now and I have it in for service, the dealership advised me that the clutch would need replacing in around six weeks given the mileage I am doing, and that in fact the clutch had lasted longer than other CC cars they had seen. They quoted £1500 (ex VAT). After I had picked myself off the floor they explained that it is major job to replace the clutch due to the position of the gearbox. So from what I have gleaned from other users no one is getting any more than say 15k to 20k out of a CC clutch. Ferrari F1 is even worse apparently.

 

[EwanD]

Ewan,

My 4200 CC has done 16k miles now and I have it in for service, the dealership advised me that the clutch would need replacing in around six weeks given the mileage I am doing, and that in fact the clutch had lasted longer than other CC cars they had seen. They quoted £1500 (ex VAT). After I had picked myself off the floor they explained that it is major job to replace the clutch due to the position of the gearbox. So from what I have gleaned from other users no one is getting any more than say 15k to 20k out of a CC clutch. Ferrari F1 is even worse apparently.

Just off the phone with my dealer, who expressed an opinion that 14k miles for a GT clutch was in fact more than the norm (which he thought was about 10k ) and that CC clutches often start to go after about 7k miles.

Add to this the fact that since the 02 GT, they've redesigned the clutch plate and flywheel (instead of a tapering flywheel they've gone for a completely flat clutch plate and flywheel, and a software update to boot). So now, I'm being advised that:

- Flywheel needs replacing (£700)
- clutch needs replacing (£1750)
- software update needs to be applied (£125)

and of course none of this is covered by warranty :evil:

I'm now thinking that £800 a year for service is one thing, but if I need to budget £2.5k every other year for a clutch replacement (and let's face it, the GT shifting is nothing to write home about anyway), then it's starting to look a bit over expensive...



Ewan

 

[MikeA]

This doesn't make sense

Not sure what is going on, but this info doesn't seem right.
I just had my 2003 Spyder CC serviced at 13,000 miles, and
was told I had over 60% clutch left. So, I don't understand the
7,000 mile statement. Maybe it is specific to the 2002 single tang
clutch design. I also drive my car pretty hard, with lots of up and
down shifting, and have taken it to the track twice.
Also, the software updates should be covered under the 4 year
warranty. At least that is true in the states.
Something is fishy here with your dealer.
Mike

 

[rmclachlan]

Ewan,

I was quoted £1500 for clutch replacement at 16k miles, then a phone call yesterday to say that the clutch bearing was worn and that would be another £500 + service thanks. I am beginning to wonder what I have got into...

 

[EwanD]

Ewan,

I was quoted £1500 for clutch replacement at 16k miles, then a phone call yesterday to say that the clutch bearing was worn and that would be another £500 + service thanks. I am beginning to wonder what I have got into...

I was told the release bearing might need to be changed but they wouldn't know until the clutch was off, but if it needed to be changed it would be around £260 including labour & VAT...

It seems there's some variance in advice...

cheers
Ewan