[tamimm]

I recently sold my 2004 Coupe, which I enjoyned driving quite a bit, and bought an 05 Gransport. While I'm a huge fan of the upgraded interior and exterior styling, one thing I'm not so excited about is the accelleration and gear shifting (in sports mode for both). On the acceleration, I noticed the car doesn't jump right away when you press the gas; there's a bit of lag before it picks up. The 04 coupe didn't do this. Also, when I shift gears, it seems to shift at the same speed the 04 coupe did in non-sport mode - slowly shifting between gears, particularly the lower ones.

I took the car in recently to fix a bug and asked the tech person regarding the above. He told me that the software was modified for the 2005's because some people complained that the 2004s were 'too agressive', but that perhaps the software can be tweaked to the original 04 spec. Seperately, I heard from another dealer that the software was modified so the car would put less stress on the clutch, and that while the software can be modified, you're essentially looking at reduced clutch life as a result.

Any thoughts on the above? Also, anyone have any recommendations for a good after market stereo installer in the Los Angeles area? (someone with experience working on maserati's)

Thanks.

 

[RQ]

Interesting, when it was my turn to go shopping I enjoyed a test drive on a CC coupe and a manual Spyder but decided to pass and go drive the GT3 that was waiting for me, nice as they were...

Salesguy insisted I drive the GS, I said why bother, how different can it be, but he insisted so I figured there are worse things to do in an afternoon...

After driving the GS I forgot about the GT3... the Coupe was special, but the GS had a huge extra element.

Now that I understand the GS, there is insane fun in there but it wont be appreciated until one bonds more with the car. For me that was about 1,000 miles.

Another big and (relatively) inexpensive thing that you should strongly consider is the Euroteck ECU mod, plenty of info on this forum. It "unrestrains" the beast.

Anyway, enjoy and I'm sure that you will not regret your move.

 

[haha]

I noticed the car doesn't jump right away when you press the gas; there's a bit of lag before it picks up...

sounds like you need you ECU reprogrammed. RQ maybe able to share his experience with you.

anyone have any recommendations for a good after market stereo installer in the Los Angeles area? (someone with experience working on maserati's)

am sure you can do that yourself. check out thebimbo's home page @
http://homepage.mac.com/mjpsmith/Maserati

 

[haha]

and RQ did

One thing tho, since we are restricted with only 91 at the pump here in CA, unless you are planning to spend 7-8 dollars a gallon on higher octane gas sold at 76 (there's gas statation in West LA). Eurotek's ECU mod won't get you much. I would stay away from octane booster.

 

[STARDOC]

What is the difference between the GS and a regular coupe besides a lower ride, more free flow exhaust and wheels? Does it really drive that differently? I know that my M3 was vastly different than my 330, but I don't see how a few mods and a Eurotek upgrade wouldn't take a regular coupe to a GS level.

 

[tamimm]

As it relates to the gear shifting, would reprogramming the ECU have any negative impact on clutch life (as one dealer suggested)? Or would reprogramming the ECU only impact the accelleration? Is this something I'd do at the dealer or would it be 3rd party?

Regarding the strereo, I've seen the Pioneer model - definetly one I'm considering though I'd like to find one with both NAV and bluetooth support. At the CES booth in Vegas last week, Pioneer was showing bluetooth upgrades as well as a 2-din NAV model with built in bluetooth. Alpine also has some interesting models...I figure go with the installer as might as well also upgrade the speakers and add an amp...and that would be a bit too much to do on my own..

Btw, as it relates to the differences between the GS and regular coupe, the big ones are interior/exterior styling, wheels, and exhaust. The seats are way more comfortable compared to the coupe, and the drive feels sportier. One other negative thing I noticed is it seems I hear outside noise more so than before; perhaps need to adjust the door's fit.

 

[RQ]

What is the difference between the GS and a regular coupe besides a lower ride, more free flow exhaust and wheels? Does it really drive that differently? I know that my M3 was vastly different than my 330, but I don't see how a few mods and a Eurotek upgrade wouldn't take a regular coupe to a GS level.

I agree that if one lists the differences between the Coupe and GS they seem very similar. But somehow the end result is "more than the sum of its parts", probably just boils down to general feel / driving experience rather than it being really faster, etc.

 

[RQ]

As it relates to the gear shifting, would reprogramming the ECU have any negative impact on clutch life (as one dealer suggested)? Or would reprogramming the ECU only impact the accelleration? Is this something I'd do at the dealer or would it be 3rd party?

Can't speculate on clutch life being better or worse, people seem to have strong (and opposing) opinions on that topic.

The eurotek reprogram definitely affected the shifting as well.

It would be done at eurotek, many of us went through NAPerformance.com to get it done.

haha brings a good point about the octane in your area, I'm in Florida so I don't have that problem. Don't know how big a difference that makes.

 

[Swiss-Maserati]

I'm not so excited about is the accelleration and gear shifting (in sports mode for both). On the acceleration, I noticed the car doesn't jump right away when you press the gas; there's a bit of lag before it picks up. The 04 coupe didn't do this. Also, when I shift gears, it seems to shift at the same speed the 04 coupe did in non-sport mode - slowly shifting between gears, particularly the lower ones.

Bored by this kind of issues after 126'000 km, but always in love with the Coupé, that's why I purchased a Coupé GT with a stick !!!

What is the difference between the GS and a regular coupe besides a lower ride, more free flow exhaust and wheels?

No difference on mine. Lowered below the GS level, Tubi exhaust, GS wheels... probably a few more hp because of the new exhaust and a BMC air filter. Same or better handling. I like the contrast between the classy interior and the sporty exterior... And I can manage myself how the car change gears or accelerate !

 

[demoe]

It seems that dependant on which dealer you use, you will hear different responses about the Software/updates.

It is sort of upsetting/annoying, that there does not seem to be a Database available to dealers about these software issues.

this issue does not just involve software, but many other details of our cars...there needs to be some uniformity between information given by each individual dealer. I may be wrong, but after reading all the various inconsistancies, I get the impression many of us are being fed incorrect information about our vehicles.

 

[thebimbo]

all gone, keep moving. Nothing to see.

 

[haha]

also, if bluetooth is a must and you don't find any aftermarket unit at a reasonable price. you could install a parrot bluetooth kit (it can be connected to the car speakers). The downside is that it comes with a separate LCD.

 

[tamimm]

So after doing some research on installers in the LA area, I came up with a company called Reus Systems - they're mentioned quite favorably on a bunch of message boards. They more or less build their own speakers/amplifiers customized to the car. However I'm still deliberating on the head unit, particularly as it relates to bluetooth integration. I'd like to have bluetooth fully integrated with the stereo system and not as a seperate external device like the parrot.

thebimbo, have you tried integrating bluetooth with your pioneer unit? I believe Pioneer just introduced a bluetooth kit compatible with those units.

 

[thebimbo]

No, I haven't and won't be. I use a $97 Condom. only the best for my buddy.