My car in a rare location for photos!!

[SMYUEN]

Originally Posted by Welbo

Totoseow,

Go get the 997 GT3 lah.................thats the car worth waiting for!

ohhhhh thats nice!

but i would rather buy a AMV8!!!


woo hoo!

[Cronus]

SMYUEN,
Just following up on one of your old threads...Sweet car by the way, I like the new front grills with the enhanced trident. Saw your car at las month's meet but did not get a chance to speak to you.
Just wondering if you would help me with a few questions.
1) How did you managed to lower your ride? It yours an after market suspension kit?
2) If it is by adjusting the springs - does that affect the skyhook suspension system?
3) Lowering the ride, did you need to reset the ECU by unhooking the battery for it to register your new driving style?
4) Does it affect driving on auto mode - which usually have a higher ride height?
5) Did you change the right height at Hong Seh?
One suggestion - instead of going straight for tubis - cheaper way may be to remove the 2 rear mufflers at the back of the car. Both things weigh almost 20 plus kgs. Car is still legal as it still has its catalytic coverter and another muffler in the middle section. At 5000 rpm, sound levels hits 92db, legal and slightly softer than a Ferr 355 at similiar throttle. You get deep throaty rumble at idle and a operatic growl at 2500-3000 rpm. It howls when it bring it up to 6500 rpm. There is a slight popping sound on deceleration but you can resolve it with icepacks.
Will catch you at the next meetup and we can discuss more.

[SMYUEN]

Originally Posted by Cronus

SMYUEN,
Just following up on one of your old threads...Sweet car by the way, I like the new front grills with the enhanced trident. Saw your car at las month's meet but did not get a chance to speak to you.
Just wondering if you would help me with a few questions.
1) How did you managed to lower your ride? It yours an after market suspension kit?
2) If it is by adjusting the springs - does that affect the skyhook suspension system?
3) Lowering the ride, did you need to reset the ECU by unhooking the battery for it to register your new driving style?
4) Does it affect driving on auto mode - which usually have a higher ride height?
5) Did you change the right height at Hong Seh?
One suggestion - instead of going straight for tubis - cheaper way may be to remove the 2 rear mufflers at the back of the car. Both things weigh almost 20 plus kgs. Car is still legal as it still has its catalytic coverter and another muffler in the middle section. At 5000 rpm, sound levels hits 92db, legal and slightly softer than a Ferr 355 at similiar throttle. You get deep throaty rumble at idle and a operatic growl at 2500-3000 rpm. It howls when it bring it up to 6500 rpm. There is a slight popping sound on deceleration but you can resolve it with icepacks.
Will catch you at the next meetup and we can discuss more.

Hey cronus,

Thanks.... were you the one driving the deep blue 4200GT? :>

My unit comes with bilstein coilovers from maserati, it came with the car... - i got it lowered a fair bit at hongseh..
It doesnt affect the skyhook suspension per se, just that ride gets a bit firmer... but handling is much much better than the silly stock height...

Actually, skyhook is a dampening system, not a height adjustable system... so difference between "auto" and "sport:" is the stiffness of the suspension, which also translates to the handling characteristic... I wanted it lower, but hongseh felt this was the most it could go without compromising the performance of the springs... if i wanted it any lower, i would have to get uprated springs..

I dont recall re-setting the ECU though... so far, no problem....

wow... thanks for the idea with regards to the mufflers.. did you do that? Where did you get it done? but i dont think it will have the amazing drone and growl of the tubi? :> i probably need to hear it to see if i like it....

maybe can catch up someday!

SM

[carcraze]

Cronus, were u near the ISTANA yesterday night? saw a Blue 4200GT...

[Cronus]

Carcraze,
Yeah if it is in the morning, that was probably me. Were u in a 5 series?

SMYUEN,
My car is actually black (Nero Carbonio) with Cuoio Sella interior.
If you have not done anything to the exhaust yet, go either for the tubis or a quick fix (less than $500) with the custom straight pipes, with the chrome-extended quad exhausts (you could check mine out before deciding). Any case, this is highly recommended as the transformation is literally from day to night - from a dorcile sports cruiser to a maniatic screamer. Downside is pets are frightened to go near the car and your neighbours would know what time you come home every night.

[uncle]

Hey SMYUEN, CRONUS....

What's the production years of your 4200s? I'm considering one but Hong Seh is apparently only offering one last unit of the 03 model... Can't believe that they have been holding the car for like 3 years :Z Worse thing i was told, was that they were not bringing anymore in till the 07 comes out? Just thinking that it's kinda strange they did not bring in any 4200s ever since the 03 production?

Though it's supposedly brand new, it sure doesn't seem a worthwhile choice purchasing a 3 year old car for near a brand new price eh. What's your take on this?

Btw, how's the performance of your cars so far? I've kinda read that the 4200 seems to have quite a bit of clutch problems and that the servicing cost is like pretty exhorbitant. Any truth in this?

Your inputs are greatly appreciated.

Cheers dudes

[SMYUEN]

Hey Uncle,

haha.. you've got an interesting nick!

Not sure about the 03 model.... maybe you can ask if its a test drive car?

Mine is a 04-05 model so hongseh did bring in 4200's after 2003... I think they will not be "mass importing" 4200's until the new/facelifted model comes but i heard they do bring in now and then... they just sold another 4200 in dark green or something...

If its really a 03 car, you should probably reason for a better price... i got mine at a very good price cos it was 04-05 model..but its brand new and i like it, so it didnt really matter to me. most importantly, whats the colour of the 4200 you are looking at and how much are they asking? Also the specs are important as it affects the OMV.... mine has the "gransport" bodykit and skyhook suspension... also got the new - look 18 inch rims.... I even have the trident logo on the c-pillar which apparently is a paid-option!.. :>

with regards to performance, i really cant complain..

1st gear moving off - never as smooth as auto or smg... got to wait a split second for the clutch to bite before gear engages... but got used to it already... alternatively, you can just floor the pedal and trigger rear wheel spin and you are off!! haha very fun but bad for clutch and tyres...

2nd gear on - motoring nirvana...

clutch problems i dont seem to have much yet (touchwood)... went up KL and back, covering 700km... hit top whack of 265kmh... was no problem... only thing the silly thing overheated cos water level evaporated pretty fast.... at first they thot there was some leak but after complete check realised there was none... (maybe it was 7th month? i really dont know...)

servicing is not cheap i can tell you.. but its a small price to pay to own a ferrari engined v8 in your bonnet!!!

do contact me if you need to chat further,.. and good luck!

Welcome in advance to the trident community!

Cheers.
SM

[SMYUEN]

Cronus - wahh... your suggestion may be a tad over-kill for me... i think i will be happy with the tubis... straight through sounds a bit too loud???

[Cronus]

Uncle,
I am surprised that Hong Seh still has the '03 Coupe. Really depends on whether it is the GT (6 speed manual) or the Cambiocorsca (F1 system). For the '03 production model, you have to check if it is early or late production. They did several upgrades and redesign in late 03.
1) Make sure the car has the skyhook suspension system
2) You want the new software upgrade in the F1 system. It shifts significantly faster than the early 03 models.
3) The 02 & early 03 models comes with launch modes which significantly wears out the clutch and the F1 pump.
4) No sports mode.
5) No slope control.
Maintenance wise - the largest cost will be the F1 pump and the clutch - a $6000 job usually at 25,000 km although some cars have lasted longer.
But as SMYUEN adaptly stated, the fun outweighs the costs.

[Mirage77]

Originally Posted by SMYUEN

Cronus - wahh... your suggestion may be a tad over-kill for me... i think i will be happy with the tubis... straight through sounds a bit too loud???

Hi SMYUEN. We've also recently joined the Maserati crowd, albeit our car hasn't arrived yet... We were at the gathering at Keppel Club at the Italian restaurant a few weeks ago, though. Met a few interesting persons. I'd wonder if I saw you, heh.

We bought a Quattroporte Sport GT. How's your Maserati so far?

Cheers.