Look what my dad rocked up with today...

"BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires" (biturbo228)
04/18/2015 at 09:27 • Filed to: None

It’s a 1989 Maserati 430 :) bought for Ł2500. Bodywork is in great condition which is a major plus. Engine won’t start because the fuel pump needs some fixing (it’s missing a couple of pipes and spade connectors), and it’s got no backboxes for the exhaust but that just means it’ll be more fun when we do get it started :)

DISCUSSION (24)

Matthew Phillips > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 09:32

Purty

duurtlang > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 09:35

You do have a nice collection of cars there. I’m even seeing the 406 coupe sneak into the picture. Can I inquire about the progress you’ve made with the BX?

4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30 > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 09:37

Whoa mama, when can I come and see?

MultiplaOrgasms > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 09:41

Put some BMW badges on it.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 09:56

Body with no rust? What sorcery is this?

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 10:02

Better watch out for falling pianos. Now that Clarkson is unemployed, you can never tell where he will randomly strike!

bryan40oop > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 10:05

Leik!

Sam > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 10:22

We were looking at a Biturbo as my first car. (16 year old me wanted to say that I drive a Maserati) Then I realised that I wanted to actually make the 3 mile drive to school every day.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Sam
04/18/2015 at 13:23

Their reputation for unreliability was born solely with the early carburetted versions. Later ones came with injection and water-cooled turbos and were much, much better.

My dad’s 228 is on 116k miles and still runs like a top. Original turbos, original everything.

Shame the tinworm’s got a grip on it. Hence this one :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > 4muddyfeet - bare knuckle with an EZ30
04/18/2015 at 13:23

Come when it’s running :) that’ll be much more fun :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > MultiplaOrgasms
04/18/2015 at 13:24

Then I’ll have a car just like everyone else! Brilliant...

MultiplaOrgasms > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 13:25

+150 stealth power

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
04/18/2015 at 13:27

I know! It’s been through a bit of a resto a couple of years back. New paint and things like that, hence the condition.

Pro-tip: Biturbos post 1990 had galvanised bodies so are much better with rust. Irritatingly, both of ours are 1989...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > MultiplaOrgasms
04/18/2015 at 13:34

Good point! :)

Oh, interesting thing. The Biturbo predates the E30 by a couple of years, so the similarity goes the other way than you’d think.

Even I won’t argue that the E30 doesn’t look better though...

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang
04/18/2015 at 13:38

Thanks :) movement on the 406 front actually. My mate’s bought a 6-speed gearbox from a Citroen C5 and an uprated clutch so can chuck a bit more boost at it :)

The BX is sitting patiently on the list of jobs to be done. All that needs to be done now is a plate welding in the boot and a light service and it’s good to go :)

The job before that is repairing a water leak in my old Vauxhall Corsa (first car) so I can sell it to fund insurance on the BX :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast.
04/18/2015 at 13:39

That was actually a bit of a watershed moment for me. The first time when I thought ‘Clarkson’s word is not gospel’.

I wonder if the Marina owners club feels the same way...

duurtlang > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 14:00

That 406 story sounds very interesting. I drive my 406 with the 2.0 in Germany a lot, on the Autobahn. The revs are far too high then. Do you know how I can find out which transmission will fit?

Schaefft > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 18:29

The only older Maserati I would ever buy is the 3200GT which is a very pretty car. But Maserati’s reputation for build quality (not just reliability but the short amount of time before the interior looks like 200k miles) keep me from even thinking about it.

Mr. Ontop, No Strokes, No Smokes...Goes Fast. > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/18/2015 at 19:33

I’m not sure there are enough Marinas left for that to matter.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Schaefft
04/19/2015 at 04:02

As far as ny experience gies the reputation is just that, reputation. My dad daily drive his biturbo 228 for a number of years without fault. It’s interrior still looks great after 116k miles too :)

I can’t vouch for the 3200gt. They might have done some cost-cutting there but the later biturbos are excellent :)

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > duurtlang
04/19/2015 at 04:05

You know i’m not sure, but i’ll ask him :) fairly certain it’s from a c5 hdi of sone sort, but i’ll get the details :)

Schaefft > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/19/2015 at 09:35

Yeah, they are still very tempting though. Have you heard of this guy? He fixed the throttle body issue (and probably tons of other things) on the Wheeler Dealers 3200GT, thats exactly the kind of business that would make ownership much more bearable. http://www.maseratished.co.uk/ He seems to work on older Bi-Turbos as well.

BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires > Schaefft
04/19/2015 at 11:25

Neat :) I wonder if they stock hard to find parts...

Schaefft > BiTurbo228 - Dr Frankenstein of Spitfires
04/19/2015 at 12:18

Might be worth sending him an email, Im pretty sure he’s the one who would know where to get them.