Anyone have late model Maserati Quattroporte experience?

[willtel]

These are getting cheap, they look nice, and they make nice noises.

Anyone ever own one or drive one? Are aftermarket warranties available?


Maserati Quattroporte GTS MC by Coconut Photography, on Flickr

[Scuba Steve]

From what I understand, parts availability is horrible and when you can find them you'll think parts for your 930 are a bargain.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I know I want one.....

I've done a lot of reading on the late model Maserati coupes/spyders, they are higher maintenance than your average P-car but certainly manageable. Much like Porsches parts they are much cheaper from an internet supplier than the dealership, though there are far fewer options for Maserati parts. The F1 gearbox is a major issue on the early coupe/spyder, the clutch lasts about 10k miles and is about $3k to have replaced. They improved the design in 2004, but a manual gearbox is still your best option (not available in the Quattroporte). I would focus some research on that topic, as it's really the only major issue that I found with the coupe/spyder.

[redstrosekNic]

Top Gear (the real one) featured one against the Aston Rapide and the Panamera. The Maserati made the best noises for sure! If I was made of money, I would buy it just for the sound...

[drcoastline]

I did a little research and understand build quality isnt that great as a result after a few years maintenance becomes an issue as everything needs repair and is expensive to fix. That is why they devalue so quickly.

[BReif61]

Everything I know about them I learned from Top Gear.

1.) Beautiful
2.) Aural orgasms
3.) Expensive
4.) Horrible wedding limo

[willtel]

It is a damn shame so many of these were saddled with that goofy F1 transmission. I have to think that is one of the reasons they are so cheap.
Listen...

[sca037]

A friend has an '05 QP and I've driven it a few times.
We jokingly refer to it as the Mafia Staff Car......

He bought it cheap enough, but has already been hit with some serious service bills.
To do even simple maintenance items (change trans fluid for instance) it needs to be plugged into the dealer's $30K service computer so it can reset the clutches, and other things like that.
His sounds fantastic (mufflers removed so just cats and pipes) and it begs you to drive it hard and fast, so I predict adding a few points to the DL should be factored into the total cost of ownership

Brian
(the massaging seats are pretty cool too!)

[kaisen]

I've sold a few, and driven many. I have a couple local clients that have them and help them through their maintenance program.

They are cheap because ALL large luxury sedans depreciate like stones. Ever research how a Mercedes S600 or BMW 760 hold their value!? The "fear" of owning an Italian car certainly comes into play, but not all of those fears are rational.

My two cents: The QP is a DRIVER'S car where the other large sedans, any of them, don't even come close. The Audi S8 is close, but doesn't make the sounds or turn in as crisply, or have the same tailored-shoe interior.

As Matt pointed out, the transmission is the single largest fear factor. The DuoSelect automated manual (same exact trans as Ferrari F1) can be clunky at low speeds around town and can wear clutches quickly -- as fast as 3K miles, with 15K miles being common. But they can last 40-50K miles if you treat them right. The newer the car, the better the DS seems to last. My local specialist (Dave at TopGear in Mpls) charges me $2200 for a clutch replacement service. He also advises to have the clutches "set-up" by a specialist or dealer that has the software. The settings can be tweaked and it makes a big difference in how long the clutches last. The clutches have sensors that tell you the clutch life remaining and can give you an idea when you will have the expense. Therefore, having a PPI done by someone with the computer is a MUST. If clutch life is under 25%, figure you'll be spending $3000 this year. Again, the newer the model year, the better.

OR, find a 2006-up with the optional ZF automatic transmission. No problems there. Point and shoot. Maybe not quite as fun, but no fears about the expense. BUT, they also bring more money up-front, so some of that is negated. If it were MY car, it would be a newer DS.

Other things to look for:

Worn rear tires. The factory dials in hella rear camber and the inners can wear in as little as 3K miles. Yep, 3K miles for a set of rear tires. Also, they came with run-flats that can be harsh. Just replace them with regular tires (I recommend Michelin Pilot Sport A/S, they are the best all-around tire that last long).

Sticky interior bits. Ferrari and Maserati use a "soft-touch" finish on some interior switches and surrounds, both in black and color-match that do not hold up well to heat and UV. They literally get sticky and slimy. It's horrible. And the QP has maybe 25 separate pieces that can get that way. It can be horrifically expensive to replace them, and Robbie at Stickynomore (Home Page) can refinish them, but it still ain't cheap. I found that acetone and a scotchbrite will strip it off. Then you can repaint it with satin black and/or satin clear if it is a black part. It gets trickier when there are backlit icons in/on the switch, then you have to send it to Robbie.

Motors are robust. Some early cars had issues with their water pump/oil pump assemblies and it's very expensive. But later cars don't seem to have the issues, and now they can be rebuilt rather than replaced. Otherwise, the Ferrari motors will go over 100K miles with regular maint. They are chain driven so they don't have the old Ferrari timing belt nightmares. They are no more fussy than a BMW.

Other items share parts bins with other cars. For example, you can pay $500 for a set of brake pads from Maserati, or they are Audi S8 pads front and BMW 750 pads rear, for about $100-150 depending on o.e. supplier. Lots of other bits have similar cross-share, and a good indy shop should know.

There are a few forums that actively discuss the QPs.

Here's my thread on one of my client's QPs: Shameless self promotion - a client's new Maserati

Don't be afraid. Good luck!

[HHI944]

Great thread and awesome info kaisen!
Quick question though, I'm probably going with a new (to me) sedan around the end of the year and these are in the same price range as the lightly modified S600s I've been drooling over....any compare and contrast data?

[willtel]

Thanks for checking in Eric, I was hoping you would show up.

What is considered driving an F1 equipped model correctly? Does that mean avoiding traffic altogether or is there a special technique? I have always assumed that you just click it and gear and go.

That is a shame to hear about the soft touch materials. I've been in a 512TR that had that problem and you couldn't touch anything in the cabin for fear of smearing the black stuff onto the cream colored leather. I would have thought they had that figured out by now.

[Tervuren]

I have a friend with a Panamera 4s, his sister has a Quattroporte, the Panamera knocks the socks off the Quattroporte when I had the two cars back to back one week.

Outside of Ferrari engine sounds, or if the cruder interior is to your taste, I can't understand the premium on a DD to not get the Porsche instead.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Tervuren

I have a friend with a Panamera 4s, his sister has a Quattroporte, the Panamera knocks the socks off the Quattroporte when I had the two cars back to back one week.

Outside of Ferrari engine sounds, or if the cruder interior is to your taste, I can't understand the premium on a DD to not get the Porsche instead.

Because you can buy a used QP for $30K where a Panamera is a little too new to be stupid cheap. Just wait long enough and they'll both be five grand.

[kaisen]

That and the Panamera is fugly inside and out, imho

[FLYGEEZER]

No Thanks..........been there done that. Never again!

[rick-l]

When you say cheap are you thinking $20,000 for a 2007?

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by willtel

What is considered driving an F1 equipped model correctly? Does that mean avoiding traffic altogether or is there a special technique? I have always assumed that you just click it and gear and go.
.

They prefer being driven hard.

My specialist told me never to drive it in full-auto mode when puttering around town or in traffic, always manual mode, and best in sport mode. That way the gearbox doesn't slip the clutch to smooth things out. Hard shifts are best. Also, let up a touch on the gas between shifts when you can. Oh, and when starting out, don't feather it....stab it and keep on it. Better to spin the tires than slip the clutch. Tires are cheaper.

For some reason, reverse is the hardest on the clutches. So avoid having to reverse, esp reversing uphill.

Do these things and they'll last 50-60K miles

[McLovin]

You guys are gluttons for punishment!

All that expense for a car that looks like an Italian Buick.

[EarlyPorsche]

I don't know if there is any truth to this but when I was looking at them I was told to only buy one with blue valve covers as opposed to red valve covers. I believe the blue valve covers mean slightly more power and most importantly the ZF transmission.

[porsche4life]

So basically you have an awesome looking car, it sounds like sex, and you have to flog it to keep the clutches up.... Where do I sign?



Think the popo would believe the clutch story if you spun em from the stoplight?