Former AMG owner on a QP scouting mission...

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SPX

SPX

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Been perusing the forum off and on for a while and thought it was time to join 'officially'...

Anyway, a bit about me; I've owned ten AMG's in the past and have always flirted with a Maserati QP on more than one occasion (more like twenty!) but my lack of knowledge with them unsettles me a little bit but I think I about ready to take the plunge; currently running a 2011 Mercedes C220 CDI Sport estate as an "inbetweener" until I find the right one and make a commitment to buy.

So.... Budget is mid teens i.e. up to £17k-18k.Even though I would prefer to buy from a fellow enthusiast I've noted that the prices seem to be all over the place; seems to be private sellers asking for more than car dealers (with a warranty for piece of mind) in some cases.

Also what should I be looking for with regards specification, what are the must haves? Which gearbox is preferred, the DuoSelect or the later ZF? Are there any common issues I should be aware of? I've noted that the clutch replacements seem to be a common (relatively regular) cost? When did Bluetooth become standard, I've seen a few early ones with hideous Parrot kits on display?

Any help or advice greatly received.
 
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DavidL

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Evening Lee, thought you might find your way here.
I'm sure you'll find all the info you need.
David
 
SPX

SPX

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Thanks David, it looks a very knowledgeable and welcoming forum.
 
Contigo

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Welcome SPX, I am about to get into my first QP too. They say the clutch on the DS (CC) last about 40k miles on average but there is no hard fast logic to it, depends on the driving etc. You can have the clutch wear measured but it is a little vague. Later ZF are less expensive, both pretty bulletproof transmissions but I reckon the DS will be more involving when setup properly. Just make sure you use it in manual sport mode all the time using flappy paddles and it will make the clutch last longer and be much smoother especially around town. The "auto" aspect of all robotised clutch systems is always a compromise at best and nothing like the smoothness of a true automatic.

There's a good one up in Scotland to be had from a forum member on here. Have a look through the classifieds.

There is also an ex forum members one for sale for a reasonable price at a dealer and there is a thread about this car. Might be a little leggy but don't let it put you off if the car is a gem.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511068483758
 
daverichardson

daverichardson

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I prefer the full auto box personally around 2007 for anything upwards of £16000
I'm sure you have read that variators can be problematic around 45 - 50K miles with a replace cost of about £4500
Other than that they are a gem of a car
So service history etc is a must
 
SPX

SPX

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Someone correct me if I'm wrong but the easiest way to tell the difference between them is the DuoSelect has a little gear lever and the full auto ZF has a traditional sized gear stick?
 
Contigo

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The DS has the Forward reverse small lever just like the 4200 CC.

If you are driving it around town a lot the ZF auto my suit you better. I personally prefer the immediacy and involvement of the Duo Select.
 
rockits

rockits

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Welcome Lee. I remember you from MBClubUK. I had a few Mercs & an R129 SL60 & R230 SL55. Still got an R129 SL500. Bought a nice 2007 Maser 4200cc and love it. Fancy getting back into an AMG again though!

The QP is a luvly car & I nearly went that way for my work car but couldn't ignore the value of the 3 year old XJ I got instead.

For me it would be the ZF auto but I guess it depends what your use is really & type of journeys. I love the involvement of the CC box but you need to work a bit to get the best out of it.
 
SPX

SPX

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Yes, I remember you pal, still couldn't believe it when you sold the SL60...

The QP would be driven by the Mrs 50% of the time so it needs to be 'female friendly' which is leaning more and more towards the 2007+ ZF gearbox, which is a shame because I've heard a few reviews saying how the weight distribution on the earlier DS is sublime because of the rear mounted 'box.
 
Andyk

Andyk

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Hi Lee and a big warm welcome to the forum...Great car the QP and a load of car for the money. IN you brackets of 17/18k you will mostly find the duo select as most full autos are over 20k but the odd one does dip below but just make sure you get an independent inspection. Duo select is a car that you will not get with a quick drive around the block especially if you have had paddles in your AMG's. The QP though feels like a much smaller car when pressing on and the handling always amazes me everytime I drive one.....

This duo select car is owned by a member and was sold to him by another member so is well known on the forum. Great car for the money and has the desirable sport GT 20inch wheels, Sport GT front grille and a tubi exhaust. Well worth looking at...

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifi...rte/maserati-quattroporte-4-2-v8-2006/4693463

Also worth talking to Dicky Grace a well respected specialist on here who is more happy to give advice and could also find you a car....He has sold some great cars to many on here.

http://www.richardgracecars.co.uk/

This may also help with the different models and spec...

http://www.sportsmaserati.com/showthread.php/16190-Specification-options-price-list
 
rockits

rockits

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SPX said:
Yes, I remember you pal, still couldn't believe it when you sold the SL60...

The QP would be driven by the Mrs 50% of the time so it needs to be 'female friendly' which is leaning more and more towards the 2007+ ZF gearbox, which is a shame because I've heard a few reviews saying how the weight distribution on the earlier DS is sublime because of the rear mounted 'box.
Click to expand...
Yes, selling the SL60 wasn't my finest decision! Especially when I paid the low amount I paid for it at the time. Only solace I had was that I had no garage at the time & it needed a lot spending to get it up to scratch. I also didn't have the time to give to it. I know Jay has spent a stack on her but would have got her right up to scratch which is nice to know.

Looks like your swaying towards ZF then unless your missus is a little petrol head and understanding. I know my missus wouldn't like driving my 4200 CC regularly.

I agree that the dry sumped engine with rear mounted box as I have in the 4200 gives a nice balance and very flat/squat setup. Gives much more confidence compared to the wildness of the SL55 which was a little comical much of the time. Good fun but tiresome after a while. Don't think I'll ever get tired if the Maser.

Any colour combo you are looking for? Any max/ideal budget?
 
drewf

drewf

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Some great advice on this thread!

I came from a V12 AMG CL600 into the QP, and wouldn't go back. The QP (mines a DS) has delicate sublime handling compared to the AMG, and feels like a much smaller car to drive. It does take a while to get used to the robotised clutch, and if you intend driving it mostly in town I'd suggest the ZF auto would be the way to go. The DS comes into its own on an open road though. The only opinion I'd differ from above is Contigo saying it's smoother around town in Sport. In my experience, crawling around town is much better out of sport mode, as the clutch take up is too harsh in stop/start traffic otherwise.

I'd also consider the clutch wear indications to be no more useful than casting runes - 3 years ago mine was at 100%, and several track days, several continental trips and 20k later, it's not showing any sign of needing replacement.
 
Andyk

Andyk

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Several track days and me at the wheel ...Bloody **** Drew that's impressive....
 
SPX

SPX

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Thanks for all the welcomes, it looks to be an active forum (which is what I like to see!)


rockits said:
Any colour combo you are looking for? Any max/ideal budget?
Click to expand...

I like a nice contrast so either dark blue or black paintwork with light-ish interior or silver or light blue paint work dark interior. Definitely no greys though.

The more I think this through, the more I'm inclined to go for the ZF 'box; I can imagine the earache already with the more driver orientated DS, the wife will drive almost anything I throw at her but this might be a step too far.
 
SPX

SPX

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drewf said:
Some great advice on this thread!

I came from a V12 AMG CL600 into the QP, and wouldn't go back. The QP (mines a DS) has delicate sublime handling compared to the AMG, and feels like a much smaller car to drive. It does take a while to get used to the robotised clutch, and if you intend driving it mostly in town I'd suggest the ZF auto would be the way to go. The DS comes into its own on an open road though. The only opinion I'd differ from above is Contigo saying it's smoother around town in Sport. In my experience, crawling around town is much better out of sport mode, as the clutch take up is too harsh in stop/start traffic otherwise.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I think once I do take the plunge it'll be hard to look at anything else without thinking "yes, but it isn't a Maserati, is it?"
 
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