QP 3.8 GTS - common issues?

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c3nturi0n

Junior Member
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as suggested in my inauguration post, I'm looking to acquire my first Maserati.

I'd be curious to know what are common issues (if any) or potentially costly items one should look out for on 3.8 GTS (V8 TT)?
 
Italiano

Italiano

Member
Messages
244
Bought mine via Dickey.

All I will say is, stack the odds in your favour.
Running costs are what it is, I've stepped up from my station of life in my QP and you can't run one based on a Ford Fiesta budget but if you buy quality and accept prices are higher than Ford, hopefully you will enjoy your ownership.

There is no definitive answer I don't think
 
Cyclone1

Cyclone1

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531
Italiano said:
Bought mine via Dickey.

All I will say is, stack the odds in your favour.
Running costs are what it is, I've stepped up from my station of life in my QP and you can't run one based on a Ford Fiesta budget but if you buy quality and accept prices are higher than Ford, hopefully you will enjoy your ownership.

There is no definitive answer I don't think
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So based on your experience to date, have you encountered any common issues or costly repairs?
 
Italiano

Italiano

Member
Messages
244
Had service & MoT done at Autofficina in Ewell last year.
Think that was £700 but can't remember to be honest.

Took out a warranty just in case when bought car :saifi:

I'm not going to jinks myself but I'm loving the car since I bought it May 2022.

But I went down the avenue of established reputable dealer.
Was a lot of money for me to take a chance
 
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c3nturi0n

Junior Member
Messages
42
Italiano said:
Had service & MoT done at Autofficina in Ewell last year.
Think that was £700 but can't remember to be honest.

Took out a warranty just in case when bought car :saifi:

I'm not going to jinks myself but I'm loving the car since I bought it May 2022.

But I went down the avenue of established reputable dealer.
Was a lot of money for me to take a chance
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Other than std wear&tear items, do they suffer from any turbo or injector related issues?

Gearbox is box std ZF 8-speed that has proven to be reliable in many (most notably Ger brands).
 
safrane

safrane

Member
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16,862
Make sure all the interior items work and nothing is cracked.

Most trim items are NLA on all Maserati produced before 2008.
 
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c3nturi0n

Junior Member
Messages
42
I'm likely to go with one i saw locally... details including pics to follow

the only that 'concerns' me is come resale time that they seem they'll be hard sellers (some in AT have been for sale for > 6months)
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,631
Common issues we see with the Ghibli/Levante/QP6 platform are all the same

Front lower wishbone inner bushes, new arms £1k. This in turn wears the inner edges of the front tyres, another £500. HVAC actuators packing up, £200 each, rear upper suspension diagonal dogleg link creeking, water leaks into the floor from the rear doors, flooding the ecu’s they have stuffed in there. Overall, very good.

GTS V8’s eat rear tyres for breakfast.
 
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c3nturi0n

Junior Member
Messages
42
conaero said:
Common issues we see with the Ghibli/Levante/QP6 platform are all the same

Front lower wishbone inner bushes, new arms £1k. This in turn wears the inner edges of the front tyres, another £500. HVAC actuators packing up, £200 each, rear upper suspension diagonal dogleg link creeking, water leaks into the floor from the rear doors, flooding the ecu’s they have stuffed in there. Overall, very good.

GTS V8’s eat rear tyres for breakfast.
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I tested one that had rear suspension overhaul… i could still hear some faint squeeking with windows down. Any thoughts?

Re the water through rear doors, is there a way to detect / prevent it proactively?
 
conaero

conaero

Forum Owner
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34,631
The rear suspension has three dogleg arms per side. You have to replace all 6 to get rid of the squeaking. It doesn’t help that at the factory some idiot built the rear subframe and suspension on the floor, when it’s in the car you then do not have the room to get the bolt out so you have to lower the subframe each side at a time.

Check for wet carpets. It’s usually poorly fitted seals, not just the main weather strip, check all the smaller seals around the door and the shuts.

If you take the sill step trim off you can pull the carpet up and get your hand in. Drivers side you have to take the bonnet pull lever off first.
 
Cyclone1

Cyclone1

Member
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531
c3nturi0n said:
Not far off :).

What concerns me is the lack of service history. I’m sensing that come resale it will be challenging to pass it on.
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Depends how cheap it is. If it’s significantly less than one with FSH then it could be tempting, provided you book it in to get a full service done to address any gaps, plus identify any other issues that may be being covered up. However, it may still be harder to shift in the future, but again you can cover this in the description and lower price.

Sometimes it makes sense to wait and buy a proper box ticker. Might cost you more initially, but come the time to sell it’ll have a much better chance.
 
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Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,496
If you get one and service and maintain it properly over a period, is it not now "up to date" with it's servicing?

These cars are always going to be more difficult to sell than mainstream cars.

Eb
 
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c3nturi0n

Junior Member
Messages
42
Ebenezer said:
If you get one and service and maintain it properly over a period, is it not now "up to date" with it's servicing?

These cars are always going to be more difficult to sell than mainstream cars.

Eb
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I checked with couple main dealers around the country and the car has was indeed with them (and serviced) for the first 6 years. So at least that's reassuring. For the remainder, I'll see if it can be traced and linked to MOT history.

If i do connect the dots i will certainly go for it this weekend :).
 
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