High speed road holding

[Tallman]

Let’s say for legal reasons I “teleported to the autobahn” and was driving at high speed - getting to about 140mph I was not that impressed with the road holding, the car felt a bit unstable needing constant steering input compared to my 650i which is rock solid - is that the general perception for those that sometimes “teleport to the autobahn” for a high speed drive on their QPV? And how is the GT?

My car (2012) has about 19k on the clock so there should not be any significant wear on the suspension parts I would think, the P-Zero’s are fairly new and I had the alignment and balancing done a few months ago.

 

[Hurricane52]

Might be worth checking your springs. I had two cracked ones which the MOT must have missed. Autoshield replaced them.

 

[zagatoes30]

My Spyder at 140+ on the Milbrook bowl was rock solid, both the instructor and I were surprised how stable it felt even direction changes to move it in and out of the outer lane didn't upset it.

I suspect you might have some wear in the suspension bits, it doesn't take much

 

[midlifecrisis]

I'm no suspension expert but it's a 16 or so year old car not just 19,000 miles. Rubbery bits will perish in that time leading to 'looseness' in the bushes.

 

[Zep]

As others have said, they aren’t all like that. Probably front bushes to be honest. But have it all checked.

 

[Sam McGoo]

Let’s say for legal reasons I “teleported to the autobahn” and was driving at high speed - getting to about 140mph I was not that impressed with the road holding, the car felt a bit unstable needing constant steering input compared to my 650i which is rock solid - is that the general perception for those that sometimes “teleport to the autobahn” for a high speed drive on their QPV? And how is the GT?

My car (2012) has about 19k on the clock so there should not be any significant wear on the suspension parts I would think, the P-Zero’s are fairly new and I had the alignment and balancing done a few months ago.

Was the alignment done to the factory spec?
If the QP is anything like the GT, then it comes from the factory with toe out on the front. This helps to make it feel like these big cars feel more nimble and turn in sharply, but at higher speeds can make it feel twitchy, especially on uneven surfaces.

Most recommend changing it to a small amount of toe in. This helps with stability and improves the inside edge tyre wear that we all get, but the trade off is it will feel a bit lazier on turn in.

 

[Gazcw]

Let’s say for legal reasons I “teleported to the autobahn” and was driving at high speed - getting to about 140mph I was not that impressed with the road holding, the car felt a bit unstable needing constant steering input compared to my 650i which is rock solid - is that the general perception for those that sometimes “teleport to the autobahn” for a high speed drive on their QPV? And how is the GT?

My car (2012) has about 19k on the clock so there should not be any significant wear on the suspension parts I would think, the P-Zero’s are fairly new and I had the alignment and balancing done a few months ago.

My QP was very unsettled and light at the front over 130 before it went onto Michelin, got lowered 20mm and had alignment by SI. After that is what solid at 155 (theoretically)

 

[Bebs]

Was the alignment done to the factory spec?
If the QP is anything like the GT, then it comes from the factory with toe out on the front. This helps to make it feel like these big cars feel more nimble and turn in sharply, but at higher speeds can make it feel twitchy, especially on uneven surfaces.

Most recommend changing it to a small amount of toe in. This helps with stability and improves the inside edge tyre wear that we all get, but the trade off is it will feel a bit lazier on turn in.

That’s exactly what I had done to mine. Far too much steering input was required at speed.

 

[Tallman]

Was the alignment done to the factory spec?
If the QP is anything like the GT, then it comes from the factory with toe out on the front. This helps to make it feel like these big cars feel more nimble and turn in sharply, but at higher speeds can make it feel twitchy, especially on uneven surfaces.

Most recommend changing it to a small amount of toe in. This helps with stability and improves the inside edge tyre wear that we all get, but the trade off is it will feel a bit lazier on turn in.

I had it done at the Maserati Dealer so I will presume it was to factory spec, and it is quite sharp on turn in - it also reacts strongly to bumps, lorry tracks so it feels more nervous even at low speeds than the BMW so that might be it - I’ll get it checked next time I’m there and then also get the rest of the suspension looked over for wear.

 

[Oneball]

Worth checking tyre pressures and that the front undertray is still there (assuming there is one on a QP6) as you can do that at home on the drive.

 

[davy83]

I would echo a lot of the good advice here. Tyre pressures for sure also condition of the shocks and bushes. However if I was going to point a finger I would suggest geometry, or wheel alignment. My car changes dramatically with different geometry set ups. And have had it absolutely rock solid at 150 mph (I don't have a teleporter so I get the ferry at Hull and go to Germany that way) and have also had it set up so it felt uncertain, and quite unsettling at higher speed. I think the tip on toe in is important at at the heart of this behaviour but there is a tweak to the rear too (on my 3200 at any rate).

 

[montravia]

Let’s say for legal reasons I “teleported to the autobahn” and was driving at high speed - getting to about 140mph I was not that impressed with the road holding, the car felt a bit unstable needing constant steering input compared to my 650i which is rock solid - is that the general perception for those that sometimes “teleport to the autobahn” for a high speed drive on their QPV? And how is the GT?

My car (2012) has about 19k on the clock so there should not be any significant wear on the suspension parts I would think, the P-Zero’s are fairly new and I had the alignment and balancing done a few months ago.

Nope. Should be rock solid.

 

[Trev Latter]

About a year after I first got mine I took it over to Germany and opened it up a bit on the autobahn. It felt a little "floaty" between about 90 and 120, but from then on was pretty stable up to and a little past 140. I put it down to aerodynamics taking a part at the time and didn't think too much of it. Had a good look when I got back (just in case) and found a tiny bit of play in the rear lower wishbone spherical bearing on the nearside, so presumably, it was suffering from a touch of rear wheel steering/ rear toe misalignment. New bearings on both sides as a precaution and has benperfect ever since.

 

[FIFTY]

My car (2012) has about 19k on the clock so there should not be any significant wear on the suspension parts

Really? One of the Specialists told me QPV and GTs chew through suspension arms every 20k miles (or are you talking in Kilometers)

 

[davy83]

Really? One of the Specialists told me QPV and GTs chew through suspension arms every 20k miles (or are you talking in Kilometers)

Yes my experience is the ball joints don't last very long. 9 year old car the ball joint covers will have perished and the ball joints get exposed to the weather and dont last long after that.

 

[Devonboy]

I did 130mpg last year on the Autobahn….rock solid but effing loud in sport!

 

[Zep]

I did 130mpg last year on the Autobahn….rock solid but effing loud in sport!

Downhill I assume?!

 

[LiamP]

interesting thread, just had the tyres changed.. in my opinion very excessive wear. AM about to book into Maserati for a full alignment, but if they set it up to factory, as above, then I will keep the twitchy feel over rough surfaces/lorry tracks... so what settings are we suggesting toe out etc to even the wear and sit better?

 

[CatmanV2]

The toe out that is the factory specs make it sharper to turn in and wear the inside of the tyres. It sounds more like you want neutral to calm it down and sort the wear. I imagine @conaero has some recommended settings otherwise take it somewhere like Wheels in Motion in Chesham and have a chat with them

C