New and looking to buy a 2004 QP

[Parisien]

30% left?....needs a new clutch, no ifs or buts........get that indie inspection and save some money on the deal


P

 

[Emtee]

If it's something that can be haggled into the purchase price, then absolutely change the clutch, but if it can't I would check the mileage since the last clutch, as the readings are very inaccurate above 50 percent wear. I did 40K on my 4200 clutch and there was still plenty of meat on it when I did change it, and Loz ran his well past 100 percent without issues.

 

[drewf]

My clutch reading was at 100% wear over a year ago, and Geoff at Shiltech advised driving it until there were real tell-tale signs of wear. Hasn't happened yet...

 

[Parisien]

Its a minefield.....a worn one doesn't look much difference to a new one......plus they can fail for other reasons..............they cost £1.5k to replace...a big negotiating point


P

 

[Ewan]

If the clutch can be changed within the price, simply negotiate the money off instead. There is absolutely no point in replacing a clutch which has a third of its life still left. Not that the reading is very accurate. The clutch only needs replacing when it actually begins to slip or show genuine signs of needing replacement. A clutch with 30% left could easily give another 10,000 miles or more of good service.

But do get an inspection. The 04 cars were not as sorted as the later ones (say, 06 onwards), and every job is expensive. Fantastic car for the money, just tread carefully. I don't know the mileage/history of the car you're viewing, but I wouldn't want to spend more than mid teens (tops) on an 04. Chat to Dicky Grace about values also.

 

[Emtee]

Oh I don't know P, a worn clutch looks like.......well it looks like a clutch that's worn, but that question is moot, as you'd need to get it out to check, which is at least half the cost of a swap. You're right that there have been failures reported for other reasons. The ones I know of are down to finger springs, though I've not heard this in relation to a QP. I'd agree with Drewf and, given I don't trust the readings above 50%, I'd drive it until the car starts to hunt gears, squeal, drop unexpectedly to neutral, or starts to flash the gear selection.

 

[Grinzzz]

From what I understand from McGraths the clutch wear sensor is very prone to wear/ageing as well. And when it's set a lot of places dont set the initial value correctly. I still had 30% left on mine when it went, and as others have said it goes the other way too. Factor in the cost/get a discount and then change it when it actually shows signs of wear.

 

[BennyD]

.....or slip. That was the only symptom mine had but only when accelerating hard from a standstill.

 

[Grinzzz]

same as mine...started with a bit of slip and within 30 miles was going all the time. You dont get much warning in my experience

 

[BennyD]

I did. It was slipping for at least a month but wasn't getting any worse. I knew it was going to need replacing so I did it when I wanted to, not when I had to.

 

[Grinzzz]

Slipped pulling out of our lane on the morning...had to really limp it home in the evening, all within 30 miles. It was a good job I had a trailer to take it to be done.

Bet someone somewhere does a HD lining for these.

 

[justhb]

Thanks - as usual there of views.
I should have made a note but the reg is ??04OVR and was on eBay a couple of weeks ago but the seller was let down by a foreign bidder.

 

[Grinzzz]

I dont think its varying views, there really is that much variability in peoples experience with the clutch. Best to assume the worst and hope for the best in my opinion. Frustrating but hey it adds to the experience!

 

[justhb]

It all adds to the experience!

 

[Blox]

Go for it ! 3 years in to QP Sport GT ownership and I still grin every time I turn the key. I am based near Bristol and am happy to help if I can. I'm no mechanic but I do know how the QP should drive. Keep us posted.

I echo the Indy and clutch advice. Also check your car spec. If its the Exec model, I don't think it had the 20 inch wheels as standard. I believe these came on the later Sport model.

Good luck !

 

[Andyk]

You're right the Exec had 19 inch. The Exec and Sport came out around the same time in 2005 I believe so if it's a 2004 it will no have the exec pack but has probably had some of the exec bits added from the option list.

 

[justhb]

The link to the ebay listing is:-
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maserati-Quatroporte-/321183248077

Any corrections to the description would be appreciated.

 

[safrane]

Is that snow in the background??? Old add or been up for sale for a while?

 

[Andyk]

That looks OK .... Advert is wrong on the wheels...They are 19's .... And it's not a QP GT S Exec .... The grill is standard QP and not mesh....Mesh was on the Exec and black mesh on the sport...Looks good though...

 

[justhb]

Interesting.
Any ideas on cost of inspection by an Indy / Carrs?
Thanks