QP/GT front subframes - the truth

[Scaf]

I am another that has had the excellent service from Sportitalia, mines a 2010 but thankfully only surface rust and caught in time.
Fully protected now and I can relax.

 

[lifes2short]

does anyone know what makes them rust like that, is it lack of paint adhesion which then peels off, too thin a paint or simply poor steel, doesn't look like it's dirt/water traps in those things

 

[Kincath]

I can echo the need for inspection. I have recently bought a face lift QPV and the main reason I went for the car i did was due to the owner having recently spent £3000 replacing the front subframe and stripping the rear and treating every part of the underside. Scary stuff for a 2009 car. I have a 16 page pdf with photos etc... with this issue along with variators a lot of these cars May go to the big scrapyard in the sky quicker than you think.

 

[outrun]

I can echo the need for inspection. I have recently bought a face lift QPV and the main reason I went for the car i did was due to the owner having recently spent £3000 replacing the front subframe and stripping the rear and treating every part of the underside. Scary stuff for a 2009 car. I have a 16 page pdf with photos etc... with this issue along with variators a lot of these cars May go to the big scrapyard in the sky quicker than you think.

********, you went for it because it's blue!

Just kidding, i've seen the photos of the subframe replacement. Kincath's car is one owner, owned by a F1 team boss from new and still it needed the whole frame replaced.

When the lockdown really kicks in, I'll probably buy that car for £50 off him!

 

[StuartW]

That looks like one of the worst yet Matt, just in time for sure!

 

[Wagons-Lits]

Do you think 5g had anything to do with it?

ha just kidding !

in seriousness, i see an MC label - does that car have some sort of special MC suspension?

 

[Gp79]

That is terrible that relatively young expensive cars are that bad.

Surely this should be picked up much earlier before you can poking a finger through them? Is this not the whole point in having a service and service history? Not just swapping filters/fluids but a proper check over and preventative measures on the underside.

my GS was no different, need a new front subframe at 11 years old, blast / powder coat of rear one plus the rest of the remaining parts replaced / refurbished and this had great service history from dealers / specialists - annoys the h3ll out of me.

 

[dickygrace]

in seriousness, i see an MC label - does that car have some sort of special MC suspension?

Yes it does, those shockers are the Stradale set up for Granturismo, part of the optional handling pack (2010-12). Ostensibly same as your GTS, fixed dampers that are ‘just right’.

 

[Wagons-Lits]

Yes it does, those shockers are the Stradale set up for Granturismo, part of the optional handling pack (2010-12). Ostensibly same as your GTS, fixed dampers that are ‘just right’.

Thanks for clarifying Dicky, and love that description of them!

 

[mjheathcote]

GT and QP more mass produced and bought from new my owners that used them, unfortunately all year through our salty wet winters.
Damage done.
Then bought secondhand by enthusiasts that have to pay the cost.

 

[ChrisQP09]

My MC suspension must try and check my own sub frame but car very low and need a jack/stands

 

[makeshiftUK]

That is terrible that relatively young expensive cars are that bad.

Surely this should be picked up much earlier before you can poking a finger through them? Is this not the whole point in having a service and service history? Not just swapping filters/fluids but a proper check over and preventative measures on the underside.

my GS was no different, need a new front subframe at 11 years old, blast / powder coat of rear one plus the rest of the remaining parts replaced / refurbished and this had great service history from dealers / specialists - annoys the h3ll out of me.

Agreed... but I think the reality is even a main dealer isn't going to flag up subframe corrosion, when it's probably more profitable for them to turnaround a car quickly vs. having a car on the ramps for a few weeks. And I'm fairly certain a subframe inspection isn't on the official service schedule...

I dodged a bullet on the first QPV GTS I viewed... paid for the inspection with AV engineering, only for them to report that the 'subframe was corroded beyond economical repair'.

It's definitely a combination of the enthusiast owners that make up this club and the network of trusted, dedicated specialists that are both flagging this up and offering a treatment path for the longevity of these beautiful cars.

 

[rs48635]

Yes it does, those shockers are the Stradale set up for Granturismo, part of the optional handling pack (2010-12). Ostensibly same as your GTS, fixed dampers that are ‘just right’.

Have to agree about the GTS dampers. Drove three models back to back on dealer day, standard , Sport GT and Sport GTS. The ride was so much better in the GTS as dickie said, just right.
Would be great to junk my skyhook setup for fixed rate dampers. Then my ideal QP would be complete (after new clutch, some paint , wheel refurb, boot lid aligned )

 

[rs48635]

Mine is in with Matt and Ashley now for wishbone bushes. "and have a look at the subframe please". Have said more than one prayer to the god of ferrous metal.

 

[Lavazza]

How much would it cost to change from skyhook to fixed rate (Stradale equivalent)?

Anyone done that?

 

[conaero]

Here is one we had out today to do the shock bush and give it a wash, brush up and a flick of paint. It’s a standard shock and spring set up with no electronics.

 

[Ryandoc]

Folks

See if I wanted to jack the car up and do a very basic inspection myself, what’s the idiots guide here, where am I looking and do I need to remove anything?

Im not massively familiar with underneath these cars other than seeing pics of my own car below ...

 

[Zep]

The bit of the subframe most likely to be rusted severely is at the upper wishbone mounts, this is visible behind the front wheels or from below like this.

 

[Ryandoc]

Thanks Zep, going to get a look at some point during this isolation and try get an idea of how mine is looking

 

[conaero]

Take the front wheel off, between the upper inboard wishbone mount is a triangular box section. Give it a good prod with a screw driver on the upper and lower faces.