QP IV - Buying Tips

maser wales

New Member
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Have not posted for a while after selling the 4200CC.

However, I miss it and now have the opportunity to possibly buy a QP IV which looks pretty good. Have not yet had a chance to inspect in detail and would welcome any tips before a more detailed examination. Before committing I will also get a professional inspection, but any wisdom which may avoid that cost would be very welcome.

Thanks
 

Ewan

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6,757
Don't even think about buying one without a specialist inspection - and make sure the inspector actually knows about QP IV's so I'd suggest McGrath or Emblem. And before and on start-up, ensure the correct warning lights go and off again at the right times and in the right order. Key problems are chasis rust and electrical gremlins.
 

zagatoes30

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20,759
Don't even think about buying one without a specialist inspection - and make sure the inspector actually knows about QP IV's so I'd suggest McGrath or Emblem. And before and on start-up, ensure the correct warning lights go and off again at the right times and in the right order. Key problems are chasis rust and electrical gremlins.

All of the above and Ewan has had one or two where as I am still on my first - Great cars when right but....
 

Ewan

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6,757
I've had 3 of the series four QP's, all of them the 3.2lt twin turbo V8 EVO versions (two auto, one manual). All were lovely, if a bit quirky and slightly fragile.

Funnily enough I was on the Classic Driver website last night looking at an LHD version...
 

maser wales

New Member
Messages
34
Don't even think about buying one without a specialist inspection - and make sure the inspector actually knows about QP IV's so I'd suggest McGrath or Emblem. And before and on start-up, ensure the correct warning lights go and off again at the right times and in the right order. Key problems are chasis rust and electrical gremlins.

I have been looking for the warning light sequence to check, but have not been able to locate a document on internet. Does anyone have the detail or I hope it will be in the manual with the car.

I am in South Wales, can anyone recommend someone to do any inspection more local. When buying the 4200 I used Migliore in Bromsgrove as the car was in the Midlands and so did my purchaser, but they are too far this time.
 

Ewan

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6,757
It's been known for the "check engine" bulb to be removed, so check this comes on when you first turn the key. It should then go off once the car is started. Needless to say, this is the most important one!

Given what these cars can cost to put right, even if you have to spend a few hundred quid in transporting the car to a specialist, it would be money well spent. These are very much a "buyer beware" vehicle.

If it's not a known club/forum car, or not from a known Maserati specialist, I'd be extra careful.
 

zagatoes30

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20,759
Are warning lights suppose to go off ;)

Mine has been known to light up like a fairground and most of the time they go off. I need to track down the suspension warning light as one of them is being triggered and an intermittent ABS warning light both jobs for the warmer times
 

Ewan

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6,757
I'd forgotten about the suspension warning light! That would occasionally come on in my last car, but changing the setting (from, say, normal to sport then back again) would clear it.
 

zagatoes30

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20,759
I'd forgotten about the suspension warning light! That would occasionally come on in my last car, but changing the setting (from, say, normal to sport then back again) would clear it.

Mine used to clear by doing that but recently it has tended to stay on. It is due to find its way into the garage shortly so it will be dry and I will have the time and space to track it down.
 

FTECH

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We at Ftech Engineering in Exeter agree that a detailed inspection by a specialist is a very worthwhile exercise.

We see quite a few 'just purchased' cars in our workshop which have issues that could have been diagnosed before the car was bought and may have helped in negotiations. With over 16 years experience in modern and classic Maserati's, our Technical Director Dan Belli would be able to assist in any detailed examination so please get in touch to discuss further if desired.
 

Ewan

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Very true FTECH. I believe Dan is looking after my old EVO very nicely for the new owner.
 

ZAM400209

Member
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585
Hey Maser Wales-

did you get your answers? I could make a film of the 'Cup dash lights coming on & off, on startup, if it would help..?

Is it the V6 or V8 QP IV that you are looking at?

The v8 is significantly more complex in terms of engine management...
 

maser wales

New Member
Messages
34
All,

Thanks for tips and advice. I chatted to the owner and went to look. I did not get as far as turning the key as I wish people would be honest in describing cars, I am not blind. The couple of bit of rust on the wheel arch was more like a couple of bits of wheel arch left on the rust. Seem to forget about the rust all the way along the drivers door and a jacking point that would fail an MOT.

Had a similar experience not so long ago when looking at a Rover P5B.

Arrgh
 

zagatoes30

Member
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20,759
I saw loads of QP IVs mostly after I had put a deposit down on the one i bought and they were without exception terrible and were what convinced me that buying the one I had found was a good idea. It had issues but not on the scale of others I saw. Also most others were V6, the odd V8 but all were auto and all were rotten, wheel arches, sills, doors, floors etc, etc.

Mine is not perfect in fact far from but it is relatively solid and has straight panels with very little rust although there is more than one shade of silver. It deserves the TLC is will hopefully get this year and hopefully should be back in use.
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,757
I seem to remember mentioning rust in my first post...

The good news is that there are good ones out there. The bad news is that these ones are very rare, and cost the same as a QP V (which is a better car in every way). Cheap examples of a QP IV are cheap for a reason.
 

aaw

New Member
Messages
14
I did all the no things when I bought mine 3.2 evo auto, bought it from Italy unseen and wo PPI. I had some help inspecting the car before I bought it and had a lot of luck I guess as it was a very nice example. I have had some issues with it, the biggest one the tendency to run hot. That now solved with the kind help of fellow memeber ZAM400209 who helped me with an override switch for the fans. In my opinion the check engine light isn't that big of a problem as it comes on and off mostly depending on the position of the moon. Mine eventually stayed on and I had to change a whole bunch of sensors and both lambdas to cure it, wasn't actually that expensive as the parts are the same as those in some Rovers and Fords but with original Maserati spares it would have been 3000+. What has cost me most money so far:

- the windscreen, extremely hard to find and costs +2500 euro + fitting
- heater blower fan not available anymore and those on market cost 900 euro for the original part, luckily a motor from BMW fits but you have to take whole dashboard out to change which cost 1600 euro
- AC Compressor started leaking last summer, new original costs 2000 euro. Alfa V6 compressor should be identical so will investigate that.
- Starter blew, Citroen 1.7 starter identical and costs around 100 euro
- Fuel sensor gauge inside tank
- Heater valve, not available new anymore. Saab & Ferrari 355 have identical part
- Return oil pipes to turbo
- Some coolant pipes
- Ignition coil
- All track end rods and joints mostly due to wear caused by the weight of the engine, quite cheap parts considered the car

This is what I remember I have had to change during the 3y/20000 km I have had the car. Remember when deciding on purchase that some of the parts starts to be hard to find nowadays, most can be found from other cars if you bother to do the research but some are unique and either not available or cost their weight in gold.

Hope this helps,
Ake