QPV pre-purchase check results

Vtec

New Member
Messages
17
Hi Guys.
So I've done a PPI to a car that I am interested in. The car is in good general condition, a bit over 50k miles on the clock, 2010, 4.2.
I couldn't do the inspection at Maserati specialist- logistically not feasible.
There came a few issues that worry me - as I am not sure how severe do they look. Maybe someone with more experience can advise? Huge costs of repairs coming soon on these?
I had a post inspection chat with the mechanic and his comments in the brackets below he put me at ease a bit but still..


  1. Front upper wishbone bushes wearing (can't hear anything from the inside yet - only looking up close the mechanic inspecting the car said they might need replacement in a years time - depends on how much do I drive obvs)
  2. Corrosion evident to front and rear subframe (the mech said it is more like a surface corrosion, expected in a car of this age)
  3. Oil weep starting around engine sump (just sweating a bit, guys said nothing serious, expected in a car of this age)
  4. Rear springs corrosion (the element that would need addressing soon as if the element corrodes further it might snap at some point)
  5. Slight exhaust leak starting around mid section clamps (supposedly not a big thing and easily fixed)
  6. Small oil weep/mist starting around engine front cover (expected in a car of this age, and nothing serious).

I attach the photos.
The car has a recent MOT - there were no issues or advisories.

Thanks a lot for any reply.
Vtec
 

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Andyk

Member
Messages
61,038
Number two is always a worry on these….Subframes I believe actually rot from the inside out. Someone with more knowledge will be along but they are one of the big issues on the cars…QP and GT’s…..I would want a 2nd opinion on that one.
 

Devonboy

Member
Messages
1,289
Sub frame - Rust Busters or Sports Italia…..to stop further corrosion has to be high on the list bu that sounds a pretty good report for a 2010 car with 50k on the clock

bushes - my slight wear has been reported to me every year for the last 4 years - changed this year finally!

Expect further POV shortly
 

Vtec

New Member
Messages
17
Number two is always a worry on these….Subframes I believe actually rot from the inside out. Someone with more knowledge will be along but they are one of the big issues on the cars…QP and GT’s…..I would want a 2nd opinion on that one.

Yep yep, I've learned.



I have done research already but thanks for the tip Safrane.
 
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Vtec

New Member
Messages
17
sounds a pretty good report for a 2010 car with 50k on the clock

Yes the the mechanic sounded like the car is in a good condition, some bits expected for this age. I particularily wanted him to check the subrames haha.
I would definitely go to secure these if I buy the car - thanks for the tips!

Also - back quarter seems to be repainted (415microns of paint) - I am not too worried about that - I used to have to repaint bits of my previous cars - just because of the deep keying or a small touch from another car.
 

StuartW

Member
Messages
9,306
As above, the sub frames are by far the biggest issue and most expensive to put right if they have corroded too far. As for the other points, 3, 4 & 5 are nothing too serious and fairly cheap to put right. Point 6 is fairly labour intensive but most people live with this as it seems to happen on by far the majority of QPV and GT. I have had it on all three of my GTs, have never had to top up oil between services and as yet have not rectified it on the two GTs that I still have. I will address if the misting gets any more serious.
Have the sub frames looked at by a Maserati expert and hopefully it will put your mind at rest
Good luck
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
That has certainly seen salt during its life. My old springs on the 2008 were spotless compared to those, so subframe rust would be my main concern. Springs are cheap about £100 each but bolts can strip the threads removing the shockers.
Exhausts all leak until hot. Nothing to do there. Bushes all replaceable so factor in between services to keep costs lower.
Oil could be coming from cam covers and running down.
 

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
I'm with the others and the general consensus here... point 1 will be expensive, as it requires a special tool to perform the work... equally mine is a 2010 plate on 78k miles, SI identified that mine will need doing when I saw them in early 2020... fast forward 18 months and a recent look suggests they're still in need of replacement, but OK for now and certainly not knocking or clunking... I plan to get the work done when my reasonably worn front tyres need replacement. If you're seriously interested in this one, this could serve as a nice negotiating point... people on here that have had the work done can give you some guidance on what you can expect to pay. Hopefully the front tyres on this are worn evenly?

For point 2 I'd be wanting a second opinion, particularly from someone with experience in this field... if it's mostly surface corrosion then as suggested, SI or Rustbusters to get it proactively treated before it gets past the point of beyond-economical-repair. Given its a 2010, if it hasn't been treated by now then I'd absolutely want to go into ownership knowing that I've got welding work and perpetual rust issues to look forward to.

Outside of this, the usual stuff around MOT and service history... maybe this was covered in your other thread.
 

Vtec

New Member
Messages
17
Thanks guys for all your input.

Is the engine number outside of Variators issue or not?

Unfortunately it is within the affected numbers - it hasn't been fixed in the past (no info in the service book) and I don't currently hear any issue and nothing was reported by the mechanic (they test cold start).


Variator issues affect wet-sump engines only... I think the 4.2L is dry sump?

oh, I thought that ZF are wet sump?
 

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
Thanks guys for all your input.



Unfortunately it is within the affected numbers - it hasn't been fixed in the past (no info in the service book) and I don't currently hear any issue and nothing was reported by the mechanic (they test cold start).




oh, I thought that ZF are wet sump?
Ignore me...
Dry Sump = all 4.2 liter engines from year 2005 through year 2007 mated to the duo-select transmission (red and blue cam covers). Wet Sump = from year 2007 and later, all 4.2 liter and 4.7 liter engines mated to the ZF automatic transmission (red and blue cam covers).
Source: https://www.sportsmaserati.com/index.php?threads/wet-sump.31026/
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
Thanks guys for all your input.



Unfortunately it is within the affected numbers - it hasn't been fixed in the past (no info in the service book) and I don't currently hear any issue and nothing was reported by the mechanic (they test cold start).




oh, I thought that ZF are wet sump?
Hmmm. Well unless dealer is going to do it or knock 3k off with all the other potential issues I would probably be walking away to be honest.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
There is better out there and the money you will be spending could put you into a 4.7 or a much better 4.2.
 

makeshiftUK

Member
Messages
1,089
Hmmm. Well unless dealer is going to do it or knock 3k off with all the other potential issues I would probably be walking away to be honest.
If the dealer has had it up for sale for a while (and I think it has been up for a fair bit now) then maybe theres latitude in the price to build in an allowance for when the variators start rattling.

Are we 100% sure on the engine number falling into the pre-variator fix category? I thought it affected cars up to 2009... maybe this was a late registration?
 

Vtec

New Member
Messages
17
I thought it affected cars up to 2009... maybe this was a late registration?

It is from a private seller (the grey one I was posting in the other thread).
it is 2010(10) and engine number 143560 - I read that engines up till 148697 can be affected.
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
If the dealer has had it up for sale for a while (and I think it has been up for a fair bit now) then maybe theres latitude in the price to build in an allowance for when the variators start rattling.

Are we 100% sure on the engine number falling into the pre-variator fix category? I thought it affected cars up to 2009... maybe this was a late registration?
The engine numbers were not in order I understand so could well be in a car upto 2011 but unlikely.