Quattroporte Duo Select or Auto advice !

Ianno

New Member
Messages
3
Hi All
I am looking to get a Quattroporte up to £25k and am after some advice re the car to buy, it is to replace my Audi S8 2007 V10 that I bought 4 years ago when looking for a QP, at the time the dealer had a couple of QP's but I saw the audi and it was such a good buy i opted for that , part exing my maserati 4200 cambiocorsa. So, I am used to the duo-select and I like the involvement that gives you when driving, that said I don't mind an auto either. The Audi is a lovely car but its time for a change. The Audi has been good only having a few common suspension problems due to age and all the bloody speedbumps near me which were mended by digging deep into pockets !
So , for the QP's are the newer ZF autos more or less problematical than the older duo-select ? Aside from the gearbox are the newer cars much different / better. If I did go for the older duo-select how much is a clutch to replace. What should I be looking out for. I don't do many miles , say 3K /year and am used to expensive tyres ,petrol,insurance and servicing. I believe the ZF auto ones have a 2 year service interval is that correct ?
Less important questions you would think but important to me is - Do either of these QP's have DAB radios (or is that an option I will have to look after)
Do either of these QP's have a load throught the boot hatch. My Son throws Javelin so need to be able to get that in 2.7 Meter long spear, at present we get it in the S8 by going in though rear door poking into passenger footwell and tail goes into headrest area at rear behind driver (its a tight squeeze), guess I will need to go and see one and take a Javelin with me. Whilst on loading -will I get 2 sets of golf clubs in boot ?
I miss having a Maserati and hope to get back in on soon
Thanks
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,746
Welcome back (hopefully) to the mark.

The auto is very strong with few reports of issues.
The DS clutch is about £3k if you do all the buts whilst its out.
Watch out for variaitor issues on older engjne numbers.
Engine mounts wear and are a pig and £££ to fix.
They ars also getting to an age where suspension issues are appearing.
Check all parking sensors work esp the front - common fault.
Lots to chose from and each model has its good points... but go for the one you like both trim and paint.
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
Always surprised me when I had A8s that the rear seats do not fold. I believe the D3 S8 also has a smaller boot than the regular A8s for some reason.

ZF auto QP does have a two year, 12.5k miles interval but IIRC someone once posted that the last of the DS ones (2007MY?) did as well.
 

Ebenezer

Member
Messages
4,442
QP does not have load through and none have DAB. Not heard of anyone fitting an aftermarket DAB either. Plenty have aftermarket blue tooth option (eg loudlink/parrot) for linking to phones.
Lovely car though, but not quite as family practical as we'd all like it to be (eg no roof bars, no towing hook, no fold down rear seats). But they didn't have us in mind when they designed it!

Eb
 

Ewan

Member
Messages
6,756
At your budget I'd suggest getting a 2008 GTS, which all had the ZF box. As much as I liked the D-S gearbox that my previous 3 QP's had, the GTS is simply a better overall package. As for a javelin and golf clubs, you'll need to test that out.
 

TridentTested

Member
Messages
1,819
I tested both ZF and DS before settling on a DS. The ZF is more practical but a Maserati is not a practical car, if you are going to have a toy you may as well have one which is more involving.

My 2006 car is still on its original clutch, nearing 50,000 miles, with 60% remaining. Don't worry too much about clutch use.

The variator problems are on the older ZF models, not the DS.

The ZF models changed to two-yearly service intervals but apart from the gearbox, the rest of the car is the same (oh, and wet sump instead of dry sump). The change seems to be marketing driven. At that age I think few owners will be religiously following the recommended schedule anyway and will instead be listening to whatever their trustworthy indie recommends.

No DAB radio.

No ski-hatch - which is a shame. There's a great big petrol tank in the way.

Hope you find your car.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,795
I tested both ZF and DS before settling on a ZF. The DS is supposedly more involving but a QP is a (very quick) Grand Tourer not a coupe; if you are going to have a GT you may as well have one which is no hassle.
 

MarkMas

Chief pedant
Messages
8,795
I use Motor Mods in Cheltenham for all my car electrics work, and they illustrate their DAB radio page with a (pre-facelift) QP, so presumably they can fit one. I'm thinking of having it done, as my radio reception is terrible.
http://www.motormods.co.uk/DAB.html
DAB.jpg
 

CatmanV2

Member
Messages
48,539
I have a similar thing on my GT Self fitted. It works well. Except that Harlow has shite DAB reception

C