At the heart of the Maserati Quattroporte V is that all-aluminium V8 engine. In earlier form, it's a 4,244cc motor offering 400hp at 7,000rpm and 333lb ft of torque at 4,500rpm. It has four valves per cylinder and features a dry sump. Transmission is provided in earlier cars by a six-speed DuoSelect automated manual gearbox, with hydraulically actuated clutch and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
DuoSelects get a T-bar lever
The DuoSelect transmission is the biggest topic of discussion where the QP V is concerned. In manual mode with the driver choosing the gears, it's not the smoothest in use at first, but the driver soon adapts and easy progress is made. Leave it in the default auto mode it uses on start up and the changes are jerky, undermining the QP's image as a luxury saloon. It also takes a long time for the gearbox to select reverse gear.
Even more of a problem is the DuoSelect gearbox can work its way through a clutch in less the 25,000 miles, particularly if you use the car in town driving predominantly. Cars that spend more time on the open road will see 40,000 miles between clutch swaps. Expect to pay around £1,500 for a new clutch to be fitted.
The hydraulic gear selectors with the DuoSelect gearbox also fail and will set you back £2,500 for the parts direct from Maserati. Any car that feels sluggish going through the gears or displays any noise from the gearbox is best avoided.
Later auto 'box definitely preferable
As for the engine, if it has been serviced on schedule every 6,000 miles, it should be strong and reliable. The cam covers and crankshaft oil seal can weep a little oil, though this is not terminal, and the engines use a little oil in regular use. If the engine is running a little roughly, it's probably the air flow meter needs replacing. The 4.7-litre V8 used in the later GT S is just as hard wearing.
Quattroportes with the DuoSelect gearbox feature a dry sump engine, which is identified by red cam covers, while ZF-equipped models have blue cam covers that denote a wet sump for the engine's lubrication. The other key difference between the DuoSelect and ZF 'boxes is the DuoSelect is a rear-mounted gearbox while the ZF is a standard auto 'box mounted to the engine.
In moving to the ZF gearbox, Maserati was forced into changing the QP's weight balance, but this turned out to be a small blessing as the ZF car has 49/51 front/rear weight balance compared to the 47/53 split of DuoSelect cars.
PHer's view:
"The car was ridiculously thirsty (about 14mpg) and the gearbox was horrendous. It was one of the earlier gearboxes. Probably one of the worst engine/gearbox mismatches I've ever experienced."
Steve Morrisey