2005 QP

[Motorsport3]

Hello, i am considering a QP and went to view an early 2005 (duo select) yesterday. The car has been used and is not a garage queen with 40k miles done so far. Had good service history w annual (or nearly) visits to the dealer network. A couple of things that bothered me though,

I couldn't find proof that cam belts changed. How often do they need change ?

I couldn't find proof that clutch was changed. For a 40k miles car i would have thought it would push the end of life. But there was a dealer report indicating that the clutch wear 3k miles ago was 45%, which i thought was pretty impressive. It was a bit at odds with the pistonheads guide that suggest clutch change between 25-40k miles. What do you think?

Final bit that caused concern , during the test drive and while the sport was engaged the gear change was very very hard. I am used to single clutch boxes and in the minority i guess that i like then (running a Alfa selespeed and an e46 w SMG previously). But that yesterday was beyond expected. Any idea what could that be?

[voicey]

No cambelts on these engines. The dealer really should have a clutch wear reading - easily done with the correct diagnostic.

You'd be mad to buy a leggy early QP without looking underneath. They can hide thousands in deferred maintenance.

Head over to the sportsmaserati forum for lots of info.

[Motorsport3]

voicey said:

No cambelts on these engines. The dealer really should have a clutch wear reading - easily done with the correct diagnostic.

You'd be mad to buy a leggy early QP without looking underneath. They can hide thousands in deferred maintenance.

Head over to the sportsmaserati forum for lots of info.

Thanks, there is a reading from a dealer report done 3k miles ago and shows less than 50% wear, which looked very good to me, and was wondering what other ppl experience is bc pistonheads guide says otherwise. Its been frequently on the dealer network with all receipts and stamp to support it and looked kinda honest car to me, just first impressions above.

[jakesmith]

Motorsport3 said:

Thanks, there is a reading from a dealer report done 3k miles ago and shows less than 50% wear, which looked very good to me, and was wondering what other ppl experience is bc pistonheads guide says otherwise. Its been frequently on the dealer network with all receipts and stamp to support it and looked kinda honest car to me, just first impressions above.

I think if you want one and it has good history then go for it, just be prepared for £2-£3k a year maintenance.

[Motorsport3]

I've had the car now for a week and drove about 80miles mostly inside London.

The car fundamentally is solid. No issues with the gearbox. It is a bit lazy on normal mode but reasonably responsive on the sport.

The most concerning is the petrol consumption - nearly 10mpg in London traffic according to the trip computer.Is that normal ?

Also a very mild wine from the steering rack while parking and wheels are nearly stopped. Otherwise it is very well made, very comfortable and the engine is amazing.

[V6Alfisti]

Motorsport3 said:

I've had the car now for a week and drove about 80miles mostly inside London.

The car fundamentally is solid. No issues with the gearbox. It is a bit lazy on normal mode but reasonably responsive on the sport.

The most concerning is the petrol consumption - nearly 10mpg in London traffic according to the trip computer.Is that normal ?

Also a very mild wine from the steering rack while parking and wheels are nearly stopped. Otherwise it is very well made, very comfortable and the engine is amazing.

10mpg is normal, I used to average 11mpg in my 4200!

[Bustedmattress]

That seems heavy. My 2009 (don’t know if the change in transmission to a full auto is relevant) will do 17mpg in traffic and, in the 6 years of my ownership with mixed driving averages at 21 mpg.

[Motorsport3]

Had the car for a couple of weeks now and driven it to a variety of conditions.

In London consumption is about 10mpg
Mixed but mainly rural and somewhat spirited drive is c. 17mpg
Highway with cruise control set at 65mph returns c. 24mpg

So it is really very sensitive to the way it is getting used and surely is not recommended for around London.

I also went over past test drive publications and found that it kind of matches those numbers.

[OJV10]

Yes that's right - normal fuel consumption - so nothing to worry about.

[Bustedmattress]

Agreed that is more like it. On long journeys across Europe at a spirited spied I have seen 28 mpg come up on the computer. A trip to Italy and back averaged at 25.2 ish mpg.

I hope you are enjoying your car. I still love mine and think it one of the most handsome shapes of the last decade.

[Motorsport3]

I do, it such a nice looking thing. From whichever angle you look at it is just right to my eyes. And the cabin feels so special.

My friends say that i consistently pick up cars that are suited to older men, but i just like them for what they are not the image they necessarily carry.