thinking of buying the new Quattroporte

[dti-dave]

Hi There. I'm new to this site normaly I'm on the TVR Tuscan site.
Thing is I'm about to change my company car which at this time is a Merc E55 AMG. I have been looking around for a while for a new car. There is all the usual stuff BMW, Audi Merc (not again) so I have been looking for something different and decided to take a closer look at the new Quattroporte. I have taken one for a test drive and it was good as far as it goes, when you have a sales man in the car talking to you all the time. I don't know anybody that owns one so I'm interested in owners comments. I normaly drive quick cars. I also own one of the new TVR MK2 Tuscan S. But I need a 4 seater for work. I'm also considering the sport GT version. I’m told I could get one for March 06.
One of my concerns on the test drive was the power breaking when changing down in sports mode. It felt to me like the car gave a lot of neck whip, or is this just my driving during the half hour test drive.
What are the service costs like? and how reliable are these cars (mind you anything has to be better than my AMG)
cheers

[Twin Turbo]

A beautiful car

I can't comment on the ownership experience, but the CC gearbox can take a bit of getting used to by all accounts (certainly you'll need more than a 30 minute test drive to get the best out of it!). Still, with each iteration it's alleged to get better.

I guess Maserati's are bought with the heart, not the head, so if you can live with the potential "character" then great.

Good luck

[KB_S1]

Quite often see AMG Merc's around here and my usual thoughts are 'that is a v.quick car' and that is about it. I have seen a few QP's as well now and my thoughts are more 'WOW' everytime, and that interior. According to evo it is pretty quick as well!

[800]

Great cars! Spend a lot of time in the more expensive parts of London, AMG's, S Class, et al, are THE most common cars on the road. The only four door super saloon that stands out is the QP. Head and shoulders above the silver German boredom.

[360boy]

Fabulous car, but who is going to shoulder the depreciation.
Contacts in the trade tell me that they will suffer the same fate as the Ferrari 456.
Don't buy it new, but get one about 12-18 months old.

[dti-dave]

Hi again and thanks to you all for your comments. I agree the German machines are boring the E55 engine is good it’s the rest of the car that lets it down nothing but grief normally electronics and suspension. True the car is quick and on a long journey fine but no fun. Unless I turn the TC off then it’s unpredictable unlike my TVR you can feel what’s happening. The Quattroporte does look stunning the depreciation is an issue but then again it will be the same when I sell the E55. My accountant won't like it that's for sure. I have driven this years Quattroporte about 3 months ago and I will be driving one again this weekend. I understand that the new 2006 sport GT version (available from next march I think) has had some refinements to the gearbox hopefully to reduce the neck whip as you change up. I think my decision will be greatly dependant on this weekends test drive see if I still feel the same and if the wife likes it. The cost of an ex demo and a new one is not that much different what I don’t know is what are the toys it comes with. Where as the Ex demo car will probably be already loaded with the toys. Then just swap over the private plates. If not then I’m tempted to wait and go for the GT. next year I believe there is also a new range of colours. Cheers

[Thom]

FWIW I recently spent an hour looking at a 1k miles-old Quattroporte inside & out. The foam under the hood was falling apart. Plastics were brittle and badly fixed. The leather on the seats was badly trimmed and loose. I almost broke a window switch. Build quality on this car was shocking. Wishing to hear owners' comments to make sure this one was a wrong one.

[dti-dave]

Hi Thom
I went for my second test drive on Saturday expecting not to like it as much the second time around. I took the wife along for her comments as well. The conditions on Saturday were not ideal but good enough to see what it handled like, with the big tires on damp and slippery roads around Egham Surrey I have to say not bad at all. I gave it some welly and the car was responsive and in line. The second test drive was much better than my first session about 6 months ago The paddle shift is very good in sports. Neck restraints could be useful if your planning to drive in this mode all the time the trick is to just come off the gas slightly and you can stop this whip effect when changing up. as for the build quality on the two I looked over I could not find any faults the insulation was sound and in place the welding was all smooth and no rough spots under the door and inside the door jams and around the inner edges of the bonnet. The paint work was also clean and again inside the boot under the lining and in the inside parts of the door jams no over spray. The engine compartment was very tidy and very clean nicely finished off. I have to say I'm 99% sure I'm going to buy one now I have my eye on an ex demo with 600 on the clock in a gun metal grey black leather silver stitching. Just looking at the part x on the E55 AMG.
2 things my wife did not like. First is the trident badges on the rear sides I have to agree there are a few of them on the car wonder if they would take them off for me. And the other point was the head rests they were like rocks with embossed lettering. Other than that very good. You also get free 3 years warranty + 3 years road side assist + 3 years free servicing.
Cheers

[McNab]

Thom said:

FWIW I recently spent an hour looking at a 1k miles-old Quattroporte inside & out. The foam under the hood was falling apart. Plastics were brittle and badly fixed. The leather on the seats was badly trimmed and loose. I almost broke a window switch. Build quality on this car was shocking. Wishing to hear owners' comments to make sure this one was a wrong one.

Hello again Thom! Although I can only comment on the GranSport I assume the QP and the GS come out of the same factory, and the build quality of the GS is remarkably good. Almost Porsche-like - no flawa, no rattles, no problems at all. Is there any chance that your 1k QP had been "clocked" and might have been a very early car? Possibly they rushed out some European cars before they bothered about quality control - very foolish!

May I suggest that you and dti-dave have a look at this website:
www.maseratiforum.net/
Although the majority of the posters are American there is an advantage there, because Americans are very intolerant on issues of quality etc. There are a number of European contributors too, and a question re the QP might lead to some very interesting answers.

One last point re the paddle shift. If you momentarily lift off the throttle on upchanges you will soon find that you can make absolutely seamless progress through the gears. Ditto on down changes - just a tiny squeeze on the throttle when you "pull" the paddle makes all the difference. Takes a bit of practice when braking into corners. Most of your foot on the brake, but enough foot at the side to simply tickle the throttle, and eureka - it works a treat!

[Thom]

Hi Dave, thanks for your comments. I hope you will enjoy it.

Hello Ian, nice to read from you again. It is possible the car I got to look at was one of the first ones, perhaps I should have asked when it had been built. Any idea yet of what you will be driving after the GS ?

[dazren]

McNab said:

I assume the QP and the GS come out of the same factory........

Assembly lines run parallel in the same building. Eurohooners had a full factory tour in September.

DAZ

[McNab]

Thanks DAZ !

Thom - probably another GS - I'm too old insurance-wise to risk a change...

[motd2k]

Had a QP for 2 months. To be perfectly honest - I HATED it... Beautiful car, not so much fun to live with, had the latest iteration of the gearbox, which was still awful (albeit less awful than the older ones).

Now driving a 612 which is just about the polar opposite. Absolute dream.

[Merlot]

Not wanting to sound too negative but didn't you find it a bit slow?

[motd2k]

Slow is a relative term, but yes, it did feel slow, and I also didnt like the lack of usable torque (A-road overtaking could be, urrm, 'interesting'). Sorry to any owners, I know most of you are going to be die-hards, but as an ex-owner I'd find it hard to recommend this car.

[Leggera]

Have a DB9 which is fantastic - the only drawback is lack of practicality re. rear passenger space and lack of boot space and the ride which can be a bit hard. Was thinking of Quatro (maybe bit too big?),re.612 interested to know how you find space in rear for passengers, boot space and how comfortable ride is for passengers over long distances. Thanks.

[motd2k]

[re.612 interested to know how you find space in rear for passengers, boot space and how comfortable ride is for passengers over long distances. Thanks]

Space is the rear is fine, it really is a four seater, not a 2+2. Unless the driver likes to sit horizontally, you could fit a 6 footer behind without much fuss.

Boot space, well, it ain't an estate car, so boot space isnt amazing - but then again, neither is the QP. Not sure how to quantify this, but its usable.

Comfort... well, its a true GT, so the two in the front are very well catered for. Out of 'sport' mode the ride is comfortable, the gear-change perfect, the seats supportive etc. A very nice experience. The two in the back, well, anything less than 2 hours and they'll be smiling just as much as those in the front... after that time they may need to take a stretch.

Amazing car, and one which really needs to be seen 'in the flesh' to appreciate its beauty.

[dti-dave]

Thanks for the comments on the QP I have now purchased the car. I took the car out on several different occasions. To test it I have a toy The Tuscan MK2S for play time. But I really needed a 4 seater for work some thing not to over stated. I agree the boot is a little small (I think I could get more in the Tuscan) but I can live with that insurance came out at about £1250 with 3 named drivers.
Why did I buy the QP because I wanted something different the new M5 I can’t be doing with all that set up. MERC's never again Aston nice but impractical Audi Just didn’t like Ferrari to much Bling.
Only time will tell me if I made the right choice so far I like it just got to get the change up smooth;.
Cheers

[tiny]

TVR and a Maser - a good combination - enjoy!