QP6 Opinions?

Mr K

Member
Messages
321
I'm on my 2nd QP5, both Sport GTs with the semi-automatic gearbox. I've driven 2 recent Ghiblis, the diesel and the 410bhp V6 turbo S. I've more recently test driven a QP6 GTS, the V8 turbo with about 530bhp.

We all choose our Maseratis for different reasons, but for me, the key factors are driver involvement and sharp responses in a car that can take my family of 5 on continental holidays - blending my enjoyment of brisk driving with getting across countries in comfort with all our luggage. If I had most other sports cars, it would stay at home, and I'd end up driving a 2l diesel family car across Germany. That's just wrong. So now you know where I'm coming from, you can decide whether my comments are relevant to you or not...

Steering: All the recent Ghiblis and the QP6 have a slightly dead feel to the steering compared to the QP5 - verdict - QP5 wins easily on steering response and feel.

Acceleration and responsiveness: The diesel Ghibli works well with strong torque at mid-revs, not too much lag. The V6S is very strong, with more torque than my QP5, but there's little in it flat out. Out of these, I think I prefer my NA V8 4.2, where you just drop 2 gears to get lagless overtaking response. However, the QP6 V8 GTS is the king here, with massive acceleration on tap with no noticeable lag.

Combining the above, my personal preference for a driver's car is the QPV with duo select. The QP6 GTS can't quite make up for its steering and bloat with it's immense speed.

Refinement: The diesel is clattery at idle, but fine on the move. The V6S Ghibli was possibly a little more refined than my QPV. The QP6 V8 GTS is very refined and quiet inside in most modes. It has a valved exhaust which opens in Sport, which is subtly louder without causing offence - as far as I could tell from inside with the window down. It's turbocharged remember, so you're not going to get the same raw noise as a NA engine. The QP5 is very refined by absolute standards and compared to "ordinary" cars, but it isn't designed as a limo, it's a 4-door sports car, and its refinement at high cruising speeds (120-140mph, in Germany) is more than adequate, but probably not as good as luxo-barges. Outside Germany, where speed limits are 70mph-130kph (82mph) refinement differences are marginal. I think the QPV wins here if you're a sporty driver - you want to hear something without being deafened at speed on a long journey - its balance is right.

Practicality: I prefer the boot of the recent cars compared to the QPV, with its fuel tank behind the rear seats stealing space. We just about get everything we need in a QPV boot for a 2 week holiday, using the spare wheel well too, with a little thought and packing lighter than we'd prefer. So the massive QP6 boot is attractive. Even the Ghibli's would be an improvement. Recent cars win.

Economy: I think the recent turbo cars are better on fuel and tax, based on official figures.

Styling: QPV wins, easy :)

Interior: Not much between them.

Infotainment: The modern cars win. but who cares? Music sounds the same to me whether played off an SD card in my Passat or the CD changer in my QPV. I'm considering getting a Loudlink. Satnav - the QPV's isn't great by today's standards, so a Garmin or TomTom fills the gap. Phone integration - unimportant as mixing driving and phone calls is not something proper drivers tend to do. Clear win for recent cars.

My conclusion: I would definitely consider getting a QP6 (probably the GTS, though I wouldn't rule out even the diesel) at some point in the future, but there's nothing compelling me to make the change now, particularly as I don't like wasting money on heavy depreciation.
 
Last edited:

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
I'm on my 2nd QP5, both Sport GTs with the semi-automatic gearbox. I've driven 2 recent Ghiblis, the diesel and the 410bhp V6 turbo S. I've more recently test driven a QP6 GTS, the V8 turbo with about 510bhp.

We all choose our Maseratis for different reasons, but for me, the key factors are driver involvement and sharp responses in a car that can take my family of 5 on continental holidays - blending my enjoyment of brisk driving with getting across countries in comfort with all our luggage. If I had most other sports cars, it would stay at home, and I'd end up driving a 2l diesel family car across Germany. That's just wrong. So now you know where I'm coming from, you can decide whether my comments are relevant to you or not...

Steering: All the recent Ghiblis and the QP6 have a slightly dead feel to the steering compared to the QP5 - verdict - QP5 wins easily on steering response and feel.

Acceleration and responsiveness: The diesel Ghibli works well with strong torque at mid-revs, not too much lag. The V6S is very strong, with more torque than my QP5, but there's little in it flat out. Out of these, I think I prefer my NA V8 4.2, where you just drop 2 gears to get lagless overtaking response. However, the QP6 V8 GTS is the king here, with massive acceleration on tap with no noticeable lag.

Combining the above, my personal preference for a driver's car is the QPV with duo select. The QP6 GTS can't quite make up for its steering and bloat with it's immense speed.

Refinement: The diesel is clattery at idle, but fine on the move. The V6S Ghibli was possibly a little more refined than my QPV. The QP6 V8 GTS is very refined and quiet inside in most modes. It has a valved exhaust which opens in Sport, which is subtly louder without causing offence - as far as I could tell from inside with the window down. It's turbocharged remember, so you're not going to get the same raw noise as a NA engine. The QP5 is very refined by absolute standards and compared to "ordinary" cars, but it isn't designed as a limo, it's a 4-door sports car, and its refinement at high cruising speeds (120-140mph, in Germany) is more than adequate, but probably not as good as luxo-barges. Outside Germany, where speed limits are 70mph-130kph (82mph) refinement differences are marginal. I think the QPV wins here if you're a sporty driver - you want to hear something without being deafened at speed on a long journey - its balance is right.

Practicality: I prefer the boot of the recent cars compared to the QPV, with its fuel tank behind the rear seats stealing space. We just about get everything we need in a QPV boot for a 2 week holiday, using the spare wheel well too, with a little thought and packing lighter than we'd prefer. So the massive QP6 boot is attractive. Even the Ghibli's would be an improvement. Recent cars win.

Economy: I think the recent turbo cars are better on fuel and tax, based on official figures.

Styling: QPV wins, easy :)

Interior: Not much between them.

Infotainment: The modern cars win. but who cares? Music sounds the same to me whether played off an SD card in my Passat or the CD changer in my QPV. I'm considering getting a Loudlink. Satnav - the QPV's isn't great by today's standards, so a Garmin or TomTom fills the gap. Phone integration - unimportant as mixing driving and phone calls is not something proper drivers tend to do. Clear win for recent cars.

My conclusion: I would definitely consider getting a QP6 (probably the GTS, though I wouldn't rule out even the diesel) at some point in the future, but there's nothing compelling me to make the change now, particularly as I don't like wasting money on heavy depreciation.

Just when I was thinking logically and was going to go for another E Class when I replace the current one.
Looks like the QP6 Diesel is back on the cards.
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
Just when I was thinking logically and was going to go for another E Class when I replace the current one.
Looks like the QP6 Diesel is back on the cards.

When you factor in depreciation, I reckon it’ll be cheaper to run a QP6 GTS than a diesel, man maths at its best, great daily car. I do have one for sale funnily enough!!
 

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,040
You probably got a point Dicky as paying anything over 10k for a diesel car these days could be financial suicide when you come to sell. With certain car makers stopping all diesels and the reassure from Government to get out of them people will not want them and you'll have to give them away.
 

rockits

Member
Messages
9,167
We only have the wife's Freelander2 diesel left now as Hilux & V40 diesels are being sold soon.

The likely replacement to the Freelander2 is a Discovery Sport but they are all diesels which is annoying. I would prefer a full electric or hybrid or petrol but there are either non existent or virtually so unfortunately.

Mark, I think your man maths would need to be very very good & creative to make QP6 GTS work out cheaper than QP6 Diesel. However if you can I would of course! GTS all the way
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
When you factor in depreciation, I reckon it’ll be cheaper to run a QP6 GTS than a diesel, man maths at its best, great daily car. I do have one for sale funnily enough!!

My man maths calculator is as good as the next man. However, having a QP6 GTS as a daily is beyond me!
 

dickygrace

www.richardgracecars.co.uk
Messages
7,309
My man maths calculator is as good as the next man. However, having a QP6 GTS as a daily is beyond me!

Fair enough, I think the car will depreciate far far less than QP diesels and cost about 75% more in fuel. I think it would balance out but it would still be dear to run a daily QP whichever fuel you went for.
 

GeoffCapes

Member
Messages
14,000
Fair enough, I think the car will depreciate far far less than QP diesels and cost about 75% more in fuel. I think it would balance out but it would still be dear to run a daily QP whichever fuel you went for.

Maybe I should stick with the original plan and go for a CLS. Although the missus threw a curve ball in, and suggested I didn't need four seats for a work car as we have the ML as a family car.
2 seat diesel 'sports' cars suggestions?
 

jasst

Member
Messages
2,313
I thought there was a swear word filter on here? Someone obviously forgot to add d****l, could the powers that be get on it soon as please!!:jpmad: