07 Quattroporte automatic / duo select

[ENZ525]

I was talking myself out of it but your talking me back in!

They are fabulous cars Dougie, with fantastic engines...
hope you find a good one, will give you lots of smiles, good luck,
Regards,
Enzo.

 

[Cavalier]

Hi Cavalier,

Later Maserati QP's share the ZF automatic gearbox with current models of Jaguar cars. They are dependable and indeed have a very good reputation. If you are going to be tackling a steep driveway on a regular basis with the Duo Select arrangement then I recommend that you consider this carefully. Depending on the length and severity of the incline you could well experience an acrid burning smell (similar to brakes) or even smoke. This is evidence of stress and will likely lead to reduced clutch life. (Currently clutch replacement on the Duo Select QP costs circa 2k) However, you should be able to take steps to satisfy yourself about suitability. My suggestion is that when you test drive one see how the car behaves on your own drive or if this cannot be done then another similar incline....... Good luck with your purchase.

Regards,

Paul

Many thanks for that Paul.

Very helpful.

 

[dickygrace]

The car in question was a trade car direct from **** Lovett if i recall correctly. In my opinion, I'd spend a bit more and get one with a zf gearbox. They are available sub £40k now. The duo select is the major flaw in the earlier qp's. Get one with a good gearbox and it's an amazing car.

 

[bigbob]

Before buying any QP I would investigate what the trade bids would be for 'your' new Maserati. There are a host of 07 and 57 plate ZF auto 4.2 QPs up for £35/40k. You might be surprised how little these cars book at - go and have a look.

 

[Andyk]

Hi all, I have been negotiating a deal on the qp in link above, but being so far away (Central Scotland) it is not easy - I knew it had been for sale for a while but did not realise so long (at least July if this post and link are correct!?). Anyone looked at it or got any detail? Was registered FIL 428 but now on a 04 plate - FIL 428 on a GranTourismo now.

As you say its been around for sale for an age ... I think its more to do with the fact it's green than anything else .. They just don'y sell. But if an inspection comes out good then a very cheap QP...

 

[ENZ525]

It is an amazing car whichever gearbox you choose...
as I said before, try them both, and treat yourself to whichever one you feel most comfortable with...

 

[Andyk]

I've always loved the Duo select as it gives it a different character to the other cars in its class....A real drivers car....Not for everyone though.

 

[Ebenezer]

Decided to start trawling from the beginning (again) now that I've been part of the community for a while....

Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a duo select / automatica aesthetically. I know the duo select is a clunky change and the new gearbox is miles better so want to buy the new one if possible. I understand it was changed in Feb 07 but wanted to know how to tell the difference in pics?

come far has he - Padwan to Jedi master mmmmmmh
Eb!

 

[Andyk]

He certainly has...he could train Yoda now.

 

[daverichardson]

My 07 QP with the full Auto box is a dream car for me
I believe this would be the model to have
as for problems, the main one is variators which seem to go around 50000 miles and cost about £4500 to replace

 

[Contigo]

I saw this thread and thought Dicky was losing it!!! Asking the difference between a ZF and CC Duoselect lol... Then I saw the date... He was still wet behind the ears then...

 

[dickygrace]

Funny reading posts from 5 years back. I remember that, I was looking at a late 07 QP and couldn't figure why it was DS. I actually love DS but didn't in my 04 car, it was horrendous. Much better in '06 onwards cars from my experience.

 

[Contigo]

I don't care, it's a lovely car and can't wait to get mine!

 

[dickygrace]

I've driven loads of duo select cars, any model that has a new clutch correctly fitted and calibrated will feel bang on anyway. Just my first one had a fairly worn clutch which I know gave me a poor impression of the car. I now know that you have to drive more than one example to pass comment but back then I didn't!

 

[Ebenezer]

Just seen the Top Gear episode with the QP GTS on BBC3
- and now I can go and gaze at my own QP just outside!

mmmmmm

Eb

 

[daverichardson]

yes me too
I must have watched that episode 10 times now

 

[Andyk]

Is that the Aston and Porsche one...One of my fav reviews of all time...The QP just comes off loads better than both and the noise....

 

[Ebenezer]

Yup that's the one. really Nice to see the QP being driven hard. I could do that too if I really wanted to........ (not!)

How lovely not to have to worry about the replacement cost of the tyres, brakes and suspension! (and pranging the car, loss of licence etc etc.)
Eb

 

[Ewan]

And for circa £30k you can buy that very car from the Top Gear video. Not that I'd recommend doing that!

 

[Sommi]

That IS the episode that got me thinking with certainty that it had to be a QP!

To add to this debate, as has been said by previous owner of my QP, Enzo (ENZ525 on here), the DS is a very engaging thing to drive. With DBW module installed I do not find it on any gear change. I have not driven or been in any without this module so can't compare. But was driven around in a 07 Auto Sport GT while in the buying process. That was very smooth and quick on gear change compared to the DS i have. But DS provides lot more "character / personality" to the car. I believe there are fewer DS models now available compared to the Autos, so may make the DS QPs rarer in the long term and harder to find a good one.