Ciao from North Herts! (QPV)

[Gazcw]

View attachment 104996?

Clearly mechanical skills is not your forte.

 

[Burf22]

Lovely car there.
Barr-Tech in Cambridge do work on Maseratis, not used them myself but some on here have. I try and do the basic stuff like oil changes myself on my 2003 Maserati which is quite easy apart from access to the oil filter.
Hopefully going to Knebworth car show on Sunday or Monday this coming weekend if the weather stays dry.

Thanks Nibby, Barr-Tech would be a convenient option, so that's worth investigating. I'm not that good at basic car maintenance, but I might need to be now! Not sure if I'll be free for Knebworth, but hope you enjoy it if you go.

 

[Burf22]

McGraths looked after my QP V 2009 for many years........have you tried them? You may have to book well in advance...

I called McGraths but they said they only service classic Maseratis up to 4200s now, which is a shame as they seem to have a good reputation and they're nearby.

 

[Burf22]

Hi! I’m in Enfield Chase if you ever want to meet up for a drink
Great car……Sports Italia in Southampton are worth the drive for as it’s owned by a Maserati forum owner! If not then I know an Alfa indie I use for mine I noticed had QPs in last time based in Aylesbury

Thanks - always up for a meet, particularly while weather is fine

 

[Burf22]

Welcome! Lovely QP. We’re in Herts and combine the trip to sportsItalia in Southampton with a beach trip but we are in the opposite corner to you so slightly better placed.

Thanks Scott, there's lots of recommends for SportsItalia on the forum - if only it was a tad closer. My dad lives down near Giallo in Kent, so that might be more convenient, if it's also recommended?

 

[Burf22]

Warm welcome and congratulations on your car. I also have the 2007 Sport GT… it’s the auto version. Been through and dealt a lot of questions and challenges that may arise, so happy to share experiences.

As others have said, this is a very helpful and knowledgeable forum.

Thanks Mowlas, mine is an automatic also. Interesting that our cars were likely companions on the production line in Modena! And therefore, some of the challenges you've dealt with I may face soon. I will no doubt be in touch.
BTW, I'm overwhelmed by the helpful advice and warm welcome I've received from everyone so far!

 

[Burf22]

I have used Barr Tech and they are good

Another QP owner languishing in Peterborough

Thanks Keano, another vote for Barr-Tech is good

 

[Burf22]

Welcome to the exclusive Maserati owning rabble! I’m sure you’ll find it useful, funny and at time frustrating.

I have the same problem with the bonnet catch, it lies very low so I struggle to get my fingers under it to lift it, and I’ve got large hands..I can only wonder how small Italian hand manage to reach it…

Thanks Tallman - your description of the bonnet catch issue is exactly the same as mine. I was hoping a new part or even a tightened screw might fix it - but I'm guessing from your reply that the solution isn't that straightforward.

 

[Burf22]

Well done taking a punt on such a beautiful car, but you would be well advised to get it to a garage with recognised expertise in Maseratis for a thorough inspection. There could be lurking gremlins and they're best dealt with quickly.
Your fellow forum members living nearish you have certainly been naming some good garages for you.
For what its worth, I generally take the 1 1/2 hour journey to SportsItalia, near Southampton.

Thanks Alan - yes, I think a thorough inspection is well advised. There have been some good recommendations and I'll be certainly be booking it in soon. I haven't yet driven the QP as far as Southampton in one go, so that in itself would be a journey of discovery!!

 

[Burf22]

Out of stock, apparently.

Brilliant! Maserati should have included a trident-branded version of that in the toolkit!

 

[Burf22]

Clearly mechanical skills is not your forte.

View attachment 104998

This is the last resort!

 

[Devonboy]

I called McGraths but they said they only service classic Maseratis up to 4200s now, which is a shame as they seem to have a good reputation and they're nearby.

Blimey…new news!

 

[MarkMas]

Brilliant! Maserati should have included a trident-branded version of that in the toolkit!

Seriously, it works really well to carefully insert a hardwood spatula under the bit of the catch where you fingers are supposed to go. The only problem is that bystanders tend to be overly amused.

 

[Gazcw]

Thanks Scott, there's lots of recommends for SportsItalia on the forum - if only it was a tad closer. My dad lives down near Giallo in Kent, so that might be more convenient, if it's also recommended?

2.5 hours from me but I go nowhere else. Drive down and train back and vice versa or find a lift from a forum taxi (Smuber) on their way down there.

 

[Gazcw]

Brilliant! Maserati should have included a trident-branded version of that in the toolkit!

They already give you a fork on the grille! So needy....

 

[Gazcw]

Lazy bonnet catch is one thing. Not having long slender fingers capable of reaching the safety catch is not Maserati's fault!

 

[Zep]

2.5 hours from me but I go nowhere else. Drive down and train back and vice versa or find a lift from a forum taxi (Smuber) on their way down there.

Which reminds me, I’ll be heading down shortly.

 

[Burf22]

They already give you a fork on the grille! So needy....

Aha, I wondered what that was for!

 

[Gazcw]

Which reminds me, I’ll be heading down shortly.

So will I. Thursday whilst the boss is off.

 

[Alan Surrey]

Lazy bonnet catch is one thing. Not having long slender fingers capable of reaching the safety catch is not Maserati's fault!

But it works the wrong way up and that is Maserati's fault.
You have to get your fingers under it, bending the way the knuckles don't go, then lift it. maybe Italian hands articulate differently.