Fix or Flee?

Raffles

Member
Messages
130
So, after near as **** it 6yrs of straight ownership and year round use the QP has finally succumbed to front sub-frame rot.

Now I’m torn between repairing it or simply walking away. It’s not the expense of the work, but more the cost of the work against the actual value of the car, and this is despite not having previously thinking of parting with him.

Am I correct thinking ball park of £2.5 - £3k for a full strip and refurbishment?

Thanks,

Nick
 

j s pollo

Member
Messages
162
I found it cheaper and quicker to source a good second hand sub frame for £300 dropped it off at my local industrial estate had it shot blasted inspected galvenised powder coated ferrari red laquered which cost £75 and then it was just a case of dropping off my motor and sub frame at my local Maserati indi for fitting which did not cost much to change over .
My replacement sub frame has been on the motor at least four years and is still in mint condition once the rot starts to eat away at the your frame you will be patching it up for ever more just change it .
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,696
So, after near as **** it 6yrs of straight ownership and year round use the QP has finally succumbed to front sub-frame rot.

Now I’m torn between repairing it or simply walking away. It’s not the expense of the work, but more the cost of the work against the actual value of the car, and this is despite not having previously thinking of parting with him.

Am I correct thinking ball park of £2.5 - £3k for a full strip and refurbishment?

Thanks,

Nick
 

Raffles

Member
Messages
130
I found it cheaper and quicker to source a good second hand sub frame for £300 dropped it off at my local industrial estate had it shot blasted inspected galvenised powder coated ferrari red laquered which cost £75 and then it was just a case of dropping off my motor and sub frame at my local Maserati indi for fitting which did not cost much to change over .
My replacement sub frame has been on the motor at least four years and is still in mint condition once the rot starts to eat away at the your frame you will be patching it up for ever more just change it .
That would be a win, you bagged a bargain at £300.
 

mowlas

Member
Messages
1,728
I cannot imagine getting rid of my 2007 QP Sport GT Auto, no matter what car I get next. No way I’m going EV until the new EV QP becomes viable.

I’d definitely go for Sports Italia’s refurb which I’d consider an investment in a car that still has so much to give. Though note that the labour cost will depend greatly on the condition of the suspension control arms and their joints and bolts. Also other bolts on the frame.

And if you travel into London regularly and your car is ULEZ compliant, then even better! Where else would you get so much style, comfort and prestige.
 

Raffles

Member
Messages
130
I cannot imagine getting rid of my 2007 QP Sport GT Auto, no matter what car I get next. No way I’m going EV until the new EV QP becomes viable.

I’d definitely go for Sports Italia’s refurb which I’d consider an investment in a car that still has so much to give. Though note that the labour cost will depend greatly on the condition of the suspension control arms and their joints and bolts. Also other bolts on the frame.

And if you travel into London regularly and your car is ULEZ compliant, then even better! Where else would you get so much style, comfort and prestige.

I’ve contacted Eurospares for some info on selling to be broken. The refurb cost is very keenly priced, but as you say it’s the other unknowns. Front bushings we’re all new 2019, so probably not long for this world and you can almost guarantee that a few of the bolts and other ancillaries won’t behave during the strip down. Add to this I’ve recently started having variator rattle, so properly on the fence about splashing out or ditching it. It’s disappointing that this is such a weak spot. They are utterly glorious machines, but other interesting cars are available if he does go.
 

Wack61

Member
Messages
8,764
It sounds to me like you've already made your mind up to let it go , the deciding factor is the value of the car as spares or repair or the value with a repaired subframe and 12 months mot

The QP is hard to sell privately unless it's cheap so fixing it might not be cost effective if you are planning to sell it
 
Messages
1,117
I’ve contacted Eurospares for some info on selling to be broken. The refurb cost is very keenly priced, but as you say it’s the other unknowns. Front bushings we’re all new 2019, so probably not long for this world and you can almost guarantee that a few of the bolts and other ancillaries won’t behave during the strip down. Add to this I’ve recently started having variator rattle, so properly on the fence about splashing out or ditching it. It’s disappointing that this is such a weak spot. They are utterly glorious machines, but other interesting cars are available if he does go.

My suggestion is to scrap it - for spares or someone may buy cheap to have it repaired.

In six years of ownership it has probably had a reasonable 'maintenance bill' on account of it's age.

I see a similar dilemma with Porsche owners with the watercooled m96 and m97.1 engines that develop scored bores.

The proper fix through Baz at Hartech in Bolton is around £14k on a car worth not a lot more.

I recommend scrapping the car for parts.But folk make emotional decisiobs, that they sometimes regret in hindsight.

The age of these m96 and m97.1 cars means there are regular maintenance items that add to the cost of ownership - suspension, brakes, radiators, AC coolers, brake pipe rot, clutch (if not replaced whilst engine is out).

Adding your question to a forum is likely to confuse you with folk saying 'repair' and those saying 'scrap' it.

Approach it logically and decide with your head, not your emotions and arrive at the best decision for YOU.

My hunch is that the decision is already in your head to scrap it.
 

philw696

Member
Messages
25,114
Out of curiosity had you not had any warnings in 6 years of corrosion starting as we have been talking about this subject for a few years ?
 

Raffles

Member
Messages
130
Out of curiosity had you not had any warnings in 6 years of corrosion starting as we have been talking about this subject for a few years ?

None whatsoever,

Never been mentioned on MOT’s or when work has been done and have always looked reasonable when I’ve been under it. Seeing it now though and it’s clear it needs repairs on the offside. Has simply raised its ugly head in the past 12 months or so.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

Gp79

Member
Messages
1,393
If you do want to keep the QP I’d find a decent used subframe and get it treated then installed.

It doesn’t need a specialist to do the work either as it’s not a difficult task, so any garage could carry it out really.

I went through the same with my GS, new front subframe and blasted / powder coated the rear one. All completed DIY and single handed.
 

Tallman

Member
Messages
1,833
Not all decisions are strictly economical. It all depends on whether you would still enjoy driving the car if fixed and what other gremlins you’d like fixed. Sometimes you only see the bears and that devalues the car in your own mind and the pleasure you have or potentially could have again if you just sort them out. The grass is often not (much) greener on the other side comes to mind as well as better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know..but that’s just my 2 “blips”
 

bigbob

Member
Messages
8,952
Not all decisions are strictly economical. It all depends on whether you would still enjoy driving the car if fixed and what other gremlins you’d like fixed. Sometimes you only see the bears and that devalues the car in your own mind and the pleasure you have or potentially could have again if you just sort them out. The grass is often not (much) greener on the other side comes to mind as well as better the devil you know than the devil you don’t know..but that’s just my 2 “blips”
+1. These cars make a great sound and have a wonderfully elegant design which throws the cost benefit more to the right.