Heading for divorce

[hodroyd]

Sorry to hear of your woes Grant, it sometimes does go like this unfortunately..!! You should be able to get the alternator repaired, it's hardly done any life..!! Dealers have a habit of saying replace it, even though they are not sure what the fault is, if they had their way they would gradually replace most things on a car, that could possibly be repaired..!! Most alternators are either the voltage rectifiers, or the brushes (I think that's what they are called) I have even done these myself at the local repair shop years ago..!! Is there no Independent Supercar Specialist in your locality that you could ask for advice..??

 

[TridentTested]

Can't help but think you've been unlucky with the Maser and incredibly lucky with the 928s.

That was my thought too. This forum is packed full of off-topic posts and ramblings because for the most part these cars don't normally give trouble. Visit a Citroën forum if you want to see endless talk about fixing this and fixing that and fixing the other.

I'm sorry to hear your woes Grant. Hopefully you've had your run of bad luck now and you can get to enjoy the car again.

 

[Parisien]

Not entirely sure its a good comparator...a run of the mill, mediocre mass producer with a high end quality supercar maker!


P

 

[safrane]

I read an article once about the JD Power reports regarding car reliability. It was interesting to note that those owners who bought, say a Lada, had very low expectations of the car and when it performed without an issue they were ecstatic. However those who spent a kings ransom on say a Rolls, would expect perfection. ..the slightest hicup would be marked down as an issue...so you do need to compare apples with apples...and against other QPs the OP car does seem to be having more than its fair share.

 

[CatmanV2]

JD Power is also very self selecting as it's not allowed (I understand) to offer payment for that kind of service.

C

 

[Contigo]

That's why Skoda always does well. Not silly prices, not much expectation and also *** build quality.

Also why McDonalds rates highly as everyone knows what they are getting and will get it every time, enough said!!!!

 

[BJL]

I read an article once about the JD Power reports regarding car reliability. It was interesting to note that those owners who bought, say a Lada, had very low expectations of the car and when it performed without an issue they were ecstatic. However those who spent a kings ransom on say a Rolls, would expect perfection. ..the slightest hicup would be marked down as an issue...so you do need to compare apples with apples...and against other QPs the OP car does seem to be having more than its fair share.

Agree with that and generally the QP is bullet proof. Early pre 06 models had clutch issues beyond acceptable and spares are stupid money but mine has been faultless as I'm sure have many others.
The problem with other cars is that they maybe ironically too good.......I can hear you saying...tw4t but my 911 cab has now done 28k and is perfect, the car has not flinched once, all the shut lines are perfect, there are no squeaks or rattles and it goes very well but.......it has no soul and that's why when it eventually gets replaced I won't look back. Funny old world.

 

[Contigo]

That was Volkswagen Audi Group build quality or V@G and the swear filter edited it

 

[BJL]

Never quite sure if porker owns vw or the other way round

 

[Steve GS]

Never quite sure if porker owns vw or the other way round

I'm sure Porsche originaly tried to buy vw with out success then vw bought Porsche. But I may be wrong. I'm sure someone will fill me in with the facts.

 

[Maser Sod]

Yesterday was an interesting experience.
While standing next to the QP as it was being loaded (this was rush hour traffic), all those admiring glances that you usually get in traffic turned to sneers of triumph at my misfortune.
Not a light laugh as in "Oh sh1t, ha, ha", but more of a "HA, HA! TAKE THAT YA FECKER!" sort of thing. It was mildly disturbing and I ought to sue Maserati for emotional distress.
Oh well, next week I'll be back in the Maserati and you'll still be in your fecking miserable Corolla, so up yours Brunhilda! (Even though your fecking miserable Corolla hasn't broken down in the last ten years.)

I had that once, when I broke down in a middle lane (my fault, had charged battery and re-connected it badly). Lots of huge grins, Gareth Hunt "magic the beans" gestures, etc. But I don't think it would be any different had I broken down in a Porsche 911. It's just some people who can't have these cars take joy in the misfortunes of those who can.

I can live with that. I always had waaaaay more admiring comments than sneering ones.

Ref. your problematic car, I have tried never to view a car itself as problematic, but more an aspect of the car. All the bits can be changed and you effectively have a different car. Ok, that's a bit simplistic, but if I had, say, ongoing clutch issues then I could swap out everything relating to the clutch and chances are I wouldn't see the same issue again. It's a bit of an extreme approach, and of course can be costly(!), but mentally it settles me better. FWIW, I used to put 2 grand aside each year for expected big ticket items (pessimist's approach), and luckily I never needed to spend that.

I would have a QPV in a heartbeat, that just have so much presence on the road and to me don't age at all.

I hope the experience gets better for you Grant, fingers crossed!

 

[Grant V]

....., because what it represents, on a low miles, newish design, supercar, is a failure of design, quality control and Maserati accepting responsibility for compromising those standards.

They then wash their hands of it all, basically giving you the buyer the bird and wetting their middle finger and telling you to swivel on it.

In 2014, not acceptable IMVHO


P

I tend to agree with you on this one.
I sent Maserati Italy an e-mail about the issues that I have with the car, probably more interested in their reaction than anything else. The e-mail was re-routed back to the local agents, who then sent me an e-mail detailing the service/ repair history of the car since I took ownership along with an assessment of problems that were present that needed to be attended to. I then received this e-mail from Maserati in Italy, which has to be one of the most condescending, corporate bullshite non-responses I have ever had the displeasure of receiving. The art of saying nothing in as many words as possible - looks like the Italians have learnt something very quickly from the suits in Detroit:

"Dear Mr. Viljoen,

Following your last E-mail dated 5th of November 2014 we would like to thank you for contacting us.
With reference to the inconveniences occurred with your Maserati Quattroporte we would like to apologize for any annoyance this may have caused to you
After taking the necessary verification with our Aftersales Responsible in your area and your Maserati dealership we have been confirmed that it will be their priority to provide you with an accurate estimate to fix the issues with the suspension bushes. As anticipated, the estimate will be accurately prepared including all the indispensable parts needed for the repair.

Mr. Viljoen, we take this opportunity to assure you that we will keep supporting you with the highest service quality standards that you deserve as Maserati family member.

In the meantime we remain at your complete disposal.

Kind regards,

Maserati Customer Care"

 

[Chrisbassett]

So, I take it you don't feel they are supporting you with the highest quality standards, nor are they currently at your complete disposal, never mind managing to remain there!

 

[Parisien]

The USA folk have customer service off to a T.

Years ago when I had a 993 which was then 4 yrs old, there was an issue with the engine wiring loom which the guys off the forum took to Porsche NA, who admitted the loom was prone to failing, so a recall was issued affecting cars up to 8/9 yrs old, I then quoted this over in the UK and lo and behold Porsche UK also then offered to replaced same, £500 odd loom plus 2 days work or so, all free.

Get an engineer to check out the failed items, get a report and take them to the small claims court.

However you could trawl the USA Maserati site and see if similar failings have been reported and did they take up arms to defeat the nasty corporation types!


P

 

[Parisien]

Today I collected my QP (a 2007 model with 39 000km) from the agents where it has been for the last three weeks waiting for a new drivers' window winder regulator to be fitted.

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/quattroporte/21235-window-regulator-replacement-why.html

On the way home the car died and I was stranded next to the side of the road - this is the forth time in the 15 months and 25 000km that I have owned this car that it has made it's way back to the agents on a flatbed. Did I mention that it only had 39 000km?
The knock in the front suspension has turned out to be worn bushes, and both front wishbones will now have to be replaced at great expense. At only 39 000km.



Today's issue seems to be the alternator, and I'm sure that I will be told that it needs to be replaced (not repaired like normal cars) at more expense, and the car only has 39 000km.

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/quattroporte/18219-alternator-2007-qp.html


While the car was at the agents getting the window done, they noted that the valve variators are noisy when hot and will have to be replaced. You guessed it - it only has 39000km on the clock.

http://www.maseratilife.com/forums/quattroporte/12034-cam-variator.html

This car is utterly beautiful with an exquisite exhaust note, but mechanically it's kak. I still can't work out whether this is normal for a Maserati or whether I've simply ended up with a lemon.
Any which way, it's the same as living with an Italian model - gorgeous, sexy, sensual, but moody, temperamental and full of shite.
On the one hand my heart says keep the hoor and enjoy the ride, but my brain says you can't keep throwing money at her, 'cause there's still a lot to go wrong...

Some counselling required.

A few links to read up on


P

 

[Grant V]

Thanks for the info Parisien - interesting stuff.

 

[Grant V]

Not entirely sure its a good comparator...a run of the mill, mediocre mass producer with a high end quality supercar maker!P

You like Citroen Sms, Parisien, but don't like a 928? They're largely the same concept.

Don't worry, we won't brand you a collaborator if you admitted you liked the 928....

 

[Parisien]

Not a real fan of the 928 no........the SM was a one off car, an unusual blend of French and Italian artistry.........Bennyd swears by them....................sorry....at them..........


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[Grant V]

Go the car back yesterday - it turned out to be a dead battery. The battery was last changed in 2011, so I suppose that's acceptable.

I've withdrawn steps for divorce - what's not to like about this car?

 

[Parisien]

Stay of execution.....brill........common issue with Masers.........less than perfect battery = Big Trouble in Little China!!!


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