How much on average should one budget on maintaining their Maserati

Gazcw

Member
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7,787
That's a very kind offer, thank you. I will be in touch via DM in due course.

Interesting you say that about finding a good one.....I've seen a few facelift ones on AT recently in that price bracket, most have now sold.......maybe they were/are considered to be ones to avoid. Could it be that people here just have impeccable standards of their cars ? Which is good to know, but does make you wonder what's available currently on the market may not be up to standard.

All very helpful, and I'm learning lots by the day. Thanks.
They are out there. I sold my 58, 38k S for £18k in 2022. It was in the variator range, but had the preventive work done so was not an issue. If they have not had the variator work done by now they are either garage queens that never move, have had it done or unlikely to become an issue.

I would not discount a car because of this and the repair is cheaper than a duoselect clutch anyway. It can either be a negotiating point or walk away. Just make sure you see the car pre start up, dead cold and ideally been sat a day without a start. You will soon know. Not the end of the world either way imo.
 

nuvolablue

Junior Member
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80
They are out there. I sold my 58, 38k S for £18k in 2022. It was in the variator range, but had the preventive work done so was not an issue. If they have not had the variator work done by now they are either garage queens that never move, have had it done or unlikely to become an issue.

I would not discount a car because of this and the repair is cheaper than a duoselect clutch anyway. It can either be a negotiating point or walk away. Just make sure you see the car pre start up, dead cold and ideally been sat a day without a start. You will soon know. Not the end of the world either way imo.
Ok thanks. I need to more research on this issue. I'd really like the facelift version, so don't want this issue to be one that precludes certain cars. Can the repair be done once the issue arises, or is it usually a catastrophic issue by then ?
 

Gazcw

Member
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7,787
Ok thanks. I need to more research on this issue. I'd really like the facelift version, so don't want this issue to be one that precludes certain cars. Can the repair be done once the issue arises, or is it usually a catastrophic issue by then ?
Yes totally. Basically on start up it rattles for a couple of seconds as there are no oil non returns installed. Eventually if left (many start ups) it will wear the cam caps and variators meaning continuous rattle and full replacement. Preventive fix is to machine the cam caps with non returns or replace. I believe if variators are done a full re-time is required and this takes time which bumps up the price, but still only 2k ish from memory or £1k non return valves. Not looked at costs for this for some time though.
 

Gazcw

Member
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7,787
Ok thanks. I need to more research on this issue. I'd really like the facelift version, so don't want this issue to be one that precludes certain cars. Can the repair be done once the issue arises, or is it usually a catastrophic issue by then ?
Facelift 4.7 everytime.
 

safrane

Member
Messages
16,884
Be cautious with the variations, there are lots of cars out there with attached statement that they have been done, even with 'receipts'.

It's an expensive repair in the £1ks not in the hundreds.

Not trying to Diss any previous owners experience, but the cars are swiftly exiting their teenage years and will need more work than they did a few years ago.

I hope you find the perfect car, but too many buyers get burnt and then join the brigade of 'Maserati are unreliable'.
 

nuvolablue

Junior Member
Messages
80
I ran a QP for a few years. I was well under 2k a year on servicing, but nothing went wrong. I spent way over that in xpipe, big brakes, carbon trims, paint etc. All by choice.

For cheaper running go zf box if you are worried about the £3k every 30-40k miles.
I've never done 30k miles on any car; that would take me around 6 years, and I'm usually bored of my cars after 2 years. Never owned a car for more than 4 years tops.

Are the DS clutches good for 30k miles at least, or can they go much earlier, if for instance, the previous owner had a "heavy right foot" ?
 

safrane

Member
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16,884
The way a DS clutch wears us down to the number of gear changes as well as how its driven.

I am aware that Maserati dealers had to put a new clutch into any approved car if over 40% worn and that when the early QP and 4200s were launched many owners had new clutches fitted under warranty as both the dealers and Maserati wanted to demonstrate a better level of service to new buyers.

Although different to the QP, the 3 coupe that I have had, averaged around 1% wear per 1k miles.

Of course if you drive through a busy city all the time the number of gear changes per mile is 100x that of an A road or motorway. Additionally Auto mode is less kind to the clutch.

With the QP the DS was programmed for a smoother change, which by default will slip the plates more increasingly wearing them compared to say a GS.

I know many will 'diss' the DS, but it does bring a great driver experience when set up correctly. The QP Auto will never have the same level of engagement unless a GTS version, but that also adds c £8-16k on the asking price.

Finally, and I know I have commented on this threat too much already...I have just bought a GT to join my little collection, it's a MC and the clutch was the last consideration as it is a wear part and I do love a 'manual' gear change.
 

williamsmix

Member
Messages
576
In my experience with a 3200 - using a reputable independent for major service items and doing other interim servicing / repairs myself - over 2 years and 7k miles of ownership allow £2.5k per annum … for servicing and parts only. All other expenses such as road tax, fuel, insurance and devaluation are in addition to that. They work out at about £2 per mile overall, unless you do a lot of miles!
 

Scaf

Member
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6,591
My costs over two Granturismos and 8 years is much close to £2000pa including but managed to only go through 1 wheel bearing and never had to replace a clutch, both of which can catch you unawares. But it did include a lot of preventative work on my MC before I suddenly deciding to upgrade it to the Strad, so in effect I spent more than I needed to. That includes tyres.

Buy well and get an inspection including clutch history / reading.

Good luck
 

nuvolablue

Junior Member
Messages
80
I forgot the grill (optional e) Thats another £400 notes but then my chrome one was broken anyway.
Other than the colour being black v chrome, are they different in any way ? Wondering if it's simpler (and cheaper) to just spray paint in black.
 

nuvolablue

Junior Member
Messages
80
My costs over two Granturismos and 8 years is much close to £2000pa including but managed to only go through 1 wheel bearing and never had to replace a clutch, both of which can catch you unawares. But it did include a lot of preventative work on my MC before I suddenly deciding to upgrade it to the Strad, so in effect I spent more than I needed to. That includes tyres.

Buy well and get an inspection including clutch history / reading.

Good luck
Can a clutch history/reading be done on all generations of cars that have the F1/Duo-select transmission, I'm thinking both QP V's and the 4200 Coupe/Spyder ?
 

Ebenezer

Member
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4,508
Other than the colour being black v chrome, are they different in any way ? Wondering if it's simpler (and cheaper) to just spray paint in black.
The S is convex and the GT S is concave and looks much better. The S is a bit "buck toothed"!
Eb
 

Gazcw

Member
Messages
7,787
The S is convex and the GT S is concave and looks much better. The S is a bit "buck toothed"!
Eb
I didnt mind it. When I came to replace the gt s (added the space just for Markmas) was cheaper than the chrome S
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