QP/GT front subframes - the truth

[dickygrace]

It’s not a Maserati specific issue. It’s all cars. If they aren’t looked after or garaged, if they live in areas with salty roads for extended periods of time, or near the seaside etc. I’ve seen 2015 Mercs rotten, Nissan Navaras suffer massive chassis rot, as do Pajeros, anything JLR make, 996 Porsches and the list goes on.

 

[philw696]

It’s not a Maserati specific issue. It’s all cars. If they aren’t looked after or garaged, if they live in areas with salty roads for extended periods of time, or near the seaside etc. I’ve seen 2015 Mercs rotten, Nissan Navaras suffer massive chassis rot, as do Pajeros, anything JLR make, 996 Porsches and the list goes on.

My 30 year old Renault 4 ain't rusty at all here in France as verified by SM members who had a major poke around

 

[Oneball]

I wonder whether it’s just U.K. cars. I was watching a video from a Subaru engine builder in Germany and he was saying how much more corroded engine cases are on U.K. Subarus compared with German ones.

 

[jasst]

Surely we can't be the only country that plasters it's roads in salt in the winter? what do they do elsewhere?

 

[CatmanV2]

Surely we can't be the only country that plasters it's roads in salt in the winter? what do they do elsewhere?

Plenty of other stuff you can use for stopping icing. Tends to be more costly though

C

 

[Bebs]

I’m Danish and I think it comes down to preventative measures. They do use salt & grit, and a lot of it, throughout the winters in Denmark. However, generally people expect this and therefore most people treat the underside of their vehicles as part of a regular servicing regime. My dad always did this to his cars. However, for some reason this does not appear to be the case in the UK.

 

[safrane]

Makes me glad I keep mine shut away Oct-March.

Let the workhorse rust as the miles will kill that before rust (100 miles per day)

 

[conaero]

And we wonder why they don't sell more cars.....The reputation for **** quality from the early days hasn't gone away.......When the QP5 came out and then the GT it looked like they were getting it right but clearly they will never learn. Wonder what the Ghibli and 4x4 will be like at 10 years old.....I only hope better. If the next generation of cars do not improve how can Maserati survive......?...There is just no excuse for this type of quality.....

Had a Ghibli in that was 2 years old. Nothing too serious but corrosion underway in the rear frame and the spring pans were probably the worst bit. Up top it was near perfect.

 

[conaero]

This weeks victim, 08 GT:

 

[philw696]

Oh Dear Matt but imagine what it might be like if it didn't come in until April.

 

[Zep]

I am sorry for the people with these subframes, and overjoyed mine isn’t one of them!

 

[Andyk]

Had a Ghibli in that was 2 years old. Nothing too serious but corrosion underway in the rear frame and the spring pans were probably the worst bit. Up top it was near perfect.

God Lord Matt....2 years old.....So sounds like we don't have to wait 10 years to see. Shocking....

 

[Motorsport3]

I think that a factor is whether it is properly used or just sit outside unused. My wife's A250 merc is used every day for 40miles commute and it is very tidy underneath. A close friend that uses his merc mainly as a weekend treat but keeps on the drive had substantial corrosion on brake pipes and failed mot. Cars sitting outside should be used.

 

[safrane]

Manufacturers don't care as most cars are bought on a scheme and replaced every three years with new.

When borrowing rates return to the norm and people keep a car for a longer period there will be some shocked and angry owners finding their shiney car disintegrating under them.

 

[lifes2short]

Underside rust is also down to storage/garaging cars in damp garages/units, especially from rising damp/moisture through a concrete base that has no damp proof membrane, better off keeping a motor outside than in a damp enclosed environment

 

[rockits]

Underside rust is also down to storage/garaging cars in damp garages/units, especially from rising damp/moisture through a concrete base that has no damp proof membrane, better off keeping a motor outside than in a damp enclosed environment

Agreed. At least outside it gets some air/ventilation whereas a poor garage can make it much worse.

I know how much difference it makes keeping a car in a nice indoor dehumidified space. Keeps them so much better.

 

[mjheathcote]

Manufacturers don't care as most cars are bought on a scheme and replaced every three years with new.

When borrowing rates return to the norm and people keep a car for a longer period there will be some shocked and angry owners finding their shiney car disintegrating under them.

Buying cars on a PCP has a lot to answer for.

 

[mjheathcote]

Agreed. At least outside it gets some air/ventilation whereas a poor garage can make it much worse.

I know how much difference it makes keeping a car in a nice indoor dehumidified space. Keeps them so much better.

Absolutely.
I built a great garage at our previous home, however with no heating condensation was still a problem and I kept my Stag in a Permabag.
Our garage now is under the house, totally different. Never cold, totally dry, perfect.

 

[rockits]

Sounds lovely Mike. Great work.

Imagine how bad some of these cars are that are lift in shipping containers or concrete pre fab garages for months/years with no heating, no dehumidifier and freezing cold.

 

[lifes2short]

I built a great garage at our previous home, however with no heating condensation was still a problem

strictly speaking regardless of lack of heating you shouldn't really get any damp/condensation problems in a garage/unit if it's been properly built with dpm's, dpc's, and fully insulated