QpV

[Gazcw]

Lozzer, the 2007> full auto cars are quite different to the Duo Select and I recommend that you drive both before deciding. I’ve had both and in my opinion the later cars are a much better bet. Much more like any other luxury sports saloon because the gearbox is so easy. If you like the paddles and sequential stick shift then the later cars still give that experience but my bet is that most owners leave them in auto and just enjoy holding on.

I mix and match with mine. Tend to downshift with paddles for some engine breaking rather than using up the discs until the forum ones are ready. Then most of the time let it take over again. Mrs asked if she was supposed to be using them to drive!

 

[Ebenezer]

Tried engine breaking on mine. Is there really any point with an auto? I used to lust after paddles but with the nanny auto box software changing up at 7K and changing down at low revs there's no real point in the paddles. The only time I use manual mode is when I want to stay in 2, 3, or 4 depending on how much noise I want to make! Otherwise it does what it does very well especially with the FD DBW sharpening up the throttle and kick down responses.
Eb

 

[ChrisQP09]

I just had it confirmed today by Maserati that in the later S models (4.7 auto), the valves do indeed open at 3,000 revs when sport mode is active.

There appeared to be a bit of debate about this! I believe that only the Stradale in race mode enables the valves to be open throughout the rev range.

 

[Gazcw]

I just had it confirmed today by Maserati that in the later S models (4.7 auto), the valves do indeed open at 3,000 revs when sport mode is active.

There appeared to be a bit of debate about this! I believe that only the Stradale in race mode enables the valves to be open throughout the rev range.

Nah. Unless a 2008, 58 is different. Well not electronically operated anyway. They have them and they open on exhaust gas pressure. More foot, more noise. Mine have a bracket welded inside to keep them open permanently. Here is video of the mechanical valve: https://www.dropbox.com/s/47tfj2js2b51sdv/IMG_0502.mp4?dl=0
And what it sounds like with them open and an x pipe in France:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v6iuwtlg0ivavlb/VIDEO-2019-06-14-19-26-01.mp4?dl=0

 

[CatmanV2]

Yours are odd . I think we said that at the time

C

 

[Gazcw]

Tried engine breaking on mine. Is there really any point with an auto? I used to lust after paddles but with the nanny auto box software changing up at 7K and changing down at low revs there's no real point in the paddles. The only time I use manual mode is when I want to stay in 2, 3, or 4 depending on how much noise I want to make! Otherwise it does what it does very well especially with the FD DBW sharpening up the throttle and kick down responses.
Eb

I notice the difference using it v just braking. Do it at higher speed/late braking rather than general driving.

 

[Gazcw]

Yours are odd . I think we said that at the time

C

Does odd = rare = premium £ or odd = worthless ?

 

[ChrisQP09]

Nah. Unless a 2008, 58 is different. Well not electronically operated anyway. They have them and they open on exhaust gas pressure. More foot, more noise. Mine have a bracket welded inside to keep them open permanently. Here is video of the mechanical valve: https://www.dropbox.com/s/47tfj2js2b51sdv/IMG_0502.mp4?dl=0
And what it sounds like with them open and an x pipe in France:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/v6iuwtlg0ivavlb/VIDEO-2019-06-14-19-26-01.mp4?dl=0

I suspect your's is a 4.2L? Not convinced on the x-pipe, I think it makes the car too raspy and less 'Italian'?

 

[Gazcw]

I suspect your's is a 4.2L? Not convinced on the x-pipe, I think it makes the car too raspy and less 'Italian'?

Not unless the dvla cocked up the v5 and I paid a premium for it!

 

[ChrisQP09]

Does odd = rare = premium £ or odd = worthless ?

Well, there appears to be little consistency among QP builds. For the most part, they appear to be constructed from whatever is left in the parts bin and the eventual owner/s would get surprises as to what their cars are constructed with.

 

[Gazcw]

Well, there appears to be little consistency among QP builds. For the most part, they appear to be constructed from whatever is left in the parts bin and the eventual owner/s would get surprises as to what their cars are constructed with.

Easy way to tell is to see if you have valve in the pipe and twin pipes large and small going into the back box. If you have you have the vacuum valves if not you have the same as me. The GTS had them very late s may have too. Who knows! Luigi v Mario parts bins.

 

[ChrisQP09]

will try and get under the car tomorrow to inspect.

 

[Gazcw]

will try and get under the car tomorrow to inspect.

Here you go. GTS boxes.

 

[CatmanV2]

Does odd = rare = premium £ or odd = worthless ?

Worthless IMHO

C

 

[Gazcw]

Worthless IMHO

C

I guess. It has 32k on it, 4doors and been driven by me. It never had a chance!

 

[makeshiftUK]

Lozzer, the 2007> full auto cars are quite different to the Duo Select and I recommend that you drive both before deciding. I’ve had both and in my opinion the later cars are a much better bet. Much more like any other luxury sports saloon because the gearbox is so easy. If you like the paddles and sequential stick shift then the later cars still give that experience but my bet is that most owners leave them in auto and just enjoy holding on.

Well said.

Mine is a 'facelift' QPV with the excellent auto box and flappy paddles.

I spent a lot of time researching these cars, and whilst I didn't drive an 'early' QPV with the DuoSelect (DS) box the consensus is that the DS box variant is more of a 'driver's car' if viewed from a purists perspective, but becomes more tedious during stop start/around town driving... I don't think for a second that mine is an inferior car, and I certainly benefit from pootling around in auto when I'm stuck in traffic or not making a raucous in sports-manual.

I think the facelift (which only comes with the auto) is a much better looking car, but the early is still a looker - particularly when on larger alloys. If you're going for the facelift, I'd strongly recommend a 4.7 which came with the 'S' and 'GTS'.

 

[CatmanV2]

Not disagreeing per se, but don't quite get the the DS / CC being 'more' tedious in traffic.

Bearing in mind that I've never driven a QP at all, but I did have a CC 4200 and a ZF GT, and I don't really recall that much difference.

I very much missed the visceral shifts of the CC box, which is why my next one will be an MC shift....

Although if I were to buy a QP (not an impossibility at all) I suspect I'd get a ZF....

C

 

[flat-12]

In regards to what CHISO9QP posted earlier (quoted below). I have a Quattroporte-S in the final model year (MY 2013, but really left over 2012) and my car does not have valves at the mufflers. The only Quattrportes that had valves are the 2009 and later Sport-GTS. If this is wrong please let me know.....

".....I just had it confirmed today by Maserati that in the later S models (4.7 auto), the valves do indeed open at 3,000 revs when sport mode is active. There appeared to be a bit of debate about this! I believe that only the Stradale in race mode enables the valves to be open throughout the rev range....."

 

[ChrisQP09]

In regards to what CHISO9QP posted earlier (quoted below). I have a Quattroporte-S in the final model year (MY 2013, but really left over 2012) and my car does not have valves at the mufflers. The only Quattrportes that had valves are the 2009 and later Sport-GTS. If this is wrong please let me know.....

".....I just had it confirmed today by Maserati that in the later S models (4.7 auto), the valves do indeed open at 3,000 revs when sport mode is active. There appeared to be a bit of debate about this! I believe that only the Stradale in race mode enables the valves to be open throughout the rev range....."

So far as I know, your car like mine, will not have the valves fitted to the exhaust system. Bizarrely, Maserati UK have advised me to contact my local dealer for an inspection (which I would pay for), to determine whether or not the car has valves!

They refuse to provide me with a full spec of the build from factory for some unknown reason.

 

[rockits]

I've taken it round Llandow a couple of times and attacked hairpins with sugnificant gusto while on SM organised jollies. Be as cavalier as you like. Yes it is a barge in comparison to a two seat sports car, but really amazing for what it is. Just redline it when you get the chance. It's addictive.

Eb

I can also concur whilst chasing Eb in my QP as well round Llandow. They certainly go round the twisty bits far better than a luxury barge has any right to. Cracking fun one minute and luxury cruiser the next. Almost bipolar