Advice on QP

I'm thinking of a quattroprote as a daily driver. In particular I'm considering MY 2007. My understanding is that this is essentially the 430 engine (maybe with dry sump?) as well as the F1 tranny (I don't think I want the true auto). I assume it has chain driven cams like the 430, i.e. no timing belt...? My 360 is a 3-pedal car since I perfer that for the fun car, but for a daily the F1 may be a good option. Any input on the 2007 QP F1 tranny? And any other input on what to watch out for in terms of options and problem areas? Perhaps a silly question to some (but not to my 7-year old), have anyone seen any with factory entertainment system (DVD screen in the back)?

Any experiences from owners of QPs?

Thanks,
Jes

 

Buy a Benz or BMW, leave the QP on the lot..trust me.

 

I thought as you did, and bought a brand new 07 QP with Auto (F1 was not an option as I have many many stops and starts during my 40 minute commute. And I generally am not a fan of F1 anyways). I sold it within 6 months and went back to my old commuter car.

Car is really only happy for sprited driving on looping and windy backroads - I would imagine this is even more true for the F1 version. For me, it was not a happy experience in any other environment. Electronic system is from some time in the 90's. DVD system will surely be brain dead - you'd be better off buying an iPad and strapping it to the headrest.

To be fair, when the car is in it's element, on those long winding roads, it's quite an excellent experience. The car has amazing balance for it's size and weight. And it's quite fantastic to look at, IMHO.

 

I have an 07 sporte GT with ZF auto, 20" wheels and $850 optional paddle shifters. I got it with 3000 miles on the clock in Feb and now have 9,000 on it and love the car. It does everything just right. I also have a Mercedes S500 sedan for everyday in the Seattle rain.
The QP has a couple quirky items like the ebrake system, hard to see dash buttons, a horn that sounds like a Buick but then so does my 360 Spider (6 speed manual) I solved that problem by having Maserati air horns installed in both cars. Now they sound like proper Italian machines. The QP paddle shifters work great weaving in and out of traffic on the freeway.
Note that I changed the grill to the earlier type which i like better. Makes the car look more elegant and a little less aggressive.
If you can find a nice one buy it I think you will enjoy the car.
Ciao,

FGM
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I'll second the love for the 2007 QP AND with the F1 tranny... No problems in 3 years and meant to be driven... Took a S550 for a test ride (repeatedly as my cousin worked a benz dealership) and I always felt like I was in my gramps town car. Would be great for a trip to Florida but when it comes to driving excitement, the benz can't compare.... Now to be fair and balanced. If you are stop and go downtown Chicago it can get get a bit jumpy....

To the above poster, love the grigio alfieri color.... It looks better with the grey leather interior though

Tony.............

 

Thanks for the input!

This IS to be a commuter and not for the fun runs (the 360 does that), so it does concern me when some of you point out little annoying things, and perhaps larger, such as the clutch on the F1 will not last long in commuting. My commute is 25 min in no traffic to work but 45 min (with infamous SoCal freeway stop-and-go) on the way home. Based on reading how 360 (and 430) clutches operate (with lots of slipping at start) I am getting concerned that this could wear the clutch in no time. Thoughts on that? I suppose the ZF auto could be the answer, but not sure how common those are.

We have great experience with E55 (wife's commuter), but I'm looking for something more interesting. I don't feel like a 5-series, and thought the QP could be an interesting experience (and I just love the looks and style of the QP), although it must serve well as daily driver. Hmm...

Thanks,
Jes

 

Get the ZF auto.... AS much as I love my F1 it does have its annoyances... I liken the F1 trans to a 3 pedal car trans in traffic....
Tony.............

 

Get the Auto. I've put over 10k miles on my 07 Auto that I bought in feb with 9k miles on it and haven't had a single problem! Its more reliable then my Denali was stock. I daily drive it during the winter even, and with snow tires it no big deal. I plan on putting some serious miles on my QP before I get rid of it.

 

I have owned three Maserati's and whatever you do, you do not want the CC tranny, buy an auto. No dealer who likes you and wants to keep you as a customer will tell you to buy the car in anything but auto.

 

Thanks for the info. In weighing things, do some of you with QP ownership experience have rough ideas of QP F1 clutch life and replacement cost?
Jes