Maserati Quattroporte | Used Car Buying Guide

In 2007, Maserati finally offered the Quattroporte with a proper ZF auto. It was a re-engineering job that did away with the transaxle, moved the gearbox closer to the engine and gave the V8 a wet sump in place of the old dry one. The whole plot, suspension included, got a makeover, too, making these cars well worth their premium over earlier versions. 

Not that the DuoSelect threw in the towel, because it clung on in the Sport GT, now a much more focused beast – lower, stiffer and with more powerful brakes. Meanwhile, the rare and luxurious Collezione Cento edition featured a pair of 10.4in touchscreens in the front seatbacks and — before this kind of thing became frowned upon — internet browsing via a keypad in the centre armrest. 

In 2008, just as everybody thought Maserati had put away the Quattroporte drawing board, the model was refreshed once more with a new grille, lights and wing mirrors and, inside, a redesigned centre console. Not only that, but an all-new GT S version was launched. Power came from a 4.7-litre V8 that produced 433bhp — enough to launch the car from zero to 62mph in a shade less than five seconds. 

The last Mk5s hit Maserati showrooms in 2013. With prices for good standard 4.2 cars starting from around £12,000, character has seldom looked so tempting.

How to get one in your garage - an expert’s view

“I drive a 2005 4.2 Executive GT DuoSelect with 80,000 miles — and love it. It cost me £5000, but needed the equivalent of £7000 of work. Look after a Quattroporte and it’s sublime. Neglect it and it’ll be a money pit. New, they cost more than £70,000, so they have the parts and labour costs to suit. Brakes, suspension parts… they’re all expensive. That’s the bad. The good is all that character. A Quattroporte has soul and there aren’t a lot of cars you can say that about.” Matthew Sage, Giallo  

Buyer beware

ENGINE

Check the servicing has been done every 6000 miles. Look for oil seeping past the cam cover gaskets and front crankshaft oil seal. Look under the engine, too. Rough running could be due to a faulty air flow meter. 

TRANSMISSION

On DuoSelect cars, rising revs, stalling and gear selection problems indicate trouble ahead. The clutch can last as little as 12,000 miles, especially on pre-2006 cars (it hates stop-start crawls), and is around £1500 to fix. Check the hydraulic gear selectors’ condition. 

STEERING AND SUSPENSION

Skyhook electronics are okay. It’s the mechanical stuff on both systems that fails, such as roll-bar drop-links, broken springs and collapsing dampers. Especially on pre-2005 cars, check for steering rack leaks (expensive) and excessive play around the straight-ahead. Look at the condition of the steering pump (a weak spot). Check for uneven tyre wear and, on the test drive, steering and handling finesse. Four-wheel alignment can be easily disturbed. 

BODY

Generally rust-free but keep an eye out for unrepaired stone chips. Check the condition of the bonnet latch (it can fail) and ensure the powered wing mirrors fold. Gorgeous alloy wheels are easily kerbed. Check the 2006 recall about doors opening spontaneously was carried out – exterior door handles should have been replaced. Make sure the boot’s soft-close function works. 

INTERIOR

Leather wears easily. Ensure the glovebox closes. Check the windows operate smoothly and headlights work. 

Also worth knowing

There are two steel covers under a Quattroporte, about 10in x 10in and located either side of the car, inboard of the front jacking points. They cover a section of the brake pipeline channel. They rust badly and quickly but are cheap to replace.