Car companies often take the best bits from each other when they collaborate. Think Subaru and Toyota with the GR86/BRZ, or even the McLaren F1 with its BMW-sourced V12 heart. The Italians are experts at this, and in the 2000s, Maserati went to Ferrari to design the engine for its sedan. Unfortunately, almost nobody remembers.
It’s almost hard to believe that you can now buy a Maranello-made powertrain for less than a base Toyota Corolla. It would certainly get you down the road more quickly and, with more zest than most new sedans, it feels like a steal at that price. But there’s a big catch to be had with this engine — and you probably won’t be surprised about what it is…
Its Ferrari Engine Was Pure Italian Grace
Maserati Quattroporte V Engine Specs
Engine Type
4.2L V8
4.7L V8
Transmission
6-speed automatic
6-speed automated manual
Drivetrain
RWD
Power
394 hp
425-433 hp
Torque
333 lb-ft
361 lb-ft
Ferrari has always had a close relationship to its engines. Enzo Ferrari even once said: “When you buy a Ferrari, you buy the engine. The rest of the car comes with it.” It’s a big deal, then, when their engines end up in other cars without the prancing horse logo.
When the fifth-generation Quattroporte was unveiled in 2003 at the Pebble Beach Concours, it used the same Ferrari-made 4.2-liter V8 that the company had already used in the Maserati Coupe since 2001. This time, though, it had power upgraded to 400 horsepower to match the sedan’s sporty credentials.
The F136 is a masterpiece, and the biggest difference between the Ferrari and Maserati/Alfa units is the crossplane crankshaft. You’d think this would take some of the charm away, but the Quattroporte V sounds magnificent. I was stuck in traffic with one the other day, and even at idle it sounds menacing. At full chat, it’s a blend of muscle car and Ferrari 458.
– Gerhard Horn, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
You might not know that the 4.2-liter unit was dry-sump lubricated, and when Maserati upgraded the engine to a 4.7-liter version in 2008, it switched to a wet-sump setup. This larger unit was reserved for the more powerful applications like the GT S and S variants, and made around 430 horsepower. The two engines are essentially the same cross-plane crank units with different bore measurements, and the 4.7-liter engine was also used in the brilliant two-seater GranTurismo.
At debut, the only gearbox option was a sluggish six-speed automated manual. Still, Maserati finally listened to customers in early 2007 and added a ZF automatic as an option, which soon became standard. Either transmission was mounted at the rear in a transverse layout to improve weight distribution. Oh, and sound? Yeah – it sounds incredible:
It Took The Handling Fight To The Germans
2009 Maserati Quattroporte rear quarterMaserati
The Quattroporte’s engine wasn’t its only trick, and its on-road manners depend on whether you go for the facelift or not. The pre-facelift Sport GT, from 2003-2008, used a firmer version of Maserati’s own adaptive Skyhook damping system, a faster automated manual tune, and carbon fiber across the inside instead of the usual wood on the Luxury-oriented Executive variant.
To drive, the Maserati is quite close to the BMW M5. It’s sharp, it handles well and corners flat, but the default is comfort. But it is a lot lighter and way more entertaining than anything modern, that’s for sure. Avoid all models equipped with the DuoSelect transmission setup. It was a horrible automated manual, and you’ll be so much happier in the later models equipped with a basic six-speed ZF torque converter with manual override buttons.
– Gerhard Horn, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
Then, the Quattroporte GT S came in 2007, just before the facelift, and used Bilstein dampers, a lower ride height, and huge Brembo brakes. This was the fastest version of this sports sedan until the updated GT S came in 2009, which used the larger 4.7-liter engine and even more aggressive damper settings. Similar to BMW’s Shadowline trim, this latter model also blacked out most of the exterior, with red accents on the Trident badges to signify the model. You could also hear this car coming because the GT S had a louder, sportier exhaust system.
Maserati Style, Ferrari Maintenance Costs
2009 Maserati Quattroporte V8 engine topBring a Trailer
Now we come to the reason these cars aren’t as popular as their German rivals. Italian cars aren’t famous for reliability, and this Maserati is no different. When something does go wrong, you’re also going to be paying Ferrari prices. You don’t need us to tell you that’s not cheap. Here are some common issues you’ll need to look out for.
2003-2012 Maserati Quattroporte Common Issues
- Clutch life: While the ZF gearbox is generally stress-free, the DuoSelect can be pretty hard on its clutch. Its general lifespan is only around 20,000-30,000 miles, and if you notice the transmission skipping gears on its way up, that’s usually an issue with the clutch, not the gears themselves. You’re probably looking at over $3,000 for a replacement, as the flywheel is replaced at the same time.
- Camshaft variators: These parts control the variable valve timing system, and can be expensive to replace. You’ll hear tapping noises at cold start-up and around 2K revs if this issue arises. Both the 4.2-liter and the 4.7-liter engines are generally reliable if they’ve been serviced regularly, but if something does go wrong, it’s probably best to sell a kidney in case.
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- Brake and tire wear: The Quattroporte is a heavy car so that it can be pretty harsh on its brakes, tires, and suspension. Brakes are especially expensive, with ventilated discs being a scary prospect to replace. The Skyhook dampers are generally pretty reliable, but it’s worth checking if they’re working properly, and the 20-inch wheels are sometimes prone to bending after striking uneven roads.
- Electrical gremlins: Being a luxury car, there is a lot going on here for the electrics to handle. A big issue is the LCD screen, which can suffer dead pixels. If that happens, you have a scary bill on your hands. A quick plug into the onboard computer should throw up any issues worth fixing.
Pricing: A Bargain For 2000s Luxury
A front angle shot of a 2008-2012 Maserati Quattroporte drivingMaserati
No luxury car from this period is cheap to run, but we think the Maserati gets a bit of an undeserved image of breaking down as soon as you turn it on. The main issues here are the bills that crop up if something goes wrong, although the later cars are generally on par with their German counterparts, if slightly more expensive. A 2011-2013 BMW 7 Series can be yours for under $15,000, and an Audi S8 from this era is about the same price as the Maserati.
Maserati fixed a lot of the problems as the model years rolled on, so the final cars are actually good. Having said that, don’t go into this expecting to spend only $30,000. I would add another $10,000 on top of that, and take the car to a Maserati specialist immediately after purchase. Do all the preventative maintenance so you can truly enjoy this magnificent car without worrying about it breaking down.
– Gerhard Horn, Senior Road Tester, CarBuzz
The classifieds are littered with great choices, but we found a few examples of what you should be expecting to pay:
- A 40,000-mile 2008 Base Quattroporte sold for $18,150 this June
- A 74,000-mile 2010 Quattroporte GTS sold for $20,000 in May
- A 52,000-mile 2011 Quattroporte S sold for $16,000 this June
- A 28,000-mile 2012 Quattroporte S sold for $17,995 last November
With how successful this car was over its nine-year production run, there are usually quite a few examples on various car-buying sites. The prices have also remained pretty consistent over the last year, and strong examples are available for less than $20,000. We’d recommend ensuring there’s a strong service history, as these engines respond well to preventive maintenance. A pre-sale inspection can also pay for itself by making sure you get a well-cared-for Italian Stallion.
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Summary: A More Interesting Choice
2008-2012 Maserati Quattroporte Black Front Angle Driving on a Tree-Lined Road in the FallMaserati
Most people will look to Germany for a 2000s luxury barge in the form of the BMW 7 Series or a first-generation Porsche Panamera, but we think that the Maserati Quattroporte is the more head-turning and fun choice. Plagued by a reputation for reliability issues and depreciation, buyers often overlook the sedan. Now, the Italian sedan is becoming a real alternative on the second-hand market. If you can stomach the cost if something goes wrong, you’ll love having a slice of Maranello in your life and under your hood.
Sources: Evo, Classic.com, Car & Classic, Maserati
