First series of biturbo was not much reliable, following series was pretty reliable. I never have problems with them all, maybe i'm lucky or more probably i keep my cars in good conditions.
Maserati are expensive cars to keep in good condition. If you know to make all by yourself should be better because every time you'll bring it in service, you'll spend too many money
224 engine is a 2000cc (a little bit small for that power should be better a 3000cc) with 2 turbo quite fast in acceleration. Anyway the 224 has the most advanced version of the twin-turbo engine, the car has no longer major production defects and if well maintained is very reliable. You should look that all 6 cylinder are in good condition, look at rear of four finals exaust and both side has to be with the same smoke color on cold engine and no color when hot engine. If are different color (even in 1 of 4) it's sign of some piston not in good condition.
Check the noise of the chains that control the camshafts, in the v6 4ac24 engine series up to the ghibli tend to stretch and put out of phase the distribution on the exhaust side. Also check in phase to replace the belt possibly also the hydraulic tensioner.
Garret turbo: it's important that you wait that car enter in temperature before to stress the chargers and also wait 2-3 min., with the engine on before to stop it, so the 2 turbo can relax.
Which version of 224 is it? The V version (224v) has electronic suspensions so no worry for drive train but keep always in mind that it's not an easy car to drive in fasten speed, when at 2-3000 rpm (don't remember exactly) the turbo wake up can be dangerous, in particular situations like on the wet streets because go on suddenly, almost brutal enter
Check for rust down the doors and up (inside) the arch wheels
For other things you'll need only petrol, a litlle much, and i assure you you'll take fun and you'll enjoy it
I wish had not sell them all, for sure 224v and Ghibli, i will regret all life, but i can't keep all cars i want, some had to be sacrifice for others
People that never owned one will speak bad for them, but you'll never find one previous or actual owner that will not speak of them with shiny eyes
as this car was not sold within Germany I cant find much information anyways.....
