650S Spider Appreciation Thread
Discussion
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/7CDn8oOA.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/oI6h9HUJ" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/oI6h9HUJ.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/7NqKPsrA" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/7NqKPsrA.jpg)
200 of the 600 running in miles done this weekend. Just need to double my efforts next weekend and then it will be full blast all the way.
Even the English Riviera was 5C today so roof up, back window down for us southern softies
Roll on the summer for more open air motoring
Edited by GRBF430F1 on Sunday 18th January 18:17
Russell996 said:
Stunning!
Thanks Russell. Pictures don't do it justice TBH. Very difficult to capture the colour on camera but in the sunlight the pearlescent paint really does pop. It was a stock car however I wouldn't of specced it any differently from factory so got lucky by hunting it down at McLaren Manchester who have been excellent throughout the whole process.
They even transported the car direct to my home.
Very pleased with it and already had the "strewth that's amazing what is it and did you win the lottery ?"
Geoff Stilwell said:
Very nice. Same colour as my MP4. What are the changes as people say the cars are like chalk n cheese.
I've read all the technical gumf on the changes like ignition cut off and inertia push etc ......As you would expect from McLaren and an F1 company its all high tech and leading edge in terms of road cars.
For me the performance gains over 12C are minimal apart from the added torque which you can definitely tell straight away. I think some are confusing this with more lag but I would say not, its just when it hits you, you notice it even more.
For me the changes for the better are primarily subjective in that it just feels so much more alive.
People said the 12C was benign or sterile which I do not agree with. Yes its clinical and efficient for sure.
With the 650S McLaren have taken the feedback on board and made it more exciting and fun
Personally I think the steering is better weighted with more feedback
The gearshifts are absolutely seamlessly fast up and down the box and more noticeable blips on the downshift
The exhaust / engine sound is better with pops and bangs
The ceramic brakes are the best I have ever driven in terms of steel brake feel with ceramic stopping power
IRIS II is brilliant
And the front end I just love the P1 face
Like I say you need to drive it yourself to realise the difference but I fully understand that the cost to change from a 12C for the difference will always be difficult to justify because its not twice the car
I really struggled to justify swapping out of my 2009 F430 F1 spider into a 2008 430 Scuderia when the gap was £40k and didn't do it at the time.
When I did eventually do it 12 months later the difference was £75K, so a costly mistake ? Is the 430 scuderia that much better - no not on paper but yes when you are driving it. Do I regret doing it No, just wished I had done it sooner
Obviously 12C to 650S prices are not going to widen like that as the Scuderia was limited numbers Ferrari and silly appreciating prices so there is no pressure for current 12C owners to panic or rush into the decision.
Take your time and get a good drive in the 650S to make up your mind and prepare to lose some money but unlike others on here I don't think it will be anywhere near as bad as the MP4 12C or what the doommongers will have you believe especially with some of the used ex press/demo cars that are around at the moment
GRBF430F1 said:
200 of the 600 running in miles done this weekend. Just need to double my efforts next weekend and then it will be full blast all the way.
Even the English Riviera was 5C today so roof up, back window down for us southern softies
Roll on the summer for more open air motoring
Edited by GRBF430F1 on Sunday 18th January 18:17
That red ie VR actually really is a very nice colour and it is overall much better than the 12c launch colour ie volcano orange as that orange looks awful in poor light conditions. Can't believe GRB went for those wheels though as those are by far the worst looking wheels offered by Mclaren 
(the mclife forum has a very unflattering name for that spec of wheel for example...). the standard 650 wheels are quite nice if a bit bland I suppose but definitely are the ones I would have went for...
(the mclife forum has a very unflattering name for that spec of wheel for example...). the standard 650 wheels are quite nice if a bit bland I suppose but definitely are the ones I would have went for...Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff