My new to me 650 spider
Discussion
As posted on another thread, i have just collected a 650 spider that is 3.5 years old and it has...take a really deep breath....27k miles on it.
Like another poster on here, the owner has a 675lt spider and used this as his daily.
In its life, the car has had one warranty claim and that was for a damper that has signs of mild weeping...apart from that, it seems nowt.
Paintwork and panel gaps are absolutely perfect. The soft close doors are fantastic...just a gentle close and it does the rest. The windows drop and raise upon opening and shutting, and fortunately none of this up and down stuff that has affected 5 series and 7series.
Driving the near 400 miles up the road DAB drifted in and out but only at the same places where it happens on our other cars...not a McLaren thing...a DAB thing.
Bluetooth was perfect...for both phone calls, uploading all my contacts and streaming my music through the fantastic upgraded Meriden sound system...very simple to figure out and no interruption to signal.
Fuel economy coming up the road was outstanding...new to me motor so took it easy as i also had one of my young lads with me and was rewarded with a ridiculous 33mpg.
Driving was a revelation....its so comfy and effortless to drive it felt like we had went through a wormhole...4.5 hours vanished and it felt we had only been driving for less than a third of that.
The arrangement inside is exactly how you would design it yourself...everything is where you want it and the simplicity of a steering wheel with no buttons and perhaps the best speedo binnacle fitted to a car is the icing on the cake.
Its an all alcantara car which i did hum and haw about...however, i can say that i am very glad i decided to push concerns aside. Seats look like they have never been sat in and likewise with the steering wheel...that was mentioned in a thread before to avoid as they look grubby and mottled but after 27k miles it still looks new. Interior has no rattles or creaks.
The car was very highly spec'd, with all exterior carbon bits apart from engine covers. The easy entry system seems a must as does in my very short experience the lift package...its a little slow but does what's needed.
McLaren Glasgow have been fantastic help with all my questions over the phone. They have given me a fantastic price for 4th service and extending warranty for 2years when its due in October. Its a real pity though because with only one issue in 27k miles you do wonder if you just put that warranty cash in a McLaren account and see how it goes...
You can't help but think maybe McLaren had got it bang on by the end of the 650 life and rushed the 5 series and 7 series out like they did with the 12c....
However, I do understand the non owners whom post negatives. Desire says go for something super sexy and exotic...logic says 'people say they are unreliable and you shall lose a fortune'...a bit like woman to be fair. I genuinely looked for excuses not to buy a 650. Every negative post pushed me back further....however...its like that old saying about the trees and the forrest...yes there are issues, but stop mucking about and get on board, in my opinion, the most exciting brand out there.
Ferrari, Porsche, Aston all have similar wee issues, but its just popular to give McLaren a kicking. Just like them, McLaren does seem as though they try their very best to resolve them.
14 years of Ferrari spiders ownership didn't prepare me for peoples reactions...in the Ferrari best case was 50/50...thumbs up or w#nk signals....it seems everyone just loves a Mclaren which is a really nice sideline i didn't expect. If i was cutting about in a small spaceship i don't think it would get anymore of a reaction.
All in all, very happy i 'went for it'.
Like another poster on here, the owner has a 675lt spider and used this as his daily.
In its life, the car has had one warranty claim and that was for a damper that has signs of mild weeping...apart from that, it seems nowt.
Paintwork and panel gaps are absolutely perfect. The soft close doors are fantastic...just a gentle close and it does the rest. The windows drop and raise upon opening and shutting, and fortunately none of this up and down stuff that has affected 5 series and 7series.
Driving the near 400 miles up the road DAB drifted in and out but only at the same places where it happens on our other cars...not a McLaren thing...a DAB thing.
Bluetooth was perfect...for both phone calls, uploading all my contacts and streaming my music through the fantastic upgraded Meriden sound system...very simple to figure out and no interruption to signal.
Fuel economy coming up the road was outstanding...new to me motor so took it easy as i also had one of my young lads with me and was rewarded with a ridiculous 33mpg.
Driving was a revelation....its so comfy and effortless to drive it felt like we had went through a wormhole...4.5 hours vanished and it felt we had only been driving for less than a third of that.
The arrangement inside is exactly how you would design it yourself...everything is where you want it and the simplicity of a steering wheel with no buttons and perhaps the best speedo binnacle fitted to a car is the icing on the cake.
Its an all alcantara car which i did hum and haw about...however, i can say that i am very glad i decided to push concerns aside. Seats look like they have never been sat in and likewise with the steering wheel...that was mentioned in a thread before to avoid as they look grubby and mottled but after 27k miles it still looks new. Interior has no rattles or creaks.
The car was very highly spec'd, with all exterior carbon bits apart from engine covers. The easy entry system seems a must as does in my very short experience the lift package...its a little slow but does what's needed.
McLaren Glasgow have been fantastic help with all my questions over the phone. They have given me a fantastic price for 4th service and extending warranty for 2years when its due in October. Its a real pity though because with only one issue in 27k miles you do wonder if you just put that warranty cash in a McLaren account and see how it goes...
You can't help but think maybe McLaren had got it bang on by the end of the 650 life and rushed the 5 series and 7 series out like they did with the 12c....
However, I do understand the non owners whom post negatives. Desire says go for something super sexy and exotic...logic says 'people say they are unreliable and you shall lose a fortune'...a bit like woman to be fair. I genuinely looked for excuses not to buy a 650. Every negative post pushed me back further....however...its like that old saying about the trees and the forrest...yes there are issues, but stop mucking about and get on board, in my opinion, the most exciting brand out there.
Ferrari, Porsche, Aston all have similar wee issues, but its just popular to give McLaren a kicking. Just like them, McLaren does seem as though they try their very best to resolve them.
14 years of Ferrari spiders ownership didn't prepare me for peoples reactions...in the Ferrari best case was 50/50...thumbs up or w#nk signals....it seems everyone just loves a Mclaren which is a really nice sideline i didn't expect. If i was cutting about in a small spaceship i don't think it would get anymore of a reaction.
All in all, very happy i 'went for it'.
I agree with everything you say but mine's a 570S with 35k up already so probably one of the highest mileage one's out there. 17k in it's first year so fair play to the first owner.
Also came from Glasgow, not entirely happy with the service considering it needs to go back for a couple of weeks and they are offering me an Enterprise luxury saloon car as a replacement but that's my only real gripe.
Fantastic car and as you say, only positive reactions from joe public so far.
Also came from Glasgow, not entirely happy with the service considering it needs to go back for a couple of weeks and they are offering me an Enterprise luxury saloon car as a replacement but that's my only real gripe.
Fantastic car and as you say, only positive reactions from joe public so far.
Crazy4557 said:
I agree with everything you say but mine's a 570S with 35k up already so probably one of the highest mileage one's out there. 17k in it's first year so fair play to the first owner.
Also came from Glasgow, not entirely happy with the service considering it needs to go back for a couple of weeks and they are offering me an Enterprise luxury saloon car as a replacement but that's my only real gripe.
Fantastic car and as you say, only positive reactions from joe public so far.
An unfortunate start to your experience...why do they need it for a few weeks?Also came from Glasgow, not entirely happy with the service considering it needs to go back for a couple of weeks and they are offering me an Enterprise luxury saloon car as a replacement but that's my only real gripe.
Fantastic car and as you say, only positive reactions from joe public so far.
Are they trailering it up and down the road for you?
When sorting out prices for extended warranty and services they indicated it would be in for over a day and i would receive a bmw loaner...but then this weekend someone i know has somehow blagged a 720 for a 3 day demo with no McLaren history...i think i will try my best for that as a loaner when the time comes...especially considering what i shall spend on the cost of 4yr service and 2 years extended warranty...
Crazy4557 said:
I agree with everything you say but mine's a 570S with 35k up already so probably one of the highest mileage one's out there. 17k in it's first year so fair play to the first owner.
Also came from Glasgow, not entirely happy with the service considering it needs to go back for a couple of weeks and they are offering me an Enterprise luxury saloon car as a replacement but that's my only real gripe.
Fantastic car and as you say, only positive reactions from joe public so far.
I have found that an Enterprise rental car is standard when warranty work is involved, it is also triggered automatically if your car is recovered. I have only ever had a McLaren on loan if my car is in for the day for a service or fitting of a minor part.Also came from Glasgow, not entirely happy with the service considering it needs to go back for a couple of weeks and they are offering me an Enterprise luxury saloon car as a replacement but that's my only real gripe.
Fantastic car and as you say, only positive reactions from joe public so far.
355spiderguy said:
An unfortunate start to your experience...why do they need it for a few weeks?
Are they trailering it up and down the road for you?
When sorting out prices for extended warranty and services they indicated it would be in for over a day and i would receive a bmw loaner...but then this weekend someone i know has somehow blagged a 720 for a 3 day demo with no McLaren history...i think i will try my best for that as a loaner when the time comes...especially considering what i shall spend on the cost of 4yr service and 2 years extended warranty...
I've had a mishap that was the car's fault so ended up with bonnet, scuttle and screen needing replacement and until it's sorted I'll keep quiet but it was potentially very dangerous. Fact is it happened 30 mins after collecting the car so as far as I'm concerned it was faulty on arrival. Being shoved down the warranty/Enterprise loan car route is somewhat galling considering I'd only just got it.Are they trailering it up and down the road for you?
When sorting out prices for extended warranty and services they indicated it would be in for over a day and i would receive a bmw loaner...but then this weekend someone i know has somehow blagged a 720 for a 3 day demo with no McLaren history...i think i will try my best for that as a loaner when the time comes...especially considering what i shall spend on the cost of 4yr service and 2 years extended warranty...
The AA are taking it from here in the New Forest to Glasgow on a flatbed possibly, I'll know in the morning when it's collected but would be surprised if the AA have covered transporters.
Then I had the starting problem yesterday whilst trying to unload off the ferry so my first week's experience has been challenging to say the least.
Crazy4557 said:
I've had a mishap that was the car's fault so ended up with bonnet, scuttle and screen needing replacement and until it's sorted I'll keep quiet but it was potentially very dangerous. Fact is it happened 30 mins after collecting the car so as far as I'm concerned it was faulty on arrival. Being shoved down the warranty/Enterprise loan car route is somewhat galling considering I'd only just got it.
The AA are taking it from here in the New Forest to Glasgow on a flatbed possibly, I'll know in the morning when it's collected but would be surprised if the AA have covered transporters.
Then I had the starting problem yesterday whilst trying to unload off the ferry so my first week's experience has been challenging to say the least.
Sorry to hear of your woe, and not the best McLaren start.The AA are taking it from here in the New Forest to Glasgow on a flatbed possibly, I'll know in the morning when it's collected but would be surprised if the AA have covered transporters.
Then I had the starting problem yesterday whilst trying to unload off the ferry so my first week's experience has been challenging to say the least.
I had similar experience although not the same issue on my drive home after pick up. AA came out next morning but could not diagnose so they sent for a covered truck . It appears they almost always use a covered truck for high end motors so i expect that’s what you will get
Rocketreid said:
Sorry to hear of your woe, and not the best McLaren start.
I had similar experience although not the same issue on my drive home after pick up. AA came out next morning but could not diagnose so they sent for a covered truck . It appears they almost always use a covered truck for high end motors so i expect that’s what you will get
Thanks for the heads up about a covered truck, that'll be better. Despite these woes I absolutely love the car and i'm not put off just yet.I had similar experience although not the same issue on my drive home after pick up. AA came out next morning but could not diagnose so they sent for a covered truck . It appears they almost always use a covered truck for high end motors so i expect that’s what you will get
355spiderguy said:
Bit of a random question...
Was the soft close doors standard on the 650 and option for the 12C?
650 production had been taking place for some time before the introduction of soft close doors, hence it was not an option for the early 650s. I paid to have it retrofit on my 2015 coupe. Initially, McLaren refused to offer it as a retrofit option for the 12C citing issues about original door latches not being covered by warranty due to not being designed for the soft close. They (McLaren) backed down after significant owner pressure and many 12C owners had it installed.Was the soft close doors standard on the 650 and option for the 12C?
Thanks for clearing that up 
Did McLaren fit the soft close to many cars as a goodwill and if not what was the cost to upgrade?
I didn't realise mines had it as it was never mentioned so i just assumed it was an update when the 650 came out as it isn't mentioned anywhere in the original 650 car and options price list....i do remember the schmee lad mentioning the hard slam to shut doors but cannot remember if it was the 12c or 650.
Did McLaren fit the soft close to many cars as a goodwill and if not what was the cost to upgrade?
I didn't realise mines had it as it was never mentioned so i just assumed it was an update when the 650 came out as it isn't mentioned anywhere in the original 650 car and options price list....i do remember the schmee lad mentioning the hard slam to shut doors but cannot remember if it was the 12c or 650.
355spiderguy said:
Did McLaren fit the soft close to many cars as a goodwill and if not what was the cost to upgrade?
I didn't realise mines had it as it was never mentioned so i just assumed it was an update when the 650 came out as it isn't mentioned anywhere in the original 650 car and options price list....i do remember the schmee lad mentioning the hard slam to shut doors but cannot remember if it was the 12c or 650.
Outside of the dealer making a hash of something and wanting to butter up a customer, no I don't think the soft close latches were ever fit out of goodwill or the kindness of Woking's heart. Iirc the cost was about £1500 to get them done.I didn't realise mines had it as it was never mentioned so i just assumed it was an update when the 650 came out as it isn't mentioned anywhere in the original 650 car and options price list....i do remember the schmee lad mentioning the hard slam to shut doors but cannot remember if it was the 12c or 650.
Yes you had to give the door a pretty decent shove to close the doors properly on the 12c in particular.
Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff