Looking for my first supercar
Discussion
Hey Guys,
New to this forum and after reading through a lot of the McLaren buyer posts here there are a few questions I'm hoping you guys will be able to help out with,
My budget is around £90k and after hours and hours of research I'm pretty sure I've settled on a sports series McLaren, 540c, 570s, 570gt all seem to be in the price range.
The question of reliability comes up again and again with McLarens, is there any differences in the 3 sports series models when it comes to reliability?
I've read a few posts about only buying from McLaren dealer to get the main dealer warranty but also some horror stories about them, particularly Manchester.
Unfortunately, Manchester is my closest but Birmingham and Leeds are similar distance but I can't find many experiences of these. Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with these dealers? If I was to buy a car from Leeds would it always need to go back to Leeds if it had an issue or could it go to any McLaren dealer?
Any other help or advice would be appreciated, buying your first supercar is both exciting and intimidating at the same time lol
New to this forum and after reading through a lot of the McLaren buyer posts here there are a few questions I'm hoping you guys will be able to help out with,
My budget is around £90k and after hours and hours of research I'm pretty sure I've settled on a sports series McLaren, 540c, 570s, 570gt all seem to be in the price range.
The question of reliability comes up again and again with McLarens, is there any differences in the 3 sports series models when it comes to reliability?
I've read a few posts about only buying from McLaren dealer to get the main dealer warranty but also some horror stories about them, particularly Manchester.
Unfortunately, Manchester is my closest but Birmingham and Leeds are similar distance but I can't find many experiences of these. Does anyone have any good or bad experiences with these dealers? If I was to buy a car from Leeds would it always need to go back to Leeds if it had an issue or could it go to any McLaren dealer?
Any other help or advice would be appreciated, buying your first supercar is both exciting and intimidating at the same time lol
Had very recent experience of buying from McLaren Leeds (Feb 2020). Richard Coldwell (Sales Exec.) was superb from start to finish - couldn't do enough for us. An extremely positive start to McLaren ownership. Would highly recommend you give him a call.
Oh, and great decision to go for the McLaren BTW - drives like nothing else. Buy from dealer to get the warranty included.
At the current price points, they're all a steal!
Oh, and great decision to go for the McLaren BTW - drives like nothing else. Buy from dealer to get the warranty included.
At the current price points, they're all a steal!
Now is certainly a good time to be looking and I think you'll get a lovely car well under your budget. I bought my 570s in December from Redline Specialist Cars in Yorkshire, I haven't driven the 540c or the GT but I wanted the S just because it's slightly more focussed than the other two. Mine came with a few months of extended warranty which the prev owner was able to transfer to me even tho the sale was through a dealer. The car has been pretty reliable so far although I have had some warranty work carried out by Mclaren Hatfield since Ive had it, nothing major tbh the dab tuner needed replacing, I got replacement fobs as my spare wasnt working and a rear ball joint had slight play so that was replaced also. So it's spent maybe 5 days at the dealer in that time I also renewed the warranty in Feb at a shade under £3k. The car itself is superb to drive and feels v special so I'm v happy with it overall and highly recommend...just be prepared for a few niggles.
Think big - you're not a million miles away and these will be held in very high regard in a few years - much more so than at the moment 
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2018-mclaren-7...
https://collectingcars.com/for-sale/2018-mclaren-7...
Definitely echoing what said above.
Heard very good things for Leeds.
Bham is ok, nice showroom and fairly new service centre.
I'd say don't focus on dealer but rather on the car, no dealer will argue if you go to them for warranty or service even if car was not bought from them.
Atm is a struggle, but I'd recommend you test drive one. Do you have any alternative brand/car?
Heard very good things for Leeds.
Bham is ok, nice showroom and fairly new service centre.
I'd say don't focus on dealer but rather on the car, no dealer will argue if you go to them for warranty or service even if car was not bought from them.
Atm is a struggle, but I'd recommend you test drive one. Do you have any alternative brand/car?
Alastair Bols has been mentioned on Pistonheads as a good guy to deal with https://www.alastairbols.com/
Similarly https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/shop/mclaren/
Good luck with your search
Similarly https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/shop/mclaren/
Good luck with your search
There aren't a lot of McLaren dealers in the UK (relatively speaking) so I'd advise not worrying about distance. Most problems should be able to be fixed locally or if it's a warranty thing often the dealer will organise transport (especially if it's a "car won't move" type of thing).
I have had positive experiences with Bristol and Hatfield, but have also heard good things about Glasgow.
If you're interested in an independent, Alastair Bols has sold cars to a few people that I know and none had complaints. He knows the cars and brand well and I am sure could also supply a rock solid warranty for peace of mind, or you can go the Thorney route (discussed elsewhere).
I have had positive experiences with Bristol and Hatfield, but have also heard good things about Glasgow.
If you're interested in an independent, Alastair Bols has sold cars to a few people that I know and none had complaints. He knows the cars and brand well and I am sure could also supply a rock solid warranty for peace of mind, or you can go the Thorney route (discussed elsewhere).
My biz partner just got an R8 a few months ago so can't get the same and Hurrican / 458's are a little out of my price range, TBH nothing sub £100k comes close to the McLarens in looks IMO.
Are they expected to release a replacement for the 570s soon? all the 500's have stopped production now but I can't find much info on a new version, worried a new one might tank the prices like the EVO did to the older hurrican's
Also, a random question, do you get a courtesy car when it has to go in for a warranty fix? I don't mind the odd issue but if I have to get someone to follow me 50 miles to Leeds every time so I can get home that would be such a pain lol.
Are they expected to release a replacement for the 570s soon? all the 500's have stopped production now but I can't find much info on a new version, worried a new one might tank the prices like the EVO did to the older hurrican's
Also, a random question, do you get a courtesy car when it has to go in for a warranty fix? I don't mind the odd issue but if I have to get someone to follow me 50 miles to Leeds every time so I can get home that would be such a pain lol.
chrisbell08 said:
Are they expected to release a replacement for the 570s soon? all the 500's have stopped production now but I can't find much info on a new version, worried a new one might tank the prices like the EVO did to the older hurrican's
Also, a random question, do you get a courtesy car when it has to go in for a warranty fix? I don't mind the odd issue but if I have to get someone to follow me 50 miles to Leeds every time so I can get home that would be such a pain lol.
I think Coronavirus may have ruined some plans but I'd expect an announcement from McL on the 570s Mk2 to be this year or early next year, with deliveries maybe late next year (pure speculation).Also, a random question, do you get a courtesy car when it has to go in for a warranty fix? I don't mind the odd issue but if I have to get someone to follow me 50 miles to Leeds every time so I can get home that would be such a pain lol.
It's rumoured to be a V6 Hybrid so I guess some people will always want the old V8 instead. 570s dropped quite hard after the first year or two anyway, with quite a lot of them available now sub £100k. Good chance they might actually stabilise higher than the 12C etc... as McLaren dealers did a lot to put people off buying used Super Series cars, citing lower running costs of the sports series. So I wouldn't worry about immediate depreciation too much.
As for courtesy car, like any dealer if you book your car in for work you can get one but it's not always going to be a McLaren
chrisbell08 said:
Are they expected to release a replacement for the 570s soon? all the 500's have stopped production now but I can't find much info on a new version, .
There's always this update here from yesterday (!) which probably implies first deliveries are probably a year away at besthttps://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-britishcars/ph...
chrisbell08 said:
My biz partner just got an R8 a few months ago so can't get the same and Hurrican / 458's are a little out of my price range, TBH nothing sub £100k comes close to the McLarens in looks IMO.
Are they expected to release a replacement for the 570s soon? all the 500's have stopped production now but I can't find much info on a new version, worried a new one might tank the prices like the EVO did to the older hurrican's
Also, a random question, do you get a courtesy car when it has to go in for a warranty fix? I don't mind the odd issue but if I have to get someone to follow me 50 miles to Leeds every time so I can get home that would be such a pain lol.
Mcl Hatfield always sorted me with a Jaguar XE courtesy car (they have JLR dealer next door )Are they expected to release a replacement for the 570s soon? all the 500's have stopped production now but I can't find much info on a new version, worried a new one might tank the prices like the EVO did to the older hurrican's
Also, a random question, do you get a courtesy car when it has to go in for a warranty fix? I don't mind the odd issue but if I have to get someone to follow me 50 miles to Leeds every time so I can get home that would be such a pain lol.
The 570 looks great on paper and drives brilliantly. Some cars seem to be trouble free but others are a nightmare. Personally I would not recommend a McLaren on the basis of my experience. As much fun as it is to drive I have not yet reached the point where all the niggles are sorted. In 8 months of ownership the car has been with McLaren for more than 3. Sometimes a loan car has Ben available and sometimes not. If I’d wanted a loan car every time my remaining list of niggles would be even longer.
Price is fantastic. Car is amazing. Build quality variable. You might be lucky. You might not.
Price is fantastic. Car is amazing. Build quality variable. You might be lucky. You might not.
I have had two 570’S, first was a coupe built October 2016 problem in the first twelve months of ownership were, split washer bottle, alarm sensor failure. Apart from that no other problems, second car was a December build 2017 570S spider which had a cracked windscreen & a detaching n/s door rubber seal as the only problems.
Now on a March 2018 build 720S coupe which has suffered the dreaded window drop which turned out to be water in the door, causing electric gremlins to cause the passenger window to drop.
Apart from that no further problems to report.
Now on a March 2018 build 720S coupe which has suffered the dreaded window drop which turned out to be water in the door, causing electric gremlins to cause the passenger window to drop.
Apart from that no further problems to report.
Buy a 2017 car upwards, buy a 2018 car upwards. Why not wait for the new model blah blah blah.
Most McLaren issues seem to be poor quality control when cars left the factory, the point they were churning too many cars. Then customer service couldn’t cope, too many cars in for warranty work causing delays in getting cars back, made worse by back log in parts. It hit their reputation hard. Production has now been scaled back (pre-covid) and they’ve put a focus on customer service. It’s a work in progress but they’re heading in the right direction.
Bottom line, most cars would have had these initial issues sorted via warranty by now. So they’ll be no more reliable or unreliable than any other car of this type. Just find the car that is the spec and colour you want, has the history you expect and if you can buy from a Mcdealer. Ignore the build year. If the ideal car comes go elsewhere they are young enough that you can sort your own McWarranty or a Thorney one (allow circa £3k for a years warranty)
BTW I’m not a McLaren owner just spouting biased opinion of my own brand, I don’t own one......yet.
Most McLaren issues seem to be poor quality control when cars left the factory, the point they were churning too many cars. Then customer service couldn’t cope, too many cars in for warranty work causing delays in getting cars back, made worse by back log in parts. It hit their reputation hard. Production has now been scaled back (pre-covid) and they’ve put a focus on customer service. It’s a work in progress but they’re heading in the right direction.
Bottom line, most cars would have had these initial issues sorted via warranty by now. So they’ll be no more reliable or unreliable than any other car of this type. Just find the car that is the spec and colour you want, has the history you expect and if you can buy from a Mcdealer. Ignore the build year. If the ideal car comes go elsewhere they are young enough that you can sort your own McWarranty or a Thorney one (allow circa £3k for a years warranty)
BTW I’m not a McLaren owner just spouting biased opinion of my own brand, I don’t own one......yet.
Actually most of the electrical issues come back to the fact that 570 and 720 onwards, they went ambitiously (and like F1) to up 5 separate operating systems (engine control, chassis control, infotainment, telemetry)which don’t do well interfacing with each other. Over time and with firmware updates (especially on the 720) these are being resolved. In contrast the 650 has 3 systems, and Tesla has 1.
Just jumping on the bandwagon here. Was about to post a similar question as the OP, despite my promise to myself this period has made me realise that life is fleeting and I am probably going to let my heart rule my head.
I have found what is probably as close to an ideal spec car, for me, as I will find, for sale at Rybrook Birmingham. I am based roughly equidistant from Ascott and Bell and Colville in Guildford.
So looking for any experiences regarding Birmingham, as somewhere to buy from (And deal with if there are any immediate issues) and similarly anything about Ascott or Bell and Colville for service and, if needed, warranty work.
I have found what is probably as close to an ideal spec car, for me, as I will find, for sale at Rybrook Birmingham. I am based roughly equidistant from Ascott and Bell and Colville in Guildford.
So looking for any experiences regarding Birmingham, as somewhere to buy from (And deal with if there are any immediate issues) and similarly anything about Ascott or Bell and Colville for service and, if needed, warranty work.
Edited by Graveworm on Sunday 19th April 13:15
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