How important is a nose lift on a Mclaren?

[Rock Studly]

There seems to be a general feeling in the Mclaren posts that a nose lift is essential.
I don't think they are any lower than similar Ferrari's or Lambo's but a nose lift with these brands is uncommon and hardly discussed.
What are your thoughts and would you buy a Mclaren which had everything else you wanted but without the nose lift?

[PompeyReece]

Think it might vary between models but from what I recall reading on here, it's a must on a 570S.

[anonymous-user]

I would not buy a McLaren without a nose lift. For some reason, McLaren’s seem to get driven more than the other marques. I know of many owners who DD or use them regularly, increasing the likelihood of scraping the front. I’ve done over 13K Miles and would not be without a nose lift.

[davek_964]

For me, nose lift was essential. I wouldn't even consider one that didn't have it.

And it might not get discussed with Ferrari, but it is a pain in the arse not having lift on my 360.

[Crazy4557]

I couldn't get get in my drive without one and my drive's not that steep. Imaging having to leave it parked out in the road because you forgot to make sure your car had one fitted
Lots of McLaren owners have mentioned how often they scrape the undersides including myself, they seem lower than the other marques in general which is why they're better to drive and faster

[justin220]

Absolute must have

[theRossatron]

Differs model to model but I'd say its a must on my 600LT especially when the splitter is all sexy carbon.

[Rock Studly]

Thanks for those quick responses.
There are quite a lot out there that don't have nose lifts. Are there any owners of these without lifts with real life experiences? Is it not needed or do you wish you had got one with.

[McLarenGuru]

Rock Studly said:

Thanks for those quick responses.
There are quite a lot out there that don't have nose lifts. Are there any owners of these without lifts with real life experiences? Is it not needed or do you wish you had got one with.

Well that surprises me... in my time in the dealer, we never ordered a single car without nose lift.. an absolute must have. It comes as part of the 'Security Pack', which also gives you front and rear sensors, camera, lift and car cover..

If you was buying a car without a lift, be sure to check the underside of the car before purchasing.

[LordOfTheManor]

I've always put a lift on my cars, sometimes when the car is new, the lift comes with other things that you don't really want,
and you can't just have the lift, so it ends up costing a fortune - but the quick answer is yes
I'd buy a car with a lift if possible.

[davek_964]

McLarenGuru said:

Well that surprises me... in my time in the dealer, we never ordered a single car without nose lift.. an absolute must have. It comes as part of the 'Security Pack', which also gives you front and rear sensors, camera, lift and car cover..

If you was buying a car without a lift, be sure to check the underside of the car before purchasing.

My car (650) has lift and sensors, but no camera.

[anonymous-user]

Rock Studly said:

Thanks for those quick responses.
There are quite a lot out there that don't have nose lifts. Are there any owners of these without lifts with real life experiences? Is it not needed or do you wish you had got one with.

Put it another way. I occasionally forgot to use the lift in the early days of ownership. Several scrapes later, it now comes as 2nd nature. On the 720S, I have even scraped the rear diffuser on high/vicious speed humps. Macs are low.

Macs also have air channels on the undertrays, directing air towards the brakes. Sometimes these are broken off if the car gets grounded.

[Bispal]

Not required on a 12C, 14k miles in mine on south London speed bumps no issue. 650S best to have it, 675LT absolutely needed. Don't know about sports series or 720S

[650spider]

Unless i am imaging it, my 650 raises
front and rear, not just nose.

I would say it is essential, prob more so due to the likes of this thread where the vast majority say don't buy one without and it, and it may affect selling on.

I stay in an area where speed humps are few and far between, but approaching and crossing them very slowly avoids any issues.

I have the carbon front bumper / spoiler and rear diffuser, so i am very careful due to potential remedial costs that would be involved.

So, offering an alternative view, i personally have not felt it would have been a dealbreaker if my McLaren did not have lift, but i do get how others may see it differently.

[TB993tt]

On a 720 I would say you could get away without the lift, my 997GT2 at stock ride height is more likely to crunch than the Mac on bumps and inclines but I can easily use it daily, you just have to be creative if you come across something exceptionally steep. Having said that lift just makes things easier and less stressful.

[SSO]

Simple answer: critical. I would not even consider a McLaren without the nose lift.

[McLarenGuru]

davek_964 said:

My car (650) has lift and sensors, but no camera.

Apologies, i should've made it clearer - i was referring to the sports series.

[Project 4]

I was told that you don't need it on a 12C but the first one I drove caught on something underneath (probably an air deflector) on a speed bump at circa 5mph. Every other car I looked at (without lift) had scrapes under the front bumper when you get underneath it. I know it is not as low as later models but I bought one with lift and the underside is perfect!

[Thorney]

Its not needed on a 12c, indeed very few were fitted with it.

Pretty much essential on all the other models though.

[V8Andrew]

Before we bought the 650s we read a lot on this subject and decided it was an essential option.