First McLaren?

[Johnrosk]

Good morning all

Sold my 997S GEN2 PDK a while ago and I been thinking about replacing it with a 991 turbo, but I keep looking at the McLaren 570s & 570 gt. I have around a 100k budget and would be interested to know owners views on these cars including running, servicing cost and warranties etc. I live in west Cornwall and my nearest dealer is in Bristol which is around 190 miles away.

Many thanks

John

[Pioneer]

I was in a similar dilemma. Eventually pulled the trigger on a 570S Spider in March. You won't be disappointed, car is awesome and puts a huge smile on my face every time I drive it. I came from Lambos and although I still love them, the McL is the first car I've really gelled with. As a driver's car I can't see anything that comes close bang-for-buck. I decided to go sports series mainly due to running costs and it was my 1st McL. The online negativity held me off putting more £ into a super series until I'd tested the water for myself. My local main dealer (Hatfield) have been superb. Couple of niggles but all sorted under warranty and nothing that stops me driving the car. I may go into a 675, 720, etc next year but currently, I'm absolutely loving the 570. A lot of love for them out on the roads.

[IMI A]

I'm very surprised these are not more popular at that sort of money. ^^^^ Looks like a £200k car today. I'd walk into the Mac dealership then probably buy a 911 turbo last minute!

[mat205125]

IMI A said:

I'm very surprised these are not more popular at that sort of money. ^^^^ Looks like a £200k car today. I'd walk into the Mac dealership then probably buy a 911 turbo last minute!

Amazes me that anyone looks past the entry level McLaren models. The 2x price hike to the next model up just doesn't seem to offer anything significantly more

[davek_964]

mat205125 said:

Amazes me that anyone looks past the entry level McLaren models. The 2x price hike to the next model up just doesn't seem to offer anything significantly more

I considered 570 when I bought my (used) 650 spider - but I just didn't like them enough. Purely subjective and mostly about aesthetics - the 540 I had as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks was very good.

Almost 2 years on, I've not got tired of watching the air brake flip up though!

[johnnyreggae]

Johnrosk said:

I have around a 100k budget and would be interested to know owners views on these cars including running, servicing cost and warranties etc.

Quite a few owners have already posted their journeys to ownership so there's already here a huge amount of advice and experience for you to read

[Jim82]

davek_964 said:

I considered 570 when I bought my (used) 650 spider - but I just didn't like them enough. Purely subjective and mostly about aesthetics - the 540 I had as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks was very good.

Almost 2 years on, I've not got tired of watching the air brake flip up though!

Me too- I especially get a kick of seeing up pop up when I go over a hump back bridge.

[Fezzamania]

Jim82 said:

davek_964 said:

I considered 570 when I bought my (used) 650 spider - but I just didn't like them enough. Purely subjective and mostly about aesthetics - the 540 I had as a courtesy car for a couple of weeks was very good.

Almost 2 years on, I've not got tired of watching the air brake flip up though!

Me too- I especially get a kick of seeing up pop up when I go over a hump back bridge.

I knew the sport series didn't get hydraulic suspension but does it not get active aero either ?
I suppose its a big differential from entry sport series to super series to justify the price hike.
Not that I think any of it would make any difference to my driving

[Pioneer]

Fezzamania said:

I knew the sport series didn't get hydraulic suspension but does it not get active aero either ?
I suppose its a big differential from entry sport series to super series to justify the price hike.
Not that I think any of it would make any difference to my driving

Correct. The main reason I went sports over super was simply aesthetics and running costs. Didn't drive either before buying. Wanted a spider and originally set a budget that meant I was really only looking at the 650. 720 spider was too much money for my 1st McL. All the 570 spiders were over budget by about £20k. Looked at 3 x 650S but warranty and servicing costs were playing on my mind and I kept going home and looking at 570's. The main reason I ended up with a 570 though - I really, really didn't like that 650 rear end! Actually to the point where I was offered a great 650S Spider, 1 owner, perfect spec and turned it down purely as I wouldn't have been able to live with the looks. All amazing cars although I'm now online looking at a nice 720S Spider in Helios Orange!

[davek_964]

Getting a little off topic because I assume the OP isn't interested in super series - but I'm not aware that there is any significant difference in servicing costs between sports / super series.

I've had two services since buying my 650, one was about £1,100 and one was about £1,200 (£1,100 service and £100 of a few other minor bits).

Warranty is certainly more though.

[Fezzamania]

Pioneer said:

Correct. The main reason I went sports over super was simply aesthetics and running costs. Didn't drive either before buying. Wanted a spider and originally set a budget that meant I was really only looking at the 650. 720 spider was too much money for my 1st McL. All the 570 spiders were over budget by about £20k. Looked at 3 x 650S but warranty and servicing costs were playing on my mind and I kept going home and looking at 570's. The main reason I ended up with a 570 though - I really, really didn't like that 650 rear end! Actually to the point where I was offered a great 650S Spider, 1 owner, perfect spec and turned it down purely as I wouldn't have been able to live with the looks. All amazing cars although I'm now online looking at a nice 720S Spider in Helios Orange!

I've been looking at 720S spider and 675LT but i have to say whilst its more modern I do find the 720S headlights more challenging than the rear of a 650S

[Dr Interceptor]

I'm in a similar position, although I haven't just sold a Porsche... But currently looking at cars around the £100k mark.

There's a lovely 2015 650S Spider in Orange at a garage locally I'm going to have a look at tomorrow...

Are there any key things I should make sure I look at? It's indoors in a showroom at present.

[Jim82]

From my experience- get a McLaren warranty !!!

[Pioneer]

Fezzamania said:

I've been looking at 720S spider and 675LT but i have to say whilst its more modern I do find the 720S headlights more challenging than the rear of a 650S

When I first saw the 720 online I hated the front, absolutely hated it. BUT ... after seeing them in the metal and seeing more and more over time I've come to love them. Funny eh. I think one of my first posts about the front end was that the lights reminded me of Kenneth William's nose.

[Fezzamania]

Pioneer said:

When I first saw the 720 online I hated the front, absolutely hated it. BUT ... after seeing them in the metal and seeing more and more over time I've come to love them. Funny eh. I think one of my first posts about the front end was that the lights reminded me of Kenneth William's nose.

Lol, yeah I can remember the original launch pics being awful but like you i have become more accustomed to them over time and appreciate the engineering but still don't love them even though I'm considering buying one now and I would never of thought that at the launch

[Dr Interceptor]

Fezzamania said:

Pioneer said:

When I first saw the 720 online I hated the front, absolutely hated it. BUT ... after seeing them in the metal and seeing more and more over time I've come to love them. Funny eh. I think one of my first posts about the front end was that the lights reminded me of Kenneth William's nose.

Lol, yeah I can remember the original launch pics being awful but like you i have become more accustomed to them over time and appreciate the engineering but still don't love them even though I'm considering buying one now and I would never of thought that at the launch

A 720S Spider in Papaya Spark is my absolute dream, but alas am not quite there yet. I’ve thought they were absolutely stunning from the get go

[12pack]

I went in for a 650 after back to back drives in a 570. Coming from “normal” performance cars, I really appreciate that you not only get a stiff carbon tub, and advanced suspension, but you can really feel how it improves the actual drive on road and track. The super series suspension is really about keeping all four corners planted rather than about comfort. Besides the mid-range and lunge at the top of the 650 put it in a another league, and I like the Frank Stephenson design with the integrated back end, with no extra flab or silly rococo protuberances.

[Johnrosk]

Good afternoon everyone

Does anyone know this car or have any comments to make about the spec? https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/11835966

Many thanks

John

[Pheedbak]

don't know the car but imo the spec ticks enough of the boxes. Like the colour too Good luck!

[justin220]

I don't think you can go far wrong with a 540/570/650 at current prices, assuming you do the correct checks and get a good one with a warranty.

Looks are a personal preference, but lets be honest they look very similar. You are getting a genuine supercar for almost super saloon money just now.

Running cost wise, warranty is more expensive on the super series (£2.8k per year for sports, £5k (?) for the super). Servicing, I have paid £800 minor and £1200 major for my 540C. I am considering swapping mine for something else, but its very difficult to change to anything worthy of the upgrade, without spending a significant amount of money. A 720S for example would almost be double the price of my 540C value, and I'm just not sure I see the value.