Am I mad considering a 540c as a regular trackday car?
Discussion
So my car situation is getting ever complex and I'm running out of space.
Ideally I would like a 720S Spider to replace my 987.2 Cayman and Z4M roadster but they're currently out of budget. I'm considering a 540C as it allows me to scratch the Mclaren itch and also have something faster for trackdays where the 987.2 and my V6 exige engined MR2 feels outgunned (also have an Integra DC2 which will be going). So essentially replacing 3 cars with one to gain some more space.
I'm considering a 540C instead of 570S as I think carbon ceramic for track use could be costly as I will do 10+ trackdays per year, having spoken to Litchfield motors, an LSD would be fitted to help with on limit balance.
My other options are a Cayman GT4 or a 991.1 GT3 but the Mclaren offers so much more performance for the money.
Eventually I would like to have a super series road car but for now I will keep my GTR with 1000+ bhp for road use so the Mclaren won't be the fastest car in the stable.
Ideally I would like a 720S Spider to replace my 987.2 Cayman and Z4M roadster but they're currently out of budget. I'm considering a 540C as it allows me to scratch the Mclaren itch and also have something faster for trackdays where the 987.2 and my V6 exige engined MR2 feels outgunned (also have an Integra DC2 which will be going). So essentially replacing 3 cars with one to gain some more space.
I'm considering a 540C instead of 570S as I think carbon ceramic for track use could be costly as I will do 10+ trackdays per year, having spoken to Litchfield motors, an LSD would be fitted to help with on limit balance.
My other options are a Cayman GT4 or a 991.1 GT3 but the Mclaren offers so much more performance for the money.
Eventually I would like to have a super series road car but for now I will keep my GTR with 1000+ bhp for road use so the Mclaren won't be the fastest car in the stable.
10 trackdays a yr is quite alot especially if you are pressing on so brake discs, pads and tyres gonna cost a bit and yes wise to go for steel discs if using it alot. I do max 4 a yr in my 570s two at the Ring and two in the UK, seems a happy medium but I'm certainly not driving flat out but still plenty quick given the performance the car has. The car is seriously quick defo a jump up in straight line performance from a GT3 or similar. Its lovely to drive on track, it does move around a bit so need to keep on your toes but alot of fun.
I've got through 10 trackdays in 6 months this year so I think about 12 should be abour right for next year.
I really want a spider but I know if I bought a 570s spider I would be pining over a 720s as well as not driving the 570s properly on track as in the back of my head knowing it's a stop gap until the 720s. With a 540c I think even taking into account the cost of tyres, brakes etc (I've just been through the process of oil, box, diff cooling upgrades on the GTR and I have no doubt a 540 would be less) I would be happy to drive to my full capacity on track.
Thanks for feedback.
I really want a spider but I know if I bought a 570s spider I would be pining over a 720s as well as not driving the 570s properly on track as in the back of my head knowing it's a stop gap until the 720s. With a 540c I think even taking into account the cost of tyres, brakes etc (I've just been through the process of oil, box, diff cooling upgrades on the GTR and I have no doubt a 540 would be less) I would be happy to drive to my full capacity on track.
Thanks for feedback.
Perfect car really with the steel brakes, over on mclarenlife a lot of guys in the US swap out their ceramics on 570s for steels if they do lots of track work. I would also suggest stiffer springs, pump 10k into a 540c and you would create a very very fast track day tool with some aero and a remap!
Something to bear in mind is the pre & post track day inspections for the McLaren warranty. Its not even the cost its the hassle. You could get an agreement to group all your track days so you do it every 3 or 4 or you just take a risk and run without a warranty? Make sure the 540C has ESC DYN mode like the super series, if not the traction systems will intervene too much on track.
Bispal said:
Something to bear in mind is the pre & post track day inspections for the McLaren warranty. Its not even the cost its the hassle. You could get an agreement to group all your track days so you do it every 3 or 4 or you just take a risk and run without a warranty? Make sure the 540C has ESC DYN mode like the super series, if not the traction systems will intervene too much on track.
I would imagine adding a lsd would void the mc warranty anyway.Bispal said:
Something to bear in mind is the pre & post track day inspections for the McLaren warranty. Its not even the cost its the hassle. You could get an agreement to group all your track days so you do it every 3 or 4 or you just take a risk and run without a warranty? Make sure the 540C has ESC DYN mode like the super series, if not the traction systems will intervene too much on track.
Had this discussion with my dealer and for cars on extended warranty so over 3 yrs old this isn't required. Having said that I always have a pre inspection done before my annual trip to the Nurburgring but purely for peace of mind. ESC DYN is a good setting to use alright.
Get the Mac. There are a few guys out there that can make them 720s slayers. Very jealous.
https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/mclaren-our-ca...
https://www.thorneymotorsport.co.uk/mclaren-our-ca...
RSbandit said:
Had this discussion with my dealer and for cars on extended warranty so over 3 yrs old this isn't required. Having said that I always have a pre inspection done before my annual trip to the Nurburgring but purely for peace of mind. ESC DYN is a good setting to use alright.
Really, so the extended warranty is not voided if you go on track?AstonExige720 said:
Really, so the extended warranty is not voided if you go on track?
No pre or post inspections required on extended warranty so doesn't impact a warranty claim. If you ask me the requirement on the initial warranty is a load of rubbish anyway don't believe Porsche have such a requirement. In any case not sure how they could prove you were on a track day in the first place. voram said:
What would be the cost of trackday insurance on the McLaren? Or are you happy to run that risk?
I don't bother with insurance any more, last time I insured a car was a few yrs back with my V12VS at the Ring and that was about £750 for two days so I'd say similar for a 570s. The thought of stacking it is enough to not let myself get carried away and car to car collisions are exceptionally rare on a well organised track day. Of course if I'm first on the scene after someone has dropped coolant or oil then I'm screwed but tiny chances again with a well marshalled track.RSbandit said:
voram said:
What would be the cost of trackday insurance on the McLaren? Or are you happy to run that risk?
I don't bother with insurance any more, last time I insured a car was a few yrs back with my V12VS at the Ring and that was about £750 for two days so I'd say similar for a 570s. The thought of stacking it is enough to not let myself get carried away and car to car collisions are exceptionally rare on a well organised track day. Of course if I'm first on the scene after someone has dropped coolant or oil then I'm screwed but tiny chances again with a well marshalled track.Litchfield would be taking care of it so not really concerned regarding McLaren warranty.
I bought my Cayman from from Porsche, had an LSD etc fitted immediately. At 2k miles my GTR had a whole new stroker engine and double from oem power. A car I can’t modify just doesn’t interest me and I think a 540c with some choice mods could be a weapon.
Not sure about slicks but R888R if the sizes are available would be my choice, I’ll be driving to track and back
WhisperingWasp said:
OP, have absolutely nothing useful to add to your topic but would love to hear more about the MR2... any pics?
ETA... just looked at your garage - a 2GR roadster! Do tell.
Volume up - https://youtu.be/dNeUZP0gtfsETA... just looked at your garage - a 2GR roadster! Do tell.
330bhp NA properly setup standalone ECU 2GR MR2. Sleeper at its best. I might keep this one as it’s probably not worth a lot but big smiles per miles.
Babw said:
Very similar to my thinking, worse case scenario is a fire with the whole car burnt out but anything less I’ll either fix and keep or part it out.
Litchfield would be taking care of it so not really concerned regarding McLaren warranty.
I bought my Cayman from from Porsche, had an LSD etc fitted immediately. At 2k miles my GTR had a whole new stroker engine and double from oem power. A car I can’t modify just doesn’t interest me and I think a 540c with some choice mods could be a weapon.
Not sure about slicks but R888R if the sizes are available would be my choice, I’ll be driving to track and back
Litchfield would be taking care of it so not really concerned regarding McLaren warranty.
I bought my Cayman from from Porsche, had an LSD etc fitted immediately. At 2k miles my GTR had a whole new stroker engine and double from oem power. A car I can’t modify just doesn’t interest me and I think a 540c with some choice mods could be a weapon.
Not sure about slicks but R888R if the sizes are available would be my choice, I’ll be driving to track and back
I'm not familiar at all with mods and tuning as I've always had stock cars but if you were to tune/mod a 540 substantially would that not make it quite hard to sell on if you ever wanted to do that? Of course given its the same engine used in a 720S there must be huge headroom to tune it but one point worth noting is that normal road insurance always ask if your car has been modified from standard and depending on what's been done it could be v hard to find a company that would cover it. Obviously you've had modded cars before so you might know of niche insurers that cover this stuff.
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