Ownership costs for used entry models

Ownership costs for used entry models

Author
Discussion

dng992

Original Poster:

120 posts

32 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
Looking at 570s but also potentially 540c. Even a 12C if that changes anything

Would be buying used

1) are there anything to watch out for?
2) Asides from warranty (Assume its 5y+ old) would it be budgeting £3-4k per year for the warranty alone, and then further for the more expensive repair work if any is needed?


Grey_Area

4,114 posts

260 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
dng992 said:
Looking at 570s but also potentially 540c. Even a 12C if that changes anything

Would be buying used

1) are there anything to watch out for?
2) Asides from warranty (Assume its 5y+ old) would it be budgeting £3-4k per year for the warranty alone, and then further for the more expensive repair work if any is needed?
Buy the best you can afford.
Buy the post 2016 if 570 range, different drivers binnacle display
Buy one with a couple of miles on it that has jiggles ironed out
Look for corrosion.
Get a warranty in the deal, 2 years is possible
Warranty will be 3300+ Per year.
Sensitive to colour, orange, yellow, green, blue, black are all good, others ymmv
Insurance 550/year
Road tax 520/year
Tyres 1000 for MPS4S
Service anywhere from 600 for John Thornnycofts place, to 2200 for genuine; mileage depending.
Join MOC
Join DU
Enjoy.

964Cup

1,521 posts

244 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
Get a PPI from Thorney. The first "P" is probably "Post" rather than "Pre", so get the dealer to agree to resolve anything found.

Only join MOC if you have Facebook and Whatsapp. Turns out that's how they roll, which is a little disappointing for those of us who prefer not to share our every move with Zuck.

What's DU?

Grey_Area

4,114 posts

260 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
964Cup said:
Get a PPI from Thorney. The first "P" is probably "Post" rather than "Pre", so get the dealer to agree to resolve anything found.

Only join MOC if you have Facebook and Whatsapp. Turns out that's how they roll, which is a little disappointing for those of us who prefer not to share our every move with Zuck.

What's DU?
Drivers Union

samoht

6,272 posts

153 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
Also interested in these, thanks for the info

Grey_Area said:
Buy the post 2016 if 570 range, different drivers binnacle display
Because the single screen is superior, or the screen is just a way to tell, and the post-first-year cars are more reliable / better?

Grey_Area said:
Buy one with a couple of miles on it that has jiggles ironed out
Would you say 5-10k miles is 'ideal', or more than that?

Grey_Area said:
Get a warranty in the deal, 2 years is possible
Does that mean you recommend buying from a McLaren dealer, rather than an independent or privately?


964Cup

1,521 posts

244 months

Thursday 2nd June 2022
quotequote all
samoht said:
Would you say 5-10k miles is 'ideal', or more than that?
It's a bind. If you want a car to drive, you need a car that's been driven. If we assume that means it has to have done some long trips and turned its wheels at least every other week, then I'd say 3k a year is the minimum. But the market is increasingly Americanising, meaning that ever lower numbers count as "high" mileage, so a car that's been driven will be worth less.

This works in your favour when buying - my (2018) 720 had 14k miles on it when I bought it, so was effectively the cheapest official dealer car in the country at the time - but assuming I sell it some time next year with about 20k, it will likely be hard to shift. On the other hand, while it's not been completely flawless - it's still a McLaren - it's been completely reliable, so far, which I attribute to having been used properly.

davek_964

9,292 posts

182 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
quotequote all
I know of a 650 Spider that sold privately in less than a week, for a very strong price 2 weeks ago. It had 20k+ miles on it.

I don't think mileage is really a big issue.

anonymous-user

61 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
quotequote all
davek_964 said:
I know of a 650 Spider that sold privately in less than a week, for a very strong price 2 weeks ago. It had 20k+ miles on it.

I don't think mileage is really a big issue.
Yeah but thats 7 yrs old now so circa 3k pa which is nothing really.
5k pa would be 35k and that would make a big difference IMHO.

I would be more wary of a car that had done 1k pa TBH

Grey_Area

4,114 posts

260 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
quotequote all
samoht said:
Also interested in these, thanks for the info

Grey_Area said:
Buy the post 2016 if 570 range, different drivers binnacle display
Because the single screen is superior, or the screen is just a way to tell, and the post-first-year cars are more reliable / better?
Just visually more appealing
Grey_Area said:
Buy one with a couple of miles on it that has jiggles ironed out
Would you say 5-10k miles is 'ideal', or more than that?
3k is good, 5k better, but pushing the mileage sensitive envelope
Grey_Area said:
Get a warranty in the deal, 2 years is possible
Does that mean you recommend buying from a McLaren dealer, rather than an independent or privately?
No, McLaren warranty can be transferred on a private purchase, but if not in the network, an inspection is required. Failing that, go to Thornycroft.

David W.

1,934 posts

216 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
quotequote all
So does depreciation cost per mile travelled (and therefor realised enjoyment value) go up or down as you use them more? Or, is the issue a worry about whether anyone will buy a leggy car at all and getting stuck with it?

sparta6

3,734 posts

107 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
quotequote all
David W. said:
So does depreciation cost per mile travelled (and therefor realised enjoyment value) go up or down as you use them more? Or, is the issue a worry about whether anyone will buy a leggy car at all and getting stuck with it?
Just load it up and drive often smile




justin220

5,450 posts

211 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
quotequote all
I agree with the 3-5k miles per year average. That's a good indication its not just sat around all the time.

I think I'd go for the best spec one you can afford.

I've had my 540C 4 years now and its utterly fantastic. I do miss being able to take the roof down though. When I do eventually change it in pretty sure I'll be going for a Spyder next.

Nose Lift id say is a must have. Security pack and carbon are nice to haves. Sports exhaust is interchangeable by the dealer for standard or MSO so wouldn't worry too much about which exhaust it has.

I really like th extended carbon paddles,but again wouldn't say they are essential.

Unless you know the car I'd be insisting on a McLaren warranty for a year minimum until you get a feel for it.

Sarnie

8,155 posts

216 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
quotequote all
my 12c was faultless.

I had my Napier 570s from new and it was a dream, never had any issue or dashlights. Never let me down or left my on the side of the road.

The only issues came when it was in the hands of McLaren. Corrosion was found, took them a couple of attempts to get it sorted. Then the front passenger spring broke whilst it was with the bodyshop. They delivered it to McBrum who just called me and said it was broken, how did I want to pay the £3k for a full new actuator. Jokers....they eventually replaced it. But whenever it was with me it was faultless, great car........they all are.......it's dealing with the mothership that is painful........

Bispal

1,713 posts

158 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
quotequote all
At the price point you are looking at I would definately go 12C or 650S.

Buy either direct from seller with transferable McLaren warranty, a McLaren dealer with warranty or Alastair Bols. Buying from a so called specialist would be my very last choice.

Most 12C or 650s have had any niggles sorted out now. When warranty ends go to V engineering for servicing and repairs.

kevinpsw

136 posts

205 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
quotequote all
Don’t discount higher mileage, 5k p.a. In fact, it’d be cheaper to buy, cheaper to run if it has been maintained correctly and you could enjoy it without worrying about adding miles.

If you don’t get one with nose lift (not sure if sports series even have them as an option) check what the camber on your driveway is like.

Personally, I’d go for a super series, 12c, or 650s if you can afford an extra £20k.

Elite paints look fab but are expensive to repair if you have a scrape.

Most people say get a warranty. Or you could save the warranty cost up. Likely you will end up better off, after all warranties are sold to make money. Too early for me to speak from experience but I am self-warranty.

Thorney and V Engineering both have good reputations if you want to save on the extortionate main dealer service prices. Some main dealers get a bad press.

Don’t let a seller tell you there is a 10 year warranty on the corrosion issue (paint bubbling). It is only covered for 5 years these days. McLaren say it is “cosmetic”. So check very carefully, front wings and bonnet are the worst places I believe.

McLaren don’t release paint codes so you are stuck with McLaren approved paint shops.

Might be too many 570s around for them to become a future classic but 12c is likely to become one.

Bottom line. These are special, low volume cars. The fact that you can buy one for <£70k doesn’t stop them having £200k car running costs.

Grey_Area

4,114 posts

260 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
quotequote all
kevinpsw said:
If you don’t get one with nose lift (not sure if sports series even have them as an option) check what the camber on your driveway is like.

Personally, I’d go for a super series, 12c, or 650s if you can afford an extra £20k.

Elite paints look fab but are expensive to repair if you have a scrape.

.
Sports series is an option

Elite paints are triple coats, only available through McLaren bodyshop.

Curv3hunter

2,172 posts

216 months

Monday 6th June 2022
quotequote all
As a guide to running costs this is how my ownership panned out.

2017 570s Spider on 12k Miles. I purposely went for one that had been driven a bit. It had the remainder of the manufacturer warranty, plus 1 year used car warranty and I negotiated another year added.
I Purchased from a Mc dealer Feb 2020 for £107,000
Had it serviced a Mc dealer end of 2020. Circa £800
Sold via a broker September 2021 with just under 20k miles on for £105,000 minus the commission. Obviously with the remainder of the warranty which give the buyer piece of mind.

So approx 18 months ownership and 8k miles cost me just over 5k.

No other issues or work needed in that period. What I would add is prior to me buying there were corrosion to the front wing(s) this was sorted prior to purchase, PPF renewed etc. The corrosion was back at time of sale. Very minor however and not that noticeable unless you were looking for it.
Still that's the only issue I can report on.

There is an element of feeling like I got off very lightly with my first McLaren experience though. I had no need to fall out with any dealers which seems to be where things go wrong.

looking at 600lt Spiders now but going into it eyes open.


Purso

913 posts

109 months

Tuesday 7th June 2022
quotequote all
Awesome work!!!

dng992

Original Poster:

120 posts

32 months

Saturday 16th July 2022
quotequote all
kevinpsw said:
Don’t discount higher mileage, 5k p.a. In fact, it’d be cheaper to buy, cheaper to run if it has been maintained correctly and you could enjoy it without worrying about adding miles.

If you don’t get one with nose lift (not sure if sports series even have them as an option) check what the camber on your driveway is like.

Personally, I’d go for a super series, 12c, or 650s if you can afford an extra £20k.

Elite paints look fab but are expensive to repair if you have a scrape.

Most people say get a warranty. Or you could save the warranty cost up. Likely you will end up better off, after all warranties are sold to make money. Too early for me to speak from experience but I am self-warranty.

Thorney and V Engineering both have good reputations if you want to save on the extortionate main dealer service prices. Some main dealers get a bad press.

Don’t let a seller tell you there is a 10 year warranty on the corrosion issue (paint bubbling). It is only covered for 5 years these days. McLaren say it is “cosmetic”. So check very carefully, front wings and bonnet are the worst places I believe.

McLaren don’t release paint codes so you are stuck with McLaren approved paint shops.

Might be too many 570s around for them to become a future classic but 12c is likely to become one.

Bottom line. These are special, low volume cars. The fact that you can buy one for <£70k doesn’t stop them having £200k car running costs.
whats the context with Thorney - I hear that other then mclaren official they are the name thats comes up a lot as the go to independent after?
So the choice is either purchase mclaren official warranty or go the independent route with a place like thorney right?
The £3k+ official mclaren warranty does that include servicing? or just purely any issues - and when people say mclaren official warranty is bulletproof how bulletproof? are there some items that have to then be paid outside of that?

dng992

Original Poster:

120 posts

32 months

Saturday 16th July 2022
quotequote all
Curv3hunter said:
As a guide to running costs this is how my ownership panned out.

2017 570s Spider on 12k Miles. I purposely went for one that had been driven a bit. It had the remainder of the manufacturer warranty, plus 1 year used car warranty and I negotiated another year added.
I Purchased from a Mc dealer Feb 2020 for £107,000
Had it serviced a Mc dealer end of 2020. Circa £800
Sold via a broker September 2021 with just under 20k miles on for £105,000 minus the commission. Obviously with the remainder of the warranty which give the buyer piece of mind.

So approx 18 months ownership and 8k miles cost me just over 5k.

No other issues or work needed in that period. What I would add is prior to me buying there were corrosion to the front wing(s) this was sorted prior to purchase, PPF renewed etc. The corrosion was back at time of sale. Very minor however and not that noticeable unless you were looking for it.
Still that's the only issue I can report on.

There is an element of feeling like I got off very lightly with my first McLaren experience though. I had no need to fall out with any dealers which seems to be where things go wrong.

looking at 600lt Spiders now but going into it eyes open.
Thats nice to hear. All in thats very reasonable and much lower then I would have thought/what some people make it out to be I feel

Seems like prices these days have not changed much or in fact increased slightly.

I was hesitant looking as had been warned about terrible ownership costs and obviously the depreciation , but it does seem the car itself have bottomed or are close to it - e.g. looking at normal 570s right now and they are up for 85-95 for better stock...obviously its summer now

Im looking to make a purchase in september/october this year...its between a 570s (or other models you recommend?) and a 991.1 maybe 991.2 turbo S - budgeting £90k for car itself