McLaren 540 or 570

[irdan87]

Hi guys

I’m looking at my options of jumping into another car for next spring.

Previously had a Bentley Continental GT, Lambo Gallardo and a C63 AMG

Torn between completely different options at the mo with a budget I don’t want to go above 75k for personal reasons.

911
C63s
540 or 570
Or Aston Vantage.

What’s the main differences between the 540 and 570 models?

This is one I have my eye on at present- http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/2023120445...

Any advice welcomed

Thanks

[simon_j]

The 570 has harder suspension, a different rear diffuser and side skirt and the front splitter is painted in Paladium.

I’d recommend getting the car inspected at a McLaren dealer or reputable independent.

That way you’ll have a better understanding of its condition. If you are on a tight budget you want to reduce the chance of an expensive bill in the early days.

[justin220]

Not a huge amount of difference, but the 570 comes with the larger side skirts and the painted front splitter. Can't remember if they also came with ceramics as standard or not.

The 570 will always be the more desirable one so unless you are getting a significantly better spec or cheaper 540 your probably better going for the 570.

I went the 540 route but at the time it meant getting a car 18 month newer with longer warranty.

[davek_964]

Fairly sure ceramics were standard on 570

[irdan87]

Appreciate the feedback guys.

Any thoughts on that 570 I posted?
Probably be sold by next spring but good to look

[simon_j]

irdan87 said:

Appreciate the feedback guys.

Any thoughts on that 570 I posted?
Probably be sold by next spring but good to look

It’s fairly low spec but that doesn’t effect how it drives so who cares. As long as you like it that’s all that matters.

Don’t leave it to Spring to buy as prices tend to be at their lowest around Nov - Jan.

Decide whether you want to run it with a McLaren extended warranty or similar or just run with a self warranty. Explore the costs and go in with your eyes open.

[samoht]

The car you linked:

Originally listed on AT on 5 Dec for £79k.
On dealer website https://www.phoenixrc-autos.co.uk/used-mclaren-570... giving registration.

Apparently previously had gold elements, may want to check where these have been removed that the finish is satisfactory


No extended shift paddles / carbon driving zone - most cars have this and many buyers like it.
Base (4 speaker) audio


Yes 570S = ceramic brakes, 540C = steel. (570GT launched with steel and changed to ceramics in 2018).
The headline difference with the 540 is it has 30hp less, I think the front splitter sticks out slightly further on the 570S for more downforce. Other differences as everyone has stated.


Agree on getting a good inspection, as well as checking the cosmetic condition yourself in person.

[irdan87]

Ok so I think the 570 is definitely the better option. Possibly up the budget to get a higher spec.

Appreciate the feedback on that one I linked - very informative! Been for sale a while.

What are the desirable extras on the 570 that I’d enjoy and also help with resale?

Thanks again guys!

[Panamax]

irdan87 said:

What’s the main differences between the 540 and 570 models?

Very little IMO, it's not as if any of them are slow.

Ceramic brakes? What exactly does your average 570 owner do with those on their way to the supermarket?

To the casual observer all McLarens look the same and it's not as if you'll ever be able to exploit the full performance. So unless you're concerned about the "mine's bigger then yours" stuff go for a newer 540. That warranty seems to be something owners focus on.

I'm tempted towards a GT but even then I'm not sure when I'd ever be able to use it. Same with Portofino.

[Davyt]

I’d rather have a tidy 540c over a Ratty 570s any day, you need to buy on condition,, Ceramic brakes do look cool though and keep your wheels much cleaner,,

[samoht]

irdan87 said:

Ok so I think the 570 is definitely the better option. Possibly up the budget to get a higher spec.

Appreciate the feedback on that one I linked - very informative! Been for sale a while.

What are the desirable extras on the 570 that I’d enjoy and also help with resale?

Thanks again guys!

I think the only "must-have" is nose lift, which that car has, as most do. I would say that car is perfectly 'saleable' at the right price, but worth being aware of the spec options that are out there.


Fairly desirable and common is the extended shift paddles with carbon driving zone.

Audio options are 4, 8 or 12 speaker, the latter with Bowers & Wilkins branding on the speaker grilles - this is personal, some buyers really want this, others aren't at all fussed.

Standard wheels are cast, most 570s have one of the forged options. Of the forged, the ten spoke 'bent spoke' ones are lightest, then the ten straight spoke, then the double-five spoke and fourteen spoke are about the same.

Exterior carbon fibre adds value, but is pretty rare.

The electric seats don't go as low as the manual ones, but are heated and have memory & comfort entry/exit. The P1 seats are rare, usually found as part of the Track Pack.

Colour is obviously personal, there's a huge range of fantastic colours out there. Controversial perhaps but I think that regular white, black and grey tend to be sold for slightly less than the brighter colours.

Interior elements can be leather or alcantara, many are black but some have contrasting colours in parts of the lower dash, the seats or seatbelts.

Exhaust can be standard, sports or MSO with increasing volume; 540C and 570GT are one grade quieter, so a 'standard' 570S exhaust is identical to a 'sports' 540C one. AFAIK the exhausts make more difference to the volume of noise than its quality

Soft-close doors are fairly common and possibly desirable if they reduce passengers' tendency to slam them; this can be retrofitted for not too much cash if wanted.

[Streetbeat]

Panamax said:

Very little IMO, it's not as if any of them are slow.

Ceramic brakes? What exactly does your average 570 owner do with those on their way to the supermarket?

To the casual observer all McLarens look the same and it's not as if you'll ever be able to exploit the full performance. So unless you're concerned about the "mine's bigger then yours" stuff go for a newer 540. That warranty seems to be something owners focus on.

I'm tempted towards a GT but even then I'm not sure when I'd ever be able to use it. Same with Portofino.

Better styling (diffuser and side skirts), better interior finish, ceramic brakes, more options, quite a bit is different as it haappens and has nothing to do with mines bigger than yours, or we wouldnt be bothered with supercars at all.

To me there is no upside to buying a 540c when they are so close to 570s in price imho.

[HJG]

The 540C wasn't really originally ever intended for the UK market, it was supposed to just be a model for the Chinese market.
I'd choose the 570S.

[Davyt]

HJG said:

The 540C wasn't really originally ever intended for the UK market, it was supposed to just be a model for the Chinese market.
I'd choose the 570S.

I was told that by someone who works for McLaren but never really gave it much thoughts, detuned motor to meet emissions was also mentioned ??

[Calza]

Have you considered an AMG GT of some flavour (instead of a C63s?) You'll get a cracking one in budget and it's more comparable to the McLaren.

Sorry I know this is the McLaren sub but had to stick my nose in!

[stuno1]

Buy private with a pre purchase inspection.

75-80k should see you into a good one if you buy between October and March ish.

The general advise seems to be 2017 onwards as 2016 cars can be temperamental.

For the extra the 570 offers I would not consider the 540 personally.

When I look to buy in 12 months ish the spec I’ll be looking for is:

- Tax: Registered up to the 31st March 2017 it is £725. Registered 1st April 2017 or after it is £190. Registered 1st April 2021 you’d pay £600 until 2026 when it drops to £190.
- Buy private maintained with Thorney, v-engineering or McLaren with warranty.
- Spec: Nose lift, security pack, lux pack, sports exhaust, soft close doors and alcantara interior.

[Streetbeat]

Calza said:

Have you considered an AMG GT of some flavour (instead of a C63s?) You'll get a cracking one in budget and it's more comparable to the McLaren.

Sorry I know this is the McLaren sub but had to stick my nose in!

I went from a 570s to AMG GT R and regretted it very quickly.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with the GTr, it is a blunt tool in comparison, its a big German muscle car, engineered to go round a track quickly, which kind of puts in no mans land in my opinion, its too big and harshly sprung for anything but m ways and big a roads and too heavy to make a decent track car, thats not to say it isnt quick, but you really have to roll up your sleeves and grab it by the scruff of its neck, which some people may love.

[Calza]

Streetbeat said:

I went from a 570s to AMG GT R and regretted it very quickly.

Whilst there is nothing wrong with the GTr, it is a blunt tool in comparison, its a big German muscle car, engineered to go round a track quickly, which kind of puts in no mans land in my opinion, its too big and harshly sprung for anything but m ways and big a roads and too heavy to make a decent track car, thats not to say it isnt quick, but you really have to roll up your sleeves and grab it by the scruff of its neck, which some people may love.

That's fair, I guess I meant more 2 seater sports car rather than family saloon

[Streetbeat]

The AMG Gtr is a 2 seat sports car

Edited by Streetbeat on Saturday 21st September 09:39

[740EVTORQUES]

If you find the right car but it's a 540, assuming you can actually feel the difference in real use you could always remap it?