McLaren suspension - brilliant until it isn't....
Discussion
Damn.
Dropped the 650 off for its service yesterday - completely fault free (I thought).
Two snapped springs on the nearside of the car - one of which has pierced the shock..... and the offside springs look like they'd snap before I got home from the service..........
Bit of a shame - I thought it was going to be a really cheap service. At least there are a few positives - McLaren shock absorbers cost less than I thought (slightly under £2.5k + vat), and these days you can get springs. Plus - it's still cheaper than a years warranty I suppose.
In the Spring, I was thinking I'd sell the car soon - but needed it for something in October, and then enjoyed it so much over the summer that I thought I'd probably keep it. But this might push me over the edge I think - might be time for a change, but given the time of year I probably have 6 months to think about it.
I am mostly very positive about McLaren's - but their suspension springs have the rust proofing of a 1970s Lada!
Dropped the 650 off for its service yesterday - completely fault free (I thought).
Two snapped springs on the nearside of the car - one of which has pierced the shock..... and the offside springs look like they'd snap before I got home from the service..........
Bit of a shame - I thought it was going to be a really cheap service. At least there are a few positives - McLaren shock absorbers cost less than I thought (slightly under £2.5k + vat), and these days you can get springs. Plus - it's still cheaper than a years warranty I suppose.
In the Spring, I was thinking I'd sell the car soon - but needed it for something in October, and then enjoyed it so much over the summer that I thought I'd probably keep it. But this might push me over the edge I think - might be time for a change, but given the time of year I probably have 6 months to think about it.
I am mostly very positive about McLaren's - but their suspension springs have the rust proofing of a 1970s Lada!
I really wouldn’t let one single issue like a broken spring ( or two ) force you into getting rid of your McLaren .
Every manufacturer and every model has its weak points , and fixing these faults come with the territory whether you are dealing with a Lada or a Bugatti .
The 650S appears remarkable value for what it offers - especially if you are within easy distance of an Indy or a MD that you trust .
Every manufacturer and every model has its weak points , and fixing these faults come with the territory whether you are dealing with a Lada or a Bugatti .
The 650S appears remarkable value for what it offers - especially if you are within easy distance of an Indy or a MD that you trust .
carspath said:
I really wouldn’t let one single issue like a broken spring ( or two ) force you into getting rid of your McLaren .
Every manufacturer and every model has its weak points , and fixing these faults come with the territory whether you are dealing with a Lada or a Bugatti .
The 650S appears remarkable value for what it offers - especially if you are within easy distance of an Indy or a MD that you trust .
It wouldn't be the reason in itself.Every manufacturer and every model has its weak points , and fixing these faults come with the territory whether you are dealing with a Lada or a Bugatti .
The 650S appears remarkable value for what it offers - especially if you are within easy distance of an Indy or a MD that you trust .
If I didn't need the car for something in October, it would have gone up for sale in the Spring anyway. Six months ago, I was 100% sure that I would be selling it after October - although probably waiting until next Spring.
Using it over the summer kind of changed my mind - but I've thought for a few years that I'm gradually losing interest in expensive cars. I nearly didn't replace the first one for that exact reason.
You're right though - 650s are a bargain, which is why I ended up with a second one.
I absolutely agree about expensive , wide , high speed , cars simply being less usable in the real world than cheaper , narrow cars that major on fast acceleration up to about 100 ( I of course mean km/h ) .
But we are all seduced by cylinder count , wedge shapes , guillotine and swan doors , performance stats etc , etc , aren’t we ?
And EV’s leave me cold , and high tech electronics leave me numb - which leaves us looking at older supercars which thankfully are often/ sometimes/ never cheaper .
Speaking theoretically , what would you get if you sold the 650S ? - the alternatives are thin on the ground , unless you are happy to add in a wedge of cash or are happy to accept a less desirable model from the various back catalogues
But we are all seduced by cylinder count , wedge shapes , guillotine and swan doors , performance stats etc , etc , aren’t we ?
And EV’s leave me cold , and high tech electronics leave me numb - which leaves us looking at older supercars which thankfully are often/ sometimes/ never cheaper .
Speaking theoretically , what would you get if you sold the 650S ? - the alternatives are thin on the ground , unless you are happy to add in a wedge of cash or are happy to accept a less desirable model from the various back catalogues
Agreed, I don't think there is anything for similar money. It's why - when I had ~£100k to play with I ended up with another 650 spider, because nothing else tempted me for that cost.
But - if I did decide to sell, I wouldn't replace it. It would simply be the end of "toy" cars, at least for a while.
But - if I did decide to sell, I wouldn't replace it. It would simply be the end of "toy" cars, at least for a while.
We've all been there.
I was planning on selling my old F430, even put it up for sale and had a buyer, but it fell through. At that point there was nothing on the market I fancied, and it was summer again so I decided to keep it for a bit longer. Fast forward 9 months, I get it serviced and it needs £3000 of suspension work.
As irritating as it was I was even more annoyed by my Wife's car. Around the same time I planned to sell her Ford Focus, but never quite got round to doing it, it was always just below the top of the to-do list. Then, after 5 years of fault free motoring, in the case of just a few months it needed a new clutch, new master cylinder, new front springs and a new cat. Spent over £2500 on repairs to a car that I then sold for £3000. That hurt.
I was planning on selling my old F430, even put it up for sale and had a buyer, but it fell through. At that point there was nothing on the market I fancied, and it was summer again so I decided to keep it for a bit longer. Fast forward 9 months, I get it serviced and it needs £3000 of suspension work.
As irritating as it was I was even more annoyed by my Wife's car. Around the same time I planned to sell her Ford Focus, but never quite got round to doing it, it was always just below the top of the to-do list. Then, after 5 years of fault free motoring, in the case of just a few months it needed a new clutch, new master cylinder, new front springs and a new cat. Spent over £2500 on repairs to a car that I then sold for £3000. That hurt.
On the plus side - I did think the suspension had got a bit harsher a couple of months ago, and I suppose I now know why.
I think it just feels worse because I thought there wasn't a single thing that needed doing this time, so thought it was going to be a fairly negligible cost. Maybe next time eh!
I think it just feels worse because I thought there wasn't a single thing that needed doing this time, so thought it was going to be a fairly negligible cost. Maybe next time eh!
Snapped springs isn't Mclaren specific, my Macan, BMWs etc all snapped springs, its really unfortunate it took out a damper too. I know how it feels when you get a big bill when you weren't expecting one and it kinda puts a downer on the car but take it out for a blast and suddenly its all good again, and like you say its be largely reliable and cheap to run for what it is.
I remember a couple of years ago my work dried up and I thought about selling. I wrote an advert out, read it back to myself and though, 'crikey, I'd buy that car'! so kept it. I also had an offer of purchase from someone at a show even though it wasn't for sale. My only problem now is that retirement is looming so thoughts are creeping in again 
macdeb said:
I remember a couple of years ago my work dried up and I thought about selling. I wrote an advert out, read it back to myself and though, 'crikey, I'd buy that car'! so kept it. I also had an offer of purchase from someone at a show even though it wasn't for sale. My only problem now is that retirement is looming so thoughts are creeping in again
Retirement is a few years away yet - but close enough that we are beginning to focus finances towards it a bit more and expensive services certainly make me think twice.On the other hand, I was a bit more relaxed about it last night - which may or may not be related to a couple of whisky's....... Plus, I'm lucky that my wife isn't really bothered if I spend far too much money running my cars.
Overall, it's not an expensive car to run so I may conclude I have simply been unlucky - and next year will <probably> be a cheap year..........
I am in a similar position with my 650s - it is hardly used, I am now in retirement planning phase, etc.
But it is such a great car!!
I get that it is basically impossible to use even half its potential anywhere other than a track. But for me, that misses the point - it is a fantastic car to do just about any driving in! Beautifully made and designed interior, incredible steering and suspension quality that can be appreciated even at 30mph in town, GT car capable - super comfy for long trips. Reasonable mpg. And although depreciation is definitely a thing, so far they seem to holding up OK.
We have to remember as well that they are all getting on for 10 years old. Any car needs investment at that age to keep it on top form.
But it is such a great car!!
I get that it is basically impossible to use even half its potential anywhere other than a track. But for me, that misses the point - it is a fantastic car to do just about any driving in! Beautifully made and designed interior, incredible steering and suspension quality that can be appreciated even at 30mph in town, GT car capable - super comfy for long trips. Reasonable mpg. And although depreciation is definitely a thing, so far they seem to holding up OK.
We have to remember as well that they are all getting on for 10 years old. Any car needs investment at that age to keep it on top form.
I think every car I have owned has had a spring or two broken. I spent £2.5k on springs & dampers for a 22 year old 986 Boxster and was facing a £4.5k suspension rebuild on the one I replaced it with, all within the past 3 years. Even my MX5 cost me £1,500 for springs to be fitted. I Actually think the McLaren prices are reasonable and on par with a BMW or Audi. I don't think there is much escape from high repair prices for any make of car. Last year my 675LT required less expenditure on servicing and maintenance than my Subaru Forester.
Bispal said:
I think every car I have owned has had a spring or two broken. I spent £2.5k on springs & dampers for a 22 year old 986 Boxster and was facing a £4.5k suspension rebuild on the one I replaced it with, all within the past 3 years. Even my MX5 cost me £1,500 for springs to be fitted. I Actually think the McLaren prices are reasonable and on par with a BMW or Audi. I don't think there is much escape from high repair prices for any make of car. Last year my 675LT required less expenditure on servicing and maintenance than my Subaru Forester.
£1500 for springs to be fitted to an MX5? You shout report this to the police because you've been robbed.JayK12 said:
Bispal said:
I think every car I have owned has had a spring or two broken. I spent £2.5k on springs & dampers for a 22 year old 986 Boxster and was facing a £4.5k suspension rebuild on the one I replaced it with, all within the past 3 years. Even my MX5 cost me £1,500 for springs to be fitted. I Actually think the McLaren prices are reasonable and on par with a BMW or Audi. I don't think there is much escape from high repair prices for any make of car. Last year my 675LT required less expenditure on servicing and maintenance than my Subaru Forester.
£1500 for springs to be fitted to an MX5? You shout report this to the police because you've been robbed.Indeed cracked springs are hardly Mac exclusives. I had an F355 that was a real rust pot in that regard.
For the almost-retirees, I find that now that I have indeed retired, I’m driving the 650 a lot more, and my old daily drivers a lot less. But then, I was in charge of a large unionized workforce and it didn’t do me any good - driving to work in a supercar.
For the almost-retirees, I find that now that I have indeed retired, I’m driving the 650 a lot more, and my old daily drivers a lot less. But then, I was in charge of a large unionized workforce and it didn’t do me any good - driving to work in a supercar.
12pack said:
I was in charge of a large unionized workforce and it didn’t do me any good - driving to work in a supercar.
LOL, this!My work colleagues keep asking me to bring the Mac into work and on customer visits. I can only just imagine trying to negotiate with a Mac in the car park outside.
cutting42 said:
12pack said:
I was in charge of a large unionized workforce and it didn’t do me any good - driving to work in a supercar.
LOL, this!My work colleagues keep asking me to bring the Mac into work and on customer visits. I can only just imagine trying to negotiate with a Mac in the car park outside.
Bispal said:
cutting42 said:
12pack said:
I was in charge of a large unionized workforce and it didn’t do me any good - driving to work in a supercar.
LOL, this!My work colleagues keep asking me to bring the Mac into work and on customer visits. I can only just imagine trying to negotiate with a Mac in the car park outside.
Bispal said:
cutting42 said:
12pack said:
I was in charge of a large unionized workforce and it didn’t do me any good - driving to work in a supercar.
LOL, this!My work colleagues keep asking me to bring the Mac into work and on customer visits. I can only just imagine trying to negotiate with a Mac in the car park outside.
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