Potential McLaren Purchase (570s)?

[muscatdxb]

I’m looking at McLarens and had a few questions if I may. I have previously only had Audi R8 V10 but looking for a change.

I am looking at the 570s based on YouTube videos but haven’t driven any yet so open to ideas.

Ideally I would like to spend around £80k but could stretch to £100k based on the answers to the below.

First, I don’t think I would daily it, but I would use it 2-3x per week with one of those being a long journey (250 miles round trip) plus maybe 2 or 3 trips down to France. Is there any model I should check out with those long journeys in mind?

There are barely any McLarens on the market with more than 30k miles. If I buy one at 20k miles and add 10-15k miles onto it, am I likely to be left with something unsalable? I don’t want to stress too much about mileage.

Finally, could anyone share the servicing costs and warranty costs? I’m sure that’s been discussed before but nothing recent.

Thanks in advance. I’m sure there will be more and I promise to come back with pictures!

[ContactName]

Can I ask why a 570 rather than a super series car?

I just picked up a 12c and the proactive suspension is amazing, it’s what differentiates the cars from other supercars (which you’ve had with the R8)

I liken it to driving a stiffly sprung car on a very smooth road flat and controlled but with the none of the bumps you normally feel.

[muscatdxb]

ContactName said:

Can I ask why a 570 rather than a super series car?

I just picked up a 12c and the proactive suspension is amazing, it’s what differentiates the cars from other supercars (which you’ve had with the R8)

I liken it to driving a stiffly sprung car on a very smooth road flat and controlled but with the none of the bumps you normally feel.

I understand that the sports series are a tiny bit more usable/comfortable whereas the super series are more raw. I think I also prefer the styling of the 570s. There’s also a big budget difference.

However I I am open for suggestions.

[davek_964]

muscatdxb said:

I understand that the sports series are a tiny bit more usable/comfortable whereas the super series are more raw. I think I also prefer the styling of the 570s. There’s also a big budget difference.

However I I am open for suggestions.

That's a bit of an odd statement. Super series have advanced suspension and are just as comfortable - if not more so - than sports series.

If you prefer 570s then absolutely go for one but I don't think that comfort thing is relevant.

(LT are more track focused obviously)

[ContactName]

Yes it’s the other way round really (excepting the LT’s)

It’s worth trying both to see which you prefer (plus the styling of course.)

I wouldn’t discount the older models because in many ways they’re more advanced if you like the feel of the drive.

I was gobsmacked at how good the body control was in the 12c.

[Grey_Area]

Don't exclude anything; try what you can, buy what you like.
Just remember, each and everyone has a bias, most owners here love the brand, but are biased to the model they own.

[muscatdxb]

davek_964 said:

That's a bit of an odd statement. Super series have advanced suspension and are just as comfortable - if not more so - than sports series.

If you prefer 570s then absolutely go for one but I don't think that comfort thing is relevant.

(LT are more track focused obviously)

How would define the distinction between sports and super? I thought the 5xx series was a bit more aligned with my style of usage (frequent use, long journeys, no interest in tracking) but could be mistaken. I’ve never driven one but thinking about arranging a few test drives this week.

[Frankychops]

muscatdxb said:

How would define the distinction between sports and super? I thought the 5xx series was a bit more aligned with my style of usage (frequent use, long journeys, no interest in tracking) but could be mistaken. I’ve never driven one but thinking about arranging a few test drives this week.

Where are you based? might be worth reaching out to owners for a drive? they're all great cars. Super series does have fancy suspension and active aero on its side, 570 has a more modern dash.

[muscatdxb]

Does anyone have any thoughts on the depreciation curves as that’s one of my mental blockers. If I buy at 20k+ miles then I can see myself having a 35-40k mile car to shift. I can plan for depreciation but I’m worried about liquidity if I’m trying to sell a car like that.

The alternative is being wary of mileage which I don’t really want either.

[davek_964]

muscatdxb said:

How would define the distinction between sports and super? I thought the 5xx series was a bit more aligned with my style of usage (frequent use, long journeys, no interest in tracking) but could be mistaken. I’ve never driven one but thinking about arranging a few test drives this week.

Personally, I've never felt the difference is that great. They are both very easy to use as daily / GT cars - honestly, your gran could drive them. But - when you want it - there is another side to them.

I chose 650 purely because I didn't like the styling on sports series. No other reason.

I had a 540 for a week or two once, and the main differences I remember :

Easier to get in / out - sills are narrower I think.
Doors open more vertically which makes parking easier if you're brave enough to park between other cars.
Power delivery felt quite different - the 650 is fairly explosive when the revs climb but the 540 felt more linear to me.

If you want a warranty, sports series is about £1k a year cheaper. Apart from that I don't think running costs change much.

I don't think one is better than the other in any measurable way. I prefer the super series styling, and I like having a real tacho - neither of those is really a good reason for choosing one model, despite that being what I did.

As somebody already suggested - just buy the model you like the most. I don't think you'll miss anything from the models you didn't buy.

Also : both of my 650s ended up being my main car 90% of the time. It wasn't intended when I bought them but they're just so good at it and so nice to drive

Edited by davek_964 on Sunday 3rd November 10:04

[samoht]

muscatdxb said:

Ideally I would like to spend around £80k but could stretch to £100k based on the answers to the below.

I think you should be able to get a good car for £85k; £100k is pretty much top of the market for coupes.

muscatdxb said:

First, I don’t think I would daily it, but I would use it 2-3x per week with one of those being a long journey (250 miles round trip) plus maybe 2 or 3 trips down to France. Is there any model I should check out with those long journeys in mind?

Within the Sports Series, the 570GT has a little more sound deadening and a bit softer springs. I think (having had three days in an 570S and owning a 570GT) that it makes it a little more relaxing for long trips. We've done a couple of ~2000 mile trips in ours.

There are a number of satisfied 650S (Super Series) owners on here who have already posted. The 650S tends to sit around the same price band as the 570S, albeit for a slightly older car.

You're correct that the 570 was designed as a more 'everyday' McLaren with lower sills for easier entry, and amenities inside like a glovebox, door bins, and cupholders. On the other hand the Super Series has interlinked suspension which should potentially give a better ride vs the Sports Series' conventional anti-roll bars. I find my 570GT rides fine, but I've no experience of the 650S.

As others have said I'd consider both but if you (like me) are drawn to the 570 then I don't think there's any reason not to go that way.

muscatdxb said:

There are barely any McLarens on the market with more than 30k miles. If I buy one at 20k miles and add 10-15k miles onto it, am I likely to be left with something unsalable? I don’t want to stress too much about mileage.

I'm pretty confident that McLarens are saleable at 30k-40k miles. They'll have to be cheaper than the lower mileage cars, but I do see the 'high mileage' cars being sold. IMHO it's worth having PPF to protect the bodywork, obviously try to look after the interior (although I'm not aware of any common wear points inside), and keep up the annual servicing. Finally if you're worried about resale, try to find one in an attractive colour and/or spec, because that will give a potential buyer a positive reason to fall for your car and buy it anyway.

I'm not aware of any common expensive failures which are mileage related.

IMHO a well maintained and presented car in an attractive spec at a low price will sell even at 40k miles.

muscatdxb said:

Finally, could anyone share the servicing costs and warranty costs? I’m sure that’s been discussed before but nothing recent.

Warranty is c. £3k a year on Sports Series, I think a little lower for cars under 5 years old and a little higher after. McLaren sometimes do deals at 20% off or so. You can buy 12 or 24 months at a time. If you find a car from a Mac dealer (rare at this age) it'll come with 12 months included. If you buy a car without a warranty, officially you'll need to own it for 90 days before you can put a warranty on it, although sometimes dealers can be flexible on this.

Servicing, alternating major and minor services, could be £800/£1200 with McLaren roughly, can be up to ~£2k for a major plus fuel filter plus gearbox oil if they come due together. Or ~£500 a year with V Engineering.

Current Mac Warranty prices (15% discount is til end of the year).

[ContactName]

What does OTC refer to in that table?

[samoht]

ContactName said:

What does OTC refer to in that table?

Good question, I'm not certain but I guess it just refers to putting a warranty on a car that doesn't already have one, vs the other prices which are 'renewal' rates.

[Grey_Area]

Probably outside of the current warranty network.

Prices differ if renewing, or essentially starting again after a hiatus.

[ContactName]

£4,850 to renew a super series car up to 15 years seems pretty good value to me, IIRC Lamborghini will only go to 7 years and are significantly more expensive.

[Streetbeat]

muscatdxb said:

IThere are barely any McLarens on the market with more than 30k miles. If I buy one at 20k miles and add 10-15k miles onto it, am I likely to be left with something unsalable?

I would imagine you will struggle to find any supercar of that era with over 30k miles on them.

If you do that 10=15k miles in a year yes you will be at bottom of the market, over the next 3 years you will be in line with most other mclarens I would think.

My 570s was a pleasure to own, nothing more than an air con hose and servicing in a year and a half of hard driving inc trackdays Sold it two years ago and would have faired way better on depreciation than the amg gtr I bought after it had i kept it.

[mOrtt]

muscatdxb said:

There are barely any McLarens on the market with more than 30k miles. If I buy one at 20k miles and add 10-15k miles onto it, am I likely to be left with something unsalable? I don’t want to stress too much about mileage.

I've got my 2020 600LT spider with 43,000 miles up for sale (£115,000) and it's had a fair bit of interest from prospective buyers. If it's priced accordingly then it will get interest. There's been a few 600LT go up for sale/get sold with 25-30k miles on this year.

I'd assume the same for 570s so a 6-7 year old car with 30k miles on it wouldn't be unsalable if priced accordingly.

[muscatdxb]

Thankyou everyone for the thoughts and input. I am going to arrange a test drive or two this week and will report back.

[ex-devonpaul]

muscatdxb said:

Does anyone have any thoughts on the depreciation curves as that’s one of my mental blockers. If I buy at 20k+ miles then I can see myself having a 35-40k mile car to shift. I can plan for depreciation but I’m worried about liquidity if I’m trying to sell a car like that.

The alternative is being wary of mileage which I don’t really want either.

One thing I will say on this, or any car, is that if you are worried about adding miles affecting resale, it will detract from the emjoyment and you will find yourself not using it as much as you should. We put 3--4k a year on the Maserati (as a third car) until Covid, when really we stopped using it as we started fostering dogs.

We also still have a relatively low mileage Z4M coupe, mainly as we preferred the Gransport and now the Guide Dogs don't fit in the Z4 boot so we hardly use it.. An owner of an existing one is coming to look at it this week, as his has 90+k on it and he does 6k+/annum it, and reckons once it hits 100k he'd struggle to sell it, so wants a lower mileage one to use.

So yes, if mileage is a concern then better to pay a bit more now for one you will use more than sit there worrying about it getting to 40k.

[Frankychops]

mOrtt said:

muscatdxb said:

There are barely any McLarens on the market with more than 30k miles. If I buy one at 20k miles and add 10-15k miles onto it, am I likely to be left with something unsalable? I don’t want to stress too much about mileage.

I've got my 2020 600LT spider with 43,000 miles up for sale (£115,000) and it's had a fair bit of interest from prospective buyers. If it's priced accordingly then it will get interest. There's been a few 600LT go up for sale/get sold with 25-30k miles on this year.

I'd assume the same for 570s so a 6-7 year old car with 30k miles on it wouldn't be unsalable if priced accordingly.

thats a lovely LT, the issue is that 15-20k extra gets you one with well under half the miles which is an easier sell.