Conclusions from my research around owning a 570s
Discussion
There seem to be a fair few folk looking at/interested in 570s ownership. I have looked in and searched multiple groups so thought I would compile my thoughts in to one place and maybe others might find this useful.
Running costs:
- McLaren extended warranty 3300 ish per year.
- Thorney motorsport warranty £2850 per year.
- Tax depends on the registration of the car but on cars registered post April 2017 it is £190 per year until you get to the very new cars that have the higher tax until they reach this point.
- Servicing is 1500 ish over minor and major servicing over a two year period if you use an independent.
- Servicing is 2000 ish over minor and major servicing over a two year period if you use an McLaren main dealer.
- Insurance is different for all.
- MOT £50 ish.
- Independent cost with self warranty at £2500 per year - £4200ish per year not including insurance.
- Thorney cost with warranty - £4600ish per year not including insurance.
- Main dealer cost with main dealer warranty - £5500 ish per year not including insurance.
Reliability:
While doing my research the power train seems to be very reliable and generally the mechanical elements of the car are solid. It is the items below that seem to be the main issues.
- Paint corrosion/bubbling. Caused by McLaren application of paint at the time of manufacture. Once repaired will not return. This happens where waters finds it's way in between the layers of paints typically at the corners of the car panels. All cars will suffer from this at some point. McLaren paint codes are now available but spraying panels is not cheap.
- Suspension springs are prone to snapping.
- Door hinges are prone to cracking.
- Door window switches are prone to failing due to water ingress.
- Wind screens are prone to cracking.
- Door windows are prone to not always dropping and raising when opening/closing the door.
- The car will often state the key is not found when entering the car.
- The carbon cermaic discs need to be weighed to understand use and life left. If treated well will go for 70-80k miles.
The electronic issues mentioned above are common and no fix is needed.
As with all super cars they need to be driven and the longer they are sat the more likely they are to develop electrical issues. They need to be sat on trickle charge. Don’t trust the notification on the dash stating how long the car has until it needs to be charged.
Putting aside £2500 per year instead of getting a warranty seems to be the preferred route from the polls I created and most don’t touch that and pretty much never use it all.
Using McLaren or Independent for maintenance:
There are now more independent garages appearing with the favoured ones being Thorney motorsport and Engineering where I live in the south. I can't comment on other geographic locations. XP1-Technical based in Chelmsford also seem to be very good is run by an ex McLaren mechanic with 10 years experience at McLaren.
I will say I am hearing some odd things about Thorney in my research with V engineering seeming to be the most popular choice. Renn Works also come up from time to time but I can't find many review on them for Mclaren servicing. This could be subjective as I have not done a poll but going by posts this is the feeling I get.
Specification:
This is personal but white seem hard to sell as do black. Nose lift, BO sound system, security pack, lux pack and sports exhaust are the key features. Alcantara seems to wear better on the seats as the leather seems to sag at the base of the seat where you sit.
Ways to buy:
- Buy from Thorney as the car will have been given a good overhaul and should be spot on. You then also have a choice of taking their warranty or not. The warranty has a £10k limit on a single item in a claim and covers all mechanical and electrical faults short of an engine rebuild. Paint is not included.
- Buy from McLaren with warranty. Dont trust that the car is spotless. Have a proper pre purchase inspection undertaken before buying.
- Buy from a another dealer (not McLaren or Thorney) or private. If doing this then more care is needed. Ideally buy from an enthusiast group. Buy based on condition and history. Get a proper pre purchase inspection undertaken from a McLaren specialist who knows the cars.
Hopefully others find this useful. Feel free to add anything I have missed or correct any misstakes I have made.
Cheers
Stu
——————-
Small edit. Some Indy costs for the main failures are below. This is as of 5th August.
£2200 to replace both hinges including labour, £650 to replace 2 springs plus 1.5 hours of labour and £1656 per shock absorber (cheapest shocks) plus 1 hours labour each side.
Running costs:
- McLaren extended warranty 3300 ish per year.
- Thorney motorsport warranty £2850 per year.
- Tax depends on the registration of the car but on cars registered post April 2017 it is £190 per year until you get to the very new cars that have the higher tax until they reach this point.
- Servicing is 1500 ish over minor and major servicing over a two year period if you use an independent.
- Servicing is 2000 ish over minor and major servicing over a two year period if you use an McLaren main dealer.
- Insurance is different for all.
- MOT £50 ish.
- Independent cost with self warranty at £2500 per year - £4200ish per year not including insurance.
- Thorney cost with warranty - £4600ish per year not including insurance.
- Main dealer cost with main dealer warranty - £5500 ish per year not including insurance.
Reliability:
While doing my research the power train seems to be very reliable and generally the mechanical elements of the car are solid. It is the items below that seem to be the main issues.
- Paint corrosion/bubbling. Caused by McLaren application of paint at the time of manufacture. Once repaired will not return. This happens where waters finds it's way in between the layers of paints typically at the corners of the car panels. All cars will suffer from this at some point. McLaren paint codes are now available but spraying panels is not cheap.
- Suspension springs are prone to snapping.
- Door hinges are prone to cracking.
- Door window switches are prone to failing due to water ingress.
- Wind screens are prone to cracking.
- Door windows are prone to not always dropping and raising when opening/closing the door.
- The car will often state the key is not found when entering the car.
- The carbon cermaic discs need to be weighed to understand use and life left. If treated well will go for 70-80k miles.
The electronic issues mentioned above are common and no fix is needed.
As with all super cars they need to be driven and the longer they are sat the more likely they are to develop electrical issues. They need to be sat on trickle charge. Don’t trust the notification on the dash stating how long the car has until it needs to be charged.
Putting aside £2500 per year instead of getting a warranty seems to be the preferred route from the polls I created and most don’t touch that and pretty much never use it all.
Using McLaren or Independent for maintenance:
There are now more independent garages appearing with the favoured ones being Thorney motorsport and Engineering where I live in the south. I can't comment on other geographic locations. XP1-Technical based in Chelmsford also seem to be very good is run by an ex McLaren mechanic with 10 years experience at McLaren.
I will say I am hearing some odd things about Thorney in my research with V engineering seeming to be the most popular choice. Renn Works also come up from time to time but I can't find many review on them for Mclaren servicing. This could be subjective as I have not done a poll but going by posts this is the feeling I get.
Specification:
This is personal but white seem hard to sell as do black. Nose lift, BO sound system, security pack, lux pack and sports exhaust are the key features. Alcantara seems to wear better on the seats as the leather seems to sag at the base of the seat where you sit.
Ways to buy:
- Buy from Thorney as the car will have been given a good overhaul and should be spot on. You then also have a choice of taking their warranty or not. The warranty has a £10k limit on a single item in a claim and covers all mechanical and electrical faults short of an engine rebuild. Paint is not included.
- Buy from McLaren with warranty. Dont trust that the car is spotless. Have a proper pre purchase inspection undertaken before buying.
- Buy from a another dealer (not McLaren or Thorney) or private. If doing this then more care is needed. Ideally buy from an enthusiast group. Buy based on condition and history. Get a proper pre purchase inspection undertaken from a McLaren specialist who knows the cars.
Hopefully others find this useful. Feel free to add anything I have missed or correct any misstakes I have made.
Cheers
Stu
——————-
Small edit. Some Indy costs for the main failures are below. This is as of 5th August.
£2200 to replace both hinges including labour, £650 to replace 2 springs plus 1.5 hours of labour and £1656 per shock absorber (cheapest shocks) plus 1 hours labour each side.
Edited by stuno1 on Wednesday 12th June 15:05
Edited by stuno1 on Monday 15th July 16:10
Edited by stuno1 on Monday 15th July 16:15
Edited by stuno1 on Monday 5th August 07:54
Edited by stuno1 on Monday 5th August 14:31
PinkHouse said:
If there was an engine component failure, how would it be determined that not warming the car up properly was the cause of the failure? Also how does one warm down a car prior to use? What kind of track use is reasonable? What is deemed to be ignoring a leak? If I discover a leak and drive the car down 100 miles to their garage does that count? The list goes on...
Essentially it boils down to whether they feel like covering it on the day or not. For the same money and often cheaper (for sports series at least) buy the McLaren warranty and be done with it
I agree with that. I have made the decision to self insure at 2.5k per year. Essentially it boils down to whether they feel like covering it on the day or not. For the same money and often cheaper (for sports series at least) buy the McLaren warranty and be done with it
At the moment I am torn between using v-engineering for PPI and servicing or a more local place called xp1 technical. I am buying next year so no need to now. Only reason for not using v-engineering is distance. I would need to pay for them to trailer the car each year for servicing and I imagine that will be £200 ish.
CTE said:
Pleased for the confirmation about the road tax... mine was £180 p.a. when I renewed early this year and I couldn't believe it... I thought it was a DVLA mistake. My car is a 2018 570S... my mates got a 2022/23 (?) Porsche Cayman GT4 and I think he recently got stung for more than £600... oops!
This is my 3rd Macca, previously a 12c for 5 years and then a 675LT for 18 months... only sold because I was made a very good offer. Anyhow, on the road the 570S is as good or better with numerous improved practical features, errr like cup holders etc so is actually better for touring. Smaller tank though.
Touch wood all the cars have been solid (or minor things covered under warranty), but I do start them and warm them up every few weeks over the winter months when they don`t get used much... and always warm them up before giving them the beans etc... basic stuff really.
Windscreen did go on the the 675 but they are more susceptible due to being thinner to save weight.
Great to know and the key does seem to be using them monthly at a minimum! Do you use main dealer or independent for maintenance? This is my 3rd Macca, previously a 12c for 5 years and then a 675LT for 18 months... only sold because I was made a very good offer. Anyhow, on the road the 570S is as good or better with numerous improved practical features, errr like cup holders etc so is actually better for touring. Smaller tank though.
Touch wood all the cars have been solid (or minor things covered under warranty), but I do start them and warm them up every few weeks over the winter months when they don`t get used much... and always warm them up before giving them the beans etc... basic stuff really.
Windscreen did go on the the 675 but they are more susceptible due to being thinner to save weight.
CTE said:
I`ve always used McBirmingham although had a water pump replaced on the 12c (not uncommon on a 12c but not an issue thereafter) and went with Thorney`s as it was a significant saving with them.
I look for one owner cars ideally, buy with a Mc warranty for year one and thereafter go with Thorney or V if convenient... or similar. Fortunately/Unfortunately I live in the east so nowhere is convenient!!
If I can find a car with mclaren warranty that will be my preference I would most likely then service at Hatfield and get fixes done at xp1-technical. Like you say warranty for a year if possible then not bother afterwards. I look for one owner cars ideally, buy with a Mc warranty for year one and thereafter go with Thorney or V if convenient... or similar. Fortunately/Unfortunately I live in the east so nowhere is convenient!!
Davyt said:
And when you want to sell it ( which you will at some point) the potential new owner will be exactly like you and want it with a McLaren warranty ,,
Possibly yes. I will be equally happy buying a car maintained by v-engineering, renn sport or Thorney so not exclusively considering a car with McLaren warranty. Especially now paint protection is redundant for the age cars I am looking at. Ingenere said:
I've had my 570 since 2018. It has been brilliant and extremely reliable. It's brilliant on the road and track. The only failure I've had had been an HVAC fan ballast. Part was ~$400US and since I do my own work, that was the cost.
Since I do my own work, servicing costs have been fluid/filter costs..... which have been minimal. Contrary to chatter, these cars are not difficult to work on. I have a factory MDS, which also makes life easy.
I think the reality is well maintained ones are reliable (known issues such as snapping springs etc aside). But sadly the reputation from social media is poor. Since I do my own work, servicing costs have been fluid/filter costs..... which have been minimal. Contrary to chatter, these cars are not difficult to work on. I have a factory MDS, which also makes life easy.
targarama said:
This thread is like trying to tempt someone to go on a roller coaster when they are scared. I really don't think a McLaren is for you. Suggest you buy a Toyota or Lexus 
Get off the pot if you're not going to p1ss :haha:
Interesting response. I was hoping people would find this thread useful as there is so much negativity out there about the brand. Get off the pot if you're not going to p1ss :haha:
I fully intend to buy a 570s next year.
Edited by stuno1 on Wednesday 4th September 10:30
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