570 S or GT for rougher roads
Discussion
Hi guys,
Just a quick bit of advise if that okay as Im looking at a 570Gt but worried its too soft. Dont get time for trackdays anymore so this has very little weight in decision. Driving is a mix of fun going for a drive which is typically smoother higher speed OR going to the pool for a swim which is a 15mile trip on back roads, speed much slower perhaps 50/60 average. Likely 50/50 mix but neither case do I care about the time from point a to point b.
I live north Scotland and roads can be rough but also undulating across old moor roads where i8 bottoms out on two bits going to pool. I cringe everytime I forget.
So question is would the softer GT springs cope better to absorb or am I better with 570S which although less comfortable for driver its better for car not bottoming out.
Not sure Im asking correctly, I know what I mean but not sure its conveyed. If difference is largely negligible I feel GT looks I prefer and like the easy access to extra luggage.
Thanks for any thougths,
C
Just a quick bit of advise if that okay as Im looking at a 570Gt but worried its too soft. Dont get time for trackdays anymore so this has very little weight in decision. Driving is a mix of fun going for a drive which is typically smoother higher speed OR going to the pool for a swim which is a 15mile trip on back roads, speed much slower perhaps 50/60 average. Likely 50/50 mix but neither case do I care about the time from point a to point b.
I live north Scotland and roads can be rough but also undulating across old moor roads where i8 bottoms out on two bits going to pool. I cringe everytime I forget.
So question is would the softer GT springs cope better to absorb or am I better with 570S which although less comfortable for driver its better for car not bottoming out.
Not sure Im asking correctly, I know what I mean but not sure its conveyed. If difference is largely negligible I feel GT looks I prefer and like the easy access to extra luggage.
Thanks for any thougths,
C
I have never heard the 570s described as uncomfortable for the driver, they are far from it, very well damped and never bottomed mine out.
I recommend a few test drives, I'm sure that will avert any concerns or at least guide you to a preferred ride, there's plenty of Scottish owners on here with all variants
I recommend a few test drives, I'm sure that will avert any concerns or at least guide you to a preferred ride, there's plenty of Scottish owners on here with all variants
I understand the q, a car with softer springs will sit down on them more in a compression, which could bring the body nearer the road surface.
FWIW I have a 570GT, I drive it reasonably enthusiastically on the local B-roads around Saffron Walden (same ones JayEmm used for his 720S vid), and I've not had a problem with it grounding out. On the contrary I've gone fairly hard over some fairly bumpy bits and it's soaked them up nicely without hitting the tarmac.
However, I've not taken it to Scotland yet (it's on the to-do list), and I know Scottish roads can be quite undulating, so it's hard to give a total guarantee it'll clear where your i8 grounds.
I'm not sure but I have a feeling the 570GT may have a slightly higher ride height than the S, which may compensate for the softer springs in this regard, so it may not be any more vulnerable to grounding. The 570GT is 15% softer front, 10% rear so not a vast difference in rate.
If you do get a 570GT and then find it is an issue, you could probably swap in the 570S springs later for a few grand (can be ordered from Thorney I understand).
My gut feeling would be that the difference isn't going to be significant, so if you prefer the 570GT looks I'd get that.
FWIW I have a 570GT, I drive it reasonably enthusiastically on the local B-roads around Saffron Walden (same ones JayEmm used for his 720S vid), and I've not had a problem with it grounding out. On the contrary I've gone fairly hard over some fairly bumpy bits and it's soaked them up nicely without hitting the tarmac.
However, I've not taken it to Scotland yet (it's on the to-do list), and I know Scottish roads can be quite undulating, so it's hard to give a total guarantee it'll clear where your i8 grounds.
I'm not sure but I have a feeling the 570GT may have a slightly higher ride height than the S, which may compensate for the softer springs in this regard, so it may not be any more vulnerable to grounding. The 570GT is 15% softer front, 10% rear so not a vast difference in rate.
If you do get a 570GT and then find it is an issue, you could probably swap in the 570S springs later for a few grand (can be ordered from Thorney I understand).
My gut feeling would be that the difference isn't going to be significant, so if you prefer the 570GT looks I'd get that.
I would imagine the issue with the i8 is it`s mass due to the batteries and set up for German roads.
I`m on my 3rd Macca now (currently a 570 spyder) and driven almost everywhere including Scotland and cannot recall an issue other than speed bumps/ramps if I have neglected to use the nose lift and vaguely recall scraping the underside plastic brake cooling vanes, but that`s it!
I`m on my 3rd Macca now (currently a 570 spyder) and driven almost everywhere including Scotland and cannot recall an issue other than speed bumps/ramps if I have neglected to use the nose lift and vaguely recall scraping the underside plastic brake cooling vanes, but that`s it!
Thanks guys, In the end this came down to funds and settled in a 570S. I prefer the look of the 570Gt but S also lovely and consider myself lucky to be looking at any variant.
i8, agree with post above, more mass and generally a bit softer I think than a mclaren.
Not home until next week but I have two very specific bits of road and quite curious to see how she copes, Ill let you know.
Thank you all for the input, C
i8, agree with post above, more mass and generally a bit softer I think than a mclaren.
Not home until next week but I have two very specific bits of road and quite curious to see how she copes, Ill let you know.
Thank you all for the input, C
Glad you are sorted 
I've been half back in the market for a while but now fully and I'm looking at a range of options as possibilities. Had a 540C a few years ago but I now would like to get back in the game. Main choice is a 570S Spider but I've also looked at 650 Spiders, 12C Spiders and also as a wild card I'm tempted by an Artura too, much more money but newer tech and many still with long warranties and some service plan. My problem is so many of the cars advertised are not great, not so much in spec but just not great cars whether main dealer or random dealer. It's a bloody minefield!
I've been half back in the market for a while but now fully and I'm looking at a range of options as possibilities. Had a 540C a few years ago but I now would like to get back in the game. Main choice is a 570S Spider but I've also looked at 650 Spiders, 12C Spiders and also as a wild card I'm tempted by an Artura too, much more money but newer tech and many still with long warranties and some service plan. My problem is so many of the cars advertised are not great, not so much in spec but just not great cars whether main dealer or random dealer. It's a bloody minefield!
cwallacelxxx said:
Hi guys,
Just a quick bit of advise if that okay as Im looking at a 570Gt but worried its too soft. Dont get time for trackdays anymore so this has very little weight in decision. Driving is a mix of fun going for a drive which is typically smoother higher speed OR going to the pool for a swim which is a 15mile trip on back roads, speed much slower perhaps 50/60 average. Likely 50/50 mix but neither case do I care about the time from point a to point b.
I live north Scotland and roads can be rough but also undulating across old moor roads where i8 bottoms out on two bits going to pool. I cringe everytime I forget.
So question is would the softer GT springs cope better to absorb or am I better with 570S which although less comfortable for driver its better for car not bottoming out.
Not sure Im asking correctly, I know what I mean but not sure its conveyed. If difference is largely negligible I feel GT looks I prefer and like the easy access to extra luggage.
Thanks for any thougths,
C
Hi where are you based ?Just a quick bit of advise if that okay as Im looking at a 570Gt but worried its too soft. Dont get time for trackdays anymore so this has very little weight in decision. Driving is a mix of fun going for a drive which is typically smoother higher speed OR going to the pool for a swim which is a 15mile trip on back roads, speed much slower perhaps 50/60 average. Likely 50/50 mix but neither case do I care about the time from point a to point b.
I live north Scotland and roads can be rough but also undulating across old moor roads where i8 bottoms out on two bits going to pool. I cringe everytime I forget.
So question is would the softer GT springs cope better to absorb or am I better with 570S which although less comfortable for driver its better for car not bottoming out.
Not sure Im asking correctly, I know what I mean but not sure its conveyed. If difference is largely negligible I feel GT looks I prefer and like the easy access to extra luggage.
Thanks for any thougths,
C
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