2018 McLaren 570GT
Discussion
Have been down here on the Algarve for nigh on a month now, and as a small confession, I haven't been using the McLaren all that much, but still around 400 miles in the past four weeks.
I've had a hire car (a 3-cylinder Pug 208) which I've been using for bombing around in. The McLaren really isn't suited to leaving in car parks here, as the Portuguese tend to park with absolutely no care whatsoever. It's rare to spot a native car without some form of body scarring.
Today however is my last day here for a little while (cue the tiny violin, I know), I'm flying back home tomorrow for the funeral of my travelling buddy's Dad. I'll then likely spend a week or so in the office, then escape back out here.
We're up over 8500 miles on the odometer now, so over 3500 in my ownership, and when I have had the McLaren out, it has been utterly fantastic, as you would expect. I've been out today for a blast along some of my favourite coastal roads, a final hurrah before tucking the car up in the garage on a trickle charger for the next 10 days or so.
So, I'll be back here early next month, and then I can plan the drive back to the UK which will need to be by mid-January for insurance reasons. Just hope there isn't snow in northern Spain like I encountered last year in the Mustang
Anyhow.... some photos from the last few weeks.
One of the coastal drives from earlier...
A drive up in the hills on my favourite roads around Marmalete and Casais...
|https://thumbsnap.com/SSaCzs4Q[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/pd5Vrd8W[/url]
Now plugged in and on trickle charge...
[url]
I've had a hire car (a 3-cylinder Pug 208) which I've been using for bombing around in. The McLaren really isn't suited to leaving in car parks here, as the Portuguese tend to park with absolutely no care whatsoever. It's rare to spot a native car without some form of body scarring.
Today however is my last day here for a little while (cue the tiny violin, I know), I'm flying back home tomorrow for the funeral of my travelling buddy's Dad. I'll then likely spend a week or so in the office, then escape back out here.
We're up over 8500 miles on the odometer now, so over 3500 in my ownership, and when I have had the McLaren out, it has been utterly fantastic, as you would expect. I've been out today for a blast along some of my favourite coastal roads, a final hurrah before tucking the car up in the garage on a trickle charger for the next 10 days or so.
So, I'll be back here early next month, and then I can plan the drive back to the UK which will need to be by mid-January for insurance reasons. Just hope there isn't snow in northern Spain like I encountered last year in the Mustang
Anyhow.... some photos from the last few weeks.
One of the coastal drives from earlier...
A drive up in the hills on my favourite roads around Marmalete and Casais...
|https://thumbsnap.com/SSaCzs4Q[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/pd5Vrd8W[/url]Now plugged in and on trickle charge...
[url]Another small update…
I flew back out to Portugal on the 4th December, and have today started the journey home for Christmas.
Whilst I’m driving solo on the return, I’m carrying more luggage than usual. Taking a lot of gifts back to the UK, and also a couple of extra bags of my own things…
So to squeeze in the GT I had one LARGE hold-all, two overnight bags, a laptop bag, a camera bag, various bottley gifts, two gift bags, four coats, two pairs of trainers and me. Luckily it all fitted with no issues, and nothing in the cabin with me, it’s all in the luggage areas.
As I’m driving on my own I want to avoid tolls where possible, so drove along to Silves, then up the IC-1 and IP-2 go Beja, then Elvas, then Caceres then onto the Spanish motorway to Salamanca, Valladolid, Palencia and Burgos where I’m stopped for the night.
A couple of pics from the drive…
The 570GT really showed its traits as a good GT car today. It swallowed plenty of luggage, covered 550+ miles in a day in comfort, the suspension proved soft enough on the worst paved roads not to be uncomfortable, although I did have to swerve for a few big holes in the tarmac.
Overtaking on the single carriageway stretches was a doddle with plenty of power, you really don’t need much space to blast past a slow moving truck.
I tend to flick the drive mode in and out of Sport… Normal mode when I’m just cruising, then Sport when overtaking, or driving a twisty road. In Sport the gearbox seems to have a crystal ball like ability to know when you need another gear!
So back on the road tomorrow….My booked ferry out of Caen to Portsmouth isn’t until Saturday night, so I have Friday and Saturday to spend working my way up through France.
I flew back out to Portugal on the 4th December, and have today started the journey home for Christmas.
Whilst I’m driving solo on the return, I’m carrying more luggage than usual. Taking a lot of gifts back to the UK, and also a couple of extra bags of my own things…
So to squeeze in the GT I had one LARGE hold-all, two overnight bags, a laptop bag, a camera bag, various bottley gifts, two gift bags, four coats, two pairs of trainers and me. Luckily it all fitted with no issues, and nothing in the cabin with me, it’s all in the luggage areas.
As I’m driving on my own I want to avoid tolls where possible, so drove along to Silves, then up the IC-1 and IP-2 go Beja, then Elvas, then Caceres then onto the Spanish motorway to Salamanca, Valladolid, Palencia and Burgos where I’m stopped for the night.
A couple of pics from the drive…
The 570GT really showed its traits as a good GT car today. It swallowed plenty of luggage, covered 550+ miles in a day in comfort, the suspension proved soft enough on the worst paved roads not to be uncomfortable, although I did have to swerve for a few big holes in the tarmac.
Overtaking on the single carriageway stretches was a doddle with plenty of power, you really don’t need much space to blast past a slow moving truck.
I tend to flick the drive mode in and out of Sport… Normal mode when I’m just cruising, then Sport when overtaking, or driving a twisty road. In Sport the gearbox seems to have a crystal ball like ability to know when you need another gear!
So back on the road tomorrow….My booked ferry out of Caen to Portsmouth isn’t until Saturday night, so I have Friday and Saturday to spend working my way up through France.
Thanks for the replies… I’m glad people are enjoying the updates.
On board the ferry now out of Ouistreham, so back in the UK tomorrow morning.
Mileage on the car is now 9930 so unless I go the long way home in the morning it will be just a few shy of 10,000 miles when I arrive home.
I honestly think the Miles have done it the world of good, the car drives and pulls much better than it did 5.5 months ago when it had just 4999 miles on it. The exhaust sounds better too.
Total mileage for the drive home was 1279 miles, slightly less than what it would usually be as I took the A-Roads early on to avoid toll booths, rather than the motorways which are faster but longer.
Average speed was just over 105km/h, which includes traffic jams, city centres, and just general idling while setting up nav and Spotify.
Fuel consumption 29.1mpg.
I think I’ll get the car in for a service early in the new year, not that it’s due but I think that would be sensible after doubling the cars mileage in 5.5 months.
Hoping for a smooth crossing and an easy run home in the morning!
Jon
On board the ferry now out of Ouistreham, so back in the UK tomorrow morning.
Mileage on the car is now 9930 so unless I go the long way home in the morning it will be just a few shy of 10,000 miles when I arrive home.
I honestly think the Miles have done it the world of good, the car drives and pulls much better than it did 5.5 months ago when it had just 4999 miles on it. The exhaust sounds better too.
Total mileage for the drive home was 1279 miles, slightly less than what it would usually be as I took the A-Roads early on to avoid toll booths, rather than the motorways which are faster but longer.
Average speed was just over 105km/h, which includes traffic jams, city centres, and just general idling while setting up nav and Spotify.
Fuel consumption 29.1mpg.
I think I’ll get the car in for a service early in the new year, not that it’s due but I think that would be sensible after doubling the cars mileage in 5.5 months.
Hoping for a smooth crossing and an easy run home in the morning!
Jon
Great thread, wonderful pictures and an amazing car.
This is what PH is all about for me. I love waking up, having a nice coffee and reading some “readers cars” stories.
The trip and pictures to Portugal look ace. I love 570GT’s, they just has great proportions and clean lines (particularly like the new on posted up on PH a week or so back).
Anyway, wish you all the best with the car. Keep the updates coming!
As much as I love the Corvette and see the appeal, this is at least a couple of levels up from that.
This is what PH is all about for me. I love waking up, having a nice coffee and reading some “readers cars” stories.
The trip and pictures to Portugal look ace. I love 570GT’s, they just has great proportions and clean lines (particularly like the new on posted up on PH a week or so back).
Anyway, wish you all the best with the car. Keep the updates coming!
As much as I love the Corvette and see the appeal, this is at least a couple of levels up from that.
Well the last three months have been quiet for the 570GT, since I got back from Portugal just before Christmas it has only covered around 350 miles - those have been to a couple of local shows, and a few Sunday morning 'f
k it' blasts round some of Surrey's B-Roads.
Total mileage now is around 10,350.
Yesterday I dropped it off at McLaren Guildford for a service and MOT - both of which aren't due until July, but the car was originally a March car, so I'd like to bring its annual service back inline with its birthday, and it makes sense to have them MOT it also - if it went to my local garage it would no doubt return with a bank of advisories for 'undertrays fitted' and the like. Plus given that I've doubled its mileage since last July, the car probably deserves a fluid change!
So its a standard full service, and I've asked them to look at (or replace) the rear hatch latch mechanism It played up just as I was about to leave Portugal, with the car all loaded it decided that the rear glass hatch didn't want to close. A squirt of lube and a poke of the mechanism fixed it then, but last weekend it decided that while the rear glass hatch is closed, it doesn't know it is so it shows a warning on the dash, and it won't let you lock the car which is mildly inconvenient. Probably a microswitch or something, but it needs looking at.
So, here's the drop off photo... I should have it back Friday all being well, and I'll let you know what the damage is
k it' blasts round some of Surrey's B-Roads.Total mileage now is around 10,350.
Yesterday I dropped it off at McLaren Guildford for a service and MOT - both of which aren't due until July, but the car was originally a March car, so I'd like to bring its annual service back inline with its birthday, and it makes sense to have them MOT it also - if it went to my local garage it would no doubt return with a bank of advisories for 'undertrays fitted' and the like. Plus given that I've doubled its mileage since last July, the car probably deserves a fluid change!
So its a standard full service, and I've asked them to look at (or replace) the rear hatch latch mechanism It played up just as I was about to leave Portugal, with the car all loaded it decided that the rear glass hatch didn't want to close. A squirt of lube and a poke of the mechanism fixed it then, but last weekend it decided that while the rear glass hatch is closed, it doesn't know it is so it shows a warning on the dash, and it won't let you lock the car which is mildly inconvenient. Probably a microswitch or something, but it needs looking at.
So, here's the drop off photo... I should have it back Friday all being well, and I'll let you know what the damage is
Collected the car yesterday afternoon, all good 
Completed the fourth annual service, MOT, replaced the catch on the glass rear hatch, replaced the seal around the same, and re-seated the glass hatch so it lines up better with the surrounding bodywork. They also replaced the '570GT' badge on the nearside door sill, as part of the T was broken off.
Total bill was £2,184.05, of which £1300 was the service and MOT, so the repairs element wasn't too bad at all.
It was always a gamble running one of these out of warranty, but so far it hasn't proved too ruinous (touches the largest lump of wood imaginable).
Big thumbs up for McLaren Guildford, all completed on time, and great communication.
Completed the fourth annual service, MOT, replaced the catch on the glass rear hatch, replaced the seal around the same, and re-seated the glass hatch so it lines up better with the surrounding bodywork. They also replaced the '570GT' badge on the nearside door sill, as part of the T was broken off.
Total bill was £2,184.05, of which £1300 was the service and MOT, so the repairs element wasn't too bad at all.
It was always a gamble running one of these out of warranty, but so far it hasn't proved too ruinous (touches the largest lump of wood imaginable).
Big thumbs up for McLaren Guildford, all completed on time, and great communication.
That orange looks stunning parked amongst the darker colours!
My car has been problem free this year also, so for the first time of serial mac ownership, I am not planning on extending the warranty.
Will have full inspection during its service, see if it needs anything before warranty runs out, then cross my fingers!
Doubling the miles in a year is a great effort...they definitely work better with use.
My car has been problem free this year also, so for the first time of serial mac ownership, I am not planning on extending the warranty.
Will have full inspection during its service, see if it needs anything before warranty runs out, then cross my fingers!
Doubling the miles in a year is a great effort...they definitely work better with use.
Wheelspinning said:
My car has been problem free this year also, so for the first time of serial mac ownership, I am not planning on extending the warranty.
Glad I'm not alone there then! Whenever I go to a show, other McLaren owners tend to lead with "Have you had any problems with it" - they genuinely seem to disbelieve me when I say I haven't.
Which model do you have?
Dr Interceptor said:
Glad I'm not alone there then!
Whenever I go to a show, other McLaren owners tend to lead with "Have you had any problems with it" - they genuinely seem to disbelieve me when I say I haven't.
Which model do you have?
Yup, unfortunately it seems to be a topic that always arises.Whenever I go to a show, other McLaren owners tend to lead with "Have you had any problems with it" - they genuinely seem to disbelieve me when I say I haven't.
Which model do you have?
I have had issues with McLarens, but just the same as any other car and nothing to be upset about, and always been dealt with in a 1st class manner by the dealer.
Currently have a 675LTS.
A bit of a lack of updates on the McLaren front, work has been far too busy and aside from a few run outs to events like Supercar Sunday at Goodwood, the car hasn't covered very many miles.
This weekend just gone I actually had a clear Sunday, and fancied a run out of a kind you really don't get to do very often these days. It's been ages since I got up at silly o'clock in the morning and hit the open roads just for fun, so I decided that's just what I was going to do.
Leaving home at 6.15am I met up just before 7am with a crowd from Prestige & Performance Car Club at a Shell Station in Winchester. It was my first run out with them, so you never quite know what to expect, but they we all super friendly, and made me welcome. From there we headed on to another rendez-vous at Andover, then on to Cheddar Gorge.
The roads were lovely and quiet, even the A303, so we got to give the cars a decent bit of exercise.
After a couple of runs through the gorge hearing the exhausts reverberating off the high gorge walls, we headed to Brean Beach. I went to university in Bristol and spent a fair bit of time in Weston-Super-Mare, but I never knew there was a Beach that you could actually park on.
One of the club photographers took this cracking photo...
I missed the 11k milestone, so here's 11,001 on the odometer - so that's 6000+ miles since I took delivery last July - but only 1000 miles since returning from Portugal before Christmas, so must try harder on that front.
So there we go... an early start, 266 miles, a full tank of fuel enjoyed, and some new friends made.
No issues to report on the car aside from a few wear and tear things, all is well. I have picked up a couple of stone chips on panel edges, and an oddity of McLaren paint is that they won't sell you any for touch ups. The only people who can order McLaren paint are approved bodyshops. So I'm going to have someone scan the paint to get a match so I have some paint available for very small touch-ins.
This weekend just gone I actually had a clear Sunday, and fancied a run out of a kind you really don't get to do very often these days. It's been ages since I got up at silly o'clock in the morning and hit the open roads just for fun, so I decided that's just what I was going to do.
Leaving home at 6.15am I met up just before 7am with a crowd from Prestige & Performance Car Club at a Shell Station in Winchester. It was my first run out with them, so you never quite know what to expect, but they we all super friendly, and made me welcome. From there we headed on to another rendez-vous at Andover, then on to Cheddar Gorge.
The roads were lovely and quiet, even the A303, so we got to give the cars a decent bit of exercise.
After a couple of runs through the gorge hearing the exhausts reverberating off the high gorge walls, we headed to Brean Beach. I went to university in Bristol and spent a fair bit of time in Weston-Super-Mare, but I never knew there was a Beach that you could actually park on.
One of the club photographers took this cracking photo...
I missed the 11k milestone, so here's 11,001 on the odometer - so that's 6000+ miles since I took delivery last July - but only 1000 miles since returning from Portugal before Christmas, so must try harder on that front.
So there we go... an early start, 266 miles, a full tank of fuel enjoyed, and some new friends made.
No issues to report on the car aside from a few wear and tear things, all is well. I have picked up a couple of stone chips on panel edges, and an oddity of McLaren paint is that they won't sell you any for touch ups. The only people who can order McLaren paint are approved bodyshops. So I'm going to have someone scan the paint to get a match so I have some paint available for very small touch-ins.
A week shy of my one year anniversary of owning the 570GT, and the first proper fault has developed - the windscreen wipers have decided that they've had enough, and have gone on strike.
In 21 years of owning cars, including some very old ones, I've never had to replace a windscreen motor on a car before...
Anyway, fortunately the weather was good on Sunday so it didn't stop me taking the car down to Goodwood Festival of Speed. As last July when I first got the car I booked into Performance Parking West, and just like last year I was parked next to another McLaren, this time another McLaren Orange 570.
So the car is booked into McLaren Guildford on Friday this week for a new wiper motor. It's only a 1.5 hour job, so is being done while I wait, which is handy. As always I can't fault the aftersales service, they just make life easy.
In other news, the Corvette C8 HTC ordered back on the 5th June 2020 was finally built in Bowling Green, Kentucky on the 10th June 2022, so is now on its way over here. I'll have to make a decision on which car I keep when it arrives, and I see how well I fit and how it drives...
In 21 years of owning cars, including some very old ones, I've never had to replace a windscreen motor on a car before...
Anyway, fortunately the weather was good on Sunday so it didn't stop me taking the car down to Goodwood Festival of Speed. As last July when I first got the car I booked into Performance Parking West, and just like last year I was parked next to another McLaren, this time another McLaren Orange 570.
So the car is booked into McLaren Guildford on Friday this week for a new wiper motor. It's only a 1.5 hour job, so is being done while I wait, which is handy. As always I can't fault the aftersales service, they just make life easy.
In other news, the Corvette C8 HTC ordered back on the 5th June 2020 was finally built in Bowling Green, Kentucky on the 10th June 2022, so is now on its way over here. I'll have to make a decision on which car I keep when it arrives, and I see how well I fit and how it drives...
Car went in today for its wiper motor, which was all fine. As they had to remove the plastic scuttle trim to fit it, I asked them to fit a new one as mine had a tiny crack in it, and there’s no point in fitting a damaged part. This was all organised…
Unfortunately st happens, and the new part from McLaren has a bad scuff on it, so they’re holding on to the car till Monday, and another new trim arrives.
Fortunately, Bell and Colvill who are McLaren Guildford are mainly a Lotus dealer, so my ride for the weekend is an Evora 400…
Not a bad courtesy car…
Unfortunately s
t happens, and the new part from McLaren has a bad scuff on it, so they’re holding on to the car till Monday, and another new trim arrives. Fortunately, Bell and Colvill who are McLaren Guildford are mainly a Lotus dealer, so my ride for the weekend is an Evora 400…
Not a bad courtesy car…
Dr Interceptor said:
Car went in today for its wiper motor, which was all fine. As they had to remove the plastic scuttle trim to fit it, I asked them to fit a new one as mine had a tiny crack in it, and there’s no point in fitting a damaged part. This was all organised…
Unfortunately st happens, and the new part from McLaren has a bad scuff on it, so they’re holding on to the car till Monday, and another new trim arrives.
Fortunately, Bell and Colvill who are McLaren Guildford are mainly a Lotus dealer, so my ride for the weekend is an Evora 400…
Not a bad courtesy car…
Oohh nice! Quick comparison of the two?Unfortunately s
t happens, and the new part from McLaren has a bad scuff on it, so they’re holding on to the car till Monday, and another new trim arrives. Fortunately, Bell and Colvill who are McLaren Guildford are mainly a Lotus dealer, so my ride for the weekend is an Evora 400…
Not a bad courtesy car…
Wiper motors are a pig, just did mine on the Cerbera, renowned to be absolute rubbish on TVRs!
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff