Discussion
Some references here to not buying a McLaren due to unreliability, gearbox issues and long waits for a service. Firstly McLarens are supercars and would traditionally have been very expensive to run. However after 3 years you can extend the warranty for £3,500 pa and the servicing is £1,500 pa. That's a total of £5,000 pa to run a supercar. Before you buy a McLaren or any supercar you should get used to that, accept it, and only buy when you are comfortable with these costs. If you can't get comfortable with £5k pa then a supercar is not for you, they are not Hyundai's.
After this there is really nothing else to pay other than normal motoring costs, I have one of the first McLarens ever built, chassis no.80 and now 6 years old. It has had some tiny issues and have all been repaired quickly under warranty, average turn around 1 week from collection to return by covered transporter. Issues included a creaking noise (hubs replaced under warranty) Bubbling paint on the inside of the bonnet (resprayed under warranty) A broken USB connector (replaced under warranty) and sticking brakes (my fault). There has been nothing mechanical or drive train related to stop me driving the car or causing a breakdown. Compared to M cars I have had it is so much more reliable and cheaper to run/own.
In respect to the long dealer wait for a service you need to organise yourself! I knew when my service was due, its annual on the same date every year! I simply call 8 weeks ahead and book. I have never had an issue with waiting. McLaren are building their service network and I have heard of delays but they haven't had 50 years+ to build a network like their competitors so you cant just call 3 days before and expect to get a slot. Given their age they are doing quite well. Issues with a certain southern workshop are well documented so I use Birmingham who are excellent. Some of the dealers are PLC's and they are not as proactive, others are family run, like Rybrook (Nick Whale's family also own Princess Yachts), who give a more personal service and the salesmen are not on commission but salaried. Do your research and decide who to buy from, distance isn't an issue as your dealer will transport your car for you.
As for ownership 'experience' my McLaren has been better than any other car I have owned and experienced, the Facebook Group is well known to be one of the friendliest and most informative of any car group and there is usually something happening most weekends and even on weekdays. I would recommend joining once you have your car.
http://www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
After this there is really nothing else to pay other than normal motoring costs, I have one of the first McLarens ever built, chassis no.80 and now 6 years old. It has had some tiny issues and have all been repaired quickly under warranty, average turn around 1 week from collection to return by covered transporter. Issues included a creaking noise (hubs replaced under warranty) Bubbling paint on the inside of the bonnet (resprayed under warranty) A broken USB connector (replaced under warranty) and sticking brakes (my fault). There has been nothing mechanical or drive train related to stop me driving the car or causing a breakdown. Compared to M cars I have had it is so much more reliable and cheaper to run/own.
In respect to the long dealer wait for a service you need to organise yourself! I knew when my service was due, its annual on the same date every year! I simply call 8 weeks ahead and book. I have never had an issue with waiting. McLaren are building their service network and I have heard of delays but they haven't had 50 years+ to build a network like their competitors so you cant just call 3 days before and expect to get a slot. Given their age they are doing quite well. Issues with a certain southern workshop are well documented so I use Birmingham who are excellent. Some of the dealers are PLC's and they are not as proactive, others are family run, like Rybrook (Nick Whale's family also own Princess Yachts), who give a more personal service and the salesmen are not on commission but salaried. Do your research and decide who to buy from, distance isn't an issue as your dealer will transport your car for you.
As for ownership 'experience' my McLaren has been better than any other car I have owned and experienced, the Facebook Group is well known to be one of the friendliest and most informative of any car group and there is usually something happening most weekends and even on weekdays. I would recommend joining once you have your car.
http://www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
Edited by Bispal on Friday 24th March 08:13
Bispal said:
Some references here to not buying a McLaren due to unreliability, gearbox issues and long waits for a service. Firstly McLarens are supercars and would traditionally have been very expensive to run. However after 3 years you can extend the warranty for £3,500 pa and the servicing is £1,500 pa. That's a total of £5,000 pa to run a supercar. Before you buy a McLaren or any supercar you should get used to that, accept it, and only buy when you are comfortable with these costs. If you can't get comfortable with £5k pa then a supercar is not for you, they are not Hyundai's.
After this there is really nothing else to pay other than normal motoring costs, I have one of the first McLarens ever built, chassis no.80 and now 6 years old. It has had some tiny issues and have all been repaired quickly under warranty, average turn around 1 week from collection to return by covered transporter. Issues included a creaking noise (hubs replaced under warranty) Bubbling paint on the inside of the bonnet (resprayed under warranty) A broken USB connector (replaced under warranty) and sticking brakes (my fault). There has been nothing mechanical or drive train related to stop me driving the car or causing a breakdown. Compared to M cars I have had it is so much more reliable and cheaper to run/own.
In respect to the long dealer wait for a service you need to organise yourself! I knew when my service was due, its annual on the same date every year! I simply call 8 weeks ahead and book. I have never had an issue with waiting. McLaren are building their service network and I have heard of delays but they haven't had 50 years+ to build a network like their competitors so you cant just call 3 days before and expect to get a slot. Given their age they are doing quite well. Issues with a certain southern workshop are well documented so I use Birmingham who are excellent. Some of the dealers are PLC's and they are not as proactive, others are family run, like Rybrook (Nick Whale's family also own Princess Yachts), who give a more personal service and the salesmen are not on commission but salaried. Do your research and decide who to buy from, distance isn't an issue as your dealer will transport your car for you.
As for ownership 'experience' my McLaren has been better than any other car I have owned and experienced, the Facebook Group is well known to be one of the friendliest and most informative of any car group and there is usually something happening most weekends and even on weekdays. I would recommend joining once you have your car.
http://www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
+1 - well said that manAfter this there is really nothing else to pay other than normal motoring costs, I have one of the first McLarens ever built, chassis no.80 and now 6 years old. It has had some tiny issues and have all been repaired quickly under warranty, average turn around 1 week from collection to return by covered transporter. Issues included a creaking noise (hubs replaced under warranty) Bubbling paint on the inside of the bonnet (resprayed under warranty) A broken USB connector (replaced under warranty) and sticking brakes (my fault). There has been nothing mechanical or drive train related to stop me driving the car or causing a breakdown. Compared to M cars I have had it is so much more reliable and cheaper to run/own.
In respect to the long dealer wait for a service you need to organise yourself! I knew when my service was due, its annual on the same date every year! I simply call 8 weeks ahead and book. I have never had an issue with waiting. McLaren are building their service network and I have heard of delays but they haven't had 50 years+ to build a network like their competitors so you cant just call 3 days before and expect to get a slot. Given their age they are doing quite well. Issues with a certain southern workshop are well documented so I use Birmingham who are excellent. Some of the dealers are PLC's and they are not as proactive, others are family run, like Rybrook (Nick Whale's family also own Princess Yachts), who give a more personal service and the salesmen are not on commission but salaried. Do your research and decide who to buy from, distance isn't an issue as your dealer will transport your car for you.
As for ownership 'experience' my McLaren has been better than any other car I have owned and experienced, the Facebook Group is well known to be one of the friendliest and most informative of any car group and there is usually something happening most weekends and even on weekdays. I would recommend joining once you have your car.
http://www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
Edited by Bispal on Friday 24th March 08:13
v12v8 said:
+1 - well said that man
+2 - totally agree. OP I thoroughly recommend McLaren ownership. Whilst I have only had the "entry level" 540C for 3 weeks now I am already thinking it's the best car I have owned. Oh and if you do push the trigger on a 570S be prepared for a LOT of very positive attention. I've had more thumbs up, folk following and videoing the Mac, chatting and taking pictures of it than all my others cars (Ferrari, Aston Martin, 911 turbo) put together. I wasn't prepared for that!It drives OK too...
Edited by FrankieMac on Friday 24th March 19:02
miskalachi said:
Hi all,
Recently sold my Cayman GT4 which I absolutely loved but fancied a step up to something more exotic and quicker. With the likelihood of not being able to get the new GT3.2 because I need to have bought 2 Macans, 2 Panamaeras and 2 Cayennes I'm now looking at other brands, in particular McLaren.
Few questions;
1) Has anyone moved from a GT3 to 570s, pros/cons ?
2) Would anyone still consider going for a Gen 1 GT3 ?
3) Whats the McLaren ownership experience like ?
4) What's the current lead / delivery time for a new 570s if I ordered now ?
Cheers
M
I was thinking similar ,but you know what I decided to do.Recently sold my Cayman GT4 which I absolutely loved but fancied a step up to something more exotic and quicker. With the likelihood of not being able to get the new GT3.2 because I need to have bought 2 Macans, 2 Panamaeras and 2 Cayennes I'm now looking at other brands, in particular McLaren.
Few questions;
1) Has anyone moved from a GT3 to 570s, pros/cons ?
2) Would anyone still consider going for a Gen 1 GT3 ?
3) Whats the McLaren ownership experience like ?
4) What's the current lead / delivery time for a new 570s if I ordered now ?
Cheers
M
Question for you is what if you buy a mclaren now and come January you get a call about that promise you were given ?
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