In the market for a 720s

[Trikcar]

Hi all,

I am considering a dabble with my first McLaren and have seen a low mileage 720s with Tom Hartley

https://www.tomhartley.com/used-car-details/used-m...

Any thoughts/recommendations on what i should be asking and looking out for? Ive got the usual questions covered but curious if anything model or age specific.

Thanks

[samoht]

A couple of threads to read before engaging with that dealer
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
https://www.cardealerreviews.co.uk/dealership/tom-...

I like the orange a lot.

I wouldn't generally say that super-low mileage is a benefit on McLarens, they seem to do better being used a bit more. My concern would be if it's sat effectively unused for a year or more lately, that could cause minor yet expensive issues.

Luxury interior cars are generally worth less, of course no reason not to buy if you prefer the leather seats but be aware of the difference.

There was a changeover in 2018 from 'red swoosh' badge on the rear to silver swoosh which denoted a few revisions, although it's not clear they make a huge difference to reliability. Eg https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202403117... is a 68 plate silver swoosh car.

As a general point on these cars, check the ceramic brake discs as a full set is five figures. Useful factory guide to condition here
https://www.mclarenlife.com/attachments/mclaren-mp...

Approved used cars come with 12 month McLaren extended warranty, 24 mo may be negotiable.

[supersport]

First of all do it. Utterly awesome cars.

Other than Alistair Bols, I would be looking inside the dealer network and a warranty, I negotiated two years which brings a lot of piece of mind.

There’s generally plenty around. Don’t get hung up on silly low mileage, get one that’s been used and not sat for years.

If you stand at the back and look into the engine grill, you see two uprights, one in the left and one on the right. On unused ones these seemed to go rusty. I suspect washed and just left or sat out in the rain.

This really put me off. I saw two ultra low mileage cars with this, one had 675 miles!

[TBCTBC]

supersport said:

First of all do it. Utterly awesome cars.

Other than Alistair Bols, I would be looking inside the dealer network and a warranty, I negotiated two years which brings a lot of piece of mind.

There’s generally plenty around. Don’t get hung up on silly low mileage, get one that’s been used and not sat for years.

If you stand at the back and look into the engine grill, you see two uprights, one in the left and one on the right. On unused ones these seemed to go rusty. I suspect washed and just left or sat out in the rain.

This really put me off. I saw two ultra low mileage cars with this, one had 675 miles!

Personally, I would add V-Engineering and Thorney to that list of independent sellers.

[MMarkM]

The interior certainly isn't my thing. As already sated, low mileage isn't always great on a Mac, they have a lot of gremlins in early life, and something with higher mileage (let's say 9k plus) will have had the gremlins sorted. If going low mileage I'd want a main dealer car for the warranty peace of mind when the gremlins do appear

My experience of finding a 720s, not having had a Mac before, I found it hard to differentiate specs, The car you've selected appears to be a low spec car and missing some must haves like the longer gear paddles. I think have a look at several 720s and look at the low level detail such as CF interior and exterior materials, stereo and other options

[MMarkM]

Also check tyres! That car has 6 year old Pirelli on, a ford focus will pull away better Ideally look to get a decent set included or be prepared to buy some new PS4S when you get the car - the difference is night and day

[Frankychops]

that cars too expensive anyway(cheaper in the Mclaren network). i'm also sure you'll find a much better place to deal with.

[Wheelspinning]

All good advice.

With McLaren, unless reasonably new, I would definitely prefer a car with decent miles on it, than pay a premium for a lower mileage example.

They don't like sitting about.

[Trikcar]

Thanks all - very helpful. Turns out that particular car has sold, but the search begins

[HIS LM]

McLaren NF have a 720 spider in the same colour which looks awesome if you get budget creep

[AndM]

MMarkM said:

Also check tyres! That car has 6 year old Pirelli on, a ford focus will pull away better Ideally look to get a decent set included or be prepared to buy some new PS4S when you get the car - the difference is night and day

100% this. Michelin PS4s transform any car in the UK's climate. I've had them on most cars I've had including the current steed (720s). Do it. Pirellis may work in the hot tar of Italy or Spain but they are useless in the cold wet climate I know and live in.

[AndM]

Trikcar said:

Hi all,

I am considering a dabble with my first McLaren and have seen a low mileage 720s with Tom Hartley

https://www.tomhartley.com/used-car-details/used-m...

Any thoughts/recommendations on what i should be asking and looking out for? Ive got the usual questions covered but curious if anything model or age specific.

Thanks

Check the accumulators are all good. Expensive replacement to say the least.

Check for paint corrosion on the wings (usually around the top of the wheel arches. Again, expensive enough if you are outside the factory paint warranty (5 years I think)..

[MMarkM]

HIS LM said:

McLaren NF have a 720 spider in the same colour which looks awesome if you get budget creep

Yup, I've seen this one as I live pretty close, a nice car and they're keen to do a deal so some big movement in price available I'd thin

[Streetbeat]

AndM said:

Check the accumulators are all good. Expensive replacement to say the least.

Accumlators can now be replaced at indies with rechargable at a much cheaper price so not the issue it once was.

[andysv]

I can’t give too much spec advice having only had mine for 15 months and I just wanted black/black/black but I have no regrets whatsoever, my background was Lamborghini and the Mac build quality is not so good though the driving experience imho is much better, the trade off is 100% worth it. Renn Works look after mine rather than MD and it hasn’t missed a beat, my car has also done a lot of miles but runs perfectly. As everyone says you def will need to bin the stock tyres they are crap, I am going to Conti 7s after reading really good things.

Good luck.