Trackers

[funboxster]

Hi There

I'm due to collect my 570 GT in January and decided against speccing a tracker when ordering. I now think that was the wrong decision, but my reasoning was it didn't make much difference to my insurance quotes whether fitted or not-approx £50.

Please can anyone give advice on reputable trackers to consider fitting post delivery and does anyone know what McL would have fitted if i had included it at order.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

[TISPKJ]

Hi, McLaren use the Cobra system which is now Vodaphone Navtrack ? I think its called ..... others will confirm.

also to my knowledge the only insurance company that do not stipulate a tracker is NFU
In theory a great idea, in reality just another way of fleecing you for another £200 a year subscription.

[paulmnz]

Not a McLaren, but I recently had a Cobratrak fitted to one of my cars - they are owned by Vodafone now. comes with an internet tracking app etc

I decided against a CAT 5 tracker (they tend to have VHF capability, ID fobs and the ability to remotely 'kill' the engine) I don't really like the idea of a device which can cut the ignition as once it gets older and inevitably gets unreliable it will cause problems. CAT 6/7 trackers just consume power from the car, they dont interrupt any systems. The CAT 5 trackers also require the use of tracker ID fobs when you drive the car - another box to carry around.

The installer suggested the Cobra was the 'best' and agreed the cat 5 boxes where a pain and in his view didn't really offer much additional hope of getting a car back beyond what the 6/7 devices do.

The cobra devices I believe are used as OEM for some cars, I think maybe Audi and Porsche? So wouldn't surprise me if McLaren use the same. bear in mind all trackers have 'subscriptions' mine is £138 a year, the cat 5 ones I think are closer to £300. a McLaren tracker may well have a different subscription cost again.

[DarrenKMC]

I always use a company called Batrak, they totally independent but have been a Cobra Navtrak>Vodafone installer for many years, they have installed for me on everything from a Cayman to a Huayra and all that's in between.

Happy to give you the director's direct number via PM, very helpful and knowledgable guy who'll advise you on what's best rather than what's just got the better margins.

[Bispal]

Almost all insurance companies will want a tracker for vehicles with a value of over £70k. By not having one you limit future insurance choices.

[funboxster]

DarrenKMC said:

I always use a company called Batrak, they totally independent but have been a Cobra Navtrak>Vodafone installer for many years, they have installed for me on everything from a Cayman to a Huayra and all that's in between.

Happy to give you the director's direct number via PM, very helpful and knowledgable guy who'll advise you on what's best rather than what's just got the better margins.

Hi Darren-yes that would be great thank you.

None of the insurance companies on the comparison sites insisted on it for me, and my current insurer SAGA( yes i''m over 39 + a few years!) didn't when getting a quote for when i change.

Thank you all for your input.

[ChrisH370]

Hi David,

Sent you a PM about this.

[TISPKJ]

If I were you I would get a quote to have fitted by McLaren, in 6 months time when your car wont start or you have some other electrical issue I can see them all playing the blame game, at least if McLaren fit its a one stop job.

[ChrisH370]

Yes, this is what I was told if the car's wiring is cut into to in order to fit a non-McLaren tracker.

[paulmnz]

I watched the installer fit my most recent one, as I mentioned, if it doesn't have a remote engine-cut, no wires needed to be cut or spliced (I didn't want the loom damaged) they run two feeds from existing wiring for live and live/ignition. He also explained in the event the tracker is causing any kind of issue (ie current drain) you can literally just unplug it.

[Yipper]

Tracker.co.uk. They also have a sale on until Jan.

[RBT0]

Evening gents,
Can anyone illuminate me with cost of activating and maintaining (yearly cost) a factory fitted vehicle tracker on a McLaren 570S? I am told it’s to be arranged with Vodafone using V5 details...

Many thanks

[The Surveyor]

RBT0 said:

Evening gents,
Can anyone illuminate me with cost of activating and maintaining (yearly cost) a factory fitted vehicle tracker on a McLaren 570S? I am told it’s to be arranged with Vodafone using V5 details...

Many thanks

If it helps, my 570s is covered with a SmartTrack tracker via Global Telemetrics and that costs me £16.99 per month subscription. The tracker was fitted from new by McLaren Manchester. The system has recently been replaced with a new one after a recent failure and the service from Global was superb, arranged for a guy to come to the house and refitted the unit on the drive.

I can't help with the cost of any 'activation' although, I would have through it was included in the subscription.

[Rocketreid]

RBT0 said:

Evening gents,
Can anyone illuminate me with cost of activating and maintaining (yearly cost) a factory fitted vehicle tracker on a McLaren 570S? I am told it’s to be arranged with Vodafone using V5 details...

Many thanks

I just gave Vodaphone a ring but can’t remember the exact cost so suggest you do the same . Presumably you have the 2 fobs ?

[Targarama]

TISPKJ said:

Hi, McLaren use the Cobra system which is now Vodaphone Navtrack ? I think its called ..... others will confirm.

also to my knowledge the only insurance company that do not stipulate a tracker is NFU
In theory a great idea, in reality just another way of fleecing you for another £200 a year subscription.

Admiral don't require one for me, but it may also depend on your postcode. I have one fitted to the car which I've never used. Found the 2 fobs in the drawer yesterday, they are a PITA to carry around if you have a tracker enabled. McBrum just loaned me a RR Sport with tracker/fob while my Mc was being serviced, what a pain. I don't take my wallet everywhere and in the summer weather its a tiny thing to lose out of the pocket of your shorts (purposely has no hole for keyring to stop you carrying the fob with your keys defeating its purpose.

[AL001]

The Surveyor said:

The system has recently been replaced with a new one after a recent failure and the service from Global was superb, arranged for a guy to come to the house and refitted the unit on the drive.

Snap - Global replaced the unit in my 570 also, it was located in bad position which meant taking out rear (firewall) cover, a major faff.

Trackers are a PITA in general from false alarms, battery failure, to carrying the fobs around when switching between several cars. Insurers like them but they don't have to deal with all the crap. I switched insurer on a Morgan just so could cancel the Vodafone tracker (that didn't work).

[RBT0]

Looking to buy, not mine yet.

The car Ive seen already got the factory installed tracker, so I am after costs for that (confirmed Vodafone by one of you?).

Which insurance does not require tracker? Admiral? What about classic line?

Which Vodafone number do I need to call, definitely nit the one for topping up my phone lol?

[dsl2]

Vodaphone tracker subscription charges in April last year were- 1 yr at £217 on DD or 3yrs at £585 paid in a lump sum.

[RBT0]

Thank you! No option for lump sum 1 yr?

[dsl2]

Not that I'm aware of as I will be keeping my car long term (Its fantastic!) I just paid for 3 years on collection.

As you can see its only pocket change difference over three years anyway so not really worth worrying about.