RE: McLaren 540C Coupe revealed

[br d]

Maldini35 said:

R8 has a 'snow mode'.

The Macca is a nice looking car but not sure how many we'll see out when the weather turns iffy

650s has a winter mode which is the same thing, 540 will probably have that too.

[ZesPak]

Maldini35 said:

ZesPak said:

Wow, really can't see anyone taking an R8 over something like this?

R8 has a 'snow mode'.

The Macca is a nice looking car but not sure how many we'll see out when the weather turns iffy

Wow... Just... Wow

You're right, I forgot all about that. How foolish of me, the Macca doesn't stand a chance.

[Rich_W]

br d said:

Maldini35 said:

R8 has a 'snow mode'.

The Macca is a nice looking car but not sure how many we'll see out when the weather turns iffy

650s has a winter mode which is the same thing, 540 will probably have that too.

R8 does have Quattro though.

I get the naming system for the McLaren cars. I just feel they are trying a bit too hard at the moment to create an entire range of cars in a very short period of time. It's been what? 6 months since 650S took over from 12C. 2 months since 675LT? A month since 570. And here we are with 540. Surely they could wait 6 months between the last 2. If you were in the position to buy a 570 but waited a couple weeks then heard about 540 would you really go immediately to the dealer and slap down a deposit. Or would you now be wondering whats next and whether that is actually going to be the car you want.

Since a lot of people are mentioning Porsche. Whenever they launch GT3. We all know they'll be the RS version in due course. But it's not normally for a year or so. And that would hang around right up until the model change 996/997/991. Then RS gets shelved for a year or 2 whilst another GT3 is launched. It's progress, but it's spaced far far better.

[redroadster]

I would buy this cheapest model ,you won,t need anything more for the road there other models may be quicker but I would still feel smug driving this ,80 grand in 3 years time ?

[7lucky7]

Maldini35 said:

ZesPak said:

Maldini35 said:

ZesPak said:

Wow, really can't see anyone taking an R8 over something like this?

R8 has a 'snow mode'.

The Macca is a nice looking car but not sure how many we'll see out when the weather turns iffy

Wow... Just... Wow

You're right, I forgot all about that. How foolish of me, the Macca doesn't stand a chance.

The point I was making (that clearly escaped you) was that the R8 has always been seen as a useable super car .
Ask yourself which car would most people say is more useable? (Perception is reality in the big bad world)

Perhaps they want something exciting but also be reliable (by super car standards) so can it can be driven all year around.

Not everybody is willing to put up with a car likely to be beset by a host of teething issues and recalls symptomatic of a small volume manufacturer.

So the choice is :

One with long service intervals with over a hundred dealers around the country, quattro AWD and a snow mode

or £120k RWD Mclaren?

You're right the Macca doesn't stand a chance....

Silly boy

No you weren't, you were talking st about when it snows here, which is utterly irrelevant to 99% of supercar owners.

[greygoose]

Rich_W said:

br d said:

Maldini35 said:

R8 has a 'snow mode'.

The Macca is a nice looking car but not sure how many we'll see out when the weather turns iffy

650s has a winter mode which is the same thing, 540 will probably have that too.

R8 does have Quattro though.

I get the naming system for the McLaren cars. I just feel they are trying a bit too hard at the moment to create an entire range of cars in a very short period of time. It's been what? 6 months since 650S took over from 12C. 2 months since 675LT? A month since 570. And here we are with 540. Surely they could wait 6 months between the last 2. If you were in the position to buy a 570 but waited a couple weeks then heard about 540 would you really go immediately to the dealer and slap down a deposit. Or would you now be wondering whats next and whether that is actually going to be the car you want.

Since a lot of people are mentioning Porsche. Whenever they launch GT3. We all know they'll be the RS version in due course. But it's not normally for a year or so. And that would hang around right up until the model change 996/997/991. Then RS gets shelved for a year or 2 whilst another GT3 is launched. It's progress, but it's spaced far far better.

They do seem to be creating a range in a hurry, as a non expert I wouldn't be able to tell one from another.

[mb1]

Maldini35 said:

The point I was making (that clearly escaped you) was that the R8 has always been seen as a useable super car .
Ask yourself which car would most people say is more useable? (Perception is reality in the big bad world)

Perhaps they want something exciting but also be reliable (by super car standards) so can it can be driven all year around.

Not everybody is willing to put up with a car likely to be beset by a host of teething issues and recalls symptomatic of a small volume manufacturer.

So the choice is :

One with long service intervals with over a hundred dealers around the country, quattro AWD and a snow mode

or £120k RWD Mclaren?

You're right the Macca doesn't stand a chance....

Silly boy

Ah, ah, what a lot of non sense.....

Don't worry guys, he is just another Ferrari driver, sick of jealousy, and on a mission to take down anything that is standing up to the expensive Fiats....

[mb1]

This is an interesting range. I would have expected more room between the different models but it will be very interesting how each of them sells againt the other brands in that segment. Although volumes will undoubtly remain small.

I cannot wait for the actual 650S replacement in a year or so (some might say next month I guess :-))

[Rich_W]

To 7Lucky and MB1

Yes. At the 200K plus mark it's unlikely a 650S will get driven all year round as the owner will have a Range Rover as well.

However, when you are aiming at 100-120K mark. This will be an only car in a lot of cases. It's the great plus of R8 or 911T that they can be genuinely used every day. So 540 HAS to be as useable. And not just in terms of reliability, but in terms of luggage space and service intervals and visibility out of weird junctions and lifting noses for speed humps. And the tyre noise can't be bad at 70-80mph. And it has to be Ok when the weather gets wintery. Anything from light snow to pissing rain. And all the other stuff the Audi and Porsche are good at.

Now I know not whether 540 does all that. But if McLaren have done their homework properly by comparing their car to the existing players. They'll be OK. If it's more in line with a detuned 650s with a ride that's properly racy/firm all the time and makes driving it in stop start traffic unpleasant they will be in trouble. Look at the Harris videos. Most of the time in the UK on our stty roads he has suspension set to comfort/soft. So long as the new McLarens bear the real world in mind it'll be fine.

Oh and FFS stop with the "overpriced Fiat" line. It's condescending and doesn't give Ferrari the credit they deserve. They make some stunning cars. As do McL and Porsche and Audi. So stop with the Xenophobia please. You don't need to blow out some one else candle to make yours brighter

Edited by Rich_W on Monday 20th April 21:51

[W124]

I wonder what the 3.8 would put out with no turbo? There's obvious room for a basic non-turbo model with no trick damping, steel brakes and few electrics, stripped out just enough to make it light enough to make it fast enough. Personally I think their business plan of starting at the top and working down was very wise from this angle.

[7lucky7]

I don't know anyone who spends 125K plus on a supercar that doesn't have other vehicles in the family, or access to a more suitable day to day vehicle.

My take on it is that a carbon tubbed, gull wing door supercar from an F1 manufacturer will easily be abe to hold its own against the millionth version of the 911 (yawn) or an Audi.

Edited by 7lucky7 on Monday 20th April 22:17

[mb1]

Rich_W said:

Yes. At the 200K plus mark it's unlikely a 650S will get driven all year round as the owner will have a Range Rover as well.

My apologies for the Fiat reference. It is easy. But that is the impression I get when seating in a 458. My own opinion I accept others feel differently.

For reference, I use my 12C all year round and it is my only car. You just need to respect the car in tricky cold conditions. Or use the winter button if you are not feeling s brave

[Maldini35]

mb1 said:

Maldini35 said:

The point I was making (that clearly escaped you) was that the R8 has always been seen as a useable super car .
Ask yourself which car would most people say is more useable? (Perception is reality in the big bad world)

Perhaps they want something exciting but also be reliable (by super car standards) so can it can be driven all year around.

Not everybody is willing to put up with a car likely to be beset by a host of teething issues and recalls symptomatic of a small volume manufacturer.

So the choice is :

One with long service intervals with over a hundred dealers around the country, quattro AWD and a snow mode

or £120k RWD Mclaren?

You're right the Macca doesn't stand a chance....

Silly boy

Ah, ah, what a lot of non sense.....

Don't worry guys, he is just another Ferrari driver, sick of jealousy, and on a mission to take down anything that is standing up to the expensive Fiats....

Look I wasn''t trying to start an argument , only give an answer the the question why would anybody buy an R8 instead.
Belivee me there are many.

I have an old Ferrari and it's glorious but also insanely impractical and poorly put together. I would not buy a new Ferrari for the same reasons- dubious reliability and no dealers.

If you want a car to drive for a few weekends a year and don't mind putting up with the gremlins and odd recall then the Macca will do just fine. If you want more then you might be wary of risking your money on one.
That's all I''m saying.
Now back in your box angry man

[7lucky7]

You say you don't want to start an argument but then insult him in your final sentence...

[mb1]

There are no arguments.

Everyone is different and have different use of their cars. Or I guess expectations with regards to daily usability.

If I am fine with using mine daily, I am sure others will do. Believe me, having driven all the cars you mention, the 12C or 650S are not any less suitable for daily use than an R8. Quite the opposite in fact in my view.

But, I don't live in London or small city. I might view things differently if I was. And would probably have to settle for a Boxter or Smart

It is all about perspective.

[AlmostUseful]

Must say I'm looking forward to the 340S which going by current release rates will be in showrooms by November 2016 at a cost of around 22k.

[predding]

I didn't understand the McLaren range 6 months ago - it's all a blur, like the Audi Russian doll range.

And why would anyone take an R8 over this? I can think of 6k reasons (plus better spec), let alone the servicing costs and likely lower re-sale as McLaren bring out yet another iteration.

Porsche has a defined line up, and without the design style that Ferrari has, it is a very niche product.

Edited by predding on Tuesday 21st April 05:52

[predding]

pozi said:

Another week another cheaper McLaren using the same carbon tub and engine, I wonder if the plan is to just keep offering lesser models until they are eventually competing with Lotus/Zenos etc ??

I suppose this going backwards philosophy is currently being used by their F1 team so it would make sense

+1

[br d]

Maldini35 said:

If you want a car to drive for a few weekends a year and don't mind putting up with the gremlins and odd recall then the Macca will do just fine. If you want more then you might be wary of risking your money on one.

Sorry Maldini but this is risible nonsense, a few weekends a year!

The 650s has handling modes to suit any conditions, has every available luxury and driving aid (should you want them) and provides excellent visual and tactile feedback of its surroundings. It is eminently drivable and cries out to be used daily. It also has insane levels of performance when required.

All the latest iterations of Supercars are light years ahead of the old school stuff that required rafts of special skills just to get them off the driveway.

You certainly don't have to use them everyday and many won't but if you want to it'll be a pleasure every time.

[anonymous-user]

I had an R8 a few years back - great car to live with as an only car.

I'm now considering the 540 and cannot see it being much different apart from being a more 'exotic' option.

The new R8, without sideblades, does not look as good as the old one either imo.