RE: McLaren 570GT vs Porsche 911 Turbo S vs Audi R8
Discussion
If you have the 570 or the Audi then you definitely need another more practical car in your fleet for more practical use.
If that's the case then rather than have the lower Macca you should go for a more extreme one, since the 570 is neither an obvious supercar or a practical all use weapon.
The porker:
Can genuinely be effectively and really used as a DD
Can carry extra's (people too!)
Mullers the others perfomance wise on road and track on stock DD tyres
Can be used getting to the track, as a fun engaging weapon on it and then to pootle home giving 30+mpg (albeit 5 or so on track - lol)
Bung some track rubber on and compete easily with the really big boys.
Is fully equipped with all the really necessary toys at no extra cost needing very little extras - so is effectively cheaper than the Macca.
Looks like a 911 - (is that a good thing?) - albeit on steroids (that is a good thing)
Will endure and need little servicing.
Still I might be a bit biased
If that's the case then rather than have the lower Macca you should go for a more extreme one, since the 570 is neither an obvious supercar or a practical all use weapon.
The porker:
Can genuinely be effectively and really used as a DD
Can carry extra's (people too!)
Mullers the others perfomance wise on road and track on stock DD tyres
Can be used getting to the track, as a fun engaging weapon on it and then to pootle home giving 30+mpg (albeit 5 or so on track - lol)
Bung some track rubber on and compete easily with the really big boys.
Is fully equipped with all the really necessary toys at no extra cost needing very little extras - so is effectively cheaper than the Macca.
Looks like a 911 - (is that a good thing?) - albeit on steroids (that is a good thing)
Will endure and need little servicing.
Still I might be a bit biased
Gandahar said:
A 570 came past our house recently and of course it looks great, but then he decided to give it some and the sound is just a cross between something chugging on the sea and a Civic R from a certain vintage with the pilot aged 17. It's bloody dire.
It's the antithesis of all great super car engine sounds.
Can you fit the Audi engine in the Mclaren? b
d son would be a proper bd. 
+1It's the antithesis of all great super car engine sounds.
Can you fit the Audi engine in the Mclaren? b
d son would be a proper bd. Edited by Gandahar on Tuesday 6th June 17:42
I heard one 'powering' away from a Sainsbury's petrol station in Nottingham a few weeks ago - it sounded like a chavved 4 cylinder hatchback.
Had the R8 before the Turbo S which is my current daily car.
Audi is ballistic and such a gorgeous engine. But nowhere near anonymous enough to be a real daily and also a ridiculous tiny boot.
Turbo S is the daddy, mummy and all your relatives. It is awesome. The only car I've ever owned where I have asked the dealer to order another one to replace it in due course as the lead time is quite long. It's that good, IMO.
Audi is ballistic and such a gorgeous engine. But nowhere near anonymous enough to be a real daily and also a ridiculous tiny boot.
Turbo S is the daddy, mummy and all your relatives. It is awesome. The only car I've ever owned where I have asked the dealer to order another one to replace it in due course as the lead time is quite long. It's that good, IMO.
All of those are smashing and I am sure that they would be a joy to own (I can't afford any of them). I'd take the McLaren if I were in the enviable position of choosing one of the three, the Audi doesn't float my boat like the last generation R8 did - I'm not quite sure why either, but it certainly looks a bit pants now and there was something appealing about the old V8 with a manual box IMO, despite it not being as powerful or fast as the V10
The Porsche too is a fine thing, I even like the colour, but my adoration for the Cayman GT4 would sway me towards one of those if I were to ever take the plunge on a costly Porker
The Porsche too is a fine thing, I even like the colour, but my adoration for the Cayman GT4 would sway me towards one of those if I were to ever take the plunge on a costly Porker
Quickmoose said:
I don't think any of them would win a beauty contest actually
All offer drama and 'presence'...not beauty though IMO
The McLaren looks like a McLaren
The Porsche looks like all the other Porsches
and unfortunately the Audi looks like all the other Audis.
For £140k I'd want to some separation from the rest of that particular family...just too ubiquitous... for me.
Top Porsche looks like all the other Porsches.All offer drama and 'presence'...not beauty though IMO
The McLaren looks like a McLaren
The Porsche looks like all the other Porsches
and unfortunately the Audi looks like all the other Audis.
For £140k I'd want to some separation from the rest of that particular family...just too ubiquitous... for me.
Top Audi looks like all the other Audis.
Bottom McLaren looks like all the other McLarens.
You see the problem with your criticism? Plus, there's nothing ubiquitous about McLarens.
AndrewD said:
Had the R8 before the Turbo S which is my current daily car.
Audi is ballistic and such a gorgeous engine. But nowhere near anonymous enough to be a real daily and also a ridiculous tiny boot.
Turbo S is the daddy, mummy and all your relatives. It is awesome. The only car I've ever owned where I have asked the dealer to order another one to replace it in due course as the lead time is quite long. It's that good, IMO.
+1Audi is ballistic and such a gorgeous engine. But nowhere near anonymous enough to be a real daily and also a ridiculous tiny boot.
Turbo S is the daddy, mummy and all your relatives. It is awesome. The only car I've ever owned where I have asked the dealer to order another one to replace it in due course as the lead time is quite long. It's that good, IMO.
You should also get a very good trade in for your existing Turbo S!
When I tested the turbo S, huracan, 458 and 570, the turbo S was brutal, pretty (but not exotic) not bad sounding and very much at home on track. As much as I hate Porsche ('gen X' child so normally into lambos and ferraris) it ticked all the boxes including reliability - the maclaren broke down
I've had two of these R8's. Two of them because the first one was so bloody unreliable (and I mean properly breaking down needing recovery), and the dealers are so poor at sorting the problems. The first one was replaced after I rejected it 6 months into ownership. The second one I also don't own anymore, as that was even worse. Audi. Never again.
I'm about to get it's replacement, a 911 GTS, in a couple of weeks. I originally went to buy Turbo S but after test driving a Turbo and a Carrera S, I just preferred the Carrera. Odd decision I know, especially as it's a significant performance downgrade however, after the R8's admittedly ballistic performance, the Turbo S 'shock' (and it is a shock!) just wasn't shocking enough and I just found the Carrera more fun. Unfortunately a well spec'd GTS is no cheaper than the admittedly much more supercar-like R8.
Anyway, I'm always amazed by these R8 road tests that nobody pulls it up for the shockingly bouncy (and I mean REALLY bouncy, like it has zero damping) low speed ride, like you'd get going over speed bumps. It boings and bouncy itself uncontrollably and is a didicvi;ous design flaw. It's also a very noisy suspension, with regular clonks from the front end over bumps. Dan, are these traits not something you found, as they were certainly both 'features' of both my R8's?
That said, most other things said about the R8 are correct, although I must admit I never had issue with the steering. The engine is as spectacular (and fast....almost too fast for the road) as everyone suggests. The interior is a lovely design, very well built but the R8 platform does suffer an average driving position with pedals set too close and offset to the middle of the car thanks to the wheel argh intrusion. Storage and boot space is a joke! It's actually really comfy and refined too, so makes for a great daily driver (or would, if it didn't break all the time). The 4wd system is very good too, much better than the gen-1 R8 which would too-easily transition from over to undertseer and back again, whereas the gen-2 R8 is much more balanced and natural feeling. And whilst the damping IS very good, for some reason it never gave me confidence that, on a fast bumpy road, it wasn't always a fraction away from bottoming out, a sensation not helped by my memory of the uncontrolled low speed ride. Certainly not a problem in any 911 I've driven.
All in all though, the new R8 is still one of the very best cars I've driven, and my old SLS aside, the most special-feeling I've owned. But after the experience of owning an Audi, I'm relieved it's gone and won't be going back for a very long time!
I'm about to get it's replacement, a 911 GTS, in a couple of weeks. I originally went to buy Turbo S but after test driving a Turbo and a Carrera S, I just preferred the Carrera. Odd decision I know, especially as it's a significant performance downgrade however, after the R8's admittedly ballistic performance, the Turbo S 'shock' (and it is a shock!) just wasn't shocking enough and I just found the Carrera more fun. Unfortunately a well spec'd GTS is no cheaper than the admittedly much more supercar-like R8.
Anyway, I'm always amazed by these R8 road tests that nobody pulls it up for the shockingly bouncy (and I mean REALLY bouncy, like it has zero damping) low speed ride, like you'd get going over speed bumps. It boings and bouncy itself uncontrollably and is a didicvi;ous design flaw. It's also a very noisy suspension, with regular clonks from the front end over bumps. Dan, are these traits not something you found, as they were certainly both 'features' of both my R8's?
That said, most other things said about the R8 are correct, although I must admit I never had issue with the steering. The engine is as spectacular (and fast....almost too fast for the road) as everyone suggests. The interior is a lovely design, very well built but the R8 platform does suffer an average driving position with pedals set too close and offset to the middle of the car thanks to the wheel argh intrusion. Storage and boot space is a joke! It's actually really comfy and refined too, so makes for a great daily driver (or would, if it didn't break all the time). The 4wd system is very good too, much better than the gen-1 R8 which would too-easily transition from over to undertseer and back again, whereas the gen-2 R8 is much more balanced and natural feeling. And whilst the damping IS very good, for some reason it never gave me confidence that, on a fast bumpy road, it wasn't always a fraction away from bottoming out, a sensation not helped by my memory of the uncontrolled low speed ride. Certainly not a problem in any 911 I've driven.
All in all though, the new R8 is still one of the very best cars I've driven, and my old SLS aside, the most special-feeling I've owned. But after the experience of owning an Audi, I'm relieved it's gone and won't be going back for a very long time!
Edited by Palmball on Wednesday 7th June 00:23
mikEsprit said:
Quickmoose said:
I don't think any of them would win a beauty contest actually
All offer drama and 'presence'...not beauty though IMO
The McLaren looks like a McLaren
The Porsche looks like all the other Porsches
and unfortunately the Audi looks like all the other Audis.
For £140k I'd want to some separation from the rest of that particular family...just too ubiquitous... for me.
Top Porsche looks like all the other Porsches.All offer drama and 'presence'...not beauty though IMO
The McLaren looks like a McLaren
The Porsche looks like all the other Porsches
and unfortunately the Audi looks like all the other Audis.
For £140k I'd want to some separation from the rest of that particular family...just too ubiquitous... for me.
Top Audi looks like all the other Audis.
Bottom McLaren looks like all the other McLarens.
You see the problem with your criticism? Plus, there's nothing ubiquitous about McLarens.
I'm not sure if my point came across well enough then.
As it's meant to read like
A Porsche looking like a Porsche is a good thing, top or bottom regardless (I'd argue it ain't the top)
A McLaren looking like a McLaren is a good thing, top or bottom regardless (I'd argue it ain't bottom)
An Audi looking like an Audi...isn't a good thing....again regardless, but in this case yeah...the very sexiest, desirable Audi, has an A1 visage slapped upon it.
A highly predictable outcome from this write up, which sadly adds nothing we didn't already know.
Setting that aside, and setting aside long term values / investment potential (which none of them have), it's hard to beat the Porsche as a true everyday driver. Such a great all rounder, which, I have to say is irritating to admit..! Why can't anyone beat the pesky Germans at this game!
Setting that aside, and setting aside long term values / investment potential (which none of them have), it's hard to beat the Porsche as a true everyday driver. Such a great all rounder, which, I have to say is irritating to admit..! Why can't anyone beat the pesky Germans at this game!
The R8 is a fantastic car, one of the very best on sale. That engine is a masterpiece, it needs to be heard on full chat to be appreciated. Very very fast car too.
I never noticed the low speed bounce as mentioned above, Im not saying its not there, perhaps I was too excited
Would still buy the Turbo though.
I never noticed the low speed bounce as mentioned above, Im not saying its not there, perhaps I was too excited
Would still buy the Turbo though.
Just coming out of a 650s Spider and jumping right into a 991.2 turbo S Convertible. Porsche seem to do the driver feedback in spades and it shows in this car too. You have to drive the Mac quick to get that feeling and that on the road is a licence looser.
Edo, your right...the cost of running the McLaren was getting silly and touched upon in the article was the huge amount of interest it generated from anyone. It was too much of an event when driving it and a real ball ache being followed all the time.
Palmball, I looked at the GTS as I didn't want to pay the huge premium on the Turbo S but after options I wasn't far off, so gone with the TTS along with the allure of the quick starts. The 650s just went into high ballistic speeds too quick. Perhaps the GTS sounds better and gives that feeling of speed more because of it? which is why the R8 is so popular I suppose. The sound from the Mac was disappointing and it seems the 991TTs isn't much better from what I hear.
Maybe we could meet up sometime compare the two side by side? GTS and TTS as that would be hugely interesting to me. Mine arrives around August...
Edo, your right...the cost of running the McLaren was getting silly and touched upon in the article was the huge amount of interest it generated from anyone. It was too much of an event when driving it and a real ball ache being followed all the time.
Palmball, I looked at the GTS as I didn't want to pay the huge premium on the Turbo S but after options I wasn't far off, so gone with the TTS along with the allure of the quick starts. The 650s just went into high ballistic speeds too quick. Perhaps the GTS sounds better and gives that feeling of speed more because of it? which is why the R8 is so popular I suppose. The sound from the Mac was disappointing and it seems the 991TTs isn't much better from what I hear.
Maybe we could meet up sometime compare the two side by side? GTS and TTS as that would be hugely interesting to me. Mine arrives around August...
BishBosh said:
Just coming out of a 650s Spider and jumping right into a 991.2 turbo S Convertible. Porsche seem to do the driver feedback in spades and it shows in this car too. You have to drive the Mac quick to get that feeling and that on the road is a licence looser.
Edo, your right...the cost of running the McLaren was getting silly and touched upon in the article was the huge amount of interest it generated from anyone. It was too much of an event when driving it and a real ball ache being followed all the time.
Palmball, I looked at the GTS as I didn't want to pay the huge premium on the Turbo S but after options I wasn't far off, so gone with the TTS along with the allure of the quick starts. The 650s just went into high ballistic speeds too quick. Perhaps the GTS sounds better and gives that feeling of speed more because of it? which is why the R8 is so popular I suppose. The sound from the Mac was disappointing and it seems the 991TTs isn't much better from what I hear.
Maybe we could meet up sometime compare the two side by side? GTS and TTS as that would be hugely interesting to me. Mine arrives around August...
May I ask, what were the running costs? One hears horror stories...Edo, your right...the cost of running the McLaren was getting silly and touched upon in the article was the huge amount of interest it generated from anyone. It was too much of an event when driving it and a real ball ache being followed all the time.
Palmball, I looked at the GTS as I didn't want to pay the huge premium on the Turbo S but after options I wasn't far off, so gone with the TTS along with the allure of the quick starts. The 650s just went into high ballistic speeds too quick. Perhaps the GTS sounds better and gives that feeling of speed more because of it? which is why the R8 is so popular I suppose. The sound from the Mac was disappointing and it seems the 991TTs isn't much better from what I hear.
Maybe we could meet up sometime compare the two side by side? GTS and TTS as that would be hugely interesting to me. Mine arrives around August...
This article basically proves what I knew and is the reason I chose the Porsche TTS. The extra space (compared to both) and the extra reliability (over the Mac) made the Porsche the go to option. On top of that I don't think I could have afforded the increased running costs on the Mac.
I do sometimes wish I had something a bit more 'exotic' like the Mac but 99 % of the time I'm over the moon with the car and the fact that I can drive it to work, pick up the kids in it and park it almost anywhere.
Obviously I'm biased but I never understand comments about it being ugly, I think it looks absolutely stunning.
All three cars are excellent!
I do sometimes wish I had something a bit more 'exotic' like the Mac but 99 % of the time I'm over the moon with the car and the fact that I can drive it to work, pick up the kids in it and park it almost anywhere.
Obviously I'm biased but I never understand comments about it being ugly, I think it looks absolutely stunning.
All three cars are excellent!
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