so what goes wrong with the 5 series
Discussion
before I bought my 430 ferrari I didnt do enough checking to find out what goes wrong with them ( mostly clutches and manifolds) . If I buy a McLaren I dont want to make the same mistake.
So what goes wrong with McLaren 5 series and how often, how likely is each problem issue. What do they cost to deal with
can those who havent had any issues please comment too
So what goes wrong with McLaren 5 series and how often, how likely is each problem issue. What do they cost to deal with
can those who havent had any issues please comment too
Purchased my year old 570S last July, its been back last year to have some panels changed due to oxidation and a headlight changed due to delamination all under warranty of course. The only other issue which i believe is common place are the windows dropping.
It was serviced last week and I was told that a software patch ( for the window issue ) is nearly complete and the cars will then be called in as and when they are serviced or booked in specially for the re-write.
Apart from those two minor issues resolved very quickly I might add, its been great.
As above, alloy panel corrosion seams to be cropping up on too many cars, and the window dropping is a common issue.
There have been reports of the gearbox oil-seal defect carrying over from the early 12c cars albeit that did seam to effect cars which had been stood for exceptionally long periods of time.
All of the above will still be covered by the original 3 year warranty on all but the very first 570s cars assuming their warranty hadn't been extended. The extended warranty is expensive though so allow for that in your budget if you want that peace-of-mind.
There doesn't appear to be any notable non-warranty defects which would leave you with an embarrassing bill. The clutch-life on all McLarens is excellent as are the carbon brakes, unless the car has been regularly tracked or driven exceptionally hard and that should be apparent via a decent inspection.
Mines coming up for 2 years old (6,500 miles), no corrosion or any other serious defects, the windows needed re-setting and the DAB radio module needed replacing at the first service and since then all has been pretty perfect. Manchester dealership have been great and we have a new dealership in Leeds so I've had none of the reported problems with poor service coverage that owners down-south have had.
There have been reports of the gearbox oil-seal defect carrying over from the early 12c cars albeit that did seam to effect cars which had been stood for exceptionally long periods of time.
All of the above will still be covered by the original 3 year warranty on all but the very first 570s cars assuming their warranty hadn't been extended. The extended warranty is expensive though so allow for that in your budget if you want that peace-of-mind.
There doesn't appear to be any notable non-warranty defects which would leave you with an embarrassing bill. The clutch-life on all McLarens is excellent as are the carbon brakes, unless the car has been regularly tracked or driven exceptionally hard and that should be apparent via a decent inspection.
Mines coming up for 2 years old (6,500 miles), no corrosion or any other serious defects, the windows needed re-setting and the DAB radio module needed replacing at the first service and since then all has been pretty perfect. Manchester dealership have been great and we have a new dealership in Leeds so I've had none of the reported problems with poor service coverage that owners down-south have had.
Same, had 3 panels replaced under warranty and roof resprayed due to poor finish. If i bought another one i would make sure you check the paintwork well.
Had the window sticking which was a quick fix and my DAB radio has never really worked to be fair. Mechaincally car has been faultless. (mines not driven daily)
Mines a year and half old with 6k miles
Had the window sticking which was a quick fix and my DAB radio has never really worked to be fair. Mechaincally car has been faultless. (mines not driven daily)
Mines a year and half old with 6k miles
bordseye said:
Odd replies given that the guarantee runs at £5k pa. I would always assume this number reflects relaibility and parts prices so it suggests that each year something expensive fails or maybe an engine every 5 or 6 years.
Why do you think the feedback from owners who haven't had any serious issues is an odd reply 
They're bespoke £150k cars from new, so don't expect Fiat parts-bin prices on spares although I personally think the cost of the post-3 year warranty to be indicative of a cautious/opportunist (delete as applicable!) company who doesn't have a massive claims history on warranty work.
The Surveyor said:
Why do you think the feedback from owners who haven't had any serious issues is an odd reply
They're bespoke £150k cars from new, so don't expect Fiat parts-bin prices on spares although I personally think the cost of the post-3 year warranty to be indicative of a cautious/opportunist (delete as applicable!) company who doesn't have a massive claims history on warranty work.
Indeed..........it's almost like the OP wanted to hear reports of the engine blowing up...............oh and the warranty on a sport series is not £5k either............They're bespoke £150k cars from new, so don't expect Fiat parts-bin prices on spares although I personally think the cost of the post-3 year warranty to be indicative of a cautious/opportunist (delete as applicable!) company who doesn't have a massive claims history on warranty work.
bordseye said:
Odd replies given that the guarantee runs at £5k pa. I would always assume this number reflects relaibility and parts prices so it suggests that each year something expensive fails or maybe an engine every 5 or 6 years.
The warranty for a 5 series from McLaren is £3600.00 not £5k. With a major service yes close at £4800.00.It just seemed odd to me that replies suggested quiote good reliability with all likely issues ( mainly paint) sorted in the intial 3 years factory guarantee. But the hefty guarantee price suggests regular expensive issues thereafter.
Dont get me wrong. Its nice to hear positive responses . Most forums are full of posters with problems and give an overly negative view of reliability.
Dont get me wrong. Its nice to hear positive responses . Most forums are full of posters with problems and give an overly negative view of reliability.
I’m also looking at buying a 570S and my impression so far (from a variety of forums and videos), is that quality wasn’t great but improves quickly with each model year, there are quite a few minor niggles, that McLaren don’t quibble about fixing them but that dealers can sometimes get overloaded with work delaying the fix.
bordseye said:
It just seemed odd to me that replies suggested quiote good reliability with all likely issues ( mainly paint) sorted in the intial 3 years factory guarantee. But the hefty guarantee price suggests regular expensive issues thereafter.
Dont get me wrong. Its nice to hear positive responses . Most forums are full of posters with problems and give an overly negative view of reliability.
My car has been perfect since day one........paint is perfect......never spent a single day at the dealer for anything.......I won't be paying for warranty when it expires.Dont get me wrong. Its nice to hear positive responses . Most forums are full of posters with problems and give an overly negative view of reliability.
Over 12,000 miles in my GT included 2 trips to Germany/The Alps. Its a complete monster on the alpine passes, aided audio effects from a Larini exhaust 
It gets better every time I drive it. Its also quite cheap to run as a daily averaging 29mpg over 12k miles. Does 34mpg at a motorway cruise, much less on an A road blast. Average obv helped by long runs.
McLarens feel very solid and well build compared with other super sports type cars IMO (apart from maybe an R8 but they are not in the same class).
Only issue is 2 front wings replaced due to issue mentioned earlier in this thread. All handled painlessly while I wafted in a loaner S class Merc (planned the work for the bad weather months so I wouldn't miss the Mac).
Common question from joe public 'is it a P1?'
It gets better every time I drive it. Its also quite cheap to run as a daily averaging 29mpg over 12k miles. Does 34mpg at a motorway cruise, much less on an A road blast. Average obv helped by long runs.McLarens feel very solid and well build compared with other super sports type cars IMO (apart from maybe an R8 but they are not in the same class).
Only issue is 2 front wings replaced due to issue mentioned earlier in this thread. All handled painlessly while I wafted in a loaner S class Merc (planned the work for the bad weather months so I wouldn't miss the Mac).
Common question from joe public 'is it a P1?'
Can people PLEASE stop posting positive real life replies from owners.............it's completely against the stuff posted by non owners about their mate's boss who had a 12c 6 years ago that need a gearbox......he thinks...............
When I bought my Gallardo, the clutches were made of chocolate....still bought one and had no issues.
Bought a 12c when there were huge horror stories of gear boxes needing to be replaced......bought one, no issues at all......
Yes, there are some cars that have had issues but these are a tiny proportion of all cars...........they are great cars, do your own due diligence and buy one!
When I bought my Gallardo, the clutches were made of chocolate....still bought one and had no issues.
Bought a 12c when there were huge horror stories of gear boxes needing to be replaced......bought one, no issues at all......
Yes, there are some cars that have had issues but these are a tiny proportion of all cars...........they are great cars, do your own due diligence and buy one!
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