650s spider do's and do nots

650s spider do's and do nots

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Discussion

hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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Hi chaps,I've just put a deposit on a 650s spider for the wife,this is her first mclaren so just wondering if there are and things to look out for? Is it best to get a battery charger,that sort of thing,any tips ect would be much appreciated
Thanks

Wilmslowboy

4,188 posts

205 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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Hello

Make sure you join the Facebook owners group (over 300 mclaren owners) lots of great advice and banter.

I never put mine on charge (have a charger) starts every week no problem - but others do suffer battery issues (and the batteries can be very expensive).

It’s generally accepted - to make sure you get a a car with factory mclaren warranty and keep it.




hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
quotequote all
Thanks for the heads up, I know I'm going to get trashed by some now,and I know this is a stupid question but do they come with a cd changer. My other half crackes me up she ain't bothered about the performance she wants to know if she can play her stty CDs!!

Wilmslowboy

4,188 posts

205 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
quotequote all
Ha ha CD changer

Afraid not.

Copy the music to here phone (iPhone) and it can be played via the media option through the Iris 2 options.

Wilmslowboy

4,188 posts

205 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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What colour car did you buy ?


hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Wednesday 27th December 2017
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It's Tarocco orange. Just have to get the kids to load up her iPhone 5!! Lol. It will be the slowest 650 in the uk..

Cockernee

3,059 posts

159 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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Welcome to McLaren ownership. Trust me keep an eye on the speedo biggrin even if you think you are not trying, it bloody flies...

hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
quotequote all
Haha thanks for the heads up on the speedo warning! As I said above it's probly going to be wasted on the misses as she thinks you pass out if you go over 70mph!
On a more serious note do you guys run on regular fuel or the 98 Ron? Also how about the doors in the garage.
Sorry for all the stupid questions but this is our first McLaren

Wilmslowboy

4,188 posts

205 months

Thursday 28th December 2017
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Always run mine on super unleaded (97/99)
I’m sure it can be filled occasionally on 95 but it suggests 99 on the cap.


This is the minimum gap required to get in and out of the car. (The mclaren door bottom stops on the minis mirror but is open enough not to hinder entry).

Car parks are the issue, you have to park ensuing no one can park too closely to you - preventing you getting back in.



E14sto

15 posts

131 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Is this the car at the dealer I think called octane or something?
I looked at that online several times as it’s a beautiful thing...
Congrats to the wife!!! 👍

Bispal

1,603 posts

150 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Hi,

There is a buyers and owners guide here:-

https://www.mclarenowners.org.uk/

Just scroll down for the PDF file and remember to join the group, there are 340 members and lots of activities, we had 115 cars at Silverstone in July, a tour of Scotland in September and a Jamboree coming up at a hotel in January with 200 people. There are events all over the country almost every weekend.



Cockernee

3,059 posts

159 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Andy, the garage up the road sells super wink I always run mine on that.

hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Friday 29th December 2017
quotequote all
Hi chaps,thanks for all the replies,it really does make a nice change to get proper response other than the normal sarcastic clever comments you seem to get most of the time on Pistonheads nowadays. Im just finalising the deal,but will post some pics as and when..Then you can all tell me what a st car I've bought! Hahaha lol

hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Friday 29th December 2017
quotequote all
E14sto said:
Is this the car at the dealer I think called octane or something?
I looked at that online several times as it’s a beautiful thing...
Congrats to the wife!!! ??
No its not that one,but i agree thats a lovely looking car.

baypond

398 posts

134 months

Friday 29th December 2017
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Keep the car on a McLaren charger. Batteries cost about £2000 including fitting and VAT ETC.
I left mine for a couple of weeks by mistake and it went dry. The manual sucks, and you tube is only a little better when it come to locating where to stick the manual door opening key, and find the bonnet release. Then if the window sticks to the rubber when you open the door, you can smash the glass!
Thankfully mine recharged OK, but I understand they can just die and have to be replaced.

Have fun with the car.

RamboLambo

4,843 posts

169 months

Friday 29th December 2017
quotequote all
baypond said:
Keep the car on a McLaren charger. Batteries cost about £2000 including fitting and VAT ETC.
I left mine for a couple of weeks by mistake and it went dry. The manual sucks, and you tube is only a little better when it come to locating where to stick the manual door opening key, and find the bonnet release. Then if the window sticks to the rubber when you open the door, you can smash the glass!
Thankfully mine recharged OK, but I understand they can just die and have to be replaced.

Have fun with the car.
Strange I've left my 6 weeks unused before with no problem at all. Never seen a battery reading less than 90% although I head the charger comments now car is 3 years old and rarely used over winter

BoxerF50

1,389 posts

190 months

Saturday 3rd February 2018
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RamboLambo said:
Strange I've left my 6 weeks unused before with no problem at all. Never seen a battery reading less than 90% although I head the charger comments now car is 3 years old and rarely used over winter
I almost always keep my 650S on the charger and never had an issue. Only one that ever acted up was the 12C Coupe that used to drop 10% per day if it wasn't on the charger and wasn't driven.

hosedoctor

Original Poster:

664 posts

216 months

Sunday 4th February 2018
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Well I've now paid for the wife's car and just done a online insurance quote which is with Bell who are part of Admiral? Price is £650! Obviously I'm well happy with that price but anyone on here had any issues with them?

Brital

105 posts

120 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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hosedoctor said:
Well I've now paid for the wife's car and just done a online insurance quote which is with Bell who are part of Admiral? Price is £650! Obviously I'm well happy with that price but anyone on here had any issues with them?
Given how protective McLaren are re paint codes, yet alone parts, worth checking if your insurer allows you to nominate repairer in event of an accident. I dread to think what some insurer or loss adjustor mandated repairers could do to my 650 Spider. Also what they pay if a total loss. Worth trying Lockton who do allow you to nominate repairer of your choice, and to insure at an agreed value with a valuation.

woodysnr

1,023 posts

227 months

Monday 5th February 2018
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Looked at getting into McL ownership apart from running costs which are high for warranty and services .Went to AIB and got a quote of £1600 and I am a senior with 20+ NCD and only 3 points insisted on tracker and a £1500 Xcess It was back to replacement value if written off .I doubt any standard insurance will give you current value in the event of write off not for a premium of £650 unless I am wrong .