540C or 570S ??

540C or 570S ??

Author
Discussion

DaveDalgarn

Original Poster:

21 posts

180 months

Friday 9th March 2018
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I'm considering a McLaren but not sure whether to go for a 540C or 570S. I'm drawn to the 540C as I can get a newer car with the remaining manufacturers warranty. However for nearly the same money I can get a 65 plate 570S..I'm just concerned with the cost of any issues I might experience with a 2-3 year old McLaren.

Are there any must have options that I should have when looking for a 540C or 570S

Thanks
Dave

FrankieBee

757 posts

121 months

Friday 9th March 2018
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Hi Dave,
Go and drive both and see which one suits you best. I had the same dilemma 12 months ago and opted for a new 540C against a used 570S. There’s not that much difference between the two. The 570 has slightly harder suspension, has a different rear diffuser and side skirt and the front splitter is painted in Paladium.
Performance wise the 570 is quicker but I really couldn’t tell too much difference in real world driving.
To an untrained eye they look pretty much identical.
Must have’s IMHO are Security Pack which gives you vehicle lift, carbon interior components which give you larger paddles and sports exhaust are pretty much it. Everything else, colour etc are personal choice.
If interested by 540 (March 17) is for sale.

Happy hunting. Both are great cars. Good luck

993AL

1,936 posts

217 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
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Dave, I've got the 570S but I haven't driven a 540C to offer an opinion.

I was over at McLaren Glasgow today and they have demos for both. Give Steven Mitchell or Lee Martis a call. As someone genuinely looking for a Mclaren they'll accommodate you without any pressure. Great guys to deal with. Good luck.

naboo

118 posts

112 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
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I'd go for the better optioned car within your budget, the lift's a must, other things like soft close doors are minor but make a difference. I put the Lux Pack on my 540 as an after thought and it's made the car a very nice place to be when you're stuck in traffic on the M25! I've driven both 540/570 though, not really sure whether you'd notice much of a difference, I gather the GT's a mix of both!

justin220

5,331 posts

203 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
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993AL said:
Dave, I've got the 570S but I haven't driven a 540C to offer an opinion.

I was over at McLaren Glasgow today and they have demos for both. Give Steven Mitchell or Lee Martis a call. As someone genuinely looking for a Mclaren they'll accommodate you without any pressure. Great guys to deal with. Good luck.
I was there today aswell, and took the 540C out. Loved it! It wasn't you I spoke to this morning was it?

DaveDalgarn

Original Poster:

21 posts

180 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
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No I wasn’t at McLaren Glasgow today....has anyone had reliability issues. I’ve heard a few gripes about electronic issues?

naboo

118 posts

112 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
quotequote all
DaveDalgarn said:
No I wasn’t at McLaren Glasgow today....has anyone had reliability issues. I’ve heard a few gripes about electronic issues?
I had the front badge replaced on mine! I've read about a few initial niggles on a small number of cars had, all sorted under warranty and presumably those cars are fine and being enjoyed. Quite honestly I was expecting the occasional hissy fit, it's a proper supercar, packed to the gills with tech but the car's been amazing, easy ownership all round.

993AL

1,936 posts

217 months

Saturday 10th March 2018
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justin220 said:
993AL said:
Dave, I've got the 570S but I haven't driven a 540C to offer an opinion.

I was over at McLaren Glasgow today and they have demos for both. Give Steven Mitchell or Lee Martis a call. As someone genuinely looking for a Mclaren they'll accommodate you without any pressure. Great guys to deal with. Good luck.
I was there today aswell, and took the 540C out. Loved it! It wasn't you I spoke to this morning was it?
No Justin not me, I was there on Friday.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Monday 12th March 2018
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I've only driven a 570S (and not a 540C), but I was a little underwhelmed with the performance, and that put me off even considering the (marginally) slower 540C.

Also, the side sills on the 570 make quite a difference to the looks - 540 looks a little weird without them (for me anyway).


FrankieBee said:
Must have’s IMHO are Security Pack which gives you vehicle lift, carbon interior components which give you larger paddles and sports exhaust are pretty much it.
In terms of options, the above pretty much sums it up I think, although I don't think sports exhaust (+£1.5k?) would be enough, and for me I think I'd need the MSO exhaust (circa £4k).
I believe that the 540c 'sports' system is the same as the 570s 'standard' system, and the 570S 'sports' exhaust is the next level up. (you may know that already).


Agreed, the chaps at Glasgow are very helpful.

Edited by monthefish on Monday 12th March 17:39

anonymous-user

53 months

Monday 12th March 2018
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Another difference iirc is steel brakes steel on the 540 and carbon on the 570.

FrankieBee

757 posts

121 months

Monday 12th March 2018
quotequote all
monthefish said:
I've only driven a 570S (and not a 540C), but I was a little underwhelmed with the performance
yikes That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone say they have been underwhelmed by the 570 performance! My slower 540 beat a Porsche 911 Turbo S in a rolling drag race.

You’re right with the sills though the 570’s look much better.

At that price point I’m not sure what similar car (if anything) would beat the 570 for performance though.

Garyhum is also correct re ceramic vs still brakes.

tyrrell

1,670 posts

207 months

Monday 12th March 2018
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Sports exhaust is circa £3.5k MSO exhaust is circa £4.5k on a 570S.

monthefish

20,439 posts

230 months

Monday 12th March 2018
quotequote all
FrankieBee said:
monthefish said:
I've only driven a 570S (and not a 540C), but I was a little underwhelmed with the performance
yikes That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone say they have been underwhelmed by the 570 performance! My slower 540 beat a Porsche 911 Turbo S in a rolling drag race.
It just didn't feel that much (if any) faster than my old 996 turbo, and I expected more. Perhaps it was the lack of noise/drama? Who knows.

Can't see a 540C beating a 911 turbo S however, (but I'll take your word for it if you say it did)

eta: bugger all in it against the quicker 570S.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YOlNJrO5yM


Edited by monthefish on Monday 12th March 19:24

FrankieBee

757 posts

121 months

Monday 12th March 2018
quotequote all
monthefish said:
FrankieBee said:
monthefish said:
I've only driven a 570S (and not a 540C), but I was a little underwhelmed with the performance
yikes That’s the first time I’ve heard anyone say they have been underwhelmed by the 570 performance! My slower 540 beat a Porsche 911 Turbo S in a rolling drag race.
It just didn't feel that much (if any) faster than my old 996 turbo, and I expected more. Perhaps it was the lack of noise/drama? Who knows.

Can't see a 540C beating a 911 turbo S however, (but I'll take your word for it if you say it did)

eta: bugger all in it against the quicker 570S.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YOlNJrO5yM


Edited by monthefish on Monday 12th March 19:24
Did you have the 570 in track mode? It’s easily over a second quicker 0-60 than the 996 turbo. In track mode you get the innovative ‘Inertia Push’ technology which harnesses the inertia of the flywheel to deliver an impulse of torque as the next gear is engaged resulting in continual strong acceleration, with no drop in the rate of acceleration as the driver upshifts. It gives you a real punch in the back as you change gear.
The guy driving the Turbo S (admitted it was the heavier cabriolet) was very surprised...as I was! He did admit/or had the excuse he wasn’t in the right settings!
But if you didn’t feel it was dramatic, you didn’t feel it.

Simon T

2,133 posts

272 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
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Picking up the 570s on Friday morning bounce

Sarnie

8,025 posts

208 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
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Simon T said:
Picking up the 570s on Friday morning bounce
cool

FrankieBee

757 posts

121 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
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Simon T said:
Picking up the 570s on Friday morning bounce
thumbup pictures please! You’re going to love it.

tyrrell

1,670 posts

207 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
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Congratulations you are going to love it cool visiting petrol stations is going to take a little longer, get ready for is that a P1 mate biggrin enjoy.

Sarnie

8,025 posts

208 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
quotequote all
tyrrell said:
get ready for is that a P1 mate biggrin enjoy.
I say yes laugh

justin220

5,331 posts

203 months

Tuesday 13th March 2018
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Simon T said:
Picking up the 570s on Friday morning bounce
Congratulations! I picked up my 540C last night biggrin swapped up from a V8 Vantage

I'll do a bit of a write up when I get the chance.