Residuals, Man Maths and a 540C

[justin220]

corinthian said:

Wow Justin!
What a cracker, great choice and looks the Biz in red, I’ll look out for you on the road.

Thanks!

The Surveyor said:

You must be able to adjust them as mine are quite loud and get really annoying in traffic, needing to silence them all the time.

Any ideas are welcome I can't find the option anywhere..

[justin220]

FerdiZ28 said:

Beginning to think this is the best looking car in the McLaren range.

Again, colour is fantastic, it just looks so good from all angles. Keep pics coming, can’t have too many. I may be odd but I like pics of random bits, like the light controls, window controls etc - not sire why Just makes it real I suppose. You have the gift of the lens too so don’t hold back

Will do, I wasn't sure if those types of shots would interest anyone but I'll get some more next time I'm out. Haven't driven the car the last few days due to the weather, but it's meant to be better this weekend.

Agree on its looks. I think it's a great looking car from all angles.

[justin220]

The Surveyor said:

The more pictures the better for me too. It looks fabulous in red, and that shot you have earlier taken directly above shows both the simplicity of the shape and it's complexity really well.

Oh, and I checked through the manual last night for the volume control for the parking sensors... couldn't find anything

Yeah, thought as much! I'll just need to pay attention when parking

Quick run out this afternoon since the sun was actually out for once

Deeside by justinking1986, on Flickr

[justin220]

No worries. Although I'm afraid it was a camera phone picture in the dark so the quality isn't great

[justin220]

vanman1936 said:

Epic purchase OP.....will one day soon be there myself.....

I would highly recommend it so far

A few more rambling thoughts from me, just ticked over 500 miles done by myself, and up to 1800 total. Averaging 26mpg now, which is a huge surprise. This has been a real range of driving on all types of roads including town, but a good few of them have been taking people out for a 'quick' run as almost everyone seems to wants to see what it is like.

Driving position is just about perfect. I think I may need to tweak the wheel position slightly, but love how low the seat is, my legs are almost horizontal in front of me.

Again, the performance is unreal. The overtaking capabilities are superb. I do 70% of my driving on NSL country roads and I'm finding it far too easy to overtake whenever the feeling takes me. The 650/720 must almost be unusable on the road I'm not sure where I would have needed an extra circa 200bhp!
One odd point though and I appreciate this is me needing to change my driving style is, on local roads where I know an overtaking point is coming up, in the Vantage I would tend to knock down a couple of gears (manual) in preparation, then go when suitable. I'm finding in the 540, that doing the same thing (paddle down a gear or two) usually ends up in auto mode taking over before I've moved out. I guess I need to get used to dropping a gear when needed, rather than in advance. Or drive it with the paddles in full manual. Sport mode seems a great balance when pressing on

The gearbox itself is excellent. I've not got much DSG/PDK type box experience to compare with, but I find this one fantastic. Maybe slightly clunky when cold, but nothing major.

Oddly, I think a couple of steering wheel controls would be handy. The IRIS system looks great but it is awkward to operate when driving, for things like air con, skipping music tracks etc.

The attention the car has been getting has been quite unnerving. Camera phones are always out, people coming to ask questions. This may be a good or bad thing I guess, although you certainly can't drive anywhere un noticed.

I've also tested its practicality as well!

20180407_192923 by justinking1986, on Flickr

I'll get some more pictures this week

[justin220]

Ha! I like the auto, must be honest.

[justin220]

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

Had a quick run out this afternoon with this for lunch, what a machine! I thought the 540C brought a lot of drama, but this is just off the scale. Quite interesting to see the two cars close up, and how different they are, yet still have some similarities.

I've got a few more pictures, just need to take them off the camera

[justin220]

w11dys said:

Great pic and looks like you are getting some great use out of the new motor.

I also bought a 540c about a month ago and like you have found it's just such a thrill to drive, cannot wait for some drier roads and sunny weekends to really enjoy it.

Thanks. I'd love to hear how you are getting on with yours, what have you came from?

The biggest surprise for me apart from the performance, although I guess I knew it would be quick, is the MPG. Boring subject I know but I'm still averaging 27mpg even when pressing on more often. It's positively frugal compared to the Vantage!

[justin220]

dsl2 said:

Blimey Justin how have you managed that, I've just averaged 16.1 on my first tank full. (I have avoided 7th gear like the plague though)

It spends most of its time on an NSL road, so usually cruising around 60mph, with the odd blast up and down in sport mode! I'm obviously not trying hard enough though.

A few more pictures from yesterday. The noise from the V12 is unreal. Performance wise there really wasn't much in it, if anything. For drama and sheer presence it certainly put the 540C in the shade though..

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr



540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 / Enzo by justinking1986, on Flickr

[justin220]

smarty-marti said:

This hasn’t done 30 miles this year so roll on next week finally sunshine, dry roads and an excuse to finaly get out in this

30 miles! How have you managed to restrain?!

There are some great roads up here, just the weather thats lacking! Saying that, I've just booked a trip around Scotland taking in some parts of the NC500, with my brother. I've done bits of it before but really looking forward to it. The plan was last year to do it in the V8V but unfortunately a cracked alloy wheel meant the car stayed at home and I was a passenger

This is a rough route we're taking -

[justin220]

And a few pictures from our trip last year

Doughnuts by justinking1986, on Flickr

Bealach na Ba 2 by justinking1986, on Flickr

Kylesku by justinking1986, on Flickr

20170526_223928 by justinking1986, on Flickr

[justin220]

bentley01 said:

We did part of this last year and it was epic. Going again this year and I can’t wait. Justin where have you stayed on your trip as we are just about to plan it and any recommendations would be appreciated. Your new car looks fantastic by the way.

The last couple of west coast trips I've done, I've stayed at the Gairloch hotel, which is a great location. The hotel is a bit dated but it has a reasonable car park, and short walking distance to some beer gardens. Cheap and cheerful really.

We've also stayed in Mallaig before catching the ferry over to Skye and driving up through it. It was much the same really, £50 a night called the Highland hotel i think.

Parking and a beer tap are usually the priority!

p4cks said:

I've done that route with the VX220 owners a couple of times and it is absolutely epic.

Some of the roads are quite narrow and sometimes you 'nip' when passing other cars coming the opposite direction although that is rare as the roads are largely empty.

I've got an Evora currently and I agree with you that the 12C looks a little dated in comparison to the 540. You've definitely made the right choice and you could argue that the Evora looks too similar to the 12C in many respects.

I doff my cap to you OP

Must admit, I really miss my Evora, and there are a lot of similarities between it and the 540. If Lotus had offered me a decent deal from the NA Evora to the S, I wouldn't have went down the Vantage route. Hey-ho.

I went from a VX220T (brilliant car for the money!) to an NA Exige, and regretted once the honeymoon period had worn off. The Exige was almost double the price, but IMO not double the car.

[justin220]

Thought i would write another update on the 540C. Nothing major to report other than I am still thoroughly enjoying the car, it just seems to get better (and quicker!) the more used to it I am. My wife had a quick 30-40 miles in it recently, and the first five minutes or so were mainly her creeping along a NSL road at 40mph, gripping the wheel for dear life. It was amazing how quickly the confidence grew and was over taking everyone using the paddles in sport mode. Its a testament to how easy the car is to drive.

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

I read a lot about people wanting a car to 'challenge' them, but the best point about the 540C is just how useable it is. The only downside to this is, I seem to have two different driving styles now, depending on if I'm in my wife's car or mine. It seems to egg you on to drive quickly all the time!

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

Another few hundred miles done and still averaging around 26-27mpg.. Really must try harder!

20180501_140157 by justinking1986, on Flickr

I've also fit an MPOW magnetic phone holder, which is brilliant. I spotted a few of the youtubers were using them and must admit to being a bit skeptical as to how strong it would be. I've got the magnet mounted underneath my phone cover and it still grips very well.

20180505_110039 by justinking1986, on Flickr

Couple of small issues, one which is looking like a trip back to the dealer is in order. I seem to have a whistling noise coming from directly in front of my head when driving at speed. Its almost like there is air passing through the seal on the window. Pushing on the roof trim stops it, as does opening the window. Pressure in the cabin maybe?

Other minor one is, I'm getting the 'key not found in vehicle' message appearing now and again. Its not actually caught me out yet, as the car has always started, but worrying there might come a time it doesn't recognise the key. Any thoughts?

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

540 by justinking1986, on Flickr

[justin220]

Thanks ^

Jack-flash said:

key not found in vehicle' message
Is just part of owning a McLaren reading in various forums every user has it ,some say keep it away from mobile phones other put it near the start button , I had it last week took nearly 2 minutes to get going

That's handy to know, I was wondering if it was a sensor on its way out.

[justin220]

Good effort! The bin annoyed me aswell but my PS skills don't stretch that far

[justin220]

ReverendCounter said:

Yes, the bin was the main eyesore. Then the gate, bus stop, buildings in the background.

And as nice as the hatchback is, I'm sure, it didn't really add anything to the overall composition so it had to go!

Great skills. What tools did you use out of interest?

[justin220]

Superb, thanks for that detailed write up. I'll have a go.

I tend to do quick fixes with the blemish tool but appreciate it is a bit crude. I really need to practice a bit more with layers and masking

[justin220]

Nice one thanks. I'll have a shot.

Are you essentially cutting out what you want onto a new layer, and then working on the back layer behind it? Making the corrections on the back layer?

[justin220]

Wow, thanks for that, brilliant details! I'll have a go tonight with a couple of random pictures

Had to stop last night and catch a couple of pictures of the sunset, a pity I didn't have my camera with me, phone pics only!

PSX_20180512_214258 by justinking1986, on Flickr

PSX_20180512_214124 by justinking1986, on Flickr

[justin220]

ReverendCounter said:

That second one in particular looks great - you're going to have your work cut out if you decide to get rid of the grass verge and fence!

No chance is more likely

ATC100ASLs said:

Justin I know its unlikely, but are you a professional photographer ? Your eye for a fantastic shot,scene, capturing a moment is superb, phono cam or not, incredible

Thanks! Afraid not, just a keen amateur. Love taking the camera out whenever I get the chance which doesn't happen as often as I'd like. I'll maybe get out for a drive this afternoon and get a couple more

I think if I could have any job, it'd be a photographer. Although I can imagine it would quickly lose its appeal if I had to do it every day to pay the bills. Like any job I suppose!