Residuals, Man Maths and a 540C

[Smoothound]

Crazy4557 said:

Should have been on the first list to check when it arrived. Can’t believe it was missed, basic bloody check if you ask me and I’m clueless when it comes to electrics/electronics, work of the devil in my opinion.

Having read a bit about some of the electrical issues with the cars being fixed by sorting poor earths I do find it odd now that this was only checked once the dealer had had an unsuccessful car live link to a tech at Mclaren HQ

[Smoothound]

650spider said:

My very 1st ever breakdown way back in 1989 in my then Fiesta Supersport was discovered to be caused by a poor earth by the very helpful AA guy.

Even a month ago the RAC were out at my young lads normally well behaved M3 and it was a loose earthing point that had started to cause intermittent faults finally resulting in not starting.

Modern tech sometimes causes the basic old school spannering 1st ports of calls to be overlooked.

Fingers crossed both of your Macs shall be in rude health now.

Thanks I am hopeful of this too but I am now feeling very jaded towards the brand but we will see how it goes. I love the car, the drive and the look just not happy that it seems to be OK to take so long to fix issues sometimes. I know it's tricky sometimes but if I was paying monthly for the car I'd be screaming now!

[macdeb]

Targarama said:

Glad its now sorted. Maybe we need a 'map' of all the major earthing points so those among us who like to tinker can check and tighten them ourselves. Back in the TVR days it was strange electrical gremlins which caused many AA calls by owners (and there are a few ex-TVR owners here!)

[OP52]

What a great thread, really enjoyed reading your take on ownership Justin! I'm really thinking about going for a 540 so read through this all last night (couldn't bloody sleep!) And it's been an excellent guide to consider! Thank you. Please keep up the updates! (Im likely going to pull the trigger in the summer)

[justin220]

Thanks. It's good to know someone is getting some use from it aswell.

I haven't had much chance this year to really use it for anything exciting, for obvious reasons. I guess it'll be like this for the next few months at least.

I always consider changing and find myself in the PH classifieds quite a lot, but genuinely not sure what I'd change it for. I'd love a 720S, but I'm not convinced my driving ability would justify it. The 540C is stunningly fast already point to point. I've never found myself wishing it was quicker. So it'll be stating for a while yet, I'd say at least another year.

I am planning on getting another Scotland trip done this year, a few distilleries etc but who knows when that will be.

I still get the buzz everytime I open the garage door and see it sitting there.

[justin220]

Sorry meant to say. Any questions just ask away

[robj4]

Justin, just wanted to say thanks very much for a fantastic thread, read through it all tonight and the descriptions of the road trips with the maps and awesome photo's have been filed away for use when we are all able to move freely again, brilliant.

Equally the descriptions of the problems you've encountered and the fixes, whilst slightly worrying, may (but hopefully not) prove useful as my 991.2 GT3 went this weekend and I agreed a purchase of a 570S. The deal isn't over the line yet so I'll not post details in case it doesn't go through, but I'm looking really forward to the change! Maybe I should start a comparison thread....

Thanks again.

Edited by robj4 on Monday 11th January 04:56

[RBT0]

Wow, have you really moved from a 991.2 GT3 to a 570S?

Can I ask why? No troll here.

[robj4]

RBT0 said:

Wow, have you really moved from a 991.2 GT3 to a 570S?

Can I ask why? No troll here.

Well I haven't actually got the 570 on the drive yet, but have agreed to buy one. Don't want to corrupt this thread so once it's all confirmed I'll start a new one.

[justin220]

Rob, Thanks for that and congratulations on the change. It will be great to hear your thoughts.

RBTO - You sound surprised. Seems a good move to me. GT3 wise, I've only driven a couple of 997 GT3s. Love the engine. Not tried a 991 variant, but would love to have a go. Not sure I would change my 540C for one though.

Can't wait to get back out for a run. I've only managed around 2k miles last year

Edited by justin220 on Monday 11th January 07:44

[EC2]

justin220 said:

Rob, Thanks for that and congratulations on the change. It will be great to hear your thoughts.

RBTO - You sound surprised. Seems a good move to me. GT3 wise, I've only driven a couple of 997 GT3s. Love the engine. Not tried a 991 variant, but would love to have a go. Not sure I would change my 540C for one though.

Can't wait to get back out for a run. I've only managed around 2k miles last year

Edited by justin220 on Monday 11th January 07:44

Slightly cheaper car beginning with an M but same place albeit without drone to assist. Strangely enough it was raining.

Edited by EC2 on Monday 11th January 10:35

[justin220]

Lovely! And how a V8 should sound

No drone there, just standing on the entrance rock. Taken by a keen instagram photographer @jaredbarnes_photo

[EC2]

Much better photo than mine! The 4.7 GranTurismo has such a lovely sound but it is now a slow car, relatively speaking.

[RBT0]

I can only be positively surprised finally hearing people preferring McLaren to the "Halo" latest 991.2 GT3.

I ended up with a 600LT while 991.2 GT3 was my initial target, 570S was too quiet and had lack of drama (after a proper test drive).

600LT blew my mind when they launched it and I waited an other 10 months before cracking a deal.

[OP52]

Hugely appreciate it, likely will have a ton of questions, can't pull the trigger until summer, (cashflow!) But cant wait to try one when this third lockdown finishes. Did you consider anything else at the same time or always focused on a Mclaren? I'm in that interesting position of going back and forth on a ton of options!

justin220 said:

Sorry meant to say. Any questions just ask away

[Lee Jones Jnr]

EC2 said:

Much better photo than mine! The 4.7 GranTurismo has such a lovely sound but it is now a slow car, relatively speaking.

Still look good too.
I was a bit surprised that mine wasn’t faster when I first got it but I made the mistake of confusing it for a sports car.

[justin220]

OP52 said:

Interesting question, as I guess cars like these are all personal preference.

For me, I've always liked having something a bit different, left field choice if you like. Lotus/TVR/VX220 etc. I never really was tempted into the usual M3/Cayman/911 route. I'm really not sure why, other than I like having something thats a bit more unique whilst appreciating that I probably ended up in an inferior car overall.

I went into McGlasgow looking at buying a 12C. When they first launched I absolutely loved them. Personally, there is something very special about owning a car with a McLaren badge on it. Whilst I appreciate Ferrari, Porsche etc, they have never quite lit my fire so to speak. I very nearly bought a F360 a while back, and test drove a 997 GT3 a couple of times but never had that overwhelming 'must have' urge for either of them. We're all different though, which is a good thing!

The P1 is probably my all time 'grail' car. Money no object, it would be my choice. I'll be slated for this but as a car, I think I'd take one over an F1... If we ignored values. So when I went into McGlasgow know that a deal for a 12C was on the table and within budget, I spotted the 540C next to it and completely changed my mind. There was a few reasons, the fresher P1 like front end, and also being newer with a longer warranty was what sold it to me.

It is a real shame the mess McLaren have made of the used market. Independents, residuals, building too many cars, warranty costs etc. Had my car's value held a bit better, I can almost guarantee I would be looking to move up the McLaren chain. I love the car and the brand, but not made of money so residuals and running costs are a key factor and I just cant justify taking another huge hit in depreciation.

[EC2]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

Still look good too.
I was a bit surprised that mine wasn’t faster when I first got it but I made the mistake of confusing it for a sports car.

Yep, it’s a GT but 0-100mph in 11s is ok and still quicker (just) than my Golf R. If they had put in the later turbo V8 with the 8 speed box it would have fully fulfilled its potential. Mine’s an early car I have had from new so now don’t like taking it out in the rain.

[12pack]

EC2 said:

Yep, it’s a GT but 0-100mph in 11s is ok and still quicker (just) than my Golf R. If they had put in the later turbo V8 with the 8 speed box it would have fully fulfilled its potential. Mine’s an early car I have had from new so now don’t like taking it out in the rain.

Sorry guys, but these days you need a Tesla Model S to complement your performance convertible. That way you can enjoy the serene quiet and tech during the week while embarrassing noisy Europeans on the road, and leaving you looking forward to the lightweight noisemaker in the weekend.

[Lee Jones Jnr]

EC2 said:

Yep, it’s a GT but 0-100mph in 11s is ok and still quicker (just) than my Golf R. If they had put in the later turbo V8 with the 8 speed box it would have fully fulfilled its potential. Mine’s an early car I have had from new so now don’t like taking it out in the rain.

Mine is long gone now, I bought it as a bit of a treat one of the times that I was expected to die and then didn't.
Will be interested in an MC20.