Residuals, Man Maths and a 540C

[petop]

Ref the corrosion and Astons. You could sometimes see it around door handles and anywhere where the employees on the production line may of used bare hands on the surface. This then left residue which when not prepped properly caused the corrosion issue. Well that was the rumour/explanation at the time.

[EK993]

Justin, this is the best clip I have found for trying to gauge what a Larini exhaust sounds like. I have a 570S with sports exhaust and the soundtrack is by far the most disappointing part of the car. The Larini in this video sounds almost Ferrari like to my ears - I'm not interested in a louder exhaust, just a better soundtrack. Not sure if it will sound that good in real life though.

My other big worry and what's keeping me from fitting a Larini is invalidating my warranty.

Link to video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKqs0TqAB9M

[The Surveyor]

EK993 said:

…...
My other big worry and what's keeping me from fitting a Larini is invalidating my warranty.
…...

McLaren Manchester confirmed to me that fitting the Larini exhaust would not invalidate the warranty provided this was the cat-back part only, except of course any claim related to the exhaust! If you change the whole system including the cats, then it would invalidate the warranty on any related engine claims. This was the one I fitted and yes it is as light as it looks compared to the old one, it includes a cross-over in the middle and the ceramic coating keeps it nicely cool.



My understanding on the exhausts is that if you only change the single cat-back system, all you are doing is removing the last silencer and making the exhaust louder. You only get the flames, crackling, and noticeable changes to the tone when the replacement exhaust includes the cats as a full 3 piece system.

[EK993]

The Surveyor said:

McLaren Manchester confirmed to me that fitting the Larini exhaust would not invalidate the warranty provided this was the cat-back part only, except of course any claim related to the exhaust! If you change the whole system including the cats, then it would invalidate the warranty on any related engine claims. This was the one I fitted and yes it is as light as it looks compared to the old one, it includes a cross-over in the middle and the ceramic coating keeps it nicely cool.



My understanding on the exhausts is that if you only change the single cat-back system, all you are doing is removing the last silencer and making the exhaust louder. You only get the flames, crackling, and noticeable changes to the tone when the replacement exhaust includes the cats as a full 3 piece system.

Thanks - very informative. Definitely not looking for louder so guess it’s not an option for me at the moment. Had my 570 for 5 months now and still finding it difficult to get over how bad the car sounds. As good technically as the car is - an exotic needs a good soundtrack to complete the all round package - at least for me anyway.

[The Surveyor]

EK993 said:

Thanks - very informative. Definitely not looking for louder so guess it’s not an option for me at the moment. Had my 570 for 5 months now and still finding it difficult to get over how bad the car sounds. As good technically as the car is - an exotic needs a good soundtrack to complete the all round package - at least for me anyway.

I know exactly what you mean, former TVR and Aston Martin owner here so it was important although I do think they sound much better from the outside than they do from the driver seat. Personally I love it, but then I always preferred the Speed6 TVRs to the V8 ones so maybe i'm not totally normal

[355spiderguy]

The Surveyor said:

I know exactly what you mean, former TVR and Aston Martin owner here so it was important although I do think they sound much better from the outside than they do from the driver seat. Personally I love it, but then I always preferred the Speed6 TVRs to the V8 ones so maybe i'm not totally normal

I didn't think that any TVR owners were totally normal

Always regret not scratching that Cerbera 4.5 itch...just never been bonkers enough i guess..

[justin220]

I massively miss my T350C. It came up for sale last year and was very tempted, but couldn't get over the fact the price had doubled since I sold it.

Thanks for the info on the exhausts chaps. Really like the sound of the STG one where he is blasting up a couple of hills.

[Obafemi09]

My understanding on the exhausts is that if you only change the single cat-back system, all you are doing is removing the last silencer and making the exhaust louder. You only get the flames, crackling, and noticeable changes to the tone when the replacement exhaust includes the cats as a full 3 piece system.

[/quote]


Not strictly true, I have all of the flames, crackling, bangs on downshift and change in tone up the rev range on mine and did not change cats and isn't full 3 piece system... so no warranty issues.

Is STG full system or just back box?

I think unfortunately the audio on video's is never as good as real world sound with your own ear, so always hard to make a judgement call based on an internet / I-Phone video. Likewise, the sound is never as good in these cars as from the outside, although windows down it is a huge improvement on the standard sound, especially when pressing on...

[justin220]

I'm not sure what STG had, but I'm assuming it was the full system?

I enquired with Thorney about getting a cat back made up for the 540C but unfortunately they don't post, only make on site and it's too far and too much hassle for me just now. I appreciate it would be worth it but I don't have the time for it just now. I'm barely using the car as it is.

Finally got round to getting two rear tyres on today, £511 fitted for OEM P Zeros, I was tempted by the PS4S but I'll wait until the fronts also need changed. It was good having a poke around when the car was on the ramps









Apparently the 285s were the widest tyres my local garage have ever fit

What I thought was great was as it was being driven into the ramp, I could hear the subtle turbo whistle which I've never heard from the outside before. Sounded great!

I still need to get it clarified what the new bit of 'corrosion' is that I've spotted on the rear arch. McLaren saying it's an odd place to have it start as it's not on an edge, but certainly looks the same as previous bubbling. Not a massive concern for now. The car is going great apart from that, it's still being used infrequently but it feels all the more special when it does get out. Hoping to take J220jnr out in it soon.

It's funny having the Thread Title as 'Residuals', probably the only reason I managed to buy a Mac in the first place was the Vantage having such good depreciation, and due to the lack of residuals in the 540 is why I still have it. I've been tempted to change a couple of times but the numbers just don't stack up. I can't justify selling at such a big loss so might aswell keep for now. I know the value won't go back up, but the depreciation will be a bit easier to swallow if its over a longer timeframe

[justin220]

Tyres are now nicely scrubbed in and even in this horrendous weather it feels much better. The old tyres were well worn so not really surprised.

I've used the car a fair bit this week, and even managed to take j220 jnr out for a run, hands who wants to go quicker? After about 30 seconds he was fast asleep.. Handy to know!



And we got papped when out and about



We got some funny looks when I parked on the local main street and climbed out with a baby seat from the passenger side

I gave in and topped up the tyres with 1psi all round to avoid the repeated tyre warnings when cold..

I'm still delighted with the car, coming up for two years and the honeymoon period hasn't worn off. I do miss the winter night drives with the roof off though. I probably should have waited out and got a spider, but heyho. Hindsight is a wonderful thing as they say

[SR]

Well that's an evening gone. Just read the full thread and taken in the stunning photography.
This is what Pistonheads is about, letting us mere dreamers in on the realities of running a super car.
I've toured Scotland quite a bit, including stunning Skye in a variety of humbler cars and driven from Portsmouth but by god the motorway slog is worth it. Do it if you get the chance!
Many thanks for sharing your experiences, if you can't make man maths work it will be a wonderful hand down to the lad.

[355spiderguy]

Great post as normal Justin.

I am with you on the night time, roof down driving...one of my favourite times to go out and about...especially in these as there is next to no wind buffering with the rear window up...

[355spiderguy]

SR said:

Well that's an evening gone. Just read the full thread and taken in the stunning photography.
This is what Pistonheads is about, letting us mere dreamers in on the realities of running a super car.
I've toured Scotland quite a bit, including stunning Skye in a variety of humbler cars and driven from Portsmouth but by god the motorway slog is worth it. Do it if you get the chance!
Many thanks for sharing your experiences, if you can't make man maths work it will be a wonderful hand down to the lad.

Also a nice post SR...always nice when someone visits the McLaren forum and makes a positive contribution...

Have you still got the E30? I still have a soft spot for them...

[justin220]

SR said:

Well that's an evening gone. Just read the full thread and taken in the stunning photography.
This is what Pistonheads is about, letting us mere dreamers in on the realities of running a super car.
I've toured Scotland quite a bit, including stunning Skye in a variety of humbler cars and driven from Portsmouth but by god the motorway slog is worth it. Do it if you get the chance!
Many thanks for sharing your experiences, if you can't make man maths work it will be a wonderful hand down to the lad.

Thanks for that, its nice to know someone is still reading this. For me the car doesn't matter, its the trip and who you spend it with. The Skye trip for me I actually went with my Mum, she's always wanted to do a good Scottish road trip and it was nice being able to take her with me. I wa spanning on going solo and it wouldn't have been the same.

I keep saying it but I really must get back out with the drone/camera for some new pics.

[justin220]

355spiderguy said:

Great post as normal Justin.

I am with you on the night time, roof down driving...one of my favourite times to go out and about...especially in these as there is next to no wind buffering with the rear window up...

Yeah exactly that

[SR]

355spiderguy said:

Also a nice post SR...always nice when someone visits the McLaren forum and makes a positive contribution...

Have you still got the E30? I still have a soft spot for them...

I don't have the E30 anymore, I've had ten or so when they weren't silly money.
The one in the pic was a 318is and took me all over Europe, wonderful fun car and as the OP says, it's not necessary to have a super car (though very nice). Anyone thinking of doing a tour of Scotland should go for it.

[fridaypassion]

I was up your way in the week Justin picking an Exige up from near Banchory so got to experience some of these mega roads.

It's certainly an informative thread I keep tabs on all the ownership threads. Will probably take the plunge next year undecided still between a 570 or 991 GT3. I suspect the porsche wont cut it after a 570 though!

[justin220]

Nice one, which route did you end up taking? I'm 5 minutes from Banchory

I'll try and get some pics and an update in the next week or so

[fridaypassion]

Im not sure it was epic though straight towards Edinburgh. Normally divert towards Pitlochry voa the Cairngorms on the Aberdeen trips but had to call into Edinburgh on this occasion.

[justin220]

Must have been great fun in an exige.. I still miss mine sort of, great car but for what I needed at the time it was totally unsuitable.

My misses was studying in Glasgow so spent most if my time sitting in the motorway slog back and forth..