McLaren Servicing - What a shambles....
Discussion
sone said:
Good grief, if they don't already know there's no hope.
They are a small and growing new company so nothing surprises me. None of us really know the scale of the problem we are simply guessing from forum comments that potentially make isolated issues seem like an epidemic.They should have vehicle parc and service capacity facts and if they are as damning as some of the posts on here then they need to come on with some plans even if they are short term contingency plans ahead of addressing the national dealer representation
Interestingly the National After Sales Manager job for both McLaren and Ferrari were advertised in succession Dec 2017.
I wonder if the guy from Ferrari moved to McLaren.
Maybe they should of head hunted me for a 7 figure sum as I would of had it sorted by now
RamboLambo said:
sone said:
Good grief, if they don't already know there's no hope.
They are a small and growing new company so nothing surprises me. None of us really know the scale of the problem we are simply guessing from forum comments that potentially make isolated issues seem like an epidemic.They should have vehicle parc and service capacity facts and if they are as damning as some of the posts on here then they need to come on with some plans even if they are short term contingency plans ahead of addressing the national dealer representation
Interestingly the National After Sales Manager job for both McLaren and Ferrari were advertised in succession Dec 2017.
I wonder if the guy from Ferrari moved to McLaren.
Maybe they should of head hunted me for a 7 figure sum as I would of had it sorted by now
I went to into look at Macs not so long ago with cash burning a hole in my pocket. I was advised by a tech ( who I have dealt with in the past at other top end marques) to give the 720 a wide birth for 12 months. In his words " yes we expect to have issues with the 720 as a new model but not as many as we are" .
It's a real shame this car has it all, looks capability etc and while these failings are amplified amplified on line it must be bad for people to come on here and make public their issues because in turn its de valuing the brand and their investment. I know from past experience that Ferrari etc have problems but owners don't feel the need to fire up their pc and vent their spleen as the issues are generally dealt with promptly.
RamboLambo said:
They are a small and growing new company so nothing surprises me. None of us really know the scale of the problem we are simply guessing from forum comments that potentially make isolated issues seem like an epidemic.
Good post. People do tend to only post when they have an issue. Regardless, it's a real shame it is putting people off the brand, considering how good the cars are.
Just got mine back (delivered to me) from McGlasgow after its service. Delighted with the after sales so far.
No i agree people are more likely to moan than praise and i didnt want write my post lightly.
To get a Mclaren into paint repair is currently 8-10 weeks is a bit of a concern. With my paint issues im probably more P***ed off that they was there when they sold the car to me and not picked up and addressed before passing to another customer. (unfortunatly i bought mine without seeing and on collecting day your in no fit state to look for these things) They must know they have an issue with paint, hence the 8-10 week lead so why they not checking there cars before they get resold and address issues.
To get a Mclaren into paint repair is currently 8-10 weeks is a bit of a concern. With my paint issues im probably more P***ed off that they was there when they sold the car to me and not picked up and addressed before passing to another customer. (unfortunatly i bought mine without seeing and on collecting day your in no fit state to look for these things) They must know they have an issue with paint, hence the 8-10 week lead so why they not checking there cars before they get resold and address issues.
As a potential 720s customer next autumn this very informative thread is seriously putting me off the brand.
150 - 250k there really is so much choice new or slightly used why should I even consider putting up with the issues so many seem to be having? Bit of a shame really. I hope this thread stays alive for some time and improvements are made with the issues raised on here.
150 - 250k there really is so much choice new or slightly used why should I even consider putting up with the issues so many seem to be having? Bit of a shame really. I hope this thread stays alive for some time and improvements are made with the issues raised on here.
TBH I do tend to stay away from brand new products for at least a year because most have a few teething issues.
MP4 -12C
570S
and 720S have all suffered the same fate
Sadly the damage is done by then. With McLaren its only made worse by their inability to deal with it promptly.
What it does mean is you can buy a terrific car with all the problems ironed out at a terrific price as a consumer
MP4 -12C
570S
and 720S have all suffered the same fate
Sadly the damage is done by then. With McLaren its only made worse by their inability to deal with it promptly.
What it does mean is you can buy a terrific car with all the problems ironed out at a terrific price as a consumer
justin220 said:
Good post. People do tend to only post when they have an issue.
Regardless, it's a real shame it is putting people off the brand, considering how good the cars are.
Just got mine back (delivered to me) from McGlasgow after its service. Delighted with the after sales so far.
Yep, I've had my Mac for almost 2 years, a couple of minor niggles but things get sorted, the dealers are helpful, they return my calls and emails too. I'm not saying there's not been issues, certainly McLaren need to address these concerns but the situation's not apocalyptic! Maybe we should start a McHappyOwner thread? Regardless, it's a real shame it is putting people off the brand, considering how good the cars are.
Just got mine back (delivered to me) from McGlasgow after its service. Delighted with the after sales so far.
naboo said:
Maybe we should start a McHappyOwner thread?
See I told you they were exclusive 
TBF most of the forum is made up of McLaren posts these days so if nothing else the cars/brand are the hot topic.
Will always be issues with any car supercar or not and its only the screamers that post
The fact that Ferrari /Porsche/Lamborghini owners are not posting on here doesn't mean there cars are trouble free either.
Still I'm the first and foremost of the McHappy Owner Club !!
I've been a 650S owner for 2 years and covered 15k miles. I'm also a longterm Porsche and Ferrari owner.
I have just sold my McLaren and I have to say it's a weight off my shoulders. The dealers are all lovely but those I've dealt with are totally overloaded and so slow to fix the many issues I've had. I have friends who have had McLarens (570, 650, 720) and all have had the same experience I have.
My personal McLaren experience is:
- Epic depreciation way above Porsche or Ferrari.
- Constant issues with the car.
- The most expensive extended warranty I've ever heard of - £4700 for 1 year.
- Slow dealer service with 4-6 weeks the norm.
- Massively expensive service costs - 540 labour to change the brake pads is one I'll remember for a long time.
- The car eats through brake pads like no other car I've ever had. The McLaren compound is just too soft.
- If you track the car your brake bills will be insane.
For me the great thing about the 650S was the acceleration and interior - best in class. Everything else - noise, excitement, service, reliability, cost of ownership - Porsche and Ferrari win.
I'm glad I did McLaren owndership because I wanted to know what they were all about and I did have some great drives in the car. But overall the entire McLaren ownership experience just doesn't stack up against the competition.
I have just sold my McLaren and I have to say it's a weight off my shoulders. The dealers are all lovely but those I've dealt with are totally overloaded and so slow to fix the many issues I've had. I have friends who have had McLarens (570, 650, 720) and all have had the same experience I have.
My personal McLaren experience is:
- Epic depreciation way above Porsche or Ferrari.
- Constant issues with the car.
- The most expensive extended warranty I've ever heard of - £4700 for 1 year.
- Slow dealer service with 4-6 weeks the norm.
- Massively expensive service costs - 540 labour to change the brake pads is one I'll remember for a long time.
- The car eats through brake pads like no other car I've ever had. The McLaren compound is just too soft.
- If you track the car your brake bills will be insane.
For me the great thing about the 650S was the acceleration and interior - best in class. Everything else - noise, excitement, service, reliability, cost of ownership - Porsche and Ferrari win.
I'm glad I did McLaren owndership because I wanted to know what they were all about and I did have some great drives in the car. But overall the entire McLaren ownership experience just doesn't stack up against the competition.
The irony of this thread getting traction again in the same week that they announce more 720s special editions is quite amusing. My concern is that management have never yet shown any interest in wanting to really listen to (and act on) feedback. I tried some time ago, it fell on deaf ears.
Its a very longshot from when they were first starting out - I remember their sales director coming to meet me at work and asking what I’d want to see in a dealer network etc etc. I remember being blown away by the attention to detail, then in the follow up meetings impressed by some of the visuals they showed for what they were planning.
Then as I remember it all got outsourced to a branding company who wrote emails that said nothing if you removed the management speak, and I never heard from them again. Sadly this is the way this side of the business seems to have gone. I don’t buy the argument that they should be given an easy ride for being a new company anymore - its 7 years since my first 12c, and we’re not moaning about how the cars drive, we just want service that you might expect from a decently run company. Hardly rocket science, and hardly needs 7 years to get right.
What irritates me is how some within MTC must feel reading this thread (there will be some who do). Every time I’ve been to MTC/MSO/Dunsfold the staff there have been fantastic, at whatever level and in whatever role, and its got to annoy them that this aspect of the company is hindering the brand.
Oh and as for RL being first and foremost in the McHappyMcLaren club, I think he deserves the title of Chairman.
Its a very longshot from when they were first starting out - I remember their sales director coming to meet me at work and asking what I’d want to see in a dealer network etc etc. I remember being blown away by the attention to detail, then in the follow up meetings impressed by some of the visuals they showed for what they were planning.
Then as I remember it all got outsourced to a branding company who wrote emails that said nothing if you removed the management speak, and I never heard from them again. Sadly this is the way this side of the business seems to have gone. I don’t buy the argument that they should be given an easy ride for being a new company anymore - its 7 years since my first 12c, and we’re not moaning about how the cars drive, we just want service that you might expect from a decently run company. Hardly rocket science, and hardly needs 7 years to get right.
What irritates me is how some within MTC must feel reading this thread (there will be some who do). Every time I’ve been to MTC/MSO/Dunsfold the staff there have been fantastic, at whatever level and in whatever role, and its got to annoy them that this aspect of the company is hindering the brand.
Oh and as for RL being first and foremost in the McHappyMcLaren club, I think he deserves the title of Chairman.
Jon666 said:
I've been a 650S owner for 2 years and covered 15k miles. I'm also a longterm Porsche and Ferrari owner.
I have just sold my McLaren and I have to say it's a weight off my shoulders. The dealers are all lovely but those I've dealt with are totally overloaded and so slow to fix the many issues I've had. I have friends who have had McLarens (570, 650, 720) and all have had the same experience I have.
My personal McLaren experience is:
- Epic depreciation way above Porsche or Ferrari.
- Constant issues with the car.
- The most expensive extended warranty I've ever heard of - £4700 for 1 year.
- Slow dealer service with 4-6 weeks the norm.
- Massively expensive service costs - 540 labour to change the brake pads is one I'll remember for a long time.
- The car eats through brake pads like no other car I've ever had. The McLaren compound is just too soft.
- If you track the car your brake bills will be insane.
For me the great thing about the 650S was the acceleration and interior - best in class. Everything else - noise, excitement, service, reliability, cost of ownership - Porsche and Ferrari win.
I'm glad I did McLaren owndership because I wanted to know what they were all about and I did have some great drives in the car. But overall the entire McLaren ownership experience just doesn't stack up against the competition.
Pretty much word for word my experience. A real shame.I have just sold my McLaren and I have to say it's a weight off my shoulders. The dealers are all lovely but those I've dealt with are totally overloaded and so slow to fix the many issues I've had. I have friends who have had McLarens (570, 650, 720) and all have had the same experience I have.
My personal McLaren experience is:
- Epic depreciation way above Porsche or Ferrari.
- Constant issues with the car.
- The most expensive extended warranty I've ever heard of - £4700 for 1 year.
- Slow dealer service with 4-6 weeks the norm.
- Massively expensive service costs - 540 labour to change the brake pads is one I'll remember for a long time.
- The car eats through brake pads like no other car I've ever had. The McLaren compound is just too soft.
- If you track the car your brake bills will be insane.
For me the great thing about the 650S was the acceleration and interior - best in class. Everything else - noise, excitement, service, reliability, cost of ownership - Porsche and Ferrari win.
I'm glad I did McLaren owndership because I wanted to know what they were all about and I did have some great drives in the car. But overall the entire McLaren ownership experience just doesn't stack up against the competition.
I know factually that McLaren are fully aware but seem somewhat aggorant IMHO.
In other news, the Porsche factory shutdown may be seen as a good measure to rectify their issues, just saying.
Is it the case of McLaren rushing the 570/30 out then dealing with all the issues afterwards, platform updates, rengineereed parts etc. Much like they did with the 12c?
It’s a piss poor business model but the 12c does feel fairly sorted. Certinally my late production run coupe anyway. I’ve not had any issues to speak of (well it’s in for a service next week so we’ll see what they come back with)
I really like my McLaren, much more so than my previous Porsche, Ferrari or R8.
I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
It will probably take 10 years to establish a Indy network. By then, my 12c will be worth about £8
It’s a piss poor business model but the 12c does feel fairly sorted. Certinally my late production run coupe anyway. I’ve not had any issues to speak of (well it’s in for a service next week so we’ll see what they come back with)
I really like my McLaren, much more so than my previous Porsche, Ferrari or R8.
I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
It will probably take 10 years to establish a Indy network. By then, my 12c will be worth about £8
sone said:
RamboLambo said:
My advice for what its worth is to put any issues in writing to McLaren Head Office at least that way they will be fully aware of the problem if there is a problem nationally.
Good grief, if they don't already know there's no hope. maybe mention that their formula one team's a bit crap too
pilotprice said:
.
I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
It will probably take 10 years to establish a Indy network. By then, my 12c will be worth about £8
Or £800,00 as the only McLaren still in working order I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
It will probably take 10 years to establish a Indy network. By then, my 12c will be worth about £8
RamboLambo said:
pilotprice said:
.
I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
It will probably take 10 years to establish a Indy network. By then, my 12c will be worth about £8
Or £800,00 as the only McLaren still in working order I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
It will probably take 10 years to establish a Indy network. By then, my 12c will be worth about £8
That’s Numberwang!
pilotprice said:
I do not like the fact I’m stuck in the dealer network for service and repair and can see that being a major turn off for any new or used buyer!
Is it really? Some Mclaren owners are very vocal about the lack of the independent thing but most people will always want 'official' dealership history whether or not they are actually the best option. Full OPC history is pretty much expected from buyers on 997 GT cars nevermind 991s which are much more contemporaneous with the 12c in age. I can't imagine 458s are too different either. Heck when I recently sold my E46 m3 recently the first thing I was usually asked was whether it had full BMWSH! Nevermind for something like the 12c.Taking cars out of the dealer network will just reduce the already limited pool of buyers imo to a very very small number. I am not sure enough people are willing to go fully indy to make a sustainable market on those cars that do go outside the dealership network whether or not Mclaren allow the diagnostics outside. Not such a problem if one intends to keep a car a long time but most people simply don't and look to turn over the car in a couple of years at most.
Edited by isaldiri on Saturday 18th August 10:34
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