McLaren Servicing - What a shambles....
Discussion
100 IAN said:
McLaren have a MASSIVE problem with their own Dealer Service Capacity which is made worse by their steadfast refusal to support Independents who deny access to their diagnostic data, despite European law obliging them to do so. (Yes I know a couple of Indies advertise McLaren servicing but they are limited in what they are able to do because they cannot access full diagnostic data.)
I was speaking to an Independant who looks after a Ferrari of mine, and telling him about some of the issues with my McLaren. He said that McLaren had offered him the diagnostics software but the cost was in to six figures, which didn’t make sense for him.When I suggested to the McLaren dealer that I’d like to have this independent look at my car, they suggested that he might be able to do any inspections and charge the work back to Car Care, who apparently are the underwriter for the McLaren Qualifed programme.
Hopefully a sign of a softening of their policy.....
It reminds me of the current Tesla situation. Loads of new cars going out of the door but a few weeks wait for anything service related. Should you need a new part then it'll likely be from the US with an additional few weeks delay attached to it. I experienced that a few times with my Model S, but I'm hoping to avoid that with my 540C I pick-up on Friday (Hi BTW), fingers crossed!
100 IAN said:
In my 2 1/2 years of owning a McLaren the dealer service capacity has gone from bad to worse....and is only getting worse...!
McLaren are fixated by the vanity of launching nearly 3 new cars each year but cannot see that their service capacity is currently at breaking point.
As of today 2 of their dealers are 'closed' (until further notice) as far as accepting additional cars in for repair work, and the others cannot even look at my car (which was recovered by McLaren Assist this morning with a suspension fault) for typically 3+ weeks.
This is the OFFICIAL POSITION of each dealer service department as of this morning -
ASCOT – Not accepting any breakdown work. Cars can be booked in for Service from 4th Sept
HATFIELD – Not accepting any breakdown work. Only got 2 ramps in temporary workshop until end of the year
BIRMINGHAM – Not able to do any service or breakdown work until tail end of Sept
BRISTOL – Can’t look at car for at least 2 weeks. Earliest service booking date 23rd
LEEDS – Only 1 ramp until June/July NEXT YEAR and primarily its to prep sales cars not to do service/repair work.
MANCHESTER – 3 weeks until they can look at any car taken to them
GLASGOW - 3 weeks until they would be able to look at car.
New cars are being delivered to customers weekly and additional new service capacity only consists of 4 extra ramps at HATFIELD when they move into their new premises at the end of the year, and LEEDS service centre when it opens officially but that's not until Jun/Jul 2019!!!!
McLaren have a MASSIVE problem with their own Dealer Service Capacity which is made worse by their steadfast refusal to support Independents who deny access to their diagnostic data, despite European law obliging them to do so. (Yes I know a couple of Indies advertise McLaren servicing but they are limited in what they are able to do because they cannot access full diagnostic data.)
Am I being unreasonable expecting my car to be at least looked at in less than 3x weeks? (plus additional time for any parts and repair work that may be necessary...)
This situation will only get worse unless McLaren wake up and properly address the problem.
I imagine you have not got a good relationship with the sales team that provided you the car then? Both times I have had an issue with my 570S (soft close door latch & window dropping), the sales guy I deal with was informed and it issue was rectified within a week? McLaren are fixated by the vanity of launching nearly 3 new cars each year but cannot see that their service capacity is currently at breaking point.
As of today 2 of their dealers are 'closed' (until further notice) as far as accepting additional cars in for repair work, and the others cannot even look at my car (which was recovered by McLaren Assist this morning with a suspension fault) for typically 3+ weeks.
This is the OFFICIAL POSITION of each dealer service department as of this morning -
ASCOT – Not accepting any breakdown work. Cars can be booked in for Service from 4th Sept
HATFIELD – Not accepting any breakdown work. Only got 2 ramps in temporary workshop until end of the year
BIRMINGHAM – Not able to do any service or breakdown work until tail end of Sept
BRISTOL – Can’t look at car for at least 2 weeks. Earliest service booking date 23rd
LEEDS – Only 1 ramp until June/July NEXT YEAR and primarily its to prep sales cars not to do service/repair work.
MANCHESTER – 3 weeks until they can look at any car taken to them
GLASGOW - 3 weeks until they would be able to look at car.
New cars are being delivered to customers weekly and additional new service capacity only consists of 4 extra ramps at HATFIELD when they move into their new premises at the end of the year, and LEEDS service centre when it opens officially but that's not until Jun/Jul 2019!!!!
McLaren have a MASSIVE problem with their own Dealer Service Capacity which is made worse by their steadfast refusal to support Independents who deny access to their diagnostic data, despite European law obliging them to do so. (Yes I know a couple of Indies advertise McLaren servicing but they are limited in what they are able to do because they cannot access full diagnostic data.)
Am I being unreasonable expecting my car to be at least looked at in less than 3x weeks? (plus additional time for any parts and repair work that may be necessary...)
This situation will only get worse unless McLaren wake up and properly address the problem.
From stories I have heard within the Owners Group, the customers who have complaints tend to be the customers that dealers do not enjoy dealing with
We should all be treated the same I know, however, I can understand that dealers will always look after their own customers before they look after the ones who are 'ringing around'. mcl570 said:
Both times I have had an issue with my 570S (soft close door latch & window dropping), the sales guy I deal with was informed and it issue was rectified within a week?
From stories I have heard within the Owners Group, the customers who have complaints tend to be the customers that dealers do not enjoy dealing with We should all be treated the same I know, however, I can understand that dealers will always look after their own customers before they look after the ones who are 'ringing around'.
If you go to a salesman, specially the one that sold you the car, its in his best interest to sort it out as you maybe so happy you will get another from him in the future. Plus you wont keep calling him when hes meant to be selling carsFrom stories I have heard within the Owners Group, the customers who have complaints tend to be the customers that dealers do not enjoy dealing with
We should all be treated the same I know, however, I can understand that dealers will always look after their own customers before they look after the ones who are 'ringing around'. If you go to customer support or service they won't care, your just a job and number. You will be back of the queue and it will take as long as it takes
All they need to do is support some idies. Anyone can see that would help to grow the brand better than rushing out a new car every few months
I've been looking at the Leonardo diagnostic system which is now working with Mclarens (as of the beginning of June)
The indies should consider looking at this as the cost isn't astronomical. Whoever starts a proper McLaren independent service/repair garage would do well if it wasn't for the fact that nearly everyone has a warranty on their cars and as such has to use the main dealerships.
The indies should consider looking at this as the cost isn't astronomical. Whoever starts a proper McLaren independent service/repair garage would do well if it wasn't for the fact that nearly everyone has a warranty on their cars and as such has to use the main dealerships.
jakesmith said:
This is almost unbelievable arrogance
Look how arrogant a brand like Porsche is around all the hideous engine issues in the last 20 years or so, and they still have the common sense to understand the importance of supporting the secondary market
With Porsche being in chaos over their petrol filter issues and being unable to sell any new cars at the moment, they only have the secondary market to support at the moment.Look how arrogant a brand like Porsche is around all the hideous engine issues in the last 20 years or so, and they still have the common sense to understand the importance of supporting the secondary market
There is definitely a lack of capacity in the McLaren aftersales system. 2 new dealerships won't be enough to meet demand either. Most people have a seamless experience when pre-booking a service (me included). However, things fall down in situations like this where the owner has a breakdown. Dealers actually not accepting cars is downright unfair - especially if you bought the car from them. What are you supposed to do with it? They are happy to charge you £150+ per hour labour for an oil-change and look over, but won't help when you're stuck like this.
My 570s requires a part I’m still waiting from the 5th July for it to land and yet all I I hear is there no more news it’s on back order , this is totally unacceptable personally , Defintly will be moving mine on when it’s back on the road , never waiting longer than 2 days for Ferrari and then when there coming from Italy
McLaren sort your act out please ...
McLaren sort your act out please ...
By way of comparison........
Murcielago drops coolant 2pm Sunday on A34.
Whilst on the AA pick up truck call Craig at Lamborghini Pangbourne.
At 7.30pm as the AA truck pulls into Pangbourne; am meet by Service Manager who’s pop out from the pub.
10.30am today, get a call to say one of the pipes had corroded.
It’ll arrive tomorrow and I can have the car back.
Murcielago drops coolant 2pm Sunday on A34.
Whilst on the AA pick up truck call Craig at Lamborghini Pangbourne.
At 7.30pm as the AA truck pulls into Pangbourne; am meet by Service Manager who’s pop out from the pub.
10.30am today, get a call to say one of the pipes had corroded.
It’ll arrive tomorrow and I can have the car back.
Further comparison: stone chip on windscreen of GT2RS when coming back from epic Euro trip. Emailed dealer on Sunday to find out lead time for new screen and also to book car in for oil service now it has covered its first 3500 miles. Got a response Monday morning that service and screen can be done on Weds and they will let me have a new 991 GTS demo courtesy car.
A few years back after a track day at Castle Combe, the anti-roll bar came loose on my Boxster S although at the time all I knew was I had a very bad rattle.
I called Porsche Reading whilst driving back along the M4 and they told me to pull off at Junction 12 (iirc) and go in to see them.
30 minutes later it had been diagnosed and fixed and I was on my way.
That’s service for you!
I called Porsche Reading whilst driving back along the M4 and they told me to pull off at Junction 12 (iirc) and go in to see them.
30 minutes later it had been diagnosed and fixed and I was on my way.
That’s service for you!
blimey, what a damning thread for McLaren. I had no idea how shambolic the post purchase care/dealer network was. sad really, as I'd quite like to buy local, but this combined with their desire to knock out and launch as many cars as possible, as quickly as possible, all with the same basic engine design, will give me little cause to question my loyalty to Stuttgart and Maranello.
seawise said:
blimey, what a damning thread for McLaren. I had no idea how shambolic the post purchase care/dealer network was. sad really, as I'd quite like to buy local, but this combined with their desire to knock out and launch as many cars as possible, as quickly as possible, all with the same basic engine design, will give me little cause to question my loyalty to Stuttgart and Maranello.
my question is how can you possibly keep your warranty when tracking these cars if they require a pre and post inspection if there isn't any available dates for a long time?WCZ said:
my question is how can you possibly keep your warranty when tracking these cars if they require a pre and post inspection if there isn't any available dates for a long time?
seriously, McLaren require that as well ? that's a third and final strike for me then. sounds like you need to be retired to run a McLaren, I certainly don't have sufficient time for all that nonsense.Never you mind said:
Not wanting to start a fight but what is the appeal of owning one? Sure they might drive OK and go fast but the hassle of ownership, as stated in this thread and the good chance your going to lose a fair bit of cash on depreciation, I just can't see the appeal.
Think we need to keep things in perspective.Whilst these stories are undoubtedly unwelcome and a pain for owners, we are hearing from a very small minority of owners and IMHO, it should've be taken as an accurate view of McLaren ownership.
Do you see message boards full of "hey, I've had my xxx for 5 years and it's been hassle free"? No, so whilst these issues are real, lets digest them in the context of all McLaren owners of which there will be many without major issues.
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