McLarens & Reliability
Discussion
Ferruccio said:
garyhun said:
I’m still shocked that that MSO Spider is £133k after 18-24 months. Must have retailed at £200k plus. A relative bargain!
“Shocked”!?Drops by 1/3 in 18/24 months.
Isn’t that absolutely normal for a car?
Some better, some worse but certainly in the main part of the distribution curve.
mickpsu said:
Yes, I will join the McOwners Club when I have the V5 in my mits. I am visiting McBristol tomorrow to pay a deposit to take it off-sale, and all things going well, should have it by the end of the month.
I have spent quite a bit of time on this part of the forum looking through various threads about McLaren. There's some useful content, but some of it is downright toxic. There appears to be some 'hard-core' people just hell-bent on smashing the brand and insulting others.
Anyway, to those that have put my mind at rest with the Mcbrand and the 720s, thank you very much. I was starting to get put off by quite a lot of the negative comments about reliability (residuals aren’t an issue – I know it will take a kicking).
No never be put off!!I have spent quite a bit of time on this part of the forum looking through various threads about McLaren. There's some useful content, but some of it is downright toxic. There appears to be some 'hard-core' people just hell-bent on smashing the brand and insulting others.
Anyway, to those that have put my mind at rest with the Mcbrand and the 720s, thank you very much. I was starting to get put off by quite a lot of the negative comments about reliability (residuals aren’t an issue – I know it will take a kicking).
There are a number of idiot trolls on all forums and the McLaren Pistonheads has its fair share as well. We all know who they are !!!
Some have Never been in a McLaren let alone driven one but have plenty to say. There are also plenty of well informed folks who do provide good guidance.
McLaren make undoubtedly and without equal the best performance range of cars but they also lack a nationwide support and servicing network . I’m sure it will come though
Rocketreid said:
No never be put off!!
There are a number of idiot trolls on all forums and the McLaren Pistonheads has its fair share as well. We all know who they are !!!
Some have Never been in a McLaren let alone driven one but have plenty to say. There are also plenty of well informed folks who do provide good guidance.
McLaren make undoubtedly and without equal the best performance range of cars but they also lack a nationwide support and servicing network . I’m sure it will come though
I'm pretty long-in-the-tooth and thick skinned so the trolls can troll as much as they like. Ex-Royal Navy so have met my fair share of mouthy aThere are a number of idiot trolls on all forums and the McLaren Pistonheads has its fair share as well. We all know who they are !!!
Some have Never been in a McLaren let alone driven one but have plenty to say. There are also plenty of well informed folks who do provide good guidance.
McLaren make undoubtedly and without equal the best performance range of cars but they also lack a nationwide support and servicing network . I’m sure it will come though
holes.I have asked McBristol to put the car up high on some ramps tomorrow before I part with some hard earned ££. I just want to look at the underside for any evidence of abuse and/or serious damage. The bodywork and interior appear faultless - with only 1500 miles it should be.
Any advice on other stuff I should look for would be much appreciated? They said they will service it and bring the firmware up to date etc.
I have a 570S spider for the weekend as a courtesy car whilst my Vantage has its annual service , not a bad loan car! Will report back on my thoughts in separate thread. On the point of people talking crap about McLaren I was at the Ring on a trackday last yr and after completing a couple of laps parked up and got chatting ( as u do at these things ) to some random dude, eventually he started talking about how McLarens are always breaking down and some such guff, it just really put me off the conversation so I made my excuses and moved on...he had a 10 yr old diesel 1 series so I doubt he'd ever driven a Mclaren... Nothing wrong with a 1 series btw!
RSbandit said:
I have a 570S spider for the weekend as a courtesy car whilst my Vantage has its annual service , not a bad loan car! Will report back on my thoughts in separate thread. On the point of people talking crap about McLaren I was at the Ring on a trackday last yr and after completing a couple of laps parked up and got chatting ( as u do at these things ) to some random dude, eventually he started talking about how McLarens are always breaking down and some such guff, it just really put me off the conversation so I made my excuses and moved on...he had a 10 yr old diesel 1 series so I doubt he'd ever driven a Mclaren... Nothing wrong with a 1 series btw!
It’s would not surprise me if that ends up being an expensive service. You’re going to want to buy the 570 after driving it for a weekend. I love Astons but a 570 will be hard to resist I think 
ripley500 said:
It’s would not surprise me if that ends up being an expensive service. You’re going to want to buy the 570 after driving it for a weekend. I love Astons but a 570 will be hard to resist I think
Funny you should say that. I walked into an AM dealership with the intention of buying a Vanquish, and have walked out of McBristol with a 720s. The AM dealership had a 570s which must have been a part- ex they had taken, but it’s what caught my eye and got me interested in McLaren.Both totally different animals. It was the schoolboy in me which made the decision, rather than any common sense logic. If it were a primary use car, I wouldn’t have done it - I would have chosen a Vanquish.
Edited by mickpsu on Saturday 13th April 07:39
mickpsu said:
Funny you should say that. I walked into an AM dealership with the intention of buying a Vanquish, and have walked out of McBristol with a 720s. The AM dealership had a 570s which must have been a part- ex they had taken, but it’s what caught key eye and got me interested in McLaren.
Both totally different animals. It was the schoolboy in me which made the decision, rather than any common sense logic. If it were a primary use car, I wouldn’t have done it - I would have chosen a Vanquish.
I also went from a Vantage to a 540C. Would't go back now. Loved the Vantage, but interestingly I think the McL is much more usable day to day.Both totally different animals. It was the schoolboy in me which made the decision, rather than any common sense logic. If it were a primary use car, I wouldn’t have done it - I would have chosen a Vanquish.
I'm off to hit some b roads in it now, I drove the car a bit yday but more on motorway and in the city...the noise of the car under 4000 rpm isn't the best but it does sound plenty fruity when you chase some revs...anyway the Vantage feels a touch slow after giving the 570 a few spurts yday!
RSbandit said:
I'm off to hit some b roads in it now, I drove the car a bit yday but more on motorway and in the city...the noise of the car under 4000 rpm isn't the best but it does sound plenty fruity when you chase some revs...anyway the Vantage feels a touch slow after giving the 570 a few spurts yday!
I'd you are tempted by one RS look at the MSO exhaust, it's gives a very supercar tone once you hit about 4500. With that screaming through the back window at you the 570 does become the complete package. mickpsu said:
Any advice on other stuff I should look for would be much appreciated? They said they will service it and bring the firmware up to date etc.
Congratulations on an excellent choice. The 720S performance is off the scale and the whole package has moved on significantly from the already pretty special 650S. My advice take it easy in the early days. 
Assuming yours is 67 plate MY 18 car, I would be asking McBristol about software upgrades. There are software features in the MY19 cars that have yet to make it into the owner’s handbook. Lift activation is now simpler one press of a button. It is possible the dash display through warm up has changed. I was surprised to see the Sport display in Active Off during warm up. McBrum were also surprised but think it may be a software update. You may find coolant temps hunt over a range of 15°C from 80°C to 95°C. Normal I am told. Make sure the soft close mechanism is working well and you are happy with door alignment and shut lines. These are time consuming and tricky relying on multiple shims and a lengthy iterative process to get it right. You may need a charger.
I would be curious to know what evidence they had of how the running in period was handled. I understand the car stores a vast amount of data that is capable of interrogation with the right equipment. This came out when I was querying the warm up display and the tech said if I could tell them when it occurred they could go back and see everything that was going on at the time. Phone camera photo properties gave the time.
Enjoy
Did I say take it easy in the early days.
lowndes said:
Congratulations on an excellent choice. The 720S performance is off the scale and the whole package has moved on significantly from the already pretty special 650S. My advice take it easy in the early days.
Assuming yours is 67 plate MY 18 car, I would be asking McBristol about software upgrades. There are software features in the MY19 cars that have yet to make it into the owner’s handbook. Lift activation is now simpler one press of a button. It is possible the dash display through warm up has changed. I was surprised to see the Sport display in Active Off during warm up. McBrum were also surprised but think it may be a software update. You may find coolant temps hunt over a range of 15°C from 80°C to 95°C. Normal I am told. Make sure the soft close mechanism is working well and you are happy with door alignment and shut lines. These are time consuming and tricky relying on multiple shims and a lengthy iterative process to get it right. You may need a charger.
I would be curious to know what evidence they had of how the running in period was handled. I understand the car stores a vast amount of data that is capable of interrogation with the right equipment. This came out when I was querying the warm up display and the tech said if I could tell them when it occurred they could go back and see everything that was going on at the time. Phone camera photo properties gave the time.
Enjoy
Did I say take it easy in the early days.
That’s very helpful of you. Thank you.Assuming yours is 67 plate MY 18 car, I would be asking McBristol about software upgrades. There are software features in the MY19 cars that have yet to make it into the owner’s handbook. Lift activation is now simpler one press of a button. It is possible the dash display through warm up has changed. I was surprised to see the Sport display in Active Off during warm up. McBrum were also surprised but think it may be a software update. You may find coolant temps hunt over a range of 15°C from 80°C to 95°C. Normal I am told. Make sure the soft close mechanism is working well and you are happy with door alignment and shut lines. These are time consuming and tricky relying on multiple shims and a lengthy iterative process to get it right. You may need a charger.
I would be curious to know what evidence they had of how the running in period was handled. I understand the car stores a vast amount of data that is capable of interrogation with the right equipment. This came out when I was querying the warm up display and the tech said if I could tell them when it occurred they could go back and see everything that was going on at the time. Phone camera photo properties gave the time.
Enjoy
Did I say take it easy in the early days.
RSbandit said:
I'm off to hit some b roads in it now, I drove the car a bit yday but more on motorway and in the city...the noise of the car under 4000 rpm isn't the best but it does sound plenty fruity when you chase some revs...anyway the Vantage feels a touch slow after giving the 570 a few spurts yday!
Is it a V12 you have? Interested to hear your thoughts once you've driven some miles in the 570. I came from a V8V, so not quite the same thing.
justin220 said:
I also went from a Vantage to a 540C. Would't go back now. Loved the Vantage, but interestingly I think the McL is much more usable day to day.
Interesting! I had a V8V as a daily driver and found it immensely usable - good luggage and storage space, really comfortable seats, all mod cons and everything worked from day one until I sold it. I can easily see how the 540 is a far better car in many respects but not sure how it could be a better daily than the Vantage ...Well what a great morning that was! Sun managed to come out so got to drop the roof down which certainly adds to the occasion. It's simply the best car I have driven (currently have a V12VS). The feel through the steering and how direct it is is just different gravy, such an agile car. My V12 is a lovely car to hustle down a b road but you can feel the weight when you compare it to a 570S, defo a fair step on in engineering terms. The engine needs to be above 4500 to really start to pick up feels like there is some turbo lag (expected I suppose). Once over 5k it's an absolute rocket ship though and the exhaust noise is really good when you get the revs up. It still wouldn't match the V10 in the R8/Huracan or the V12 for aural pleasure but it was better than I expected. McLaren really nailed this car I think, Alcantara steering wheel feels just right and not too thick either. The colour is blade silver which is really lovely especially with the contrasting palladium bits. The suspension is wonderful too my V12 can feel a bit crash over bumpy surfaces but the 570 much less so. Love the up shifts in track mode gives you a shunt in the back yet use auto mode on the motorway and it's a v relaxed car. So it's incredibly accomplished and overall I'm well impressed...lots to think about for me. A spider would be too much of a stretch but a coupe around the 100k mark seems the sweet spot for me, will wait until later in the summer going to the ring in late sep so if I do pull the trigger it would have to be before then!
drcarrera said:
justin220 said:
I also went from a Vantage to a 540C. Would't go back now. Loved the Vantage, but interestingly I think the McL is much more usable day to day.
Interesting! I had a V8V as a daily driver and found it immensely usable - good luggage and storage space, really comfortable seats, all mod cons and everything worked from day one until I sold it. I can easily see how the 540 is a far better car in many respects but not sure how it could be a better daily than the Vantage ...Its actually quite relaxing to drive if you want it to be. You should try one
LotusJas said:
lowndes said:
There are software features in the MY19 cars that have yet to make it into the owner’s handbook. Lift activation is now simpler one press of a button.
Is that definitely a software function though, or was there a hardware change? I suspect software but am not certain.mickpsu said:
Funny you should say that. I walked into an AM dealership with the intention of buying a Vanquish, and have walked out of McBristol with a 720s. The AM dealership had a 570s which must have been a part- ex they had taken, but it’s what caught my eye and got me interested in McLaren.
Both totally different animals. It was the schoolboy in me which made the decision, rather than any common sense logic. If it were a primary use car, I wouldn’t have done it - I would have chosen a Vanquish.
oh dear - poor Aston in Bristol. Walked in there 99% sure I'd buy a Vantage and ended up down the road with a 570GT. And it is my primary car Both totally different animals. It was the schoolboy in me which made the decision, rather than any common sense logic. If it were a primary use car, I wouldn’t have done it - I would have chosen a Vanquish.
Edited by mickpsu on Saturday 13th April 07:39
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