McLarens & Reliability
Discussion
mickpsu said:
Depends which McLaren you buy. Although the 720s is missile quick and can smash most of the competition, it was designed as a useable everyday road-car with driver comfort in mind. It's a piece of piss to drive and I like the bells and whistles. For a car costing over £250K when new, it isn't unreasonable to expect everything to work. People from McLaren are aware of the gripes and moans on this forum, as well as others, so the more they are aware that there are basic quality issues, the more likely they will address them – reputational damage is a good motivator. I know that the McOwners Club have now got the ear of top brass at McLaren and issues are being dealt with.
You are right, of course. Everything should work in a car whatever the price. But to me there is a big difference between something like blue tooth being faulty but the car being perfectly useable and say a gearbox failure. I get the impression that most of the unreliability that people complain of is not the serious disabling sortbordseye said:
It doesnt help that many moans dont mention the nature of the problem and many that do arent really true reliability but trivial issues like blue tooth connectivity! A McLaren is about speed and performance, not superfluous bells and whistles. If you want those then buy an Audi.
bordseye said:
You are right, of course. Everything should work in a car whatever the price. But to me there is a big difference between something like blue tooth being faulty but the car being perfectly useable and say a gearbox failure. I get the impression that most of the unreliability that people complain of is not the serious disabling sort
You are correct, a lot of the issues are niggles rather than serious mechanical issues. It appears that most niggles have a recurring theme such as DAB radios not working correctly, windows not closing, body panel corrosion, interior trim rattling and poor panel alignment etc. I don’t think there are any inherent mechanical issues, just some McGremlins which can be dealt with under warranty.Thus far, my experience with the 720 has been fantastic, but the niggles take a slight edge off the experience. I’ve only been with the 720 for 3 weeks, so I am not indoctrinated or passionate about the McBrand, but I do see why some of the McOwners become a bit touchy over the subject of reliability. Having said that, I will not give a false impression that the cars are not without their faults – it’s well documented by other owners. Before I purchased the 720, I did some research so was well informed, but still bought the car knowing that I would likely have to deal with some issues. The good points far outweigh the bad – it’s a f’ing awesome piece of kit, it really is that good. For the same price, I could have taken the obvious choice of Fez or Lambo, but I wanted something a bit more different and exclusive.
McLaren hasn’t even become a spotty teenager yet, and is still learning the ropes. Fez and Lambo are OAP / middle aged. Watch this space….
Edited by mickpsu on Sunday 5th May 22:13
Well, love mine. Had it for 18 months and no big issues. in for service. Crank seal needed replacing and alternator connector needed cleaning to stop error msg coming up. In it's 7 years bonnet replaced and wiper motor. 18k miles.
If you can, get one, bloody great cars.
Iam not rich and have to save all year to have my 12C (pub manager) but could not sell it now its part of the family 😀😎
If you can, get one, bloody great cars.
Iam not rich and have to save all year to have my 12C (pub manager) but could not sell it now its part of the family 😀😎
XJR500bhp said:
Is it true they are in trouble? Rumour I heard is they are storing cars off site and they have a backlog of unsold cars. Fairly reliable source as well
Not heard about trouble but unlike Fezza for example, they dont produce to order but keep output running in anticipation of orders. Whats more they produce in "runs". So they do put new vehicles into store before final finishing I believe. And of course the car market in Europe is dying at the moment.bordseye said:
XJR500bhp said:
Is it true they are in trouble? Rumour I heard is they are storing cars off site and they have a backlog of unsold cars. Fairly reliable source as well
Not heard about trouble but unlike Fezza for example, they dont produce to order but keep output running in anticipation of orders. Whats more they produce in "runs". So they do put new vehicles into store before final finishing I believe. And of course the car market in Europe is dying at the moment.bordseye said:
XJR500bhp said:
Is it true they are in trouble? Rumour I heard is they are storing cars off site and they have a backlog of unsold cars. Fairly reliable source as well
Not heard about trouble but unlike Fezza for example, they dont produce to order but keep output running in anticipation of orders. Whats more they produce in "runs". So they do put new vehicles into store before final finishing I believe. And of course the car market in Europe is dying at the moment.https://investors.mclaren.com/sites/mclaren-ir/fil...
Crazy4557 said:
6 days in from getting my 570s and on a return trip from France via the ferry to Portsmouth my car would not fire up. Parked in pole position to be first off when we docked with a herd of angry trucks behind and I'm sitting there stabbing the start button but nothing, even tried locking the car several times hoping it would clear. All the dash lights worked so battery appeared OK, no warning messages on the dash and I've got my foot mashing the brake pedal but no joy, not even a click from a possible stuck starter. The trucks are guided past my window about 50mm away so they can squeeze out and the other cars make their way around me. McLaren assist are no help as it's the AA and they take an age to come out, not sure of the procedure for them if it's on a ferry, and it's late evening so no dealers open to call for advice on what to do and Brittany Ferries want to load the next batch of trucks and cars for the return journey.
Eventually after 30 minutes it fired, at that time I don't know why or how and off we went much to everyone's relief. On calling the dealer in the morning who supplied the car they tell me this is not unheard of, apparently if you're not reasonably firm with your foot pressure on the brake pedal initially it can 'upset' the sensor or system and you need to do a control,alt, delete by locking the car and wait for the system to completely shut down then try again and away it will go.
Extremely embarrassing in a car like this and also makes you wonder how they would have moved it off the ferry. Does anyone know what needs to be done to move a McLaren when in this situation? I had visions of the car going back and forth on the ferry to Le Havre until it got fixed
Just a thought, but when you parked on the ferry did you press the button on the side of the driver's door that disables the anti-lift detector? I was advised to do this if travelling by ferry as the motion on the boat can fool the car into thinking its being craned away.Eventually after 30 minutes it fired, at that time I don't know why or how and off we went much to everyone's relief. On calling the dealer in the morning who supplied the car they tell me this is not unheard of, apparently if you're not reasonably firm with your foot pressure on the brake pedal initially it can 'upset' the sensor or system and you need to do a control,alt, delete by locking the car and wait for the system to completely shut down then try again and away it will go.
Extremely embarrassing in a car like this and also makes you wonder how they would have moved it off the ferry. Does anyone know what needs to be done to move a McLaren when in this situation? I had visions of the car going back and forth on the ferry to Le Havre until it got fixed
AndM said:
Just a thought, but when you parked on the ferry did you press the button on the side of the driver's door that disables the anti-lift detector? I was advised to do this if travelling by ferry as the motion on the boat can fool the car into thinking its being craned away.
No, I don't believe I did and I know the button you are referring to. I'd like to think I did something specific to explain why the issue occurred but I just got out, locked it and walked off as you do. Good shout though...thanks.I had the non start issue yesterday. Couldn't figure it out but after a last attempt to stamp on the brake it started. I have also had the dropping window but that was in the 1st few days. Tuner unavailable until I stopped and started the car as well. As long as they are not serious issues its all part of the character LOL.
ChrisW. said:
Jeez, this makes it so easy to buy a Porsche ... if you can get the model you want.
I resorted to developing my GT4 to “challenge” the cars they wouldn’t let me buy !
On track of course ....??
You are aware of Pork issues presumably? - GT4 - watch your struts matey and has your gearbox been replaced? I resorted to developing my GT4 to “challenge” the cars they wouldn’t let me buy !
On track of course ....??
Edited by Matty3 on Tuesday 21st May 22:09
RBT0 said:
Just watched latest Vehicle Virgins video, he’s got a 600LT. Windscreen cracked after 1500 miles...carbon tub too stiff and windscreen not thick enough so it cracks? 0_0
My 720 cracked too, replaced quickly under warrranty. I am told it is incorrect application of adhesive leads to uneven bonding causing too high stress at certain points and crack. New one has been fine. My car has not been tracked so no aggressive loading, one guy in the US said his apparently cracked whilst stationary in his garage
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