First McLaren

First McLaren

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The Surveyor

7,575 posts

236 months

Monday 29th April 2019
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dazmanultra said:
Personally I prefer the power delivery on the 650S/12C compared to the 570S. Maybe the 570S is more 'playful' at lower speeds but it doesn't quite have that level of acceleration that punches you in the gut like the 650S... potentially that leaves you at illegal speeds very very quickly but I loved that about mine. It was almost superbike fast.
It's more the intended difference between the two series. The Sports series cars are pitched as 'sports cars', playful and quick at a reduced budget, the Super series cars being more about supercar brutality.

They look deceptively similar on the outside, but feel very different from the drivers seat and that's simply because they're supposed to.

dazmanultra

427 posts

91 months

Monday 29th April 2019
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You're right there, I don't think one is necessarily better than the other it comes down to personal preference and what you want from the car.

355spiderguy

1,476 posts

170 months

Monday 29th April 2019
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12pack said:
So, 650s spider in a volcano color. Congrats - great choice.
thank you sir....2 more sleeps

ripley500

387 posts

210 months

Monday 29th April 2019
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There’s really no bad choice here as other have said.

I was in a similar position to you in that in pictures they look good but in the flesh they look awesome and the driving experience is something else. Buying a 540 or 570 gets you a newer car with more warranty and although I’ve not driven a 650, I can definitely say you won’t be disappointed in the way a 5 series drives.

I bought my 570 Spider expecting only to keep it six months but as soon as I got it I knew I’d keep it much longer - only a 600LT would get me out of it.

My advice would be to go for a bold, bright colour - it suits the car so well and I’d also go for comfort access - it’s amazing the difference it makes to have the seat move back slightly when getting out of the car.

RSbandit

2,583 posts

131 months

Monday 29th April 2019
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BlackR8 said:
Some great advice guys thank you.

Really interesting that the warranty costs seem to be so varied for people, you would think Mclaren would have a standard warranty cost per model but this doesn't seem to be the case?

Having read the feedback, clearly the 12C perhaps presents the most incredible value at the moment as they seem to be around £80k now and whilst this is seriously tempting I am a big fan of the front end on the 650 and 570 range although they don't present as good value as the 12C right now.

How are McLaren about allowing prospective customers have an extended test drive for a day? Is this a painful process or are they willing to do this. I think the only way I will be able to decide is to have a go in both the 570 and 650 in varying driving conditions to then decide which model to aspire to.
I had a 570S spider as a courtesy car for a whole weekend did about 300 miles in it while my V12Vs was in for a service at AM Hatfield (formerly Welwyn). My contact there hooked me up with it as they have the McLaren dealership next door (both part of Grange). Good guys there I'm sure they'd be happy to help given you seem to be a serious buyer, James was the chap I dealt with at McL Hatfield.

BlackR8

Original Poster:

458 posts

76 months

Monday 29th April 2019
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Thanks guys. What I am hearing is that most of the models are great for their individual intended purpose. It will be down to personal preference but the only way to pick I think would be to get an extended test drive of a demo 570 and 650 in my typical driving environment. What are McLaren like in having demo cars for use by prospective customers?

justin220

5,328 posts

203 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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I had an accompanied test drive, phoned in advance to book.

paul1962

544 posts

213 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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I had a short accompanied test drive where they explained and changed between the different modes etc.
They then allowed me out without the salesman and I was told to come back in a couple of hours so I could get a proper feel for the car while not under "driving test conditions".
I had visited the dealer before and spoken on the phone so they knew I was serious. Sadly crappy health got in the way of purchase frown Currently considering whether to risk buying even though it could be short term.

Larry5.2

496 posts

107 months

Tuesday 30th April 2019
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paul1962 said:
I had a short accompanied test drive where they explained and changed between the different modes etc.
They then allowed me out without the salesman and I was told to come back in a couple of hours so I could get a proper feel for the car while not under "driving test conditions".
I had visited the dealer before and spoken on the phone so they knew I was serious. Sadly crappy health got in the way of purchase frown Currently considering whether to risk buying even though it could be short term.
All the more reason to buy it....

Palmball

1,267 posts

173 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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I stumbled across McLaren a few weeks ago after inadvertently going out in a 570S when initially going to look at something else at an independent. It blew me away to be honest, the other car (Italian and red) didn't even get a look in.

Afterwards, at a main dealer, I also insisted I needed a 24hr+ test drive because I'm a fussy f*cker and, after a being used to relatively good engineering precision from the German brands, I needed to make sure this British kit car was up to scratch before pushing the button. I was surprised how difficult it was to get my local dealer to agree to this. I buy a lot of cars and am well versed in how to behave as a serious buyer but I was apparently the first person ever to ask for such a thing with my local dealer. In the end we reached an agreement and I got my extended test drive, but it was not easy....worked out for them in the end as I bought a car from them. Hatfield are not my local dealer, and I hear they are decent so you may have better luck there.

So far so good. It's my daily driver yet nothing has broken, dropped off or stopped working. The brand has this reputation of flakiness and I'm just waiting for it to live up to this....coming from all sorts of Porsches, BMW's, Audi's and Mercs it's fair to say my expectations of the McLaren brand are low but it has exceeded my expectations, in most areas.

Everything would point to the newer cars being the best made / least problematic so my view is to buy the newest you can afford (even at the expense of miles) and then just get on and enjoy a level of driving interaction that is probably unsurpassed elsewhere.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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Palmball said:
I stumbled across McLaren a few weeks ago after inadvertently going out in a 570S when initially going to look at something else at an independent.
Identical to what happened to me. Went out looking for a Vanquish, test drove a 570 but came away with a 720s. Man maths at its best.

Palmball

1,267 posts

173 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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mickpsu said:
Identical to what happened to me. Went out looking for a Vanquish, test drove a 570 but came away with a 720s. Man maths at its best.
Indeed! Yes, I read your posts on this....far more interesting than buying a boring old Sport Series! Did I see, deep in another thread somewhere, that you're having some issues? If so, I hope its not tainting the experience too much.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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Palmball said:
Indeed! Yes, I read your posts on this....far more interesting than buying a boring old Sport Series! Did I see, deep in another thread somewhere, that you're having some issues? If so, I hope its not tainting the experience too much.
Yep, I’m having what I would call some niggles, but can be forgiven. Interior trim rattling, DAB radio poor, clunking sound from rear, intermittent window closing issue, plus some other stuff. It’s going into McBristol next month to get the issues sorted.

Did you once have an XKR-S? I think we exchanged messages some years ago.

CyCy

149 posts

79 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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mickpsu said:
Palmball said:
Indeed! Yes, I read your posts on this....far more interesting than buying a boring old Sport Series! Did I see, deep in another thread somewhere, that you're having some issues? If so, I hope its not tainting the experience too much.
Yep, I’m having what I would call some niggles, but can be forgiven. Interior trim rattling, DAB radio poor, clunking sound from rear, intermittent window closing issue, plus some other stuff. It’s going into McBristol next month to get the issues sorted.

Did you once have an XKR-S? I think we exchanged messages some years ago.
Do you park with the airbrake up, by any chance? Sounds ridiculous but I used to drive off and immediately hear a big fk-off clunk, and it was the airbrake dropping back down.

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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CyCy said:
Do you park with the airbrake up, by any chance? Sounds ridiculous but I used to drive off and immediately hear a big fk-off clunk, and it was the airbrake dropping back down.
FFS! Of course *** face palm time ***. I’ll check that out tomorrow. The air brake relies on oil pressure so will automatically drop when engine is started from cold. Thanks for that.

lowndes

807 posts

213 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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As regards window dropping on 720 S, and may be other models, one reason the window drops is as a “safety” feature to allow access if battery levels are so low you can't open the door on the remote. However, there are two different battery level monitoring systems on the car and they may be out of sync. So for example you could have 45 days ie 100% at the dash whereas the other monitor may have drifted to 70%. Not user checkable but if the dealer is familiar with the issue they will be able resync if necessary.

Also on battery management. If for any reason you run the car at idle rpm but with the AC off it will flatten the battery as the system needs AC on to give charge level of 14v. So there you are trying to charge the battery by doing the right thing running the engine with everything electric off and all you are doing is making it worse.. rolleyes

12pack

1,533 posts

167 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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lowndes said:
...as the system needs AC on to give charge level of 14v.
Good to know - is that just on the 720s or other Macs as well?

anonymous-user

53 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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lowndes said:
As regards window dropping on 720 S, and may be other models, one reason the window drops is as a “safety” feature to allow access if battery levels are so low you can't open the door on the remote. However, there are two different battery level monitoring systems on the car and they may be out of sync. So for example you could have 45 days ie 100% at the dash whereas the other monitor may have drifted to 70%. Not user checkable but if the dealer is familiar with the issue they will be able resync if necessary.

Also on battery management. If for any reason you run the car at idle rpm but with the AC off it will flatten the battery as the system needs AC on to give charge level of 14v. So there you are trying to charge the battery by doing the right thing running the engine with everything electric off and all you are doing is making it worse.. rolleyes
That's probably answered one of the niggles.

The window problem I have is that it takes a few attempts to go up after I have intentionally wound it down, so I'm not sure if it is the same dropping issue you refer to. It’s an intermittent fault.

The AC being off when idling I guess means there is no load on the engine so the engine spins at a lower RPM meaning less output from the alternator. I have an issue that when AC is switched off, the engine idles very lumpy at below 500 RPM – It was so lumpy, I thought the engine was going to cut out a few days ago. Turn the AC on and the engine idles comfortably at approx. 750 RPM.


TB993tt

2,030 posts

240 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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mickpsu said:
The window problem I have is that it takes a few attempts to go up after I have intentionally wound it down, so I'm not sure if it is the same dropping issue you refer to. It’s an intermittent fault.
Mine does this quite often, I'm pretty sure it is the sensor/system which is designed to stop you trapping your fingers in it which is just a bit too sensitive and causes it to shut off like you say, I lean my body away to the left if this happens and that seems to do the trick,

TBH I didn't even bother flagging this as a fault when mine went for its first service as it doesn't bother me and the lean away thing seems to work every time.

CyCy

149 posts

79 months

Wednesday 1st May 2019
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mickpsu said:
FFS! Of course *** face palm time ***. I’ll check that out tomorrow. The air brake relies on oil pressure so will automatically drop when engine is started from cold. Thanks for that.
Doesn't even have to be cold. Just for a long enough period for the: "Aero" button and your Active mode selections to go back to default when restarting the car, which would mean the airbrake goes, by default, back into its automatic setting, thereby dropping when you set off.

Was usually overnight for me, but I did get it sometimes when leaving parking lots, or driving off from street parking if I'd been out to dinner or lunch.

Let me know how you get on!