Mclaren 720s First Purchase - Advice Needed
Discussion
I am looking to purchase a 720s, which will in fact be my first supercar! It has been somewhat of a long journey to get to this stage with finance finally being approved yesterday, only to discover the dealer who has the vehicle I want is blacklisted with the finance company...
I'm pretty fussy about spec and colour, and up until this point I have been determined that I would only buy a late 2018 or newer (facelift) model as I have heard about a number of niggles with the earlier cars (software bugs in particular). Unfortunately there are no other cars on the market at the moment (that are late 2018 onwards) that have a spec / colour combo I would consider to purchase, however I have come across an early 2017 (Launch edition) which meets all my requirements (spec / colour-wise) but I'm put off by the fact it's a launch edition.
So my question is, what niggles and differences should I expect if I was to buy the 2017 launch edition 720s (compared to the late 2018 / 2019 models I've been viewing so far)?
Also with regards to the software, can this be updated to current versions? The car is listed at a McLaren Dealership so perhaps it's even possible software updates would have been done anyway?
I'm pretty fussy about spec and colour, and up until this point I have been determined that I would only buy a late 2018 or newer (facelift) model as I have heard about a number of niggles with the earlier cars (software bugs in particular). Unfortunately there are no other cars on the market at the moment (that are late 2018 onwards) that have a spec / colour combo I would consider to purchase, however I have come across an early 2017 (Launch edition) which meets all my requirements (spec / colour-wise) but I'm put off by the fact it's a launch edition.
So my question is, what niggles and differences should I expect if I was to buy the 2017 launch edition 720s (compared to the late 2018 / 2019 models I've been viewing so far)?
Also with regards to the software, can this be updated to current versions? The car is listed at a McLaren Dealership so perhaps it's even possible software updates would have been done anyway?
I have an April 18 car, me & the previous owner had hardly any issues at all in nearly 19k miles.
In fact, the previous owners 2nd 720, a 2019 model, had more niggles than his 1st one.
The only thing that would put me off an early model would be less warranty, if buying from a dealer, try negotiating a 2 year warranty into the deal.
Any software updates are carried out to all cars when being serviced.
A McLaren dealer that is blacklisted by a finance company? Now that is very strange!! Would love to know why.
Phenomenal car, enjoy the search, you're gonna love it!
In fact, the previous owners 2nd 720, a 2019 model, had more niggles than his 1st one.
The only thing that would put me off an early model would be less warranty, if buying from a dealer, try negotiating a 2 year warranty into the deal.
Any software updates are carried out to all cars when being serviced.
A McLaren dealer that is blacklisted by a finance company? Now that is very strange!! Would love to know why.
Phenomenal car, enjoy the search, you're gonna love it!
danieleither said:
I have been determined that I would only buy a late 2018 or newer (facelift) model as I have heard about a number of niggles with the earlier cars (software bugs in particular).
Surely this is a myth can you say what evidence you have ?Mine is number 2155 April '18 and apart from 2 stress cracked screens has been pretty much flawless.
TB993tt said:
Surely this is a myth can you say what evidence you have ?
I’ve no evidence whatsoever... but when researching these forums I’ve come scross a number of posts / threads where issues are mentioned with the earlier models. The purpose of this thread is to determine whether it’s merely myth or fact...TB993tt said:
Surely this is a myth can you say what evidence you have ?
Mine is number 2155 April '18 and apart from 2 stress cracked screens has been pretty much flawless.
It's not a myth. I have a Jan 2018 720S. Software has been updated on the 'facelift' models with the silver logo. The software isn't compatible with earlier models.Mine is number 2155 April '18 and apart from 2 stress cracked screens has been pretty much flawless.
Have you not had issues with DAB reception, key-not-found, windows retracting of their own accord / not shutting, various bong and gongs, suspension failure, engine fault light, power steering failure, car not starting. I have been told by the McLaren Dealer tech's that most of the issues are to do with over-sensitive sensors, rather than 'real faults'. Software in the face-lift models are supposed to iron out some of the earlier issues.
It’s very difficult to say on what cars are more reliable, you can have early cars that have been perfect from the get go.
People with later 2019 cars have had niggling problems from new so that busts the myth of later cars being more reliable.
As a general rule cars built with a chassis number higher than 1500 are the better put together vehicles, after various manufacturing process on the line were tightened up, along with better panel fit & alignment of the body panels.
People with later 2019 cars have had niggling problems from new so that busts the myth of later cars being more reliable.
As a general rule cars built with a chassis number higher than 1500 are the better put together vehicles, after various manufacturing process on the line were tightened up, along with better panel fit & alignment of the body panels.
MAC 720S said:
It's not a myth. I have a Jan 2018 720S. Software has been updated on the 'facelift' models with the silver logo. The software isn't compatible with earlier models.
Have you not had issues with DAB reception, key-not-found, windows retracting of their own accord / not shutting, various bong and gongs, suspension failure, engine fault light, power steering failure, car not starting. I have been told by the McLaren Dealer tech's that most of the issues are to do with over-sensitive sensors, rather than 'real faults'. Software in the face-lift models are supposed to iron out some of the earlier issues.
Thanks for your feedback MAC 720S. So how serious are these issues, do you regret buying an earlier model? Should it put me off buying a launch edition? Occasional glitches / error messages that correct themselves don't bother me too much, but windows retracting of their own accord sounds pretty serious. Also do the things you mention affect reliability (e.g. can you still drive the vehicle despite the erroneous warnings)?Have you not had issues with DAB reception, key-not-found, windows retracting of their own accord / not shutting, various bong and gongs, suspension failure, engine fault light, power steering failure, car not starting. I have been told by the McLaren Dealer tech's that most of the issues are to do with over-sensitive sensors, rather than 'real faults'. Software in the face-lift models are supposed to iron out some of the earlier issues.
danieleither said:
MAC 720S said:
It's not a myth. I have a Jan 2018 720S. Software has been updated on the 'facelift' models with the silver logo. The software isn't compatible with earlier models.
Have you not had issues with DAB reception, key-not-found, windows retracting of their own accord / not shutting, various bong and gongs, suspension failure, engine fault light, power steering failure, car not starting. I have been told by the McLaren Dealer tech's that most of the issues are to do with over-sensitive sensors, rather than 'real faults'. Software in the face-lift models are supposed to iron out some of the earlier issues.
Thanks for your feedback MAC 720S. So how serious are these issues, do you regret buying an earlier model? Should it put me off buying a launch edition? Occasional glitches / error messages that correct themselves don't bother me too much, but windows retracting of their own accord sounds pretty serious. Also do the things you mention affect reliability (e.g. can you still drive the vehicle despite the erroneous warnings)?Have you not had issues with DAB reception, key-not-found, windows retracting of their own accord / not shutting, various bong and gongs, suspension failure, engine fault light, power steering failure, car not starting. I have been told by the McLaren Dealer tech's that most of the issues are to do with over-sensitive sensors, rather than 'real faults'. Software in the face-lift models are supposed to iron out some of the earlier issues.
I personally wouldn’t put the window problems into the most serious of issues when compared with total loss of power steering, engine fault warnings and car not starting. The power steering failure occurred twice when driving, but only at a very low speed when pulling away - This was remedied by switching ignition off / on. Could this failure have happened at high speed? I don’t know, but it is something to be considered. The car was collected, and I understand a software update was carried out – the fault hasn’t reoccurred.
The engine fault warning light was accompanied with rough idling and restricted RPM. Again, a switch off / on helped to partially clear up the problem. It was still undriveable and was collected for repair.
To be fair, I do know of many other earlier models that have had fault free motoring, but I also know of others that suffer a common thread of issues like mine. Some of these issues are not just confined to the 720S. A common issue is key-not-found and poor DAB radio reception, as well as spurious bongs and gongs. Most of the issues seem to occur when the ignition is initially turned on. There is some speculation that if the systems do not fully boot up before pulling away, that is when most of the issues occur. Maybe there needs to be some sort of boot up completion procedure which restricts the gears being engaged before driving away?
Learning from experience, I would insist that all software modules are updated before taking delivery of the car. If a dealership was not prepared to do that, I would walk away.
Would I have an earlier model? Absolutely, but only if the modules were updated with the latest software. Without doubt, they are a phenomenal car.
Watch this video from 12.0 minutes > https://youtu.be/kPF4pYs4aPw
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