So tell me again, what is the point of the 540C?

So tell me again, what is the point of the 540C?

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Discussion

Palmball

1,271 posts

175 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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JohnG123 said:
just look at it ................ enough said..........
That looks great with the spoiler. Is it the Novitec one and did you install it yourself? I've ordered one for mine and it's due to arrive this week so curious if it's easy to fit as it appears to be.

JohnG123

623 posts

131 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Hi
I believe it’s a novitec carbon spoiler. It was on the car when I purchased it.

Not to sure how it’s fastened on.

Good luck with the install.

Lee Jones Jnr

Original Poster:

1,724 posts

171 months

Monday 11th May 2020
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Palmball said:
Not sure why this is so hard to understand; it's fairly typical for manufacturers to launch the better versions of their cars in the first instance before rolling out the cheaper versions as they chase incremental buyers. Contrary to what has been stated above on the R8 and 911 examples....

The R8 V10 Plus was launched first in 2015, with the standard R8 V10 launched in early 2016

The 992 Turbo S has just been launched first, with the standard Turbo still to come later in the year (and I think it was the same with the 991)

And a couple of others that spring to mind; Aston Martin launched the DB11 V12 before the V8 and Mercedes launched the AMG GT S before the standard AMG GT.
I’m not sure why you find my incredibly simple and easy to follow points hard to understand either, nor can I be bothered to list the much MUCH larger number of models that were released followed by ‘better’ versions.
If you want to buy a 540, buy one, they are great. If you have one, splendid, enjoy it.
My thoughts remain unchanged.

Obafemi09

155 posts

100 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
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To be honest, I don't really get the point of the post. You asked what the point of the 540c was and then when people tried to tell you, you basically told them they were wrong and then gave you answer so why ask the question in the first place if you already your answer and opinion as far as you were concerned?

What are your thoughts on the new Cayman GT4 and recently released GTS which is almost exactly the same price less as the 540c was to the S? A lesser car following the release of a better car; almost identical performance (1/10th slower to 60mph), exactly same engine bar 20bhp thanks to an ECU fiddle, largely similar looks etc and from all the reviews the difference is negligible between the 2 and I suspect in most real world scenarios and 90% of drivers, there would never be any difference...

The 540C, S and GT are all largely similar but equally aimed at very different people and buyers would have bought them for very different reasons and the fact McLaren sold a lot of them proves this and in itself proves the point of them

Lee Jones Jnr

Original Poster:

1,724 posts

171 months

Tuesday 12th May 2020
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Obafemi09 said:
To be honest, I don't really get the point of the post. You asked what the point of the 540c was and then when people tried to tell you, you basically told them they were wrong and then gave you answer so why ask the question in the first place if you already your answer and opinion as far as you were concerned?

What are your thoughts on the new Cayman GT4 and recently released GTS which is almost exactly the same price less as the 540c was to the S? A lesser car following the release of a better car; almost identical performance (1/10th slower to 60mph), exactly same engine bar 20bhp thanks to an ECU fiddle, largely similar looks etc and from all the reviews the difference is negligible between the 2 and I suspect in most real world scenarios and 90% of drivers, there would never be any difference...

The 540C, S and GT are all largely similar but equally aimed at very different people and buyers would have bought them for very different reasons and the fact McLaren sold a lot of them proves this and in itself proves the point of them
For many of the answers to your questions I would simply refer you to the post I made above yours.
Essentially the point was 50% to kill a few minutes and 50% to see if anyone had an answer that I could get onboard with. One good reason for making it does appear to have been put forward (tax implications in overseas markets) but still FOR ME, not a reason to bring it to market in the UK. I am too lazy to re read the whole thread but if I have said 'you are wrong' then that was not my intention, however to many of the supposed answers I do disagree and I think that is okay.

With regards the Cayman GTS v Cayman GT4, well the same price difference on a car that is half the price is far more significant and various specs and trims makes more much sense for a mass market car. With regards a lesser car being released, well firstly at that price point the difference in cost is significant and it is also simply slotting into a what, 9 or 10 model range with each model selling larger numbers rather than two incredibly similar cars being the whole range of what is a tiny production run of a car with a tiny market. I suppose I see it a little like if BMW only made a 3,5 and 7 series. The 3 series range consisted of only a 325iand to expand the range they released the 323i with worse brakes and black plastic trim instead for £2000 less.

I am interested in your last point though. I don't know what the figures are so I will take your word for it that the 540C has been a good seller. What are the numbers? I have based my judgement that it wasn't really a big seller based on the number for sale v the number of 570 on the market.
Could you expand on the types of very different people and very different reasons for buyers of the 540C and 570S please? There may be something interesting there, again I have assumed that the cars are so similar that they buyers would be very much similar and for very much similar reasons. I see why someone may buy a GT instead of an S (looks nicer to some mainly), though again I would consider the buyers to be similar and buying for similar reasons but it is the very different people and reasons that you see buying a 540C or a 570S that I would like to know more about.

12pack

1,547 posts

169 months

Wednesday 13th May 2020
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Chiming in late, and outside of tax, international market etc reasons, in general there are certainly many buyers who like the looks and appeal of a brand, but for whom going for the last bit of performance is not worth any additional spend. The 540c is a great option for them.

All automakers (and all industries) would weigh the biz case for such market splitting, and proceed if it makes sense. And it’s an easier biz case if they were already planning for the product for the international market anyway.

Lee Jones Jnr

Original Poster:

1,724 posts

171 months

Wednesday 13th May 2020
quotequote all
12pack said:
Chiming in late, and outside of tax, international market etc reasons, in general there are certainly many buyers who like the looks and appeal of a brand, but for whom going for the last bit of performance is not worth any additional spend. The 540c is a great option for them.

All automakers (and all industries) would weigh the biz case for such market splitting, and proceed if it makes sense. And it’s an easier biz case if they were already planning for the product for the international market anyway.
Yeah perhaps so. I would be interested to know how many 540C buyers would have bought a 570S if the 540C wasn't offered in the UK.

anonymous-user

55 months

Wednesday 13th May 2020
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For a question that was raised by the OP to "kill a few minutes", this has become a tedious and pointless thread.

Rocketreid

626 posts

73 months

Wednesday 13th May 2020
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MAC 720S said:
For a question that was raised by the OP to "kill a few minutes", this has become a tedious and pointless thread.
Completely agree. Totally pointless

tyrrell

1,670 posts

209 months

Thursday 14th May 2020
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I Remember being at Rybrook McLaren Bristol back in late 2017 and asking about demand for the 540 coupe, they apparently like most of the dealer network where struggling to shift the 540 and had very little interest in the car.

Most people when they compared specs and prices it was a no brainier to go for a 570S, most were bought on a PCP deal, for less than a £100 a month more you could be in the higher output & better spec car.


650spider

1,476 posts

172 months

Friday 15th May 2020
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tyrrell said:
I Remember being at Rybrook McLaren Bristol back in late 2017 and asking about demand for the 540 coupe, they apparently like most of the dealer network where struggling to shift the 540 and had very little interest in the car.

Most people when they compared specs and prices it was a no brainier to go for a 570S, most were bought on a PCP deal, for less than a £100 a month more you could be in the higher output & better spec car.
Seems as though plenty 540s were sold and cannot seem to recall any posts on here from unhappy owners.

Everyone has a budget, and whilst people are a bit bogged down with 600LT deals, back in 2017, they were not offering crazy deals, so owners went with what was in their budget.

Seems a no brainer to me that back then you could have nearly everything a 570 could do for as you say £100 a month less.

Look at the owners pics of their 540s...do they look any less than a 570? I don't think so.

A 540 is as quick if not quicker than a 911 turbo or GT3; its hardly a runners up prize.

justin220

5,347 posts

205 months

Saturday 16th May 2020
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650spider said:
Seems as though plenty 540s were sold and cannot seem to recall any posts on here from unhappy owners.

Everyone has a budget, and whilst people are a bit bogged down with 600LT deals, back in 2017, they were not offering crazy deals, so owners went with what was in their budget.

Seems a no brainer to me that back then you could have nearly everything a 570 could do for as you say £100 a month less.

Look at the owners pics of their 540s...do they look any less than a 570? I don't think so.

A 540 is as quick if not quicker than a 911 turbo or GT3; its hardly a runners up prize.
Good post.

justin220 said:
Thinking mans McLaren cool

Lee Jones Jnr

Original Poster:

1,724 posts

171 months

Saturday 16th May 2020
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650spider said:
Seems as though plenty 540s were sold and cannot seem to recall any posts on here from unhappy owners.

Everyone has a budget, and whilst people are a bit bogged down with 600LT deals, back in 2017, they were not offering crazy deals, so owners went with what was in their budget.

Seems a no brainer to me that back then you could have nearly everything a 570 could do for as you say £100 a month less.

Look at the owners pics of their 540s...do they look any less than a 570? I don't think so.

A 540 is as quick if not quicker than a 911 turbo or GT3; its hardly a runners up prize.
Were plenty of 540 sold?
Do have happen to know how many were sold and how many 570 were?

650spider

1,476 posts

172 months

Saturday 16th May 2020
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Lee Jones Jnr said:
650spider said:
Seems as though plenty 540s were sold and cannot seem to recall any posts on here from unhappy owners.

Everyone has a budget, and whilst people are a bit bogged down with 600LT deals, back in 2017, they were not offering crazy deals, so owners went with what was in their budget.

Seems a no brainer to me that back then you could have nearly everything a 570 could do for as you say £100 a month less.

Look at the owners pics of their 540s...do they look any less than a 570? I don't think so.

A 540 is as quick if not quicker than a 911 turbo or GT3; its hardly a runners up prize.
Were plenty of 540 sold?
Do have happen to know how many were sold and how many 570 were?
Going by "how many left" approx just under 100 rhd uk 540s were registered, and it seems around 300+ each of 570 coupe and spiders in rhd uk form.

I am not sure how accurate that site is though.

So it seems 3 to 1 in coupe form or 6 to 1 540 to 570.

Bigger numbers than i thought.



johnnyreggae

2,943 posts

161 months

Saturday 16th May 2020
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Latest DVLA taxed figures 78 540 / 281 570 / 297 spider / 201 gt BUT more than 500 over the entire range model missing

Lee Jones Jnr

Original Poster:

1,724 posts

171 months

Saturday 16th May 2020
quotequote all
johnnyreggae said:
Latest DVLA taxed figures 78 540 / 281 570 / 297 spider / 201 gt BUT more than 500 over the entire range model missing
Assuming the 500 are similar spread thats around 1/10.
Probably what I would have guessed.

mcl570

96 posts

79 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
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i believe the 540C was originally designed for the Chinese market

EvoSid

1,102 posts

64 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
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Lee Jones Jnr said:
So tell me again, what is the point of the 540C?
So when they are unloved and cheap to buy used then people like me can look at buying them , clearly that was what Mclaren marketing were thinking when they launched it