Bought a 720s! My 1st "supercar" Wish me luck!!
Discussion
MrC986 said:
Nice post OP on buying your 720....it was clearly meant to be. I have a friend whose a senior techie for one of the main Mc dealers & he says lack of use does cause issues & the better cars are the ones driven regularly & which get more miles on them (not that you need an excuse!).
I would concur.My mac has 32K miles now and I use it for any possible journey in any weather; it has never yet missed a beat or given me a moments grief...cannot be coincidence.
On topic, really enjoying your thread OP!
Loving your enthusiasm...it is funny how easy it is to become a full Mac convert.
Looking forward to the next update; I hope the issue is nothing too serious.
I've always found the service excellent from McLaren dealers, specifically Glasgow and Birmingham over the last couple of years, which is contrary to their seemingly poor reputation. In my experience, they really to resolve issues, they've always been timely and I've always found them very friendly and professional.
Where are you based OP?
I've always found the service excellent from McLaren dealers, specifically Glasgow and Birmingham over the last couple of years, which is contrary to their seemingly poor reputation. In my experience, they really to resolve issues, they've always been timely and I've always found them very friendly and professional.
Where are you based OP?
Is it worth buying a code scanner ? Do these cars have a ODB port or do they dial in ?
I would be reading the codes, then clearly and seeing what comes back.
How do you plan to service it ? Is there a local dealer to you or does it go back to the supplying dealer ?
Im watching a youtube channel where the dude, Tarvarish, is rebuilding ones of these cars. Amazing.
Simon
I would be reading the codes, then clearly and seeing what comes back.
How do you plan to service it ? Is there a local dealer to you or does it go back to the supplying dealer ?
Im watching a youtube channel where the dude, Tarvarish, is rebuilding ones of these cars. Amazing.
Simon
AstonExige said:
I'll write the next update tomorrow, there's more interesting updates to come, one which results in me waving goodbye to the car as it disappears off in the back of a transporter 
Thanks for the post, great to feel your enthusiasm in your posts.I really hope this part is a positive story!
What a fantastic write up, thanks for sharing. With all the talk on here about values and not buying a car of your dreams because of X,Y,Z (fill in what you want ... the economy, brexit, covid etc), its nice to see someone following their heart for once and just doing something that makes you smile ear to ear.
I read this forum fairly regularly and certainly in the last few months it feels like people have really started appreciating what phenomenal cars McLaren's are. The value they currently present compared to the competition make them truly hard to resist.
Huge congrats to you and enjoy in good health
I read this forum fairly regularly and certainly in the last few months it feels like people have really started appreciating what phenomenal cars McLaren's are. The value they currently present compared to the competition make them truly hard to resist.
Huge congrats to you and enjoy in good health
Had a couple of days off work the week following collection weekend. The first one, track day at Mallory Park........ alas, not in the 720s. I won't deny, it did cross my mind whether I should take it, but only briefly. To keep my warranty intact I'd have to present the car to Mclaren before and after the track day for checks?? Sounds a bit like a money maker to me. Anyway, I normally really look forward to track days, but I've got a day off...... I have a Mclaren in the garage........ and I'm leaving it behind?! Yeah, killed some of my enthusiasm. And the Mclaren effect didn't end there......
So my track weapon of choice is a bike engined Westfield, Properly set-up with a 2016 SP Fireblade engine. 200bhp in a car that weighs 470kg, 13,000 rpm rev limit and a sequential box and flat-shifter. It is not a slow car and is very capable. (and serious fun!)
Makes a great sound too: https://youtu.be/Inc0MoB4YOs
Anyway, so I arrive at Mallory, unload the car, get the sighting laps out the way and get out there for the first session. Out on to the straight, put my foot down....... felt like I was in a fecking steam train....... where's the kick in the back I was expecting?!......... then it hit me: my every day road car is making my track car feel under powered! What the actual f**k? In "normal" years I'll do 8-10 track days a year including Spa and the Ring, they're my thing, I live for it. But has the Mclaren ruined it?! The first 1 or 2 laps I was feeling a bit crap about it, but once the tyres warmed up and I could starting pushing on, the little Westfield reminded me the main adrenaline rush from this car doesn't come from straight line acceleration, its the whole package, the whole theatre of that car. Phew. I am aware that I am still living on cloud 9 since getting the Mclaren, almost waiting for something to burst my bubble, that inevitable thing to go wrong, after all, how can this be happening to me?! So maybe I'm looking for it...... Anyway, had a great time on track..
only 2nd time out this year and hadn't been to Mallory for years. Last time I was here I spent most of the time facing the wrong direction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feh_I7tmkrE
So having spent the 1st of my 2 days off not driving the 720s, I was going to make up for it on my next day off! So took the scenic route to meet some friends down in Aylesbury for lunch. Just as I was leaving I passed a black Lamborghini Murcielago coming the other way, it reminded my that SB Race Engineering were in Aylesbury. I've seen a number of YouTube videos with Paul Wallace (SOL) at SB, they seemed to do a lot with various supercars, exhausts and I recalled a 720s in one video. So searched for them on Waze and headed over.
The one improvement I'd like to make to the car is the noise, it just isn't loud enough. I actually like the sound it does make, just think it could be a bit louder to add to the whole theatre of the car. So talking to SB felt like a good idea, especially as I was just around the corner.
Rocked up, that black Lambo was parked outside! Probably thinks I'm following him! So went inside and talking to one of their guys, really friendly, explained they'd done a lot of 720's, in fact McHatfield send a lot over to them when they're brand new?! And there is me worrying about warranty?! This guy said that as I already have the Sports exhaust, putting a cat back on is not worth the cost, the difference is minimal, you'd need to change the cats. Well there is no way I'm messing with the cats, I want / need to keep my McWarranty intact. So first rubbish news on the car, but hey, in 2yrs when the warranty expires, gloves are off! I would've renewed it, but I think I'll go for a Thorney one where they'll not void the warranty with mods, as long as it is their mods (clever of Thorney, not so much Mclaren)
Also turns out Paul Wallace was at SB, it was his Lambo. Really nice guy, had a good chat. Said to drop him an Instagram message as he had a contact at Mclaren who may be able to help in regards to warranty and aftermarket exhausts, thought that was a nice touch. Didn't reply to my message though, thought that counts I suppose
So headed home. As I was driving back, heard a weird metallic donk on the drivers side, right next to me. Everything seemed fine so put it down to running over something, drink can or something. It was only when I got home, got out to open the garage door (I have a Mclaren now, can't afford electric garage doors ) back to the car and went to open the door..... where the bloody hell is the door handle gone?!?! As I reached around to push the handle/button, there was just a hole! Then it dawned on me, that was that donk I'd heard, the handle falling off! 
So this is where the handle should have been. You can see a rubber gromet looking thing, turns out that's the button the handle pushes on so no problem opening it without the handle. I think my 720 was just trying to shed some more weight, felt a bit fat parked up in the garage next to the Westfield!
I saw the funny side, hand-built British supercar right? I did come into this with my eyes open. But also I knew the warranty would cover it, and you couldn't see it from the outside so it wasn't going to spoil the upcoming weekend
Quick call to Alex, he put got Sam in after-sales to call me back (again it was after hours) and said not too worry, they'll sort it, enjoy the weekend and we'll chat again on Monday. These guys are good.
Parked up in the garage waiting for the weekends shenanigans....
So my track weapon of choice is a bike engined Westfield, Properly set-up with a 2016 SP Fireblade engine. 200bhp in a car that weighs 470kg, 13,000 rpm rev limit and a sequential box and flat-shifter. It is not a slow car and is very capable. (and serious fun!)
Makes a great sound too: https://youtu.be/Inc0MoB4YOs
Anyway, so I arrive at Mallory, unload the car, get the sighting laps out the way and get out there for the first session. Out on to the straight, put my foot down....... felt like I was in a fecking steam train....... where's the kick in the back I was expecting?!......... then it hit me: my every day road car is making my track car feel under powered! What the actual f**k? In "normal" years I'll do 8-10 track days a year including Spa and the Ring, they're my thing, I live for it. But has the Mclaren ruined it?! The first 1 or 2 laps I was feeling a bit crap about it, but once the tyres warmed up and I could starting pushing on, the little Westfield reminded me the main adrenaline rush from this car doesn't come from straight line acceleration, its the whole package, the whole theatre of that car. Phew. I am aware that I am still living on cloud 9 since getting the Mclaren, almost waiting for something to burst my bubble, that inevitable thing to go wrong, after all, how can this be happening to me?! So maybe I'm looking for it...... Anyway, had a great time on track..
only 2nd time out this year and hadn't been to Mallory for years. Last time I was here I spent most of the time facing the wrong direction:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feh_I7tmkrE
So having spent the 1st of my 2 days off not driving the 720s, I was going to make up for it on my next day off! So took the scenic route to meet some friends down in Aylesbury for lunch. Just as I was leaving I passed a black Lamborghini Murcielago coming the other way, it reminded my that SB Race Engineering were in Aylesbury. I've seen a number of YouTube videos with Paul Wallace (SOL) at SB, they seemed to do a lot with various supercars, exhausts and I recalled a 720s in one video. So searched for them on Waze and headed over.
The one improvement I'd like to make to the car is the noise, it just isn't loud enough. I actually like the sound it does make, just think it could be a bit louder to add to the whole theatre of the car. So talking to SB felt like a good idea, especially as I was just around the corner.
Rocked up, that black Lambo was parked outside! Probably thinks I'm following him! So went inside and talking to one of their guys, really friendly, explained they'd done a lot of 720's, in fact McHatfield send a lot over to them when they're brand new?! And there is me worrying about warranty?! This guy said that as I already have the Sports exhaust, putting a cat back on is not worth the cost, the difference is minimal, you'd need to change the cats. Well there is no way I'm messing with the cats, I want / need to keep my McWarranty intact. So first rubbish news on the car, but hey, in 2yrs when the warranty expires, gloves are off! I would've renewed it, but I think I'll go for a Thorney one where they'll not void the warranty with mods, as long as it is their mods (clever of Thorney, not so much Mclaren)
Also turns out Paul Wallace was at SB, it was his Lambo. Really nice guy, had a good chat. Said to drop him an Instagram message as he had a contact at Mclaren who may be able to help in regards to warranty and aftermarket exhausts, thought that was a nice touch. Didn't reply to my message though, thought that counts I suppose
So headed home. As I was driving back, heard a weird metallic donk on the drivers side, right next to me. Everything seemed fine so put it down to running over something, drink can or something. It was only when I got home, got out to open the garage door (I have a Mclaren now, can't afford electric garage doors
) back to the car and went to open the door..... where the bloody hell is the door handle gone?!?! As I reached around to push the handle/button, there was just a hole! Then it dawned on me, that was that donk I'd heard, the handle falling off! So this is where the handle should have been. You can see a rubber gromet looking thing, turns out that's the button the handle pushes on so no problem opening it without the handle. I think my 720 was just trying to shed some more weight, felt a bit fat parked up in the garage next to the Westfield!I saw the funny side, hand-built British supercar right? I did come into this with my eyes open. But also I knew the warranty would cover it, and you couldn't see it from the outside so it wasn't going to spoil the upcoming weekend
Quick call to Alex, he put got Sam in after-sales to call me back (again it was after hours) and said not too worry, they'll sort it, enjoy the weekend and we'll chat again on Monday. These guys are good.Parked up in the garage waiting for the weekends shenanigans....
Edited by AstonExige on Friday 2nd October 08:59
I think a Wise decision taking the Westfield to Mallory.
I have a Lotus with 480bhp and 1,000kg and it’s more than enough on there.
The 720s is biblically fast and although I’m no track expert I think Silverstone and Donington suit its power. I’ve only done Silverstone in mine and 175mph down Hanger with Stowe to contend with does focus your mind slightly. Enjoy your experience despite bits falling off, it does happen !!
I have a Lotus with 480bhp and 1,000kg and it’s more than enough on there.
The 720s is biblically fast and although I’m no track expert I think Silverstone and Donington suit its power. I’ve only done Silverstone in mine and 175mph down Hanger with Stowe to contend with does focus your mind slightly. Enjoy your experience despite bits falling off, it does happen !!
Sports cats is the way to go to improve the sound.
My 675LT is scheduled to have it done at Thorneys in November
Even then I think it will still be quieter than my Performante
At least it will be the best sound it can be for a turbo car whilst reducing some of the lag.
Thorney warrants his cats so you should speak to him about bringing it forward potentially
My 675LT is scheduled to have it done at Thorneys in November
Even then I think it will still be quieter than my Performante
At least it will be the best sound it can be for a turbo car whilst reducing some of the lag.
Thorney warrants his cats so you should speak to him about bringing it forward potentially
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