Bought a 720s! My 1st "supercar" Wish me luck!!
Discussion
On Sunday morning, getting up at 5am, left home to meet up with some of my Lotus buddies to drive some nice and hopefully empty Peaks roads. Anyone who hasn't done this, well worth it! Even driving this car at night comes with some theatre.
Quite impressed with the fuel economy I go on the way up, although I was sitting at 70mph on the motorway for most of the journey...
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Met up with the crowd, had a great drive, car was fantastic, so engaging and exciting to drive, even though I spent most of the time short shifting.
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Took a more scenic route back and really enjoyed it. Just love the positive attention this car gets, definitely gives you that feel good factor!
So I'm not too far away from home, on one of my favourite twisties just following behind a van, and I pass a junction on the right and waiting behind one other car, a really lovely looking red 991 GT3. I had an idea, and a hope, that he would do his best to get up behind me. So first time since I'd had the car that someone would come for a little play, the thought of demonstrating the cars capabilities to some unsuspecting GT3 driver, especially down some of my favourite twisties, well it appealed. So when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw him on the other side of the road, overtaking the car in front of him and therefore bearing down on my arse, the adrenaline starting pumping. I was still behind this van and he joined me, close enough to let me know
There was a straight coming up where I knew we'd both get by so it was game on. I went down to 3rd in preparation to open it up and leave the guy standing there, the straight appeared, just about to pulled out and bong....... looked down and......
Talk about bad timing and what an anti-climax. Needless to say I didn't make the overtake and shortly after pulled into a garden centre. This was the same message I got before where a simple engine restart sorted it. And it did, in the main, but this time the engine management light stayed on. FFS. I was only a few miles from home so put everything in comfort and auto and took a steady drive home. Left the car for 15mins, tried again, light still on. But you know what, I've been enjoying this car so much, on so many different levels, it didn;t worry me. I had warranty, the guys at Mcmanchester are looking after me, I knew they'd sort it.
So Monday I give them a call (by which point the engine management light had turned off so maybe could have let it go again) Sam says lets get it back up to us, get some diagnostics run and see whats what. Also can sort the handle out at the same time (which I had found in the intake behind the door There are 2 locating pins, where the handle pivots, one had sheared off. So no way the dealer would have known that a pin had a weakness as part of a PPI
8am on Tuesday morning and my car is collected..... with a nice surprise dropped off..
The whole thing was very professional, the guy unloading and loading took the upmost care, had no worries on that side of things. And I get to drive a new GT around whilst I'm waiting for mine. Free Mclaren miles! So I knew what I would be doing that evening. Missus comes up to my office at the end of the day inviting me on our usual dog walk, sorry babe, I'm going out driving 120 miles and 2/3 tank of fuel later and I'm back home.
Quick review: lovely car, very fast, not as quick obviously but still quick enough for our roads, doesn't deal with our uneven roads half as well, you can definitely enjoy them more in the 720s. Having this GT was great as it has made me appreciate the 720 even more and cemented my idea that I did the right thing going for the Super Series car with the active suspension.
Next day, McManchester called, they've reset and recalibrated the gearbox, cleared the codes, given it a good test drive and all looks good. One complication, Mclaren don't have any handles in their parts basket, however they were going to see if they could pinch one off a 765 on the production line, which they did, it arrived Thursday and car ready to come back to me on Friday. However, I've got the day off (still trying to use holidays up) So I offered to drive the GT up to them and mine back (two trips across the Peaks again, once in a GT and since in a 720, I could think of worse days to spend your days off. Stopped for a pee break in Baslow, walking back to the GT, it is a lovely looking car. Mclaren do know how to make a good looking car......
Had a really good chat with Sam and one of the techs at McMachester for an hour, then got in my car for a drive back across the peaks. (found a bag on the pax seat full of some nice goodies from Bentley, Bugatti and Mclaren, nice touch) Full tank of fuel too It was almost like collection day again, only been without it for a handful of days but I was so excited getting it back, handed the keys again and making my way off. Had a great drive back across the Peaks, stopping loads for photos. Here are few, this car is so photogenic!
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|https://thumbsnap.com/T7ykUQb1[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/Mc9qKHQC[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/gvXqUdaT[/url][url]
|https://thumbsnap.com/MYXmN6SQ[/url]
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Almost caught up now, this was last Friday. Had the last week to drive the car and see if the problem was fixed, fingers crossed.....[url]
Quite impressed with the fuel economy I go on the way up, although I was sitting at 70mph on the motorway for most of the journey...
|https://thumbsnap.com/eNhHACGc[/url]Met up with the crowd, had a great drive, car was fantastic, so engaging and exciting to drive, even though I spent most of the time short shifting.
[url]Took a more scenic route back and really enjoyed it. Just love the positive attention this car gets, definitely gives you that feel good factor!
So I'm not too far away from home, on one of my favourite twisties just following behind a van, and I pass a junction on the right and waiting behind one other car, a really lovely looking red 991 GT3. I had an idea, and a hope, that he would do his best to get up behind me. So first time since I'd had the car that someone would come for a little play, the thought of demonstrating the cars capabilities to some unsuspecting GT3 driver, especially down some of my favourite twisties, well it appealed. So when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw him on the other side of the road, overtaking the car in front of him and therefore bearing down on my arse, the adrenaline starting pumping. I was still behind this van and he joined me, close enough to let me know
There was a straight coming up where I knew we'd both get by so it was game on. I went down to 3rd in preparation to open it up and leave the guy standing there, the straight appeared, just about to pulled out and bong....... looked down and......Talk about bad timing and what an anti-climax. Needless to say I didn't make the overtake and shortly after pulled into a garden centre. This was the same message I got before where a simple engine restart sorted it. And it did, in the main, but this time the engine management light stayed on. FFS. I was only a few miles from home so put everything in comfort and auto and took a steady drive home. Left the car for 15mins, tried again, light still on. But you know what, I've been enjoying this car so much, on so many different levels, it didn;t worry me. I had warranty, the guys at Mcmanchester are looking after me, I knew they'd sort it.
So Monday I give them a call (by which point the engine management light had turned off so maybe could have let it go again) Sam says lets get it back up to us, get some diagnostics run and see whats what. Also can sort the handle out at the same time (which I had found in the intake behind the door
There are 2 locating pins, where the handle pivots, one had sheared off. So no way the dealer would have known that a pin had a weakness as part of a PPI 8am on Tuesday morning and my car is collected..... with a nice surprise dropped off..
The whole thing was very professional, the guy unloading and loading took the upmost care, had no worries on that side of things. And I get to drive a new GT around whilst I'm waiting for mine. Free Mclaren miles! So I knew what I would be doing that evening. Missus comes up to my office at the end of the day inviting me on our usual dog walk, sorry babe, I'm going out driving
120 miles and 2/3 tank of fuel later and I'm back home.Quick review: lovely car, very fast, not as quick obviously but still quick enough for our roads, doesn't deal with our uneven roads half as well, you can definitely enjoy them more in the 720s. Having this GT was great as it has made me appreciate the 720 even more and cemented my idea that I did the right thing going for the Super Series car with the active suspension.
Next day, McManchester called, they've reset and recalibrated the gearbox, cleared the codes, given it a good test drive and all looks good. One complication, Mclaren don't have any handles in their parts basket, however they were going to see if they could pinch one off a 765 on the production line, which they did, it arrived Thursday and car ready to come back to me on Friday. However, I've got the day off (still trying to use holidays up) So I offered to drive the GT up to them and mine back (two trips across the Peaks again, once in a GT and since in a 720, I could think of worse days to spend your days off. Stopped for a pee break in Baslow, walking back to the GT, it is a lovely looking car. Mclaren do know how to make a good looking car......
Had a really good chat with Sam and one of the techs at McMachester for an hour, then got in my car for a drive back across the peaks. (found a bag on the pax seat full of some nice goodies from Bentley, Bugatti and Mclaren, nice touch) Full tank of fuel too
It was almost like collection day again, only been without it for a handful of days but I was so excited getting it back, handed the keys again and making my way off. Had a great drive back across the Peaks, stopping loads for photos. Here are few, this car is so photogenic![url]|https://thumbsnap.com/T7ykUQb1[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/Mc9qKHQC[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/gvXqUdaT[/url][url]|https://thumbsnap.com/MYXmN6SQ[/url][url]Almost caught up now, this was last Friday. Had the last week to drive the car and see if the problem was fixed, fingers crossed.....[url]
Not seeking to troll anyone here, I love McLaren as a brand and their cars are exceptional.
I will shortly be in the market at the £200k or so price point. I'd love a 675LT, 600LT or 720S, but I live on the Isle of Man and the number of trips to the dealers that these cars seem to require, just seem to make them a wholly impractical choice for me.
There's no McLaren dealership or servicing on the Island and the closest place is Manchester, so pretty difficult to arrange quick trips back or collection if something goes wrong.
The Isle of Man may be an extreme example, but it seems to me that if you want a McLaren, you need to factor in the travel time to the nearest dealership.
As I say, I love the cars, but it seems I just couldn't take the chance on ownership?
I will shortly be in the market at the £200k or so price point. I'd love a 675LT, 600LT or 720S, but I live on the Isle of Man and the number of trips to the dealers that these cars seem to require, just seem to make them a wholly impractical choice for me.
There's no McLaren dealership or servicing on the Island and the closest place is Manchester, so pretty difficult to arrange quick trips back or collection if something goes wrong.
The Isle of Man may be an extreme example, but it seems to me that if you want a McLaren, you need to factor in the travel time to the nearest dealership.
As I say, I love the cars, but it seems I just couldn't take the chance on ownership?
TheDeadPrussian said:
Not seeking to troll anyone here, I love McLaren as a brand and their cars are exceptional.
I will shortly be in the market at the £200k or so price point. I'd love a 675LT, 600LT or 720S, but I live on the Isle of Man and the number of trips to the dealers that these cars seem to require, just seem to make them a wholly impractical choice for me.
There's no McLaren dealership or servicing on the Island and the closest place is Manchester, so pretty difficult to arrange quick trips back or collection if something goes wrong.
The Isle of Man may be an extreme example, but it seems to me that if you want a McLaren, you need to factor in the travel time to the nearest dealership.
As I say, I love the cars, but it seems I just couldn't take the chance on ownership?
I have a friend in Andorra who feels the same way and cancelled a 765LT allocation.I will shortly be in the market at the £200k or so price point. I'd love a 675LT, 600LT or 720S, but I live on the Isle of Man and the number of trips to the dealers that these cars seem to require, just seem to make them a wholly impractical choice for me.
There's no McLaren dealership or servicing on the Island and the closest place is Manchester, so pretty difficult to arrange quick trips back or collection if something goes wrong.
The Isle of Man may be an extreme example, but it seems to me that if you want a McLaren, you need to factor in the travel time to the nearest dealership.
As I say, I love the cars, but it seems I just couldn't take the chance on ownership?
For what its worth mine hasn't missed a beat in 1500miles (720s) - it just has some wear items that came up during inspection that will be done over the winter under warranty.
If I was in your position and I really loved a particular model I'd buy one that has a few miles and has the niggles ironed out, then have it independently inspected (Thorney Motorsport or Litchfield Motors) before shipping it back to the island. Yes it'll create a bit of a lead time but I'd bet you don't have to move it back in a hurry.
TheDeadPrussian said:
Not seeking to troll anyone here, I love McLaren as a brand and their cars are exceptional.
I will shortly be in the market at the £200k or so price point. I'd love a 675LT, 600LT or 720S, but I live on the Isle of Man and the number of trips to the dealers that these cars seem to require, just seem to make them a wholly impractical choice for me.
There's no McLaren dealership or servicing on the Island and the closest place is Manchester, so pretty difficult to arrange quick trips back or collection if something goes wrong.
The Isle of Man may be an extreme example, but it seems to me that if you want a McLaren, you need to factor in the travel time to the nearest dealership.
As I say, I love the cars, but it seems I just couldn't take the chance on ownership?
675LT seem to be the best built being the end of production with most niggles ironed out.I will shortly be in the market at the £200k or so price point. I'd love a 675LT, 600LT or 720S, but I live on the Isle of Man and the number of trips to the dealers that these cars seem to require, just seem to make them a wholly impractical choice for me.
There's no McLaren dealership or servicing on the Island and the closest place is Manchester, so pretty difficult to arrange quick trips back or collection if something goes wrong.
The Isle of Man may be an extreme example, but it seems to me that if you want a McLaren, you need to factor in the travel time to the nearest dealership.
As I say, I love the cars, but it seems I just couldn't take the chance on ownership?
The car im buying has been known to me with its 1 owner for 4 years and has not missed a beat. Not a single issue so has only visited dealer for its annual services.
Ok its only 5,000 miles over 4 years but owner says its only getting better with miles, of which I intend to do plenty.
Yes its handy to be close to the dealer with some cars but I think you would be fine with a 675LT and its not something I would be put off with.
My lambos and ferraris haven't been without issues and I dont have a dealer on my doorstep
I was toying with a 675lt, justifying the extra as the residuals would be better. But have you seen the cost of parts?! Lower arm on a 720, it’s hundreds, on a 675, it’s thousands! It’s the one model that Thorney won’t warranty as the parts are so expensive.
Mine has had a couple of niggles, but the last owner only did a few hundred miles in a year so I think I’m just working through some of the consequences of that. Bear in mind also I’ve done a lot of miles in the short while I’ve had it, one also condensed 3 weeks of ownership in to 3 days on here. So I’ve really only had a gearbox / sensor throw up and error and the door handle locator pin shear off.
In regards to buying a car if you don’t have a dealer nearby, Manchester come and got my car and would’ve dropped it off again, but I offered to drive up
So cut a long story short, don’t let my story out you off
Mine has had a couple of niggles, but the last owner only did a few hundred miles in a year so I think I’m just working through some of the consequences of that. Bear in mind also I’ve done a lot of miles in the short while I’ve had it, one also condensed 3 weeks of ownership in to 3 days on here. So I’ve really only had a gearbox / sensor throw up and error and the door handle locator pin shear off.
In regards to buying a car if you don’t have a dealer nearby, Manchester come and got my car and would’ve dropped it off again, but I offered to drive up
So cut a long story short, don’t let my story out you off
AstonExige said:
I was toying with a 675lt, justifying the extra as the residuals would be better. But have you seen the cost of parts?! Lower arm on a 720, it’s hundreds, on a 675, it’s thousands! It’s the one model that Thorney won’t warranty as the parts are so expensive.
Mine has had a couple of niggles, but the last owner only did a few hundred miles in a year so I think I’m just working through some of the consequences of that. Bear in mind also I’ve done a lot of miles in the short while I’ve had it, one also condensed 3 weeks of ownership in to 3 days on here. So I’ve really only had a gearbox / sensor throw up and error and the door handle locator pin shear off.
In regards to buying a car if you don’t have a dealer nearby, Manchester come and got my car and would’ve dropped it off again, but I offered to drive up
So cut a long story short, don’t let my story out you off
New Forest took the same approach with mine and are coming to collect for free to cover non essential warranty items. I didn't even buy the car from them, it came from an Indy. Impressed with the dealer support so far.Mine has had a couple of niggles, but the last owner only did a few hundred miles in a year so I think I’m just working through some of the consequences of that. Bear in mind also I’ve done a lot of miles in the short while I’ve had it, one also condensed 3 weeks of ownership in to 3 days on here. So I’ve really only had a gearbox / sensor throw up and error and the door handle locator pin shear off.
In regards to buying a car if you don’t have a dealer nearby, Manchester come and got my car and would’ve dropped it off again, but I offered to drive up
So cut a long story short, don’t let my story out you off
AstonExige said:
I was toying with a 675lt, justifying the extra as the residuals would be better. But have you seen the cost of parts?! Lower arm on a 720, it’s hundreds, on a 675, it’s thousands! It’s the one model that Thorney won’t warranty as the parts are so expensive.
He is going to warrant mine no problem.Agree parts are expensive on the LT as you say.
Ive had a PPI done had and the car im buying may need a rear lower arm due to a small split in the Bush and its a £2,150 part.
Its not essential but gives me some bargaining power to knock £2k off purchase price and see if it worsens over the next year or so.
I came here to check out some real world ownership experiences to see how well founded the growing reputation for problems and build quality was. I have to say while I really do appreciate the honesty, reading the various threads on here is not filling me with confidence. Parting with the money being asked for these cars would come with an expectation for meticulous preparation and entirely faultless operation.
I’ve owned a number of cars that some might consider a risky proposition but all performed better than expected. Stepping up to a McLaren would be my most expensive car purchase by far so I’d hate for it to be the least reliable.
I’ve owned a number of cars that some might consider a risky proposition but all performed better than expected. Stepping up to a McLaren would be my most expensive car purchase by far so I’d hate for it to be the least reliable.
I think what you should take away from my thread is that the cars offer such a superior driving experience that a few little niggles, especially when the dealer support and warranties are so good, are so worth it and don’t take away from the experience at all.
But you do need to go in with your eyes open, these are hand built cutting edge British super cars, they’re going to have their quirks and niggles. If you want a car that is perfect 100% of the time they probably aren’t for you, in fact most super cars won’t be.
But you do need to go in with your eyes open, these are hand built cutting edge British super cars, they’re going to have their quirks and niggles. If you want a car that is perfect 100% of the time they probably aren’t for you, in fact most super cars won’t be.
twinturban said:
I came here to check out some real world ownership experiences to see how well founded the growing reputation for problems and build quality was. I have to say while I really do appreciate the honesty, reading the various threads on here is not filling me with confidence.
My 720S has been the most reliable car I've ever owned in my life. That's compared to all brands and models from Vauxhall, Ford, Nissan, Toyota, Lotus, BMW, Ferrari - just off the top of my head. AstonExige said:
I think what you should take away from my thread is that the cars offer such a superior driving experience that a few little niggles, especially when the dealer support and warranties are so good, are so worth it and don’t take away from the experience at all.
But you do need to go in with your eyes open, these are hand built cutting edge British super cars, they’re going to have their quirks and niggles. If you want a car that is perfect 100% of the time they probably aren’t for you, in fact most super cars won’t be.
Well put.But you do need to go in with your eyes open, these are hand built cutting edge British super cars, they’re going to have their quirks and niggles. If you want a car that is perfect 100% of the time they probably aren’t for you, in fact most super cars won’t be.
I've had problems with porsches, lambos and ferraris but none of them get blown out of proportion in the same way on the Internet as Mclaren.
I think this is mainly due to the way its handled by dealer/manufacturer in tge first instance.
Perception and reality can be 2 different things
Just too big a risk for me based on what I keep reading at every turn. I assumed it had all been blown way out of proportion by Porsche and Ferrari fanboys who seem to want to see McLaren fail. Seems that lots has to be forgiven and excused.
Really sad to read all this stuff reinforcing the view that Brits can’t build cars. My Dad had 6 Jags in a row, they were well maintained but each and every one was faultless to 150k miles and beyond. I mean 100% faultless. Annual service and that was it. No ifs no buts. The British cars I’ve owned have all been great, even the TVRs! Niggles have no place in any modern car let alone big ticket items. One limp home mode and the dream is in the bin. I don’t care who’s badge is on the bonnet. It’s not character, it’s not endearing, its not quirky, it’s simply not good enough.
Sorry, so much I applaud and admire about McLaren, those of you with good ones are very lucky, they are incredible cars but seriously McLaren WTF are you playing at?
Really sad to read all this stuff reinforcing the view that Brits can’t build cars. My Dad had 6 Jags in a row, they were well maintained but each and every one was faultless to 150k miles and beyond. I mean 100% faultless. Annual service and that was it. No ifs no buts. The British cars I’ve owned have all been great, even the TVRs! Niggles have no place in any modern car let alone big ticket items. One limp home mode and the dream is in the bin. I don’t care who’s badge is on the bonnet. It’s not character, it’s not endearing, its not quirky, it’s simply not good enough.
Sorry, so much I applaud and admire about McLaren, those of you with good ones are very lucky, they are incredible cars but seriously McLaren WTF are you playing at?
twinturban said:
I came here to check out some real world ownership experiences to see how well founded the growing reputation for problems and build quality was. I have to say while I really do appreciate the honesty, reading the various threads on here is not filling me with confidence. Parting with the money being asked for these cars would come with an expectation for meticulous preparation and entirely faultless operation.
I’ve owned a number of cars that some might consider a risky proposition but all performed better than expected. Stepping up to a McLaren would be my most expensive car purchase by far so I’d hate for it to be the least reliable.
Depends on how much you are looking to spend I suppose but maybe dip your toe in with a 2/3 yo sports series and see how it goes with a warranty etc. My 570s has had some niggles that were all covered under warranty but nothing that really stopped me using the car tbh...the warranty was an absolute must tho and has saved me a nice four figure sum. Ultimately they are fantastic driving machines with a cache and mystique that most Porsches/R8s or cars at the sports series price point simply don't have. I had mine parked opposite a new shape R8 the other day and had a good chance to compare both cars aesthetically. The Mclaren is all sculpted curves and looks so much more exotic than the Audi which looked a bit slab sided by comparison tbh... Both cars would be a similar price too but hard to believe when side by side. Of course the V10 in the Audi is a masterpiece of an engine but I wouldn't give it a second glance parked beside the Mac ( and I owned a Gen 1 V10 which I loved!). Yes they have niggles but the overall experience of owning and driving them covers that unless you ended up with a proper lemon. I’ve owned a number of cars that some might consider a risky proposition but all performed better than expected. Stepping up to a McLaren would be my most expensive car purchase by far so I’d hate for it to be the least reliable.
Edited by RSbandit on Saturday 3rd October 09:27
I hope this thread doesn’t descend into the typical PH nonsense. It has the ingredients; the enthusiastic, patient and forgiving McLaren owners who are willing to accept some compromise (I’m in that camp) and those who will not accept that a car manufacturer should build a car with any niggles.
Both are individually right of course, on the basis we’re all different with wildly varying tolerances; one can have a car with niggles that someone else would find faultless because those same niggles simply don’t register.
From my own experience and of others I know, I’m not sure McLaren are that much worse than most alternatives. You can be lucky and get a faultless car (my first 570S was such a car, one of the most reliable cars I’ve ever had) but I’d say most high end sports and supercars, particularly if you’re going to put big miles on one, require either a high tolerance threshold so issues don’t register or you need a degree of patience.
My back catalogue is typically made up of the usual German made suspects; AMG’s, M’s and many many 911’s and R8’s. In almost all cases, especially the 911’s and R8’s, there have been niggles, there have been major faults and even breakdowns. My 2017 911 Turbo S had a fault with the active aero that really b*ggered up a German road trip. My 2016 R8, at three months old, broke down the day I was due to drive it to Le Mans (I ended up rejecting both that car AND the R8 that replaced it). Lots more examples; 997 Turbo at a year old breaking down with an electrical fault (which never was fully diagnosed), all four of my 991’s and all of my M3’s rattled (it’s one of those tolerance issues, some people just don’t notice it), one of my two Jag XKR’s had a structural fault (and was rejected) and don’t get me started on the DB11 (that lasted 4 weeks ). You get the idea.
For balance there have been some really good ones, in particular an F90 M5 and F12 M6 were both totally faultless, as were two AMG GT’s and one of my two 570S’s (and the second one only had a minor oil weep in 6k miles of ownership).
I’m actually someone with quite a low tolerance level; I notice stuff. I went into McLaren ownership 18m ago eyes wide open and, now on my 4th McLaren, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. No, they haven’t been faultless but I’ve never had a breakdown (unlike the R8) and every time I’ve used my McLarens on a major road trip, they have done that trip genuinely faultlessly (unlike the 911). And when I have had a problem, I’ve found their dealers to be better in terms of service and tenacity to understand and resolve an issue than any Audi, Porsche or Mercedes dealer.
You take a risk of having issues with any car or product you buy. The risk with McLaren is barely any different in my experience. Yet you get a car that unquestionably drives and performs better than almost anything else, has a greater sense of occasion than almost anything else and which creates more positive interest from others than anything else - everyone, absolutely everyone, loves a McLaren (apart from PH naysayers and those who have genuinely had a terrible experience....but every brand has such examples).
Both are individually right of course, on the basis we’re all different with wildly varying tolerances; one can have a car with niggles that someone else would find faultless because those same niggles simply don’t register.
From my own experience and of others I know, I’m not sure McLaren are that much worse than most alternatives. You can be lucky and get a faultless car (my first 570S was such a car, one of the most reliable cars I’ve ever had) but I’d say most high end sports and supercars, particularly if you’re going to put big miles on one, require either a high tolerance threshold so issues don’t register or you need a degree of patience.
My back catalogue is typically made up of the usual German made suspects; AMG’s, M’s and many many 911’s and R8’s. In almost all cases, especially the 911’s and R8’s, there have been niggles, there have been major faults and even breakdowns. My 2017 911 Turbo S had a fault with the active aero that really b*ggered up a German road trip. My 2016 R8, at three months old, broke down the day I was due to drive it to Le Mans (I ended up rejecting both that car AND the R8 that replaced it). Lots more examples; 997 Turbo at a year old breaking down with an electrical fault (which never was fully diagnosed), all four of my 991’s and all of my M3’s rattled (it’s one of those tolerance issues, some people just don’t notice it), one of my two Jag XKR’s had a structural fault (and was rejected) and don’t get me started on the DB11 (that lasted 4 weeks ). You get the idea.
For balance there have been some really good ones, in particular an F90 M5 and F12 M6 were both totally faultless, as were two AMG GT’s and one of my two 570S’s (and the second one only had a minor oil weep in 6k miles of ownership).
I’m actually someone with quite a low tolerance level; I notice stuff. I went into McLaren ownership 18m ago eyes wide open and, now on my 4th McLaren, I’ve been pleasantly surprised. No, they haven’t been faultless but I’ve never had a breakdown (unlike the R8) and every time I’ve used my McLarens on a major road trip, they have done that trip genuinely faultlessly (unlike the 911). And when I have had a problem, I’ve found their dealers to be better in terms of service and tenacity to understand and resolve an issue than any Audi, Porsche or Mercedes dealer.
You take a risk of having issues with any car or product you buy. The risk with McLaren is barely any different in my experience. Yet you get a car that unquestionably drives and performs better than almost anything else, has a greater sense of occasion than almost anything else and which creates more positive interest from others than anything else - everyone, absolutely everyone, loves a McLaren (apart from PH naysayers and those who have genuinely had a terrible experience....but every brand has such examples).
Edited by Palmball on Saturday 3rd October 09:07
The niggles would not put me off at all tbh. Still crave a McLaren but pretty sure I’ll never be able to get one.
Modern Ferrari’s now all turbo charged (apart from the GT’s) don’t really offer anything at all over the Mclarens imo.
Not even residuals probably... I mean maybe at list but it’s only Ferrari you pay list for from what I read. So get a nearly new McLaren with huge discount and long warranty and enjoy the marvellous British Supercar.
Life would be boring without risks...
Modern Ferrari’s now all turbo charged (apart from the GT’s) don’t really offer anything at all over the Mclarens imo.
Not even residuals probably... I mean maybe at list but it’s only Ferrari you pay list for from what I read. So get a nearly new McLaren with huge discount and long warranty and enjoy the marvellous British Supercar.
Life would be boring without risks...
It does seem like every single car has issues and that I would have to expect some going in for my £150+k. Have to admit to being very disappointed with that reality. Especially with McLaren.
It used to be easy to tell which pit garage McLaren used at Silverstone as they were the only team which would tile the floor before the GP weekend. Under Ron Dennis the team was renouned for OCD attention to detail. He must have been a nightmare to work for but you knew that the Macs were the most meticulously prepared cars on the grid. So did the drivers. This matters at 200mph, a speed most McLaren road cars can now exceed with ease.
As mentioned I owned a couple of TVRs. For full disclosure one Tamora loan car engine let go but my own cars never had any problems. However the anxiety that something was about to go wrong never left and to be honest took the shine off the ownership experience, even when unfounded as in my case. In 2 trips around Europe my Sagaris proved much more reliable than the 996 turbo that was with us. I had to give the owner a lift to the Porsche dealer more than once on each trip. Yet I had to endure regular comments such as ‘you’re brave’ from other Brits when far from home.
Given the performance potential of the road cars some Ron Dennis attention to detail is what the cars and owners deserve. It should be something McLaren are famous for, they certainly used to be. They should take a zero tolerance to niggles and should expect the same from their owners. They are McLaren for goodness sake they should be setting the standard for others to follow. What happened to the idea of cars built with phorensic precision in the MTC, a place so clean and organised you could eat lunch off the floor? Sadly it sounds like McLaren have sunk to the standards of their rivals. Even the title of the thread ‘wish me luck!’, how did it come to this?
It used to be easy to tell which pit garage McLaren used at Silverstone as they were the only team which would tile the floor before the GP weekend. Under Ron Dennis the team was renouned for OCD attention to detail. He must have been a nightmare to work for but you knew that the Macs were the most meticulously prepared cars on the grid. So did the drivers. This matters at 200mph, a speed most McLaren road cars can now exceed with ease.
As mentioned I owned a couple of TVRs. For full disclosure one Tamora loan car engine let go but my own cars never had any problems. However the anxiety that something was about to go wrong never left and to be honest took the shine off the ownership experience, even when unfounded as in my case. In 2 trips around Europe my Sagaris proved much more reliable than the 996 turbo that was with us. I had to give the owner a lift to the Porsche dealer more than once on each trip. Yet I had to endure regular comments such as ‘you’re brave’ from other Brits when far from home.
Given the performance potential of the road cars some Ron Dennis attention to detail is what the cars and owners deserve. It should be something McLaren are famous for, they certainly used to be. They should take a zero tolerance to niggles and should expect the same from their owners. They are McLaren for goodness sake they should be setting the standard for others to follow. What happened to the idea of cars built with phorensic precision in the MTC, a place so clean and organised you could eat lunch off the floor? Sadly it sounds like McLaren have sunk to the standards of their rivals. Even the title of the thread ‘wish me luck!’, how did it come to this?
Edited by twinturban on Saturday 3rd October 09:30
Edited by twinturban on Saturday 3rd October 09:35
twinturban said:
It does seem like every single car has issues and that I would have to expect some going in for my £150+k. Have to admit to being very disappointed with that reality. Especially with McLaren.
Up to you mate. We all have to make our own decisions at the end of the day!Edited by twinturban on Saturday 3rd October 09:30
Edited by twinturban on Saturday 3rd October 09:35
Best of luck.
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