reliability, reapir costs, warranty and real experience

[The Surveyor]

bordseye said:

I have long wanted a McLaren ..........

Just buy one then, or don't....

Yet again, I think you're massively overthinking a purchase which should bring you joy. If you want a McLaren but can't afford the potential big costs associated with a serious failure spend the £2k - £4k per year on a warranty. If you can't afford to run a McLaren under warranty you're going to really struggle if you're one of the unlucky few who has a serious failure, and running a car with that sort of risk is not going to bring you much joy is it! There are many owners who have had no issues with their cars, but there are equally some who have had failures, nobody can predict or advise whether you'll be lucky or not

Clearly since the last time you asked the same question you have bought an F Type Jag, and looking at you're profile its not bringing you much joy is it. The money you will lose selling that unloved Jag would have covered a years warranty on the McLaren you say you really wanted.... life's short my friend

[Am43]

When I bought my 570s it had the remainder of factory warranty remaining, prior to it ending the asked for the car to be brought in for inspection, basically it’s a money maker for them to find issues.
They found a seized key lock under the car - this was replaced and as it comes as a set I also got 2 new keys
I had a slight weep in a front rad hose - they replaced all 4
There was a split suspension bush at the front - they replaced the whole arm

I then renewed the warranty at £2950 , this warranty now expires end of July and in the 12 months I have had 1 claim, a forum member posted they had a cracked door hinge, now just out of curiosity I went over both my hinges in detail and found what looked like a hairline crack. I rang them up and they collected the car and replaced the hinge no issues.
Now there is no way I would have noticed the crack if another forum member hadn’t highlighted it.

My car is a 2017 and I am just about to hit 19k miles, next month I am due a service ( at 20k will require a clutch fluid change so I will be getting that done at same time), mot and warranty renewal, the total is coming in at slightly over £5k.

I would love to not renew the warranty but I’m not sure I am brave enough yet and it does make re sale a little easier, peace of mind for the next owner.

I almost sold it a few months ago but I had a change of heart


As mentioned , everyone will have a slightly different experience like you do with any car

Edited by Am43 on Thursday 24th June 15:38

[Streetbeat]

Ive been considering a warranty since my purchase of a 570s, it had an mpi at Mclaren and a couple of small items advised, this was reflected in the price and rectified.

I am still on the fence, being Mclaren warranty is the same price as Thorney (with 10k limit) if i do decide to warranty seems no point going with Thorney, cant help but think if they were cheaper than Mclarens own they would sell loads more.

[davek_964]

Streetbeat said:

Ive been considering a warranty since my purchase of a 570s, it had an mpi at Mclaren and a couple of small items advised, this was reflected in the price and rectified.

I am still on the fence, being Mclaren warranty is the same price as Thorney (with 10k limit) if i do decide to warranty seems no point going with Thorney, cant help but think if they were cheaper than Mclarens own they would sell loads more.

For Super series, they are. For Sports series under 5 years, then yes - I don't think there is a big argument for choosing them over the official extended warranty. I think when Sports series get over 5 years old they become slightly more expensive - don't they go up to almost £4k? Which means Thorney is cheaper.

[vantager]

I am on my first Mclaren, but had 2 Porsche cars which developed issues when 4 years old (and out of warranty). In both cases, I contacted Porsche UK and they paid all parts and half the labour - because I'd always had it serviced at Porsche. Both tiimes it was an oil leak (RMS and a timing bolt the second time) which meant the engine had to come out.

Would Mclaren cover this (for issues which should not reasonably happen)? This may negate the need for an expensive warranty.

[Sarnie]

vantager said:

I am on my first Mclaren, but had 2 Porsche cars which developed issues when 4 years old (and out of warranty). In both cases, I contacted Porsche UK and they paid all parts and half the labour - because I'd always had it serviced at Porsche. Both tiimes it was an oil leak (RMS and a timing bolt the second time) which meant the engine had to come out.

Would Mclaren cover this (for issues which should not reasonably happen)? This may negate the need for an expensive warranty.

Assume the answer would be no...........

[MOD500]

Think moot here is owner discerning if they see value in the additional premium of pukka Mc warranty with claim limit up to value of car versus cheaper 3rd party policies with 10k claim limits. If gearbox pops or have serious engine issues (unlikely as this might be) the 3rd party policy could leave owner paying a lump themselves on top of 10k claim limit. For me the convenience of turn key pukka Mc warranty is value, drop off at preferred dealer and they give it back fixed.

[davek_964]

MOD500 said:

Think moot here is owner discerning if they see value in the additional premium of pukka Mc warranty with claim limit up to value of car versus cheaper 3rd party policies with 10k claim limits. If gearbox pops or have serious engine issues (unlikely as this might be) the 3rd party policy could leave owner paying a lump themselves on top of 10k claim limit. For me the convenience of turn key pukka Mc warranty is value, drop off at preferred dealer and they give it back fixed.

As I've already said, you're comparing the cost of fixing it via the official warranty (new engine or new gearbox) Vs the cost of fixing it with an indy. Thorney can repair many engine / gearbox issues, so most of the problems that would cost far more than £10k under the official warranty, would be well below that with Thorney.

Of course, there is always the possibility that some failures would be over the £10k threshold, but I think it would be rare.

However, my view is that because Thorney can repair most problems for below that threshold I'm not sure I'll bother with their warranty because you're essentially only insuring yourself against £7,200 (although per claim, not per year) which is a risk I think I'm happy to take.

[bordseye]

The Surveyor said:

Just buy one then, or don't....

Yet again, I think you're massively overthinking a purchase which should bring you joy. If you want a McLaren but can't afford the potential big costs associated with a serious failure spend the £2k - £4k per year on a warranty. If you can't afford to run a McLaren under warranty you're going to really struggle if you're one of the unlucky few who has a serious failure, and running a car with that sort of risk is not going to bring you much joy is it! There are many owners who have had no issues with their cars, but there are equally some who have had failures, nobody can predict or advise whether you'll be lucky or not

Clearly since the last time you asked the same question you have bought an F Type Jag, and looking at you're profile its not bringing you much joy is it. The money you will lose selling that unloved Jag would have covered a years warranty on the McLaren you say you really wanted.... life's short my friend

The Jag was the middle car in a Ferrari sandwich, So I went 430, F type and now 360. I chose the latter because I wanted a manual car and one that was less electronic than the alternative which would have been a 458 . The Jag was an excellent fun car, unfairly looked down on by many petrolheads and would still be with me but for one painful issue. The seats.

I started this thread because I couldnt understand the "you must get a guarantee" attitude to McLaren when I dont ever see that sort of response on the Ferrari forums. I find it difficult to imagine that Ferrari are more reliable or cheaper to repair. But there must be a reason and I was thinking that after the time gap since I first asked the question, many more McLaren drivers might be around to answer.

[Gunso]

My car was 3 years old last week.

I renewed the McLaren Warranty because I think I will probably get my moneys worth out of it.

[12pack]

bordseye said:

The Jag was the middle car in a Ferrari sandwich, So I went 430, F type and now 360. I chose the latter because I wanted a manual car and one that was less electronic than the alternative which would have been a 458 . The Jag was an excellent fun car, unfairly looked down on by many petrolheads and would still be with me but for one painful issue. The seats.

I started this thread because I couldnt understand the "you must get a guarantee" attitude to McLaren when I dont ever see that sort of response on the Ferrari forums. I find it difficult to imagine that Ferrari are more reliable or cheaper to repair. But there must be a reason and I was thinking that after the time gap since I first asked the question, many more McLaren drivers might be around to answer.

Well, I went in looking for a 458, discovered that a 650 was so much better to drive, so the extended warranty was just something well within my budget. I have extended for 2 more years, because again I looked around and couldn’t find a supercar that I could drive better in any significant way. So I added an Atom instead, leaving plenty of budget for the warranty extension. Haven’t had to use the warranty.

FWIW, I am also on forums for my Tesla, and my JVC 8K projector amongst other toys. Every one of those forums has people on there reporting problems, though like the majority of owners, I haven’t had issues with any of these items.

Edited by 12pack on Sunday 4th July 13:49

[bordseye]

Gunso said:

My car was 3 years old last week.

I renewed the McLaren Warranty because I think I will probably get my moneys worth out of it.

Why do you think that? is it based on experience? Or is it just that getting a warranty is what everyone ( or almost) does when they buy a second hand McLaren.

Maybe its me but I dont expect a fairly new car to give any problems. Thats been my experience, at least since the late 90s when build quality really improved and cars stopped rotting. I have only once ever broken down in that period when a plug vibrated out of a socket on my lotus and repair was no more than pushing it back in and securing with a zip tie.

Edited by bordseye on Sunday 4th July 13:28

[davek_964]

I think you will always get limited answers on here. I get the impression most of the people on MOC are not on PH and even if they are, they are observers only and rarely - if ever - comment.

Plenty of people run with the warranty, plenty of people use Thorney and plenty of people self insure.

[Gunso]

bordseye said:

Why do you think that? is it based on experience? Or is it just that getting a warranty is what everyone ( or almost) does when they buy a second hand McLaren.

Maybe its me but I dont expect a fairly new car to give any problems. Thats been my experience, at least since the late 90s when build quality really improved and cars stopped rotting. I have only once ever broken down in that period when a plug vibrated out of a socket on my lotus and repair was no more than pushing it back in and securing with a zip tie.

Edited by bordseye on Sunday 4th July 13:28

I have owned the car for 2 years. I have had a fair amount of warranty work done in that time. My McL dealer will collect my car in a covered transporter for free. (500 mile round trip.) I keep thinking nothing else will go wrong but things keep cropping up.

Even for piece of mind I think it will be worthwhile. No idea wether or not I will renew next year.

[bordseye]

ForumLurker said:

I shall post until the detractors turn up having a go.

I never had a 'power' warranty on my Ferraris as there were just far too many items that were deemed as not covered, so I self warranted.

The McLaren extended warranty is pretty comprehensive and gives peace of mind, especially on super series with the trick suspension.

I think the longer you have your McLaren, the decision on warranty or self warrant becomes apparent.

The comment on Ferrari "Power" warranties is quite right - I was amazed to read that the exhaust manifolds on the 430 werent covered. Nor apparently are engine oil leaks on the turbo engine. But I guess that one difference is the large number of independant Ferrari shops which tend to keep the official dealers more honest.

[Kid B]

Here in Australia we have a statutory warranty scheme where a car has to be fit for purpose based on attributes such as price, marketing, claims made by the manufacturer, and attributes individual to the car (mileage, age etc).

If I had a 4-5 year old McLaren I would not be taking out a warranty. I wouldn't warrant anything till at least, say, 7 years in. If all the other manufacturers like Toyota, Honda etc can warrant drivetrain and engine to 5-7 years then McLaren ought to too, and I'd be happy to rock up to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a half-day hearing on the matter if McLaren tried to stuff me around. I figure if the alternative is paying $5k a year for a warranty, the cost of a VCAT issuing fee ($200) and legal representation (free as I am counsel) is much less.

I think the whole 'extended warranty' thing that these high-end manufacturers try to stuff us around with is ridiculous. A day in Court costs nothing - well it costs something like $200 in issuing fees. The hearing would be over in a couple of hours. And I reckon McLaren Australia would be rushing to compromise rather than run the case.

Edited by Kid B on Monday 5th July 09:02

[Penrhyn]

Taken from EVO magazine-Mc Artura

“McLaren has listened to its customers in terms of support and reliability. Therefore, the Artura is covered by a five year warranty, the battery with six years of cover. The body, on the other hand, is covered for a whole decade.”

The company are definitely building a quality product now.

Forums like this are as a rule generally have owners asking for help with faults etc. So the other owners without faults rarely comment. The trouble of course is the negative then seems to prevail.

When buying any supercar you would surely have the car checked over, so a Mac dealer or Thorney. Any faults found can then be fixed or reduction in cost of the motor.

Me l would self insure.

[bordseye]

Kid B said:

Here in Australia we have a statutory warranty scheme where a car has to be fit for purpose based on attributes such as price, marketing, claims made by the manufacturer, and attributes individual to the car (mileage, age etc).

If I had a 4-5 year old McLaren I would not be taking out a warranty. I wouldn't warrant anything till at least, say, 7 years in. If all the other manufacturers like Toyota, Honda etc can warrant drivetrain and engine to 5-7 years then McLaren ought to too, and I'd be happy to rock up to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for a half-day hearing on the matter if McLaren tried to stuff me around. I figure if the alternative is paying $5k a year for a warranty, the cost of a VCAT issuing fee ($200) and legal representation (free as I am counsel) is much less.

I think the whole 'extended warranty' thing that these high-end manufacturers try to stuff us around with is ridiculous. A day in Court costs nothing - well it costs something like $200 in issuing fees. The hearing would be over in a couple of hours. And I reckon McLaren Australia would be rushing to compromise rather than run the case.

Edited by Kid B on Monday 5th July 09:02

Just means that for Oz the warranty cost is built in to the original price. Arguably that should be the case anyway. But its unrealistic to expect the same level of reliability from a small volume maker like McLaren as from Honda.

[Gunso]

One thing I have just noticed with the McLaren Warranty is that it only covers 12,000 miles PA. (Not an issue for many owners but will be a slight constraint for me.)

[davek_964]

Gunso said:

One thing I have just noticed with the McLaren Warranty is that it only covers 12,000 miles PA. (Not an issue for many owners but will be a slight constraint for me.)

Yep - one of the things that puts me off renewing. When I bought my car in 2019, I was struggling to keep it under 1k a month. The last year has obviously changed things, but I've still managed 5k in the last year even though I haven't had to go to the office once and pretty much all car events were cancelled.

The warranty mileage is odd though. In the actual paperwork / confirmation you get when the warranty starts they seem to assume that you will do 12k a year. So in other words - if you were renewing for the year where the car would go from 5 years old to 6 years old - the paperwork will show that your warranty is valid as long as you don't exceed 72k miles. Very odd - but I suspect if you had an expensive claim and the service / MOT history showed you went over your 12k annual limit they wouldn't pay.

For info, I don't believe Thorney has the annual mileage limit.