A Curious Path
Discussion
So I started my journey with an Aston Martin DB9 Volante. Loved it and that V12 was just so smooth. Sold it and purchased an R8 Spyder. Took me about a year to get used to being able to rev an engine that high. Having grown up with American V8s my ears would tell my brain to shift at anything over 6k rpm. Loved the R8 but had to sell to purchase a car for my daughter going to college. With what I had left over I got myself a used M3 (E93) and am loving it. I think it would easily keep up with the R8 in the curves and would only fall back when the road straightened out for a bit.
Anyway, I've decided that when I get back into it in two years I'm going to purchase a McLaren. I figure in two years the crazy prices will have settled out a bit. Anything I was looking at previously jumped about $40k with all this nonsense.
I've been following the forums and such and was leaning towards a 650S Spyder. Then started looking at the 570 which is in a similar price range. My thinking is the 570 will be a bit newer and less complicated suspension wise. And If I 'needed' more HP I could always purchase a tune to put on it.
I'd purchase the warranty for the first year but plan on dropping it after that as the car would have been sorted and I've really not seen anything catastrophic happening that would warrant the continuing cost. I've really only seen that on the 650 the hose clamps can fail and on both there could be paint issues from corrosion.
On a side note. If you've placed a tune on your car was there a noticeable difference? I put one on my R8 that took me up to Hurrican numbers but honestly was a bit let down.
I welcome any thoughts/advice.
Anyway, I've decided that when I get back into it in two years I'm going to purchase a McLaren. I figure in two years the crazy prices will have settled out a bit. Anything I was looking at previously jumped about $40k with all this nonsense.
I've been following the forums and such and was leaning towards a 650S Spyder. Then started looking at the 570 which is in a similar price range. My thinking is the 570 will be a bit newer and less complicated suspension wise. And If I 'needed' more HP I could always purchase a tune to put on it.
I'd purchase the warranty for the first year but plan on dropping it after that as the car would have been sorted and I've really not seen anything catastrophic happening that would warrant the continuing cost. I've really only seen that on the 650 the hose clamps can fail and on both there could be paint issues from corrosion.
On a side note. If you've placed a tune on your car was there a noticeable difference? I put one on my R8 that took me up to Hurrican numbers but honestly was a bit let down.
I welcome any thoughts/advice.
justin220 said:
Tuning the McLarens seem a lot less common in the UK but must more in the US for some reason.
Have you driven one? Honestly don't think they need a remap. I guess it depends what you are used to!
Agreed; at no point did I ever think my previous 650 spider was lacking in warp drive.Have you driven one? Honestly don't think they need a remap. I guess it depends what you are used to!
8 years after launch its still quicker than most other new releases from 'rivals'.
The suspension on super series doesn't seem cause any common issues, other than the need to replace accumulators periodically. But they're not all that expensive and V Engineering can now provide rechargeable ones so much less of an issue now.
In fact, off the top of my head I can't think of any more common failures on super series cars than on sports series. They are more complicated, they do cost more to warranty if you want to - but servicing seems to be the same, and they don't seem to have any additional problems with the exception of accumulators.
I considered 570 and 650 when I was buying. For various reasons (mainly aesthetic), I preferred the 650, so that's what I bought.
I have no doubt that a 570 is more than enough for the road and very capable (had a 540 courtesy car for 2 weeks and was impressed). But I'd never be tempted to swap mine for one - 3 years on, I still look in the rear view mirror every time I brake hard to watch the air brake flip up.
Mine has rolled over 24k miles, no warranty for the last 10 months and is brilliant.
In fact, off the top of my head I can't think of any more common failures on super series cars than on sports series. They are more complicated, they do cost more to warranty if you want to - but servicing seems to be the same, and they don't seem to have any additional problems with the exception of accumulators.
I considered 570 and 650 when I was buying. For various reasons (mainly aesthetic), I preferred the 650, so that's what I bought.
I have no doubt that a 570 is more than enough for the road and very capable (had a 540 courtesy car for 2 weeks and was impressed). But I'd never be tempted to swap mine for one - 3 years on, I still look in the rear view mirror every time I brake hard to watch the air brake flip up.
Mine has rolled over 24k miles, no warranty for the last 10 months and is brilliant.
I don't think there are any rational (cost) reasons for choosing a 570 over a 650s. The choice should be made on which you like the most.
I have not driven a 570, but from what I hear they are a bit more entertaining to drive than the Super series cars. I use my 650s almost like a daily driver - so it's all round (astonishing) competence, which is due at least in part to the amazing suspension, has a lot of appeal to me. I also much prefer the 12C/650s interior.
Buy the one you like the most - simple :-)
I have not driven a 570, but from what I hear they are a bit more entertaining to drive than the Super series cars. I use my 650s almost like a daily driver - so it's all round (astonishing) competence, which is due at least in part to the amazing suspension, has a lot of appeal to me. I also much prefer the 12C/650s interior.
Buy the one you like the most - simple :-)
jerrytlr said:
I don't think there are any rational (cost) reasons for choosing a 570 over a 650s.
Well, there's the £1k a year extra cost for the McLaren extended warranty on the latter, plus the fact that they're older cars so are already paying the higher rate for cars over five years (~20% extra). Of course you don't have to take the warranty, and you may have your own view on to what extent the warranty cost differential is an accurate indicator of likely out-of-warranty maintenance costs.jerrytlr said:
The choice should be made on which you like the most.
This rings true to me, if you can afford to own one you can probably afford the other, so falls back to subjective preference.I was in the same boat last year, 650s and 570s both in the same price bracket (coupes).
I preferred the looks/interior of 570s and liked it was a newer model/year, the warranty costs werent really a consideration but every bit helps.
If you are really torn between the two, go drive both, you really wouldnt be unhappy with either!!
My perhaps hopefull head says, dont leave it expecting prices to fall, that is no sure fire thing. With most models going hybrid, personally i think prices will at least stay firm with nothing else coming to the table as a direct replacement, if you can afford it now, take the jump!
I preferred the looks/interior of 570s and liked it was a newer model/year, the warranty costs werent really a consideration but every bit helps.
If you are really torn between the two, go drive both, you really wouldnt be unhappy with either!!
My perhaps hopefull head says, dont leave it expecting prices to fall, that is no sure fire thing. With most models going hybrid, personally i think prices will at least stay firm with nothing else coming to the table as a direct replacement, if you can afford it now, take the jump!
justin220 said:
Tuning the McLarens seem a lot less common in the UK but must more in the US for some reason.
Have you driven one? Honestly don't think they need a remap. I guess it depends what you are used to!
I've seen some tuned mclarens be slower than standard cars as they struggled to put the power downHave you driven one? Honestly don't think they need a remap. I guess it depends what you are used to!
i'd go for a 650s instead of a 570 tbh, aside from warranty there's no added appeal
Overall quite similar cars. Driven back to back I noted the 570s 'seemed' very slightly more responsive and agile at lower revs / speed. However 650S was noticeably quicker with more shove when it gets going at higher speeds.
Both have a good ride, the suspension on the P11 cars with actuators are now service items. They need replacing every 4-5 years either under warranty or £1,200 for all 4. Going forward 'V' are providing refillable ones that won't need replacing. Other than that the suspension is very reliable.
The active aero and suspension on the P11 cars is a winner for me. But the ultimate winner is the looks and for me the 650S is a better looking car (personal choice I know). Not just outside but inside. I adore the large analogue look tacho, i am not a fan of Tandy style instruments on any car. P11 cars are so stylish.
Both are great cars but it comes down to looks / active aero & how you want your performance delivering. If your buying a warranty then the sports series will cost £1,500 or so a year less. I would buy with a warranty for 2 years, get to know the car then self warrant.
PS I would not 'tune' a McLaren, totally unnecessary and I have heard of quite a few cars with big issues that were not covered under warranty after tuning.
Both have a good ride, the suspension on the P11 cars with actuators are now service items. They need replacing every 4-5 years either under warranty or £1,200 for all 4. Going forward 'V' are providing refillable ones that won't need replacing. Other than that the suspension is very reliable.
The active aero and suspension on the P11 cars is a winner for me. But the ultimate winner is the looks and for me the 650S is a better looking car (personal choice I know). Not just outside but inside. I adore the large analogue look tacho, i am not a fan of Tandy style instruments on any car. P11 cars are so stylish.
Both are great cars but it comes down to looks / active aero & how you want your performance delivering. If your buying a warranty then the sports series will cost £1,500 or so a year less. I would buy with a warranty for 2 years, get to know the car then self warrant.
PS I would not 'tune' a McLaren, totally unnecessary and I have heard of quite a few cars with big issues that were not covered under warranty after tuning.
Thank you for the responses. So the 'tune' is out.
Sounds like there isn't really anything serious to expect from the more complex suspension and bits and bobs on the 650. I do like the looks of the 650 better. Not a fan of the way they split the side intake with that raised panel.
I do have to stick to my two year plan as I'll have daughter's car and college paid by then.
Looking forward to returning when I'm seriously 'in the market'. Till then I'll follow along with everyone's adventures.
Cheers
Sounds like there isn't really anything serious to expect from the more complex suspension and bits and bobs on the 650. I do like the looks of the 650 better. Not a fan of the way they split the side intake with that raised panel.
I do have to stick to my two year plan as I'll have daughter's car and college paid by then.
Looking forward to returning when I'm seriously 'in the market'. Till then I'll follow along with everyone's adventures.
Cheers
My own path to a 650 over a 570 here (though I kept the Aston)
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And perhaps of interest to you.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/6-ways-the-mclare...
This gent seems to share my back-to-back drive observations
https://youtu.be/t7ci5a0RybE
As a US transplant myself, I appreciate the burble of a large V8, and you do get that with a 650. Sounds wonderful rumbling around town, unlike the usual flat plane crank flatulence at low revs.
https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
And perhaps of interest to you.
https://www.carthrottle.com/post/6-ways-the-mclare...
This gent seems to share my back-to-back drive observations
https://youtu.be/t7ci5a0RybE
As a US transplant myself, I appreciate the burble of a large V8, and you do get that with a 650. Sounds wonderful rumbling around town, unlike the usual flat plane crank flatulence at low revs.
Edited by 12pack on Tuesday 28th June 13:33
Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff