570s 6 year service - thoughts on dealers?

[Fatherdougal]

Hi - my 570s Spider is coming up in a couple of months and just starting to get prices from dealers. This will be my first service since jumping from Porsche. I've had a pretty wide spread of quotes, some of which are eye-watering. I know 6 year is a real biggie so I 'm prepared for that somewhat, but anyone who has had it done recently able to share what you paid?

I also live pretty much equi-distant from Birmingham, New Forest, Guildford and Ascot. Without breaking any forum rules, any in particular that would be recommended to use?

Ta muchly!

[macdeb]

I suppose it depends on if you have a McLaren warranty. I have always gone McBrum myself and always had excellent service form the guys there, absolutely spot on. However, after having to go self warrant route now my recent quote for small service was pretty eye watering so I know find myself looking at independents. I actually feel quite sad about it but, couple of independents have excellent reputations and I'll keep posted if of interest.

Edited by macdeb on Friday 5th January 16:57

[Mwn11]

Had mine done at Birmingham in November.

6th service, MOT and collection and delivery in a covered lorry it cost me £2240.

Think the collection is free if within 50 miles. Ascot wanted £400 for it.

Nothing but praise for Birmingham I have to say

[HIS LM]

If you go down the independent route V Engineering at Thatcham (Reading area) are fantastic the technicians are ex McLaren.
Their workshop is a site to behold !

[Purso]

ascott have been very good for me over last couple of years.

[MannyLon]

Keep away from ascot, long story

[Sarnie]

I'd set my car on fire before giving it to McBrum again.

[Davyt]

Thorney showing £1350 if Charcoal fuel filter needs changing,, depends if you want to go main dealer or Indy ??

[BobM]

I think at 6 years I'd probably go to V. Bought my car from Ascot, they serviced it for me last year and did the coolant hose recall, all done efficiently and MOC discount applied.

You'll find individuals who've had good and bad experiences with all the main dealers, some love Brum, others won't let them near their car. Ditto Ascot, NF etc.

I think in terms of affecting resale, if I was buying an older McLaren, I'd be as happy seeing V Engineering stamps in the book as I would main dealer. Same applies to Thorney.

[murphyaj]

I have had a car serviced at V Engineering before and have only good things to say; very professional guys who really know their stuff. It is absolutely where I would go. As a buyer I wouldn't think any less of a V Engineering or Thorney stamp than I would of a main dealer; in fact I may be even more confident in a car that had been looked after there as I've had some poor feedback first hand about some of the dealers.

[Fatherdougal]

Thanks all - I've currently got McLaren warranty so think I'm restricted to dealers, but once that expires I may well go to V Engineering, which is 40 mins down the road from me. Depends if I get over my angst of not having a McLaren warranty..

Definitely seems to be a mixed bag on feedback - anyone got any thoughts on Guildford or New Forest?

[Davyt]

Once you’ve owned the car for a while you may have the confidence to run without the warranty, problem is it will always raise its ugly head when you want to move the car on !

[dsl2]

Another vote for V Eng, what they don't know about Mclaren's isn't worth knowing & all at a very reasonable price with none of the trying to pull your pants down behaviour that sadly often comes with the main dealer experience.......

[Pistaaah]

McBirmingham - had a 570S for 3 years and now nearly 3 years into a 720S - have never considered going anywhere else. Used to live in Sussex and travelled up there due to their service levels.

[TBCTBC]

Fatherdougal said:

Thanks all - I've currently got McLaren warranty so think I'm restricted to dealers, but once that expires I may well go to V Engineering, which is 40 mins down the road from me. Depends if I get over my angst of not having a McLaren warranty..

Definitely seems to be a mixed bag on feedback - anyone got any thoughts on Guildford or New Forest?

Damien at Guildford was fairly prominent in Mac world so was easily contactable and received good feedback. He left 3-4 months ago, replaced by Luke and I hear communication has taken a hit. Whether this is someone bedding in or bigger issues I don’t know but B&C had a good reputation before they became McGuildford.

Not heard much about McNew Forest but did read about one sales horror story last year but that’s it. Hopefully a one off.

[Grey_Area]

TBCTBC said:

Fatherdougal said:

Thanks all - I've currently got McLaren warranty so think I'm restricted to dealers, but once that expires I may well go to V Engineering, which is 40 mins down the road from me. Depends if I get over my angst of not having a McLaren warranty..

Definitely seems to be a mixed bag on feedback - anyone got any thoughts on Guildford or New Forest?

Damien at Guildford was fairly prominent in Mac world so was easily contactable and received good feedback. He left 3-4 months ago, replaced by Luke and I hear communication has taken a hit. Whether this is someone bedding in or bigger issues I don’t know but B&C had a good reputation before they became McGuildford.

Not heard much about McNew Forest but did read about one sales horror story last year but that’s it. Hopefully a one off.

Luke has left the building, comms are... sporadic.

[Streetbeat]

TBCTBC said:

Damien at Guildford was fairly prominent in Mac world so was easily contactable and received good feedback. He left 3-4 months ago, replaced by Luke and I hear communication has taken a hit. Whether this is someone bedding in or bigger issues I don’t know but B&C had a good reputation before they became McGuildford.

Not heard much about McNew Forest but did read about one sales horror story last year but that’s it. Hopefully a one off.

Always been very happy with McNF from a service/warranty point of view. Sales side seem very aloof but maybe thats just their style rather than high pressure tactics.

[Fatherdougal]

There's now a £1300 difference between the lowest quote and the highest quote - bizarre! Best pricing is at Guildford so tempted to go with them, but I have a potentially really daft question.

They seem to be the only dealer with branding of "Approved". Is this any different from the other dealers? Stamp from them still maintains official McLaren warranty? Thanks!

[davek_964]

Not sure what "approved" means. But yes, servicing there maintains the warranty.

I found Ascot OK, until I wanted soft close retro-fitted and they quoted double what NF and Guildford quoted - which was really taking the mickey a bit considering I bought the car from them. So I moved to Guildford.

Guildford were mostly good - we did fall out a bit when they kerbed my wheel and we had different opinions on the resolution. But they did eventually agree with me, although I suspect only after they were aware I'd discussed it on MOC.
Damien was pretty good - although I'm surprised about an earlier comment on how easy he was to get hold of - I think most people (including me) would say exactly the opposite. They do seem to be going through customer facing staff very quickly now which doesn't seem great.

(I now use V who are in a different league).

[drcarrera]

Have used McNF on my 570S Spider for two years and they've been fine, if probably not the cheapest of the main dealers although a covered lorry collection/drop-off is included in their prices if you're not too far distant.
I've been running warranty-less for the last 18 months, though, so will definitely weigh up going to VE for the next service in a few months. Regardless, I think you can still get it serviced at somewhere like VE without invalidating the warranty as long as the service schedule is adhered to and genuine service parts/consumables are used.