Only buy from Thorney Motorsport?
Discussion
jamesgareth said:
When I am closer to the actual point of identifying the car I want (ie I have the money required in my account - I am not one for buying cars with anything other than cash) - the next challenge I presume is having the thing checked by one of those guys before parting with my hard earned cash.
But that's for another day.
Given the lead times I can't see that being possible with a seller who will wait or commit their time/expense to get the car to either one. You'd be better buying from someone who has had their car serviced recently at either place and base your decision on what you can see and check (paperwork wise) if that is the path you intend to take. But that's for another day.
Buying a second McLaren I'd be comfortable buying private from an enthusaist owner given what I now know. Buying my first one it had to be a main dealer, given my location, accessibility and decision to px.
Smoothound said:
Bear in mind particularly if you buy in Spring/Summer the lead time V or Thorney require to inspect and book in work is quite big. I'm currently nearing the end of a 2.5 month wait for couple of jobs on mine at Thorney
Yup heard that before. So the plan has to be buy from a main dealer with a Mclaren warranty - or from Thorney itself - or from somebody who's had the car serviced with either Thorney or V Engineering. Then book the next service in with V engineering (as they're only 30 miles from here).
Zingari said:
Given the lead times I can't see that being possible with a seller who will wait or commit their time/expense to get the car to either one. You'd be better buying from someone who has had their car serviced recently at either place and base your decision on what you can see and check (paperwork wise) if that is the path you intend to take.
Buying a second McLaren I'd be comfortable buying private from an enthusaist owner given what I now know. Buying my first one it had to be a main dealer, given my location, accessibility and decision to px.
Yup that all makes sense. I do remember reading somewhere that one of them - I think V. Eng did some sort of 'mobile' service where they'd come out and check it at where-ever it was located. Maybe I read it wrong but I'm pretty sure somebody said that.Buying a second McLaren I'd be comfortable buying private from an enthusaist owner given what I now know. Buying my first one it had to be a main dealer, given my location, accessibility and decision to px.
jamesgareth said:
Yup that all makes sense. I do remember reading somewhere that one of them - I think V. Eng did some sort of 'mobile' service where they'd come out and check it at where-ever it was located. Maybe I read it wrong but I'm pretty sure somebody said that.
Given how busy they are, I'd be very surprised if that's true. They'd lose a mechanic for much longer than it would take them to do it in house jamesgareth said:
Smoothound said:
Bear in mind particularly if you buy in Spring/Summer the lead time V or Thorney require to inspect and book in work is quite big. I'm currently nearing the end of a 2.5 month wait for couple of jobs on mine at Thorney
Yup heard that before. So the plan has to be buy from a main dealer with a Mclaren warranty - or from Thorney itself - or from somebody who's had the car serviced with either Thorney or V Engineering. Then book the next service in with V engineering (as they're only 30 miles from here).
Muriwai is rare and it's got masses of carbon spec, might be worth arranging a test drive perhaps and see if you like a 570 to sit in. I test drove a 650 and a 570 before going looking seriously. (Also Gibbo generously took me out in his 600LT as well)
200Plus Club said:
Did you look at the Muriwai car (duck egg blue) at a McLaren dealer I linked? Something like that is probably £10k over private purchase at least, but comes with full mclaren history and a warranty with them so your first year would be risk free. You could then get it inspected at a later date with V Engineering to see what might be looming etc.
Muriwai is rare and it's got masses of carbon spec, might be worth arranging a test drive perhaps and see if you like a 570 to sit in. I test drove a 650 and a 570 before going looking seriously. (Also Gibbo generously took me out in his 600LT as well)
Thanks I did take a look. Truth is for now I am putting an £85K ceiling on things. I think you're right though providing I get a main dealer Mclaren warranty then I'd get the thing inspected with V Engineering and have the warranty sort anything out first year. Muriwai is rare and it's got masses of carbon spec, might be worth arranging a test drive perhaps and see if you like a 570 to sit in. I test drove a 650 and a 570 before going looking seriously. (Also Gibbo generously took me out in his 600LT as well)
I'm tempted to try the 650s too - many people rate them lots. My only concern is getting in and out - one thing I like about my Emira is it's super-easy.
The 570s spider though is one catching my eye too. Finding one in a nice colour etc under £85k isn't so simple though.
davek_964 said:
Getting into / out of 650 isn't a big deal. It is easier in 570 etc, but it very quickly becomes natural.
I just spent a few days in a new Z4 convertible. I found it harder to get in and out of that than my Mclaren. Also the long coupe doors were a pain in carparks where the Mclaren doors would let me exit without such contortion. Not to mention how long the bonnet was, tricky to see to get in/out of a carpark lift in Austria (even after owning TVRs). McLaren is as easy as a Yaris to place (but obv bigger than a Yaris!).jamesgareth said:
Thanks I did take a look. Truth is for now I am putting an £85K ceiling on things. I think you're right though providing I get a main dealer Mclaren warranty then I'd get the thing inspected with V Engineering and have the warranty sort anything out first year.
I'm tempted to try the 650s too - many people rate them lots. My only concern is getting in and out - one thing I like about my Emira is it's super-easy.
The 570s spider though is one catching my eye too. Finding one in a nice colour etc under £85k isn't so simple though.
The trade on a typical 68/19 plate spider between 10k-20k miles is probably around £85k. Obviously at the extremes of spec and owners the number will be higher or lower, but I would say that's around the median. I'm tempted to try the 650s too - many people rate them lots. My only concern is getting in and out - one thing I like about my Emira is it's super-easy.
The 570s spider though is one catching my eye too. Finding one in a nice colour etc under £85k isn't so simple though.
If you can find a private sale with dealer history and under extended warranty that'd be your floor for negotiation.
This was my old 2019 spyder in storm grey, you'd possibly get this for £85k private as an example. 15k miles, 3 owner, fsh and still under mclaren warranty. Was a great spec, lift,heated leather, camera, full carbon interior, 8 speaker etc. Some cracking cars about, you'll absolutely love driving one going by what you've said
200Plus Club said:
This was my old 2019 spyder in storm grey, you'd possibly get this for £85k private as an example. 15k miles, 3 owner, fsh and still under mclaren warranty. Was a great spec, lift,heated leather, camera, full carbon interior, 8 speaker etc. Some cracking cars about, you'll absolutely love driving one going by what you've said
Very similar to my old one. I won't open the super series versus sports series debate because I honestly think there isn't a bad choice - all mclarens drive brilliantly and all are f
king fast. When I chose a 570s spyder over a 650, for me at the time I felt the front end feel through the wheel was better (not better objectively but subjectively for what i wanted from it) on the sports series. I still stand by that now I have a 720. But no other supercar/sports car I have had or tried other than lotus or caterhams/single seaters give that amazing that mcalren do. If the OP is moving from an emira ( a car i very nearly bought also having had an early deposit down) i suspect that sort of feedback is something they value. In that case Mclaren is the way to go. I do miss the sense an incredibly special engine you get from Ferrari, and the feell (subjective) of solidity you get from porsche.
I think a good or exceptional (V-eng) indy close by is a key part of a happy ownership with these. Much like lotus the build quality and fit and finish leave quite a bit to be desired. But non of it is serious. Just niggly and annoying. Shame I live in the north and am stuck with McLeeds.
Re. build quality. My 675LT feel much better than my Porsche 718 Spyder. After 10 years my 675LT has no rattles and the interior is still like new with no wear. The Spyder rattles and a few bits of interior trim are flaky. Contrary to what some others above have said I find the build quality of McLaren's top notch and better than Porsche. Most of my car mates have had Porsche issues recently with build quality. All is not what is used to be at Porsche.
Re getting in and out. The decision McLaren made to lower the tub from the P11 cars to the super series cars came at the expense of a higher tub by the B pillar., it sweeps up quite steeply. Personally I find the P11 cars easier to enter and egress than the super series car. I guess it may differ with body type / height etc. With the P11 I go in sideways, arse on seat and swivel. Same to exit. easy peasy. That's harder in the super series as the higher tub by the B pillar makes 'arse first' difficult.
I will jump in with the P11 v 570 debate. While I agree all McLaren's are 10/10 cars there are differences. Driving 650s & 570s back to back on the same day for quite a few hours my take-away was this. The 570s is more alert and darty with faster 'feeling' steering and responses up to around 40mph (more go-kart like). After 40mph the 650s and even 12c take over. The are quicker with more accelerative 'shove', plus the active aero drama. This means on an urban test drive the 570s feels great, responsive and alert. possibly even quicker than the P11 cars. When you get onto faster flowing B roads the P11 cars take over. There is not a lot in it, but its there.
Re getting in and out. The decision McLaren made to lower the tub from the P11 cars to the super series cars came at the expense of a higher tub by the B pillar., it sweeps up quite steeply. Personally I find the P11 cars easier to enter and egress than the super series car. I guess it may differ with body type / height etc. With the P11 I go in sideways, arse on seat and swivel. Same to exit. easy peasy. That's harder in the super series as the higher tub by the B pillar makes 'arse first' difficult.
I will jump in with the P11 v 570 debate. While I agree all McLaren's are 10/10 cars there are differences. Driving 650s & 570s back to back on the same day for quite a few hours my take-away was this. The 570s is more alert and darty with faster 'feeling' steering and responses up to around 40mph (more go-kart like). After 40mph the 650s and even 12c take over. The are quicker with more accelerative 'shove', plus the active aero drama. This means on an urban test drive the 570s feels great, responsive and alert. possibly even quicker than the P11 cars. When you get onto faster flowing B roads the P11 cars take over. There is not a lot in it, but its there.
Edited by Bispal on Monday 16th June 08:08
Bispal said:
Re. build quality. My 675LT feel much better than my Porsche 718 Spyder. After 10 years my 675LT has no rattles and the interior is still like new with no wear. The Spyder rattles and a few bits of interior trim are flaky. Contrary to what some others above have said I find the build quality of McLaren's top notch and better than Porsche. Most of my car mates have had Porsche issues recently with build quality. All is not what is used to be at Porsche.
Re getting in and out. The decision McLaren made to lower the tub from the P11 cars to the super series cars came at the expense of a higher tub by the B pillar., it sweeps up quite steeply. Personally I find the P11 cars easier to enter and egress than the super series car. I guess it may differ with body type / height etc. With the P11 I go in sideways, arse on seat and swivel. Same to exit. easy peasy. That's harder in the super series as the higher tub by the B pillar makes 'arse first' difficult.
I will jump in with the P11 v 570 debate. While I agree all McLaren's are 10/10 cars there are differences. Driving 650s & 570s back to back on the same day for quite a few hours my take-away was this. The 570s is more alert and darty with faster 'feeling' steering and responses up to around 40mph (more go-kart like). After 40mph the 650s and even 12c take over. The are quicker with more accelerative 'shove', plus the active aero drama. This means on an urban test drive the 570s feels great, responsive and alert. possibly even quicker than the P11 cars. When you get onto faster flowing B roads the P11 cars take over. There is not a lot in it, but its there.
Super-interesting. Thanks.Re getting in and out. The decision McLaren made to lower the tub from the P11 cars to the super series cars came at the expense of a higher tub by the B pillar., it sweeps up quite steeply. Personally I find the P11 cars easier to enter and egress than the super series car. I guess it may differ with body type / height etc. With the P11 I go in sideways, arse on seat and swivel. Same to exit. easy peasy. That's harder in the super series as the higher tub by the B pillar makes 'arse first' difficult.
I will jump in with the P11 v 570 debate. While I agree all McLaren's are 10/10 cars there are differences. Driving 650s & 570s back to back on the same day for quite a few hours my take-away was this. The 570s is more alert and darty with faster 'feeling' steering and responses up to around 40mph (more go-kart like). After 40mph the 650s and even 12c take over. The are quicker with more accelerative 'shove', plus the active aero drama. This means on an urban test drive the 570s feels great, responsive and alert. possibly even quicker than the P11 cars. When you get onto faster flowing B roads the P11 cars take over. There is not a lot in it, but its there.
Edited by Bispal on Monday 16th June 08:08
Since a hip injury many moons ago I always sit down first and swivel - but I am certainly getting the sense that the sports series are easier to get in and out of. Re the driving conditions - I'm in the Surrey hills so it's all windy roads very little above 60mph so from what you say it's another pointer to the 570s rather than a 650s.
Once again - thanks for the info.
jamesgareth said:
Bispal said:
Re. build quality. My 675LT feel much better than my Porsche 718 Spyder. After 10 years my 675LT has no rattles and the interior is still like new with no wear. The Spyder rattles and a few bits of interior trim are flaky. Contrary to what some others above have said I find the build quality of McLaren's top notch and better than Porsche. Most of my car mates have had Porsche issues recently with build quality. All is not what is used to be at Porsche.
Re getting in and out. The decision McLaren made to lower the tub from the P11 cars to the super series cars came at the expense of a higher tub by the B pillar., it sweeps up quite steeply. Personally I find the P11 cars easier to enter and egress than the super series car. I guess it may differ with body type / height etc. With the P11 I go in sideways, arse on seat and swivel. Same to exit. easy peasy. That's harder in the super series as the higher tub by the B pillar makes 'arse first' difficult.
I will jump in with the P11 v 570 debate. While I agree all McLaren's are 10/10 cars there are differences. Driving 650s & 570s back to back on the same day for quite a few hours my take-away was this. The 570s is more alert and darty with faster 'feeling' steering and responses up to around 40mph (more go-kart like). After 40mph the 650s and even 12c take over. The are quicker with more accelerative 'shove', plus the active aero drama. This means on an urban test drive the 570s feels great, responsive and alert. possibly even quicker than the P11 cars. When you get onto faster flowing B roads the P11 cars take over. There is not a lot in it, but its there.
Super-interesting. Thanks.Re getting in and out. The decision McLaren made to lower the tub from the P11 cars to the super series cars came at the expense of a higher tub by the B pillar., it sweeps up quite steeply. Personally I find the P11 cars easier to enter and egress than the super series car. I guess it may differ with body type / height etc. With the P11 I go in sideways, arse on seat and swivel. Same to exit. easy peasy. That's harder in the super series as the higher tub by the B pillar makes 'arse first' difficult.
I will jump in with the P11 v 570 debate. While I agree all McLaren's are 10/10 cars there are differences. Driving 650s & 570s back to back on the same day for quite a few hours my take-away was this. The 570s is more alert and darty with faster 'feeling' steering and responses up to around 40mph (more go-kart like). After 40mph the 650s and even 12c take over. The are quicker with more accelerative 'shove', plus the active aero drama. This means on an urban test drive the 570s feels great, responsive and alert. possibly even quicker than the P11 cars. When you get onto faster flowing B roads the P11 cars take over. There is not a lot in it, but its there.
Edited by Bispal on Monday 16th June 08:08
Since a hip injury many moons ago I always sit down first and swivel - but I am certainly getting the sense that the sports series are easier to get in and out of. Re the driving conditions - I'm in the Surrey hills so it's all windy roads very little above 60mph so from what you say it's another pointer to the 570s rather than a 650s.
Once again - thanks for the info.
Bispal said:
My stomping ground is the Surrey Hills too. Where my S1 Elise would leave any McLaren struggling to keep up (I know I've both followed and led in both). You might find on Ranmore common the smaller (length & width) and also lighter 650s (yes really) with the more sophisticated suspension will be quicker. You need to drive both and see. Many buy on appearance and that's subjective. A friend of mine who also lives in the Surrey hills and had a 600LT, drove it back to back with my 675LT and traded the 600LT, over the phone, the same day, with Alastair Bols for a 675LT.
This place is an almost unexhaustible source of relevant information! Thanks for the input.You're right on the size - though it is minimal (the 570 is 2mm wider and 1.8cm longer) - but even so.... It certainly is quite a bit lighter (82kg) - and that higher lip into the 650 doesn't look so shabby.....
It's definitely a toss up right now between the 570GT the 570s Spider or a 650s spider.
Time will tell!
Familymad said:
Have you tried the GT? Hugely underrated and easier to live with. I tried a few before the 650 and very nearly went for one. 640odd brake too. I think they look stunning but don t photo well. Alistair Bols sells them really easily when he gets one.
I've looked but I'm not keen on the styling plus it's nearly 30cm longer than my Emira and it's already tight getting two cars in and out of our driveway parking area. jamesgareth said:
I've looked but I'm not keen on the styling plus it's nearly 30cm longer than my Emira and it's already tight getting two cars in and out of our driveway parking area.
On the mclaren club tour around Scotland there were a couple of GT's in one of the groups, looked huge tbh and one owner was getting it grounding out at speed on bumpy roads. 12pack said:
That P11 shabby lip is actually a good place to sit on as the first step if you re planning to swivel in. My 85 yr old dad uses that method. And having a CF finish on the side is a good way to start the it s a carbon fiber tub, you know conversation with the uninitiated 
So long as we keep educating that mass of the uneducated eh?Gassing Station | McLaren | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff