Murcielago running costs

[DMT84]

I've been debating a Gallardo for quite some time but can't get my head away from the better looks and overall WOW factor of the Murcielago. The Gallardo doesn't come close to having the same road presence.

I'd be looking to spend £100,000 or so and own the car for 2 or 3 years, is £20,000 too optimistic a figure to set aside for depreciation?

From everything I've read about the Gallardo, and owners I've spoken to, year to year running costs seem extrememly sensible but what lies in store with a Murcielago? Especially one that is getting on a bit. What should I be setting aisde for best case scenario and worst case scenario?

Also how problematic are speed humps in reality? I need to drive over 1 speed bump to get to my garage. Not an issue with a gallardo it seems, especially with lifting kit.

[Another Fluffer]

Everything on a Murci is 1.5-2 times more expensive than a Gallardo, but worth it IMO

As long as you get a Murci with a lifting kit, speed bumps shouldn't be a problem.

[Mosi]

I had lifting on my 05 Murci and never used it once in two years, I wouldnt fret about it unless you live in London and park in multi storeys etc

c£4k for a clutch is something worth bearing in mind, c£3k servicing MIN!

The older ones (pre LP640) drive like prehistoric dogs compared to newer Gallardo's too

Yes you get a swinging dick on wheels, but £100k into a SuperLeggera is a far more sensible place to have your money + better drive by a long shot

And yes I speak from experience before anyone bleats

[car95]

Who wants sensible?! Go for it. I did.

I also haven't had to use the lifting kit either, despite some serious speed bumps on my routes.

[LamboBrum]

Mosi said:

I had lifting on my 05 Murci and never used it once in two years, I wouldnt fret about it unless you live in London and park in multi storeys etc

c£4k for a clutch is something worth bearing in mind, c£3k servicing MIN!

The older ones (pre LP640) drive like prehistoric dogs compared to newer Gallardo's too

Yes you get a swinging dick on wheels, but £100k into a SuperLeggera is a far more sensible place to have your money + better drive by a long shot

And yes I speak from experience before anyone bleats

Do you want a Sunday job?! That could be ME talking!

[LamboBrum]

All Murcielagos have lifting, unless it's broken.

If you drive over speed humps bearing in mind you're in a £100K set of wheels, then you'll be fine with or without lifting on either car. It's multi-storeys and deep gulleys that would cause you an issue, and they would in any sports car. Because the Gallardo has a lifting system as a factory option, it's assumed to be it's Achilles' Heel. It really isn't, and wouldn't bother me if it had it or not. I mean, have you driven a DB9? That thing loves kerbs and it's rare to see one where the underside of the front bumper isn't wrecked, but no-one ever mentions that.

Drive both and you will know within 300 yards which is right for you buddy.

[lordbluf]

I have owned both, and would go for a Murci or LP560.

I think the 03-07 Murci can look dated if the wheels and rear lights are not updated to LP640 looks; whilst the LP560 looks brand new and will cost just over your budget @ £110K.

I think you should expect all 3 (LP560, Murci, Gallardo 03-06) to depreciate circa 15K over 2 years unless you buy an 07-08 Gallardo, then I think 20K is more likely.

Running costs were less for me on the Murci as less went wrong.

Speed Humps were not an issue for either car (just take them at an angle so the hump comes into contact with a wheel first, petrol station exits and entrances made me sweat due to sudden changes in road gradient. Do not even consider going into a multi story unless you want end up reversing all the way out and down the ramps!

[DMT84]

3K servicing is about what I was expecting. And was actually expecting more than 4k for clutch. I remember reading Evo when they had they long termer and they had a clutch replacement listed at 11k. What other common problems do pre 2007 cars like to throw up?

Interesting comment about the drive of a pre LP640 murci being like a prehistoric dog. I've not spent any time in a murcielago yet, but as someone who likes to actually drive my cars that doesnt fill me with much confidence to be honest.

A newer Gallardo would definitely make more sense as a driving prospect, especially on a lot of mid wales roads that I drive on where the murcielagos width could be a hinderance, but I cant help thinking as a sense of occassion I'd rather open the garage door to a murcielago. Maybe 100k is not enough of a budget to get into the RIGHT murcielago.

[andrew]

Mosi said:

I had lifting on my 05 Murci and never used it once in two years...

was that because you couldn't find the switch ???

[iib441]

Well I have just sold my 04 Murcielago after two and a half years and loved every minute of it. I did about 5,000 miles in mine and running costs were circa £10k in that time. I also never used the nose lift but makesure it works as mine didn't but managed to get the £2,500 repair bill under warranty.

Nothing can compare you for the attention the thing gets and to be honest you don't really notice the width once you get used to it.

I have only sold mine to get some money out of it and therefore going to try a 430 spider as it's replacement. Given the choice, you have to do it. The noise, the speed, the looks... need I say more!

Mine was sold by Lawton Brook and I think it's still on their website. £100k is more than enough for a decent Murcielago...

Edited by iib441 on Sunday 22 May 21:42

[lordbluf]

DMT84 said:

A newer Gallardo would definitely make more sense as a driving prospect, especially on a lot of mid wales roads that I drive on where the murcielagos width could be a hinderance, but I cant help thinking as a sense of occassion I'd rather open the garage door to a murcielago. Maybe 100k is not enough of a budget to get into the RIGHT murcielago.

I think stretch another 15K or so and get this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2316937.htm

and i think it has more sex appeal than say this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2794869.htm

[DMT84]

lordbluf said:

I think stretch another 15K or so and get this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2316937.htm

and i think it has more sex appeal than say this:

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2794869.htm

Colour aside that 560-4 is stunning, theres no doubt about it, along with being a faster and better handling car than the murcielago im sure, but the extra depreciation in 2 years would probably more than cover the extra running costs of the murcielago.

Theres no doubt in my mind that the Murcielago (even the example you showed) is the greater spectacle in the flesh. The few Gallardos i see on the road grab my attention for a few moments, but the 1 or 2 murcielagos ive seen in the flesh have sent shivers down my spine. Its just the sheer size and presence they have. Mind you the extra attention is not something that would appeal to me all that much. I borrowed a countach for a day some years ago and while the ridiculous amount of attention it got was amusing at first, it eventually became a little bit embaressing. A Gallardo, especially in a subtle gunmetal type colour would blend into traffic much better like the R8 manages to do.

Think its going to be a case of have a drive and take it from there. I'd love to hear some more thoughts from other previous owners though, especially if you've had both the gallardo and murcielago.

[Pesty]

Paddy_N_Murphy said:

Have you factored in all the doors you need to fit to the Garage ? Six, non ?

did we ever get to the bottom of that?

[SonnyM]

Prehistoric dog?! Where's SimonSpider when you need him...

[Mosi]

SonnyM said:

Prehistoric dog?! Where's SimonSpider when you need him...

compared to the newer LP560's and SuperL it is

well at least my 9k miles in mine was

[simonspider]

SonnyM said:

Prehistoric dog?! Where's SimonSpider when you need him...

Here..

Prehistoric dog eh?

I prefer my 04 Murcie to the LP640 as a drivers car. Its true the LP takes less effort to do things and is overall easier to live with and takes a lot less effort to drive.

I don't think owners tend to use the lifting mechanism on the Murcie cos on pressing the button its a good twenty seconds to begin lifting and another 10 before its fully up. Big queue behind by then. LP640 takes about ten to do the job lot.
Havent driven a 560but only heard very good things about reliability from the boys that know. That said, 35,000 on the LP640 and its had its issues but overall stays away from the workshop.