First McLaren?
Discussion
Hi all,
I’ve curently got a 2008 911 but think I might like a McLaren. All the below are within price range (£90k ideally but £120k at a push).
12C
540C
570GT
570S
650S (Maybe).
Can anyone point me to a link or could someone take the time to give me a brief description of each of the above. I really don’t know where to start with my research. What’s the difference between all the above cars? Am I naïve enough to think that the bigger the number the “better” (whatever that means) the car?
Thanks in advance.
I’ve curently got a 2008 911 but think I might like a McLaren. All the below are within price range (£90k ideally but £120k at a push).
12C
540C
570GT
570S
650S (Maybe).
Can anyone point me to a link or could someone take the time to give me a brief description of each of the above. I really don’t know where to start with my research. What’s the difference between all the above cars? Am I naïve enough to think that the bigger the number the “better” (whatever that means) the car?
Thanks in advance.
My advice would be as follows :
Buy the most recent car you can afford and therefore the one with the most factory warranty remaining.
Similarly buy from a dealer and under the “Mclaren Qualified” scheme. The only other dealer I would recommend is Alastair Bols (Google).
Given these parameters your most likely purchase is going to be a recent 540c.
This is the entry level car, 540 HP and slightly softer setup than the 570s. Unless it is a very recent car it will also come on steel rather than ceramic brakes as standard.
Visit McLaren Automotive site to get the lowdown on 540c vs 570s and 570 GT.
12c and 650s are more complex (active aero, trick suspension) and faster, more powerful cars. You would need to budget £3 - £4K warranty costs depending on whether you went for independent (Thorney Motorsport) or factory warranty.
Buy the most recent car you can afford and therefore the one with the most factory warranty remaining.
Similarly buy from a dealer and under the “Mclaren Qualified” scheme. The only other dealer I would recommend is Alastair Bols (Google).
Given these parameters your most likely purchase is going to be a recent 540c.
This is the entry level car, 540 HP and slightly softer setup than the 570s. Unless it is a very recent car it will also come on steel rather than ceramic brakes as standard.
Visit McLaren Automotive site to get the lowdown on 540c vs 570s and 570 GT.
12c and 650s are more complex (active aero, trick suspension) and faster, more powerful cars. You would need to budget £3 - £4K warranty costs depending on whether you went for independent (Thorney Motorsport) or factory warranty.
Thanks Brooking.
Why do you say to buy the newest one I can afford? Are there issues with the older ones?
You mention warranties; is this a must?
I only ask because I was told by many not to touch an unreliable 911 997.1 without a warranty, and to go for the 997.2 instead. I figured the £10k I saved buy buying the 997.1 would be the back up in case things went wrong. Touch wood things are fine and I’m still £10k better off (which is a lot given I only paid £33k for the car).
Why do you say to buy the newest one I can afford? Are there issues with the older ones?
You mention warranties; is this a must?
I only ask because I was told by many not to touch an unreliable 911 997.1 without a warranty, and to go for the 997.2 instead. I figured the £10k I saved buy buying the 997.1 would be the back up in case things went wrong. Touch wood things are fine and I’m still £10k better off (which is a lot given I only paid £33k for the car).
JapanRed said:
Thanks Brooking.
Why do you say to buy the newest one I can afford? Are there issues with the older ones?
You mention warranties; is this a must?
I only ask because I was told by many not to touch an unreliable 911 997.1 without a warranty, and to go for the 997.2 instead. I figured the £10k I saved buy buying the 997.1 would be the back up in case things went wrong. Touch wood things are fine and I’m still £10k better off (which is a lot given I only paid £33k for the car).
The technology in the older cars in particular (12c and 650s) is complex and expensive when it goes wrong. Very expensive.Why do you say to buy the newest one I can afford? Are there issues with the older ones?
You mention warranties; is this a must?
I only ask because I was told by many not to touch an unreliable 911 997.1 without a warranty, and to go for the 997.2 instead. I figured the £10k I saved buy buying the 997.1 would be the back up in case things went wrong. Touch wood things are fine and I’m still £10k better off (which is a lot given I only paid £33k for the car).
Mclaren quality is variable - I have had two and they have been fine but others have had issues.
At the end of the day it is an expensive, bespoke car. I wouldn’t buy and supercat without a warranty no matter who makes it.
In performance terms (on the road) there is very little between them.
The sports series cars (540/570 etc) are easier to get in and out of, don't have active aero (rear wing that pops up) or the hydraulic suspension.
Based purely on my anecdotal understanding…..the late 12c (2013 onwards) and the 650s, have the least problems, in part because McLaren had a few years to iron them out and it was before they doubled production and the number of models produced.
The most troublesome were the early 12c…but they are now 6 to 7 years old so most have had their issues ironed out.
You will find a buyers guide at the link below.
https://www.mclarenowners.org.uk
The sports series cars (540/570 etc) are easier to get in and out of, don't have active aero (rear wing that pops up) or the hydraulic suspension.
Based purely on my anecdotal understanding…..the late 12c (2013 onwards) and the 650s, have the least problems, in part because McLaren had a few years to iron them out and it was before they doubled production and the number of models produced.
The most troublesome were the early 12c…but they are now 6 to 7 years old so most have had their issues ironed out.
You will find a buyers guide at the link below.
https://www.mclarenowners.org.uk
+1 re McLaren dealer or Alistair Bols as a place to buy.
12C - if you like the looks. I’ve been told Spyders, as later cars, have all the fixes and a lot less issues than the earlier coupes
650S, being newer, seems more matters resolved and improved. I started off looking at 12Cs but ended up buying a 650S.
You’ll pay more for lower miles, newer, and fewer owners. Carbon interior upgrade seems a must have. Nose lift v desirable.
When I’ve been buying I’ve been asking to see the service bills and any warranty work. Gives some sense of if a cars needed lots of work during servicing. Not a guarantee, but can help.
12C - if you like the looks. I’ve been told Spyders, as later cars, have all the fixes and a lot less issues than the earlier coupes
650S, being newer, seems more matters resolved and improved. I started off looking at 12Cs but ended up buying a 650S.
You’ll pay more for lower miles, newer, and fewer owners. Carbon interior upgrade seems a must have. Nose lift v desirable.
When I’ve been buying I’ve been asking to see the service bills and any warranty work. Gives some sense of if a cars needed lots of work during servicing. Not a guarantee, but can help.
JapanRed said:
Hi all,
I’ve curently got a 2008 911 but think I might like a McLaren. All the below are within price range (£90k ideally but £120k at a push).
12C
540C
570GT
570S
650S (Maybe).
Can anyone point me to a link or could someone take the time to give me a brief description of each of the above. I really don’t know where to start with my research. What’s the difference between all the above cars? Am I naïve enough to think that the bigger the number the “better” (whatever that means) the car?
Thanks in advance.
Look on the Facebook “McLaren owners classified/wanted” group. There is a guy who just put up his volcano Red 12C, still got warranty, looks a v nice car, £90k. I’ve curently got a 2008 911 but think I might like a McLaren. All the below are within price range (£90k ideally but £120k at a push).
12C
540C
570GT
570S
650S (Maybe).
Can anyone point me to a link or could someone take the time to give me a brief description of each of the above. I really don’t know where to start with my research. What’s the difference between all the above cars? Am I naïve enough to think that the bigger the number the “better” (whatever that means) the car?
Thanks in advance.
My 2012 12c coupe has been recently serviced and MOT`d and I had a long chat with the delivery driver when the car was dropped back home, (I live several hours from the nearest McLaren service centre so have it collected) I told him I was thinking about changing to either a 570S, 650S (colour critical in my view), or 12c spyder. He advised me to keep what I had as they have the least problems, and I guess the previous comment rings true in that most or all issues will have been sorted by now and fundamentally they are solid cars (if you get them serviced properly).
I also spoke with Alistair Bols late last week and he described the 570 (540 will be similar) as more entertaining at lower speeds i.e. move around a bit more etc (which I like), but not so accomplished at higher speeds. Ultimately they are all way too fast for the public road other than for a momentary blast when no-one is around, but I guess in this respect the 540/570 could be the more fun choice.
In the short term the day to day running costs of a newer car will be less, but the depreciation more, and the extra depreciation will pay for an awful lot of warranty or repair costs (significant repair costs are unlikely by the way)...either way they will never be cheap to run, but there isn't much to touch them and you`ll enjoy people liking you and being interested in your car as opposed to being an object of hate and envy, oh and ignorance!
I was also advised that some indy service centres are likely to open in the not too distant future which is what the brand needs to make longer term ownership more viable for older cars which is turn will strengthen the residuals of older and newer cars and the brand...someone at McLaren in a position of authority does not seem to have got this yet?
p.s. I`ve actually plumped for and am buying an Exige 430 Cup to compliment the 12c...the other option was to let the 12c go and buy one of the above...but I like my Loti aswell and which give 90% of the performance (infact on the right road and track the Exige will be just as quick), and for thrills and connectivity 110% of the McLaren...but the McLaren will always be special...and more comfortable for the missus!
I also spoke with Alistair Bols late last week and he described the 570 (540 will be similar) as more entertaining at lower speeds i.e. move around a bit more etc (which I like), but not so accomplished at higher speeds. Ultimately they are all way too fast for the public road other than for a momentary blast when no-one is around, but I guess in this respect the 540/570 could be the more fun choice.
In the short term the day to day running costs of a newer car will be less, but the depreciation more, and the extra depreciation will pay for an awful lot of warranty or repair costs (significant repair costs are unlikely by the way)...either way they will never be cheap to run, but there isn't much to touch them and you`ll enjoy people liking you and being interested in your car as opposed to being an object of hate and envy, oh and ignorance!
I was also advised that some indy service centres are likely to open in the not too distant future which is what the brand needs to make longer term ownership more viable for older cars which is turn will strengthen the residuals of older and newer cars and the brand...someone at McLaren in a position of authority does not seem to have got this yet?
p.s. I`ve actually plumped for and am buying an Exige 430 Cup to compliment the 12c...the other option was to let the 12c go and buy one of the above...but I like my Loti aswell and which give 90% of the performance (infact on the right road and track the Exige will be just as quick), and for thrills and connectivity 110% of the McLaren...but the McLaren will always be special...and more comfortable for the missus!
CTE said:
My 2012 12c coupe has been recently serviced and MOT`d and I had a long chat with the delivery driver when the car was dropped back home, (I live several hours from the nearest McLaren service centre so have it collected) I told him I was thinking about changing to either a 570S, 650S (colour critical in my view), or 12c spyder. He advised me to keep what I had as they have the least problems, and I guess the previous comment rings true in that most or all issues will have been sorted by now and fundamentally they are solid cars (if you get them serviced properly).
I also spoke with Alistair Bols late last week and he described the 570 (540 will be similar) as more entertaining at lower speeds i.e. move around a bit more etc (which I like), but not so accomplished at higher speeds. Ultimately they are all way too fast for the public road other than for a momentary blast when no-one is around, but I guess in this respect the 540/570 could be the more fun choice.
In the short term the day to day running costs of a newer car will be less, but the depreciation more, and the extra depreciation will pay for an awful lot of warranty or repair costs (significant repair costs are unlikely by the way)...either way they will never be cheap to run, but there isn't much to touch them and you`ll enjoy people liking you and being interested in your car as opposed to being an object of hate and envy, oh and ignorance!
I was also advised that some indy service centres are likely to open in the not too distant future which is what the brand needs to make longer term ownership more viable for older cars which is turn will strengthen the residuals of older and newer cars and the brand...someone at McLaren in a position of authority does not seem to have got this yet?
p.s. I`ve actually plumped for and am buying an Exige 430 Cup to compliment the 12c...the other option was to let the 12c go and buy one of the above...but I like my Loti aswell and which give 90% of the performance (infact on the right road and track the Exige will be just as quick), and for thrills and connectivity 110% of the McLaren...but the McLaren will always be special...and more comfortable for the missus!
Great review of the car(s) there thank you. Ultimately I think I prefer the looks of the 570S over the 12C which will probably sway the decision for me. Whatever I plump for will be a step up from the 911 which in itself is a real pleasure to drive. I probably can’t do much more other than sit in and drive a few. Thanks all, very helpful as always. I also spoke with Alistair Bols late last week and he described the 570 (540 will be similar) as more entertaining at lower speeds i.e. move around a bit more etc (which I like), but not so accomplished at higher speeds. Ultimately they are all way too fast for the public road other than for a momentary blast when no-one is around, but I guess in this respect the 540/570 could be the more fun choice.
In the short term the day to day running costs of a newer car will be less, but the depreciation more, and the extra depreciation will pay for an awful lot of warranty or repair costs (significant repair costs are unlikely by the way)...either way they will never be cheap to run, but there isn't much to touch them and you`ll enjoy people liking you and being interested in your car as opposed to being an object of hate and envy, oh and ignorance!
I was also advised that some indy service centres are likely to open in the not too distant future which is what the brand needs to make longer term ownership more viable for older cars which is turn will strengthen the residuals of older and newer cars and the brand...someone at McLaren in a position of authority does not seem to have got this yet?
p.s. I`ve actually plumped for and am buying an Exige 430 Cup to compliment the 12c...the other option was to let the 12c go and buy one of the above...but I like my Loti aswell and which give 90% of the performance (infact on the right road and track the Exige will be just as quick), and for thrills and connectivity 110% of the McLaren...but the McLaren will always be special...and more comfortable for the missus!
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