650s - First impressions
Discussion
I picked up my 650s Spider last week, so thought, after all the very much appreciated help that I received here, that I should post about what I think of it.
This is going to be piecemeal, it’s pissed down for the last week, and the rapid approach of actual Brexit has me flat out at the bank.
I bought the car on a bit of a whim. I’ve been juggling cars, parking spaces and homes recently, and wanted to reduce the number of cars. I then, without warning, just fell out of live with my R8 Plus. I’ve no idea why. I never loved it like my V8 one, but it was a brilliant car, and then suddenly, it wasn’t.
Bought my car privately, six years ok’d, £9,000 miles, and straight off the transporter from McLaren who’d returned it to what would seem to be perfect.
The only sign I can see that it’s not straight from the factory is the slightest of marks on the roof, probably from a tiny stone.
It’s in Storm Grey, and I think that it looks spectacular. A rich, deep metallic colour, and the interior is the one I wanted, alcantara and leather, black with orange stitching and seat belts.
The drive home, in a deluge showed me a drive that’s not quite as docile as the R8, but with much better suspension damping, and a feeling of utter solidity everywhere.
I don’t mean firm suspension, I mean that the only parts moving or flexing are those that are designed to move or flex. The rest seems to be made from cast iron with the weight of polystyrene.
Today I got a bit of a drive on drying roads. Not interesting ones, and not actually dry, but OK, and the only word that comes to mind is fast.
It’s fast in a way that other cars aren’t. There’s no getting the weight transferred rearwards then flooring it here, it is too fast.
I put my foot down progressively at 95mph in a straight line, and the back stepped out immediately.
No drama, no fear, but lots of loss of traction.
Anyway, it’s home, washed, and put away, and I’ll wait for a sunny day to actually explore it a bit more.
This is going to be piecemeal, it’s pissed down for the last week, and the rapid approach of actual Brexit has me flat out at the bank.
I bought the car on a bit of a whim. I’ve been juggling cars, parking spaces and homes recently, and wanted to reduce the number of cars. I then, without warning, just fell out of live with my R8 Plus. I’ve no idea why. I never loved it like my V8 one, but it was a brilliant car, and then suddenly, it wasn’t.
Bought my car privately, six years ok’d, £9,000 miles, and straight off the transporter from McLaren who’d returned it to what would seem to be perfect.
The only sign I can see that it’s not straight from the factory is the slightest of marks on the roof, probably from a tiny stone.
It’s in Storm Grey, and I think that it looks spectacular. A rich, deep metallic colour, and the interior is the one I wanted, alcantara and leather, black with orange stitching and seat belts.
The drive home, in a deluge showed me a drive that’s not quite as docile as the R8, but with much better suspension damping, and a feeling of utter solidity everywhere.
I don’t mean firm suspension, I mean that the only parts moving or flexing are those that are designed to move or flex. The rest seems to be made from cast iron with the weight of polystyrene.
Today I got a bit of a drive on drying roads. Not interesting ones, and not actually dry, but OK, and the only word that comes to mind is fast.
It’s fast in a way that other cars aren’t. There’s no getting the weight transferred rearwards then flooring it here, it is too fast.
I put my foot down progressively at 95mph in a straight line, and the back stepped out immediately.
No drama, no fear, but lots of loss of traction.
Anyway, it’s home, washed, and put away, and I’ll wait for a sunny day to actually explore it a bit more.
Congratulations KBK and thanks for sharing the experience, a few pics would be nice in order to enjoy the full experience.
I am sure the 95 leptons was on a private road (cough) hopefully the roads will dry out and the enjoyment factor will increase look forward to further updates.
I am still conflicted between a 650 and a 570 the only given is it must be a Spider.
I am sure the 95 leptons was on a private road (cough) hopefully the roads will dry out and the enjoyment factor will increase look forward to further updates.
I am still conflicted between a 650 and a 570 the only given is it must be a Spider.
Thanks for the update, sounds fantastic.
Am I the only one slightly concerned about the back end at 95mph incident??! My R8 feels as planted as they come and never experienced anything similar. Yes, it’s 4WD but surely a straight line + 95mph + progressive, non-hammering-acceleration shouldn’t = back end stepping out?
Am I the only one slightly concerned about the back end at 95mph incident??! My R8 feels as planted as they come and never experienced anything similar. Yes, it’s 4WD but surely a straight line + 95mph + progressive, non-hammering-acceleration shouldn’t = back end stepping out?
R8Reece said:
Thanks for the update, sounds fantastic.
Am I the only one slightly concerned about the back end at 95mph incident??! My R8 feels as planted as they come and never experienced anything similar. Yes, it’s 4WD but surely a straight line + 95mph + progressive, non-hammering-acceleration shouldn’t = back end stepping out?
Slimy roads, RWD cold tyres and 640bhp combined is probably just a bit much.Am I the only one slightly concerned about the back end at 95mph incident??! My R8 feels as planted as they come and never experienced anything similar. Yes, it’s 4WD but surely a straight line + 95mph + progressive, non-hammering-acceleration shouldn’t = back end stepping out?
“I put my foot down progressively at 95mph in a straight line, and the back stepped out immediately.
No drama, no fear, but lots of loss of traction.”
Those look like Pzero’s - that’s the issue. Highly recommend switching to PS4S’s for road driving immediately. I waited till mine were worn and regret it (I have separate wheels/tyres for track). And on a wet day, keeping in Normal allows for a bit more weight transfer to the rears. Sure, it’s not a 4WD lump, but despite its power to weight ratio, it is far better sorted than, say, my V12 Vantage.
And congrats. Beautiful car.
No drama, no fear, but lots of loss of traction.”
Those look like Pzero’s - that’s the issue. Highly recommend switching to PS4S’s for road driving immediately. I waited till mine were worn and regret it (I have separate wheels/tyres for track). And on a wet day, keeping in Normal allows for a bit more weight transfer to the rears. Sure, it’s not a 4WD lump, but despite its power to weight ratio, it is far better sorted than, say, my V12 Vantage.
And congrats. Beautiful car.
Edited by 12pack on Sunday 1st November 13:02
dsl2 said:
Pzero Corsa's are very traction limited to say the least until they are in the high 20 degrees C range.
My next tyre change will be to the afore mentioned PS4's, recommended as being a big step up for lower temperatures / damp & wet road use.
Thanks to both of you. Tyres were at 12C, which I know because I’d been fiddling around with the information screen at the traffic lights a couple of minutes previously. I’ll look at putting something else on for the winter.My next tyre change will be to the afore mentioned PS4's, recommended as being a big step up for lower temperatures / damp & wet road use.
Fantastic looking car!
In 19months of my 650 spider, I don't think think I ever got used to the warp drive that occurs when set to track and flooring it...its haunted how a 2 wheel drive can get traction and can pile on speed like that...
Just a truly magnificent all round supercar.
Enjoy.
In 19months of my 650 spider, I don't think think I ever got used to the warp drive that occurs when set to track and flooring it...its haunted how a 2 wheel drive can get traction and can pile on speed like that...
Just a truly magnificent all round supercar.
Enjoy.
dsl2 said:
Pzero Corsa's are very traction limited to say the least until they are in the high 20 degrees C range.
My next tyre change will be to the afore mentioned PS4's, recommended as being a big step up for lower temperatures / damp & wet road use.
I have corsas on my car and the traction difference gets noticeable at 25c, the tyre temp display on my 570s goes from blue to green at 24c. My next tyre change will be to the afore mentioned PS4's, recommended as being a big step up for lower temperatures / damp & wet road use.
I do plan to switch to ps4s at some point though.
Car looks great, keep the updates coming!
In regards to the 95mph and rear kicked out, I don’t get that in my 720 on dry, damp and soggy roads. If you have a bit of steering angle it will on a wet road but the electronics being it straight back.
As others have said, get the allignment checked. Thorney are a good bet for that.
In regards to the 95mph and rear kicked out, I don’t get that in my 720 on dry, damp and soggy roads. If you have a bit of steering angle it will on a wet road but the electronics being it straight back.
As others have said, get the allignment checked. Thorney are a good bet for that.
I too, recently picked up a 650s, and experienced wiggle on wet moderately vigorous loud pedal. I wasnt surprised.
My heavier 540bhp M3 on P4S is the same!
Its physics
P4S are my preferred choice also, but am going to give apparent new(ish) Pirellis a careful winter/spring season before switching when next changing.
M3 /650s are very different! Both great drivers cars. 650s is ballistic on another level, however. I intend taking it easy and enjoying growing into it, the 650s "theatre" is fun by itself.
Hope you enjoy yours
My heavier 540bhp M3 on P4S is the same!
Its physics
P4S are my preferred choice also, but am going to give apparent new(ish) Pirellis a careful winter/spring season before switching when next changing.
M3 /650s are very different! Both great drivers cars. 650s is ballistic on another level, however. I intend taking it easy and enjoying growing into it, the 650s "theatre" is fun by itself.
Hope you enjoy yours
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