Looking to buy a 650S

[Johnson8]

Hi,

I’m in the market for a 650S, is there anything in particular I should look out for?

Of course if anyone happens to be selling a 650S please do send me some details!

Thanks

[cutting42]

Johnson8 said:

Hi,

I’m in the market for a 650S, is there anything in particular I should look out for?

Of course if anyone happens to be selling a 650S please do send me some details!

Thanks

I just bought one 6 weeks ago so early days but the advice I got and followed was:

Get a car that been regularly used, they don't like doing nothing for long periods
Full service history from McLaren, Thorney or V Engineering
Mileage is not a big concern, they are less sensitive than some brands although low mileage still does carry a premium, just not too low.
Make sure CC brakes are checked for use and not damaged
Check if accumulators have been changed at least once
Check paintwork for bubbling, they often do it
Check rear lights for condensation
Check window winder mechanisms
Check Air con displays are working
They are up to 10 years old now so some stuff might be worn/broken; just try to get the dealer to fix it first.
Can you get a Warranty? I wanted one but not everyone does, Thorney is cheaper than McLaren and have a good reputation.

Probably more stuff but a good start.

Cheers G

[samoht]

^ good list

This 650S ownership thread is a good read if you've not seen it https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[Frankychops]

Great choice. what are you coming from?

I've not long got one. there's some good threads in this forum.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

What sort of colour and spec are you after? I wanted Alcantara seats/dash and lots of carbon, sort of got lucky that one popped up.

There's a few nice ones on AT.

[Johnson8]

cutting42 said:

Johnson8 said:

Hi,

I’m in the market for a 650S, is there anything in particular I should look out for?

Of course if anyone happens to be selling a 650S please do send me some details!

Thanks

I just bought one 6 weeks ago so early days but the advice I got and followed was:

Get a car that been regularly used, they don't like doing nothing for long periods
Full service history from McLaren, Thorney or V Engineering
Mileage is not a big concern, they are less sensitive than some brands although low mileage still does carry a premium, just not too low.
Make sure CC brakes are checked for use and not damaged
Check if accumulators have been changed at least once
Check paintwork for bubbling, they often do it
Check rear lights for condensation
Check window winder mechanisms
Check Air con displays are working
They are up to 10 years old now so some stuff might be worn/broken; just try to get the dealer to fix it first.
Can you get a Warranty? I wanted one but not everyone does, Thorney is cheaper than McLaren and have a good reputation.

Probably more stuff but a good start.

Cheers G

Thanks so much for this useful list of things to check! A warranty is definitely my preference, especially for the first 6 months whilst I get used to the car so it gives me time to seek out any potential faults

[Johnson8]

Frankychops said:

Great choice. what are you coming from?

I've not long got one. there's some good threads in this forum.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

What sort of colour and spec are you after? I wanted Alcantara seats/dash and lots of carbon, sort of got lucky that one popped up.

There's a few nice ones on AT.

Brilliant thanks! This will be my first true supercar, I’ve had a few different sports cars but nothing mid engined yet so very excited to find a 650S. As for spec, I’m not too fussed as long as the car is mechanically sound with good service history. Nose lift would be preferred, would you suggest this is a requirement?

[Frankychops]

I think nose lift is 200% needed!

Have you seen the white one on autotrader? It looks nicely specced and a years McLaren warranty.

I’d say options that make a great 650

Lift
Carbon
Sports exhaust
Alcantara

[RSbandit]

Such great cars at the money …some were optioned with the P1 buckets v rare but a lovely option if you can find one. Dunno how they are usable without lift every McLaren I’ve seen had that optioned. Hard to believe it’s contemporary competitor the 458 and latterly 488 Spider is £50-£80k more …defo try to source a Spider the back window and then full drop top experience is well worth it.

[SSO]

Johnson8 said:

Frankychops said:

Great choice. what are you coming from?

I've not long got one. there's some good threads in this forum.

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

What sort of colour and spec are you after? I wanted Alcantara seats/dash and lots of carbon, sort of got lucky that one popped up.

There's a few nice ones on AT.

Brilliant thanks! This will be my first true supercar, I’ve had a few different sports cars but nothing mid engined yet so very excited to find a 650S. As for spec, I’m not too fussed as long as the car is mechanically sound with good service history. Nose lift would be preferred, would you suggest this is a requirement?

We have had ours for 9 years and it's been terrific. Highly recommend the Spider as you lose almost nothing vs. Coupe do to the CF tub. Nose lift is highly recommended, check the date codes on the tires and the accumulators should have been done by now. Also make sure all the stalk buttons work properly.

[mrpseudonym]

just been through this process and now own a lovely 650s spider. In addition to what has already been posted I would add
- go watch all the thorney motorsport youtube videos you can. there is a ‘what to look out for when you are buying a 650s’ IIRC. there is a transmission weep hole that needs to be checked, some early cars had transmission issues
- check the battery.. it is eye wateringly expensive to replace because of the integration with the car ..

Good luck, they are wonderful.