Residuals, Man Maths and a 540C

[justin220]

Long post warning!


So, a bit of car history.. I've always been into cars, and always liked something a bit left field. In fact, I've probably bought a few cars knowing that they are the underdog compared to their rivals (RCZ, VX220, TVR, Lotus etc) I like quirks and character.

I bought an Evora when they first came out, ordered new and thoroughly loved it. Only new car I've bought. Owned for 3 years and was ready to upgrade to the 'S' when I got a bit of a brush off from the dealer. I then literally went next door to Aston Martin and surprisingly was welcomed with open arms. I've been in a V8 Vantage for the last 4-5 years or so, a coupe and then a roadster. Both great cars but never really got under my skin like the Evora did. I'm not sure why. Beautiful, sound great, fantastic to own, great dealerships etc. I've even flirted with the idea of going back to an Evora a few times.

Lotus Evora by justinking1986, on Flickr

Ownership write up here - https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

|https://thumbsnap.com/c99DBcsL[/url]

Anyways, since the 12C came out I've always wanted one, but always been way out of my range. Ferrari may be the default choice, but I just love McLaren.

Everyone on PH loves to talk residuals and depreciation right? I've been thinking it was time to change the Vantage for a while and thankfully due to the very steady residuals of the used cars over the last few years I had built up sufficient equity to start looking into something more serious. I went to visit the Glasgow McLaren dealership, to look at a used 12C. I knew as soon as I rolled into the car park I wanted one, affording it was a different matter. I must be honest, the 12C is a great looking car but does look dated next to the new sport series cars.

I had a good look around various cars, 540/570/720 but most were just fantasy, such as this glorious spider in the showroom!



So, out for a quick test drive in a 540C, we didn't go far as the weather was pretty awful. I'm not really sure any extra miles would have told me anything different. Thoughts after the test drive -

The 540C size is very deceptive. It's very low and wide but surprisingly small. I think it may be shorter than the Vantage?
It looks outstanding from the front and sides.
Good storage space.
Seating position is just about perfect.
Steering a lot lighter than I thought. A lot!
Loud on start up! Not as nice a sound as the Aston (my V8 is decatted)
Feels spacious inside. Alcantara adds to the theatre. Feels special just sitting in the car park.
Lots of torque low down.
Feels like a very fast, very well built Lotus.
Ride quality is very good.
Love the infotainment.
Love the paddles and stalks.
Not convinced on the digital Speedo. Prefer the brushed aluminium ones in the Vantage.
Doors are awesome. Love the theatre!
Brake pedal (non ceramics) need a good shove to bite initially.
Very easy to place on the road.
Very wet so didn't push it at all, in fact not sure I breached 3k revs. I didn't want to be one of those famous 'test drives gone wrong' stories.
Exhaust is loud, but not particularly toneful. Maybe gets better as the revs rise?
Very easy to drive at docile speeds. Alarmingly good.

So being as impulsive as I am, and some extraordinary man maths later I put a deposit against this red 540C -

|https://thumbsnap.com/Kv6r3i78[/url]

And being as keen as I am, I wanted to get the deal done as quick as possible. I did fancy the 570S, but the newer, lower mileage and more specifically longer warranty was a big draw for me. So, 9pm in a Tesco car park for handover two days later



The drive home was constant rain, but superb at the same time! The car is far too easy to drive quickly, the gearbox, all the low down shove, and the steering feedback just gives you so much confidence.

To end, I'd like to say a massive thanks to the team at McLaren Glasgow (David, Lee and particularly Steven for his efforts delivering the car), all who made this possible. Brilliant service and a pleasure to deal with. I can't wait for some dry days to get a road trip or two planned.

I'll probably keep this thread updated over the next few months in case anyone else is in the same position.

[justin220]

Thanks all.

Agree on the splitter. It makes a surprisingly big difference. I'll maybe look to getting it done when it's in for a service.

[justin220]

MDL111 said:

That looks great in red - congratulations
They are growing on me

The colour is quite difficult to catch on camera, the first pic it looks flat red, and the second looks a bit more orangey. It's got a really nice flake through it when the light hits it.

I'll give it a clean and get some better pictures

[justin220]

woodysnr said:

Nice car ...like you I test drove the 12C and the 540C from McL Glasgow a few weeks ago .
Interesting you findings on the 540 a bit like my own observations on the test run .I did prefer the 12c in some respect but feels old compared to the 540 but in the end decided to hold on to my current 981Spyder .Love the Red and the interior is special instead of being all black ,enjoy your new car .Maybe one day I may join the MCL club but the £5K warranty is always at the back of my mind .

Thanks, and agreed on the interior. I wasn't sure at first but it's a nice change from all black

[justin220]

The Surveyor said:

Just buy a new one then, first 3 years warranty is covered!

Interesting to see McLaren taking a few ex Aston owners, as the cars are actually very different.

[justin220]

Yeah, vermilion red, I actually didnt realise how metallic it was until I picked it up, due to the horrendous weather when I drove it

Mr Cod said:

This is a terrible generalisation but is at least in part based on my own views on AM vs. McLaren.

People make statements about themselves based on cars they drive. AM is cool, understated and British.

If you are in one and identify with these values but want a bit more performance, you're not going to consider Lamborghini or Ferrari.

So although very different cars, I don't think their brand values are a million miles apart...and at this level you don't have dozens of manufacturers to choose from.

My two pence!

Interesting point, never thought about it that way.

[justin220]

EpsomJames said:

Congrats on the purchase Justin

Didn't you used to have an orange Gallardo at one time too? My car history is similar to your, just in a different order, and I can see myself in a Sport Series next.

Let us know how you get on, either here or over on SELOC

Yeah that was me, loved your SL!

I'll keep this thread going as a bit of a blog on how it goes, which is good to look back on but hopefully helps anyone else considering one.

[justin220]

The Surveyor said:

OP, now you have had the car for a couple of days, any fresh thoughts?

You mentioned earlier that it feels smaller than the Vantage. I found it really deceptive and once in the garage they are actually wider and longer than the Aston, leaving less 'work' room at the back.

Unfortunately I haven't driven it since. Frustrating! I work away from home so won't be driving it for a while.

I've downloaded a PDF file of the handbook which is keeping me entertained.. can't wait to get home and take it out for a run on some familiar roads

[justin220]

dobbie said:

Targarama, how does the McLaren compare to the TVR? I used to have a T350 and now looking into getting a McLaren, I think I may have brought some spider wheels of you a few years back? cheers

T350 was a great car. I loved mine! Failed the noise test at the Nurburgring with the JP exhaust I had on it its one of the only cars I really regret selling.

There isn't really much comparison though IMO, the 540 is in a different league. Apart from the noise, it is significantly better in every area (and so it should be!)

[justin220]

The Surveyor said:

That GT is stunning

I think there is indeed a natural similarity between the TVR, Lotus , Aston and McLaren which seams to have owners moving from one to another, maybe we're just attracted to the 'plucky Brit taking on the world' attitude which steers people away from the more established German and Italian options. It's certainly why I didn't buy a Boxster or Z4 when I first started, and why I didn't buy a 911 or 430 later on choosing to go from TVR Griffith, Chimaera, and Tuscan Convertible then onto to Aston Martin Vantage V8 before buying the 570s.

Very similar thoughts to me. In fact I think the 540C has a lot of similarities to an Exige. More space inside, more power, but some characteristics that remind me of it. Might be the driving position, and the view out the wing mirrors. Not sure. Its certainly similar handling, very 'pointy'

[justin220]

dobbie said:

Thanks for the feedback, interesting so many TVR owners have moved to McLaren I guess it’s the British thing I for one wouldn’t buy anything else but a British sports car,I’ve had 3 TVRs and its time to move on and get something that’s more comfortable to drive as I’m getting older :-(

One similarity is the glove box, they are both cheap and nasty!

Although at least the McL one doesn't flap open when you go over a speed bump

[justin220]

First drive out today, although didn't start very well as when I got in the car, the battery was at 0%

It's been on charge for a couple of weeks and started ok, so hopefully it's ok.

Again the weather was pretty awful, but managed 50 miles or so. What a brilliant bit of kit. I had a quick play around in Sport and Track mode, but will wait until it's dry next time

The steering is very light, which strangely makes it quite nervous to drive I'm finding. I'll get used to it I'm sure. The power is phenomenal. Never driven anything like it. I actually quite like the sound it makes when pressing on.

Wipers have a mind of their own, and can't for the life of me figure out the sat nav!

Absolutely delighted with it so far!

[justin220]

First fill up.. rather economical!

[justin220]

And a quick clean to get the salt and grit off..

[justin220]

FerdiZ28 said:

That is gorgeous in red. Probably won’t be in the market for one for a few years but I like threads like this, keep it up as a journal, helps with big unaffordable decisions ??

Thanks, and will do, even just for myself it's interesting to look back from the start. I got surrounded at the petrol station by people taking pictures. Bit embarrassing! It certainly doesn't blend in

BlueIn2Red said:

28mpg, blimey! What kind of driving was that trip please?

Probably a good mix of motorway cruise at 70, bit of town driving, and a good bit of spirited driving on a B road. I would think it's probably a fair reflection on what I'll get long term. 30+ would be reasonably easy with a light foot.

I was averaging about 21-23mpg in the V8V so this feels positively frugal!

[justin220]

Another good few miles under my belt now, again the weather hasn't been great.

Positives -
I love all the interior touches, such as the control stalks and switchgear. It feels very different.
So easy to drive. I'm going to get my wife to have a shot as well, although she seems to be scared of it.

Negatives -
Not many really, still getting used to the steering weight, and accuracy.
IRIS is a bit fiddly to use quickly.

540C by justinking1986, on Flickr

540C by justinking1986, on Flickr

540C by justinking1986, on Flickr

540C by justinking1986, on Flickr

[justin220]

No problem, will do.

Spent most of the weekend taking people out in it, and washed and waxed it yesterday.

Put a vinyl number plate on a few days ago which was a lot easier said than done due to the curvature of the bumper both vertically and horizontally. Looks so much better with no front plate but not worth the risk IMO.



Next plan is to fit my dashcam, but need to work out which fuse to piggyback into.

It seems to have a strange whistling noise coming from the top of the windscreen when 'at speed'. It gets worse the quicker I go, and then oddly goes away when the window is open.

[justin220]

Chris, thanks for that. I will have a chat with them soon and get it booked in. It not major

[justin220]

540C by justinking1986, on Flickr

So a few more random thoughts I've been thinking about since I got it -

Petrol gauge seems to have a mind of its own. I think the problem is it recalculates the remaining miles too often, rather than giving an average. So one minute it will read 250 miles left, then after a quick blat along a country road, and its down to 70 left. Even though the actual tank level is still over half (near full)

The attention it gets is unreal. Everyone wants to talk about it. The doors seem to be a proper crowd pleaser. Everyone loves to take pictures of it. As cool as the doors are, they still need a decent space beside them to get in and out due to the high sills, small opening.

IMG-20180401-WA0021 by justinking1986, on Flickr

IMG-20180401-WA0020 by justinking1986, on Flickr


The seats I'm finding are actually quite big, although the are supportive, they would be better suited to someone a good bit bigger than me. Comfy though and no complaints from any passenger yet.

The Sat Nav actually got me lost the other day, I presume it must be set to take the most direct route, rather than with better roads. So I ended up through some farm track in the middle of nowhere.

Parking sensors are too quiet - anyone know if the volume can be turned up?

The performance is superb, it really is a brilliant overtaking machine. Any gap and its easily made. The V8V was no slouch, but over takes needed a bit more planning, being in the right gear at the right time etc.

Washing it takes a lot longer than planned, mainly due to all the cracks and crevices, not as if that is a negative though

540C by justinking1986, on Flickr

I've booked my first road trip with my brother round the NC500 for July, which I can't wait for.

[justin220]

Dashcam fitted, need to order a slightly longer wire than was supplied, so I can fully hide it under the trim