2 year update on my McLaren ownership experience
Discussion
My 720S has gone in for servicing and the 2 standard recalls (NVH pad under fuel tank and hose clips). Over 2 years from new now, and it's been bulletproof throughout. Not a warning light, fault, noise, glitch. Simply nothing has gone wrong.
McHatfield couldn't provide a courtesy car during this week, but offered one later in July. However I needed to get the service done now for other reasons.
As I've never driven a 720S Spider yet, I asked if I could test drive one whilst I was there. McHatfield with their usual exemplary customer service said I could simply have the demonstrator to take home with me, and keep it whilst mine was in for servicing this week. Awesome! I just LOVE McLaren customer service, and particularly at Hatfield.
Neither Woking, nor Hatfield have ever failed to impress me with their customer service. Nothing is ever too much trouble. Is it any wonder I love McLaren and their cars! (Ferrari HQ on the other hand have been "obstinate" to deal with, on my Lusso, but the dealer has been fine.)
A loan of the 720S Spider over a few days, and the chance to drive it on familiar roads was an excellent opportunity to really get to know the car.
Initial impressions of the Spider were that (top up) it is noticeably less refined and noisier than the coupe. There could also have been a fault, as there was a faint ringing sound coming from the engine, especially when feathering the throttle. Mine never does that.
The Spider also had some vibrations that are not present on my coupe. I could see the rear view mirror had a continuous very slight vibration. I don't know whether that was a fault, or due to it being a Spider. On road at least, I could not tell that the car was any less stiff than the coupe though in terms of its handling.
I also noticed that the "interesting" turbo sounds the coupe makes inside the cabin are significantly muted in the Spider.
It also confirmed my view that I prefer the coupe's door design and rear sloping glass aesthetic. The Spider also has a visibly higher rear bulkhead, but it does not really impact rearward visibility to any noticeable extent.
I drove the Spider hard - very hard. A problem however was that the demonstrator has PZero tyres, which I found to be very significantly lacking in grip compared to my Corsas. I hate these PZeroes. The car has so little adhesion in acceleration that it frequently span its rears, especially when using launch control. Braking was also poor compared to my car, on Corsas, which feels like dropping an anchor. Lower adhesion meant I was also more wary in the bends.
Those are the negatives (ignoring the tyres), and in context of competitors these are very insignificant disadvantages compared to the coupe. This is all thanks to the carbon fibre tub of course. A Ferrari Spider is MUCH worse than a coupe for example.
Now the positives. The key one is that McLaren make the very best convertibles, with such insignificant compromises. On road at least, the spider and coupe feel equally well composed. I've not driven the Spider on track but would not be surprised if it was very close to the coupe there too. The 720S Spider's roof mechanism is very quick and silent too.
The BIG advantages I found with the Spider however were that the engine was hugely more audible in the cabin of course, and just dropping the rear glass in tunnels made the drive through a lot more fun than when opening windows in the coupe. Yes I know it's childish, but it's fun.
One very noticeable feature was that McLaren have remapped the engine. The Spider makes gunshot noises pretty much on demand, when driving hard, on lift off + change down in Sport drivetrain mode. It also does the same reasonably frequently on the upshift under full throttle. It sounds great, and reminded me of my drive in the 675LTS. The 600LTS is much louder and even more exciting from a soundtrack perspective than even 675LTS though, which is doubtless partly due to the exhaust exit position. I've been told that the difference in sound is greater in 720S coupe to 765LT, than in 570S to 600LT. That is astonishing, and I can't wait to drive the 765LT.
The associated benefit of the soundtrack was that the Spider felt much more fun at much lower speeds. The wind rushing past my head also added to that. I felt more engaged with the car, road and environment. Simply put, it was significantly more thrilling. I wanted a Spider. I preferred it to the coupe.
Whilst at Hatfield, I got the chance to reacquaint myself with the 765LT. I had originally seen it the day after launch at Woking. Whilst I would never choose Nardo, the car itself looked even better to me now, although I preferred the grey one at MTC.
Seeing it alongside other models, and with mine parked outside for comparison (see pics), made the differences even more stark, and made the 765LT look very aggressive indeed. I really want one very badly right now, even though I know I will take a huge kick to the wallet.
After all, you can't take it with you.
RBT0 said:
Re sound/gunshots, are you sure it’s remap? If so and not exhaust, it sounds like ignition cut on LTs when in sport mode....did you have a kick in between shifts when in sport?
765 is stunning.
Really surprised by them saying step change in exhaust is bigger than sport series, which is already mad imho. Is it because 720s is even quieter than 570s?
100% sure its mapping. I mean that McLaren themselves have mapped the spider ECU differently to the coupe.765 is stunning.
Really surprised by them saying step change in exhaust is bigger than sport series, which is already mad imho. Is it because 720s is even quieter than 570s?
Yes it kicks on upshift. But the gunshots are even easier to provoke on downshifts, with no kick.
I've not driven a 765LT yet so can only guess, but perhaps the titanium exhaust is one of the reasons it is even more dramatic.
MAC 720S said:
I don’t think it is just the Spider. As you know, I’ve had a 2017 and 2019 coupe. The 2019 coupe is definitely different with the gear changes. More aggressive changes in sport and track, with noticeably more gunshots on downshift, to the point it can be orchestrated changing down through 4th, 3rd and 2nd. I didn’t have that on the 2017 model.
Could well be that. I will investigate with Woking.Does yours have black or gunmetal B&W speaker grilles?
WilliamWaiver said:
Personally I love the monochromatic roof and mechanism on the spider which is an essential option IMHO. Will that be available on 765 LT spider ?
Photochromic roof?Very probably yes, but no one knows for sure yet as the spider has not been announced.
It is cool. I don't want it on an LT though, as it adds weight at the top of the car.
MAC 720S said:
It is with the detailer being PPF’d so can’t check but looks like black in these pics on page 9 > https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
Does look black, but can't ever be sure with pics.
I collected my car today, and was very pleased that the technician who serviced my car took time to have a chat with me about the car and work done. I'm also happy to report that removal of the NVH pad hasn't caused any increase in NVH at all. I will need to test the car on much bumpier roads to be absolutely certain of course.
Whilst at McHatfield, I asked if I could borrow their McLaren GT demonstrator for a test drive, because I just wanted to know what it was like to drive. I said I was not going to buy one.
Usual McHatfield service, as they just passed me the keys.
I found the GT to be unfairly under-rated. It is more comfortable than super series suspension, yet handles like a light and powerful McLaren. You could easily track this car, and also use it as a daily, or cross a continent in it. Engine note also sounds good. It's a relaxed, yet ballistic car, which handles very well.
Whilst at McHatfield, I asked if I could borrow their McLaren GT demonstrator for a test drive, because I just wanted to know what it was like to drive. I said I was not going to buy one.
Usual McHatfield service, as they just passed me the keys.
I found the GT to be unfairly under-rated. It is more comfortable than super series suspension, yet handles like a light and powerful McLaren. You could easily track this car, and also use it as a daily, or cross a continent in it. Engine note also sounds good. It's a relaxed, yet ballistic car, which handles very well.
Rich, name the dealer if they give poor service. If there is a pattern, people then know who to avoid.
This info is easily available on MOC, but not here. Some dealers are great, others average, and some are outright poor.
My experience of Hatfield has always been excellent for example.
This info is easily available on MOC, but not here. Some dealers are great, others average, and some are outright poor.
My experience of Hatfield has always been excellent for example.
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