Hello everyone!
I have been creeping in the background as it has been a very busy year but I wanted to take the time to share thoughts on my McLaren 540C. I have racked up almost 10,000KMS in 1 summer!
Here are some of my thoughts loosely categorized.
MAINTENANCE:
The car has also been very reliable. I absolutely had my fair share of little gremlins from error/warning lights coming on to door latches not opening properly but they were all resolved within a day or 2 of being at McLaren. I had sort of expected this with a new model and the team at Pfaff McLaren fixed it quick/stress free. In terms of maintenance, the oil change was around $600 I believe. The only annoyances would be that I keep getting a left market fault which flashes most times the car is turned on for 3 seconds (then goes away) but the bulb is fine – hopefully this will resolve soon with software.
TECHNOLOGY:
One of the primary reasons I chose McLaren was that magical blend between technology, speed and good looks. I work in the technology space so I must have it in my cars as I really appreciate it. The McLarens dash is flawless, it always works well, displays the data you want in each mode of driving. I read some complaints about the touch screen being slow and I do not find that but I am also running the latest version of the McLaren software. The center console is very well designed, I can easily make calls. Select music sources, change temperature settings without being distracted. Many cars struggle with doing this right such as BMW. Blending simplicity, beauty and reliability into the center console is essential. I was very surprised at the base audio system - I had figured that I would of regretted not ordering the more expensive Bowers system. The base is pretty damn good but obviously lacking compared to the Bowers Wilkins. The car lift system is ESSENTIAL, it works fantastic and has saved me so many times. The peace of mind that option gives me cannot be put into words.
The rear view camera is low quality, I also don't trust it - it seems to have a slight lag to it! A very annoying oversight and perhaps the most frustrating for me is how the Satelite radio does not work reliably – the antenna in the 570/540 was put in a place where it often cuts out. McLaren has no resolutions for this which is a bit ridiculous. I use Bluetooth Spotify streaming and now don’t miss the Satellite radio. Another annoyance is how they don’t have a way of storing your garage door opener codes. I have to keep my clunky, ugly garage door opener pinned to my sun visor like it’s a Pontiac Sunfire – fix this on your next model McLaren!
PERFORMANCE:
This is where I am most shocked and many of the other exotic owners who have spent time driving with me this year are at a loss for words after watching the 540C perform. I drove the 570S and my car back to back, I could not notice a difference – would be interesting to see a dyno. I ran my 540C at the ¼ mile drag strip a few times in 2016 and the results were pretty shocking. I will post some videos but 1/4 mile drag results:
VS McLaren 650S = 650S wins by 1 car length or less after many runs. Extremely close race.
VS Lamborghini Huracan = Huracan launch wins, 540C reels Huracan in fast at end of strip. Huracan wins. If the race was another 100 feet, 540C would have it.
VS Ferrari 458 = 540C wins by many car lengths.
VS new 991 Porsche GT3RS = 540C wins by many car lengths. I have a great video of this race. Will post at some point.
The car is VERY, VERY fast in a straight line. It also feels very capable on the road/turns but more geared towards fun factor as opposed to track precision or lap times. It accelerates all the way to 300 quickly with little hesitation but it definitely needs the higher RPMs. There is definitely some turbo lag with the 540C at lower RPMs.
OVERALL:
The car is without a doubt, the best car that I have ever owned or driven in all aspects. It is unbelievably fast, comfortable, loaded with technology, reliable and maintained by a company who sincerely cares about their owners (McLaren).
I drove the car daily for the entire summer as it has an allure that just makes me want to drive, for any reason I can think of so daily commuting gives me a daily dose of joy! I have the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with Toronto traffic and wondered how it would hold up – my old Lamborghini used to overheat in traffic, had no technology, bad audio and bad Bluetooth. The McLaren is flawless in traffic, no overheating, it is comfortable and enjoyable (assuming you like being given lots of thumbs up in traffic). I love that the car will scare the pants off you with its speed and not take away the rawness, the steering is fantastic and has great feedback compared to previous generation McLarens in my opinion. I find it gives me that extremely involved driving feeling that I have only had in my GT3 RS yet I can take a meeting call with the Bluetooth and have quality similar to that of my Porsche Macan. It just does everything so well.
For the value you get for your dollar in a McLaren 540C or 570S – I cannot imagine why anyone would buy anything else in that price range. It really is just THAT good. You get a car with new technology/infotainment, extreme speed, fun factor, warranty, beautiful interior/exterior and reliability.
McLaren…Kudos, you really nailed this one, coming from a Porsche guy.
Please let me know your thoughts and happy driving! PS: Videos coming, add me on Instagram tryuntilsuccess
-John
I have been creeping in the background as it has been a very busy year but I wanted to take the time to share thoughts on my McLaren 540C. I have racked up almost 10,000KMS in 1 summer!
Here are some of my thoughts loosely categorized.
MAINTENANCE:
The car has also been very reliable. I absolutely had my fair share of little gremlins from error/warning lights coming on to door latches not opening properly but they were all resolved within a day or 2 of being at McLaren. I had sort of expected this with a new model and the team at Pfaff McLaren fixed it quick/stress free. In terms of maintenance, the oil change was around $600 I believe. The only annoyances would be that I keep getting a left market fault which flashes most times the car is turned on for 3 seconds (then goes away) but the bulb is fine – hopefully this will resolve soon with software.
TECHNOLOGY:
One of the primary reasons I chose McLaren was that magical blend between technology, speed and good looks. I work in the technology space so I must have it in my cars as I really appreciate it. The McLarens dash is flawless, it always works well, displays the data you want in each mode of driving. I read some complaints about the touch screen being slow and I do not find that but I am also running the latest version of the McLaren software. The center console is very well designed, I can easily make calls. Select music sources, change temperature settings without being distracted. Many cars struggle with doing this right such as BMW. Blending simplicity, beauty and reliability into the center console is essential. I was very surprised at the base audio system - I had figured that I would of regretted not ordering the more expensive Bowers system. The base is pretty damn good but obviously lacking compared to the Bowers Wilkins. The car lift system is ESSENTIAL, it works fantastic and has saved me so many times. The peace of mind that option gives me cannot be put into words.
The rear view camera is low quality, I also don't trust it - it seems to have a slight lag to it! A very annoying oversight and perhaps the most frustrating for me is how the Satelite radio does not work reliably – the antenna in the 570/540 was put in a place where it often cuts out. McLaren has no resolutions for this which is a bit ridiculous. I use Bluetooth Spotify streaming and now don’t miss the Satellite radio. Another annoyance is how they don’t have a way of storing your garage door opener codes. I have to keep my clunky, ugly garage door opener pinned to my sun visor like it’s a Pontiac Sunfire – fix this on your next model McLaren!
PERFORMANCE:
This is where I am most shocked and many of the other exotic owners who have spent time driving with me this year are at a loss for words after watching the 540C perform. I drove the 570S and my car back to back, I could not notice a difference – would be interesting to see a dyno. I ran my 540C at the ¼ mile drag strip a few times in 2016 and the results were pretty shocking. I will post some videos but 1/4 mile drag results:
VS McLaren 650S = 650S wins by 1 car length or less after many runs. Extremely close race.
VS Lamborghini Huracan = Huracan launch wins, 540C reels Huracan in fast at end of strip. Huracan wins. If the race was another 100 feet, 540C would have it.
VS Ferrari 458 = 540C wins by many car lengths.
VS new 991 Porsche GT3RS = 540C wins by many car lengths. I have a great video of this race. Will post at some point.
The car is VERY, VERY fast in a straight line. It also feels very capable on the road/turns but more geared towards fun factor as opposed to track precision or lap times. It accelerates all the way to 300 quickly with little hesitation but it definitely needs the higher RPMs. There is definitely some turbo lag with the 540C at lower RPMs.
OVERALL:
The car is without a doubt, the best car that I have ever owned or driven in all aspects. It is unbelievably fast, comfortable, loaded with technology, reliable and maintained by a company who sincerely cares about their owners (McLaren).
I drove the car daily for the entire summer as it has an allure that just makes me want to drive, for any reason I can think of so daily commuting gives me a daily dose of joy! I have the unfortunate pleasure of dealing with Toronto traffic and wondered how it would hold up – my old Lamborghini used to overheat in traffic, had no technology, bad audio and bad Bluetooth. The McLaren is flawless in traffic, no overheating, it is comfortable and enjoyable (assuming you like being given lots of thumbs up in traffic). I love that the car will scare the pants off you with its speed and not take away the rawness, the steering is fantastic and has great feedback compared to previous generation McLarens in my opinion. I find it gives me that extremely involved driving feeling that I have only had in my GT3 RS yet I can take a meeting call with the Bluetooth and have quality similar to that of my Porsche Macan. It just does everything so well.
For the value you get for your dollar in a McLaren 540C or 570S – I cannot imagine why anyone would buy anything else in that price range. It really is just THAT good. You get a car with new technology/infotainment, extreme speed, fun factor, warranty, beautiful interior/exterior and reliability.
McLaren…Kudos, you really nailed this one, coming from a Porsche guy.
Please let me know your thoughts and happy driving! PS: Videos coming, add me on Instagram tryuntilsuccess
-John
