New R8 V10+??

[doodlebug]

Sticking with my local as they've been very good with me. There's a lot less value in playing poker with Porsche dealers

[W8PMC]

Well thanks to a fantastic morning at Millbrook with McLaren in the 570S, i'm now if anything going backwards in my decision making process.

After a 20min accompanied test drive around unfamiliar roads a few weeks back, the 570S really didn't light me up, however taking it round Millbrook & getting some hot PAX laps with a Pro Driver & seeing every colour in the sunlight, i'm now back to being Mr Undecided.

Bottom line is out of the 3 cars the 570S is by far the closest to a Supercar & would comfortably (as has happened in the motoring press) take the title of best Sports Car, however that does mean it's certainly more raw than the R8 & 911 & that may become an issue for more mundane tasks such as a long commute.

The Turbo S is certainly the quickest off the line but on the mile straight in the 570S without LC we hit 175mph on the dash & that included braking to 50mph before the end of the straight, so once rolling it piles the speed on a ludicrous rate. Did feel slower than the Turbo S but the dash was telling me perhaps not that much slower. The driving position is out & out racing car & a significant step up from even the higher value Mk1 McL's such as the 12C & 650S as the 570S has a totally new chassis & carbon tub that McL appear to refer to as Version 2.

You 100% feel like you're in a Sports Car when driving the McL which isn't something i really felt in the Porsche or R8 as these were more very Sporty very fast cars.

To try an explanation in numbers, my M5 is say 50% luxury cruiser & 50% performance car (i'd bestow a similar figure to the RS6's & the like), the 991 Turbo S is 30% luxury cruiser, 30% performance car & 40% sports car. The R8 V10+ is 20% luxury cruiser, 50% performance car & 30% sports car with the 570S being 10% luxury cruiser, 20% performance car & 70% sports car. This as daft as it sounds makes the decision tough as it's a true Sports car i want which would point straight at the McL, however that itself in these cars would offer up some significant compromises that i may not be able to live with. If i wanted the very best all rounder the Turbo S would win by a country mile, but the R8 offered up an aural experience i was shocked by & that stirred senses neither the Porsche or the McL did.

All that said, the 570S made me feel like a racing driver (sorry for the poor description) & you felt like you were driving something very special. It's on track ability was out of this world & don't tell any owners of the McL Supercar range, but during a McL event in Sepang, the 570s was quicker on track than the 675LT in the hands of all the Pro drivers which let's be honest is quite some accomplishment & perhaps supports McL's Marketing tag line of the 570S being a game changer.

Going to try to encourage my local OPC to book me onto the Porsche Experience at Silverstone ahead of ordering as i feel i need to see/drive the Turbo S closer to it's limits in the same way the 570S presented itself today. My hope when i left for Millbrook this morning was that my decision would be made & a Turbo S order would be being completed in the next few days but sadly for somewhat unexpected reasons i'm more undecided now that i was this morning.

[Ian_C]

Being Millbrook, I guess pics weren't allowed?

That Mclaren is special, rare and exclusive in a manner than any 911 Turbo or R8 are increasingly not

Specced one up yet?

Apologies for stating the bleeding obvious, but the one piece buckets I bet all the press cars have are optional aren't they, a more 'normal' electric adjustable seat is standard?

[doodlebug]

I don't think any of that is a surprise. The McL was never going to be a slouch, but as you've noted it's not a like for like comparison. McL are not stupid in showing off the car at its best. Question really then is what is it like to live with? Especially if you're going to be doing a 200 mile trek to Suffolk on a regular basis.

Just beware availability at PEC for Turbo S isn't good. I'm waiting until June!

If you wanted a closer 911 comparison GT3 and/or GT3RS would be the puppies, availability aside. Gen 2 variants due soon.....

[W8PMC]

Being Millbrook, I guess pics weren't allowed?

That Mclaren is special, rare and exclusive in a manner than any 911 Turbo or R8 are increasingly not

Specced one up yet?

Apologies for stating the bleeding obvious, but the one piece buckets I bet all the press cars have are optional aren't they, a more 'normal' electric adjustable seat is standard?

Nope, special Millbrook branded stickers applied to the front & rear cameras as i drove in. Yes the buckets are an option as are also Carbon Fibre so i'd guess very expensive. Normal seat is manual as standard but you can pay for an electric version.

Spec is an interesting point as i kind of have & it came out at just shy of £155k. The upgraded music system is a must as is a nasty 4 speaker affair as standard (i thought they went out with the Escort & that lovely dash mounted fader/balance joystick). Not interested in any Carbon packs as i'm really not into trinkets so wasn't much other than the Sports exhaust, upgraded tunes, forged wheels & a couple of other items i believe are included in the Luxury pack.

[doodlebug]

Being Millbrook, I guess pics weren't allowed?

That Mclaren is special, rare and exclusive in a manner than any 911 Turbo or R8 are increasingly not

Specced one up yet?

Apologies for stating the bleeding obvious, but the one piece buckets I bet all the press cars have are optional aren't they, a more 'normal' electric adjustable seat is standard?

570 won't be rare, McL will sell as many as they can.

911 turbos are pretty low volume, but I take the point on 911 generally.

[W8PMC]

I don't think any of that is a surprise. The McL was never going to be a slouch, but as you've noted it's not a like for like comparison. McL are not stupid in showing off the car at its best. Question really then is what is it like to live with? Especially if you're going to be doing a 200 mile trek to Suffolk on a regular basis.

Just beware availability at PEC for Turbo S isn't good. I'm waiting until June!

If you wanted a closer 911 comparison GT3 and/or GT3RS would be the puppies, availability aside. Gen 2 variants due soon.....

That's good to know Alastair, thanks for the heads up. I'll drop my dealer a note tomorrow. I'll just be totally honest with him that the 570S on track really blew me away.

I am however hearing a rumour that the 570S has to have a pre/post track day check at a cost of £300 (each check) or the warranty is fully invalidated. That could change things as 5 a year that's £9k over 3yrs on top of the highest by far regular servicing costs.

For some reason the Porsche GT's don't do it for me. If i buy a Porsche it needs to be a Turbo/S. Couldn't live with myself spending £30k above the new list price for a 3yr old GT3 or 100% over new list for a GT3 RS. Totally agree they're considerably more raw than the Turbo S, but i bet the in all but the most accomplished drivers hands, the Turbo S would be quicker everywhere & thus paying a premium for slower but more raw seems odd. The 570S is apparently quicker on track than the GT3 & can be had for a lot less money (ignoring new vs. used).

[doodlebug]

Good luck with the chase. A nice chase to have!

[Ian_C]

Nope, special Millbrook branded stickers applied to the front & rear cameras as i drove in. Yes the buckets are an option as are also Carbon Fibre so i'd guess very expensive. Normal seat is manual as standard but you can pay for an electric version.

Spec is an interesting point as i kind of have & it came out at just shy of £155k. The upgraded music system is a must as is a nasty 4 speaker affair as standard (i thought they went out with the Escort & that lovely dash mounted fader/balance joystick). Not interested in any Carbon packs as i'm really not into trinkets so wasn't much other than the Sports exhaust, upgraded tunes, forged wheels & a couple of other items i believe are included in the Luxury pack.

Dont forget the paint! Or is that actually a sensible price unlike Ferrari & Lamborghini etc

[W8PMC]

Nope, special Millbrook branded stickers applied to the front & rear cameras as i drove in. Yes the buckets are an option as are also Carbon Fibre so i'd guess very expensive. Normal seat is manual as standard but you can pay for an electric version.

Spec is an interesting point as i kind of have & it came out at just shy of £155k. The upgraded music system is a must as is a nasty 4 speaker affair as standard (i thought they went out with the Escort & that lovely dash mounted fader/balance joystick). Not interested in any Carbon packs as i'm really not into trinkets so wasn't much other than the Sports exhaust, upgraded tunes, forged wheels & a couple of other items i believe are included in the Luxury pack.

Dont forget the paint! Or is that actually a sensible price unlike Ferrari & Lamborghini etc

Unless I'm mistaken, the colour range has about 6 standard colours at no cost, 4 colours at £2k, 4 colours at £3k & then MSO options at £7-12k.

[W8PMC]

Well after much head scratching & soul searching over the last few weeks, the decision is made & my order for a 991 Gen 2 Turbo S was placed today. Currently spec'd Sapphire Blue but am being drawn to Agate Grey so may change the colour combo before build lockdown in 6 months. Lead time is 11 month which dovetails perfectly for when the M5 goes.

The R8 V10+ was to be honest a very close second which made the decision even harder once I'd discounted the 570S due to it really not stacking up as a daily driver. The R8 is an epic vehicle with a sublime engine/transmission & a to die for noise, but that became it's only real downfall for me as i'd have wanted, almost needed to wind it up to full volume on every drive, however sometimes i'd just want to drive to the office or the supermarket with a little bit of discretion & the R8 would have struggled with that. Another issue was spec as to get it up to a desirable level would have meant £11k in options, whereas the Turbo S wanted for next to nothing over standard (my order has £1300 worth). Lastly were the residuals which were £20k lower with the R8 like for like & that made a noticeable difference in the outlay. That said this was the least of the deciding factors between the 2 cars.

[PSB1]

Congratulations! They have so much presence. For me, the 2+2 configuration is pushing me towards a 911 of some sort.

[Graeme4130]

Must've been a tough choice, but the 911 is such a good car and very different in many ways to the R8
Either way, you're going to have a massive smile on your face every time you plant that right foot !
What's the lead time like on a new 991TT now ?

[doodlebug]

11-12 months.

[Shinobi675]

I love them! Good work mate. I want one!!!