The 570S is the most attainable way into a carbon-tub McLaren, and it uses conventional adaptive dampers rather than the hydraulic system of the Super Series cars. That makes it a touch simpler to live with, though the same rules apply: keep the software current and use a specialist.
The Sports Series and what it means for ownership
The 570S launched in 2015 as the first model in McLaren's Sports Series, designed to bring the brand to a broader ownership base. It shares the carbon MonoCell tub with the 12C and 650S, giving it the same structural characteristics and the same carbon-specific service considerations if a collision is involved. What it doesn't have is the hydraulic Proactive Chassis Control: the 570S uses a conventional adaptive damper system, which simplifies service considerably.
That difference matters when searching for a specialist. Many shops that can service a 570S competently don't have the PCC hydraulic experience the Super Series cars require. The 570S is more accessible both in acquisition cost and in the range of specialists qualified to work on it, which is one of its genuine practical advantages as an ownership proposition.
Adaptive dampers versus hydraulic PCC
The adaptive dampers on the 570S are individual units that can be diagnosed and replaced without the hydraulic circuit expertise the 720S requires. A shop with solid exotic car experience and proper McLaren diagnostic software can service the 570S suspension more readily than a PCC-equipped car. This opens the field of qualified shops meaningfully, particularly outside major cities where dedicated McLaren specialists are scarce.
The 570S handles extremely well by any measure, but through a different approach than the hydraulically interconnected PCC system. The PCC system's ability to manage pitch and roll through hydraulic crosstalk is a Super Series trait. For owners who are choosing between the Sports Series and Super Series, this difference in suspension architecture is relevant not just for driving character but for the long-term ownership picture.
Twin-turbo V8: service priorities
The twin-turbocharged V8 in the 570S is the same engine family used across the Sports and Super Series, tuned differently for each application. Oil changes at correct intervals using the specified grade are the most consequential routine service. Turbocharged engines run at high heat under load, and oil quality degrades faster than in a naturally aspirated application. Extending oil intervals on a high-output turbo engine, particularly one that may sit for weeks between drives, is a documented path to unnecessary wear.
The 570S's price point relative to the 720S often attracts buyers who are new to McLaren ownership and may carry service habits from less demanding cars. Treating oil change intervals as firm deadlines rather than guidelines is the single most important habit change for new McLaren owners. The cost difference between a timely oil change and a turbo replacement is substantial.
Common issues and what to expect over time
The 570S is now old enough that its common issues are well-documented by owners and specialists. Battery drain on cars that sit is the most frequently cited minor problem; the small battery can't sustain the car's electronics during extended storage without a maintainer. More consequential concerns include dual-clutch transmission maintenance, cooling system hose condition at higher mileage, and the general state of hydraulic fluid in systems that don't see regular use.
Carbon-ceramic brakes were available as an option and carry the same replacement cost as on any McLaren. Standard iron rotors fitted to many 570S cars are far less expensive to replace and are fully adequate for road use and occasional track days. Buyers who don't plan regular circuit use don't need to pay the CCB replacement premium, and for a car that's used as a regular driver, the iron rotor servicing cycle is more predictable.
Buying a 570S: what to look for
The 570S market now has enough volume and enough variety in condition to compare options carefully. Cars range from low-mileage examples with complete service histories to heavily used cars that have passed through multiple owners with inconsistent maintenance. A pre-purchase inspection should focus on dual-clutch condition, the brake system, the MonoCell structure if any accident history exists, and the overall completeness of service records.
A 570S priced meaningfully below comparable examples almost always reflects something: an undisclosed history, deferred maintenance, or condition issues that aren't visible without an inspection. Request a history report and budget for a specialist PPI before committing. The cost of the inspection is negligible against the cost of discovering a problem after purchase.
What to check on a McLaren 570S
- Sports Series experience
- Adaptive-damper and software service
Common questions
Does the 570S have the hydraulic suspension?
No. The Sports Series uses conventional adaptive dampers, unlike the Super Series 720S, which makes it slightly simpler to maintain.
How does maintaining a 570S compare to maintaining a 720S?
The absence of Proactive Chassis Control is the most significant difference. The 570S uses conventional adaptive dampers, simpler to service and accessible to a wider range of shops. The engine family is related, so the fundamental service requirements are similar. The 720S is a more complex car to maintain correctly, and the pool of shops qualified to do it properly is smaller.
What does a typical annual service cost for a 570S?
Oil service, inspection, and consumable checks at an experienced independent typically run in the several-hundred-dollar range for a standard annual service. Major service intervals covering spark plugs, transmission fluid, and a more comprehensive inspection are more expensive. Dealer rates are higher. The biggest variable is whether any significant items come up during inspection.
Is the 570S a good starting point for first-time McLaren ownership?
Frequently recommended as the right entry point. The simpler suspension architecture, the lower acquisition cost relative to Super Series cars, and the wider availability of qualified specialists make it a more forgiving first McLaren than the 720S. The ownership experience and service demands are genuinely McLaren, so it's a real introduction to the brand.
How long do the brakes last on a 570S?
On iron rotors with mostly road use, pads and rotors last at rates comparable to other performance cars, typically measured in years for moderate drivers. Track use changes the calculation significantly and requires more frequent inspection. Carbon-ceramic rotors, if fitted, last longer under road use conditions but are more vulnerable to chipping from cold use, and replacement cost is substantial.
Find a McLaren specialist
McLaren 570S owners use McLaren specialists for service, PPI, and restoration.
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