Aston Martin
DB11
McLaren
540C
Aston Martin DB11 vs McLaren 540C: 2018 Comparison
The short answer
The Aston Martin DB11 offers power, while the McLaren 540C excels at fuel economy instead. Choose the Aston Martin DB11 if you prioritize power in daily driving, or the McLaren 540C if fuel economy matters more for your needs. Both are covered by real owner reports on CarWizz.
Specs side by side
What owners say
DB11
Overall
Mixed sentiment with a clear divide between appreciation for its grand touring character and criticism of its driving dynamics and competitive positioning. The DB11 is consistently praised for its stunning aesthetics, long-distance comfort, and the emotional appeal of the V12 engine, particularly in earlier, naturally aspirated models from the VH platform. Owners report high satisfaction with its usability as a daily driver or for extensive road trips, citing a comfortable ride and a special, understated presence.
Best version to buy
V12 models are overwhelmingly recommended over V8 models. The AMR trim is mentioned favorably.
Known issues
- ⚠Brake squeal (Brembo system): very loud squealing, especially at low speeds when brakes are warm. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠Feels heavy and lacks engagement: car feels large, heavy, and not as sharp or engaging to drive as competitors; V8 engine noted as underpowered for the chassis. Frequency: recurrent.
- ⚠High running costs: very expensive parts and labor; high insurance premiums with limited carrier options; specialist subscription required for repair manuals. Frequency: recurrent.
540C
Overall
The sentiment among owners is sharply divided, creating a high-risk, high-reward perception. The vehicle is universally praised for its driving dynamics, described as "really fun," "unique," and offering "breathtaking performance" that looks and goes like a supercar. However, this enthusiasm is heavily tempered by severe and recurrent criticisms of brand-wide reliability, service quality, and long-term ownership costs.
Best version to buy
Insufficient owner data available. No specific trim or year of the 540C is singled out as superior within the provided discussions.
Known issues
- ⚠Chronic reliability and build quality: very frequent mentions of general unreliability, electrical issues, and "teething issues" inherent to the early Sport Series models.
- ⚠Dealer and service network problems: poor service experience, long repair times, lack of dealer proximity (especially noted in Canada), and forced inventory issues for dealers. Frequency: very frequent.
- ⚠Rapid depreciation: significant loss in value, partly attributed to high supply and brand perception issues. Frequency: recurrent.
The verdict
The Aston Martin DB11 is the better choice for most buyers.
It has stronger reliability sentiment in owner reports than the McLaren 540C, based on the data above. If the specific known issues on the Aston Martin DB11 are a dealbreaker, the McLaren 540C is worth a closer look instead.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is more reliable, the Aston Martin DB11 or the McLaren 540C?
Owner reports lean more positive on reliability for the Aston Martin DB11 than the McLaren 540C. See the known issues comparison above for the specific concerns owners report on each.
Which is better for families, the Aston Martin DB11 or the McLaren 540C?
The Aston Martin DB11 seats more passengers than the McLaren 540C on its catalogued best-equipped version. Body type also differs: the Aston Martin DB11 is classed as a Coupe, the McLaren 540C as a Coupe.
Which has better fuel economy, the Aston Martin DB11 or the McLaren 540C?
The McLaren 540C is more fuel-efficient on paper: 10.7 L/100km combined versus 13.4 L/100km for the Aston Martin DB11, based on the best-equipped catalogued version of each.
Which is cheaper to maintain, the Aston Martin DB11 or the McLaren 540C?
Exact maintenance costs aren't in our data, but reliability signals above are the closest proxy: fewer reported issues generally means lower repair costs over time.