Flemke - Is this your McLaren? (Vol 5)

[roystinho]

stevesingo said:

It amazes me that someone with the obvious intelligece to earn enough money to be able to purchase such thing can lack the self control to drive it on the public road without putting themselves and potentially others at risk.

Maybe they were a sport star, or won the lottery, or have a rich family. Wealth and intelligence don't always go hand in hand

[E65Ross]

flemke said:

E65Ross said:

Thanks Flemke.

You rate the F1 as your favourite (or right up there!) ever drivers car as an experience etc.... What's your next favourite?

Probably either NSX or LCC Rocket.

ETA: Almost forgot, SLS Black Series is right up there.

Edited by flemke on Wednesday 26th November 22:44

Many thanks. Interesting that you view the NSX and SLS black series above the various Porsches you've driven.

[0llie]

I'm sure some have already seen this, but an F1 has come up for sale in the USA.

[isaldiri]

flemke said:

E65Ross said:

Thanks Flemke.

You rate the F1 as your favourite (or right up there!) ever drivers car as an experience etc.... What's your next favourite?

Probably either NSX or LCC Rocket.

ETA: Almost forgot, SLS Black Series is right up there.

Edited by flemke on Wednesday 26th November 22:44

That's interesting and a real surprise I have to say for the SLS black.

On the face of it, it's awfully wide at almost 2m, pretty heavy ~1600kg and has a dual clutch gearbox rather than a manual and with plenty of modern electronic systems so is about as unlike the F1 or NSX (much less the Rocket!) as one could imagine. As a driving experience, is there that much difference over it's contemporaries (458/Speciale/12C/991 GT3) that sets the SLS black apart?

[thegreenhell]

0llie said:

I'm sure some have already seen this, but an F1 has come up for sale in the USA.

That looks like the one that failed to sell at Pebble Beach in August. IIRC it was bid up to $10.75M, just short of its $11M reserve.

[Soov535]

TurboTerrific9 said:

No this is actually a different car with similar spec (and mileage) - has been brokered around for a while. Good to see it actually with a proper outfit now.

I believe this is 053 whereas the n/s car was 031

Edited by TurboTerrific9 on Thursday 27th November 14:33

TT - DomH was raving about your car.

[thegreenhell]

Yes, after I looked up the Gooding car I noted the lower mileage of this example. But then I guess the "Originally Finished in Striking Marlboro White - the Sole Such Example" description of the Gooding auction car is not quite true in light of the description above.

http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1995-mclaren-f1-2...

[flemke]

thegreenhell said:

Yes, after I looked up the Gooding car I noted the lower mileage of this example. But then I guess the "Originally Finished in Striking Marlboro White - the Sole Such Example" description of the Gooding auction car is not quite true in light of the description above.

http://www.goodingco.com/vehicle/1995-mclaren-f1-2...

What they meant was that this was the "sole such example" of a car in Marlboro White with a blue/grey interior and currently having 1152 kms on the clock.

[Crockefeller]

If the 'black' didn't exist would you have settled for the regular SLS or is the difference too great? If the black is 9/10 for example, what does the standard version score?

isaldiri said:

flemke said:

E65Ross said:

Thanks Flemke.

You rate the F1 as your favourite (or right up there!) ever drivers car as an experience etc.... What's your next favourite?

Probably either NSX or LCC Rocket.

ETA: Almost forgot, SLS Black Series is right up there.

Edited by flemke on Wednesday 26th November 22:44

That's interesting and a real surprise I have to say for the SLS black.

On the face of it, it's awfully wide at almost 2m, pretty heavy ~1600kg and has a dual clutch gearbox rather than a manual and with plenty of modern electronic systems so is about as unlike the F1 or NSX (much less the Rocket!) as one could imagine. As a driving experience, is there that much difference over it's contemporaries (458/Speciale/12C/991 GT3) that sets the SLS black apart?

[flemke]

isaldiri said:

flemke said:

E65Ross said:

Thanks Flemke.

You rate the F1 as your favourite (or right up there!) ever drivers car as an experience etc.... What's your next favourite?

Probably either NSX or LCC Rocket.

ETA: Almost forgot, SLS Black Series is right up there.

Edited by flemke on Wednesday 26th November 22:44

That's interesting and a real surprise I have to say for the SLS black.

On the face of it, it's awfully wide at almost 2m, pretty heavy ~1600kg and has a dual clutch gearbox rather than a manual and with plenty of modern electronic systems so is about as unlike the F1 or NSX (much less the Rocket!) as one could imagine. As a driving experience, is there that much difference over it's contemporaries (458/Speciale/12C/991 GT3) that sets the SLS black apart?

All you say is right, and it would be wonderful if the car were to weigh 200kg less and be 100mm less wide.
Nonetheless, the car's systems are well-balanced and compatible. The engine is a torque-rich gem that dominates the experience, but all the other systems complement it nicely. Also, I prefer front-engine cars; the problem is just that there aren't many good ones made, so I usually end up owning cars with the engines located behind me.

[flemke]

Crockefeller said:

If the 'black' didn't exist would you have settled for the regular SLS or is the difference too great? If the black is 9/10 for example, what does the standard version score?

isaldiri said:

flemke said:

E65Ross said:

Thanks Flemke.

You rate the F1 as your favourite (or right up there!) ever drivers car as an experience etc.... What's your next favourite?

Probably either NSX or LCC Rocket.

ETA: Almost forgot, SLS Black Series is right up there.

Edited by flemke on Wednesday 26th November 22:44

That's interesting and a real surprise I have to say for the SLS black.

On the face of it, it's awfully wide at almost 2m, pretty heavy ~1600kg and has a dual clutch gearbox rather than a manual and with plenty of modern electronic systems so is about as unlike the F1 or NSX (much less the Rocket!) as one could imagine. As a driving experience, is there that much difference over it's contemporaries (458/Speciale/12C/991 GT3) that sets the SLS black apart?

I thought about the normal SLS, but the main problem for me was that, IMO, the steering rack is too quick for the chassis, and for the type of GT driving for which the standard car is meant. Also, the engine is really nice, but it's not epic the way that the lighter-weight Black's is.

[isaldiri]

flemke said:

.. Also, I prefer front-engine cars; ...

Now that's an even bigger surprise

flemke said:

Nonetheless, the car's systems are well-balanced and compatible. The engine is a torque-rich gem that dominates the experience, but all the other systems complement it nicely.

Interesting to note your thoughts about the SLS black, cheers for the reply.

[Mezzanine]

roystinho said:

stevesingo said:

It amazes me that someone with the obvious intelligece to earn enough money to be able to purchase such thing can lack the self control to drive it on the public road without putting themselves and potentially others at risk.

Maybe they were a sport star, or won the lottery, or have a rich family. Wealth and intelligence don't always go hand in hand

Or there was a mechanical/systems failure?

Or the driver was having a heart attack?

Or a family of ducklings were crossing the road...

[hurstg01]

TurboTerrific9 said:

No this is actually a different car with similar spec (and mileage) - has been brokered around for a while. Good to see it actually with a proper outfit now.

I believe this is 053 whereas the n/s car was 031

Yup

[flemke]

isaldiri said:

flemke said:

.. Also, I prefer front-engine cars; ...

Now that's an even bigger surprise

A car with the engine in the front or back is more stable than a car w the engine in the middle. Between the two options, the farther back the driver sits, the more clearly he can sense what is happening with the chassis whilst there is still time to do something about it. Ergo a front engine car will be the most relaxing and communicative to drive.
Anyone who says that he really "needs" a lower polar moment car for road driving is talking out of his arse.

[andyps]

flemke said:

Anyone who says that he really "needs" a lower polar moment car for road driving is talking out of his arse.

Or has absolutely no feeling in it!

[E65Ross]

This thread has been quiet for a while! I'm sure it's been asked numerous times before but....

Flemke - what do you think of th 12C and 650S? Have you driven both? How do you feel they compare and why do you not own either (I'm pretty sure that's the case but could be wrong!)

Cheers

[flemke]

E65Ross said:

This thread has been quiet for a while! I'm sure it's been asked numerous times before but....

Flemke - what do you think of th 12C and 650S? Have you driven both? How do you feel they compare and why do you not own either (I'm pretty sure that's the case but could be wrong!)

Cheers

12C yes, 650 no.

Problem is that the 12C looks much better, esp at the front, but the 650 is (they say) a better car, and it is not possible to have a 650 underneath with 12C bodywork on the front.
I have got neither because the last thing I need is another car which I have not got the time to drive and which in any case is difficult to get the best of in the suffocating, captious British driving environment.

[E65Ross]

Thanks for the reply Flemke. How did you view the 12C? Was it an early or later car? I'm led to believe the later cars are significantly better/more well rounded; and the 650S takes it to a new level

Whilst ad a supercar I think the 650S does the styling better, I think if you want to drive around in a very high performance sports car looking tidy but less "hey, look at me!" I think the 12C does that very well... For that reason I prefer the 12C, but as you say, it's not available with 12C underpinnings which is a real shame.

Lots has been said about its ride quality, how did you find it compared to, say, your SLS black or a Porsche 911. I love the idea of a sports car which handles very well yet has a nice ride so you won't get annoyed on long trips if going to your favourite driving country for a blast!

[AlmostUseful]

I hear the McRib is making a comeback to uk McDonald's, 'spose that gives you a purpose for all the cars now, multi drive through trips without appearing to be the same greedy fat man...