Discussion
The 12C appears to be much more reliable, it's one of the reasons that I bought one last year. The gearbox issue is a seal that seems to fail if the car isn't used. I believe the fix is circa £5k. I haven't heard of any other major issues, some condensation in the rear lights that's covered by warranty, some bubbling on the wiper arm and that's about it I think.
Lovely cars leagues above the competition in my opinion.
Lovely cars leagues above the competition in my opinion.
Paint - very hard to match (McLaren won't release paint codes)
Early cars with swipe door can be tricky (later button doors work fine)
Doors require slamming shut (this can cause dame to the AC/heater temp displays which are on the doors)
Irish 1 (dimple buttons) not great.
Front and rear lights suffer from condensation (this can cause rear lights to fail)
Check all books are present ( large black book and three smaller handy ones)
Some owners have talked about tiny amounts of corrosion on front boot leading edge and wiper blade arm.
Stiffness of the carbon tub means some cars can suffer from creaking (suspension on tub)
.
Early cars with swipe door can be tricky (later button doors work fine)
Doors require slamming shut (this can cause dame to the AC/heater temp displays which are on the doors)
Irish 1 (dimple buttons) not great.
Front and rear lights suffer from condensation (this can cause rear lights to fail)
Check all books are present ( large black book and three smaller handy ones)
Some owners have talked about tiny amounts of corrosion on front boot leading edge and wiper blade arm.
Stiffness of the carbon tub means some cars can suffer from creaking (suspension on tub)
.
A lot of early issues are ironed out of 12Cs and at present they are the bargain supercar.
Swipe doors are cool and easy to get used to. BUT you can double click unlock to open the latch on drivers side and hold unlock to open passenger side. Soft close can now be retrofitted by official dealers. No need for slamming and works perfectly and you don't curse your passenger anymore for not shutting the door properly. Dealers are more aware of the common problems and sort them without you even needing to ask under warranty. Paint can be an issue but get friendly with the bodyshop that McLaren use and then go there independently to sort stuff if a problem arises and at a much cheaper rate. Extended warranty is not cheap at circa £3500 but considering the lower cost of entry is not outrageous and servicing should be circa £1500 pa.
Depreciation should be limited now if you can get in a decent miles car at 115-125k.
Swipe doors are cool and easy to get used to. BUT you can double click unlock to open the latch on drivers side and hold unlock to open passenger side. Soft close can now be retrofitted by official dealers. No need for slamming and works perfectly and you don't curse your passenger anymore for not shutting the door properly. Dealers are more aware of the common problems and sort them without you even needing to ask under warranty. Paint can be an issue but get friendly with the bodyshop that McLaren use and then go there independently to sort stuff if a problem arises and at a much cheaper rate. Extended warranty is not cheap at circa £3500 but considering the lower cost of entry is not outrageous and servicing should be circa £1500 pa.
Depreciation should be limited now if you can get in a decent miles car at 115-125k.
Ive had a F430 previously and there is possibly more to worry about with the Ferrari, especially when the Ferrari warranty doesn't cover manifold/exhaust issues as well as suspension and clutch items.
McLaren have just replaced a lot of suspension items for me under warranty.
The McLaren also has a clutch that apparently should last the lifetime of the car.
Warranty is a must IMO.
Good luck!
McLaren have just replaced a lot of suspension items for me under warranty.
The McLaren also has a clutch that apparently should last the lifetime of the car.
Warranty is a must IMO.
Good luck!
1 year 7,000 miles - 2 door locks (1 faulty, so they replaced both under warranty ????)
There are 200 owners on a FB group and I am unaware of any major faults like the fabled Gearbox issue and only minor issues it seems. Yes a number have had the rear lights replaced and many 12C owners are getting the soft close fitted due to the need to slam the doors!!!
That is about it, so far very reliable, but lots of laughs for the money
There are 200 owners on a FB group and I am unaware of any major faults like the fabled Gearbox issue and only minor issues it seems. Yes a number have had the rear lights replaced and many 12C owners are getting the soft close fitted due to the need to slam the doors!!!
That is about it, so far very reliable, but lots of laughs for the money
Cockernee said:
1 year 7,000 miles - 2 door locks (1 faulty, so they replaced both under warranty ????)
There are 200 owners on a FB group and I am unaware of any major faults like the fabled Gearbox issue and only minor issues it seems. Yes a number have had the rear lights replaced and many 12C owners are getting the soft close fitted due to the need to slam the doors!!!
That is about it, so far very reliable, but lots of laughs for the money
I had to have my door locks changed too.....only one was faulty too, but they replaced both also...There are 200 owners on a FB group and I am unaware of any major faults like the fabled Gearbox issue and only minor issues it seems. Yes a number have had the rear lights replaced and many 12C owners are getting the soft close fitted due to the need to slam the doors!!!
That is about it, so far very reliable, but lots of laughs for the money
Ditto with Cockernee, 12 months now with mine, only issue was worn rubber boot and slight weep from hydraulic system. Sorted quickly under warranty at time of service.
Owners group members report issues from time to time, but generally are the well reported problems which dealers are well versed with. There is a buyers guide available for 12C and 650 models for download on mclarenownersuk.org.uk which lists these and other things to look out for if considering purchasing.
Owners group members report issues from time to time, but generally are the well reported problems which dealers are well versed with. There is a buyers guide available for 12C and 650 models for download on mclarenownersuk.org.uk which lists these and other things to look out for if considering purchasing.
The buyers guide I compiled can be downloaded here:-
www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
Its the cumulative knowledge and experience of almost 200 owners who are all members of the Facebook group.
All common issues are covered.
Good luck with your search.
www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
Its the cumulative knowledge and experience of almost 200 owners who are all members of the Facebook group.
All common issues are covered.
Good luck with your search.
Bispal said:
The buyers guide I compiled can be downloaded here:-
www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
Its the cumulative knowledge and experience of almost 200 owners who are all members of the Facebook group.
All common issues are covered.
Good luck with your search.
Thanks for this most helpful. All the other info too. If all goes well will soon be picking up a Titanium silver 12C from that nice chap in Chelmsford. www.mclarenowners.org.uk/
Its the cumulative knowledge and experience of almost 200 owners who are all members of the Facebook group.
All common issues are covered.
Good luck with your search.
Castle123 said:
How much lower can these really drop
150,000 USD gets you a low mile spider 2013.
I wonder where the bottom is over the next few years.
Why does every thread on McLaren have to introduce the "how much will it be worth in X" conversation? 150,000 USD gets you a low mile spider 2013.
I wonder where the bottom is over the next few years.
The Thread is on "12C Issues" and should be helpful guide/reference on what to look out for when buying one and any tips/real-life experiences from owners.
It shouldn't be an invitation to another banal conversation on values, interjected only by TP321/RamboLambo/Jules360 with their one sided views on the brand/future values.
Please....
Castle123 said:
How much lower can these really drop
150,000 USD gets you a low mile spider 2013.
I wonder where the bottom is over the next few years.
I don't really care, the depreciation is not something I consider when you have running costs of around £7K per annum before putting fuel or tyres into the equation.150,000 USD gets you a low mile spider 2013.
I wonder where the bottom is over the next few years.
As said above, it is a conversation about issues of which there really are not many to trouble anyone when purchasing second hand. There have been 1 or 2 owners (literally) with recurring issues or annoying problems that shouldn't happen, but I have an Audi that the radio is crap, has been replaced and has also had a new fuel pump!!
Cockernee said:
Castle123 said:
How much lower can these really drop
150,000 USD gets you a low mile spider 2013.
I wonder where the bottom is over the next few years.
I don't really care, the depreciation is not something I consider when you have running costs of around £7K per annum before putting fuel or tyres into the equation.150,000 USD gets you a low mile spider 2013.
I wonder where the bottom is over the next few years.
As said above, it is a conversation about issues of which there really are not many to trouble anyone when purchasing second hand. There have been 1 or 2 owners (literally) with recurring issues or annoying problems that shouldn't happen, but I have an Audi that the radio is crap, has been replaced and has also had a new fuel pump!!
fair enough however 12C repair costs are ridiculous and i know of some cars myself that have had trans replaced or other major issues. The fact you can get very little work done at independent shops further hurts the car and image it has. Not having a WARRANTY is really playing with fire on this car.
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