12c - First Thoughts
Discussion
So finally bit the bullet and bought myself one which I picked up last week.
2012 car nicely specked with carbon brakes, carbon interior, alcantara, sports exhaust, superlight alloys, and low miles, still smells new inside.
So a few random notes / comments for those that like to follow these things.
I bought from the Mclaren network so have the one year factory warranty.
Handover was more like buying a new PC, the car has so much tech on it it is unbelievable, salesman talked me through all the functions that I have now forgoten of course, but you can play with loads of functions on the twiddle stick including how much noise from the engine enters the cabin area via the rear speaker system.
The main controls in the center allow you to adjust the aero/suspension and the powertrain, pretty trick as you can have the suspension on soft yet the motor on load if thats what you want, 3 combinations, normal, sport, and track with the ability to adjust seperately.
Electric adjustable memory seats comfortable, but being a short ar$e cant quite get where I want it currently.
Pedals exactly where they should be, designed by a driver not a computer like on the LP.
Sound system is fabulous, I only opted for the Iris 1 not the upgrade for an extra £3k which I can do at anytime, I find modern sat navs a pain and unecessarily difficult to use and only use the old faithfull tom tom, I am told Iris 1 was only really a problem when using music phone and nav all at same time, I guess only time will tell if it was the correct choice, slightly annoying that Ipod classic wont connect as to old so currently using old iphone 3 as music storage and works fine from the head unit.
So all checks done and paperwork signed I set off for the first drive in my 12c, never test drove one just wanted one, car has a fully auto function and a manual option, I thought best to set off in Auto on unfamiliar roads for the first time, steering very very light so much so that it reminded me of a VW polo or similar it really is so easy the wife could drive the thing.
Compared to the lambo LP the sound is a little dissapointing even with the sports exhaust option and yet if you stand outside the car its not quite at all, think something to get used to and I havent tried in track mode yet.
Switching to manual, downshifts dont seem as exciting as the LP it blips but not enough in my opinion.
The ride whilst not quite the limo soft ride some tell you is great on our cr@p roads, very comfortable in normal mode, switching to sport mode firms things up a bit but still very compliant, motor in sport adjusts the throttle sensistivity which is noticeable if you switch whilst driving along.
As recommended I tend to have aero set to normal and motor to sport, not experimented much yet to be honest.
Air con works a treat and very usefull in the 35 degrees we had during pick up.
Car is a fraction wider than the gallardo so caution required putting in garage and I am in the process of switching from 7ft to 8ft door.
Iris / music volume knob and air con fan knobs need either knerling ? or a band of soft touch rubber around them.
Iris / volume needs far to much turning to change the volume setting, it goes to 100 and needs plenty of turns to get even half way there.
General build quality seems fantastic both inside and out.
I guess the big question is does it go well ?, I have not had a proper chance to try on my favorite roads yet but the car seems quick, does not sound quick but when you glance at speedo its quick for sure, hope to report back soon on the speed testing
I wouldnt mind some of those pop off / dump valve things from halfords the local kids have if they do in Mclaren size
Will try and post up some pictures soon.
Loving it so far ....
edited to add forgot the most important toy ..... the Air Brake !
what a giggle, hammer down the road into a roundabout and brake hard and the rear spoiler comes out of the boot lid and stands near verticle !
You can see nothing out of the rear mirror during this process but hey looks great :-)
2012 car nicely specked with carbon brakes, carbon interior, alcantara, sports exhaust, superlight alloys, and low miles, still smells new inside.
So a few random notes / comments for those that like to follow these things.
I bought from the Mclaren network so have the one year factory warranty.
Handover was more like buying a new PC, the car has so much tech on it it is unbelievable, salesman talked me through all the functions that I have now forgoten of course, but you can play with loads of functions on the twiddle stick including how much noise from the engine enters the cabin area via the rear speaker system.
The main controls in the center allow you to adjust the aero/suspension and the powertrain, pretty trick as you can have the suspension on soft yet the motor on load if thats what you want, 3 combinations, normal, sport, and track with the ability to adjust seperately.
Electric adjustable memory seats comfortable, but being a short ar$e cant quite get where I want it currently.
Pedals exactly where they should be, designed by a driver not a computer like on the LP.
Sound system is fabulous, I only opted for the Iris 1 not the upgrade for an extra £3k which I can do at anytime, I find modern sat navs a pain and unecessarily difficult to use and only use the old faithfull tom tom, I am told Iris 1 was only really a problem when using music phone and nav all at same time, I guess only time will tell if it was the correct choice, slightly annoying that Ipod classic wont connect as to old so currently using old iphone 3 as music storage and works fine from the head unit.
So all checks done and paperwork signed I set off for the first drive in my 12c, never test drove one just wanted one, car has a fully auto function and a manual option, I thought best to set off in Auto on unfamiliar roads for the first time, steering very very light so much so that it reminded me of a VW polo or similar it really is so easy the wife could drive the thing.
Compared to the lambo LP the sound is a little dissapointing even with the sports exhaust option and yet if you stand outside the car its not quite at all, think something to get used to and I havent tried in track mode yet.
Switching to manual, downshifts dont seem as exciting as the LP it blips but not enough in my opinion.
The ride whilst not quite the limo soft ride some tell you is great on our cr@p roads, very comfortable in normal mode, switching to sport mode firms things up a bit but still very compliant, motor in sport adjusts the throttle sensistivity which is noticeable if you switch whilst driving along.
As recommended I tend to have aero set to normal and motor to sport, not experimented much yet to be honest.
Air con works a treat and very usefull in the 35 degrees we had during pick up.
Car is a fraction wider than the gallardo so caution required putting in garage and I am in the process of switching from 7ft to 8ft door.
Iris / music volume knob and air con fan knobs need either knerling ? or a band of soft touch rubber around them.
Iris / volume needs far to much turning to change the volume setting, it goes to 100 and needs plenty of turns to get even half way there.
General build quality seems fantastic both inside and out.
I guess the big question is does it go well ?, I have not had a proper chance to try on my favorite roads yet but the car seems quick, does not sound quick but when you glance at speedo its quick for sure, hope to report back soon on the speed testing
I wouldnt mind some of those pop off / dump valve things from halfords the local kids have if they do in Mclaren size
Will try and post up some pictures soon.
Loving it so far ....
edited to add forgot the most important toy ..... the Air Brake !
what a giggle, hammer down the road into a roundabout and brake hard and the rear spoiler comes out of the boot lid and stands near verticle !
You can see nothing out of the rear mirror during this process but hey looks great :-)
Edited by TISPKJ on Tuesday 7th July 15:53
mrloudly said:
"Switching to manual, downshifts dont seem as exciting as the LP it blips but not enough in my opinion"
It's a Mclaren, it "blips' as much as it needs to and no more! That's why it's so special ;-)
I think in reality it probably does but does not shout about it as it were, the Lamborghini is more look at me shouty if that makes sense, I also imagine when your actually "on it" and giving it the full beans it blips the revs higher.It's a Mclaren, it "blips' as much as it needs to and no more! That's why it's so special ;-)
It does blip more when pressing on.
But if you want to feel the acceleration try the race start, a bit of a pain remembering which button to press or switch but its worth it trust me, and unlike the lambo the clutch wont mind how many times you do it
But if you want to feel the acceleration try the race start, a bit of a pain remembering which button to press or switch but its worth it trust me, and unlike the lambo the clutch wont mind how many times you do it
TISPKJ said:
I think in reality it probably does but does not shout about it as it were, the Lamborghini is more look at me shouty if that makes sense, I also imagine when your actually "on it" and giving it the full beans it blips the revs higher.
Chrism355 said:
It does blip more when pressing on.
But if you want to feel the acceleration try the race start, a bit of a pain remembering which button to press or switch but its worth it trust me, and unlike the lambo the clutch wont mind how many times you do it
Make sure the tyres are warm first ;-)But if you want to feel the acceleration try the race start, a bit of a pain remembering which button to press or switch but its worth it trust me, and unlike the lambo the clutch wont mind how many times you do it
TISPKJ said:
I think in reality it probably does but does not shout about it as it were, the Lamborghini is more look at me shouty if that makes sense, I also imagine when your actually "on it" and giving it the full beans it blips the revs higher.
TISPKJ said:
mrloudly said:
"Switching to manual, downshifts dont seem as exciting as the LP it blips but not enough in my opinion"
It's a Mclaren, it "blips' as much as it needs to and no more! That's why it's so special ;-)
I think in reality it probably does but does not shout about it as it were, the Lamborghini is more look at me shouty if that makes sense, I also imagine when your actually "on it" and giving it the full beans it blips the revs higher.It's a Mclaren, it "blips' as much as it needs to and no more! That's why it's so special ;-)
The early cars had the swipe doors, this was later removed as it proved to be problematic. TBF I always thought the description of "Swipe" gave the wrong impression on how to use the device, slow slide works
much better! You can still lock the 650 with an inwards slide on the section behind the door, 12C is the same.
much better! You can still lock the 650 with an inwards slide on the section behind the door, 12C is the same.
TISPKJ said:
As recommended I tend to have aero set to normal and motor to sport, not experimented much yet to be honest.
Aero set to normal? You mean you just triggered the aero button i guess that tilts the airbrake a bit... For a laugh (and with a clear road ahead!), put the handling/suspension in sport, engine in sport or track and switch the aero button on, then floor the throttle and keep an eye on the rear mirror watching the airbrake bobble around depending on the throttle position......it's surprisingly entertaining at least initially I found.isaldiri said:
TISPKJ said:
As recommended I tend to have aero set to normal and motor to sport, not experimented much yet to be honest.
Aero set to normal? You mean you just triggered the aero button i guess that tilts the airbrake a bit... For a laugh (and with a clear road ahead!), put the handling/suspension in sport, engine in sport or track and switch the aero button on, then floor the throttle and keep an eye on the rear mirror watching the airbrake bobble around depending on the throttle position......it's surprisingly entertaining at least initially I found.
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