McLaren 12C

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Discussion

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Monday 27th February 2017
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SirSquidalot said:
The perfect spec 12C? I think it is, lovely car OP.
Cheers. It's a 2011 car and the 27th built, which may have put some potential buyers off. It's also done 17,000 miles, which is deemed a little high amongst some McLaren aficionados. However, I think these types of car are all the better for being used regularly rather than sitting idle. The blue, tan and silver wheels are also particularly rare but just the spec I was looking for, and McLaren Ascot say it's in immaculate condition. It has 2 previous owners and came with a full official service history and warranty. I also upgraded the infotainment system from IRIS 1.0 to 2.0, which means I can stream music and the sat-nav is useable now!

I don't buy performance cars to make money, although I'm not unusual in not wanting my new pride and joy to depreciate like an anvil off a building! I can't think of many other alternatives to the 12C now that offer the same performance for the price? The lack of stiff competition at this price point plus the fact that the design seems to be ageing so well might mean it will hold its value. Fingers crossed anyway. In the meantime, I'm going to enjoy it.

Edited by baronbennyt on Monday 27th February 21:59

Beefmeister

16,482 posts

229 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Absolutely stunning. I also think that in the near future as the 650S is replaced and the range powers forward that an early 12C like yours (especially in a classic colour combo like this, not awful white with black wheels) will be a great investment.

C.A.R.

3,967 posts

187 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Proof that horrible diamond cut alloy wheels have no place on a nice looking car. They look brilliant against the blue bodywork.

Very cool.

mx-6

5,983 posts

212 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Rubbish car, can't understand why you bought it.

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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mx-6 said:
Rubbish car, can't understand why you bought it.
I hope you are joking.

If you aren't :

LanceRS

2,171 posts

136 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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0a said:
MrMoonyMan said:
That looks great, congratulations.

Nice choice of colour too. Those last pictures are the first time I've looked at one of these and noted the resemblance to the F1.

Enjoy! smile
Now you say it... there's a lot of F1 in there. I also like the colour.
It's the first time that I have noticed just what a resemblance there is to the F1. Must be the great choice of colour. I love the exhaust trim too, looks much better than the usual black.

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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To be fair to mx-6, I think he posted his message with a wink but used the icon at the top of the message box rather than embed the wink in his post smile

The 12C has now received its first pre-track inspection with McLaren Ascot before my track day season starts with the Nurburgring on 11 April. Apart from preserving the official warranty, the pre-track inspection includes: "Check suspension, brakes and tyres for any damage that may be exacerbated through track use. Run diagnostics on all the operating systems to make sure the vehicle will perform to its full potential. Check (and top up if necessary) fluid levels". The pre-track inspection isn't cheap and I'm not convinced there is much to it, but if it protects the warranty frankly it's a necessary pain to take in the wallet!

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
quotequote all
LanceRS said:
It's the first time that I have noticed just what a resemblance there is to the F1. Must be the great choice of colour. I love the exhaust trim too, looks much better than the usual black.
Thank you. I much prefer the silver exhaust surround too but believe this identifies my 12C as not having the sports exhaust, which I can confirm. The downside to the silver surround is that they do show up scuffs and marks quite easily. Since I have mild OCD (possibly) I had the dealership replace them with new ones when I bought the car. Not cheap, as expected. The black exhaust surround usually denotes a car with a sports exhaust. Not having driven a 12C with a sports exhaust I'm not sure what I'm missing out on, but you can still change the intensity of the exhaust note via a cockpit function in my car. The exhaust note is a little bland at low rpm but becomes pretty intense at the top end!


Edited by baronbennyt on Tuesday 28th February 18:35

maxdb

1,533 posts

156 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Excellent choice in car - these do go around the track well!

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Very nice. Congrats.

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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I still can't seem to get the hand of opening the scissor doors on the 12C using the recommended "finger stroking technique". Obviously I need more practice..Ha! I know how this chap feels (like an idiot) - see 50 seconds into this short video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D6RKaOaYhI

Instead you can double click the open button on the car key to release the driver's door and click and hold to open the passenger door. Either you got it or you ain't!


Edited by baronbennyt on Tuesday 28th February 19:18

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Tuesday 28th February 2017
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Door now open!




culpz

4,881 posts

111 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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One of my fav super cars the 12C. I actually think it looks better than all the other models that proceeded it. They just look a bit too try-hard to me. These just looks purposeful and like a super car should in my eyes. Lovely example OP thumbup

I was fairly surprised at Chris Harris' review of one, to which he reckoned they are perfectly usable day-to-day. Obviously, this is a raging debate as to what a supercar should be but i think they should be used as much as they can.

How often do you use yours and would you agree with the above? I'm just curious to see if others would agree.

Beefmeister

16,482 posts

229 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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culpz said:
One of my fav super cars the 12C. I actually think it looks better than all the other models that proceeded it. They just look a bit too try-hard to me. These just looks purposeful and like a super car should in my eyes. Lovely example OP thumbup

I was fairly surprised at Chris Harris' review of one, to which he reckoned they are perfectly usable day-to-day. Obviously, this is a raging debate as to what a supercar should be but i think they should be used as much as they can.

How often do you use yours and would you agree with the above? I'm just curious to see if others would agree.
I've done many miles in 12C/650s and they are by far the comfiest to drive when in their Normal settings. Easily the equal of a 5-Series or E-Class. Decent front boot for luggage/shopping too.

Dr G

15,159 posts

241 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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A particularly tasteful colour combo, I like that smile

200Plus Club

10,668 posts

277 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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absolutely beautiful colour. out of interest, how much are services for them?

epom

11,396 posts

160 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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That's really lovely OP. Good luck with it. So much nicer and cleaner lines than the newer sharper faced models.

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
Beefmeister said:
culpz said:
One of my fav super cars the 12C. I actually think it looks better than all the other models that proceeded it. They just look a bit too try-hard to me. These just looks purposeful and like a super car should in my eyes. Lovely example OP thumbup

I was fairly surprised at Chris Harris' review of one, to which he reckoned they are perfectly usable day-to-day. Obviously, this is a raging debate as to what a supercar should be but i think they should be used as much as they can.

How often do you use yours and would you agree with the above? I'm just curious to see if others would agree.
I've done many miles in 12C/650s and they are by far the comfiest to drive when in their Normal settings. Easily the equal of a 5-Series or E-Class. Decent front boot for luggage/shopping too.
Agreed. The 12C's ride quality in "Normal" mode is incredibly smooth and compliant. The seating position is better than anything I've experienced before; at 5ft 10/11 it fits me like a glove. Forward visibility is superb, rear visibility less so but I got an official reversing camera installed since my driveway is quite tight. As already said, the front boot space is actually quite generous, similar to a Porsche 911's. I also upgraded to the IRIS 2.0 infotainment system so I can stream music and actually use the sat-nav. So perfectly useable day-to-day smile

The 12C stays at my home in Surrey but I also live and work in Brussels, Belgium so I don't get to use it as much as I would like. However, I have lots of trips planned for it in the UK, France and Germany this summer. Can't wait!

baronbennyt

Original Poster:

900 posts

95 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
quotequote all
200Plus Club said:
absolutely beautiful colour. out of interest, how much are services for them?
I haven't had my 12C serviced with McLaren Ascot yet since I only bought it from them in December, but the pre-track inspection I asked them to carry out recently came to approx. £450. Although 12Cs are great value now, I've still accounted for the inevitably painful running costs!

Actus Reus

4,229 posts

154 months

Wednesday 1st March 2017
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Beautiful car OP - great combination of colours.

I hadn't given these much thought having, at the time of launch, preferred the prancing horse's offering, but actually, in hindsight, these look wonderful. If, and it's a mighty big if, my business grows as I want it to, one of these will be on my list. Either in this blue, or that red metallic.