MP4-12C - latest situation and owners' opinions
Discussion
[quote=pb1695]I agree with all of your points here - they should not have over promised and under delivered. My experience of our 458 which was an early car was also very poor with numerous faults, recalls, failures etc and a manufacturer who seemed not to care one iota about customer care. McLaren would have been better to delay the launch until development was fully finished as this would have saved a great deal of embarrassment and customer dissatisfaction.
They have however produced a totally amazing car in terms of performance and handling..[quote=Lambo FirstBlood]
In fairness to Mclaren they did eventually stop deliveries for 3 months to try and sort some of the early problems. I can comment as an owner that Mclaren have been the best manufacturer by far to date that I have dealt with, I do think they did not fully understand the task they set themselves when starting to produce the 12C but are learning fast. They have made mistakes but have been man enough to admit it and try their hardest to put it right, yes we are waiting for Iris but they are giving this free to owners when available.
They have however produced a totally amazing car in terms of performance and handling..[quote=Lambo FirstBlood]
In fairness to Mclaren they did eventually stop deliveries for 3 months to try and sort some of the early problems. I can comment as an owner that Mclaren have been the best manufacturer by far to date that I have dealt with, I do think they did not fully understand the task they set themselves when starting to produce the 12C but are learning fast. They have made mistakes but have been man enough to admit it and try their hardest to put it right, yes we are waiting for Iris but they are giving this free to owners when available.
AndrewIC said:
Perhaps it would have helped if they had used some basic components from other manufacturers (like many small car companies do) and this would have reduced the small issues, rather than being stubborn and wanting to do everything from scratch.
But they did do this.... Did you see the Mclaren documentary?Lambo FirstBlood said:
The difference here is that Mclaren released these cars KNOWING that there were problems, knowing that they would need to be recalled more than once to rectify and knowing they had no solutions to those problems or even an accurate time line in which they would be able to deliver those solutions, whilst they continued to deliver customer cars.
I'm sure it is incredibly difficult to think of everything and that often excessive road use throws up issue that engineers and testers are unable to find during R & D but that is not what happened here. They made an informed management decision to release a car that they knew was incomplete and that they had no means to complete. I cannot think of another car in history that has been released in this way
This isn't speculation, this is what owners (including me) were told by dealers.
I have documented here that I had a very early car (number 3 I think) and had so many problems. Mclaren came to my house 3 times and it went back to the dealership twice in the first month of ownership before I decided enough was enough and told them to keep it.
For those of you who have been promised IRIS in April, whilst this may be true, remember it was promised 4-6 weeks after first cars in August then again in later October, then again in early January then again beginning of March to other owners so I wouldn't hold your breath.
All in all, one of the most disappointing ownership experiences I have had with a new car.
Rant over.
Almost identical experience and thoughts. Just not good enough, not helped by a surprising lack of response from McLaren (other than via dealers). The odd "sorry to have taken your 200k on a load of false promises" wouldn't have gone amiss.I'm sure it is incredibly difficult to think of everything and that often excessive road use throws up issue that engineers and testers are unable to find during R & D but that is not what happened here. They made an informed management decision to release a car that they knew was incomplete and that they had no means to complete. I cannot think of another car in history that has been released in this way
This isn't speculation, this is what owners (including me) were told by dealers.
I have documented here that I had a very early car (number 3 I think) and had so many problems. Mclaren came to my house 3 times and it went back to the dealership twice in the first month of ownership before I decided enough was enough and told them to keep it.
For those of you who have been promised IRIS in April, whilst this may be true, remember it was promised 4-6 weeks after first cars in August then again in later October, then again in early January then again beginning of March to other owners so I wouldn't hold your breath.
All in all, one of the most disappointing ownership experiences I have had with a new car.
Rant over.
mhh said:
Great thread - and very informative to those of us who might think of getting one. My 458 is 18months old and has no issues at all. I don't think I'm brave enough to get serious about a McLaren on the strength of what is reported here.
Only a very small percentage of poor opinions to make such a statment,and all from owners of the very early cars.We are 6 months down the line now and if you compare the dedicated ferrari/mclaren forums you will find the complete opposite opinion and comparing the milage being done,far less quality control issues with Mclaren.They did make mistakes and have learnt from them,other manufacturers have had a 50 year head start,but the monopoly they have enjoyed has been at the expense of their customers,times are changing,you dont need to be brave!!!Andyclaxx
This all good - but considering how arrogant McLaren were when they first announced the car the service to new customers has been incredibly poor. They do deserve credit for being a first time manufacturer to this end of the market but a bit of humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
This all good - but considering how arrogant McLaren were when they first announced the car the service to new customers has been incredibly poor. They do deserve credit for being a first time manufacturer to this end of the market but a bit of humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
Dont understand what the perceived risk is here...? The car has a 3 year warranty so anything that goes wrong will be fixed. All those who can afford 180k to buy one will purchase something else new in a year or two down the line. This is not an issue for those who buy the Mclaren or Ferrari new
ufoufo said:
Dont understand what the perceived risk is here...? The car has a 3 year warranty so anything that goes wrong will be fixed. All those who can afford 180k to buy one will purchase something else new in a year or two down the line. This is not an issue for those who buy the Mclaren or Ferrari new
Warranty only means its free, it doesn't mean it isn't a pain in the arse.clorenzen said:
Andyclaxx
This all good - but considering how arrogant McLaren were when they first announced the car the service to new customers has been incredibly poor. They do deserve credit for being a first time manufacturer to this end of the market but a bit of humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
Why do you assume the service has been incredibly poor?? because a few people had hiccups that they wernt expecting,but the majority have stated time and time again that they have been treated far better than any other manufacturer they have ever dealt with,i can never understand why these things fall on deaf ears,because its the British way.I agree the PR department got it woefully wrong,with hindsite they should have let the car speak for itself after delaying it for a few months and im sure the story would be completely different,but credit were credits due,the customer service is outstanding.This all good - but considering how arrogant McLaren were when they first announced the car the service to new customers has been incredibly poor. They do deserve credit for being a first time manufacturer to this end of the market but a bit of humility wouldn't have gone amiss.
I think the humility came in the form of a hand signed letter from Ron dennis apologising for all early the problems?? Didnt you get one Deltaone?
Edited by ANDYCLAX on Sunday 25th March 22:04
Edited by ANDYCLAX on Sunday 25th March 22:06
ufoufo said:
Lambo FirstBlood said:
Warranty only means its free, it doesn't mean it isn't a pain in the arse.
They collect it, fix it, return it valeted - really whats the problem? if you want bulletproof you need to buy a 911 - but wheres the thrill in that??
Some owners sell their Astons because they are fed up it spends more time at the dealer than with them. If you buy a premium product you expect premium reliability. I'm sure McLaren can apply rigour where they want to in their operations....
On a positive note they have very good customer service IME.
Lambo FirstBlood said:
I'm sure it is incredibly difficult to think of everything and that often excessive road use throws up issue that engineers and testers are unable to find during R & D but that is not what happened here. They made an informed management decision to release a car that they knew was incomplete and that they had no means to complete. I cannot think of another car in history that has been released in this way
Rant over.
Not in the same league but tvr did this for years, I had the second cerebra sp6 and then the 8th 4.5 in 1999, it wasn't 180k though. Rant over.
The sp6 had three engines in year 1 hence the free 4.5 !!!
Phib
My understanding is that the first owners were told that they could take car, but that there would be some future recall work to be done. The option was given to wait or to take first batch.
I decided to wait, not least because I live hundreds of miles from dealership. Others seem to have taken early cars, and then complained about the recalls they were pre-warned about?
I decided to wait, not least because I live hundreds of miles from dealership. Others seem to have taken early cars, and then complained about the recalls they were pre-warned about?
Only a month in to my Mclaren ownership but issue-free so far and loving the car and the levels of service and follow-up. The first Ferrari I owned from new (360) was back with the dealer for a week less than a day and 50 miles after delivery having stopped dead stranding me by the side of the road for 4 hours until a suitable recovery vehicle could be found. The issue (which took a week to diagnose!) was a faulty fuel sender that indicated a full tank of petrol when in fact it was empty. Ferrari sent me a polo shirt by way of apology....
McLaren's achievement in launching a new enterprise of this magnitude with a new factory, new employees and a product of the capabity of the 12C in
my view should be applauded.
McLaren's achievement in launching a new enterprise of this magnitude with a new factory, new employees and a product of the capabity of the 12C in
my view should be applauded.
MogulBoy said:
P.S. A 'coach load' of schoolgirls walked past and quite a few wanted their pictures taken standing next to it.
Discrete supercar, able to be driven virtually anywhere without attracting too much attention, a name few will remember when the police come asking questions, extremely fast, superb handling for getaways and attracts coach loads of school girls? Where does he sign up? 
Edited by Justices on Monday 26th March 13:33
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