My New McLaren 12C Coupe (The Shmeemobile)

[Shmee]

Here's my new car:



Photo credits above and below: Michael Sannwald Photography



It was purchased from McLaren Manchester, who offered a fantastic collection experience. The spec is great, finished in Carbon Black beneath the wrap with carbon engine bay and panels, carbon side sills and arches, and a carbon and alcantara interior. The wheel choice is the lightweight option, finished in graphite with red callipers, and naturally the interior creature comforts are all present: Meridian sound system, IRIS navigation, heated and electric seats etc.



Immediately after delivery the car ventured to Dub Customs, where it was transformed from the original black to a ‘Shmee Blue’, using the latest 3M vinyl materials.



She's already paid a visit to MTC:



It was a bit of luck the weather was on my side for it.



Now time to drive!

Edited by Shmee on Friday 24th January 11:00

[Shmee]

TISPKJ said:

Lovely ...
However I have to ask before someone else does, why didn't you just buy a blue one ?

I'm only aware of one light blue 12C; it's a Spider, it's LHD, and it's in the USA! On the used market in the UK you don't really have too much choice and certainly no blue ones that met the other specifications I was after. Ergo buy a sensible colour (which is better for residual) and get a wrap material that's exactly how you want it.

[Shmee]

zeduffman said:

Lovely, really lovely. After the last few cars how do you feel about going back to a coupe?

I'm guessing when you've got a McLaren it doesn't matter too much really, does it? :P

I had a couple of unfortunate convertible incidents recently that have put me off for a bit. I'm sure I'll go back in time but given the comparative prices of 12C Coupe vs Spider on the used market it wasn't a hard call this time round. Couple that with a few mega journeys I have this year of 3 weeks or so abroad and it's quite nice having extra luggage space.

[Shmee]

yojay said:

Congratulations Tim! Must have been an exciting last few weeks. Look forward to some in depth videos. Did you get the luggage or any other interesting bits?

Look forward to seeing it in the flesh at some meets. Bring it to the next Chelsea club sunday drive!

James

The wait is always tedious for any new car, whatever it is and whoever you are; it's been added to by holding it back to get the 'launch' running nicely; photos, website, videos and so on!

I didn't get the luggage set, I think it's £4k or so, but have a few things in the works, watch this space!

[Shmee]

tescor said:

Lovely car (& photos) It looks great in that blue with black details.

Were there any other cars in the frame, i.e. the 458?

What made you chose the 12C over the alternatives, if there were any?

I've always been a McLaren fan, and not really fussed by Ferraris to be honest. I like the design, the thinking behind it, the tech geekery. I admire the ability to be an every day car given that I put 15k miles a year plus on these and the relative practicality.

Other factors include my proximity to the factory, the doors, the existence of the magnificent P1 and exposure I've had to McLaren projects to date that have attracted me to the brand.

[Shmee]

Coincidental car spot!

[Shmee]

Charlie Michael said:

Out of curiosity - what are the 2 small silver patches either side of the exhaust?

No idea!

[Shmee]

mackay45 said:

Is it safe to assume that putting 15k miles on an R8 in a year means you take a bit of a bath in terms of residuals or did you manage to get away without it costing you too much? (Not asking for detailed numbers!)

I took a horrible bath on it as an outright cost, but far less per mile than had I only driven it 5k miles in the year or something. These cars depreciate and they have to be bought with that in mind whatever the usage is, the sooner you plan on changing it the more so as most of the 'loss' is the markup when you buy it and the markdown when selling.

[Shmee]

Max M4X WW said:

For one the roof got jammed on the R8 just before a trip to Paris and the dealer messed him around a bit I think.

That was one, but not quite what I meant. Technical issues can occur on any of our cars, regardless.

More interactions with members of the public - only in London though for what it's worth. The public of Paris and Monaco are vastly more friendly.

[Shmee]

Dougan1 said:

Jealousy comments or worse?
I've read on here people have got stuff thrown at them, makes me feel rather vulnerable driving around cities with roof off.

The throwing variety, far too many times.

[Shmee]

0a said:

So much nicer than the Audi, I always thought a supercar spotter in a r8 was a bit naff... (An Audi can't be a supercar). This car is more like it!

The R8 was cool, just the 12C is cooler!

[Shmee]

Dougan1 said:

You taking it on track Shmee?

A few things are planned for the not too distant future, quite excited after driving 700 miles now and realising quite what the potential for this car is.

[Shmee]

Fascinating, the spec is effectively identical, I wonder what that's about. I don't think there's any way it's the same car but it's very strange; I'm also a 12 Manchester reg but the mileage doesn't add up and nor does the history.

[Shmee]

SydneyBridge said:

The black Mclaren belonged a scrap metal dealer that owed rather a lot of money for VAT and lots of his nice cars (and watches) were auctioned off

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I saw the thread at the time I just find it odd the fact the spec is so similar and the reg so similar. My HPI didn't return any previous plate changes, and the mileage is completely out and my previous owner had owned the car since new with a private name on the V5.

So why there are two seemingly identical cars from the same time is confusing me! I suspect they are in some form connected but I don't know the story.

[Shmee]

EddyP said:

Looks fantastic! Well done!

Out of interest, how long do you expect the vinyl to last? can it do any damage to the original paint/lacquer when it's taken off?

Are wraps now a comparable cost with a respray?

My last wrap was on for a year/20000 miles and was fine, when we removed it the paint underneath was perfect. I would be very happy to try it for 2 years but I think by then it would be wearing a bit so you'd want to change anyway.

A wrap is around £1500 against a good respray at £15000 so you could change it 10 times for the same money and still have a perfectly good paint job underneath in a good colour for resale.

[Shmee]

All I know is slamming the anchors on from 70 is one hell of an experience!

I've put 600 miles on it now so starting to understand how it drives but I feel I've got a very, very long way to go.

[Shmee]

I'm going to be in Germany from Saturday 5th April to Friday 11th; meandering from Düsseldorf down to Stuttgart via a number of fun places. I think the morning of Sunday 6th needs to be the Autobahn test, see if this car can do 200mph.

[Shmee]

mackay45 said:

I look forward to seeing the video of that! Enjoy/look after yourself.

Absolutely, only if conditions allow and feel appropriate.

[Shmee]

Radders said:

Set off early and get over to spa on the 3rd of April, I'm there in my mp4 and can't wait. The car can't be fully appreciated until used on track and pushed to the limit.

Nice car and enjoy in good health.

You're too early! Pure McLaren is at Spa on Friday 25th April and I'll be there then.

[Shmee]

Radders said:

Should be there also

Haha, good stuff!