MP4 12C questions

MP4 12C questions

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AndyMac4000

25 posts

226 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
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I do not believe there is any age limit with Thorney Motorsport. I am almost certain they said that there wasn’t when I got my warranty 3 months ago. Worth double checking though.

I would not have bought the car without the Thorney warranty. The McLaren one is just too much.

Amazing car....:.

dank

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

252 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
Thanks, I’ll check with them tomorrow

smile

650spider

1,476 posts

171 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
AndyMac4000 said:
I do not believe there is any age limit with Thorney Motorsport. I am almost certain they said that there wasn’t when I got my warranty 3 months ago. Worth double checking though.

I would not have bought the car without the Thorney warranty. The McLaren one is just too much.

Amazing car....:.
If i was anywhere near Thorney, its where i would go for servicing and warranty.

As it happens in Scotland we have one McLaren dealership so it is the only show in town.

Someone has posted that Lambo now offer an extended warranty...£6600 for V12 and £3800 for V10...so at £4700 for super series at 5+ years old and £2900 for sports series McLaren are somewhere in there.

AndM

471 posts

195 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
IMI A said:
AndM said:
IMI A said:
Most guys have remapped their 996 and 997 turbo. Very little in it real world. Same with 650 and 570s. Love the 12c especially in Volcano Red.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXG4WXYAis
That car in that clip has GT2 RS turbos! And the 12c was puling on it after the Porsche launched like only a 911 turbo can launch.

I had a mapped 997 turbo (on standard turbos) for four years. Fantastic car. But no way is it as quick as the 12c.
Ah yes but remember a manual 997 turbo loses boost on each gear change. Here's me vs the same manual 997 turbo that beats 12c. I'd still rather have a 12c money no object smile

Up to 150mph our GT2 VTGS don't make a difference

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSPGkRvY8tE
Good illustration here without needing to debate turbo upgrades.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UGxbfLh4KE

997 turbo S (the OP has a 996tt).

Edited by AndM on Sunday 17th May 20:25

dank

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

252 months

Sunday 17th May 2020
quotequote all
Wow the 12c is crazy fast!

Bispal

1,618 posts

151 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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dank said:
My quest for my next super car continues and I am now looking once again at 12c’s - I have a few questions....

1. The McLaren warranty is only for cars 10 years old, with no limit per claim, does the Thorney warranty only apply to cars up to 10 years old as well, or will it still be ok in years to come when the 12c is 15 years old etc. I am thinking for resale, if the car can’t be warrantied this might put off anyone buying it?

2. What price is annual servicing, I have seen £1500 per year, is that correct ?

3. Is there a sports exhaust option from factory. Some cars seem louder than others I have seen??

4. When driving, especially in comfort mode, ( probably not called comfort I know ) - the upshifts don’t seem razor sharp, once you click the paddle, there’s a tiny pause before it goes into gear, is this normal? Also, the paddles seem to require a much more precise press in the centre, rather than the top or bottom of the paddle, when I drove the 570S it didn’t feel like this, you could change gear much quicker, and not have to firmly press the center of the paddle... is this normal on a 12c, part of it’s character ?

5. Coming from a 996 turbo - the 12c doesn’t feel massively quick, isn’t the 0-60 time 2.9 for the 12C, really didn’t feel like this at all, didn’t feel a fast as the 911, certainly louder and more visceral, but the 911 picks up pace immediately, the 12c seems to require revving it out in the gears.

6. I don’t have a garage to keep the car overnight on a battery conditioner, would a weekly drive or every w weeks be enough to keep the battery ok, I see the replacements are £3k - does the battery need replacing after one flat battery, or is this of the battery keeps being drained flat?

Thanks for your help
1. You can warrant any McLaren at 10 years old for 2 years (with a 2 year discount) taking the warranty to 12 years. Cars with factory warranty are worth more. You build up a good relationship with your dealer and they will look after you. My 12C cost me nothing in 2.5 years other than the warranty and service. There are no quibbles with McLaren. at £5k pa its peace of mind and with a 2013 car you will be able to warranty for another 5 years. £5kpa is less than my F355 cost in repairs!

2. Around £800 - £1300 depending what needs doing. Less if you take your own oil. That's less than the £1450 i was quoted for my 981 Boxster (standard service)

3. Yes but only louder outside not inside. My 12C had a standard exhaust and i was still loud, failed noise at track days and was black flagged. I wouldn't count a sports exhaust as a deal breaker.

4. In normal mode car is very relaxed and will do 35mpg. You need to be in sport, will rev match better on downshifts and be a whole lot smoother. There was a pre-cog system so you need to push through it a bit firmer than other cars. You will get the hang of it, its not an issue,

5. The 12C should be warp-speed fast! I have driven 996 Turbos and love them but standard cars are like snails compared to a 12C, even a 458 seems broken after a 12C. Try another car or put it in sport and give it more wellie. The 12C does thrive on revs.

6. My 12C was not garaged ever and i know many that don't. You do need a lithium conditioner and not the supplied one which is 10 year old tech, there are better conditioners now (ctek lithium). I got a lead out to mine it is imperative that you condition it if you don't use regally. The brakes will also jam on if you don't move the car every 5 days if it has been raining or washed so you need to use them. The battery can be tricked by using a non lithium charger. Its a last resort and will fool the battery into thinking it has some charge, then can you can charge it with the lithium charger. The risk is a battery fire so it is a last resort but many people have done it, just make sure you expose the battery so you can see it and stay with it till it has a small charge. Probably a video somewhere.




isaldiri

18,572 posts

168 months

Monday 18th May 2020
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Bispal said:
You do need a lithium conditioner and not the supplied one which is 10 year old tech, there are better conditioners now (ctek lithium).
The Mclaren supplied one is simply a Mclaren branded ctek.......

dank

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

252 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
I don’t have the option to use a conditioner or charger as my parking space is no where near a mains power ...

So does that mean I shouldn’t buy a 12c

Bispal

1,618 posts

151 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
isaldiri said:
Bispal said:
You do need a lithium conditioner and not the supplied one which is 10 year old tech, there are better conditioners now (ctek lithium).
The Mclaren supplied one is simply a Mclaren branded ctek.......
Yes I know but the supplied one is now 10 years old and most owners are replacing with the latest tech which is much better, CTEK Lithium XS Charger and Conditioner 12V 5A is the one to go for around £90.

Cheers



Edited by Bispal on Monday 18th May 11:04


Edited by Bispal on Monday 18th May 11:04

Bispal

1,618 posts

151 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
dank said:
I don’t have the option to use a conditioner or charger as my parking space is no where near a mains power ...

So does that mean I shouldn’t buy a 12c
You probably need to use it at least once a week to keep the battery healthy. Others may know better how long they can be left but keeping the battery healthy is very important. This applies to any lithium battery on modern sports / supercars. If you know you will use it regularly then should be no problem.


12pack

1,543 posts

168 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
IMI A said:
Most guys have remapped their 996 and 997 turbo. Very little in it real world. Same with 650 and 570s. Love the 12c especially in Volcano Red.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXG4WXYAis
Well this video proves the point. Even a mapped 911 turbo with 4WD and a healthy 1 Sec launch advantage couldn’t pull away. And this is just the straight line crap. Mac’s are amazing in the twisties, where the weight advantage is huge.

SELON

1,172 posts

129 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
Bispal said:
You probably need to use it at least once a week to keep the battery healthy. Others may know better how long they can be left but keeping the battery healthy is very important. This applies to any lithium battery on modern sports / supercars. If you know you will use it regularly then should be no problem.

Recommend using weekly for a variety of reasons. Driving pleasure being one!
I had mine in the drive, never plugged it in to a charger. If you know you’re not going to drive it for a few weeks, do make sure you give it a good run the day or so before hand to ensure the battery is charged. I’ve left mine for 3-4 weeks whilst on holiday, with no issues at all.

Any ‘corrosion’ issues will be sorted by Mclaren. I think they had a 10 year manufacturer warryon the body (worth checking)

Penrhyn

663 posts

98 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
dank said:
Thanks, I’ll check with them tomorrow

smile
How did you get on

dank

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

252 months

Monday 18th May 2020
quotequote all
I spoke to a very helpful and knowledgeable Tom at Thorney and has assured me the warranty can be put on the car over 10 years old! So looks like it’s all systems go with the purchase!!! To say I am excited about getting a 12c is an understatement !!!!!! 😀😀😀😀😀

Project 4

29 posts

72 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
quotequote all
dank said:
I spoke to a very helpful and knowledgeable Tom at Thorney and has assured me the warranty can be put on the car over 10 years old! So looks like it’s all systems go with the purchase!!! To say I am excited about getting a 12c is an understatement !!!!!! ??????????
It is exciting, the cars are awesome! smile

Have you decided on which car to buy?

dank

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

252 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
quotequote all
I have yes, deposit being put down today!! I am sooooooooo excited, my first proper supercar, and my first Mclaren

biggrin


Desert Dragon

1,445 posts

84 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
quotequote all
12pack said:
IMI A said:
Most guys have remapped their 996 and 997 turbo. Very little in it real world. Same with 650 and 570s. Love the 12c especially in Volcano Red.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OFXG4WXYAis
Well this video proves the point. Even a mapped 911 turbo with 4WD and a healthy 1 Sec launch advantage couldn’t pull away. And this is just the straight line crap. Mac’s are amazing in the twisties, where the weight advantage is huge.
Yep 996 and 997 turbos very heavy and you really feel their mass to the detriment of their handling poise but on road with that much power awd an advantage IMO. 991/992 much better in this respect as Porsche thought about weight distribution more but you're right no substitute for light weight. Mcl benchmarked the 997 turbo as this was the typical customer they were going for as 12c was a dd but really no comparison. Its a British exotic with far more cache when it was launched.

Congrats Dank smile

12pack

1,543 posts

168 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
quotequote all
dank said:
I have yes, deposit being put down today!! I am sooooooooo excited, my first proper supercar, and my first Mclaren

biggrin
Congrats, you won’t regret it!

Project 4

29 posts

72 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
quotequote all
dank said:
I have yes, deposit being put down today!! I am sooooooooo excited, my first proper supercar, and my first Mclaren

biggrin
Great news!

What colour/spec etc....

dank

Original Poster:

1,154 posts

252 months

Tuesday 19th May 2020
quotequote all
when i get the car, i'll post pics, details etc

smile