Discussion
Can any 12C owners recommend switching tyres from the standard Pirelli P Zeros to Corsa spec (or not), especially since I'll be taking mine on a few track days this year? I've tried Trofeo Rs (on a Porsche) before and whilst they're mega for lap times, I found them unsuitable for regular road use and hugely tyre pressure sensitive.
Purso said:
Looks an awesome machine congrats!
I really considered one before going down a more gt route. One thing that concerned me was some maintenance horror stories expensive steering pumps etc. How has the she been for you any issues? Cheers
I've not had the 12C long enough to comment on its long-term reliability having only had it since December. However, it came with a 1 year official warranty so I have some piece of mind. Hopefully, I won't have to use it!I really considered one before going down a more gt route. One thing that concerned me was some maintenance horror stories expensive steering pumps etc. How has the she been for you any issues? Cheers
Collecting the 12C from storage on Saturday before taking it to the Nurburgring Monday to Wednesday with Circuit Days. It will be my first track day in the car, although I've been going to the Ring for over 10 years. Super looking forward to it. I'll report back how it performs...crossing every finger for decent weather.
The 12C is still at Raeder Motorsport at the Nurburgring waiting to be picked up by my insurance company and put on a truck. It will then be dropped off at McLaren Ascot for a full diagnosis. The car had received a pre-track inspection by Ascot so it's very frustrating but I hope no serious damage done.
Edited by baronbennyt on Saturday 15th April 09:18
The 12C has now been safely returned on a transporter to McLaren Ascot. My insurance broker covered the cost thankfully. McLaren UK don't offer European breakdown cover on official pre-owned cars strangely so would have charged me £1,500 to return the car. Now waiting (with trepidation) for the damage report...
em177 said:
I know this is a big if.
But what would the implications be if the coolant had put you backwards into a wall... where would you stand with the pre inspection? Does it cover anything post repot?
Very good question. I get the distinct impression that the pre-track inspection is an "unwritten" agreement between McLaren and the owner which basically protects the normal on-the-road warranty on the car when its on-track. If the coolant hose went pop on the road and you crashed what would happen in this or any high performance car, which was covered by the official warranty? I'm suppose I'm going to find out from McLaren Ascot soon enough...But what would the implications be if the coolant had put you backwards into a wall... where would you stand with the pre inspection? Does it cover anything post repot?
Latest response from McLaren HQ Client Services:
"Good afternoon Mr Townsend
As promised, my colleague has passed your recent email regarding your McLaren 12C to me and I was sorry to learn of your recent experiences while at the Nurburgring. I can certainly appreciate the frustration and disappointment that this will have caused you.
As a manufacturer, we don’t expect our customers to experience faults with their vehicles as a matter of course but we do have to recognise that, due to their complex mechanical and electrical nature, sometimes unexpected faults can occur. It is for this reason that the initial warranty is provided and that we provide the opportunity for customers to purchase an extended warranty, something that I understand you have chosen to do. For vehicles registered in the UK and with a valid extended warranty policy, the breakdown cover only covers breakdowns in the UK and does not extend to Europe. Regrettably, it is also not possible to add European cover to these policies and so, if this is something you’re interested in, it would need to be sourced separate to your existing warranty cover.
In relation to the failure that you’ve experienced, I’ve been in touch with Ascot who advised that they’re aware of your recent experience and will be looking into this for you once the car arrives with them. I’ve asked them to keep me updated, should they need any assistance directly from us.
In closing, I’m sorry that you’ve had cause to write to us under such circumstances and that your experiences have left you with a bitter taste. I’m confident that McLaren Ascot will be able to resolve any issues with the vehicle, however, please feel free to contact me if you have any further queries."
"Good afternoon Mr Townsend
As promised, my colleague has passed your recent email regarding your McLaren 12C to me and I was sorry to learn of your recent experiences while at the Nurburgring. I can certainly appreciate the frustration and disappointment that this will have caused you.
As a manufacturer, we don’t expect our customers to experience faults with their vehicles as a matter of course but we do have to recognise that, due to their complex mechanical and electrical nature, sometimes unexpected faults can occur. It is for this reason that the initial warranty is provided and that we provide the opportunity for customers to purchase an extended warranty, something that I understand you have chosen to do. For vehicles registered in the UK and with a valid extended warranty policy, the breakdown cover only covers breakdowns in the UK and does not extend to Europe. Regrettably, it is also not possible to add European cover to these policies and so, if this is something you’re interested in, it would need to be sourced separate to your existing warranty cover.
In relation to the failure that you’ve experienced, I’ve been in touch with Ascot who advised that they’re aware of your recent experience and will be looking into this for you once the car arrives with them. I’ve asked them to keep me updated, should they need any assistance directly from us.
In closing, I’m sorry that you’ve had cause to write to us under such circumstances and that your experiences have left you with a bitter taste. I’m confident that McLaren Ascot will be able to resolve any issues with the vehicle, however, please feel free to contact me if you have any further queries."
Vroom101 said:
Hmm...very much a 'we'll wait and see' type response. What damage was done to the car when you had the off?
No damage done to the exterior of the car at all. When the coolant pipe ruptured (I assume) and poured its contents on to the rear tyres at high speed it was like suddenly hitting ice, but I gathered it up and brought it to a quick stop by a marshall's post. White steam/smoke was billowing out the back of the car, which I assume was the coolant coming into contact with a hot engine and exhaust. I was greatly relieved not to see oil and not to have lost the car into the armco. Could turn out to be a lucky escape. Let's see...NIgt3 said:
Sorry to hear this and hope everything works out, which I think it should.
P.s well done keeping the car outta the Armco, believe it or not a coolant leak onto rear tyres is as bad or worse than oil, it's literally like driving on ice!!!
Thanks Derek. It was a bit of a heart stopper when it happened at the speed I was going at the time. The car suddenly snapped violently left and right so I corrected and gently came off the throttle and parked up at the nearest safe area. Thought it was oil or a flat tyre. First time that's happened to me in over 10 years of track days and the only DNF I've ever had. Never had an accident either. I'd like to keep it that way so McLaren Ascot will need to reassure me it won't happen again...P.s well done keeping the car outta the Armco, believe it or not a coolant leak onto rear tyres is as bad or worse than oil, it's literally like driving on ice!!!
For anyone considering owning a McLaren MP4-12C I'd recommend you watch this Chris Harris video. His conclusions are broadly my own (parking to one side the coolant issue with my own and his superior driving talents).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mKB-8WUB5k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5mKB-8WUB5k
Another video well worth watching is this - McLaren 12C v Porsche 991 Turbo S: Road, Track and Drag Race by Chris Harris.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyPLNtdqpJ8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyPLNtdqpJ8
e21Mark said:
As someone who's a lottery win shy of super car ownership, I've never really taken much notice of what's out there. As a BMW fanboy though and being old enough to remember its release, the McLaren F1 has always impressed. I was lucky enough to be working in Formula Opel and was at the Nurburgring when West were there testing. A MC F1 at full chat made a glorious noise. I only mention the F1 because it's only through this thread that I've noticed the resemblance in your gorgeous 12C. I'm sure the colour reminds me of those iconic MC F1 pictures but the 12C is a properly nice car in its own right and I imagine values are set to rise in the not too distant future.
Bad news regarding the coolant hose and extremely fortunate that the impact of the hose letting go wasn't far worse. One would hope that McLaren put things right at their expense.
Anyway, look forward to future updates. Mark
Thanks Mark, really appreciate your message. I've been a fanboy of BMW too in the past having owned, amongst others, a Z3M Coupe (silver) and a 1 Series M Coupe (black). Wonderful, wonderful cars, especially their engines and handling, although I always felt I had to upgrade the brakes on them. Porsche in my experience excels at braking. You really can't beat German engineering though, which is something maybe McLaren suffered from in comparison when they first brought their MP4-12C to market. Still, they are improving and the 12C remains a bona fide supercar with truly epic performance. Plus, who can't but love those doors! Like you, I think the 12C's looks have aged incredibly well and performance car fans are appreciating them more now than when they were first new. Once the 12C is fixed I look forward to continue to cherish and enjoy it! Ben Bad news regarding the coolant hose and extremely fortunate that the impact of the hose letting go wasn't far worse. One would hope that McLaren put things right at their expense.
Anyway, look forward to future updates. Mark
fridaypassion said:
Hello OP I recognised the car straight away I was on the circuit days day as well I parked next door at one point (I took a yellow r26 megane)
If it's any consolation that hose failure it's lucky it wasn't on a public day that could have been ruinously expensive if someone else had gone off on the fluid/closure time etc.
Err, thanks I think! As you say, it could have been worse. If it's any consolation that hose failure it's lucky it wasn't on a public day that could have been ruinously expensive if someone else had gone off on the fluid/closure time etc.
I'm going to draw a line under this incident now. I did everything I could to make sure the 12C was in tip-top condition before the track day, including getting an expensive official pre-track inspection with McLaren Ascot. How many track day goers can say they do the same?
Luckily the failure happened close to the start of the lap where I was able to pull over as quickly and as safely as possible. Again, I apologise to everyone on the track day for any loss of time or scary moment if they drove over the coolant before the flags came out / cement dust was laid.
I've been going to the Ring (and other track days) for over 10 years and never once had an incident. I like to think I'm a safe and courteous driver who drives his cars hard but cares for them meticulously, with regular pre and post track day checks and servicing, fluid and tyre pressure checks and changes.
Hoping my next track day with Destination Nurburgring on 2 May goes as normal, i.e. highly enjoyable and, above all, incident free!
Another site of interest for those who want to learn more about the MP4-12C - this one being the official McLaren webpage for the car:
http://cars.mclaren.com/12C
http://cars.mclaren.com/12C
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