MP4-12C photos and review/comparison

MP4-12C photos and review/comparison

Author
Discussion

Vmaxx Nut

75 posts

154 months

Sunday 25th September 2011
quotequote all
Stunning collection Matt what an earth do you do for a living ?

Maff

Original Poster:

611 posts

266 months

Sunday 25th September 2011
quotequote all
Andyuk911 said:
Matt, Azure blue on the other car, or a bespoke colour?
Yep Azure Blue

JamieBeeston

9,294 posts

264 months

Sunday 25th September 2011
quotequote all
Vmaxx Nut said:
Stunning collection Matt what an earth do you do for a living ?
Have you seen secret diary of a call girl smile

Matt is .. a modern day hero... for a certain sector smile

Maff

Original Poster:

611 posts

266 months

Sunday 25th September 2011
quotequote all
Well what can I say?!

A week on with the car and I have been using it every day. In 'normal/normal' mode (drivtrain/handling) and the aero off, and auto mode its easier to drive and more comfortable than my C63.

However, in track/track mode, or even track/sport the car is a different car. The exhaust flaps open and it is proper loud, the suspension changes and it feels as if I have just got in a different car.

In summary, F**k me what a car.

I like to think I drive my cars pretty hard, to give you an idea my 8 month old 599 GTO is already 20% through its near lifetime CCM3 carbon ceramics, and my California of the same age is ready for a re-spray due to stone chips.

I've been giving the MP4 a pretty hard time now she is run in, and I really can not believe what I am experiencing. The initial issues I had with the throttle response, whilst still not perfect has become much less of an issue, and in track mode is much better. The turbo lag is also less of an issue once you learn the 7 speed box's ratio's.

My absolute certain conclusion: This is the fastest car I have ever driven. There is NO way my GTO would hang with the MP4 on a British A or B road. Zero. I can 100% agree with the top gear lap times. I have driven a ot of cars, tracked and raced numerous, and I do not know of another road car that could keep up with the MP4 being driven in anger.

Even the new Aventador, unless it can shed 200kg don't even bother trying, its that quick.

The precision of the turn in sublime, the handling is the best I have ever experienced, the balance is perfect, and for a car that does NOT have a LSD, it beggars belief. I do not know how a car that limits its wheel spin via electronically breaking the spinning wheel does it. I am sure most of us have driven a car without a diff and felt what happens when the traction control brakes the spiining wheel and its not good (C63 for example!), but in the McLaren it just goes, and when it does slip it drifts beautifully with good control.

Yes the GTO is a nicer car to drive, the GTO feels more mechanical, and that V12, but if you want to go for a complete balls out blast at speeds that seem impossible, the McLaren is the car to do it in.

And its not been without problems, 12 electrical faults with the car and counting, I've lost part of the front wing guard, and it stranded me in London at midnight on Friday refusing to start after 30 minutes of trying, but hopefully these issues will be fixed this week.

How some of the magazines found this car slower round a track is beyond me, maybe the most recent updates to the McLaren last week sorted these issues, but thats my next test... track day booked. biggrin





kryten

597 posts

224 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all

Must admit, I thought it was stunningly quick. Proper OMG!! type acceleration.

On the throttle response (I assume this is in auto when it seems like the car can't be arsed to accelerate for half a second or so) - has it been fixed or have you got used to it? It was bad enough I couldn't see myself actually ever leaving it in auto!

Mini1275

11,098 posts

181 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Thanks for the update Maff thumbup.

Wanta996Gotta

5,622 posts

206 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Maff said:
Well what can I say?!

A week on with the car and I have been using it every day. In 'normal/normal' mode (drivtrain/handling) and the aero off, and auto mode its easier to drive and more comfortable than my C63.

However, in track/track mode, or even track/sport the car is a different car. The exhaust flaps open and it is proper loud, the suspension changes and it feels as if I have just got in a different car.

In summary, F**k me what a car.

I like to think I drive my cars pretty hard, to give you an idea my 8 month old 599 GTO is already 20% through its near lifetime CCM3 carbon ceramics, and my California of the same age is ready for a re-spray due to stone chips.

I've been giving the MP4 a pretty hard time now she is run in, and I really can not believe what I am experiencing. The initial issues I had with the throttle response, whilst still not perfect has become much less of an issue, and in track mode is much better. The turbo lag is also less of an issue once you learn the 7 speed box's ratio's.

My absolute certain conclusion: This is the fastest car I have ever driven. There is NO way my GTO would hang with the MP4 on a British A or B road. Zero. I can 100% agree with the top gear lap times. I have driven a ot of cars, tracked and raced numerous, and I do not know of another road car that could keep up with the MP4 being driven in anger.

Even the new Aventador, unless it can shed 200kg don't even bother trying, its that quick.

The precision of the turn in sublime, the handling is the best I have ever experienced, the balance is perfect, and for a car that does NOT have a LSD, it beggars belief. I do not know how a car that limits its wheel spin via electronically breaking the spinning wheel does it. I am sure most of us have driven a car without a diff and felt what happens when the traction control brakes the spiining wheel and its not good (C63 for example!), but in the McLaren it just goes, and when it does slip it drifts beautifully with good control.

Yes the GTO is a nicer car to drive, the GTO feels more mechanical, and that V12, but if you want to go for a complete balls out blast at speeds that seem impossible, the McLaren is the car to do it in.

And its not been without problems, 12 electrical faults with the car and counting, I've lost part of the front wing guard, and it stranded me in London at midnight on Friday refusing to start after 30 minutes of trying, but hopefully these issues will be fixed this week.

How some of the magazines found this car slower round a track is beyond me, maybe the most recent updates to the McLaren last week sorted these issues, but thats my next test... track day booked. biggrin
Great review Maff. Do you think there are good ones and bad ones as the initial reviews by Chris Harris & Steve Suthcliff when they said it was the best car they had ever driven to the CAR and latter EVO and Autocar reviews which were not so sure about the car seem to contradict each other? The circuit times that had that 458 "press car" going quicker were also suprising to some and it made no sense to what initial reports had stated about the car being allot quicker than the 458.

Do you also think the rumoured "Ring time" of around 7 minutes is viable from what you have experienced??? Do keep us updated.

nonuts

15,855 posts

228 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Maff said:
And its not been without problems, 12 electrical faults with the car and counting, I've lost part of the front wing guard, and it stranded me in London at midnight on Friday refusing to start after 30 minutes of trying, but hopefully these issues will be fixed this week.
Wow, can you comment on how this compares to the other similar cars you've had from new? I'd have thought both the factory and the customers would be very upset with that many issues!

ANDYCLAX

191 posts

163 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Maff said:
Well what can I say?!

A week on with the car and I have been using it every day. In 'normal/normal' mode (drivtrain/handling) and the aero off, and auto mode its easier to drive and more comfortable than my C63.

However, in track/track mode, or even track/sport the car is a different car. The exhaust flaps open and it is proper loud, the suspension changes and it feels as if I have just got in a different car.

In summary, F**k me what a car.

I like to think I drive my cars pretty hard, to give you an idea my 8 month old 599 GTO is already 20% through its near lifetime CCM3 carbon ceramics, and my California of the same age is ready for a re-spray due to stone chips.

I've been giving the MP4 a pretty hard time now she is run in, and I really can not believe what I am experiencing. The initial issues I had with the throttle response, whilst still not perfect has become much less of an issue, and in track mode is much better. The turbo lag is also less of an issue once you learn the 7 speed box's ratio's.

My absolute certain conclusion: This is the fastest car I have ever driven. There is NO way my GTO would hang with the MP4 on a British A or B road. Zero. I can 100% agree with the top gear lap times. I have driven a ot of cars, tracked and raced numerous, and I do not know of another road car that could keep up with the MP4 being driven in anger.

Even the new Aventador, unless it can shed 200kg don't even bother trying, its that quick.

The precision of the turn in sublime, the handling is the best I have ever experienced, the balance is perfect, and for a car that does NOT have a LSD, it beggars belief. I do not know how a car that limits its wheel spin via electronically breaking the spinning wheel does it. I am sure most of us have driven a car without a diff and felt what happens when the traction control brakes the spiining wheel and its not good (C63 for example!), but in the McLaren it just goes, and when it does slip it drifts beautifully with good control.

Yes the GTO is a nicer car to drive, the GTO feels more mechanical, and that V12, but if you want to go for a complete balls out blast at speeds that seem impossible, the McLaren is the car to do it in.

And its not been without problems, 12 electrical faults with the car and counting, I've lost part of the front wing guard, and it stranded me in London at midnight on Friday refusing to start after 30 minutes of trying, but hopefully these issues will be fixed this week.

How some of the magazines found this car slower round a track is beyond me, maybe the most recent updates to the McLaren last week sorted these issues, but thats my next test... track day booked. biggrin
Have to agree with everything you say,but still got 200 miles to do before i can give it the full beans,but i suspect even at running in revs of 5000,it still despatches 99.999% of everything road legal.As to the electrial issues ive only had the standard iris related ones,i was told my car had every update available,until another couple of weeks,so they are working through them methodically it seems.
Maybe later on in the year when the jurnos have another go they will realise what this car is really capable of,and when we get customer car against customer car comparisons there will be a few of them redfaced,still i shouldnt thinks so,last weeks newspaper and all.
ps well done pistonheads for giving what was probably the most rounded view so far,but it seems the American mags dont put up with the bull--t,and have a very different point of view

GFWilliams

4,941 posts

206 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
ANDYCLAX said:
Have to agree with everything you say,but still got 200 miles to do before i can give it the full beans,but i suspect even at running in revs of 5000,it still despatches 99.999% of everything road legal.As to the electrial issues ive only had the standard iris related ones,i was told my car had every update available,until another couple of weeks,so they are working through them methodically it seems.
Maybe later on in the year when the jurnos have another go they will realise what this car is really capable of,and when we get customer car against customer car comparisons there will be a few of them redfaced,still i shouldnt thinks so,last weeks newspaper and all.
ps well done pistonheads for giving what was probably the most rounded view so far,but it seems the American mags dont put up with the bull--t,and have a very different point of view
Robbie has got a 458 and 12C. I'm shooting them both together this weekend, so will try and get his thoughts on them. He's got a few miles under his belt in them both as he drove out to Italy to collect his 458 biggrin (What a legend, imagine turning up at the Ferrari factory in your new 12C!)

ANDYCLAX

191 posts

163 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
GFWilliams said:
ANDYCLAX said:
Have to agree with everything you say,but still got 200 miles to do before i can give it the full beans,but i suspect even at running in revs of 5000,it still despatches 99.999% of everything road legal.As to the electrial issues ive only had the standard iris related ones,i was told my car had every update available,until another couple of weeks,so they are working through them methodically it seems.
Maybe later on in the year when the jurnos have another go they will realise what this car is really capable of,and when we get customer car against customer car comparisons there will be a few of them redfaced,still i shouldnt thinks so,last weeks newspaper and all.
ps well done pistonheads for giving what was probably the most rounded view so far,but it seems the American mags dont put up with the bull--t,and have a very different point of view
Robbie has got a 458 and 12C. I'm shooting them both together this weekend, so will try and get his thoughts on them. He's got a few miles under his belt in them both as he drove out to Italy to collect his 458 biggrin (What a legend, imagine turning up at the Ferrari factory in your new 12C!)
Hi george,yes he said he was going to do a post on mclarenlife about it,Bruce has already had 2x 458s and said there no way hes going back now he has his 12c,over he moon with it,as you know i am.

BerksJack

1,155 posts

165 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Matt,

Were you on the m4 last night in the 12c?

I saw a White Macca between j12 & j13 heading west around half 6

BerksJack

1,155 posts

165 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Double post

MP4

373 posts

238 months

Monday 26th September 2011
quotequote all
Would just add the 12c is not photogenic. In the flesh it is drop dead gorgeous and has a massive presence that turns more heads than any car I have ever owned

neil_bolton

17,113 posts

263 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
quotequote all
Maff said:
Well what can I say?!

A week on with the car and I have been using it every day. In 'normal/normal' mode (drivtrain/handling) and the aero off, and auto mode its easier to drive and more comfortable than my C63.

However, in track/track mode, or even track/sport the car is a different car. The exhaust flaps open and it is proper loud, the suspension changes and it feels as if I have just got in a different car.

In summary, F**k me what a car.

I like to think I drive my cars pretty hard, to give you an idea my 8 month old 599 GTO is already 20% through its near lifetime CCM3 carbon ceramics, and my California of the same age is ready for a re-spray due to stone chips.

I've been giving the MP4 a pretty hard time now she is run in, and I really can not believe what I am experiencing. The initial issues I had with the throttle response, whilst still not perfect has become much less of an issue, and in track mode is much better. The turbo lag is also less of an issue once you learn the 7 speed box's ratio's.

My absolute certain conclusion: This is the fastest car I have ever driven. There is NO way my GTO would hang with the MP4 on a British A or B road. Zero. I can 100% agree with the top gear lap times. I have driven a ot of cars, tracked and raced numerous, and I do not know of another road car that could keep up with the MP4 being driven in anger.

Even the new Aventador, unless it can shed 200kg don't even bother trying, its that quick.

The precision of the turn in sublime, the handling is the best I have ever experienced, the balance is perfect, and for a car that does NOT have a LSD, it beggars belief. I do not know how a car that limits its wheel spin via electronically breaking the spinning wheel does it. I am sure most of us have driven a car without a diff and felt what happens when the traction control brakes the spiining wheel and its not good (C63 for example!), but in the McLaren it just goes, and when it does slip it drifts beautifully with good control.

Yes the GTO is a nicer car to drive, the GTO feels more mechanical, and that V12, but if you want to go for a complete balls out blast at speeds that seem impossible, the McLaren is the car to do it in.

And its not been without problems, 12 electrical faults with the car and counting, I've lost part of the front wing guard, and it stranded me in London at midnight on Friday refusing to start after 30 minutes of trying, but hopefully these issues will be fixed this week.

How some of the magazines found this car slower round a track is beyond me, maybe the most recent updates to the McLaren last week sorted these issues, but thats my next test... track day booked. biggrin
Matt, looking forward to seeing it at the next Vmax and having a good chat about it (and hopefully a pax, pretty please, I'll promise not to giggle like a girl like the last time in the GTO)

Hopefully I'll get some more good videos too like this one of your GTO: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75L-Bl7ao0E

Really chuffed for you smile

sjr-997

310 posts

212 months

Monday 3rd October 2011
quotequote all
Anyone heard the rumour circulating that maclaren are about to recall, as the rear window is breaking at over 120 due to cabin pressure suddenly changing when either window is dropped down ?

GFWilliams

4,941 posts

206 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
quotequote all
sjr-997 said:
Anyone heard the rumour circulating that maclaren are about to recall, as the rear window is breaking at over 120 due to cabin pressure suddenly changing when either window is dropped down ?
I believe that has already been recalled

Lambo FirstBlood

959 posts

178 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
quotequote all
sjr-997 said:
Anyone heard the rumour circulating that maclaren are about to recall, as the rear window is breaking at over 120 due to cabin pressure suddenly changing when either window is dropped down ?
I can confirm, it's already been recalled for that.

clorenzen

3,670 posts

234 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
quotequote all
I really wanted to like this car but it goes from bad to worse. I hope that customer services are up to the task because i would be fuming. Electrical gremlins are quite ok but cars that leave you stranded and where rear windows blow out should not be released.

Chrism355

101 posts

159 months

Tuesday 4th October 2011
quotequote all
Firstly I would like to point out I am a huge Mclaren fan and a depositor for the MP4. I have been taken in by all the Mclaren sales pitch but what were those test engineers doing when testing the car,They could not know where they were going as the Iris sat nav does not work, they could not have took it out in the rain as they would have found out about the door sensor problems and now it must of been in a temperate climate as they clearly did not open the widow hen driving fast. Where the 5 million test miles driven on a simulator I can cut them some slack as it is a new product but Mclaren have built road cars before. I expected a better product from them like they promised when they launch the car.