12c must have options
Discussion
are there any specific options I should really have?
How were the carbon options priced when new, and how much value does carbon add to the value now?
Are the swipe doors a bonus or not?
If i do bite the bullet and buy one, I want a car im not going to struggle selling or lose a lump of money on if I get bored, but if i fall in love with it and keep it long term, I dont want to kick myself for not buying a car that had options i really should have known about.
thorney currently have a silver 2013 at 80k, it seems a bit over what other dealers would be selling same car for but it has carbon intakes , is it worth paying more from them for the peace of mind? theres another one at scott hardy, less miles and 10k cheaper , its a little older but im assuming the age on a 12c doesnt effect its value now as much as history and options?
How were the carbon options priced when new, and how much value does carbon add to the value now?
Are the swipe doors a bonus or not?
If i do bite the bullet and buy one, I want a car im not going to struggle selling or lose a lump of money on if I get bored, but if i fall in love with it and keep it long term, I dont want to kick myself for not buying a car that had options i really should have known about.
thorney currently have a silver 2013 at 80k, it seems a bit over what other dealers would be selling same car for but it has carbon intakes , is it worth paying more from them for the peace of mind? theres another one at scott hardy, less miles and 10k cheaper , its a little older but im assuming the age on a 12c doesnt effect its value now as much as history and options?
The carbon parts coupled with a strong service history and general overall condition seem to make the difference between easy to sell and not (and therefore price that you might buy at) Similar to the wheels, the 'base' wheels were not as desirable but then easy to change.
With the carbon parts, most seem to have the interior carbon, and actually stand out when they dont have it (weather that is good or not is up to you). Then the carbon mirrors and intakes appear to be quite desirable. Engine cover carbons are again popular and nice to have. So few cars have the carbon seat backs or the carbon front wheel arches that I dont believe it makes too much difference, again nice if you can find it but no deal breaker.
In terms of useability, the soft close door upgrade is a game changer, it makes the car so much nicer to use. Easy upgrade to do though if you dont have them as most of the 2011/2012 cars didnt from new. Iris 1 is rubbish, never used an Iris 2, but the early cars (2011/2012) will mostly be on Iris 1,
With the carbon parts, most seem to have the interior carbon, and actually stand out when they dont have it (weather that is good or not is up to you). Then the carbon mirrors and intakes appear to be quite desirable. Engine cover carbons are again popular and nice to have. So few cars have the carbon seat backs or the carbon front wheel arches that I dont believe it makes too much difference, again nice if you can find it but no deal breaker.
In terms of useability, the soft close door upgrade is a game changer, it makes the car so much nicer to use. Easy upgrade to do though if you dont have them as most of the 2011/2012 cars didnt from new. Iris 1 is rubbish, never used an Iris 2, but the early cars (2011/2012) will mostly be on Iris 1,
Definitely interior carbon - I'm not really a carbon fan but I think they look pretty odd with the non carbon interior.
As mentioned, people do seem to care about exterior carbon too. I don't, and my first 650 had interior only - I was aware that it would probably be an issue when I tried to sell it though.
I decided to crash it instead - the replacement has mirrors and air intakes, and I think looks OK with that - I think it's enough that it would probably be an acceptable level of carbon for most buyers.
If I was buying a 12C I would rule out anything that didn't have IRIS 2. IRIS isn't great anyway, but I think it's truly bad if you go for the first version.
I like electric heated seats, and I do like comfort entry - don't know if that was an option on the 12C? Not sure it would really stop me buying one if the rest of the car was right, but I'd miss it if I didn't have it.
As mentioned, people do seem to care about exterior carbon too. I don't, and my first 650 had interior only - I was aware that it would probably be an issue when I tried to sell it though.
I decided to crash it instead - the replacement has mirrors and air intakes, and I think looks OK with that - I think it's enough that it would probably be an acceptable level of carbon for most buyers.
If I was buying a 12C I would rule out anything that didn't have IRIS 2. IRIS isn't great anyway, but I think it's truly bad if you go for the first version.
I like electric heated seats, and I do like comfort entry - don't know if that was an option on the 12C? Not sure it would really stop me buying one if the rest of the car was right, but I'd miss it if I didn't have it.
Almost anything carbon can be added on, at a cost, so just price accordingly. Some people love carbon and others love a bargain, just don't get stuck with a very low spec car that will need £10k of carbon to sell it.
What's more important is service history and condition. You want a car which has been well looked after and driven, i would say at least 2.5k miles a year to keep everything oiled up and working.
Iris 2 is a must for driving BUT not for an investment car as originality is king and in 10 years time I bet Iris 1 cars will be worth more. For me I love swipe. If I was buying a 12C again and keeping long term I would hunt out one of the first 100 cars that were built by proper McLaren engineers in the MTC. Long term these will be the cars to have and I wish I had kept mine.
For me must have options are superlight wheels, interior carbon, splitter carbon, engine bay carbon. Prefer alcantara seats too, not leather. You don't need lift or anything else. An MSO front bumper is a thing of beauty though if you can find one.
What's more important is service history and condition. You want a car which has been well looked after and driven, i would say at least 2.5k miles a year to keep everything oiled up and working.
Iris 2 is a must for driving BUT not for an investment car as originality is king and in 10 years time I bet Iris 1 cars will be worth more. For me I love swipe. If I was buying a 12C again and keeping long term I would hunt out one of the first 100 cars that were built by proper McLaren engineers in the MTC. Long term these will be the cars to have and I wish I had kept mine.
For me must have options are superlight wheels, interior carbon, splitter carbon, engine bay carbon. Prefer alcantara seats too, not leather. You don't need lift or anything else. An MSO front bumper is a thing of beauty though if you can find one.
Electric seats with comfort entry was an option, again nice to have but I don't believe it makes too much difference. Quite a few interior colour variations too. For me, pure black is too 'boring' for such an amazing car, but then tan or cream would not be my thing either, I think anything between the two extremes would be easy enough to sell on in the future.
You asked about swipe doors, I think all 2011/2012 cars had them, perhaps the very last 2012 cars had the button but swipe is nice and seems reliable.
The little trick of double tapping/holding the key fob 'open' button to pop either door is really nice, and avoids you or you passenger looking daft in front of a crowd when you cant swipe in the right place under pressure
You asked about swipe doors, I think all 2011/2012 cars had them, perhaps the very last 2012 cars had the button but swipe is nice and seems reliable.
The little trick of double tapping/holding the key fob 'open' button to pop either door is really nice, and avoids you or you passenger looking daft in front of a crowd when you cant swipe in the right place under pressure
OK, I see where this may go so ETA; Some say not needed, some say it is. The carbon options were very expensive when new but they do give that added something to the appearance making it that bit more special. I have every single option and the car was £235k when new! Even got the carbon ceramics and lightweight wheels too. I love the 'swipe doors' no problem with them here and since I've added soft close to doors courtesy of McLaren and some extended carbon paddles from US. The IRIS doesn't bother me as I rarely have music on and if I do I connect an i-pod plus the sat-nav has got me where I want to be every time without issue. Great cars, buy the best you can and good luck.
Edited by macdeb on Friday 28th April 12:44
Edited by macdeb on Friday 28th April 12:45
I bought one a few months ago following the sale of my 720S which had (almost) every carbon option and, as a result, sold very quickly.
Have to say I don't think the 12C is anywhere near as resale sensitive to the carbon options as something like the 720S or things like nose lift, buckets and ceramics on a GT3. Having said that my preference on the 12C was to have the carbon trim inside as I think the aluminium finish looks a bit odd and, like some others have said, I actually wanted the swipe doors and to keep the originality of the IRIS 1. I really don't care much about the infotainment in a car that is never going to be a daily.
No one has mentioned colour but that might just be more of a factor come resale that the options list.
The overriding requirement is that the car should have been looked after and in the best condition.
Good luck...they're a future classic and amazing value for money imo
Have to say I don't think the 12C is anywhere near as resale sensitive to the carbon options as something like the 720S or things like nose lift, buckets and ceramics on a GT3. Having said that my preference on the 12C was to have the carbon trim inside as I think the aluminium finish looks a bit odd and, like some others have said, I actually wanted the swipe doors and to keep the originality of the IRIS 1. I really don't care much about the infotainment in a car that is never going to be a daily.
No one has mentioned colour but that might just be more of a factor come resale that the options list.
The overriding requirement is that the car should have been looked after and in the best condition.
Good luck...they're a future classic and amazing value for money imo
Sarnie said:
Carbon interios 100%, everything else are niceties.
Agreed. I believe the silver interior trim looks disappointing. The bits can be bought to upgrade but is going to be £6k+. I wasn’t bothered about exterior carbon but I was bothered about colour. I wanted something bright. Volcano Orange, Red and Yellow look stunning and suit the car (appreciate, tastes differ). I also didn’t want the base spec wheels mine had but genuine McLaren wheels can be found second hand for around what I paid (£1500). IRIS 2 is fine, never tried IRIS 1. Soft close doors are a must for me but it only costs £1k to have them fitted.
Thanks for replies everyone.
Im still sitting on the fence with this decision, just got the keys back for a rental property I own, and im trying to decide if i should rent it out again or sell it and buy my dream car. Im not getting any younger, just turned 56, my sensible head says keep the house, my petrol head says buy the car. Im sure the 12c has bottomed out in value, so apart from the maintenance , its not financial suicide.
Im still sitting on the fence with this decision, just got the keys back for a rental property I own, and im trying to decide if i should rent it out again or sell it and buy my dream car. Im not getting any younger, just turned 56, my sensible head says keep the house, my petrol head says buy the car. Im sure the 12c has bottomed out in value, so apart from the maintenance , its not financial suicide.
Streetbeat said:
Use the rent to pay for some finance for a year or two, you only live once.
Use the man maths calculator. Actually cheaper to own than a mid-range new or nearly new car. Yes you need to budget up to £3k a year for servicing and repairs but you won’t have much, if any, depreciation. There are also excellent indies around for sensible price repairs.Gives a feel good factor every time you sit in it. Much appreciated by others. I’ve yet to experience the negative attitudes a Lambo or Ferrari can generate.
mikeouk said:
theres another one at scott hardy
Just to chip in incase it helps but I'm in the middle of doing a deal with Matt @ Scott Hardy on a 650S and they've been great to deal with so far. Completing the deal on the 650S subject to inspection at Thorney in a couple of weeks Started out looking at the cheapest of the 12c's and its escalated somewhat admittedly... I know what I'm like though and if I hadn't got a car with the options I'd have started spending money on them after the fact. As others have said though the interior carbon is more or less a must, the rest depends on your personal preference
akadk said:
Is that the one with the buckets ?
Looked great except for the orange pins striping
It is indeed, to be honest I think it was perhaps a little toppy price wise for the miles but it was my ideal spec so will just have to hope to find someone of the same mindset if/when it comes to moving it on again. Also helped that the Tarocco Orange is even better in person than I had imagined to be honest.Looked great except for the orange pins striping
The orange stick on extras will be coming straight off. Dealer is removing the wheel trims/bolt covers & rear light strips. I'm 90% about removing the rest although it does look better in person than photos.
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