Another new owner
Discussion
Hello all - and thanks again for the replies to ym pre-purchase queries.
I have had my 12C spider for 10 days now. I bought the car from McLaren London.


A new stable mate for my analogue cars and intheory to replace a 996 GT3 (not sold yet so the theory may be blown).
The first week has seen 1000 miles under the wheels taking in a Central London traffic jam, motorway schlep, Oxfordshire country roads and a trackday at Silverstone. WHAT A CAR. Caution is always needed during the natural new car honeymoon period but it does have quite a breadth of talent. I am sure the car will get polentiful use as a result whereas the GT3 was a trackday only car such was the compromise of the setup.
The technical details of the 12C appeal to the engineer in me; the carbon fibre tub (a very safe place to be) the hydraulic suspension (and excellent ride quality), the air brake, the TVR-esque door 'handles'. And considering this as their first production road car, the quality of construction and tactility of the switch gear is very special indeed.
As is the transformation from Sunday school virgin to rabid w
e with a press of the throttle and the full deployment of over 600 horses. If you are able to do this without the utterance - or shouting- of some rude words, good on you.
A bit of ying / yang.


Tacho still in the right place.


The most frugal supercar? This was bumbling along a 50mph A-road in morning traffic. Of course we all know it can return single digits too.

A 43 years technology gap. Both great fun.

More adventures to follow - roadtrip and trackday at Spa in September the next on the horizon.
I have had my 12C spider for 10 days now. I bought the car from McLaren London.


A new stable mate for my analogue cars and intheory to replace a 996 GT3 (not sold yet so the theory may be blown).
The first week has seen 1000 miles under the wheels taking in a Central London traffic jam, motorway schlep, Oxfordshire country roads and a trackday at Silverstone. WHAT A CAR. Caution is always needed during the natural new car honeymoon period but it does have quite a breadth of talent. I am sure the car will get polentiful use as a result whereas the GT3 was a trackday only car such was the compromise of the setup.
The technical details of the 12C appeal to the engineer in me; the carbon fibre tub (a very safe place to be) the hydraulic suspension (and excellent ride quality), the air brake, the TVR-esque door 'handles'. And considering this as their first production road car, the quality of construction and tactility of the switch gear is very special indeed.
As is the transformation from Sunday school virgin to rabid w

A bit of ying / yang.


Tacho still in the right place.


The most frugal supercar? This was bumbling along a 50mph A-road in morning traffic. Of course we all know it can return single digits too.

A 43 years technology gap. Both great fun.

More adventures to follow - roadtrip and trackday at Spa in September the next on the horizon.
mrloudly said:
Welcome to the fold!
"Of course we all know it can return single digits too" Think you mean it will be soon ;-)
I think the best I've seen on my 650S spider for normal road driving is 15 mpg and worst 8 mpg. 35 mpg would be nice because it would mean I can afford to drive the thing 3 times as much."Of course we all know it can return single digits too" Think you mean it will be soon ;-)
I'm guessing its because I'm still running it in 6 months and 3,000 miles later ????
RamboLambo said:
mrloudly said:
Welcome to the fold!
"Of course we all know it can return single digits too" Think you mean it will be soon ;-)
I think the best I've seen on my 650S spider for normal road driving is 15 mpg and worst 8 mpg. 35 mpg would be nice because it would mean I can afford to drive the thing 3 times as much."Of course we all know it can return single digits too" Think you mean it will be soon ;-)
I'm guessing its because I'm still running it in 6 months and 3,000 miles later ????
_Superleggera_ said:
Congratulations. I had the 12C out in the wet today which was interesting. (Winter mode is a god send).
Phenomenal car and I really do love it. Look great in black too.
After a couple of early scares I always flick this on in the wet! Can never understand how early press reports claimed the traction control systems were "over-bearing" Phenomenal car and I really do love it. Look great in black too.

mrloudly said:
_Superleggera_ said:
Congratulations. I had the 12C out in the wet today which was interesting. (Winter mode is a god send).
Phenomenal car and I really do love it. Look great in black too.
After a couple of early scares I always flick this on in the wet! Can never understand how early press reports claimed the traction control systems were "over-bearing" Phenomenal car and I really do love it. Look great in black too.

I just wish they would sort out the low speed jerky throttle response.(In Manual - Sub 20mph)
How's the ownership honeymoon period? Well, owning any car can be affected by the reliability and service offered by a dealer or garage to support it.
On taking delivery- and in the week that followed- several issues arose.
The car was delivered with 2 front wheels not refurbed, a windscreen washer that was broken at the hinge point, a missing tool kit and cover. A PCC fault also came on during Silverstone track day. Some of that's disappointing, but, judging on remediation and customer service I think McLaren have this nailed.
The car was collected and delivered back on closed transporter at times and locations convenient to me. Including 06:45 in the morning. The work was all done with zero hint of pushback. Communication was excellent and I have been subsequently invited to join a pure mclaren trackway In a few weeks.
The PCC fault cleared itself every time on the trackday (some mclaren life threads about this) and did not affect ability to drive. The intermittent fault was traced to one of the accumulators (part of the suspension hydraulics) and all 4 have been replaced.
So, although I'd have preferred the car to have been perfect from the get-go, issues will always arise and judging by this remediation performance, the brand and company continues to deliver.....
On taking delivery- and in the week that followed- several issues arose.
The car was delivered with 2 front wheels not refurbed, a windscreen washer that was broken at the hinge point, a missing tool kit and cover. A PCC fault also came on during Silverstone track day. Some of that's disappointing, but, judging on remediation and customer service I think McLaren have this nailed.
The car was collected and delivered back on closed transporter at times and locations convenient to me. Including 06:45 in the morning. The work was all done with zero hint of pushback. Communication was excellent and I have been subsequently invited to join a pure mclaren trackway In a few weeks.
The PCC fault cleared itself every time on the trackday (some mclaren life threads about this) and did not affect ability to drive. The intermittent fault was traced to one of the accumulators (part of the suspension hydraulics) and all 4 have been replaced.
So, although I'd have preferred the car to have been perfect from the get-go, issues will always arise and judging by this remediation performance, the brand and company continues to deliver.....
Pure mclaren is their PR/ Motorsport arm and they seem to regularly run events. There is a dedicated website. I remember when the 12c was launched they were regularly at trackdays trying to find conquest customers- cars, drivers and drives. This is their cars (650s) at Silverstone. So I suppose they may hope I will upgrade. Anyway, next for me is 2 days at Spa with RMA so the Silverstone event will be good practise for the wife.
squirejo said:
How's the ownership honeymoon period? Well, owning any car can be affected by the reliability and service offered by a dealer or garage to support it.
On taking delivery- and in the week that followed- several issues arose.
The car was delivered with 2 front wheels not refurbed, a windscreen washer that was broken at the hinge point, a missing tool kit and cover. A PCC fault also came on during Silverstone track day. Some of that's disappointing, but, judging on remediation and customer service I think McLaren have this nailed.
The car was collected and delivered back on closed transporter at times and locations convenient to me. Including 06:45 in the morning. The work was all done with zero hint of pushback. Communication was excellent and I have been subsequently invited to join a pure mclaren trackway In a few weeks.
The PCC fault cleared itself every time on the trackday (some mclaren life threads about this) and did not affect ability to drive. The intermittent fault was traced to one of the accumulators (part of the suspension hydraulics) and all 4 have been replaced.
So, although I'd have preferred the car to have been perfect from the get-go, issues will always arise and judging by this remediation performance, the brand and company continues to deliver.....
Nice update. Glad all has been sorted and you have been treated very well.On taking delivery- and in the week that followed- several issues arose.
The car was delivered with 2 front wheels not refurbed, a windscreen washer that was broken at the hinge point, a missing tool kit and cover. A PCC fault also came on during Silverstone track day. Some of that's disappointing, but, judging on remediation and customer service I think McLaren have this nailed.
The car was collected and delivered back on closed transporter at times and locations convenient to me. Including 06:45 in the morning. The work was all done with zero hint of pushback. Communication was excellent and I have been subsequently invited to join a pure mclaren trackway In a few weeks.
The PCC fault cleared itself every time on the trackday (some mclaren life threads about this) and did not affect ability to drive. The intermittent fault was traced to one of the accumulators (part of the suspension hydraulics) and all 4 have been replaced.
So, although I'd have preferred the car to have been perfect from the get-go, issues will always arise and judging by this remediation performance, the brand and company continues to deliver.....
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