[texas mongrel]

The white wheels were painted by the dealership. Whilst the white looked really good, I think it would have looked better with stealth wheels, but everyone has different tastes.

I'm still struggling to get Park Place to commit to telling me when mine will be delivered, but I pointed out that I've entered the car in the Big Bend Open Road Race in April, and they assured me it would be there by then! I think their problem is that its the first car they've ordered with MSO stuff, so they simply can't get anything firm from the factory.

[roundincircles]

Originally Posted by texas mongrel

The white wheels were painted by the dealership. Whilst the white looked really good, I think it would have looked better with stealth wheels, but everyone has different tastes.

I'm still struggling to get Park Place to commit to telling me when mine will be delivered, but I pointed out that I've entered the car in the Big Bend Open Road Race in April, and they assured me it would be there by then! I think their problem is that its the first car they've ordered with MSO stuff, so they simply can't get anything firm from the factory.

Texas. Little sympathy as you are not spoilt for choice.It must be difficult dragging yourself into the Ford?

I have booked Channel Tunnel crossings and if mine goes AWOL then my choice is an Audi Q5!

[Michael Glore]

I have been enjoying the car for just under a month. All the obvious details have previously been posted far better than I can. However the one thing that jumps out to me (and I expect to get grief over this) is the chassis ability to
keep cornering loads out of the cabin. Yes I know you can't bend the laws of physics however in back to back comparisons with my Elise on a given road at similar speeds it simply has much less forces exerted on occupants. Before you laugh at the Elise comparison consider its weight advantage and excellent handling qualities. I will continue to try and define this feeling of less effort in directional changes. Hopefully some other owners will confirm, or clarify my findings. Mike

[andy c]

Originally Posted by Michael Glore

I have been enjoying the car for just under a month. All the obvious details have previously been posted far better than I can. However the one thing that jumps out to me (and I expect to get grief over this) is the chassis ability to
keep cornering loads out of the cabin. Yes I know you can't bend the laws of physics however in back to back comparisons with my Elise on a given road at similar speeds it simply has much less forces exerted on occupants. Before you laugh at the Elise comparison consider its weight advantage and excellent handling qualities. I will continue to try and define this feeling of less effort in directional changes. Hopefully some other owners will confirm, or clarify my findings. Mike

Interesting Mike,only being used to 911.s i was surprised at the difference and confidence it gives me,ive not yet thought i needed harnesses as the seats hold me good enough with the standard belts,but are you going into and coming out of the corners at far greater speeds in the 12c?

[Osiris_x11]

Originally Posted by 6th element

Could be a special order for Kim Kardashian?

If'so, so much for the vetting process!

[Moncho]

I saw the white one in Dallas... I thought of Paris Hilton. Not mu favorite combo.

[Marin 12C]

Originally Posted by trax

The picture is a bit deceptive but the GTO is a big car
BTW am I missing something obvious, can you get the electric seat to automatically go back to where it was when you got out or do always have to press the memory?

Memory is the only way.

[andy c]

Originally Posted by trax

The picture is a bit deceptive but the GTO is a big car

Done 300 miles now - using it all the time - including managing to get parked in at Waitrose - guess you need to park across two spaces or use the parent and child parking

BTW am I missing something obvious, can you get the electric seat to automatically go back to where it was when you got out or do always have to press the memory?

You will soon get used to the parking,as long as you give it 2 foot ive never had a problem,i just have to watch the wing mirror coming up under the next cars mirror other than that it really only needs a couple of inches more than a normal car.
As earlier said you use the memory,but i didnt want the weight of those so went for non-electric which are as comfortable as anything ive sat in,so i must be Mr Average

[Supernova]

Well fellow McLifers, it's been a month since picking up the car and I've managed just under 1000 miles despite the frosts, muddy roads and normal festive distractions. For those prospective owners still waiting to take delivery, keep the faith, the car is stupendous and be thankful you've still got some time to go before losing your driving licence! Seriously, it takes major self discipline to stay legal - just sneeze and you're well into 3 figures, especially now the running-in period is over (cripes!).

A few early thoughts:-

The steering, limitless power, gearbox, ergonomics and every day usability are breathtaking.
Pictures simply do not do this car justice - in the flesh this thing doesn't possess an ounce of fat and is striking for its elegant, lithe, purposefulness. Think race car in a suit rather than steroid sprinter in shouty trousers. Response from other road users has been 100% positive, ranging from the casual "not sure what it is but I like it" to the overwhelming gizza bit more throttle, thumbs up McLaren cheer.
There are still a few gremlins - I've had two trips back to the dealership, but the service has been outstanding and the problems neither serious or difficult to put right (both sensor related, both fixed in 20 mins). The sound system (covered elsewhere on the forum) needs sorting, the sound quality is average, and of course we await Dorris with interest. Overall, however, fit and finish appears to be excellent and you've got to expect a few niggles as an early adopter.

A few personal thoughts on spec, feel free to take with a pinch of salt:-

DO put a Sports Exhaust on your list, it's fabulous and adds a bit of interest when you doing normal speeds rather than warp factor 9. It's not overly intrusive in normal mode and sounds great in Sport or Track.
BE CAREFUL when speccing bright contrast stitching inside, I didn't (on the advice of my dealer) and I'm really pleased I kept everything black/black...the stitching can reflect in the windscreen very annoyingly in the wrong light conditions (somebody who's specced bright stitching and taken delivery might have a view of this?).
Carbon upgrade is worthy...looks great inside but probably unnecessary expense on vanes, sills, seat backs, doors, diffuser or splitter, not least as you need to look twice to notice its carbon on some of these optional areas (just my opinion, you pays your money and takes your choice!).
Standard brakes work fine, a bit grabby at low speeds when you first drive the car but they settle quickly and the car doesn't ever feel underbraked.

Anyway, got a few more miles to do, but look forward to seeing more enthusiastic reports as more of us take delivery.

[andy c]

Originally Posted by Supernova

Well fellow McLifers, it's been a month since picking up the car and I've managed just under 1000 miles despite the frosts, muddy roads and normal festive distractions. For those prospective owners still waiting to take delivery, keep the faith, the car is stupendous and be thankful you've still got some time to go before losing your driving licence! Seriously, it takes major self discipline to stay legal - just sneeze and you're well into 3 figures, especially now the running-in period is over (cripes!).

A few early thoughts:-

The steering, limitless power, gearbox, ergonomics and every day usability are breathtaking.
Pictures simply do not do this car justice - in the flesh this thing doesn't possess an ounce of fat and is striking for its elegant, lithe, purposefulness. Think race car in a suit rather than steroid sprinter in shouty trousers. Response from other road users has been 100% positive, ranging from the casual "not sure what it is but I like it" to the overwhelming gizza bit more throttle, thumbs up McLaren cheer.
There are still a few gremlins - I've had two trips back to the dealership, but the service has been outstanding and the problems neither serious or difficult to put right (both sensor related, both fixed in 20 mins). The sound system (covered elsewhere on the forum) needs sorting, the sound quality is average, and of course we await Dorris with interest. Overall, however, fit and finish appears to be excellent and you've got to expect a few niggles as an early adopter.

A few personal thoughts on spec, feel free to take with a pinch of salt:-

DO put a Sports Exhaust on your list, it's fabulous and adds a bit of interest when you doing normal speeds rather than warp factor 9. It's not overly intrusive in normal mode and sounds great in Sport or Track.
BE CAREFUL when speccing bright contrast stitching inside, I didn't (on the advice of my dealer) and I'm really pleased I kept everything black/black...the stitching can reflect in the windscreen very annoyingly in the wrong light conditions (somebody who's specced bright stitching and taken delivery might have a view of this?).
Carbon upgrade is worthy...looks great inside but probably unnecessary expense on vanes, sills, seat backs, doors, diffuser or splitter, not least as you need to look twice to notice its carbon on some of these optional areas (just my opinion, you pays your money and takes your choice!).
Standard brakes work fine, a bit grabby at low speeds when you first drive the car but they settle quickly and the car doesn't ever feel underbraked.

Anyway, got a few more miles to do, but look forward to seeing more enthusiastic reports as more of us take delivery.

Agree with everything you say Supernova,as for the stitching you do get some reflection but it is minimum and solved with sunglasses on the sunny days we might get here in the Uk.I would be more concerned with a dual coloured leather,so if you dont want reflection go with the Alcantara.
As you say the carbon is totally personal preference and the standard metalic fleck goes a long way to making the rest of the plastic look good,PS did you go for electric seats as i find the standard ones more than up to the job,and more in keeping with the Mclaren ethosPlus im tight

[Supernova]

Went for electric but with hindsight I do wonder why on the basis nobody else is really going to drive it and therefore memory not required!

[360]

Originally Posted by andy c

Agree with everything you say Supernova,as for the stitching you do get some reflection but it is minimum and solved with sunglasses on the sunny days we might get here in the Uk.I would be more concerned with a dual coloured leather,so if you dont want reflection go with the Alcantara.
As you say the carbon is totally personal preference and the standard metalic fleck goes a long way to making the rest of the plastic look good,PS did you go for electric seats as i find the standard ones more than up to the job,and more in keeping with the Mclaren ethosPlus im tight

Well I have specced the contrast stitching so I will let you know later this week when I take delivery. I do agree with the two tone leather as I noticed this on my test drive at Dunsfold where I pointed it out to the Mclaren guys, who said they had not noticed it, perhaps because they were all vertically challenged racing driver type and it appeared to be worse if I sat more upright, I am 6'3"

[andy c]

Originally Posted by 360

Well I have specced the contrast stitching so I will let you know later this week when I take delivery. I do agree with the two tone leather as I noticed this on my test drive at Dunsfold where I pointed it out to the Mclaren guys, who said they had not noticed it, perhaps because they were all vertically challenged racing driver type and it appeared to be worse if I sat more upright, I am 6'3"

yes,i remember it was you that mentioned it last year,it was on the car i didnt drive but it had some bearing on my choice athough i was teetering with alcantara it made up my mind thanks.I also have the orange stitching and its fine except on very sunny days, but its no problem with sunglasses

[roundincircles]

Originally Posted by andy c

yes,i remember it was you that mentioned it last year,it was on the car i didnt drive but it had some bearing on my choice athough i was teetering with alcantara it made up my mind thanks.I also have the orange stitching and its fine except on very sunny days, but its no problem with sunglasses

I guess having carpet on the dash does absorb the sun

I sat in a dual colour leather car and the reflection was so bad it really put me off but the colours did enliven the cabin.

Still looking for track day and car cover, now at £2700 but that's a bit steep IMO.

The Meercats and Confused.com have yet to acknowledge the Mcl

[6th element]

Originally Posted by roundincircles

I guess having carpet on the dash does absorb the sun

I heard mouse fur works well, too. Especially if you take it off the rodent, first.

My alcantara dash will surely be the most expensive 2 sq foot broadloom I have ever purchased. Sure that my wife can find one richer, tho..