[MarkNC]

I did it on my 650S with McLaren Philadelphia as well and I love it. It's just one less hassle to deal with that makes the car so much more day-to-day livable. I certainly will always order this feature on new McLarens.

Now I wonder if they can add this to the P1?

 

[dailydriver]

I had my 12C in for service at McLaren Chicago, so I asked for a quote to perform the soft-close retrofit, and here is the reply I received back:

"As for the soft close option, while its possible to retrofit the soft close latch to pre 2016 models its NOT designed to be compatible given the different door closing forces compared to 2016 Super Series models. The soft close door latch mechanism has been specifically designed and validated to be compatible with model year 2016 Sports Series models 650S, 625C and 675LT only. Therefore retrofitting to the soft close latch to Sport Series vehicles manufactured before 2016 is NOT recommended, approved and supported by McLaren as durability cannot be guaranteed.

No warranty will be covered for this install."

I told them thanks for explaining why McLaren doesn't recommend or support this retrofit, but since it is technically possible, please let me know what the cost would be. They did quote "around" $2,700 for parts and labor. I approved the work for an amount not to exceed that.

Parts are ordered and I'm eager to see how the doors work after the retrofit.

 

[McDc]

2016 Sports Series models 650S, 625C and 675LT

 

[renaissance.man]

Here is the reply I received back:

"As for the soft close option, while its possible to retrofit the soft close latch to pre 2016 models its NOT designed to be compatible given the different door closing forces compared to 2016 Super Series models. The soft close door latch mechanism has been specifically designed and validated to be compatible with model year 2016 Sports Series models 650S, 625C and 675LT only. Therefore retrofitting to the soft close latch to Sport Series vehicles manufactured before 2016 is NOT recommended, approved and supported by McLaren as durability cannot be guaranteed.

No warranty will be covered for this install."

This is pretty much verbatim from the Service Bulletin about soft door close retrofits at the end of last year. If they know 12C guys want them and are willing to pay extra, there has to be a reasonable explanation why they are not recommending it. Not that it is going to deter me either...just saying.

Also. this has to be one of the most vague explanations I have seen recently, "different door closing forces "

 

[dailydriver]

2016 Sports Series models 650S, 625C and 675LT

I'm pretty sure they meant Super Series, but you would think a McLaren dealer would know the difference.

 

[sam_elassar]

What my Mac dealer explained to me that the doors are not as strong, saying that I am not sure if mclaren will make a whole new door just for soft close.

 

[fluffy155]

Possibly additional reinforcement around the latch to take the torque of the motor?

 

[sam_elassar]

Possibly additional reinforcement around the latch to take the torque of the motor?

Yep, that's what he said

 

[jessicaishome]

i have seen the soft-close installed by McLaren SF on 12c coupes. there is nothing to see but all sorts of admiration while seeing it in motion, it is a wonderful add on, especially if you have doors that do not close easily. from what I am hearing, and experiencing (I have 2014 spider) I do not feel the spiders need it but I do feel it would be a wonderful add on and perhaps prevent wear and tear on the door itself, any feed back...
I do ask of those who drive their McLaren in the rain as I do, - does anyone know why the doors hold water and then release it when opening then, - certainly creates a sizeable puddle in the garage. is this only on the spider or coupe as well and is there perhaps something clogged...

 

[ZombiePhysicist]

i have seen the soft-close installed by McLaren SF on 12c coupes. there is nothing to see but all sorts of admiration while seeing it in motion, it is a wonderful add on, especially if you have doors that do not close easily. from what I am hearing, and experiencing (I have 2014 spider) I do not feel the spiders need it but I do feel it would be a wonderful add on and perhaps prevent wear and tear on the door itself, any feed back...
I do ask of those who drive their McLaren in the rain as I do, - does anyone know why the doors hold water and then release it when opening then, - certainly creates a sizeable puddle in the garage. is this only on the spider or coupe as well and is there perhaps something clogged...

They do hold water Jessica. They always seem to drain, but I leave them up for a bit as i get my bits and bobs out of the car to help them along. Luckily it doesnt *seem* to be an issue.

Also, if you get your car washed in a robot touch-less wash (dont judge me, I was in the middle of nowhere USA and feared the splattered on/caked on/cooked in bugs might re-animate and walk off with the car), the high pressure water can get in past the seals for few drips around the top front of the A-piller where the glass meets.

Being an English car, you have to expect that a few of the seals may be uniquely British in construct: >

 

[jessicaishome]

when dealing with high pressure wash systems and strong detergents beware the black plastic parts will soon turn grey, it only takes 2 treatments before the black is gone around the engine coverings, I suppose a good argument for carbon fiber there but I like the black plastic there better, I already have a lot of carbon fiber.

 

[bbeavers]

Let us Know how it turns Dailydriver. LFSC is obviously my servicing dealer too, and I hadn't inquired about this yet. If they can do it for $2,700, I think I'll get this done when I'm in for service come spring time.

 

[ZombiePhysicist]

when dealing with high pressure wash systems and strong detergents beware the black plastic parts will soon turn grey, it only takes 2 treatments before the black is gone around the engine coverings, I suppose a good argument for carbon fiber there but I like the black plastic there better, I already have a lot of carbon fiber.

Eek, good to know. I think I did about 4 of those on my trip, but the good news is I dont see any such wear... but then again, I didnt do that for the engine coverings. Just the outside wash.

 

[farook]

Hi - has anyone in the uk gone for this mod?

 

[andy c]

Hi - has anyone in the uk gone for this mod?

I didn't But I would have done for sure...Speak to Ben at Ascot he will have the lowdown,although you lose your warrantee on the locks ,but those locks have been changed on your car

 

[dailydriver]

Let us Know how it turns Dailydriver. LFSC is obviously my servicing dealer too, and I hadn't inquired about this yet. If they can do it for $2,700, I think I'll get this done when I'm in for service come spring time.

I will certainly report back. Parts were supposed to be in early this week so it should be done very soon.

 

[farook]

I didn't But I would have done for sure...Speak to Ben at Ascot he will have the lowdown,although you lose your warrantee on the locks ,but those locks have been changed on your car

So, Ben said no way... Maybe his response was the official line and I need to meet him and chat and then ask again,,,

 

[m3dragon]

Good reason why we are making the club. So we can as a loud voice go back to Corporate and say HEY what about us! Just tossing that thought out there.

 

[Nudenut]

So, Ben said no way... Maybe his response was the official line and I need to meet him and chat and then ask again,,,

Have been on his case from day one..... had them (Ascot) talk to the mother ship but it's a no no sadly, McL as we know won't warranty a retro fit to 12C and won't supply Ben the parts to do so even if I wanted to :crying:

so I'm told

 

[andy c]

So, Ben said no way... Maybe his response was the official line and I need to meet him and chat and then ask again,,,

That's disappointing ,although I have heard the 12c needs the strengthening in doors that the later models have