[Moncho]

Hey Moncho, when are you going to bring it round to my place? I just heard that mine gets delivered to my house on the 20th - would be interesting to talk with you about the delivery experience and Park Place's performance

My experience with Park Place... OK. No better or worse than any vehicle buying experience. The one good thing of paying MSRP is that there is no back and forth haggling (trying to look at the positives here). They did a great job with the wheel powder coating and clear bra.
The delivery; officially hasn't happened yet. The salesman is supposed to fly down here to go through it. I did get the car, but no "delivery" yet. Kind of stupid to have the guy fly here two weeks after I've already been driving the car and figured everything out. The car was delivered to my home in a covered trailer. It was not particularly clean. I was expecting a thoroughly detailed car, but not so. Grime on the wheels, and marginal body wash. Just a bunch of shiny goop on the tires. I'm in the process of giving it a good wash.
I'm just happy to have my car!!!

 

[Moncho]

I doubt anyone would miss an R8. I found the R8 to be mechanically good but without soul.

That's interesting... Same criticism if heard about the 12C.

 

[Stewart W]

I thoroughly enjoyed my R8...and in fact miss it . It was great weekender..never a problem and easy to drive. And, in my opinion a beautiful car to look at..

 

[Ritesh]

1st of all CONGRATS!!!!!

2nd... these threads are just killing me!! The waiting game is getting REALLY OLD!!

3rd.... quit posting and drive the car to my house. It will help you break in the car faster!

 

[Ritesh]

BTW... who did the clear bra on your car and how good of a job did they do? I am thinking of having the WHOLE car wrapped and wanted to make sure that the company that Park Place uses is decent.

 

[Moncho]

BTW... who did the clear bra on your car and how good of a job did they do? I am thinking of having the WHOLE car wrapped and wanted to make sure that the company that Park Place uses is decent.

Mine was done through Park Place, and I'm very pleased.

 

[Moncho]

Gorgeous day in Houston... 53 degrees and sunny. Put on about 150 miles and can't stop smiling! Fantastic steering and very easy to drive fast, effortless acceleration. I've never driven anything like this.

A few niggles;

1. The parking sensors are no good for curbs. Can't rely on them at all. Found out the hard way.

2. Radio is useless. Horrible reception. Hopefully it can be fixed, but seems like an antenna problem, rather than software. Have not tried Ipod.

3. Does not like stop and go traffic (me neither!!). Very jerky and gear hunting in auto. Stuck with 2nd on manual and was better.

4. Annoying that seat does not return to previous position upon entry. Need to press and hold memory button each time.

I know it sounds like a lot of complaints, but they're really minor considering how awesome the car drives.
I definitely won't miss my R8!

 

[Tomato and egg]

What new perspective has the 12c given you over your r8? In what way is the car superior or different? If you had upgraded from a v10 or a stasis v10 etc would you still feel there is night and day between the 2 cars?

Very exciting to upgrade I'm sure you must feel great everytime you step into the garage! Congrats and very nice calliper colour choice against the body.

 

[SSO]

I thoroughly enjoyed my R8...and in fact miss it . It was great weekender..never a problem and easy to drive. And, in my opinion a beautiful car to look at..

I have driven R8s a few times and just never connected with the car. Engineering and technically an excellent car but I always felt I was just along for the ride. I have a good friend who has one and uses it regularly. He is a pretty average driver and following him on a few cross country runs, I am sure the car has saved his tush on more than one corner.

 

[AdmiralMubutu]

Gorgeous day in Houston... 53 degrees and sunny. Put on about 150 miles and can't stop smiling! Fantastic steering and very easy to drive fast, effortless acceleration. I've never driven anything like this.

A few niggles;

1. The parking sensors are no good for curbs. Can't rely on them at all. Found out the hard way.

2. Radio is useless. Horrible reception. Hopefully it can be fixed, but seems like an antenna problem, rather than software. Have not tried Ipod.

3. Does not like stop and go traffic (me neither!!). Very jerky and gear hunting in auto. Stuck with 2nd on manual and was better.

4. Annoying that seat does not return to previous position upon entry. Need to press and hold memory button each time.

I know it sounds like a lot of complaints, but they're really minor considering how awesome the car drives.
I definitely won't miss my R8!

I agree Moncho, they're all small things, but all valid. iPhone works well though, the display even shows the album art when listening to Pandora. Sound quality seems fine to me. You are right about automatic mode not liking stop and go traffic. Hard to find the right brake pressure for smooth creeping stops. Manual 2nd gear makes it far easier. A reverse camera really would have been handy. My QX56 (obviously a very different animal) actually has a forward camera too that can be activated at speeds less than 10mph. Very useful for knowing exactly where the curb is. As for the seat, I know you can turn off the feature that slides it back automatically, although that does make it a little harder to get in and out. Why it doesn't return is a mystery.

I've noticed two other things, wondering if anyone else has experienced the same. Going in reverse at full lock is sometimes accompanied by a very pronounced and disconcerting 'thump' from the front end. I think I might have read on this forum or elsewhere that it's not just my car that does this. Normal? The other issue I've had has been a high-pitched whistling/wind noise coming from the drivers side window where it meets the roof. I only hear it as highway speeds get illegal, but it's annoying because it's right in your left ear. It looks like the black trim above the window is slightly warped on my car, just in front of the seam at the back of the window, but not sure if that's the reason. Any one else have this issue? (mclaren phila has said they will investigate and fix whatever the cause might be, but I haven't had the opportunity to bring it to them yet)

 

[andy c]

I agree Moncho, they're all small things, but all valid. iPhone works well though, the display even shows the album art when listening to Pandora. Sound quality seems fine to me. You are right about automatic mode not liking stop and go traffic. Hard to find the right brake pressure for smooth creeping stops. Manual 2nd gear makes it far easier. A reverse camera really would have been handy. My QX56 (obviously a very different animal) actually has a forward camera too that can be activated at speeds less than 10mph. Very useful for knowing exactly where the curb is. As for the seat, I know you can turn off the feature that slides it back automatically, although that does make it a little harder to get in and out. Why it doesn't return is a mystery.

I've noticed two other things, wondering if anyone else has experienced the same. Going in reverse at full lock is sometimes accompanied by a very pronounced and disconcerting 'thump' from the front end. I think I might have read on this forum or elsewhere that it's not just my car that does this. Normal? The other issue I've had has been a high-pitched whistling/wind noise coming from the drivers side window where it meets the roof. I only hear it as highway speeds get illegal, but it's annoying because it's right in your left ear. It looks like the black trim above the window is slightly warped on my car, just in front of the seam at the back of the window, but not sure if that's the reason. Any one else have this issue? (mclaren phila has said they will investigate and fix whatever the cause might be, but I haven't had the opportunity to bring it to them yet)

I wrote a thread about it some time ago,sorry i cant find it! But the upshot of it was that its perfectly normal,something to do with the light weight of the front end reacting against non grippy surfaces such damp or wet roads or loose gravel at low speeds.Seems to be the suspension catching up with the car.As for the wind noise,it happened to me and they re-ajusted the door seal

 

[zippycar]

That's the good thing about Houston... NO SNOW!!

Here we go. I think my files where too big. A few quick pics.

I can't seem to take this stupid grin of my face.


View attachment 579

The finish on the wheels is perfect - never been a fan of the stealth finish.

McLaren should offer this finish as an option (with a commission to you, of course)

 

[Moncho]

McLaren should offer this finish as an option (with a commission to you, of course)[/QUOTE]

I like your thinking!!

Here's a close-up:

Sorry photo is a bit dark. I'll get a better one and post it.

 

[brotherharry]

I had the wheels powder-coated a dark titanium color...

Ballpark price? Less than factory stealth finish option?

 

[Moncho]

Ballpark price? Less than factory stealth finish option?

Costs $150-$200 per wheel. I was able to get the dealer to do it for free during purchase negotiations.

 

[dennis]

Costs $150-$200 per wheel. I was able to get the dealer to do it for free during purchase negotiations.

I didn't realize McLaren dealers negotiated.

 

[Moncho]

I didn't realize McLaren dealers negotiated.

They don't move on the price. But sometimes you can get them to throw in some freebies!

 

[andy c]

They don't move on the price. But sometimes you can get them to throw in some freebies!

Not in the UK!! tried to get them to throw in the obligitory mats and mudflaps
Had to pay for the mats

 

[roundincircles]

I actually think the Dealers and Mclaren have got it wrong on discounts. We as customers have a choice where we spend, or hand over, our cash. We can go to other dealers or other marques. We choose to spend our cash where we spend it!

We are then told no deal because we have and can sell everything so why would we yield a discount......fair enough that's market dynamics.

However a gesture of 'complimentary mats' or ....whatever....engenders equity into the equation. A feel good, my custom is appreciated by the Brand and Dealer. After all it is £200k versus £5o at margin level!

I think it is an opportunity missed to lever the Brand above the norm. So be it.

 

[360]

I actually think the Dealers and Mclaren have got it wrong on discounts. We as customers have a choice where we spend, or hand over, our cash. We can go to other dealers or other marques. We choose to spend our cash where we spend it!

We are then told no deal because we have and can sell everything so why would we yield a discount......fair enough that's market dynamics.

However a gesture of 'complimentary mats' or ....whatever....engenders equity into the equation. A feel good, my custom is appreciated by the Brand and Dealer. After all it is £200k versus £5o at margin level!

I think it is an opportunity missed to lever the Brand above the norm. So be it.

I do see where you are comming from and do do this in my business, even if you dial in this "freebee " somewhere else eveyone likes to think they "got a deal" However in fairness to Mclaren they have given the Iris system to early cars and are continuing to do so until April from what I hear, so not all bad.