[Stewart W]

McLaren has made it known that owners input is a critical part of their process to improvements in the cars and the car company they are building. We are all supporters of the McLaren organization and their cars or we would not be participating regularly on such a forum and investing in their MP4 program. That being said,I felt it would be helpful for them to visualize the sentiments of the owners relative to the perceived mishandling of the titled matter.Please participate in this poll..

 

[20C4S]

they could've handled better no doubt.

to be honest, the IRIS system is still not working kinda bugs me. we are paying for a $6,850.00 system that has no delivery date. yes i don't want to see the car being delayed because of one infotainment system. but yet again we shouldn't be responsible of paying if it's not working. worse thing is we don't even know when it will be working...

 

[6th element]

None of the poll options accurately describe my position, which is thus: I recognize that some of the value has been delivered, since there is an audio system in the car, therefore I'm not wishing for a full refund. That would be a nice gesture, but that would be quite a chunk out of the profit margin for a component that eventually will be delivered. That said, since the audio system is not to everybody's liking anyway, perhaps a bigger discount was in order. Say at least 50%. I agree it would be nice to know something about the progress on the development of the new system (i.e. which milestones have been reached, which remain) if not a committed delivery date (which I acknowledge can be difficult).

 

[Stewart W]

Well stated...however, in my case the sound system is basically not functioning. Radio reception in my area (south Florida) is very poor. I took my other cars out to check and they all receive the dominant stations which this system does not...Maybe 50% is the right number but [ not ] without information forthcoming and availability dates being confirmed. ..Profit preservation [ imho ] is a business issue which I believe should rest with Meridian and McLaren.. Maybe it is just the businesses I am competing in but if we don't deliver we don't survive. I may be wrong but the system must be close to 8 months behind schedule...I just have a very hard time understanding why this has not been resolved...yet . Like you , I believe it will but unless incentives are in place for Meridian/ Mcalren to perform this may be an issue for many more months ...

 

[6th element]

Well stated...however, in my case the sound system is basically not functioning. Radio reception in my area (south Florida) is very poor. I took my other cars out to check and they all receive the dominant stations which this system does not...Maybe 50% is the right number but [ not ] without information forthcoming and availability dates being confirmed. ..Profit preservation [ imho ] is a business issue which I believe should rest with Meridian and McLaren.. Maybe it is just the businesses I am competing in but if we don't deliver we don't survive. I may be wrong but the system must be close to 8 months behind schedule...I just have a very hard time understanding why this has not been resolved...yet . Like you , I believe it will but unless incentives are in place for Meridian/ Mcalren to perform this may be an issue for many more months ...

I certainly believe your stance is valid, Stewart. I guess I don't notice the radio so much because I've been using my iPhone and some of my music (say half of it) sounds incredible. As I mentioned before, better than any car stereo I've ever heard. The other half is all over the place from good to poor. So there is some value there, for me. However, your broader point is legitimate - McLaren should do something to appease the existing customers that are clearly at varying levels of dissatisfaction. Growing frustration among the faithful is not in their best interest.

 

[Moncho]

Agree with all points. I'm still upset at them requiring us to spec this upgrade. I'm NOT interested in a Nav system. I had to pay, not only for a crappy "upgraded" radio, but also for a nonfunctioning Nav system that I did not want. I'd be perfectly happy with the standard crappy radio.

 

[texas mongrel]

I think that this poll is mixing issues. I can wait for iris to be finished and retro-fitted, I got a discount to compensate for this. What infuriates me however is the absolutely hopeless radio. Come on Ron, a 20year old Toyota Corolla gives vastly superior reception performance. How can the system then be characterised as "premium"? Also, I use the media a fair bit and its performance is nothing to write home about; scrolling with a finger is very hit and miss and its pretty easy to confuse the system to where you have to back out and start again. i also had one ocassion when the screen remained totally dead for the morning commute, then miraculously came to life after stopping at Starbucks. A $300K car should be better, much better.

 

[Squirrel]

I am not trying to defend McLaren, on the contrary I think their communication with respect to the resolution of the Iris fiasco has been on a par with the current radio reception BUT the fact is that both Meridian and McLaren are hugely experienced in the audio market and I suggest that the performance of the system today bears no relation to what will ultimately be delivered.

IMHO the system should have been left disabled rather than delivered in the castrated form we are all experiencing.

I have evaluated but don't currently use the system at all but what I do know is that Meridian have custom designed an extremely capable amplification and speaker system. The head unit is clearly running on a very crude firmware and is not matched to the Meridian system or optimised for any audio sources yet...

THERE IS LOADS OF POTENTIAL and I look forward to listening to the finished system and reading rave reviews of it on this forum in due course.

I think that those who have taken delivery of their cars before Iris is functional should be financially compensated in proportion to their wait time. That's only fair. If it is delivered in June /July and is gob-smackingly good then I'd suggest that those who have been waiting 4-6 months should get at least 50% off and those who have been waiting 1-3 months somewhere between 10 and 25%... In an ideal world you should not have to pay a penny of the agreed charge for Iris until it is deliverable!

When all's said and done I would have bought my 12C with no Stereo, Nav, Bluetooth etc... The car's performance was my primary factor for purchase and it hasn't disappointed in that regard...

 

[6th element]

I am not trying to defend McLaren, on the contrary I think their communication with respect to the resolution of the Iris fiasco has been on a par with the current radio reception BUT the fact is that both Meridian and McLaren are hugely experienced in the audio market and I suggest that the performance of the system today bears no relation to what will ultimately be delivered.

IMHO the system should have been left disabled rather than delivered in the castrated form we are all experiencing.

I have evaluated but don't currently use the system at all but what I do know is that Meridian have custom designed an extremely capable amplification and speaker system. The head unit is clearly running on a very crude firmware and is not matched to the Meridian system or optimised for any audio sources yet...

THERE IS LOADS OF POTENTIAL and I look forward to listening to the finished system and reading rave reviews of it on this forum in due course.

I think that those who have taken delivery of their cars before Iris is functional should be financially compensated in proportion to their wait time. That's only fair. If it is delivered in June /July and is gob-smackingly good then I'd suggest that those who have been waiting 4-6 months should get at least 50% off and those who have been waiting 1-3 months somewhere between 10 and 25%... In an ideal world you should not have to pay a penny of the agreed charge for Iris until it is deliverable!

When all's said and done I would have bought my 12C with no Stereo, Nav, Bluetooth etc... The car's performance was my primary factor for purchase and it hasn't disappointed in that regard...

I really hope you are right about the final product, head unit/firmware etc. Hopefully they can also include a fader for the center channel, as I think that would improve things significantly. Your pro rata discount is a great idea as well.

 

[Stewart W]

I am not trying to defend McLaren, on the contrary I think their communication with respect to the resolution of the Iris fiasco has been on a par with the current radio reception BUT the fact is that both Meridian and McLaren are hugely experienced in the audio market and I suggest that the performance of the system today bears no relation to what will ultimately be delivered.

IMHO the system should have been left disabled rather than delivered in the castrated form we are all experiencing.

I have evaluated but don't currently use the system at all but what I do know is that Meridian have custom designed an extremely capable amplification and speaker system. The head unit is clearly running on a very crude firmware and is not matched to the Meridian system or optimised for any audio sources yet...

THERE IS LOADS OF POTENTIAL and I look forward to listening to the finished system and reading rave reviews of it on this forum in due course.

I think that those who have taken delivery of their cars before Iris is functional should be financially compensated in proportion to their wait time. That's only fair. If it is delivered in June /July and is gob-smackingly good then I'd suggest that those who have been waiting 4-6 months should get at least 50% off and those who have been waiting 1-3 months somewhere between 10 and 25%... In an ideal world you should not have to pay a penny of the agreed charge for Iris until it is deliverable!

When all's said and done I would have bought my 12C with no Stereo, Nav, Bluetooth etc... The car's performance was my primary factor for purchase and it hasn't disappointed in that regard...

***
Clearly we are not in a position to determine the corrective action McLaren should or will take at this point. The purpose of bringing this to a head is to make McLaren aware that this cannot turn into a science experiment and a premium system is due and expected by us all. I agree,,,the system is not why I bought the car either and a simple Nav/ Sat comparable to other premium marques would have been fine ..but this is not what Mclaren decided to offer. In so far as pro rating..I disagree. We know some people did not pay for this at all. The US customers are now paying $4795..and two months ago the system was targeted for an April fix. My question is " why are we now being told Aug / Sept"..?
Pricing ( discounted or free of charge ) is secondary to the lack of information being provided to owners . and a final drop dead date seems to be uncertain. It is for these reasons that I feel this is an agonizing issue.
Be straight with us...we are owed an explanation and a final position. Would I like my money back...you bet. Is it the reason I am taking my time to get a consensus on this matter...absolutely not. Once again, I just dont understand how these two amazingly talented companies have not arrived at a fix and a deliverable date.Only Meridian and McLaren can make this go away.

 

[falb]

Since I got a hard drive working with some good tunes on it I am quite happy with the quality of the SOUND system. I think the Meridian part sounds spectacular, quite loud and great near full range sound.

As for the IRIS stuff....not having satellite radio and a garage door opener ticks me off.

Since europe is getting IRIS for free so should the ROW. And my dealer should transport the car for service for free.

 

[Stewart W]

This poll ( initiated on 3/28) will only remain posted for a total 30 days..Please take a moment and participate..

 

[texas mongrel]

I've just heard that Iris won't be finished before September. Given this, I've just voted for a full refund - this is a really bad PR mess for McLaren and they need to get on top of it asap

 

[20C4S]

I've just heard that Iris won't be finished before September. Given this, I've just voted for a full refund - this is a really bad <acronym title="Google Page Ranking">PR</acronym> mess for McLaren and they need to get on top of it asap

if true that would be sad. that's almost pushing the 1 year after product launch.

paying something we can't use is one thing. forcing owners to buy something that's not working is another thing. if i knew it's gonna be this long i rather not to have the IRIS if i had the choice. certainly i don't want to be billed for it. just saying.

 

[uid0]

All of these conflicting stories is really kind of frustrating. I'll be out at the MTC at the end of July and plan to get a firm answer before I leave if I don't already have one. I'd rather hear (firmly, from McLaren) that it won't be done until $date than all of the back and forth everyone seems to be getting from all over the place

 

[texas mongrel]

All of these conflicting stories is really kind of frustrating. I'll be out at the MTC at the end of July and plan to get a firm answer before I leave if I don't already have one. I'd rather hear (firmly, from McLaren) that it won't be done until $date than all of the back and forth everyone seems to be getting from all over the place

my information came from McLaren....

 

[gallardo62]

i definitivelly dont understand how these delays can be possible...

 

[jlMP4]

I think that this poll is mixing issues. I can wait for iris to be finished and retro-fitted, I got a discount to compensate for this. What infuriates me however is the absolutely hopeless radio. Come on Ron, a 20year old Toyota Corolla gives vastly superior reception performance. How can the system then be characterised as "premium"? Also, I use the media a fair bit and its performance is nothing to write home about; scrolling with a finger is very hit and miss and its pretty easy to confuse the system to where you have to back out and start again. i also had one ocassion when the screen remained totally dead for the morning commute, then miraculously came to life after stopping at Starbucks. A $300K car should be better, much better.

I wouldn't say I'm frustrated but I am a bit disappointed that it has taken this long. It is interesting that in my Ferrari I don't really concern myself much with the crappy stereo (though it does have better reception); I can barely hear it and I don't take many long trips in the 430. But in the McLaren it is so good as a daily driver and long trip car that I think it is a real shame that they don't have the radio/nav to match. It does detract a little from that aspect of the car. I've actually switched to one of my other cars when I would rather take the McLaren because there was a game on the radio that I wanted to hear.

Anyway, for the problem mentioned by Mongrel, I've noticed that you can hold the button down on the control knob for 4 seconds and the stereo will reset. Mine has crashed a number of times and this reset was required to get it working again, though there was one instance where I had to shut off and put the car to sleep before it worked again.

 

[shawminator]

My single biggest disappointment with my MP4-12C is the Meridian upgraded sound system. To put it bluntly, the Meridian sound system is absolutely horrible. Besides the poor FM radio reception (are you kidding me?), the sound quality delivered by the premium sound system is very poor. There is very little bass, leaving the sound very flat and one dimensional. I have to turn the volume up to 70-75 to even hear any music while driving. Meridian builds great home audio products, but they should be embarassed about the lackluster system they built for the McLaren. McLaren should also shoulder the blame, as someone from McLaren green-lighted a second rate system that is not worthy of a $300K car.

 

[Squirrel]

I think the current quality is awful.

However, I have it on good authority that this will be sorted with a comprehensive upgrade of hardware and software once Iris is deliverable...