[garulys]

Hi everybody,
I'm Jean-Marc from Paris and currently owner of a nice MB SLK55AMG Performance Package which has now 136000 km and 172 laps on the Nurburgring Nordschleife, 70 laps on the track of Spa-Francorchanps without a single problem.
But time has come to day to change for a more efficent car, but it has to be a roadster or spider.
My first choise was naturally the SLS GT Roadster which I drove both on the roads in Germany and also on tracks in France.
The second choice was the F358 Italia Spider, and the third one the McLaren MP4-12C Spider.
Definitely I don't like the sound of the Ferrari and I choose the MP4 which I had the chance to try at Magny Cours track 2 weeks ago.
I'll make another test on le Mans Bugatti track within 2 weeks, but the choice is done !
Only details of configuration have to be settled, which is realy hard !
The outside colour will be Volcano red, conventional brakes, superlightweight wheels diamond cut finishing, additional set of wheels superlightweight black with corsa tyres, leather and alcantara inside.
Order will come soon

 

[roundincircles]

garulys. Can you tell why you made the decision? Interesting track experience 'drive' the choice? You discarded some capable cars!

 

[garulys]

the SLS is an amazing car, high quality finishings, enormous engine with an incredible sound, but I never liked the top of the front panel which is straight, and the height of the windscreen is too low. I feel confined inside.
The design of interior is not the one of a modern car, I prefer the one of my SLK.
Too lost space inside (you could put a third person between the 2 seats) and it is difficult to position the car on the road as you are completely on te side ofthe car.
In th MP4 you are quite in the middle of the car longitudinlly and laterally, that makes a great difference.

Because of the lenght of its front hood, it's often difficult to see where the wheels are, although you just have to look where you want to go and the car goes there alone.
The finishing of the fabric roof of the SLS is not top when open.
It remains a nice supercar, a little bit heavy for a track use, but also too wide for a daily use. The driver's position (2/3 rear of the car) makes it uneasy for city driving, despite the fact I just drive 1000 km per year in the city and more than 20000 on roads, hyghways and tracks.
The rear hood is not practical at all and its round opening is not practical to put some lugagge.

The Ferrari I never drove it on track, but in the 458 I don't feel comfortable, because too much space under the front panel, the AC seems to have been forgotten, and I don't like the steering whell plenty of buttons.
The finishings are uncredibly high quality and could have take the decision, but I don't like the way the roof works with the inside part facing the sky during opening or closing.
I also don't like the sound of the engine and exhausts, especialy when you change up the gear.

In the Mac Laren you are in a smaller space than in the two others, but it is like a cocoon, nothing crushing.
The only thing is that the inner roof is carbon black and I hate dark colours. But like in my SLK I will change myself the covering with alcantara of a lighter color around the windscreen and inner roof as it does not seem to be possible through the MSO
The windscreen is so large that you seem to be outside of the car.
Il also like the simplicity of the steering wheel, and no information is hidden by the top part oof the steering wheel which is not te cas on the SLS (or on my SLK)
With the McLaren you always know where the wheels are.
The normal, sport and track modes present a real difference, and it is a good idea to have separated motor and earbox from chassis and suspension.
The comfort of the MP4 is much higher than in the two others,
On track, your left leg is not moving at every right turn like in the SLS and also I suppose in the F458, as there is less lost space around the legs.

Some choices I don't have made for the moment : normal exhausts or Inconel exhausts ? I'll tryboth at Le Mans in 2 weeks . I fear Inconel exhausts will be tiring on a long ride (I often make journeys 400 or 500 km) I often go to the Nurburgring which takes 1000 km highways and 200 km track.

Probably some of my reasons are not objective ! but it's my choice.
I did not know this car before visiting the Mondial de l'automobile Show last month, but I loved it as soon as i saw it, and the kindness of the staff, at the opposite of the Ferrari staff made the decision.
I think also than Woking is more listening the customers than Maranello

I also like its squale look

 

[roundincircles]

Garulys. Thanks for the reply and understand your reasons. I have driven 500 miles just stopping for petrol in my Mac with total comfort. It is a good car on track as well.......fun and fast.

I am surprised MSO will not change the interior colours.......I would be tempted to call them direct and discuss your interest.


Post your reactions to driving the Mac both on track and highway. Have fast fun!

 

[gallardo62]

i think we have had a discussion on the EAP forum

 

[andy c]

HI Garulys,you have made the right choice!! Amazing that with you not knowing of the car untill a few weeks ago ,that you can come up with the right reasons that the rest of us have been shouting about for the last couple of years,it shows that it is the real drivers choice,and as a spider it will be even more capable than the other two,simply from the construction of the tub.
Enjoy many more laps of the ring,as nothing will be passing you

 

[garulys]

i think we have had a discussion on the EAP forum

Yes we had.

 

[SSO]

i think we have had a discussion on the EAP forum

EAP Forum?

 

[garulys]

this is a french forum concerning exoctic cars

http://www.emotionautoprestige.com/

 

[garulys]

does someone know if the alloy wheels SP-SC10s by D.P.E. are available for the MP4-12C ?

If not I would choose these ones for daily use :

plus probably theses ones for the track :

with diamond cut finishing or mat black

 

[garulys]

after much thought, I finally almost stopped my choice for the colors.

This will be quite similar as the picture (sorry for the bad quality) :

graphite grey with touches of orange volcano and orange carbon for the center console and the door switches

side mirrors volcano orange with black carbon support
front splitter volcano orange
turning vanes volcano orange
diffuser volcano orange

Inside full alcantara carbon black with orange stitching, and orange leather seats and door pannels
macarbon steering wheel black suede and middle carbon black (the original one is realy too thin)
The wheels will be finally the Lightweight wheels 1 diamond cut orange finish like the picture, with standard brakes and black callipers.

 

[silentownage001]

^^ That is definitely unique

Any more pics of the interior?

 

[extremeride22]

after much thought, I finally almost stopped my choice for the colors.

This will be quite similar as the picture (sorry for the bad quality) :

graphite grey with touches of orange volcano and orange carbon for the center console and the door switches

side mirrors volcano orange with black carbon support
front splitter volcano orange
turning vanes volcano orange
diffuser volcano orange

Inside full alcantara carbon black with orange stitching, and orange leather seats and door pannels
macarbon steering wheel black suede and middle carbon black (the original one is realy too thin)
The wheels will be finally the Lightweight wheels 1 diamond cut orange finish like the picture, with standard brakes and black callipers.

I must say I do like the look of that colour combination, it's has a subtleness with hints of pizzazz. Very nice indeed garulys, very nice. Cheers....??

 

[gallardo62]

hum... not my taste , but if that pleases you

 

[extremeride22]

To each his own, hence individualism. Cheers....??

 

[ergoproxy]

Hi garulys thanks for posting
The inconel has a bit of drone but not bad. Wind noise is actually more problematic, and minimally so.
I went away from orange to the darks
Orange and white are awesome though
Enjoy your cars

 

[garulys]

Right, white and orange would be a nice config too

 

[Ritesh]

hum... not my taste , but if that pleases you

+1. It will take a serious hit during resale!

 

[extremeride22]

Right, white and orange would be a nice config too

You know garulys I would go with what ever turns your crank, don't worry about what other people think. Everything that you've mention thus far sounds great, so as mentioned go for the one that's unique/different that suits your style just go for it. Cheers......??

 

[TAG]

Word of advice..

after much thought, I finally almost stopped my choice for the colors.

This will be quite similar as the picture (sorry for the bad quality) :

graphite grey with touches of orange volcano and orange carbon for the center console and the door switches

side mirrors volcano orange with black carbon support
front splitter volcano orange
turning vanes volcano orange
diffuser volcano orange

Inside full alcantara carbon black with orange stitching, and orange leather seats and door pannels
macarbon steering wheel black suede and middle carbon black (the original one is realy too thin)
The wheels will be finally the Lightweight wheels 1 diamond cut orange finish like the picture, with standard brakes and black callipers.

Clearly "graphite grey" could function on the second hand market. But please try to avoid orange winglets, it's just to much! I would choose black sports seat, with orange stitching.

Otherwise a fantastic choice, only other car for the money that would come close would be the new Porsche 991 GT3! Have fun and enjoy the vehicle when it arrives!