This thread will be a place to share resources and information regarding replacement parts and or equivalent parts from other vehicle brands to maintain and repair any P11 Super Series McLaren for PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR. (MP4-12C, 12C, 625, 650S, 675LT)
A quick introduction about myself:
I am a sports and exotic car dealer, but also a professional mechanic by trade. Basically, this means I have a perpetual rotation of every kind of sports & exotic cars at my disposal, but I am also responsible to keep all of them all in top running condition.
Because of my career I have been blessed enough to have owned and/or driven nearly every sports & exotic car imaginable over the past 30 years. In the past 4 years I’ve personally been a MclarenLife member and I've owned six different McLaren's which I have accumulated over 25k miles between them. As you can imagine I’ve experienced many of the issues these cars have and I have successfully repaired all of them myself for pennies on the dollar.
The value of these experiences shared here will be in what I’ve learned when these vehicles have needed maintenance, repairs, and even full restorations.
The TRUTH – Automobile manufactures of all different brands source common parts from the same groups of suppliers. This not only saves them in research and development costs, but it also saves time by using something that is already in existence and has been proven in use.
Here is a great example: Ford, Mercedes, Ferrari, McLaren, Koenigsegg all build great cars… but Michelin, Pirelli, Goodyear, etc. all supply their tires.
Why reinvent the wheel, right? (or tire in this example)
But what most people don't think about is companies like BOSCH are the manufactures and supplies of many components like ECU's, switches, sensors, etc. that are used as the same part on several different brands of autos.
So, the GOOD NEWS for you and me is that spark plugs, ignition coils, sensors, latches, clamps, bolts, lubricants, fluids and a dozen other things can all be sourced at a fraction of the cost vs buying it through The Dealership.
Here is how I go about sourcing a part when something needs replacing.
- Remove the part and inspect it closely for manufacture names, logos, part numbers, or other identification markings. Sometimes these are quite small, and you will need a magnifying glass or reading glasses to see everything.
- Google Search every number or name on the part you need to replace. Some of the numbers are unique serial numbers for that one part and will yield nothing in a search. But other numbers are universal part numbers and you will find they will cross reference to many other automobile makes and models. (The same part sold with a VW part # is cheaper than the same part sold as a Porsche Part #)
- If you only can find a manufactures name on the part, then Google search that. Go to the manufactures website and look for their catalogs. This takes a bit more effort, but in usually 30 min to an hour I can find the exact part needed and purchase it directly. Sometimes you are matching up partial part numbers, many times you are matching the item based on pictures and schematic drawings.
- I also search eBay for used McLaren Parts for sale off salvage vehicles. Look at the pictures and you will get the same part numbers, manufacture logo's etch. Then google search that. This helps you find replacement parts BEFORE you actually remove the part on your own car.
EXAMPLE: A McLaren 12C has a Secondary Air Pump that visibly wears a Porsche part# (look behind the rear bumper, left hand/driver side). This part# cross references to the 986 Porsche Boxster (1996-2004)! YES… it is just a common Bosch Pump that can be bought anywhere for less than 100.00…. Sometimes finding a replacement equivalent is just as easy looking at the parts label.
I hope you save lots of money from the items shared in this thread! If you find something that has not been listed please share it here as well for the benefits of the community.
I will also add links to past threads that have information previously shared to bring all the information together.
I encourage other DIY McLaren owners to share and post here as well!
If you personally save some time or money with something you learn here, please honor that contributor with a “Thumbs up - like”! This lets them know that they are appreciated for taking the time to share what they have learned, sometimes the hard way.
My name is Kevin and I live in the Atlanta GA. I am always excited to talk cars, plus I'm available to work on and maintain your super-car as well. Just send me a PM.
Cheers!
