Saw one parked up this morning near my car - had a very close look at it. The doors were misaligned, car just lacks any character whatsoever.

 

Seems a bit harsh LABrit.

Let me give my feedback on the list you made.

They've had to make change after change upon journo's driving the car.
-They integrated changes as suggested by journalists, dont see how that is negative

They've released it with systems that are optional, that a customer must purchase and it doesn't even work. That's outrageous.
-The IRIS is an issue, rumored to be caused by the eathquake in Japan. UK buyers received IRIS for free and US buyers received a 1/3rd discount. It has now become a compulary option.

There were rumors that the initial customer cars that went over 15k had massive engine failures.
-There are no actual reports of this

The cars have doors that wont open and close properly each time.
-Several early cars needed to have the doors realigned and this was done by the dealers

They've saturated the market here in the UK and resale clearly reflects the above, well that and the fact that official dealers are being told they can have very few allocations until the end of the year to try and curb the value tanking.
-appears to be true and fortunately they are doing something about it

Character, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder. Clearly this car doesnt light your fire. Personally, the car is the perfect blend of form and function. It is quite beautiful and aggresive in it's styling.

 

McLaren Updating MP4-12C for 2013 with Power Bump, Other Upgrades


McLaren Updating MP4-12C for 2013 with Power Bump, Other Upgrades
June 5, 2012 at 1:25pm by Alexander Stoklosa



McLaren’s mid-engined MP4-12C sports car just went on sale this past year, but several updates are headed its way for 2013. We don’t have too many complaints about the MP4-12C in its current form—we gave it the nod in a comparison test against the Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 GT2 RS—but McLaren apparently felt it necessary to tweak the car and give it a power bump for 2013.

The most significant update, at least to us, is an additional 25 hp for the MP4-12C’s twin-turbocharged, 3.8-liter V-8. The power increase will come by way of an engine-computer update, bringing the power total to 618 hp. McLaren also is modifying the car’s transmission programming and adding software to allow drivers to alter the level of engine noise entering the cabin. The current MP4-12C has a valved sound tube that pipes intake noise into the cabin at different levels, depending on which driving mode is selected. Now, McLaren owners will be able to adjust the valve independently of the driving mode. Full loud? Yes, please.

Among the less sexy—but still useful—updates is the addition of Bluetooth and navigation functionality for the MP4-12C’s touch-screen–based infotainment system. (The 2012 car had the hardware to support both nav and Bluetooth, but the software wasn’t ready until now.) McLaren also is adding an optional suspension lift mode, which can raise both the front and rear of the car at low speeds. This should prove useful to customers who occasionally are confronted by a steep driveway or rough road. Finally, the MP4-12C’s radio antenna was tweaked for enhanced reception.

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•Comparison Test: 2011 McLaren MP4-12C vs. Ferrari 458 Italia, Porsche 911 GT2 RS
•First Drive: 2011 McLaren MP4-12C
•Rendered: 2014 McLaren MP4-12C Spider

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The best part is that, aside from the upcoming model’s optional suspension lift functionality, McLaren will retrofit all of these upgrades to current customers’ cars at no charge. This is especially remarkable in light of the price increase that will be levied upon the 2013 MP4-12C. (McLaren will announce more specific pricing information later.) The new 2013 model goes on sale in September, and McLaren will begin retrofitting existing cars with the upgrades in October.


-I cant name one manufacurer that would go to the lengths that McLaren is to update previous models with the next year model's changes. I couldnt be more pleased.

 

+1 falb,but im bound to say that,i think sometimes its a waste of time trying to justifly the car to people like LAbrit,afterall i could spend my time on the Gallardo forum ripping into a 10 year old design thats had no end of problems and is 3 years overdue for replacement,and where they keep adding another 10hp every 2 years to keep people buying the next new thing!! whats that all about ? Marketing??.Thing is i dont,i like you let people enjoy what they have,and if i have a problem with it i would discuss it on this side of the fence!
Seems to me LAbrit feels the need to diss the car because he bought a NEW old car,and realises for someone so young he has missed the boat on a car that would rip the A--e out of his in any known situtation.
Just a bit of fun,i hope you get over it

 

Andy, i know the car would destroy mine, doesn't bother me in the slightest: there's no denying the power and handling of the vehicle. I had my name down early on and quickly lost interest as to me it's a disappointment, plain and simple.

I'm eagerly anticipating the release of the the next version with a more aggressive exterior that appeals to me far more than the current design. By then i'd expect them to have all the initial issues sorted - for it's position within the market place and price tag i expected better (as they promised in the media hype).

We're all entitled to our opinions and that's mine on this one.

 

Absolutly,but sometimes its good to listen to the opinions of owners,who however big a fan of the car they are,tend to have a more rounded idea ,the car might be a dissapointment to you,but its not a car that a quick test drive,or even a couple of weeks in,will give you a full idea.
As for the looks,im at a loss to why you would have your name down for something that you now say is not inspiring?? Why is that??The pictures of the car were on record for years before!!
Anyway enjoy your lambo in good health,and we will enjoy being at the start of a new era,which is for me part of the Buzz.

 

Andy,

I'm pretty open minded and i know when i drive the MP4 i'm more than likely going to be blown away by it's abilities. That's simply not something that i nor many can dispute. I've stated my opinion, i'm simply underwhelmed with it being released as i stated under a cloud of smoke rather than a blaze of glory like they had promised. I and many others had high expectations and these were set only by McLaren so IMO they've only got themselves to blame for that.

In regards to the looks - i think the car is attractive but not 200k attractive - it doesn't look special to me. I had hoped upon seeing it in person i'd feel differently but the second i did, i pulled my name off the list (well that, and the fact that i didn't like the way the order process was being handled - it seemed to be quite cloak and dagger in regards to any information early on, though that's not atypical for a new release from any manufacturer).

At the end of the day, i want a car to make me want to wake up early on the weekends and get in and go out for a drive - something i've been doing since i started driving. It can be a 20k Honda S2000 or an LP560 - what i look for is character and something that excites me from the second i look at it and the MP4 simply doesn't have the "X factor" for me.

Are you Andy74 from PGT btw? If so i'm surprised by your defense considering your early posts about the car over there!

 

No,andy c from Mclarenlife,so no surprises there,and no defense needed as i get the same feeling as you,every morning as a DD
Its takes all types,and im sure there are enough of us to make Mclaren the success it will be,and there is no getting past the fact the PR machine made an almighty cockup,but when your in the fold its easy to see through that and realise this is an outstanding machine,and well worth the effort in standing by it!

 

Most people who have criticized the car haven't driven it or seen it in person. Initially, I felt that the styling wasn't as impressive as the F458 when I saw it in Pictures. When I saw both cars in person, I felt the 12C had a better front end and side profile, the F458 looks better IMHO from the rear. I had driven a friend's F458 a couple of weeks prior to the 12C's test drive so I had detailed mental notes of the F458's dynamics when driven aggressively on the street. Before I drove it I asked.... can I withdraw my deposit if I am not completely satisfied with the car. The sales manager and sales man weren't worried about it AT ALL.

Any doubts I had about the car ended within the first 15 mins of the test drive. The Acceleration, the braking, the steering, the suspension and handling were truly mind altering. I was almost in tears!! I had been waiting to drive the car for 10 months and was afraid it might be a let down. I was afraid that the car couldn't match all the hype. I was wrong. It was truly awe inspiring experience. I told the salesman in the middle of the test drive that I am ready to finalize my order and what can I do to move up the their list? I have known plenty of die hard Ferrari guys who drove the car and were ready to write a check for it. The car truly is that amazing when driven. The reality is that is even impressive when you actually own it and drive it for more than 30 mins!

Finally... I still don't understand how the software upgrade and 25 HP can be a topic of heated discussion. IIRC, Ferrari did a software upgrade on the 2012 F458 and all the 2010-2011 owners have to pay for the upgrade. That is purely a software upgrade without any HP gain!

 

2013 model year McLaren MP4-12C technical specification

2012 McLaren MP4-12C