Caterham R500 Purchase
Discussion
I've owned a couple of R500s, so I'm probably qualified to comment!
Remember it's an old Caterham - it's going to need some TLC, either now or in the next couple of years. Expect some corrosion between the body panels and the chassis. Get them to lift it on their ramp so you can have a really good look around.
Expect the diff to be a bit clunky and noisy. Expect the gearbox to be notchy from cold, and maybe a bit noisy. Probably budget to spend some money on diff/gearbox within a couple of years.
Engine - in my experience bomb-proof, but the problems are well documented. My advice would be to limit your revs - use it as a top spec 7500 rev engine and you'll get on well with it; use 8600 revs regularly and you may have some work to do. You need to understand the history of the engine - has it been refreshed, what was done, by whom. I found the roller barrels to be really sensitive to set up, and get a bit sticky after a while too.
All the other bits are standard Caterham - brakes, suspension, tyres, etc, etc are all easy to do and relatively cheap.
I'd have one again if I had the time to drive it......
Remember it's an old Caterham - it's going to need some TLC, either now or in the next couple of years. Expect some corrosion between the body panels and the chassis. Get them to lift it on their ramp so you can have a really good look around.
Expect the diff to be a bit clunky and noisy. Expect the gearbox to be notchy from cold, and maybe a bit noisy. Probably budget to spend some money on diff/gearbox within a couple of years.
Engine - in my experience bomb-proof, but the problems are well documented. My advice would be to limit your revs - use it as a top spec 7500 rev engine and you'll get on well with it; use 8600 revs regularly and you may have some work to do. You need to understand the history of the engine - has it been refreshed, what was done, by whom. I found the roller barrels to be really sensitive to set up, and get a bit sticky after a while too.
All the other bits are standard Caterham - brakes, suspension, tyres, etc, etc are all easy to do and relatively cheap.
I'd have one again if I had the time to drive it......
clarkey said:
I've owned a couple of R500s, so I'm probably qualified to comment!
Remember it's an old Caterham - it's going to need some TLC, either now or in the next couple of years. Expect some corrosion between the body panels and the chassis. Get them to lift it on their ramp so you can have a really good look around.
Expect the diff to be a bit clunky and noisy. Expect the gearbox to be notchy from cold, and maybe a bit noisy. Probably budget to spend some money on diff/gearbox within a couple of years.
Engine - in my experience bomb-proof, but the problems are well documented. My advice would be to limit your revs - use it as a top spec 7500 rev engine and you'll get on well with it; use 8600 revs regularly and you may have some work to do. You need to understand the history of the engine - has it been refreshed, what was done, by whom. I found the roller barrels to be really sensitive to set up, and get a bit sticky after a while too.
All the other bits are standard Caterham - brakes, suspension, tyres, etc, etc are all easy to do and relatively cheap.
I'd have one again if I had the time to drive it......
Hello,Remember it's an old Caterham - it's going to need some TLC, either now or in the next couple of years. Expect some corrosion between the body panels and the chassis. Get them to lift it on their ramp so you can have a really good look around.
Expect the diff to be a bit clunky and noisy. Expect the gearbox to be notchy from cold, and maybe a bit noisy. Probably budget to spend some money on diff/gearbox within a couple of years.
Engine - in my experience bomb-proof, but the problems are well documented. My advice would be to limit your revs - use it as a top spec 7500 rev engine and you'll get on well with it; use 8600 revs regularly and you may have some work to do. You need to understand the history of the engine - has it been refreshed, what was done, by whom. I found the roller barrels to be really sensitive to set up, and get a bit sticky after a while too.
All the other bits are standard Caterham - brakes, suspension, tyres, etc, etc are all easy to do and relatively cheap.
I'd have one again if I had the time to drive it......
Thanks for your reply it's much appreciated. I purchased an R500 last week. The yellow r500 at caterham south. 1 owner from new, full service history. Had a little look at the history of the car and found nothing bad so couldn't say no. Caterham are sending it off to have the weather equipment added from me as this wasn't added at the beginning.
I've been told that the previous owner was very safety concious always made sure the car was warm before driving etc and didn't rev about 8500. Of course I'm sure theRe has been times where it has gone above that haha.
Body work wise, needs a little bit of tlc but I like that as it gives me something to do
.Hopefully pick it up around the 24th Feb
CC/Minister dropped the rev limit to 8600 from 9200 after owners kept blowing them up. Rev it to 7500 and you won't get the best from the engine, but maybe on a better mapped example (I'd recommend Steve Greenauld) the powerband might me a little broader?
But congrats on buying a car. Make sure you keep us informed about your experiences. And remember to get some heat into those tyres before giving it the beans...and if it is fitted with a screen, remove it and fit an aeroscreen!
Eta, make sure you keep the aeroscreen...so much better with it. And the engine is at the mileage level where you'd expect a refresh of some kind to have taken place. So make sure Caterham give you a year, at least, warranty that covers mechanicals too. What number car is it? I may be able to find out some more history on it.
But congrats on buying a car. Make sure you keep us informed about your experiences. And remember to get some heat into those tyres before giving it the beans...and if it is fitted with a screen, remove it and fit an aeroscreen!
Eta, make sure you keep the aeroscreen...so much better with it. And the engine is at the mileage level where you'd expect a refresh of some kind to have taken place. So make sure Caterham give you a year, at least, warranty that covers mechanicals too. What number car is it? I may be able to find out some more history on it.
Edited by rubystone on Sunday 18th January 11:16
See if it's here, http://www.thecaterhamregister.net/superlight%20R5...
And if it's not make sure you add it.
Nice purchase by the way!!
And if it's not make sure you add it.
Nice purchase by the way!!
The 8600rpm redline was introduced as the early cars would suffer bearing failures. Given those getting the issues generally drove their cars with little mechanical sympathy Caterham had to do something to reduce waranty claims.
Once better quality bearings were sourced the rpm limit was restored to 9200 and most issues dissapeared.
Driving an R500 and keeping it below 7600rpm is a total waste.
The only weakpoint in an R500K is the cams, the lobes of which tend to pit very quickly - so make sure you chenge the oil very frequently and always get some heat in the engine before high revs.
Once better quality bearings were sourced the rpm limit was restored to 9200 and most issues dissapeared.
Driving an R500 and keeping it below 7600rpm is a total waste.
The only weakpoint in an R500K is the cams, the lobes of which tend to pit very quickly - so make sure you chenge the oil very frequently and always get some heat in the engine before high revs.
Interesting point about the rev limits on these Arnie, never knew some were pegged. I had a back to back with one not long after I got my current car a few years back.
The R500 got the drop at the start but I soon reeled it back it and edged ahead, it was just a straight 1/4 mile-ish drag.
Now makes me wonder if the R500 was limited and not fully on cam or getting its peak grunt.
The R500 got the drop at the start but I soon reeled it back it and edged ahead, it was just a straight 1/4 mile-ish drag.
Now makes me wonder if the R500 was limited and not fully on cam or getting its peak grunt.
BertBert said:
I don't remember mine going back up to 9200. I thought it stayed at 8600, but it was a long time ago.
I'm trying to remember the package of mods to fix the engine problem. Was it...
Bearings
Adding the short Apollo tank
ECU controlled radiator fan
Oil cooler
?
I can assure you that Caterham did not ever move the rev limit up to 9200.I'm trying to remember the package of mods to fix the engine problem. Was it...
Bearings
Adding the short Apollo tank
ECU controlled radiator fan
Oil cooler
?
mic said:
Mine never went back to 9200, although it was used at 9200 on Richards Inces track day before the lower limit was introduced.
How many engines did Richard get through that day, Mic? Was a sad day for the Caterham trade when he left for Radicals! My car was a feature of them in Ian Noble's hands....rubystone said:
How many engines did Richard get through that day, Mic? Was a sad day for the Caterham trade when he left for Radicals! My car was a feature of them in Ian Noble's hands....
It was a defining time though the whole R500 debacle - loved it. And they sorted it out, well done chaps.Oooooh getting all late night emotional over no Caterham in the bertish garage. Better fix it!
Mines number 26 so I'll get it added today .
The car does currently have an aero screen but I'm debating keeping the aero stuff for the summer.
Thanks for the replys guys some useful info regarding the revs.
The head on yhis one hasn't had a refresh but I have been told it has had a very gentle previous owne. I've still demanded caterham to remove the head for me and check it which they have agree too.
.The car does currently have an aero screen but I'm debating keeping the aero stuff for the summer
.Thanks for the replys guys some useful info regarding the revs
. The head on yhis one hasn't had a refresh but I have been told it has had a very gentle previous owne. I've still demanded caterham to remove the head for me and check it which they have agree too.
BertBert said:
oh dear. The proper R500s didn't have a wiper motor mount so were aeroscreen only.
Yours must be one of the lardy versions
Bert
Lol, i'm being a chicken so i have paid extra to have all the weather equipment fitted. The currently has no wiper brackets, no holes in the scuttle panel for the wipers, the wiring loom was never made to allow for the window wipers, heated screen etc. Yours must be one of the lardy versions
Bert
Car is very original
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