Considering a 620r

Considering a 620r

Author
Discussion

sone

Original Poster:

4,585 posts

237 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
quotequote all
For track days and possibly the odd hoon at the weekends. Not my first Caterham tbh I had an r300 a few years ago but was a little underwhelmed, I think mainly as I'm not really a K series fan and it all felt a bit breathless at times. Question is although obviously the 620 is twice the power will I be blown away by its performance.
Also being in the midlands any guidance where I might see or get a test drive in one? Any must haves or general guidance would be appreciated.

Cheers

Steve

mike150

493 posts

199 months

Wednesday 27th January 2016
quotequote all
I have driven a few Caterhams and Westfields.

I assume its an R300 Duratec you had, I would find one of these to be very underpowered on track, not too bad on the road.

An R400 is really all you need, fast on the road and ok for track, the sweet spot I think.

An R500 bit too fast for the road most of the time and quick on track.

620r...........mad for the road, you will not get to use much of its performance, fast for the track.

You can never have too much power though, just re-adjust the throttle stop to reduce the toll on the nerves!!!

I would LOVE a 620s for the same reasons as yourself, I can't justify 50k for so little car though.

Amris

157 posts

167 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Agree with Mike, R400 for the road really is the sweet spot. More than enough power for the road and you will only be limited track on the GP circuits

R500 (both duratec and k series) are great fun, both have a large surge of power in the higher rev range. More so in the k series than the durtec which has a little more low end torque. Acceleration is breath taking and lots of fun. Very easy to drive around town in the lower rev range.

620R truly is bonkers fast but the supercharger equates to a far more linear acceleration curve. This combined with the sequential box means you accelerate and a phenomenal pace. Realistically covering ground much faster than an R500 (especially a manual one). The downside imo though is there is no real "whoosh" of breathtaking acceleration that you get with an R500.

In summary, you need to drive all three and see which suits you and your requirements. It will be a great day out.

BookaTrack is just opening a midlands dealership at Donington track and there are rummers that you may be able to do test drives on track. Probably best to give them a call and get yourself booked in for a few test drives.

jonnyleroux

1,511 posts

259 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
Not rumours - we have free access to the circuit at lunchtime and after 5pm to offer accompanied test drives or demonstration drives (depending on level of experience).

We have a 620R track rental which is doubling up as a demonstrator for the time being. Clients with suitable levels of experience can drive the car on-track, best thing to do is give our sales guy Greg a call on 0843 208 4635 and we can arrange to get you out in it.

cheers,

Jonny
BaT

cwin

953 posts

218 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
The other option is buy a nice superlight get a 2.4 Duratec race built engine and sequential box fitted and save around 12/15k, have a faster quieter car and save money.

It won't be a new car but you can custom build a few things whilst your doing it like suspension ect, our car stands us around 35k and is faster than any 620r around a circuit, drives awesome on the road and pulls from any revs in any gear.


curley

432 posts

218 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I have a 620R and previously an R400 ( k) .

Despite what some suggest the 620 is fine on the road . The supercharger makes the power delivery linear so its not a no power ...../.....all out bonkers type experience .

On the right track ( Silverstone , Brands GP , Spa , Magny Cours ) you can enjoy speed which keeps on building , you will never feel " underwhelmed "

You need to get out and drive one to find out if its for you . Take up Jonnys offer .

Edited by curley on Thursday 28th January 20:46

PeterY27

136 posts

105 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I'm going to take up Jonny's offer wink

jonnyleroux

1,511 posts

259 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
PeterY27 said:
I'm going to take up Jonny's offer wink
I suspect a few people will do! As long as it helps us sell cars i'm not going to get too upset at the odd blagger. In my experience the sort of person who's willing to blag a free test drive with no intention of buying is probably the sort of person who's going to be quite vocal about it so it's all good PR :-)

Jonny
BaT

sone

Original Poster:

4,585 posts

237 months

Thursday 28th January 2016
quotequote all
I spoke with Greg earlier, it's only a matter of time(-:

Mario149

7,750 posts

177 months

Sunday 31st January 2016
quotequote all
Based on my ownership experience over the last 4 months, the only thing I'd add to what has been said before is:

1) 620R suspension is really to firm for all but the smoothest roads IMO
2) Amris mentioned that it might not have the top end zing of an R500D. He may be right (I've only passengered in his R500D, not driven it), but it might be my fault: he was in the car with me after I'd only had it a few weeks and I think I only had the balls to rev it out in 2nd, 3rd and 4th once. There's a fighting chance I wasn't actually giving it foot to the floor as it's really quite a terrifying experience when the back is constantly shimmying slightly on cold tyres and uneven road hehe :browntrouseremoticonhere:
3) sequential box is f-ing awesome and really adds character to the car. The flat shifts up the box at max chat are bonkers fun biggrin

Edited by Mario149 on Sunday 31st January 16:34

nigelpugh7

5,997 posts

189 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
sone said:
I spoke with Greg earlier, it's only a matter of time(-:
I am sure Greg will look,after you well Steve, and there seems to be plenty of choice of second hand 620R models up for sale.

My only point re you wanting one for track days, will mean that even with the big exhaust, and the frankly ugly rear black exhaust, you will still need to be carful about what track days you can actually attend due to noise restrictions.

Now I am sure lots of owners, will now jump ,up and down and say how quiet their 620R's actually are, but I suspect that there's a reason that there are quite a few second have ones available now.

Also speaking to one 620R owner last year, he was still having problems with the engine running hot, despite all the changes to the thermostats etc,,and as a result the fan was on far too much, meaning his battery became discharged, causing problems, with starting.

I would have hoped that CC have sorted this issue by now, but I would want to check before I bought a 620R.

Finally , and despite the fact that 620Rs are fabulous track day tools, and I would love one, have you actually driven one for a good time,,both on track and the road, particulary with reference to the Sadev Sequential gearbox?

I think I read that the 620r does not have the more modern and quieter BMW diff unit,,and is using the ford unit with the Titan LSD.

Personally my white R500, with that diff and LSD, and admittedly the Quaiffe sequential box, was so noisy, whiny and suffered with so much drive line clunks, it just ruined the whole enjoyment of the car, hence why I sold it and bought another R500 witn the standard Six speed box.

I suspect you have explored most of these questions in you own mind, whilst looking at 620R models to buy, but thought you might like to get some owners opinions before making your choice.

Good luck, I am sure you will but one anyway! smile

Mario149

7,750 posts

177 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
Just to chime in, I drove an R500 with the quaife box and a 620R with the sadev virtually back to back - the latter is streets ahead in terms of noise, or lack thereof. Above 20mph in the R500 I couldn't hear myself think, let alone talk to the salesman. The 620R box clunks, whines and bangs a bit and requires more muscle to use, but it's vastly quieter.

nigelpugh7

5,997 posts

189 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
Mario149 said:
Just to chime in, I drove an R500 with the quaife box and a 620R with the sadev virtually back to back - the latter is streets ahead in terms of noise, or lack thereof. Above 20mph in the R500 I couldn't hear myself think, let alone talk to the salesman. The 620R box clunks, whines and bangs a bit and requires more muscle to use, but it's vastly quieter.
Good Point Mario,

Thats what i was trying to let Steve be aware off, and yes you are correct the Sadev and current diff arrangement is vastly superior to the set up i had in my previous R500.

I had tow of my friends, who are both into big bikes, so used to lots of noise, actually comment that it sounded like my car was broken, an that something was falling off, whenever we went for a blat around the lanes!! wink

sone

Original Poster:

4,585 posts

237 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
Nigel, comments noted and much appreciated. I'll go out and have a drive see what my thoughts are. I'm looking for something quite extreme without a gear stick and the 620r seems to fit the bill.

See you soon.

Steve

nigelpugh7

5,997 posts

189 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
sone said:
Nigel, comments noted and much appreciated. I'll go out and have a drive see what my thoughts are. I'm looking for something quite extreme without a gear stick and the 620r seems to fit the bill.

See you soon.

Steve
Cool, i knew you would Steve!!

I am sure you will love it, its certainly extreme!!

I hope if you get one i can blag a passenger ride at Curborough the next time we are all there!!

sfaulds

653 posts

277 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
Neither of the 620's on the Bookatrack fleet have ever run hot, or failed to charge (except when someone left an engine earth loose....) in several thousand miles of track use.

nigelpugh7

5,997 posts

189 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
sfaulds said:
Neither of the 620's on the Bookatrack fleet have ever run hot, or failed to charge (except when someone left an engine earth loose....) in several thousand miles of track use.
Good to hear Stuart, but those are track day 620R cars right?

Do you know how the owners of 620Rs have been coping with heat management and related issues?


curley

432 posts

218 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
I've done 6000 miles in my 620R , mostly on the road but including perhaps 6 to 8 track days and a touring trip round Europe last July .NEVER had an overheating issue , in fact the car seems overcooled which is why owners have been chasing Caterham for the thermostat housing update .

Yes the fan cuts in in stationary traffic when very hot but never runs for more than 30 to 45 seconds before cutting out again .

Mario149

7,750 posts

177 months

Friday 5th February 2016
quotequote all
nigelpugh7 said:
Good to hear Stuart, but those are track day 620R cars right?

Do you know how the owners of 620Rs have been coping with heat management and related issues?
My temp probs with the 620R consist of it not getting hot enough hehe Mic Attree fitted a thermostat to it but in current weather I still have 2/3s of the front grill covered in duck tape, keeps the water temp at 80 degs on the DC/motorway and a bit warmer during ither driving, whereas previously it was pretty much not registering on the dial hehe

sone

Original Poster:

4,585 posts

237 months

Tuesday 9th February 2016
quotequote all
Ok I need to make my mind up what to do with this. Looking at the cars for sale are there any no-no's . I noticed 620rs with leather seats for instance, while this appeals from a comfort point of view will it make it difficult to sell on or compromised on track? Do they all come with heaters? I've noticed one or two do! Are there any comments on the longevity of life for the engine pushing out 310BHP. Do they burn clutch's with the revised gearbox.

Cheers

Steve