Superlight R - engine maintenance costs

Superlight R - engine maintenance costs

Author
Discussion

Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,334 posts

108 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Anyone with experience of running a Superlight R? What are the maintenance costs like? I recall reading that the engine needs frequent work because of the power extracted.

anotherjohnv

1,285 posts

196 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Read a bit more! A 'k' superlight R will last for years and many miles if you look after it.

FST

42 posts

101 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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I ran an SLR for 6 years, 6000 miles when bought, 18 when sold, with an average of five trackdays a year. I had a precautionary HG replacement half way through, but otherwise it didn't miss a beat. Fabulous, agile, reliable car..

K800 RUM

351 posts

191 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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and quick Stephen! smile

Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,334 posts

108 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Is a dry sump a nice to have or almost must have option for a SLR?

I'm tempted by one of the SLRs on the market. Seems to have a good spec and in my fav colour (I know that shouldn't play such a big role) but doesn't have DS.

I would probably do a couple of track days a year but other than that would be road use. Last fun car (early 911) I did about 5000 in the year I had it.

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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No need for a DS for a couple of track days a year. More than that, then you need one. Going rate for an SLR is £16-£18k, more for an R400. The youngest real SLR is 14 years old now. Beware of cars purporting to be an SLR or R400 that aren't. No plaque means it didn't leave the factory or as a CKD as one and the value is affected.

Great cars but on a car at 20,000 miles or more I'd be looking to make sure oil pressure remains strong after a run and doesn't fade when cornering. They tend to get driven hard and in my experience you do need to be religious about keeping the oil topped up to avoid oil surge when cornering which starves the bearings.

I loved the 2 I ran. Right balance of power and came on cam nicely at 4250 rpm.

Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,334 posts

108 months

Friday 12th February 2016
quotequote all
The SLRs I've seen advertised are quite a bit more than £16-£18k (£23k). I've seen SLs in that range. Dealers trying to extract the Michael? I've had lots of 911s so a bit comfortable about sportting a good or bad one but I've got no knowledge of Caterhams (even though they have been on my "got to own at some point" list for over 20 years!

FST

42 posts

101 months

Friday 12th February 2016
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Yes you should expect to pay 21 upwards from a dealer, 18 upwards privately. I had a wet sump despite all the trackdays - it was fine, with great OP and no oil surge (except for a brief period when I took the baffle out, which caused big pressure drops when hard cornering on left handers). The VHPD is a great engine!

Esceptico

Original Poster:

7,334 posts

108 months

Saturday 13th February 2016
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Called dealer about SLR I was interest in...gone. Other SLR they had.
Gone! Seems Spring has arrived early...

j555

121 posts

227 months

Sunday 14th February 2016
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FST said:
Yes you should expect to pay 21 upwards from a dealer, 18 upwards privately. I had a wet sump despite all the trackdays - it was fine, with great OP and no oil surge (except for a brief period when I took the baffle out, which caused big pressure drops when hard cornering on left handers). The VHPD is a great engine!
Interesting comment about the baffle. Is this the foam in the sump (that many recommend removing), or something else?

FST

42 posts

101 months

Monday 15th February 2016
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Yes - the foam baffle. I removed it soon after getting the car, following all the advice everywhere that they tend to break up and can cause fatal oil starvation.

Then, when I started to take the car on track, I found I was getting serious oil pressure drop on fast left- hand corners. I took lots more advice, modified the sump gasket etc etc. Nothing worked, so I thought I better take the plunge and get a dry sump. But before committing to that I thought I'd try re-fitting the foam baffle. Result? Problem instantly cured, oil pressure rock steady in all cornering situations..

The baffle does have a real purpose, and it evidently works. So don't believe any who says different! As a precaution against deterioration, however, I replaced the foam baffle annually from then onwards.

All good.

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Monday 15th February 2016
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rubystone said:
No need for a DS for a couple of track days a year.
Not sure I agree with this. If you get oil surge then it's very bad and will cause damage every lap. So if you are getting it, then it needs sorting regardless of whether it's one or ten track days.
Bert

rubystone

11,252 posts

258 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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BertBert said:
Not sure I agree with this. If you get oil surge then it's very bad and will cause damage every lap. So if you are getting it, then it needs sorting regardless of whether it's one or ten track days.
Bert
I know what you're saying, but from my experience, making sure the oil is topped right up and all should be OK (unless you're fitting slicks)....

But I'd always be looking for one with DS if I bought another - that piece of mind is worth a fortune!

BertBert

18,954 posts

210 months

Tuesday 16th February 2016
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Ah yes, agreed there!