I'm the PH new boy!

I'm the PH new boy!

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JD PH

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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scz4 said:
Thanks for answering my question above JD. It's something Lawrence is interested too, we've exchanged a few threads and emails debating what's best.

I guess the deciding question could befrownfor me anyway).......

For mostly B road blasts (B for bumpy) with the odd track day thrown in, does De Dion or the Links Wattage rear end suit those needs best?

On a related note and something I've seen mentioned here many times, has the rear ride height design changed in the last 3 or 4 years, they seem to sit very very high now. For example:

No problem! In terms of the Watts linkage it makes near enough no difference at all - I'd be amazed if anyone this side of Fernando Hamilton could genuinely tell it was there.

Regarding ride height - it shouldn't have, but that'd all in the set up. First thing I'd do when buying my own Seven would be to set it up to my preferences - Caterham or any of the official Caterham race teams can help with this. They're extremely sensitive to set up and it is all down to preference, and as such I find it amazing that more people spend so much on a thoroughbred sports car but then don't spend a few hundred quid tailoring it to their preferences.

LawrenceR

202 posts

246 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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JD PH said:
LawrenceR said:
This is very interesting to me, I would be keen to know your thoughts on my decision.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have paid my deposit to secure my built slot but am spec'ing it up tomorrow. Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks in advance
I'd say that unless you can stretch your £30k to more like £35 - £40k then I'd go Supersport R - you'll be able to get more of your wish list, and you could always have a factory power upgrade done at some point.

Just my opinion mind you.
Thanks for your comments and congratulations on your new role. From this side it is a great community to be part of!

I have stretched the budget about as far as it can and it is a choice between the 220 upgrade and the 6 speed box. Unless I want an un painted R400 with no weather gear.


Edited by LawrenceR on Friday 25th July 14:26

JD PH

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
LawrenceR said:
JD PH said:
LawrenceR said:
This is very interesting to me, I would be keen to know your thoughts on my decision.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

I have paid my deposit to secure my built slot but am spec'ing it up tomorrow. Any thoughts welcome.

Thanks in advance
I'd say that unless you can stretch your £30k to more like £35 - £40k then I'd go Supersport R - you'll be able to get more of your wish list, and you could always have a factory power upgrade done at some point.

Just my opinion mind you.
Thanks for your comments and congratulations on your new role. From this side it is a great community to be part of!

I have stretched the budget about as far as it can and it is a choice between the 220 upgrade and the 6 speed box. Unless I want an un painted R400 with no weather gear.


Edited by LawrenceR on Friday 25th July 14:26
Decisions, decisions! Either way you'll end up with a lovely car... perhaps go with the 6 speed gearbox and then you can get the 220bhp upgrade at a later date?

You pay your money, you make your choices!

downsman

1,099 posts

155 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Welcome to Pistonheads, it is is nice you introduced yourself on this forum too smile

Grubbster

324 posts

169 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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LawrenceR said:
Thanks for your comments and congratulations on your new role. From this side it is a great community to be part of!

I have stretched the budget about as far as it can and it is a choice between the 220 upgrade and the 6 speed box. Unless I want an un painted R400 with no weather gear.


Edited by LawrenceR on Friday 25th July 14:26
220 upgrade and a different 5 speed box would get my vote (http://www.spcomponents.co.uk/gpage3.html) SPC's Tracsport Type 9 rocket is a great piece of kit when you have a high powered engine to go with it.

jamiebae

6,245 posts

210 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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JD PH said:
I can;t say I'm that familiar with the export side of things, but it'll undoubtedly be a combination of exchange rates, local taxes and dealer margins (for warranty) etc.
Sounds about right. Now if only I could get a parking space to put it in for less than £130 a month I'd be putting down a deposit on one.

nigelpugh7

5,995 posts

189 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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James, welcome to PH.

You and I are already well connected, outside of PH, so I will refrain from any comments on your past history.

In the same vein, I can only offer a small piece of advice here on PH members and posts relating to their beloved Caterhams.

I would stay away from general advice on what is good and bad regarding caterham options and preferred set ups.

Whilst we all know you worked for CC for many years, and I also know that your role was more a product marketing manager role, than a pure marketing role, I would like to suggest that a lot of people here have a deeper and broader understanding of caterham technicalities etc.

As such you may find that your opinions might meet with quite a strong resistance from the longer standing members here on PH?

JD PH

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
nigelpugh7 said:
James, welcome to PH.

You and I are already well connected, outside of PH, so I will refrain from any comments on your past history.

In the same vein, I can only offer a small piece of advice here on PH members and posts relating to their beloved Caterhams.

I would stay away from general advice on what is good and bad regarding caterham options and preferred set ups.

Whilst we all know you worked for CC for many years, and I also know that your role was more a product marketing manager role, than a pure marketing role, I would like to suggest that a lot of people here have a deeper and broader understanding of caterham technicalities etc.

As such you may find that your opinions might meet with quite a strong resistance from the longer standing members here on PH?
Hey Nigel,

I agree to an extent, but I would temper that by pointing out that not only did I work for Caterham as the marketing manager but my friends and colleagues were / are professional engineers, designers, accountants and technicians who work on Sevens day in and day out. It isn't their hobby, it is their livelihood. You tend to pick up quite a lot of information and I might just surprise you with the depth of my knowledge!

Anyway, I'm here to help if people would like my thoughts - I've got no axe to grind and purely offer an opinion (from my point of view of course) to anyone who might like it - I'm not here to start arguments, only to help and perhaps give an alternative view on some things.

JD



nigelpugh7

5,995 posts

189 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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James, I fully agree.

Then you might what to reconsider this statement you made earlier!

No problem! In terms of the Watts linkage it makes near enough no difference at all - I'd be amazed if anyone this side of Fernando Hamilton could genuinely tell it was there.

lawtoma

110 posts

192 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Welcome aboard JD!
I'm another new 7er, picked mine up in June, and I'm already booking in for the 1000 mile service!!
Good luck with the new role!
T

JD PH

Original Poster:

2,668 posts

116 months

Friday 25th July 2014
quotequote all
lawtoma said:
Welcome aboard JD!
I'm another new 7er, picked mine up in June, and I'm already booking in for the 1000 mile service!!
Good luck with the new role!
T
Brilliant, glad you're enjoying it!

sfaulds

653 posts

277 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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Feck me - you're in for a world of st on this forum. Good luck pal wink

Eric Mc

121,765 posts

264 months

Friday 25th July 2014
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I've had my 7 for 18 years. I still know not much about its innards - although I love the car and the history of the marque.

ghibbett

1,900 posts

184 months

Saturday 26th July 2014
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Hi James thumbup

As mentioned by another PH'er, thanks for popping in here to introduce yourself.

My only question, and one I'm surprised has yet to be asked, is why do you not own a Caterham yourself...confused

thequietone

170 posts

200 months

Saturday 26th July 2014
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nigelpugh7 said:
James, I fully agree.

Then you might what to reconsider this statement you made earlier!

No problem! In terms of the Watts linkage it makes near enough no difference at all - I'd be amazed if anyone this side of Fernando Hamilton could genuinely tell it was there.
Reckon he's about right there. wink

darth_pies

693 posts

216 months

Saturday 26th July 2014
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nigelpugh7 said:
Whilst we all know you worked for CC for many years, and I also know that your role was more a product marketing manager role, than a pure marketing role, I would like to suggest that a lot of people here have a deeper and broader understanding of caterham technicalities etc.

As such you may find that your opinions might meet with quite a strong resistance from the longer standing members here on PH?
Or you could look at it this way...he's driven every type of caterham in anger, back to back, with and without all the options, most days of the week, over a period of 8 years. [Disclosure: i know James, this is actually the case]
Who outside of the Caterham company gets to make this kind of direct comparison of what drives best?

But you're right, no doubt somebody with a beard will be along shortly to passionately defend the Watts linkage and tell us that marketing people don't know what they're talking about! rolleyes

Chrisp5782

630 posts

137 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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nigelpugh7 said:
James, I fully agree.

Then you might what to reconsider this statement you made earlier!

No problem! In terms of the Watts linkage it makes near enough no difference at all - I'd be amazed if anyone this side of Fernando Hamilton could genuinely tell it was there.
To be fair, he did say anything he said was just his opinion - everyone, regardless of knowledge or experience, is entitled to one aren't they, even if it doesn't match anothers?

Dave211

1,670 posts

180 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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Welcome aboard James.

Great to have someone with such a wealth of knowledge on caterhams, that will no doubt support the advice of other long term owners. Don't hold back.... All advice welcomed smile

Need to move onto my 3rd caterham for mainly fast country road use. Loved the 140bhp k series , followed by R300K. Tempted by something like a R500D but wonder if I'll spoil the fun / balance of lower powered cars for the use mentioned above. Thoughts ?

Dave

VinceFox

20,566 posts

171 months

Monday 28th July 2014
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needy fker.

V7SLR

456 posts

185 months

Tuesday 29th July 2014
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V7SLR said:
JD PH said:
2) You're going to do a lot of touring / motorway miles (the 4th gear in a 5 speed box is the same ratio as 6th in a 6 speed. This is because 5th in a 5 speed gear is overdrive - hence great for motorways). In lower powered cars it does slow it down - we used to joke that a 6 speed box is "like adding 20 bhp".
So is the same diff ratio now used with both?
I can't see any details on the Caterham site so someone with "inside" knowledge might be able to help?