New Supersport R - must have options.
Discussion
Hi All
Had a very enjoyable morning at Caterham South showroom this morning and have left a deposit to get onto the waiting list for Spring next year for a Supersport R.
I plan to self build and have the car read for summer. Would be very interested to hear what owners think are must have options.
Usage for me would be predominately weekend blats, half a dozen track days per annum and the odd long weekend European road trip to Le Mans Classic etc..
Look forward to the feedback.
Choosing colours seems the hardest part, still I love having this kind of problem!
Had a very enjoyable morning at Caterham South showroom this morning and have left a deposit to get onto the waiting list for Spring next year for a Supersport R.
I plan to self build and have the car read for summer. Would be very interested to hear what owners think are must have options.
Usage for me would be predominately weekend blats, half a dozen track days per annum and the odd long weekend European road trip to Le Mans Classic etc..
Look forward to the feedback.
Choosing colours seems the hardest part, still I love having this kind of problem!
so rather than full weather gear alot of people swear by half hood. Lowered floors so not only you don't have any problems head wise (not sure how tall you are) but will make it more viable resale time. Seats is personal choice as is heater - 12 volt power socket would help with gadgets.
Congrats! Did you go for a test drive? What did you think?
I have been an owner for only 6 months, but here's my view on options:
Lowered Floors - Certainly good for resale but pretty much wholly dependant on your build (suits you, sir!)
FIA/Track day bar - A must for L7C track days. If I were speccing a new car, I would 100% have this.
12V socket - Well worth having, although as a DiY it's faaaaaar cheaper than getting it from Caterham.
Removable steering wheel - For me this is a must. No stupid steering lock when manoeuvring the car into the garage, decent security and the ability to remove it when working under the scuttle.
Aeroscreen - a must to truly experience the magic although, unless you're Bear Grylles, probably best to get the screen and full weather gear too.
Seats - Totally down to preference.
Heater - A must have for me. Turn it off when you don't need it, but use it when you do. Unless you're (extremely) worried about weight, it's a must have IMO.
I can't really think of any more at present, but someone will come along with more good advise - and all the bits I've missed - soon enough.
Cheers.
I have been an owner for only 6 months, but here's my view on options:
Lowered Floors - Certainly good for resale but pretty much wholly dependant on your build (suits you, sir!)
FIA/Track day bar - A must for L7C track days. If I were speccing a new car, I would 100% have this.
12V socket - Well worth having, although as a DiY it's faaaaaar cheaper than getting it from Caterham.
Removable steering wheel - For me this is a must. No stupid steering lock when manoeuvring the car into the garage, decent security and the ability to remove it when working under the scuttle.
Aeroscreen - a must to truly experience the magic although, unless you're Bear Grylles, probably best to get the screen and full weather gear too.
Seats - Totally down to preference.
Heater - A must have for me. Turn it off when you don't need it, but use it when you do. Unless you're (extremely) worried about weight, it's a must have IMO.
I can't really think of any more at present, but someone will come along with more good advise - and all the bits I've missed - soon enough.
Cheers.
Firstly congrats, great choice of seven 
From what you've written on your usage of the car, I'd say the 'must have' that hasn't been mentioned already (and especially if you're doing blats and track days) are 13" wheels and tyres. They give a more compliant ride, are more predictable on the limit and give you more options for specific tyres. Depending on your height (as said already) lowered floors might be a must and also tillet seats. For info I'm 5'9" and don't have lowered floors and I find it perfect.
From what you've written on your usage of the car, I'd say the 'must have' that hasn't been mentioned already (and especially if you're doing blats and track days) are 13" wheels and tyres. They give a more compliant ride, are more predictable on the limit and give you more options for specific tyres. Depending on your height (as said already) lowered floors might be a must and also tillet seats. For info I'm 5'9" and don't have lowered floors and I find it perfect.
Hi Redbrix,
Good choice, I ordered my Supersport R kit a couple of months ago.
My spec is
220 bhp upgrade which includes TB's
Dry sump
Lowered floors
Full weather
Aeroscreen
Master cylinder upgrade
FIA roll bar
carbon dash
QR Wheel
Wide rears
Weather gear
Tonneau cover
I guess I think these are essential
And you are correct choosing the colours is the most difficult decision.
Good luck with the Build.
Good choice, I ordered my Supersport R kit a couple of months ago.
My spec is
220 bhp upgrade which includes TB's
Dry sump
Lowered floors
Full weather
Aeroscreen
Master cylinder upgrade
FIA roll bar
carbon dash
QR Wheel
Wide rears
Weather gear
Tonneau cover
I guess I think these are essential
And you are correct choosing the colours is the most difficult decision.
Good luck with the Build.
Suede wheel is less slippery allowing a gentler grip and more feel if that makes sense? No matching IVA pad though but Caterham sent me a leather one to cable tie on.
Shame about the unhelpful comment from Downsman.
I am 6" and I like the space and comfort of the SV. S3 was too narrow at the shoulders for me.
Lowered floors make you feel more in than on the car and provide more space above the top of year head if you roll it.
Shame about the unhelpful comment from Downsman.
I am 6" and I like the space and comfort of the SV. S3 was too narrow at the shoulders for me.
Lowered floors make you feel more in than on the car and provide more space above the top of year head if you roll it.
Backing up what others have said I would say the following are must haves:
Weather gear
Heater
13" wheels (you can have wider rears which is what I did, to be honest 6" all round might be more fun)
FIA bar (definitely get this)
Lowered floors (I'm 5,8" and find the position great)
Don't bother with the 12v lighter. It's a £5 job at best and you can do it yourself during the build. Spend the £120 caterham ask for on something else more worth while.
I echo what someone else said, get yourself some amourfend or 3m protective film and apply it during the build. The rear arches in particular would benefit from being covered before you drill them and apply the carbon sill protectors. The edges that aren't protected by these get pebble dashed very quickly.
Weather gear
Heater
13" wheels (you can have wider rears which is what I did, to be honest 6" all round might be more fun)
FIA bar (definitely get this)
Lowered floors (I'm 5,8" and find the position great)
Don't bother with the 12v lighter. It's a £5 job at best and you can do it yourself during the build. Spend the £120 caterham ask for on something else more worth while.
I echo what someone else said, get yourself some amourfend or 3m protective film and apply it during the build. The rear arches in particular would benefit from being covered before you drill them and apply the carbon sill protectors. The edges that aren't protected by these get pebble dashed very quickly.
Uprated Master Cylinder
4 pot brakes
Given the problems people have had in the Academy with the new master cylinder, definitely go for the uprated one - even if you don't get the big brakes.
Other that that, I'll echo what everyone else has said. You already get the 13" wheels and LSD as standard on the Supersport, so the rest of the spec is down to you
.
In regards to S3 or SV. I found the SV very uncomfortable (5'8"). The gear knob was too far back for me and I couldn't comfortably reach the pedals. The S3 with lowered floors however is perfect for me.
4 pot brakes
Given the problems people have had in the Academy with the new master cylinder, definitely go for the uprated one - even if you don't get the big brakes.
Other that that, I'll echo what everyone else has said. You already get the 13" wheels and LSD as standard on the Supersport, so the rest of the spec is down to you
.In regards to S3 or SV. I found the SV very uncomfortable (5'8"). The gear knob was too far back for me and I couldn't comfortably reach the pedals. The S3 with lowered floors however is perfect for me.
Edited by framerateuk on Friday 12th September 13:46
RedCat7 said:
Suede wheel is less slippery allowing a gentler grip and more feel if that makes sense? No matching IVA pad though but Caterham sent me a leather one to cable tie on.
Shame about the unhelpful comment from Downsman.
I am 6" and I like the space and comfort of the SV. S3 was too narrow at the shoulders for me.
Lowered floors make you feel more in than on the car and provide more space above the top of year head if you roll it.
I'm well under 6' but much prefer the SV. My R400 kit is due in December. SV and lowered floors. I was told SVs now make up 50% of sales and are increasing.Shame about the unhelpful comment from Downsman.
I am 6" and I like the space and comfort of the SV. S3 was too narrow at the shoulders for me.
Lowered floors make you feel more in than on the car and provide more space above the top of year head if you roll it.
REALIST123 said:
I'm well under 6' but much prefer the SV. My R400 kit is due in December. SV and lowered floors. I was told SVs now make up 50% of sales and are increasing.
Shows just how the average increasing waistline in the UK is directly proportional to Caterham's SV sales. LOLI have an R400 s3........ I'm 5'9" 75kgs
mike150 said:
REALIST123 said:
I'm well under 6' but much prefer the SV. My R400 kit is due in December. SV and lowered floors. I was told SVs now make up 50% of sales and are increasing.
Shows just how the average increasing waistline in the UK is directly proportional to Caterham's SV sales. LOLI have an R400 s3........ I'm 5'9" 75kgs
In all honesty, I don't see the advantage of the S3 other than a few kg lighter.
I just like the snugness of a standard chassis, I like cars that are just big enough for my needs and the s3 is just big enough. Be different if I struggled to fit in it! The only thing I have to do is wear small shoes!
I had an 08 Westfeld FW and it was a bit more roomy, somewhere between the SV and s3, normal shoes where fine to drive it.
I had an 08 Westfeld FW and it was a bit more roomy, somewhere between the SV and s3, normal shoes where fine to drive it.
Quite a few people have now mentioned that a heater is an essential. I have spec'd mine without as I only used the one I had in my last one to aid cooling, it was a K series. I used it all year around including in the snow, but never thought it was that efficient.
From everything I have heard the duratec cockpit is as toasty place to be, sandwiched between tunnel and exhaust. I am tempted to see if I can modify a heated seat pad to fit in a tillet as a lightweight alternative.
From everything I have heard the duratec cockpit is as toasty place to be, sandwiched between tunnel and exhaust. I am tempted to see if I can modify a heated seat pad to fit in a tillet as a lightweight alternative.
REALIST123 said:
...
In all honesty, I don't see the advantage of the S3 other than a few kg lighter.
"other than a few kg lighter" - the whole point of a 7 is weight, or lack of In all honesty, I don't see the advantage of the S3 other than a few kg lighter.
Adding weight for no reason would make Chapman spin in his grave. Most of us spend good money shaving off the odd 100g 
The S3 also feels much more intimate. You feel so much more connected to the car. It's like wearing a well fitted running shoe versus a wellie.
I bought my 7 well before the SV was ever even considered. I'm 6'4" and have weighed 90kg-120kg during ownership. I've driven an SV but didn't really like it. You feel the extra weight and size. Feels less special, much more like a normal car. A bit of awkwardness getting in and out are the sort of foibles that set cars like this apart from your normal cars.
All just opinions of course. Each to their own. If making the SV has opened up the world of 7s to people who would never have considered it before, then so much the better. Call it 7-lite rather than light
Murph7355 said:
REALIST123 said:
...
In all honesty, I don't see the advantage of the S3 other than a few kg lighter.
"other than a few kg lighter" - the whole point of a 7 is weight, or lack of In all honesty, I don't see the advantage of the S3 other than a few kg lighter.
Adding weight for no reason would make Chapman spin in his grave. Most of us spend good money shaving off the odd 100g The S3 also feels much more intimate. You feel so much more connected to the car. It's like wearing a well fitted running shoe versus a wellie.
I bought my 7 well before the SV was ever even considered. I'm 6'4" and have weighed 90kg-120kg during ownership. I've driven an SV but didn't really like it. You feel the extra weight and size. Feels less special, much more like a normal car. A bit of awkwardness getting in and out are the sort of foibles that set cars like this apart from your normal cars.
All just opinions of course. Each to their own. If making the SV has opened up the world of 7s to people who would never have considered it before, then so much the better. Call it 7-lite rather than light
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