Were 99' Superlight R300's numbered

[kiko]

All numbered Superlights (with a proper plaque) I've seen were 1.6's. The question is, at the time if you ordered a Superlight R back in 1999 was it 1.8 and had a numbered plaque as well?

[BertBert]

The SLRs in 99 were 1800 vhpd and like the SL1600s, some were numbered, some not. Mine wasn't.
Bert

[fergus]

Mine's a late 1998 SLR with an 1800 engine, which isn't numbered, and doesn't have a plaque on the dash.

[Snapper7]

I don't think the R300 model was about them

1.6k-series 134bhp Superlight (Your could spec the 1.8k-series 140bhp engine)
&
1.8k-Series 190bhp VHPD Superlight R otherwise known as SLR were the only two options

The R300 was the 1.8k-series on 140bhp with the Caterham Roller barrel throttle bodies added that would up the power to approx 160bhp.

[Tango7]

There were 127 Superlight R's apparently with the last one being V11 UFO. They all had 1800 VHPD engines with throttlebodies. Early ones were KV6's and then PTP ones and (according to Caterham) the very last ones had Rollerbarrels. Not sure all were numbered and carry a plaque but the ones I have seen all show "SLR" in the middle of their chassis numbers which is sort of definitive

[footsoldier]

Snapper7 said:

I don't think the R300 model was about them

1.6k-series 134bhp Superlight (Your could spec the 1.8k-series 140bhp engine)
&
1.8k-Series 190bhp VHPD Superlight R otherwise known as SLR were the only two options

The R300 was the 1.8k-series on 140bhp with the Caterham Roller barrel throttle bodies added that would up the power to approx 160bhp.

There's a couple of 190 SLRs and an R300 for sale on Caterham website.

http://www.caterham.co.uk/assets/html/preowned/pre...

I'm sure they're all a bit overpriced, but apart from that, what are main differences? The SLR must be faster, but what about reliability etc?

[Murph7355]

The SLR is considerably faster than an SL. Reliability shouldn't be a problem if it's been properly looked after too (regular oil changes, making sure temps etc are always under control).

Make sure it has a dry sump too.

[BertBert]

Snapper7 said:

The R300 was the 1.8k-series on 140bhp with the Caterham Roller barrel throttle bodies added that would up the power to approx 160bhp.

The (k-series) R300 was approx 160bhp from 1800 with caterham roller barrels (the original R300s, not many of them) followed by the 1800 VVC engine. The VVC engine I assume being cheaper and easier than building 1800s with RTBs.

On the reliability front, I think you can use the "reliability as a function of level of tune" idea to some degree. With the range of 140 to 230bhp from 1800 being a measure! Not entirely accurate, but a guide.

Bert

[BertBert]

Just looked at caterham's used superlights in the link. Interesting to see the R300 and Supersport R at the same price 20,995. Very similar cars (same engine size and output). Doesn't say if the R300 is VVC, but I suspect it is.

Slightly different specs (Tillets, Stack Dash), different mileage.

BErt

[footsoldier]

I have to say I'm a bit lost with all the different models, not being (even close to) a Caterham expert.

Has the chassis (not SV), and other components been developed much over the last few years, or is it just a case of different engines depending on taste, how fast you want to go, and how reliable they are?

Is there much difference buying a well-looked after 5-6 year old car versus a new one? eg is a 09 R3009 R300 much better in practice than a 99 R300 or Supersports R etc, forgetting issues of wear and warranty?