I've just ordered a new 485
Discussion
Hi all.
After reading this forum on a regular basis, now I’ve decided to write my first post in this Caterham PH community. The reason is that last Saturday I confirmed the order of a new 485.
I am Spanish (37) and live in Switzerland (Zurich) since January. Therefore, please excuse my rubbish English.
So yes, I have ordered a Caterham 485 with many of the available options, from the race pack and carbon wings all around, to a fire extinguisher, the Tillet B6 seats (those mounted in the 620 R) or the Momo 28 mm in suede. The spec I have chosen is pretty much track-oriented, although I will use the car as well to travel through the different alpine pass available here.
The car includes the membership for the Caterham owners club of Switzerland, and I will try to get involved as much as I can. However I do not speak German (only Spanish, rubbish English and even worse French) making the interaction very difficult, therefore I’ll be happy to meet any owner around that I can speak with.
The only downside is that the car won’t be delivered until mid-May 2015. I can’t believe the waiting list that Caterham has. I do not know if it is because of a huge demand of the new 160, but it is 9 months (exactly like a baby).
I’ve seen all the youtube videos, I’ve read a lot about the subject, I’ve driven the car...but I will have to book another test drive to calm the anxiety. However, any recommendations to help getting me through these long 9 months waiting, will be welcome.
Thank you all.
After reading this forum on a regular basis, now I’ve decided to write my first post in this Caterham PH community. The reason is that last Saturday I confirmed the order of a new 485.
I am Spanish (37) and live in Switzerland (Zurich) since January. Therefore, please excuse my rubbish English.
So yes, I have ordered a Caterham 485 with many of the available options, from the race pack and carbon wings all around, to a fire extinguisher, the Tillet B6 seats (those mounted in the 620 R) or the Momo 28 mm in suede. The spec I have chosen is pretty much track-oriented, although I will use the car as well to travel through the different alpine pass available here.
The car includes the membership for the Caterham owners club of Switzerland, and I will try to get involved as much as I can. However I do not speak German (only Spanish, rubbish English and even worse French) making the interaction very difficult, therefore I’ll be happy to meet any owner around that I can speak with.
The only downside is that the car won’t be delivered until mid-May 2015. I can’t believe the waiting list that Caterham has. I do not know if it is because of a huge demand of the new 160, but it is 9 months (exactly like a baby).
I’ve seen all the youtube videos, I’ve read a lot about the subject, I’ve driven the car...but I will have to book another test drive to calm the anxiety. However, any recommendations to help getting me through these long 9 months waiting, will be welcome.
Thank you all.
Congratulations! I have never worked out how Caterham decide on delivery dates. My car arrived three months early! In fairness to Caterham they would have delivered at a later date if I'd wanted. I think it's all down to how many cancelled orders they have, but I'm Sure JD PH will give us the full story.
Enjoy the car whenever it arrives
Enjoy the car whenever it arrives
Well there is one thing we can be sure of, your English is 1000% better than our Spanish would ever be!
It's also curious that you are now allowed to spec the 620R seats on other models.
As per Daniels problems when he ordered them as. A special for his R500, even though he stuck out and did get them in the end, I thought CC we're going to insist that only 620R customers could have those seats.
I suspect there are lots of people who are ordering new cars from CC who would like the option of those seats!
It's also curious that you are now allowed to spec the 620R seats on other models.
As per Daniels problems when he ordered them as. A special for his R500, even though he stuck out and did get them in the end, I thought CC we're going to insist that only 620R customers could have those seats.
I suspect there are lots of people who are ordering new cars from CC who would like the option of those seats!
Thank you guys for your answers.
You are correct: the car will be delivered right for the spring/summer season. Up to mid April I wouldn't be able to use it without winter tyres, so I am forced to wait anyway.
Those of you living in the UK are lucky, having the R500’s and R620’s, which are illegal here. In Europe, due to emissions restriction, we have to comply with the EU6 regulations, and that's why CC developed the 485. But I bet I'll have more than enough to have fun with the car, even when it is not the R620.
Regarding the seats, it was a proposal from Fredy Kumschick (the owner of the Swiss dealer), who told me they would order these ones for my car, as well as the 620R wheels too (magnesium I think?). I tried other seat they had in the shop, a carbon one from Tillet with Caterham name on the headrest, but it was bigger than my bottom needs and it wouldn’t fit in my S3 chassis. So it doesn't seem a problem to get the Tillet B6 of the 620R into other Caterhams.
By the way, does anybody know what exactly does the “sport” button that Caterham has placed in the dash of the 485?. Theoretically speaking, it makes the throttle response sharper and I’m not sure if it opens any valve on the exhaust……but what’s the point?. We buy a car that should be in “sport mode” all the time, without buttons.
Thanks again.
You are correct: the car will be delivered right for the spring/summer season. Up to mid April I wouldn't be able to use it without winter tyres, so I am forced to wait anyway.
Those of you living in the UK are lucky, having the R500’s and R620’s, which are illegal here. In Europe, due to emissions restriction, we have to comply with the EU6 regulations, and that's why CC developed the 485. But I bet I'll have more than enough to have fun with the car, even when it is not the R620.
Regarding the seats, it was a proposal from Fredy Kumschick (the owner of the Swiss dealer), who told me they would order these ones for my car, as well as the 620R wheels too (magnesium I think?). I tried other seat they had in the shop, a carbon one from Tillet with Caterham name on the headrest, but it was bigger than my bottom needs and it wouldn’t fit in my S3 chassis. So it doesn't seem a problem to get the Tillet B6 of the 620R into other Caterhams.
By the way, does anybody know what exactly does the “sport” button that Caterham has placed in the dash of the 485?. Theoretically speaking, it makes the throttle response sharper and I’m not sure if it opens any valve on the exhaust……but what’s the point?. We buy a car that should be in “sport mode” all the time, without buttons.
Thanks again.
DCL said:
Ah right, marketing speak for what we would call an R500, but it's eu compliant to whatever number they are up to now. Cheers.I wish the 485 would be just marketing, however I believe it makes reference to the power to weight ratio.
If I am not wrong, the R500 has 263hp, while the 485 has "only" 240. Divided by the weight, you get 500hp per ton on the R500 and 485hp per ton on the "european" version, more or less.
I wish we would have the same regulations that you enjoy in the UK.
If I am not wrong, the R500 has 263hp, while the 485 has "only" 240. Divided by the weight, you get 500hp per ton on the R500 and 485hp per ton on the "european" version, more or less.
I wish we would have the same regulations that you enjoy in the UK.
Enjoy! 
Hi Madriles,
I collected my Caterham CSR175 (CSR Chassis but R300 Engine) from Kumschick in early 2013, at that time it was the top model available in Switzerland - not long after they released the 485....typical! Recently considered trading up to the 485 but my wife just had a second baby so that put a stop to that! I also had a long wait for mine. Fortunatly, like you, most of that was over the winter so you won't miss much. Although driving in the snow is pretty crazy....
I'm located not far from Zurich - drop me a PM if you want to meet up for a drive sometime.
cheers,
Andy
I collected my Caterham CSR175 (CSR Chassis but R300 Engine) from Kumschick in early 2013, at that time it was the top model available in Switzerland - not long after they released the 485....typical! Recently considered trading up to the 485 but my wife just had a second baby so that put a stop to that! I also had a long wait for mine. Fortunatly, like you, most of that was over the winter so you won't miss much. Although driving in the snow is pretty crazy....
I'm located not far from Zurich - drop me a PM if you want to meet up for a drive sometime.
cheers,
Andy
Edited by KernowSwiss on Tuesday 12th August 16:07
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