R400 Options and Spec
Discussion
Bafty_Crastard said:
I don’t remember the out going R400 with all the "bells and whistles" costing £35K,
And I’ve go to say, it’s a lot of money to shell out on this type of car!
And I’ve go to say, it’s a lot of money to shell out on this type of car!
Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Saturday 27th January 12:04
i remember speccing up an R400 as an alternative to buying my duratec car and it came to ~33k with stack dash, dry sump, carbon, magnesium rims, paint etc..
"Bafty - you have clearly spent a lot of time thinking about this, and from what you say, it sounds like you thought about ordering a new R400 and then backed out. If this is the case, then can you explain what drove your decision? Was it purely a cost issue, or was there more to it?"
I’ve owned Caterhams for over 10 years the last a roller barreld R300, thoroughly enjoyed building, owning, driving and generally messing about with them. I would recommend it to anyone
My problem was I was only using the car at weekend and only then for an hour driving like a loony, after a quick blat putting it back in the garage until the next weekend. It was to extreme to drive all the time, it was to hot, to cold, to noisy, to wet, at the nearly £30K it cost, I wanted something I could use and enjoy more on those sunny days
So….I sold it with the intension to get a Boxster S, then the withdrawal set in!! I needed another Caterham....shit going round in circles, but what? no good going back is there, so after reading a few articles on the spec, in went the order for a “Cosworth” R400 as it was then, spec looked good (see Cosworth site, Roller’s, dry sump, carbon top cover, bla bla) all singing and dancing for £33K, but then as time passed my original decision made sense (for me) so I cancelled and placed an order for the Porsche
Caterhams are great, I would recommend then. But you can only drive so fast on the road and on the track? Well there is faster for less or the same money (RE: new KTM and the like), if you want both might be a good option, but they don’t look or stay good for to long being driven on the track
Bafty
I’ve owned Caterhams for over 10 years the last a roller barreld R300, thoroughly enjoyed building, owning, driving and generally messing about with them. I would recommend it to anyone
My problem was I was only using the car at weekend and only then for an hour driving like a loony, after a quick blat putting it back in the garage until the next weekend. It was to extreme to drive all the time, it was to hot, to cold, to noisy, to wet, at the nearly £30K it cost, I wanted something I could use and enjoy more on those sunny days
So….I sold it with the intension to get a Boxster S, then the withdrawal set in!! I needed another Caterham....shit going round in circles, but what? no good going back is there, so after reading a few articles on the spec, in went the order for a “Cosworth” R400 as it was then, spec looked good (see Cosworth site, Roller’s, dry sump, carbon top cover, bla bla) all singing and dancing for £33K, but then as time passed my original decision made sense (for me) so I cancelled and placed an order for the Porsche
Caterhams are great, I would recommend then. But you can only drive so fast on the road and on the track? Well there is faster for less or the same money (RE: new KTM and the like), if you want both might be a good option, but they don’t look or stay good for to long being driven on the track
Bafty
Bafty - thanks for your answer. Very clear. In so far as my purchasing decision is concerned - I'm looking for exactly the car you didn't want - i.e. a one hour sunny saturday lane blaster and odd track day jolly. I have other cars to do the other stuff - like commute, go to the shops, cruise to far away places etc - and I don't need another. So for me, something like the R400 is right up my street (assuming the spec/prices don't move too far from where they are now!).
Just getting back on topic - at the beginning of this thread, I asked the following questions:-
1. Stack dash - Yes or No?
2. Track day dampers - Who are they made by and would you recommend them?
3. Heater - Can this be fitted at a later date? I fancy trying no heater for the summer months and then maybe getting one fitted in the winter if I get the car out enough and my rear gets cold enough!
We have answered 1 and 3, but not much input has come through on question 2 and this is where I really need your views. It is clear from what everyone has said that adjustable dampers (not platforms - but damping force adjustment) are preferable to Caterhams standard non adjustable dampers. My question is - is it better to buy Caterham's adjustable dampers (a £1k option) or is it better to start with the standard Caterhams set up and buy aftermarket dampers, like Nitrons. From what I have been able to discover - Caterham tell me that their adjustables come from a company called Dynamics Suspension who are the same people that do those on the CSR.
Thanks
ps: if we want to continue the 'R400 good buy or bad buy?' topic - I suggest we set up a seperate thread... Ta.
Just getting back on topic - at the beginning of this thread, I asked the following questions:-
1. Stack dash - Yes or No?
2. Track day dampers - Who are they made by and would you recommend them?
3. Heater - Can this be fitted at a later date? I fancy trying no heater for the summer months and then maybe getting one fitted in the winter if I get the car out enough and my rear gets cold enough!
We have answered 1 and 3, but not much input has come through on question 2 and this is where I really need your views. It is clear from what everyone has said that adjustable dampers (not platforms - but damping force adjustment) are preferable to Caterhams standard non adjustable dampers. My question is - is it better to buy Caterham's adjustable dampers (a £1k option) or is it better to start with the standard Caterhams set up and buy aftermarket dampers, like Nitrons. From what I have been able to discover - Caterham tell me that their adjustables come from a company called Dynamics Suspension who are the same people that do those on the CSR.
Thanks
ps: if we want to continue the 'R400 good buy or bad buy?' topic - I suggest we set up a seperate thread... Ta.
On topic now 
1) Definitely. Nice to look at, nice to play with, cheaper/easier to add now. Though do double check which model they're fitting and check that you're going to get all the inputs you want (suggest, as a min, oil pressure and temp, water temp, fuel pressure, "stopwatch", revs, speed, mileage/odo (last three obvious!)). They look much, much better if you only have this fitted (ie no other ancillary dials).
Also see if they're up for putting buttons on the steering wheel for you to operate it, and ask if you can get them to do the general switches where you want them and have a think about this if so...
2) I'd start with the standard dampers and adjustable platforms. The Bilsteins aren't terrible (far from) and have been used for a while. You'll be able to get a very good set up with these, and save yourself a grand (or perhaps 800 quid if platforms aren't standard fit - Caterham need shooting if not!). Make sure they'll corner weight/flat floor in with your purchase price!
Once you've had some fun in the car, if you want more on the set up front, and to get over a bit of upgraditis, get soemthing like Nitrons.
3) If you're genuinely only going to use it as you've mentioned, I'd probably be inclined not to bother. You can't get cold enough in an hour, even in winter, to miss it. And it does save a decent chunk of weight.
The heater does work, however. So if you think longer jaunts in winter are likely (you can easily find yourself out for 4hrs instead of the planned 1!), it might be worth considering.
Also worth noting that the heater is a good means of providing cool fresh air to your feet. Which can be a bonus. But there are other ways of achieving this end.
On top of all this, it might be worth asking what brake pads they install by default, tyres too.
1) Definitely. Nice to look at, nice to play with, cheaper/easier to add now. Though do double check which model they're fitting and check that you're going to get all the inputs you want (suggest, as a min, oil pressure and temp, water temp, fuel pressure, "stopwatch", revs, speed, mileage/odo (last three obvious!)). They look much, much better if you only have this fitted (ie no other ancillary dials).
Also see if they're up for putting buttons on the steering wheel for you to operate it, and ask if you can get them to do the general switches where you want them and have a think about this if so...
2) I'd start with the standard dampers and adjustable platforms. The Bilsteins aren't terrible (far from) and have been used for a while. You'll be able to get a very good set up with these, and save yourself a grand (or perhaps 800 quid if platforms aren't standard fit - Caterham need shooting if not!). Make sure they'll corner weight/flat floor in with your purchase price!
Once you've had some fun in the car, if you want more on the set up front, and to get over a bit of upgraditis, get soemthing like Nitrons.
3) If you're genuinely only going to use it as you've mentioned, I'd probably be inclined not to bother. You can't get cold enough in an hour, even in winter, to miss it. And it does save a decent chunk of weight.
The heater does work, however. So if you think longer jaunts in winter are likely (you can easily find yourself out for 4hrs instead of the planned 1!), it might be worth considering.
Also worth noting that the heater is a good means of providing cool fresh air to your feet. Which can be a bonus. But there are other ways of achieving this end.
On top of all this, it might be worth asking what brake pads they install by default, tyres too.
subirg said:
We have answered 1 and 3, but not much input has come through on question 2
Why do you need upgraded dampers, whether they be the caterham adjustables or nitrons ?
Given your intended useage a stock set of bilsteins will be more than up to the job. They make a very good road/track compromise IMO and are arguably a lot more fun to drive than anything stiffer or more race orientated.
Bafty_Crastard said:
My problem was I was only using the car at weekend and only then for an hour driving like a loony, after a quick blat putting it back in the garage until the next weekend. It was to extreme to drive all the time, it was to hot, to cold, to noisy, to wet, at the nearly £30K it cost, I wanted something I could use and enjoy more on those sunny days
that rings a few bells ! Shooting the mouse with a canon etc...
best caterham for the road i ever drove was a nice simple vvc car with comfy leather seats and a great soft setup. Slow enough to drive in a fluid 'momentum style', and low enough grip to have fun on low speed roundabouts and bends.... yet fast enough for a little fizz and buzz down the odd straight. As a complete balance it was a comfortable car that you could exert your will upon on the road and feel like you were driving it quite hard.
subirg said:
Bafty - thanks for your answer. Very clear. In so far as my purchasing decision is concerned - I'm looking for exactly the car you didn't want - i.e. a one hour sunny saturday lane blaster and odd track day jolly. I have other cars to do the other stuff - like commute, go to the shops, cruise to far away places etc - and I don't need another. So for me, something like the R400 is right up my street (assuming the spec/prices don't move too far from where they are now!).
Just getting back on topic - at the beginning of this thread, I asked the following questions:-
1. Stack dash - Yes or No?
2. Track day dampers - Who are they made by and would you recommend them?
3. Heater - Can this be fitted at a later date? I fancy trying no heater for the summer months and then maybe getting one fitted in the winter if I get the car out enough and my rear gets cold enough!
We have answered 1 and 3, but not much input has come through on question 2 and this is where I really need your views. It is clear from what everyone has said that adjustable dampers (not platforms - but damping force adjustment) are preferable to Caterhams standard non adjustable dampers. My question is - is it better to buy Caterham's adjustable dampers (a £1k option) or is it better to start with the standard Caterhams set up and buy aftermarket dampers, like Nitrons. From what I have been able to discover - Caterham tell me that their adjustables come from a company called Dynamics Suspension who are the same people that do those on the CSR.
Thanks
ps: if we want to continue the 'R400 good buy or bad buy?' topic - I suggest we set up a seperate thread... Ta.
1. Yes - because it looks good! 3. Yes - because I intend to do some early morning/late eve. jaunts and get out on the occassional crisp winters day too - given the weight difference between drivers I think the weight saving issue is a red herring. 2. I've found comments here v. useful and as a consequence have spoken to a good few race teams and independent builders and the majority - make that unanimous - view is to leave the Caterham trick dampers off and if after owning the car for a while you do feel you want to upgrade buy from a specialist as they will be a) better and b) cheaper, so that's the route I'm taking. I seem to remember that that was also the advice both when I had a Roadsport and a SuperlightR race car. Just getting back on topic - at the beginning of this thread, I asked the following questions:-
1. Stack dash - Yes or No?
2. Track day dampers - Who are they made by and would you recommend them?
3. Heater - Can this be fitted at a later date? I fancy trying no heater for the summer months and then maybe getting one fitted in the winter if I get the car out enough and my rear gets cold enough!
We have answered 1 and 3, but not much input has come through on question 2 and this is where I really need your views. It is clear from what everyone has said that adjustable dampers (not platforms - but damping force adjustment) are preferable to Caterhams standard non adjustable dampers. My question is - is it better to buy Caterham's adjustable dampers (a £1k option) or is it better to start with the standard Caterhams set up and buy aftermarket dampers, like Nitrons. From what I have been able to discover - Caterham tell me that their adjustables come from a company called Dynamics Suspension who are the same people that do those on the CSR.
Thanks
ps: if we want to continue the 'R400 good buy or bad buy?' topic - I suggest we set up a seperate thread... Ta.
Oh and well said on the PS - I think we can assume that we have both decided on an R400 and NEW at that much as it seems to agrieve some people
Edited by Pugsey on Monday 29th January 08:45
Edited by Pugsey on Monday 29th January 08:46
its a great thing to be in a position to have a new caterham exactly to spec, despite the fact that 35k is somewhat of a sharp pain when you look at what you exactly get ! Nevertheless, it will still depreciate less than other cars. The duratec is a wise choice imo as is going for a dry sump, a bulletproof trackday combination... best of luck & enjoy. Are you buidling it yourself ?
jackal said:
its a great thing to be in a position to have a new caterham exactly to spec, despite the fact that 35k is somewhat of a sharp pain when you look at what you exactly get ! Nevertheless, it will still depreciate less than other cars. The duratec is a wise choice imo as is going for a dry sump, a bulletproof trackday combination... best of luck & enjoy. Are you buidling it yourself ?
Thanks! Re. building - I'd love to but don't know one end of a spanner from another. This wouldn't necessarily put me off as learning would be fun and I'm sure the satisfaction is immense. However given that I'd like the car some time this decade I think self build is out! Shame 'cos it's £3k saved. However I'm going to contact a few independents/race teams today if pos. because I seem to recall that they'll build cars for less then Caterham. Any thoughts anyone? Speak to Gary at Freestyle Motorsport, he will build you a car to your exact spec and save you money. It is nice to have a car built exactly the way you want it with the parts you choose rather than compromising and accepting the factory choice, especially when spending this sort of money.
"I think we can assume that we have both decided on an R400 and NEW as much as it seems to agrieve some people"
Not at all!!......I would always recommend buying the R400 new, also building as well, you know you can do it!!
Have fun…now where’s that reg
Bafty
Not at all!!......I would always recommend buying the R400 new, also building as well, you know you can do it!!
Have fun…now where’s that reg
Bafty
Edited by Bafty_Crastard on Monday 29th January 13:31
casbar said:
Pugsey, great choice, I live in Wilts, I have a Supersport R (Roadsport with the R300 engine upgrade)at the moment, once you get your car, I would love to come and have a butchers - good luck
Cheers! - there're some great roads between Hants and Wilts so here's to a mini summer hoon! Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff