R300 / R400 duratec- Secondhand prices / Availability
Discussion
Interested in a R300 or R400 duratec and trying to get a feel of prices and availability to check that I don't spend time dreaming about what I think I can afford but in the short time I have been looking there is a lack of cars available.
What should I expect to pay for a second hand R400 / R300 duratec ?
Where is the best place to find one ?
or should I buy a k series R400 and get on with it ?
Any advice appreciated.
What should I expect to pay for a second hand R400 / R300 duratec ?
Where is the best place to find one ?
or should I buy a k series R400 and get on with it ?
Any advice appreciated.
They do come up from time to time but demand is high at the moment so they tend to be sold by word of mouth, rather than being advertised nationally. Alternately Caterham would probably find one if you don't mind paying top prices. I guess £26k+ is about the norm for a reasonable example.
Edited by DCL on Tuesday 26th June 09:23
ChrisG C2S said:
I'm interested in this one, I have a well spec'd 2011 R400 Duratec with 1800 miles which I might be looking to sell. I have no idea how to price it though.
Any opinions on value?
Chris's car is one of the best R400 Duratecs out there right now!!Any opinions on value?
Its also hardly done any miles, so is in as new condition!!
I would make Chris an offer you ever know you might just strike a deal!!
Good luck.
Nige.
Thanks all for your input.
As I am new to the Caterham world I have been reading various forum posts regarding the k series and duratec engines but there does not seem to be much substance behind some of the reliability comments.
I understand that there are other differences between the k series and duratec cars, but it is reliability that i am interested in as my last 'classic' car spent too much time at the side of the road.
I am trying to ascertain whether the k series engines in R400 form are unreliable across all R400 cars and on what basis, so its a when rather than a may have problem, or is it a small fraction of highly tuned R500+ cars that have had problems, or is it a perceived problem because of a number of engines having head gasket failure affecting a small percentage of all k series engines?
Thanks for any opinions.
As I am new to the Caterham world I have been reading various forum posts regarding the k series and duratec engines but there does not seem to be much substance behind some of the reliability comments.
I understand that there are other differences between the k series and duratec cars, but it is reliability that i am interested in as my last 'classic' car spent too much time at the side of the road.
I am trying to ascertain whether the k series engines in R400 form are unreliable across all R400 cars and on what basis, so its a when rather than a may have problem, or is it a small fraction of highly tuned R500+ cars that have had problems, or is it a perceived problem because of a number of engines having head gasket failure affecting a small percentage of all k series engines?
Thanks for any opinions.
Pimmy said:
or is it a small fraction of highly tuned R500+ cars that have had problems, or is it a perceived problem because of a number of engines having head gasket failure affecting a small percentage of all k series engines?
This.Once the remidial work has been done:
- 4 thou proud liner height
- fire ring peened
- steel dowels
the HGF issues are largely resolved...
Also, the K benefits from being allowed to thoroughly warm up prior to being thrashed so as to avoid differential thermal expansion across the engine.
DVA can give you chapter and verse on this.
fergus said:
This.
Once the remidial work has been done:
- 4 thou proud liner height
- fire ring peened
- steel dowels
the HGF issues are largely resolved...
Also, the K benefits from being allowed to thoroughly warm up prior to being thrashed so as to avoid differential thermal expansion across the engine.
DVA can give you chapter and verse on this.
+1Once the remidial work has been done:
- 4 thou proud liner height
- fire ring peened
- steel dowels
the HGF issues are largely resolved...
Also, the K benefits from being allowed to thoroughly warm up prior to being thrashed so as to avoid differential thermal expansion across the engine.
DVA can give you chapter and verse on this.
VHPD said:
fergus said:
This.
Once the remidial work has been done:
- 4 thou proud liner height
- fire ring peened
- steel dowels
the HGF issues are largely resolved...
Also, the K benefits from being allowed to thoroughly warm up prior to being thrashed so as to avoid differential thermal expansion across the engine.
DVA can give you chapter and verse on this.
+1Once the remidial work has been done:
- 4 thou proud liner height
- fire ring peened
- steel dowels
the HGF issues are largely resolved...
Also, the K benefits from being allowed to thoroughly warm up prior to being thrashed so as to avoid differential thermal expansion across the engine.
DVA can give you chapter and verse on this.
thats what I did 
210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Edited by JeffC on Wednesday 27th June 20:06
JeffC said:
or you could buy an R400 duratec and drive it without worrying thats what I did 210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.
as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Touch wood eh! Jeff thats what I did 210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Edited by JeffC on Wednesday 27th June 20:06
Thats why I won't comment. No wood nearby
Having owned both K series and Duratec 7s, it has to be Duratec which, on a like for like comparison across a representative range is more reliable than the K series, for various well documented reasons.
This is not saying that all K series R400s have had or will have problems, at the end of the day it's how well they are maintained and allowed to warm up etc etc before being given the beans. For me the Duratec is less temperamental than the K.
However, in standard R400 form, the K series R400 engine is much more in touch with the character of the Superlight R, and this is why you must, repeat must, have your duratec engined R400 fitted with throttle bodies as this gives it the character that it is so desperately missing with the useless bl**dy plenum which is fitted by Caterham as standard. The throttle bodies transform the Duratec R400 in to a snarling growling bull, like the K series equivalent whereas without, it's fast yes, but far far too sedate compared to the K R400. All in my opinion of course.
This is not saying that all K series R400s have had or will have problems, at the end of the day it's how well they are maintained and allowed to warm up etc etc before being given the beans. For me the Duratec is less temperamental than the K.
However, in standard R400 form, the K series R400 engine is much more in touch with the character of the Superlight R, and this is why you must, repeat must, have your duratec engined R400 fitted with throttle bodies as this gives it the character that it is so desperately missing with the useless bl**dy plenum which is fitted by Caterham as standard. The throttle bodies transform the Duratec R400 in to a snarling growling bull, like the K series equivalent whereas without, it's fast yes, but far far too sedate compared to the K R400. All in my opinion of course.
I deleted that comment twice wasnt sure I dared to post in in case I tempted fate 
the way the weather has been of late I question if I should part with mine! highly specced 12 plate R400D registered in April covered 1250 miles in Frozen white with full carbon pack and the important throttle boddies . Really need to get back out in the sunshine to rekindle my affection for it before I write out a for sale advert!!!
VHPD said:
JeffC said:
or you could buy an R400 duratec and drive it without worrying thats what I did 210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.
as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Touch wood eh! Jeff thats what I did 210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Edited by JeffC on Wednesday 27th June 20:06
Thats why I won't comment. No wood nearby
JeffC said:
I deleted that comment twice wasnt sure I dared to post in in case I tempted fate the way the weather has been of late I question if I should part with mine! highly specced 12 plate R400D registered in April covered 1250 miles in Frozen white with full carbon pack and the important throttle boddies . Really need to get back out in the sunshine to rekindle my affection for it before I write out a for sale advert!!!
VHPD said:
JeffC said:
or you could buy an R400 duratec and drive it without worrying thats what I did 210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.
as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Touch wood eh! Jeff thats what I did 210bhp from an engine that is capable of 300bhp says it all in reference to reliability in my opinion. Ive run duratecs for 5 years now and (touching wood) have had no issues, that includes racing a 300bhp 2.3 n/a duratec.as a testament to the engines I know of a couple of Duratec powered cars with bog standard internals that have had superchargers bolted on increasing the power to circa 250bhp plus and they get thrashed on track all the time without issues, no surge issues on a decent wet sump and no overheating issues so no need for big oil coolers.
Edited by JeffC on Wednesday 27th June 20:06
Thats why I won't comment. No wood nearby
Have to agree with the posts on Throttle bodies. I think it applies to all Caterhams including the K.
They should definitely be standard on the R400d
Gassing Station | Caterham | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff