New R500 Owner

[Ult-Jim]

Hello all Caterham owners.

Have just purchased a 07 K-series R500. This is an all new exciting adventure for me - I just hope its going to be a pleasant experience? It would be great to hear from a knowledgeable owner as I have quite a long "to do list and question list" and I am real numpty with car mechanics.

I have a dry sump set up, however my main concern is the ride height which is extremely low (can't even roll a coke can under the sump!) The front dampers I believe are from WP Suspension that according to the website are for motor bikes. On the test drive it seemed ok over short steep bumps and the classic wide speed bumps taking care at low speed, however when you actually look under the car it looks too low for comfort and now scares me after reading horror stories on the forums! For now I plan just road use, will try a few track days next year.

I am based in the South France, in Antibes and would love to hear from any local owners down here who can give me a few tips.

James.

[Ult-Jim]

Thanks for all your positive thoughts, sorry for the delay in replying, my work can get crazy at times. I have joined the Lotus Seven Club so will start posting on their as well. Yes, I read the coke can test on the Blatchat forum.

I went for a short run a couple of days ago - I guess a road trial. Checked all the usual, tyre pressures, coolant, oil, battery. Then started her up Oil pressure and temp were good and water temp. The K-series needed a good 10 minutes to warm up. The ride height was not a problem and the handling was smooth. My only concern while driving along was the hazzard of stone chips on the windscreen. Have to be very aware of any loose gravel on the road and keep my distance fron the car in front. I may purchase a second windscreen to have as spare as it will only be time before it cracks.

The experience was great. Raining down here in South France all this week so will start those garage cleaning and polishing jobs instead.

Being down in South France, when its not tipping it out of the sky the temperature can rise into the middle 20's in the mid day sun even this time of year. With that concern I am going to have a detailed look at my cooling system, plus research starter motor solenoid heat protection and perhaps coating the primary exhaust to reduce under bonnet temperatures if at all possible? Plenty of comments about this on Blatchat.

I will keep up with my own posts more often

James.

[Ult-Jim]

fergus said:

Vladimir said:

An '07 plate k-series R500? Didn't think they made them past 2005?

probably just registered a lot later?

Thats correct I think as the car was built from a kit. The chassis number is 06 however it was not registered until 07.

[Ult-Jim]

fergus said:

Ult-Jim said:

You will encounter loads of *personal* opinions (i.e. people defending the 'science' behind their preffered choice/mod), so you need to take all the opinions (only a few of which contain any fact!) and make your own reasoned decision for most issues!

Thanks for all the info and your thoughts. Been for a blat so have calmed down now !

Thanks for the info about DVA Power. Very informative web site, will read in more detail.

I have been following another pistonhead forum on here for a couple of years (you can guess which one from my forum name so please excuse me if I have some mad ideas, concepts and thoughts. Yes you have to have an open mind and not get sucked into what is in fashion.

Have the day off tomorrow so will go for a longer drive

[Ult-Jim]

OJ said:

Whereabouts in the South of France are you? I spend a fair bit of time in Cap D'Antibes and while I'm not the ultimate authority, I've raced both Duratec and K-Series cars, and done a fair bit of work on some K's!

I'm down there next week actually, if you need something pointing out and you're local, drop me an e-mail

I'm on your door step! - I will e-mail very soon.

James

[Ult-Jim]

POORCARDEALER said:

Ult-Jim said:

fergus said:

Vladimir said:

An '07 plate k-series R500? Didn't think they made them past 2005?

probably just registered a lot later?

Thats correct I think as the car was built from a kit. The chassis number is 06 however it was not registered until 07.

Is the car blue with a silver stripe by any chance??

Thats correct.

[Ult-Jim]

POORCARDEALER said:

Freestyle built? I think that is my old car..........

Reg GN07 SFZ sold to a Mr C... who hangs out down here - then it well may be.

[Ult-Jim]

POORCARDEALER said:

Ult-Jim said:

POORCARDEALER said:

glad it is in good hands.

Yes its in good hands - will e-mail you for a request for more details of its history if at all possible? This is turning into a "Caterham reunited" post.

[Ult-Jim]

Furyblade_Lee said:

Ult-Jim, you have an R500, with the Col de Turini and Route Napoleon on your doorstep???? I SALUTE YOU!

Went for a blast up the hill.... not quite the Col de Turini and route Napolean but the Ford RS and pictures were tested in last months Top Gear Mag on the D2 out of Vence all the way up the Route de Greolieres les Neiges - so I followed this route. All good until I reached 50 metres from home on the way back from my garage and stalled and could not start with the dreaded k-series started motor click! I let it cool down for 10 minutes and all was ok for the final hill climb (which is all up hill to my garge). Fitting some heat insulation on the starter solenoid tomorrow. I'm still a newbie to the Caterham k-series R500 but was starting to enjoy the power. My recorded figures showed a mpg of just over 23. I guess you track cars are average well less than 15 mpg? Great mountain roads, just a pig getting out of town!