Any negatives associated with the 620R ?
Discussion
Thanks Andyj007,
You are right, lots of niggles reported on the 620R.
I’ve picked up a few on YouTube too, can it really go through a tankful of petrol in 30 minutes? That would make a Track Day pretty awkward with repeated fill ups.
Questions around the longevity of the gearbox and the awkwardness of the racing clutch too. I’ve experienced the latter and could get used to it, but could do without the gearbox needing constant attention.
All in all, I may switch my focus to the 420R, but I’ll continue my musings and investigations!
I haven’t even driven a Caterham yet, so early days!
You are right, lots of niggles reported on the 620R.
I’ve picked up a few on YouTube too, can it really go through a tankful of petrol in 30 minutes? That would make a Track Day pretty awkward with repeated fill ups.
Questions around the longevity of the gearbox and the awkwardness of the racing clutch too. I’ve experienced the latter and could get used to it, but could do without the gearbox needing constant attention.
All in all, I may switch my focus to the 420R, but I’ll continue my musings and investigations!
I haven’t even driven a Caterham yet, so early days!
There always seems to be lots of 620’s for sale second hand, maybe because people buy them, then realise they can’t fully exploit the cars potential anywhere....... just my thoughts.
I’m just waiting for my 420r to go through it’s IVA, but I would have got a 620 if they did a home build kit.
I’m just waiting for my 420r to go through it’s IVA, but I would have got a 620 if they did a home build kit.
IMO much better off getting a lower powered version that you can push to the very limit on track.
For track days even a basic academy car (essentially a 250 vs a 620) is usually the quickest cars to lap, I think a 310r is a good middle ground that will be ALOT cheaper and arguably just as much fun. More reliable too.
Unless you really need the extra power to boost your ego, or make up for having a small manhood, I think 620 is a waste of money.
For track days even a basic academy car (essentially a 250 vs a 620) is usually the quickest cars to lap, I think a 310r is a good middle ground that will be ALOT cheaper and arguably just as much fun. More reliable too.
Unless you really need the extra power to boost your ego, or make up for having a small manhood, I think 620 is a waste of money.
Any car that is properly sorted and well set up will be quick. I think that's more important than just horsepower.
I think that is why the 310r is so highly rated. It's because it's less complex than the big ones, so easier to set up.
I have a duratec with all the best upgrades, without being complicated. The previous owner chose the spec and had the car set up properly. It's AWESOME!! , fast, quiet, easy to drive, and trouble free......
So when you have those thoughts in the back of your mind, you will be able to drive it far quicker than the owner of a car with 100 extra bhp or more who's constantly worried that something's about to let go !
It all depends as to whether your looking to have great fun, or attempting to win a pi55ing contest.
I think that is why the 310r is so highly rated. It's because it's less complex than the big ones, so easier to set up.
I have a duratec with all the best upgrades, without being complicated. The previous owner chose the spec and had the car set up properly. It's AWESOME!! , fast, quiet, easy to drive, and trouble free......
So when you have those thoughts in the back of your mind, you will be able to drive it far quicker than the owner of a car with 100 extra bhp or more who's constantly worried that something's about to let go !
It all depends as to whether your looking to have great fun, or attempting to win a pi55ing contest.
The 620 wouldn't be my choice mainly due to all the extra weight that has been added up front (just where you don't want it). That is significant on a car where the heritage is performance by adding lightness. As has been hinted above, similar performance is available from simpler, lower bhp, and lighter cars.
Edited by DCL on Thursday 8th October 15:52
I've actually owned one, so I'll give my honest opinion. I've also had 2x SLR and 2xR500 before too, so have some personal comparisons.
1. Is the clutch and gearbox a pain in the arse? In my opinion, no. It's bloody fantastic, on the road and on track.
2. Is it bad on fuel? Yes, I had concerns about this. I would take 40l of fuel to a track day and use it all, plus a full tank. Probably low teens mpg on track at best.
3. Extra weight. I never noticed it.
4. Niggles and reliability. I didn't have any problems. It does run cool, so I just blocked off the bottom part of the radiator and it brought temperatures into the perfect range.
5. No oil temp gauge. This was more of a concern for me than point 4. The car really needs an oil temperature gauge in my opinion.
6. Noise. You MUST use the rear exit exhaust on track. I think I was about 99db with this fitted, so only noisy days. Don't turn up at Bedford and expect to finish your first lap.
It's a great road car. The extra torque makes it really simple to drive quickly without needing to thrash it. On track, it's incredible. Personally, i think it's a great buy for around £40k. It does everything a less powerful car can do, and lots more besides. It's worth it if you can afford it.
1. Is the clutch and gearbox a pain in the arse? In my opinion, no. It's bloody fantastic, on the road and on track.
2. Is it bad on fuel? Yes, I had concerns about this. I would take 40l of fuel to a track day and use it all, plus a full tank. Probably low teens mpg on track at best.
3. Extra weight. I never noticed it.
4. Niggles and reliability. I didn't have any problems. It does run cool, so I just blocked off the bottom part of the radiator and it brought temperatures into the perfect range.
5. No oil temp gauge. This was more of a concern for me than point 4. The car really needs an oil temperature gauge in my opinion.
6. Noise. You MUST use the rear exit exhaust on track. I think I was about 99db with this fitted, so only noisy days. Don't turn up at Bedford and expect to finish your first lap.
It's a great road car. The extra torque makes it really simple to drive quickly without needing to thrash it. On track, it's incredible. Personally, i think it's a great buy for around £40k. It does everything a less powerful car can do, and lots more besides. It's worth it if you can afford it.
Thanks to all, especially Clarkey. Helpful to hear from a previous owner. The palaver of extra fuel cans and the noise issue on track days might put me off the 620. I was intrigued that you clearly rated the car, but wrote about it in the past tense? Why did you sell and what did you buy to replace it?
Is there a ‘sweet spot’ in the Caterham range where performance, reliability and drivability all converge? 420? 360?
Is there a ‘sweet spot’ in the Caterham range where performance, reliability and drivability all converge? 420? 360?
I sold it to buy a house! I have started looking at replacing it with another one, but need to build a garage first.
Fuel cans aren't a massive pain. I just always took two 20l jerry cans with me. The thing that really concerned me is that the fuel gauge is rubbish on track, but this applies to all models equally! I always tended to ignore the gauge and top up after each session.
For me, the highest power with the most toys is the sweet spot. You don't have to press the throttle all the way down all the time!
Fuel cans aren't a massive pain. I just always took two 20l jerry cans with me. The thing that really concerned me is that the fuel gauge is rubbish on track, but this applies to all models equally! I always tended to ignore the gauge and top up after each session.
For me, the highest power with the most toys is the sweet spot. You don't have to press the throttle all the way down all the time!
LOL your comment on the sweet spot made me laugh! That’s why I was looking at the 620 in the first place!
A couple of practical question if I may. I have two 20L Jerry cans (used for my lawn tractor) so understand the cube. Did you manage to stow these in the car for a Track Day?
Does the rear exhaust solve all TD noise issues?
Thanks for your help.
A couple of practical question if I may. I have two 20L Jerry cans (used for my lawn tractor) so understand the cube. Did you manage to stow these in the car for a Track Day?
Does the rear exhaust solve all TD noise issues?
Thanks for your help.
I always used a trailer. I always have done with a Caterham, it means the day isn't completely ruined if it rains! If you buy a 2nd hand Minno you always get your money back, its well worth it.
Rear exit gets it to a level where you can go on most track days. You won't get on a quiet day at Goodwood, Bedford is out of bounds too. All the others tend to have noisy days. I think it is around 99db static, certainly no more than this.
Rear exit gets it to a level where you can go on most track days. You won't get on a quiet day at Goodwood, Bedford is out of bounds too. All the others tend to have noisy days. I think it is around 99db static, certainly no more than this.
Most power and all the toys kinda rules out a caterham then 
(joke..)
I don't have/haven't driven it, so very subjective, but do trackdays with a mate who has a 620S (sv). Mine is a k-series tuned to about r300ish.. makes an interesting comparison. His is rather dominated by the engine, and the need for traction. From the passenger seat it feels a good bit heavier and more reluctant to turn than mine, it's definitely about getting it turned enough to deploy the punch. Engine wise, it's massively torquey and flexible, but to me that takes something away, it needs less driving. From my car chasing, I'm a good bit faster to mid corner, then destroyed on corner exit. Mine is playful on the way in, and the engine needs to be kept spinning. He's still adding power 'cos it isn't fast enough on the straights.
Ultimately they're both great cars in different ways, and the 620 is a beast, but I can't help feeling it's trying to make the caterham something it wasn't really supposed to be - it's traded some finesse for a bigger hammer. I'd certainly not swap, but that's a very individual decision. For my part, I'd say around R400ish would be the sweet spot, but then I think that means duratec anyway, and I've no experience of that - it may be that the engine is responsible for much of the difference.
(joke..)I don't have/haven't driven it, so very subjective, but do trackdays with a mate who has a 620S (sv). Mine is a k-series tuned to about r300ish.. makes an interesting comparison. His is rather dominated by the engine, and the need for traction. From the passenger seat it feels a good bit heavier and more reluctant to turn than mine, it's definitely about getting it turned enough to deploy the punch. Engine wise, it's massively torquey and flexible, but to me that takes something away, it needs less driving. From my car chasing, I'm a good bit faster to mid corner, then destroyed on corner exit. Mine is playful on the way in, and the engine needs to be kept spinning. He's still adding power 'cos it isn't fast enough on the straights.
Ultimately they're both great cars in different ways, and the 620 is a beast, but I can't help feeling it's trying to make the caterham something it wasn't really supposed to be - it's traded some finesse for a bigger hammer. I'd certainly not swap, but that's a very individual decision. For my part, I'd say around R400ish would be the sweet spot, but then I think that means duratec anyway, and I've no experience of that - it may be that the engine is responsible for much of the difference.
150mph said:
Thanks, much to consider.
As soon as I posted, I realised you must have used a trailer.
I’m actually pretty close to Goodwood, so that’s my preferred venue. Did your other Caterhams qualify for their quiet days?
No, none of my previous Caterhams could get on a Goodwood quiet day. There are plenty of 105db days though.As soon as I posted, I realised you must have used a trailer.
I’m actually pretty close to Goodwood, so that’s my preferred venue. Did your other Caterhams qualify for their quiet days?
That’s helpful, I’ve just noticed that all GRRC Track Days are Category 2 105db.
I’ve never given much attention previously as my E-Type and TR6 qualify consistently.
The number of Caterhams that attend suggest that they do too, although there may be some survivor bias, in that I don’t see the cars that may not qualify!
Appreciate everyone’s input, I vacillate between 420 and 620, next step is to get some test driving underway.
I’ve never given much attention previously as my E-Type and TR6 qualify consistently.
The number of Caterhams that attend suggest that they do too, although there may be some survivor bias, in that I don’t see the cars that may not qualify!
Appreciate everyone’s input, I vacillate between 420 and 620, next step is to get some test driving underway.
I’m with Clarkey, have owned mine for 2 years and had no issues. Like all Caterhams IMHO they need a brake bias adjuster, especially for wet or damp conditions, amazes me why this doesn’t come with the car and I had BaT fit one when they were a Caterham dealer. And the longer side silencer works fine with the rear silencer meaning you can get on track at places like Donington Park.
Confirm they like a drink but you just take a couple of jerry cans and keep an eye on the gauge.
Just bought an Exige 430 so going to sell mine plus covered trailer.
Confirm they like a drink but you just take a couple of jerry cans and keep an eye on the gauge.
Just bought an Exige 430 so going to sell mine plus covered trailer.
I have a 420R which I only use for trackdays. I did consider the 620R which I had tried on a couple of trackdays (when BaT had one you could hire). To be honest, I'm really not sure that you get anything more out of the extra power on most circuits because they tend to be tight. Maybe on somewhere like Silverstone or Spa you might like the extra power, but the 620R maxes out pretty quickly on those circuits as well.
At the end of the day, I'm not really looking to set lap records, just to have enough power to really push the car and test the limits of it (and myself!). The 420R really has plenty of power for that. (and you can uprate it at little cost to 220bhp if you really wanted)
At the end of the day, I'm not really looking to set lap records, just to have enough power to really push the car and test the limits of it (and myself!). The 420R really has plenty of power for that. (and you can uprate it at little cost to 220bhp if you really wanted)
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