RE: Caterham Superlight R500 | The Brave Pill
Discussion
Jon_S_Rally said:
I'd have to change the colour scheme. It really doesn't work. A real mish-mash.
Other than that, it's another article slating the K-series, despite the fact that there are thousands of them out there running perfectly fine.
It’s even poorly understood in here. One guy commented‘ after fitting the new gadget’? IME it’s not so much about the gasket, and if the liner height protrusion is less than .004 you’ll never get it to work. Hence why all the idiotic Rover dealers failed so miserably! There are a few cases of porous heads, from not cleaning the casting process, again...thanks Rover but still plenty of heads out there. A VVC works pretty well if an MS2 cannot be located. Other than that, it's another article slating the K-series, despite the fact that there are thousands of them out there running perfectly fine.
Deeply misunderstood engine really. Someone like Dave Andrews is your man.
Daveyraveygravey said:
What is it with people banging on about the colour scheme? Would BMW boring black be better? Or resale dullard silver be more appropriate? It's a car to be driven, not for accountants to whine on about connectivity or resale value or kerb appeal. Dodgy article from PH, better go back to AMG vs M cars, because they are the only real cars that matter ??
It sounds like you are very mad about German cars. Perhaps you should make a thread about it or maybe go outside for a bit.Anyway, yes a solid colour would be preferable in this situation as the combination of colours while certainly not boring....sucks! I mean who specs their car like this?
Murph7355 said:
Mining Subsidence Man said:
Too expensive to insure and run and it blows up.
Give me a sylva striker with an RX7 engine or similar.
Load of rubbish.Give me a sylva striker with an RX7 engine or similar.
Anyway yes it is a slightly odd article - it's a race-spec engine, so why bang on about the (overblown, misunderstood) K series "issues"? I've had two K-series 7s (second one Dave Andrews-tuned 185bhp, throttle bodies etc) used on road and track, and both were superb. An R500 would be too much for the road (and probably for the track as well) but I'd like a drive in one!
This particular car I would also struggle to get past the colour scheme - and that rear diffuser would have to go. Looks in good shape otherwise. Actually maybe having just the front cycle wings sprayed blue to match the body would work...
Anyway, this is an interesting prospect too...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
_Neal_ said:
Murph7355 said:
Mining Subsidence Man said:
Too expensive to insure and run and it blows up.
Give me a sylva striker with an RX7 engine or similar.
Load of rubbish.Give me a sylva striker with an RX7 engine or similar.
Anyway yes it is a slightly odd article - it's a race-spec engine, so why bang on about the (overblown, misunderstood) K series "issues"? I've had two K-series 7s (second one Dave Andrews-tuned 185bhp, throttle bodies etc) used on road and track, and both were superb. An R500 would be too much for the road (and probably for the track as well) but I'd like a drive in one!
This particular car I would also struggle to get past the colour scheme - and that rear diffuser would have to go. Looks in good shape otherwise. Actually maybe having just the front cycle wings sprayed blue to match the body would work...
Anyway, this is an interesting prospect too...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
That other car has been talked about in the Caterham forum - not sure it is worth it to be honest.
ddom said:
scubadude said:
.
I’d imagine the only thing comparable is a snorting quick sport bike (which FYI would need seriously pedalling to shake you in an R500, even a lesser 7, on a twisty road)
Bikes cannot stay with them, it takes a hell of a rider on the road to hang onto a committed 7. I’d imagine the only thing comparable is a snorting quick sport bike (which FYI would need seriously pedalling to shake you in an R500, even a lesser 7, on a twisty road)
Water Fairy said:
ddom said:
scubadude said:
.
I’d imagine the only thing comparable is a snorting quick sport bike (which FYI would need seriously pedalling to shake you in an R500, even a lesser 7, on a twisty road)
Bikes cannot stay with them, it takes a hell of a rider on the road to hang onto a committed 7. I’d imagine the only thing comparable is a snorting quick sport bike (which FYI would need seriously pedalling to shake you in an R500, even a lesser 7, on a twisty road)
Despite being a K-Series fan, I would say it is a step too far as a road/track car in terms of reliability.
Having had many a K-Series built by every supplier in this thread, the more they get rebuilt, the higher the chance of human error causing another issue!
That being said, there's nothing quite like that induction noise in full spec! Think our Elise ended up with close to 270bhp and it was insane (for five minutes). Also don't under estimate the weight advantage of the K versus the Duratec - BIG difference to handling!
Having had many a K-Series built by every supplier in this thread, the more they get rebuilt, the higher the chance of human error causing another issue!
That being said, there's nothing quite like that induction noise in full spec! Think our Elise ended up with close to 270bhp and it was insane (for five minutes). Also don't under estimate the weight advantage of the K versus the Duratec - BIG difference to handling!
PH said:
Caterham had warned that the highly-tuned engine might need to be rebuilt after 3,000 miles of track use. That's a serious tally for even the most dedicated trackday junkies to run up, of course - but many saw the number without the proviso.
Odd. You'd think that anyone with £35k to spend on a toy would be diligent enough to read a whole sentence?SidewaysSi said:
Water Fairy said:
ddom said:
scubadude said:
.
I’d imagine the only thing comparable is a snorting quick sport bike (which FYI would need seriously pedalling to shake you in an R500, even a lesser 7, on a twisty road)
Bikes cannot stay with them, it takes a hell of a rider on the road to hang onto a committed 7. I’d imagine the only thing comparable is a snorting quick sport bike (which FYI would need seriously pedalling to shake you in an R500, even a lesser 7, on a twisty road)
The guy who used to rent out Caterhams in Perth said the critical thing was let the engine get up to temperature before heading off or to keep the revs down while the oil was warming. Given that they are really cheap to insure and one set of tyres and pads will last a season if you are careful this is cheap trackday magic. I've never driven a Duratec Seven but I've driven a Sigma and I have to say the K series was sweeter. It revved out more like a bike engine than a car engine. There have also been developments such as the multilaminar carbon head gaskets that seemed to have made a difference to top end dependability. I hummed and hawed about a silver R500 Evo that was on Autotrader. Previous owner was a journo called Chris Harris. Wonder what happened to him!
SidewaysSi said:
I agree but it's the front end - nosecone and cycle wings which could do with a colour change and it would all be good. Quite an easy fix to be honest.
That other car has been talked about in the Caterham forum - not sure it is worth it to be honest.
Fair enough, thanks - just looked at that thread. That other car has been talked about in the Caterham forum - not sure it is worth it to be honest.
I must admit if I was after another 7 to use on road and track, and had c.£25k to spend, I'd be looking closely at the white James Whiting Fireblade in the classifieds, rather than an R500.
I was just searching for something completely different and came across this thread. I took the brave pill and bought R500 #43. It has been reliable (no K-series woes) and is utterly, utterly terrifying. I don’t think the acceleration is that different to my 997 Turbo but the delivery and lack of mass anywhere, but particularly over the back axle, make it quite an experience. I am always immensely grateful to get home in one piece after a good drive.
Interesting to see how negative the reaction on PH was to the car’s appearance. In the flesh it looks great and nobody in person has said they don’t like it - although perhaps they are being polite. It reminds me of the McLaren F1 GTRs that ran in Gulf colours in BPR in 1995.
I don’t do many miles in it but every drive is eventful and the intention is to keep the car long-term as it’s just so pure and fun.
Interesting to see how negative the reaction on PH was to the car’s appearance. In the flesh it looks great and nobody in person has said they don’t like it - although perhaps they are being polite. It reminds me of the McLaren F1 GTRs that ran in Gulf colours in BPR in 1995.
I don’t do many miles in it but every drive is eventful and the intention is to keep the car long-term as it’s just so pure and fun.
chevronb37 said:
I was just searching for something completely different and came across this thread. I took the brave pill and bought R500 #43. It has been reliable (no K-series woes) and is utterly, utterly terrifying. I don’t think the acceleration is that different to my 997 Turbo but the delivery and lack of mass anywhere, but particularly over the back axle, make it quite an experience. I am always immensely grateful to get home in one piece after a good drive.
Interesting to see how negative the reaction on PH was to the car’s appearance. In the flesh it looks great and nobody in person has said they don’t like it - although perhaps they are being polite. It reminds me of the McLaren F1 GTRs that ran in Gulf colours in BPR in 1995.
I don’t do many miles in it but every drive is eventful and the intention is to keep the car long-term as it’s just so pure and fun.
Superb and glad you're enjoying it! Have you taken it on track?Interesting to see how negative the reaction on PH was to the car’s appearance. In the flesh it looks great and nobody in person has said they don’t like it - although perhaps they are being polite. It reminds me of the McLaren F1 GTRs that ran in Gulf colours in BPR in 1995.
I don’t do many miles in it but every drive is eventful and the intention is to keep the car long-term as it’s just so pure and fun.
chevronb37 said:
_Neal_ said:
Superb and glad you're enjoying it! Have you taken it on track?
Thanks, mate. I definitely will take it on track. Unfortunately, working for the country’s largest race circuit operator means that I will never live it down when I inevitably run out of talent and bin it. 
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