Had a menoporsche, scared of binning 458 so....Atom

[MingtheMerciless]

As the title suggests, I'm lusting after Atoms - I like a bit of road and track, but ideally would prefer not to commit my 458 to battle all that often.

With apologies for the basic nature of the query, any tips here (or locatable elsewhere) as to which model is best for such mixed use and what options should one look out for? And any other tips would be gratefully received.

Moderator edit: please don't promote your website/blog in a signature.

Edited by jeremyc on Friday 29th January 13:44

[MrLizard]

I recently sold my Atom - incredible car, nothing like it and lots of fun in any combination.

The options list is long - the must haves from my experience and given I used it for a similar thing

LSD

Big brakes Alcon on the front (and rear if you can stretch, i opted for sports on rear)

bullet windscreen (just deflects the wind from your helmet)

I went for the bilstein adjustable 3 way suspension (was great for both) - The Ohlins are better but I didnt feel there was a need - especially as i did a lot of road driving

removable steering wheel (easier to get in and out)

Clutch foot rest for sure

Tyres I had were the road/track yoko option - performed very well

There is also an option for data logging on the dash which if you like that sort of thing works very well.

[MingtheMerciless]

Thanks Mr. Lizard.

Of the essentials you mention, are they (apart from the obvious ones), things you can sort out afterwards if you buy a more basic car?

[CambsBill]

As Mr Lizard says, the options are many so it really depends on what you want to do with it.

I was aways going to spend far more time on road vs track so the main things I went for were:
LSD
Sports brakes
Bilsteins
Stainless fixings
Stainless exhaust
Windscreen (the 'purists' mock this but for distances I wouldn't be without it)
High level brake light
With a few other bits & pieces, the options totalled the best part of eight grand. Could easily have been much more . . .

If you want to do more track driving, I'd suggest you look at baffled sump, uprated brakes, tyres etc and take your pick from the 'track day/race' section of the options list.

[CambsBill]

MingtheMerciless said:

Thanks Mr. Lizard.

Of the essentials you mention, are they (apart from the obvious ones), things you can sort out afterwards if you buy a more basic car?

Yes, most things can be retro-fitted when wallet capacity allows. Just give Tom a call at the factory, he'll talk you through everything you want to know

[MingtheMerciless]

MingtheMerciless said:

Moderator edit: please don't promote your website/blog in a signature.

Edited by jeremyc on Friday 29th January 13:44

Thanks for replies - oops sorry about Blog, didn't realise it wasn't allowed.

[MrLizard]

CambsBill said:

Yes, most things can be retro-fitted when wallet capacity allows. Just give Tom a call at the factory, he'll talk you through everything you want to know

Tom is excellent - out of the list I would say the suspension and LSD are things you definitely want built and setup at the factory and would be a pain afterwards. brakes not so much of a pain and dont forget even the basic brakes are ok - the car weighs 510kg :S

I fitted the wind deflectors afterwards - only other thing i desperately wanted from the start was a handbrake because i was paranoid about the car rolling off - ended up buying a bike lock and just threading it through the chassis and front wheel

shameless photo attached

[KMF]

I see that your green atom is now for sale here on PH

[FlyingTrotter]

More Atom drivers on the Aton club site

If you want or think it's possible you will want the aero then getting the fixings installed at build saves a lot

For track the wider wheels are rated and that needs wider wheel arches which is best done at build

For track I'd go larger brakes and consider the upgraded suspension - brake upgrade and suspension upgrade is doable - people' spend a lot on later upgrades - I did inc power upgrades

Fun cars

[Peter255]

Essentials for a Atom3 IMO

Stainless fixings
Removable steering wheel
S/C upgrade for extra power and NOISE!
Big (Alcon) brakes on front, sport rear (as a minimum).
Front mount for a wing later as required, but skip the wings day 1.
Skip the windscreen IMO, just use the dash mounted "gun-sight" deflectors.
2 piece springs and adjustable Bilsteins (or better if you prefer).
Skip the sports exhaust if you want to track the car often (as it will then fail noise tests).
Decat (they will give you the cat for MOT)
I'd skip mag wheels as they are expensive and easy to damage, but they do look cool and are very light.
TomTom mount is handy.
12V socket?
Fit A048's as they are GREAT on track when you warm them up.

Do it, you won't regret it! :-)