revilla Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Hi Everyone, I'm a newbie on here having just become the proud owner of a shiny RoadSport 1.8 VVC. Whilst looking into different flavours of the Seven before purchasing I test drove a few different engine setups and I really like the VVC to drive, with it's wide spread of torque and free revving flexibility. Given that I did see it is a purchase that I intended to hang on to for the long term, I did have some slight concerns at the back of my mind over buying into an engine which no longer had manufacturer support following the demise of MG Rover, and having been reassured by the Caterham sales guys I went ahead and bought one, and in the few days I've owned it so far I have to say I've really loved driving it. However, I must say that the nagging doubts are still hanging around at the back of my mind, so I thought I would come on here and see what other people thought, see if anyone had any views or information that would put my mind at rest. The kind of issues that concern me are: i) Continued parts availability. I'm thinking not only of major engine components but also some of the smaller items like bearings, sensors, electronic modules etc. My Dad runs an old kit car and recently needed to source a Lucas Girling Cortina brake servo. No chance, and that was Ford. Had to replace the entire braking system in the end. ii) Future availability of appropriate engine diagnostic facilities. I think given that my engine is a late 2003 it should be OBDII compatible, but I understand that Rover used a TestBook suite which could be used for things like coding new keyfobs to the security module and ECU etc. and I worry about whether there will in years to come be places around with the equipment and expertise to fully support these engines. Is there likely to be continued support for example from the new owners of the MG brand, or from Land Rover? I know the K-Series is one of the staple engines of the existing Caterham fleet and that these engines, including the VVC were fitted in a number of other vehicles which are likely to become "classics" in their own right, but still ... I worry ... What do other people think? Am I losing sleep over nothing? Or do others have similar concerns? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Welcome to BC You can sleep - there is some great support out there from club members and specialised repairers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SV Gary Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Get along to the local club meet at The Kings Arms, Hathern 2nd Thurs of each month - next one should be 13 Sep. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Thanks, I do indeed hope to get along to Hathern in September as it is only about 15 mins from my home in Burton on the Wolds. If you see a Viper Blue VVC, RG53FHU, come and say hello! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackb_ms Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Don't worry I have roller barrels and a Emerald running it and it's now even better motor 😬 Jack Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Plato Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 best ask oily hands if he intends to retire ...... that will be a turning point ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted August 30, 2012 Leadership Team Share Posted August 30, 2012 In reality it's only the mechanical engine components that are in question, most things electrical will have been sourced outside Rover and even if unavailable there are alternatives. Overhaul items are available - bearings rings etc, although the choice on bearings now appears to be a one-size-fits-all non-o/e part or specialist performance parts, eg. VP2. Also plenty of supply of new oil and water pumps. So the issue probably is only related to the "heavy" items - block, head, crank, rods? Probably replacement cranks will be the biggest issue at some stage in the future .... and I've just sold my spare Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie_pank Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 I shouldn't worry about it. If it ever became a problem, you could just put a different engine in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jingars Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Quoting Dave Jackson: best ask oily hands if he intends to retire ...... that will be a turning point ? I hope that by then the below has become a reality - the K series Caterham community needs the contents of his brain: http://i115.photobucket.com/albums/n311/hotrodcar/Joe90bigRat.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 Mmm sounds like the general opinion is that I'm worrying too much. It has crossed my mind to look out for a reasonably low mileage MGF or similar that's up for breaking and buy it just for the Engine / ECU / 5AS, the flag the remaining bits to recover as much of the cost as I can, so I'll have at least one of everything as an insurance policy. Bit academic at the moment though, I've just blown all my spare cash on buying the thing in the first place! Maybe I should just chill out and enjoy for a bit LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Claire Voyant Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Quoting Dave Jackson: best ask oily hands if he intends to retire ...... that will be a turning point ? He may be good but there are lots of good engine builders available. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Get out there and drive it Just be careful at first, until you get used to all that power with a 500kg RWD car ! Let the oil warm up - and the tyres - before you give it the beans. The oil takes a lot longer than the water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team SLR No.77 Posted August 30, 2012 Leadership Team Share Posted August 30, 2012 Quoting revilla: Mmm sounds like the general opinion is that I'm worrying too much. It has crossed my mind to look out for a reasonably low mileage MGF or similar that's up for breaking and buy it just for the Engine / ECU / 5AS, the flag the remaining bits to recover as much of the cost as I can, so I'll have at least one of everything as an insurance policy. Bit academic at the moment though, I've just blown all my spare cash on buying the thing in the first place! Maybe I should just chill out and enjoy for a bit LOL You're still worrying too much! Stu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnty Lyons Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 Quit fussin get out and drive it The K and all supporting parts will be around for a very long time furthermore a lot of the stuff you mention will be in the bin when you Contract Upgradeitus It afflicts all se7en owners sooner or later 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted August 30, 2012 Author Share Posted August 30, 2012 @stu - OK, OK, I'll chill out now! If everyone else on here seems comfortable with the situation then I guess I should be too. I'm the kind of guy who backs up his computer on three separate disks, never needed them but just feel safer having them :) @Stationary M25 Traveller - Will do, and thanks for the advice. My previous car was a BMW 330d M Sport, so plenty of power through rear wheels isn't so new to me, but even that didn't come close to the power to weight ratio of the Caterham. Until recently my toy of choice was a light aircraft. For years I flew a slow and gentle Cessna 150, then upgraded to a Zenair CH601HD. If that means nothing to you, lightweight aluminium construction, high revving engine, high power to weight ratio, stunning performance but will bite you if you mishandle it, loads of feedback, you fly it how it feels right not from the dials. Sound familiar to a Caterham driver? Things I learned through flying were to know your limits, stay within your own capabilities as well as those of the machine and if you do decide to push the envelope, do it bit by bit and get to know how it feels as you build your confidence. I also learned to listen and learn to those who've been there and done that and made the mistakes in the hope that I don't make them myself. So all suggestions and constructive criticisms gratefully accepted, thank you! Will remember what you say about oil temp :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 The lightness of the Seven will bite harder than a fat BMW - when the tyres are cold, the road is cold and maybe damp with a bit of added diesel, mud and salt on the surface. It is all too easily possible to leave a roundabout on the right exit - but going backwards 😳 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnty Lyons Posted August 30, 2012 Share Posted August 30, 2012 As a BMW driver and a se7en owner the only comparison is they are both rear wheel drive.there is NO other handling comparison and Ive driven every sort of BM and se7en in the past 20 yrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxdog Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 What he said Roadsport/530d Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 I think people may have misunderstood me ... In my post I was comparing the switch from another car to a Caterham to the switch I made from a Cessna to a Zenair aircraft. I was in no way saying that the Caterham handled like a BMW, the similarities I pointed out were between the Caterham and the Zenair! I was actually trying to say that I appreciated the challenges of going from a heavy machine to a light high power to weight ratio sports machine, and the need to learn and adapt to their particular handling qualities. However, as someone who was well known for absolutely driving the skin off my BMW (I used to get through two sets of brake disks, not pads, a year) I can tell you from personal experience that especially with TC/SC off the 330d is more than willing to take corners sideways and will happily swap ends on roundabouts. I had a lot of fun in the BMW and I intend to do the same in the Caterham. In that way at least, they are similar! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Dave Posted September 1, 2012 Share Posted September 1, 2012 Welcome, another ex 330D owner here Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
revilla Posted September 1, 2012 Author Share Posted September 1, 2012 @Fishy Dave: Helloooo there! I loved the 330D ... then I had two kids! Swapped it for the Touring version and ended up with a car without the sporty handling and still not big enough to fit the wife, kids, mother-in-law, pram, pushchair, changing bags etc. etc. etc. So I did a deal with the Mrs, sold it, bought a VW Touran ("the bus") for the family and a Caterham. Built a kit car in my younger days but always fancied a Seven. So here I am. What's your story? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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