Guest Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Dear POBC, We have recently become members of the Club and intend on purchasing a Caterham very soon. We have decided that building one is beyond us at the moment, as I am useless with a spanner!! We have therefore decided on a factory built model (Supersport R). Although we look at 7 ownership as being something of a long-term plan and therefore may opt to build one in the future. I had hoped to give it a go but space is very limited and having downloaded and read the manual a few times it is too daunting for now! We are in the Derby area and have family in both North and South Derbyshire, therefore we may attend both clubs in the area from time to time. We would certainly like to get to know a few 7 owners and join in on some social activities/blats. We have a couple of questions that we would appreciate some help with. Firstly Caterham offer their service package with factory built cars. Is servicing something that a complete car novice will be able to do with some tuition (we plan on attending the GTKY7 day in May). Also, who do you recommend within the Derbyshire area for servicing at competitive prices if I am unable to do it myself. We are not planning on tracking the car until we have learnt to drive it properly . Is the Caterham service package good value? Secondly, having read the threads on protective coatings e.g. waxoyl etc is this something that can be done post build and in the comfort of your own garage with axle stands or is something like a proper mechanic's ramp/lift needed. Has anyone experience of applying this to a built car and are there any tips and pitfalls. I imagine that the wheels would need removing and the brakes covering up etc. Thank you all in advance and hope to see you at some events soon. Ant & Vicky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Lynch Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Greetings Trip up to Kimberworth Service Station (Rotherham) always recommended. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted March 7, 2014 Area Representative Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome and congratulations. As many people get their cars serviced by specialists as do the servicing themselves. It's a perfectly reasonable position. If you are burning with desire to DIY, then do so, I feel sure that there will be local members who will help/mentor you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myothercarsa2cv Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome! Working on a 7 is much easier than a 'normal' car, apart from the fact that everything is around your ankles - the benefit of a lift or ramp is that it's less of a strain on your poor back, and it's easier to crawl around underneath! 😬 I reckon a complete novice can build a Caterham, given enough time and some additional guidance beyond the (frankly confusing) manual - I managed it after all! The same goes for servicing. There's not a lot to servicing a Caterham really, and as long as you have all the special tools required (hammer ) you'll be able to anything quite easily. I think the biggest problem on the 7 is getting to certain things, like the gearbox filler plug - they could not have made that harder without welding it up As GJT said, there are always members out there willing to help Best bit about the club. 😶🌫️ Waxoyl can be applied with a thin hose and pumped in to whatever you want to coat, you only really need to cover up yourself I would also get under the car and apply some stone chip paint to the chassis rails that are exposed, the powder coat on my Caged chassis has been, erm, flaky. Protect it now. So go on, make us jealous - what's the full spec? 😬 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartinH Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Don't be put off by the manual - build it!! I built mine with very little car mechanics experience. The club will help you all the way. Get down to a local area meet and talk to some other owners who have built. Better still try and find someone nearby who is building and part way through. Its very rewarding experience and you don't really need that much room. If you have enough room for the car plus a bench and can store boxes somewhere during the build - that is enough. Welcome to the club. Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin J Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome to the club. A nice choice of 7 & if ever I was able to change mine it is what I would go for. The simpler bits of servicing, oil changes etc are really straight forward. I think finding a good independent specialist by recommendation is the way to go, although if you are buying new there is the warranty to consider. When do you hope to take delivery & what colour have you gone for? Lovely part of the country for blats up your way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gregs79 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Quoting David Lynch: Greetings Trip up to Kimberworth Service Station (Rotherham) always recommended. I will have to try and get along when mine is on the road! Any time in particular!? ;-) Ant- Great choice that is what I am building at the minute. Opt to build it, although the manual can be a bit misleading at times, it is very rewarding! I am coating mine as I build it with ACF50 which you can buy over the counter a most decent motorbike shops and it is easy to apply and not as sticky as Waxoyl. Take a look at my blog, I have a bit of time off so you are more than welcome to come and have a look/chat. Hoping to finish it in the next couple of weeks as it is getting collected by Caterham Midlands shortly! Edited by - Gregs79 on 7 Mar 2014 13:24:24 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stationary M25 Traveller Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome to a great club Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TonyR Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Quoting David Lynch: Trip up to Kimberworth Service Station (Rotherham) always recommended. Plus 1 for the above The proprietor owns a Caterham & looks after many in the area. TonyR Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishy Dave Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome, given your lack of space and your admitted uselessness with a spanner I can see why you decided to get it built by Caterham. As other have mentioned, basic maintenance is really easy and your suggestion to go to along to the GTKY7 day is a good one. Having attended, make yourself carry out the basics on your own car like checking the tyre pressures, oil and filter changes and even changing brake discs and pads (not that you will need to do this very often) when needed. By the time you have carried out these tasks for yourself it will either give you the confidence to do more complex tinkering (with the help of the Blatchat search facility) or admit that you are a mechanical numpty and ship the car off to a specialist. We are not planning on tracking the car until we have learnt to drive it properly I would look at it the other way around: taking your car on the track will teach you how to drive it properly and safely on the road. Many lessons you learn at the limits of grip on a track are invaluable when blatting on the roads, particularly in situations where you encounter low grip roads. Look out for the club organised handling day at Dunsfold, have fun thrashing Caterhams own CDX cars on one of their slalom or drift days and also consider a trackday at somewhere like Abingdon, Oxfordshire with a company called Motorsport Events (book tuition too). Enjoy, cheers, Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FramerateUK Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Hello and welcome :) With regards to servicing, I do both options. I tend to do my own oil changes, brake pads, suspension tweaks and various tasks I can do my my garage, but for major things like gearbox trouble, belt changes ect it gets serviced at my local specialist once a year as he does the MOT for me anyway, so it's good to have another set of eyes on the car! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al7 Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Quoting ants21uk: We are in the Derby area and have family in both North and South Derbyshire, therefore we may attend both clubs in the area from time to time. We would certainly like to get to know a few 7 owners and join in on some social activities/blats. Why not join our merry meetings? S Yorks & N Derbys Sevens Ladybower on the last Thursday of every month 7.00pm ish. Contact Antony H - AR syorks@lotus7club.com Alastair Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Member Jonathan Kay Posted March 7, 2014 Member Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome. Agree about Abingdon airfield with MSE. Excellent organisers. I'll be doing several days there with people who've never driven a 7 before. Let me know if you're going. Jonathan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leadership Team Garry7 Posted March 7, 2014 Leadership Team Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome Ant and Vicky, The build is a brilliant experience, and there is plenty of help available through the club I found the build was the very best way to learn about my car, literally every nut and bolt! Having said that, if you want to buy ready made, you can always learn as you go along. The advantage of "supervised" DIY servicing is that you learn all about the important bits under the guidance of one that knows - (CC won't let you anywhere near it whilst it is being serviced). Either way, the 2.0 is a great engine, enjoy the flexibility. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
k.russell Posted March 7, 2014 Share Posted March 7, 2014 Welcome Ant& Vicky, you will soon get to know your car, and knowledge is all on here, local area always a good place to talk cars. We have a meet at Hathern A6 just a stones throw from Derby, second Thursday eve each month. Not usually many sevens in car park till April though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 thanks for all the replies. Think I am unlikely to build this one, but once I know my way around one I will in the future. We still have a few more weeks to decide as we will be placing the order before the month is out. Spec wise it will be normal S3, 5 spd, 13"inch wheels (can't decide between 6" or 8" inch rears), weather equipment (but with half hood), will look at an aeroscreen in the future, Carbon front wings and Dash, Tillets, maybe carpets? momo steering wheel, heater and 12v socket for devices. For years my favourite colour was Orange with either black or white decals, (most likely black) but having seen the 620R in blue with Orange, I'm no longer so sure!! Oh and I purchased the carbon handbrake from Carsten too. Thanks to all those who posted photos. I have no doubt that I shall contract upgradeitis within a few months Thanks for the tips re Kimberworth. I expect we will make an appearance at both of the Derbyshire clubs, but more frequently at Hathern as it is only 25 mins away, 35 using the B roads 😬 Really cannot wait now and this week is just perfect blatting weather I am so jealous . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Campbell Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 You will get all answers on the spectrum for build / don't build, service / don't service 😬 When I first joined the ranks (way back in 2000), I opted for getting it serviced...mainly for peace of mind and the fact I wasn't bothered about the cost of servicing. After a couple of annual services, I then gradually started doing it myself. With my current car, I've had it 4 years and it's now 6 years old, I still take it for annual service at a local specialist...mainly for peace of mind to be honest...and it saves me a few hours work when I could be driving it. I do the odd job as it comes up but that annual check by a professional just gives me that bit of extra security (at least in my head, even if the reality is less value added) I echo all the other comments so far.. each to their own in the end.....enjoy. Edited by - Steve Campbell on 10 Mar 2014 17:29:08 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 10, 2014 Share Posted March 10, 2014 I think that is probably what I will do. Good to have someone else have a look too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyH Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Welcome to the club! As above, our car gets a mix of home attention for the simpler things, MOT by Dave Wingfield at Kimberworth (yesterday as it happens!), and other more major works by either Dave @ Kimberworth or Dave Gemzoe near Wakefield (see ads in LowFlying). And as Al says, you're welcome to come visit whenever the mood for a longer evening blat takes you, last Thursday of each month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 Thanks very much for the invite Anthony, When the days get longer then we will pop over for a blat and chat. Thanks for the recommendations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyH Posted March 11, 2014 Share Posted March 11, 2014 I also forgot to mention, in the BST months (nearly there!!) we will be doing a monthly blat on the second Sunday of each month, if that also appeals? Likely start time around 8am from somewhere near Sheffield... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 AnthonyH, Yes that does appeal. Please keep us posted. Nothing better than North Derbyshire in the sun!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AntonyH Posted March 12, 2014 Share Posted March 12, 2014 No problem. Feel free to sign up for our mailing list at http://www.lotussevenclub.com/AreaMeetings/AreaMeetingMailingLists.aspx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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