Shortshift

Thanks Neil. Yes, it is a lovely car but it's one car too many for me (well, that's what I am being told!). You're not the first person to comment that I've priced it very reasonably. Certainly, looking at the PH adverts it is quite amazing how current prices have moved up over the past two years or so. Hopefully, someone will bag a bargain here; a great car that is also likely to appreciate in value. James

And finally:

Some further photos:

Caterham CSR260 - 4800 miles - 2012 Exceptional Specification and Condition £47,950 Description Exceptional Caterham CSR260 being a late 2012 car that has covered only 4,800 miles from new. Quite probably one of the very best examples to be found anywhere - if not the best... I bought this car for touring duties to sit alongside my track-focused R500 but, in reality, I can’t justify owning two high-end Caterhams and, as I enjoy my trackday fun so much, this exceptional CSR is the one to be sold. Highlights include: 260bhp 2.3 litre Cosworth / Duratec dry-sump engine (mapped and tuned by Steve Greenald of ‘two Steves’ fame); 6 speed Caterham gearbox; LSD with 3.38:1 final drive; polished exhaust and decat pipe (separate catalytic converter also included); Special Edition "F1 Team" metallic green, yellow and white paintwork; the best CSR interior spec comprising the Caterham's traditional dash layout in carbon fibre, detachable Momo flat steering wheel and adjustable black leather seats; full weather equipment (screen, doors and hood); comprehensive ownership and service history including copies of original order forms and factory build sheets; genuine 4,800 miles. The car is immaculate and wants for nothing (the photos will hopefully give the right impression) but in more detail: Mechanical: 260 bhp Cosworth / Duratec engine with dry sump and roller barrel throttles Mapped and tuned in 2023 by Steve Greenald - faultless idle and fantastic torque delivery with great driveability and genuine 256bhp peak power 6 speed manual Caterham gearbox LSD with 3.38 ratio final drive, fitted with additional vertical diff braces/struts Ventilated front brake discs with 4-pot brake calipers Fully independent, adjustable CSR suspension all round Inboard front suspension with aero-style wishbones Polished exhaust, de-cat pipe and 4:1 collector Catalytic converter (not fitted at present) New Banner battery New braided stainless steel front brake hoses Uprated brake master cylinder Exterior and body: Unique CSR wide-body chassis with lowered floors Special Edition "F1 Team" metallic green paintwork with yellow and white elements (a £2500 option!) Black pack treatment (screen, filler cap, headlamps, etc) Carbon fibre rear wheel arch protectors, lamp housings and front winglets LED rear lamps Paint protection film (ppf) to various vulnerable areas including sills and suspension parts Full weather equipment (roof, side screens/doors) Aero-style fuel filler Unmarked and newly refurbished (powder coated) wheels, new nuts and centre caps Interior and trim highlights: Classic/traditional Caterham dash layout in carbon fibre – the best option for a CSR! Momo steering wheel with quick-release column mechanism Adjustable black leather seats Carbon-leather tunnel cover Carbon sill protectors ACES change-up lights Push-button start 12V power socket Heater Heated windscreen Fully carpeted with additional premium drop-in front footwell carpet mats Four-point Caterham-branded harnesses PPF applied to vulnerable interior areas – floor rails, etc Additional highlights: CSR-specific personalised registration included – Y23 CSR Two sets of keys and security immobiliser fobs Large collection of files and documentation providing detail of the car’s provenance, including original CC sales order and factory build sheets, handbook, invoices and receipts. Newly serviced MOT'd to June 2024 Also available by separate negotiation: Shower cap Half hood Hood bag Trackday or ‘FIA’ rollover bar Set of spare CSR wheels and tyres. Please contact me via Blatmail/private message on here if you'd like any more information or call/text/WhatsApp me on 07714 693192. James

I might regret posting that, then! But how else to communicate what it was that they did? OK - better to ask for the settings that they developed for me... I'm going to edit my original post, now, which will make a nonsense of your follow-up post Sam - but I can't stand the blushing! James

David You could do a lot worse than by contacting Nitron direct and asking for a set of their NTR-1 one-way adjustable dampers and springs with the settings* that they developed on my R500. After false dawns elsewhere, I now have a car with great compliancy for on-road use (at one end of the adjustability range) which are absolutely fine for my type of trackday driving (when set to the other end of adjustability). The car has been transformed. I'd also add the general caution that, from my research and experience, many aftermarket specs for Caterham springs and dampers seem to be based on extracting ultimate performance. Great for on-track duties but wearing and uncomfortable on road. I feel I have finally achieved that elusive 'best of both worlds' set-up. James PS: edited to remove any reference to these being the "James Batchelor settings"... 😅

Sorry David - nothing to hand. See the photograph above for the rearmost shim; the other 'half' is placed on the forward side of the pedal box, inverted to the picture above. It just 'squares up' the fixings to the mounting surfaces. James

Ah - just remembered; Dominic Mitchell is often able to supply these. Not sure if Dominic is still on here or not, but he's on the main Caterham-related facebook groups so I suggest you search for him there? Actually, just done it for you: The above from "TechTalk - The Original Caterham Technical Group" on facebook. James

Can't wait for the reply to this! 😊 James

Yes, it's a requirement of this Club (Caterham & Lotus Seven Club) but it's a 30 minute job to fit and then you're all set. They sometimes come up for sale second hand but you have to be quick - which also means they retain their value come the day you decide to remove and sell it (advice for your FD). Has no effect on 'arrive and drive' and no impact on half-hood or even on full hood, in my experience, as the reinforcement is down to the spec and size of steel tubing used and in the addition of cross bracing. And it's good to know that you have that extra degree of stiffness and strength in the highly, highly unlikely event of worst-case outcomes. James

Right - I've been given the all clear so I'll be mailing Jonathan with what I have, but in the meantime if familymad and Dan R drop me a PM with your respective private email addresses, I'll send you each a copy. James

Look forward to seeing you at one or more; Club trackdays are simply the best... But you will need to replace your standard rollover bar with a 'trackday' or so-called, 'FIA', bar. James

Yup - I'm working on it! James

Ah. I have what I think is the full set of R500D diagrams. I'll ask permission to share (which I'm sure won't be a problem) but, because of how I came to have them, I'd prefer to get my ducks in a proper row as a first step. James

Ah yes, of course, Northampton. Good call! James

Lovely car - maybe see you on some Club trackdays with it? Not sure who to recommend for the valve spring replacement work in your neck of the world. Is Ratrace Motorsport nearish? Otherwise, perhaps other members will be able to come up with recommendations for you. At least you have a wealth of information in this thread to help you decide on which springs to select, etc. James

Should find that in pdf form on line, I think. A quick Google search... James

You have one specifically for the R500D Jonathan (from memory, it's a three pager)? James

Congratulations on becoming an R500D owner! Would love to see a photo... I'd absolutely recommend that you have the valve springs replaced so as to not be playing Russian Roulette with your top-end. I have no experience of Raceline but replacing the springs is not a tricky task (and can even be done with the head in place, I think) so you should have plenty of options. Whereabouts in the country are you? I may be able to suggest some reputable specialists (as will others, no doubt). James

I know from personal experience that Colin's advice is spot-on, Graeme. I sold my sintered plate unit to a Caterham race outfit a couple of years ago. I think I advertised it on here and on Facebook so I can't be sure where they picked it up from. Racecarsdirect.com could also be a good avenue to secure a sale if you have no success on here. James

Simon Lambert's written response in the Q&A facility was somewhat more informative than (and potentially at variance with?) Bob's verbal update and suggested a more fundamental reconsideration. I quote: "There has been extensive investigation with the DVSA and we are several design iterations through, which includes changes to the material, to the geometry, revised damper bushing and retainment and a potential change to the wishbone." That sounds pretty fundamental to me, as someone who has owned three CSRs and still has a minter in the garage, and sort-of contradicts the line that the existing design is perfectly adequate (as in, no need for a compulsory replacement action). James

Hi Ian Good to hear from you. As it happens, I still have them - Joe went in another direction. Planning on being a wet trackday king?? James

Here we go:

Joe I have a really excellent set of staggered Apollo wheels (black with polished rim style) that are fitted with nearly-new Avon 'wet' tyres. I'll see if I have some images to post up but do message me on here if you might be interested. Should add, I am Warwicksire based - J15 up the M40. James