Mike C.

My August '01 1.8SL has the new ECU. The change up light does not work (very annoying), but I am told that Caterham are working on a fix, which will be fitted retrospectively free of charge (I should think so too at the price of a new SL). Mad Manx

I now know: Caterhams no longer have intermittent wipe. It was deleted because of too many failures. The absence of a change up light and the tacho problems are related to the new engine management system. I am told that Caterham are working on a 'fix' but, in the meantime, aftermarket systems are no use because the latest cars no longer have a single coil. Instead there is one on top of each spark plug - hence the new plastic (not metal) plug cover. Fit an uprated bulb to the indicator warning light and you won't forget to swich it off. Mad Manx

INDICATORS - Originally I asked if the wing idicators could be positioned so that they were visible from the driver's seat. Caterham said no, so then I asked for an illuminated indicator switch (like DT sell). Instead they fitted a green light directly above the switch with, apparently, a brighter than normal bulb - and it's pretty good. INTERMITTENT WIPE - I actually used to use this (plus Rain-X) quite a lot so I will need to investigate a fix. CHANGE UP LIGHT - I had come to rely on this for track days and I trust that Caterham will come up with a quick, FREE, retrospective fix. Millwood were telling me that the new ECU is causing all sorts of problems with Rev Counters. They have built an SV demonstrator,which they can't finish because they can't get a tacho to work with the new ECU. PLUG COVER - Apparently the nice red one was metal, the horrible new one is black plastic. Mad Manx

Just taken delivery of my new Superlight, to replace my 3 year old 1.8 Supersport, and the excitement has been tinged with a few disappointments: - There is no longer a change up light (apparently it is incompatible with the new ecu). - Unbelievably, there is no longer an intermittent wipe facility on 7s, just the two continuous speeds. - The smart red 'Supersport' plug cover has been replaced with a boring piece of black plastic. On the credit side they fitted a much brighter bulb in the green indicator warning light, and it works well. Elsewhere it is the traditional mix of a heady driving experience and patchy quality. Incidentally, I bought this one from Millwood in Gloucestershire and they have been excellent, far better than my previous experience dealing directly. Mad Manx

I can confirm that the CR500s are excellent, I have previously used ACB10s, AO21Rs and AO32Rs and, as a road/track, wet/dry compromise the CR500s work very well (at a price!). Like Alex, I found the best arrangement was to have the 175s on 6x13 fronts and the 205s on 7x13 rears. I don't know if this is a common problem, but I did have some 'run out' on one of the front tyres, making it difficult to balance, but Avon exchanged it for a new one. Mad Manx

My Superlite wheels are (were) the 8 spoke/3-piece wheels and I went for 6.5" x 13" all round, fitted with Avon CR500s for wet road/track use. I have a spare set of Yoko 32Rs on 6" wheels which are great in the dry. The new combination performed extremely well in both dry and very wet conditions. However, I have had sufficient problems with the wheels to necessitate returning them as 'of unmerchantable quality' and I have requested a set of single piece Superlites and a refund. The balancing problems were a headache, but I was actually more concerned about the air leaks through the centres, as my tyre pressures were never constant. They tried to solve the problem by applying a thick silicone seal, but this looks untidy and goes black with the brake dust. Henry and Karen at Superlite are nice people and were helpful, although rather slow, but in the end I had lost confidence. My experiences may have been unique, but I suggest you get satisfactory reassurances from Henry before ordering. Mad Manx

In March I ordered 5 new Superlite (ultralight)split rims and had CR500s fitted by Avon. Since then I have had nothing but problems getting the balancing sorted. Turns out 2 of the Superlites were slightly buckled and one of the Avons was faulty. In addition, three of the Superlites leaked air through the centre section giving me headaches with slow punctures and iffy tyre pressures. Hopefully it is all being sorted, but what a nightmare! Mad Manx