Newbie questions R300/R400/R500

[4l3x]

I'm looking for a K-series car and dont really mind if its an R300/R400/R500 so flexible budget as long as its been looked after well and its in a bright colour (e.g orange, green etc)

Just a few things I'm curious about:
1) Would consider Duratec but as silly as it sounds the fact they all (most) have the exhaust on the drivers side puts me off - dont want to be breathing in more exhaust fumes than needed when stopped or isnt this really an issue in practice?
2) Where are all the R300/R400/R500 K-series cars in funky colours (nothing has come to market for weeks and I'm ready to buy..!)

[framerateuk]

The exhaust smoke isn't an issue. I've had my Sigma car for 6 years and I'd never even thought about it until you mentioned it then.

The only it does cause is heat soak into the driver's side rather than the passenger. Most of the time, this isn't an issue, but on a very hot day (especially a hot trackday!) your legs can get a bit cooked. In almost 30 degree heat a few years ago at Pembrey I found I had to limit my sessions to about 10 mins as my feet were getting too hot! That said, in that heat, the tyres are getting a beating too so limiting session length probably isn't a bad idea.

[AndrewD]

My new (to me) 620R has the exhaust extended so it exits at the back of the car.

[jeremyc]

4l3x said:

2) Where are all the R300/R400/R500 K-series cars in funky colours (nothing has come to market for weeks and I'm ready to buy..!)

We're keeping hold of them because they're so good.

[g7jhp]

Only reasons not to get a driver side exit exhaust is heat soak and burning your leg (but you only do it once).

Saves burning passengers legs.

[carphotographer]

R300, R400, R500, BDA, HPC, Superlight , Superlight R are so good most owners don't want to give them up.

I've got a Superlight, and I've only ever seen one other for sale in over three years.

[subirg]

Aside from price, can’t think of a reason not to buy a duratec. Any duratec.

[573]

OP, look wider than just R300/400/500. Sevens and Classics have a nice looking Superlight R in Firecracker Yellow. Spec will be somewhere between R400 and R500 but a standard VHPD so hopefully much less to maintain than an R500 K series.

[rubystone]

573 said:

OP, look wider than just R300/400/500. Sevens and Classics have a nice looking Superlight R in Firecracker Yellow. Spec will be somewhere between R400 and R500 but a standard VHPD so hopefully much less to maintain than an R500 K series.

Urban myth...R500K is no more expensive to maintain than a VHPD. In fact I’d argue that a non d/s VHPD is more of a liability than an R500 if used regularly on track.

[Robbo66]

AndrewD said:

My new (to me) 620R has the exhaust extended so it exits at the back of the car.

Just picking up 420R...should be interesting.

[573]

rubystone said:

Urban myth...R500K is no more expensive to maintain than a VHPD. In fact I’d argue that a non d/s VHPD is more of a liability than an R500 if used regularly on track.

Any non d/s k-series is a liability if used on track but that's not comparing like for like.

An R500 engine has more expensive components within it that by their nature have a shorter service life. How can that not equate to being more expensive to maintain? I'd also have concerns over who you'd get to refresh one now with many of the so called K specialists proving to be anything but in recent years.

Let's not make this that well trodden discussion though. I was merely pointing out to the OP that if he's considering R400 and R500 then he should widen his net to look at SLR too.

[fergus]

573 said:

An R500 engine has more expensive components within it that by their nature have a shorter service life.

That sentence makes no sense. I think you mean that the higher rev limit tends to make even the "more expensive components" more susceptible to wear?

573 said:

I'd also have concerns over who you'd get to refresh one now with many of the so called K specialists proving to be anything but in recent years.

From a survey of 3 "experts", Dave Andrews (DVA) is the only person who would work on a rebuild for my engine now. Knows his stuff, is methodical and has no BS. He also has nice biscuits.

[Orange Blackbird]

When I looked at buying a R500 back in 2003 I was put off by the bills for engine refreshes, at the time done by Minister in Rochester. They were eye -wateringly expensive. I think that now most work is done by Dave Andrews costs for maintaining them are more realistic as he knows the K series inside out and understands how to get the power without upping the revs to a point were they regularly need refreshes or break.

Nick