Hi / To be New (2023..) Atom owner
Posted: Sun Apr 25, 2021 8:55 am
Hi Everyone,
As per the title I should be in the order list for an Atom 4 (Going to place the order tomorrow), with a c28month lead taking me to 2023 delivery.
As a bit of background, I currently have a BMW M140i (spec for those interested, LSD, Litchfield stage 2 450hp, M4 LCA's, chassis stiffening and brake upgrades (track wheel set with Nankang AR-1's)) and as a proper boy's toy a Tony Kart (Rotax Max) go kart. I live in SE London so not the best local roads but Kent / the south have some good roads there.
I'm after something which delivers a truly exciting driving experience, and feel the Atom will deliver this and more! Likely be 50 : 50 road / track, with most road being in the form of European road trips.
I take the BMW on track, although for an authentic and raw experience the Tony Kart is fantastic. I believe the Atom will be the grown up road going version of that!
Spec wise, my early thoughts are -
Essential (for me):
1) LSD
2) Lightweight Flywheel - Given how quick the racing engine revs up in the go kart, I think I would miss this if the car felt laggy.
3) Baffled Sump
4) AP Racing upgraded brakes
5) Stainless steel fittings on brake/clutch
6) Cockpit adjustable brake bias
7) Quick release steering wheel
8 ) Towing eye kit F+R
9) Stainless Steel fixings all round
10) Machined aluminium wing mirror
11) Aero Screen
12) Locking fuel cap
13) 12v USB socket
14) IVA/Road tax
Needing more information/to decide:
1) Dampers - which will be best. I'll have to visit the factory and make an informed decision later. However...I do rather like the yellow/grey look (think the car Chris Harris drove for top gear), and the Ohlins would complement that...
Funnily enough it was the early videos of Harris driving an M135i that make me get the M140i, so his videos seem to work on me from a marketing point
2) Uprated cooling package - As talk of the forum has shown some members feeling this is necessary for UK summer track use?
3) Fire extinguisher and track day lap timing would seem complimentary for my intended use
4) The 350hp map, while appealing - this can be added later so I'd be inclined to try the car in stock form first and spend on items more difficult to retrofit. Equally, 320hp may be more fun on the road if you can extract more of it, more of the time? Equally, does the Decat and sports cat make the car too loud for tracks such as Bedford with lower dB limits? (87.5 static, 101 drive by)
Wait time - Yes, waiting until 2023 does seem like a while but after an extensive (and still ongoing) house renovation which i'm sure the girlfriend isn't finished with yet i'm comfortable with this.
I need to try and get some time in May/June to go down to the factory, but super excited to be joining the community. In the meantime until delivery I hope to be able to attend a few events as a yet to be owner! Looking forward to meeting others in due course.
Cheers,
Charles
As per the title I should be in the order list for an Atom 4 (Going to place the order tomorrow), with a c28month lead taking me to 2023 delivery.
As a bit of background, I currently have a BMW M140i (spec for those interested, LSD, Litchfield stage 2 450hp, M4 LCA's, chassis stiffening and brake upgrades (track wheel set with Nankang AR-1's)) and as a proper boy's toy a Tony Kart (Rotax Max) go kart. I live in SE London so not the best local roads but Kent / the south have some good roads there.
I'm after something which delivers a truly exciting driving experience, and feel the Atom will deliver this and more! Likely be 50 : 50 road / track, with most road being in the form of European road trips.
I take the BMW on track, although for an authentic and raw experience the Tony Kart is fantastic. I believe the Atom will be the grown up road going version of that!
Spec wise, my early thoughts are -
Essential (for me):
1) LSD
2) Lightweight Flywheel - Given how quick the racing engine revs up in the go kart, I think I would miss this if the car felt laggy.
3) Baffled Sump
4) AP Racing upgraded brakes
5) Stainless steel fittings on brake/clutch
6) Cockpit adjustable brake bias
7) Quick release steering wheel
8 ) Towing eye kit F+R
9) Stainless Steel fixings all round
10) Machined aluminium wing mirror
11) Aero Screen
12) Locking fuel cap
13) 12v USB socket
14) IVA/Road tax
Needing more information/to decide:
1) Dampers - which will be best. I'll have to visit the factory and make an informed decision later. However...I do rather like the yellow/grey look (think the car Chris Harris drove for top gear), and the Ohlins would complement that...
Funnily enough it was the early videos of Harris driving an M135i that make me get the M140i, so his videos seem to work on me from a marketing point
2) Uprated cooling package - As talk of the forum has shown some members feeling this is necessary for UK summer track use?
3) Fire extinguisher and track day lap timing would seem complimentary for my intended use
4) The 350hp map, while appealing - this can be added later so I'd be inclined to try the car in stock form first and spend on items more difficult to retrofit. Equally, 320hp may be more fun on the road if you can extract more of it, more of the time? Equally, does the Decat and sports cat make the car too loud for tracks such as Bedford with lower dB limits? (87.5 static, 101 drive by)
Wait time - Yes, waiting until 2023 does seem like a while but after an extensive (and still ongoing) house renovation which i'm sure the girlfriend isn't finished with yet i'm comfortable with this.
I need to try and get some time in May/June to go down to the factory, but super excited to be joining the community. In the meantime until delivery I hope to be able to attend a few events as a yet to be owner! Looking forward to meeting others in due course.
Cheers,
Charles