sportster experience required!

[peter.martin]

dear members and owners of a marlin sportster!
I am yet no member and no owner but found the marlin car website some days ago.
A friend of mine (master mechanic and bmw enthusiast, owns a Z3 and a 2002tii) and I (enthusiast without any knowledge, owner of a MKII MGF) want to start a kit car project. My friend only knows the Caterham and some Korean copies of the 7.
My question to you all: how does the Marlin compare to the Caterham in terms of quality and performance? I like the BMW basis and that car looks more spacious than the 7´s.
I hope you don´t find this question/posting inappropriate, your comments are highly appreciated.

[Patrick]

Re: sportster experience required!

Hello Peter,

The Sportster is bigger and heavier than a caterham. I'd say that the Caterham is more of a racer and the Sportster more of a cruiser. There's lots more space in the Sportster and it's much more comfortable especially if you're tall. It's also a rarer site on the roads here than a Caterham or a Caterham clone.

I especially like it as there's more than enough room for a BMW straight 6.

There's a very small chance I maybe near Salzburg with my Sportster end of July / start of August. Not sure if you're anywhere near there but your welcome to have a look.

Thanks, Patrick
www.msportster.co.uk

[Peterx]

Re: sportster experience required!

Hi Peter,
I fully agree with Paticks comments, the Sportster has much more charcter and is built using BMW parts which is a lot of fun. The build is not easy and takes many hours so you need lots of time, patience and peserverance to get one finished. I'm not sure how you would get a Sportster tested and registered in Austria whereas i think the Caterham has European approvals so may be easier. I heard that a guy in Germany built one and has got it registered.

regards

Peter
http://www.flickr.com/photos/peters-bmwmarlin/

[peter.martin]

Re: sportster experience required!


hi guys,
many thanks for your quick replies - very helpful!
seems that car is just what I am looking for, the Caterham is to racey for me. I am 183cm and weigh solid 200lbs which hardly fit in to my MGF :-)
Getting it registered can be a hazzle but with donor parts from BMW it shall be possible, references to UK and Germany shall help, too.
Last question: is there a LHD version or can this be easily converted?

thank you so much!
Peter

[Patrick]

Re: sportster experience required!

They should be able to make a LHD version, it would only require 3 changes:

*Move the hole over on the front cross beam
*Cut the hole in the fire wall on the other side
*Weld the bracket that holds the steering column on the other side

It would obviously need a different steering rack as well.

I'm 185cm tall and fit fine, not the lightest of people either

Thanks, Patrick
www.msportster.co.uk