Auto Bionics Wish List..
Discussion
Auto Bionics can build anything and build it well. The kit they sent me for signal stalks is way over the top and every thing I've seen on their website is of similar quality.
If I could convince them to build it I would pay dearly for:
1) Hinge kits for front and rear clams that allow the use of a splitter and diffuser
2) Rear clam lock pin that is mounted in the cabin and passes through a plate attached to the center of the rear clam
3) Fresh air kit for a rear facing intake on a GTR
4) Front brake duct kit with everything in one box
5) Headlight kit with LED lamps and low profile fender well cover that is water proof
Anyone else here think these items would be useful?
If I could convince them to build it I would pay dearly for:
1) Hinge kits for front and rear clams that allow the use of a splitter and diffuser
2) Rear clam lock pin that is mounted in the cabin and passes through a plate attached to the center of the rear clam
3) Fresh air kit for a rear facing intake on a GTR
4) Front brake duct kit with everything in one box
5) Headlight kit with LED lamps and low profile fender well cover that is water proof
Anyone else here think these items would be useful?
1,2 & 3 would be great.
I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
For me, regardless of whether they are fit for purpose, some of the factory parts are simply too "kit car" looking - pedals, vents, handbrake and switchgear spring to mind. I know the choice is the owners as to what they fit, but with LS build costs at £55k +, if you want a full factory car, those parts should reflect the cost of the car. A £30k Atom has much nicer switch gear, nice titlton pedal box etc, so surely this type of quality can at least be an option, as long as it's not silly prices.
I get the whole bang for buck, but other kit brands such as Westfield don't even use switchgear as old fashioned as Ultima anymore despite their range topping cars being sometimes 1/3 of the price.
Just my 2p
I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
For me, regardless of whether they are fit for purpose, some of the factory parts are simply too "kit car" looking - pedals, vents, handbrake and switchgear spring to mind. I know the choice is the owners as to what they fit, but with LS build costs at £55k +, if you want a full factory car, those parts should reflect the cost of the car. A £30k Atom has much nicer switch gear, nice titlton pedal box etc, so surely this type of quality can at least be an option, as long as it's not silly prices.
I get the whole bang for buck, but other kit brands such as Westfield don't even use switchgear as old fashioned as Ultima anymore despite their range topping cars being sometimes 1/3 of the price.
Just my 2p
crossram said:
A Business relationship with Ultima that allows Autobionics to advertise what they make???????? The basis of a good relationship should not be clouded in secrecy, IMO Auto bionics ads value to the Ultima brand …. let them advertise. [/url]
I have no idea how the Factory view AB and so I can't/ won't comment on that particular relationship. However,and unfortunately, the scenario you describe is more common in business that most realise, which is very sad and counter-productive in many long-term ways. Don't get me going on that one!
I have suffered this sort of behaviour for years in another industry.
It's a 'control' thing! Short-sighted? Maybe!
Edited by 3Dee on Friday 28th February 08:48
deadscoob said:
1,2 & 3 would be great.
I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
For me, regardless of whether they are fit for purpose, some of the factory parts are simply too "kit car" looking - pedals, vents, handbrake and switchgear spring to mind. I know the choice is the owners as to what they fit, but with LS build costs at £55k +, if you want a full factory car, those parts should reflect the cost of the car. A £30k Atom has much nicer switch gear, nice titlton pedal box etc, so surely this type of quality can at least be an option, as long as it's not silly prices.
I get the whole bang for buck, but other kit brands such as Westfield don't even use switchgear as old fashioned as Ultima anymore despite their range topping cars being sometimes 1/3 of the price.
Just my 2p
I absolutely agree! I first looked at doing an Ultima build around 2005, but these points and others around the drivetrain all put me off.... in the end I went to Somerset and ordered an Atom. I couldn't fault the Ariel at all, as you say, they've cherry picked some great quality parts, it's a fantastic package.I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
For me, regardless of whether they are fit for purpose, some of the factory parts are simply too "kit car" looking - pedals, vents, handbrake and switchgear spring to mind. I know the choice is the owners as to what they fit, but with LS build costs at £55k +, if you want a full factory car, those parts should reflect the cost of the car. A £30k Atom has much nicer switch gear, nice titlton pedal box etc, so surely this type of quality can at least be an option, as long as it's not silly prices.
I get the whole bang for buck, but other kit brands such as Westfield don't even use switchgear as old fashioned as Ultima anymore despite their range topping cars being sometimes 1/3 of the price.
Just my 2p
However, the Ultima itch needed to be scratched, so after about 9mths of research and copious phone calls to the AB guys, I developed a plan which would get me the spec & "feel" of car that I felt reflected the cost investment of an Ultima build. If I was to sum up my brief, it was to build a car that looked as close to a modern production car as possible, rather than looking like a £20K kit.... There's no disrespect meant to those who like the std race-car look at all (each to their own, variety is the spice of life and all that!), I just wanted to make something that looked a bit more like it was modern production car.
It's great that there is the choice for people to make their cars look a bit more individual, but I do agree with the above comments, a bit more option from the factory in this space, or partnerships with the specialists would be great. At times I felt like it was the equivalent of cheating on my wife by going to the chaps up north to get bits I wanted! That's my 2p for what it's worth!
Why on earth would anyone be comparing an Ultima with an Atom ?? They are chalk and cheese.
A V8 Atom is about 150 grand !! - and you will still be slower than an Ultima round the Top Gear track. An Ultima is much better value for your money if you want a proper car. Of course, if you want something that looks like a toy, and has no bodywork, doors, roof or rollcage, and is much slower than an Ultima then buy an Atom.
Edited to add:- I have just looked at the prices of even the 4-cylinder Atoms, and even that model is approximately "Ultima money". Thats ridiculous (IMHO)
A V8 Atom is about 150 grand !! - and you will still be slower than an Ultima round the Top Gear track. An Ultima is much better value for your money if you want a proper car. Of course, if you want something that looks like a toy, and has no bodywork, doors, roof or rollcage, and is much slower than an Ultima then buy an Atom.
Edited to add:- I have just looked at the prices of even the 4-cylinder Atoms, and even that model is approximately "Ultima money". Thats ridiculous (IMHO)
Edited by pilbeam_mp62 on Friday 28th February 15:02
I think you'll find deadscoob and 356Speedster are talking about the quality of items on niche car manufacturers and not performance.
I fully agree with the guys too. I found some of the standard factory bits a bit embarrassing for a car that cost so much, so also went the AB route. Silly thing is the AB bits often didn't cost that much more, from memory, but looked great in comparison. I personally think the factory needs to invest in certain areas of the car.
Oh also owned an Ariel Atom, so careful there with the insults
Just my 2p worth.
I fully agree with the guys too. I found some of the standard factory bits a bit embarrassing for a car that cost so much, so also went the AB route. Silly thing is the AB bits often didn't cost that much more, from memory, but looked great in comparison. I personally think the factory needs to invest in certain areas of the car.
Oh also owned an Ariel Atom, so careful there with the insults
Just my 2p worth.
Edited by Dave211 on Friday 28th February 16:44
deadscoob said:
1,2 & 3 would be great.
I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
Having just had a quote off them for escort indicators at £550, i tend to agree. What i have seen of their products, it certainly spells quality, however with falling secondhand prices and a car looking dated, you have to draw a line how much to spend on a car.I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
deadscoob said:
1,2 & 3 would be great.
I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
For me, regardless of whether they are fit for purpose, some of the factory parts are simply too "kit car" looking - pedals, vents, handbrake and switchgear spring to mind. I know the choice is the owners as to what they fit, but with LS build costs at £55k +, if you want a full factory car, those parts should reflect the cost of the car. A £30k Atom has much nicer switch gear, nice titlton pedal box etc, so surely this type of quality can at least be an option, as long as it's not silly prices.
I get the whole bang for buck, but other kit brands such as Westfield don't even use switchgear as old fashioned as Ultima anymore despite their range topping cars being sometimes 1/3 of the price.
Just my 2p
I don't see what's wrong with the pedals. They're hardly very technical components. I can't imagine there is an advantage to having Tilton pedals. Do you think the car will stop any faster? Also if I was worried that people were looking at my pedals, it might be a sign that I was driving like a grandad and maybe I should actually be driving a Mercedes coupé (sorry Paul).I'd like to see their parts as factory options but they'd be too expensive then as both companies obviously need to make a profit.
For me, regardless of whether they are fit for purpose, some of the factory parts are simply too "kit car" looking - pedals, vents, handbrake and switchgear spring to mind. I know the choice is the owners as to what they fit, but with LS build costs at £55k +, if you want a full factory car, those parts should reflect the cost of the car. A £30k Atom has much nicer switch gear, nice titlton pedal box etc, so surely this type of quality can at least be an option, as long as it's not silly prices.
I get the whole bang for buck, but other kit brands such as Westfield don't even use switchgear as old fashioned as Ultima anymore despite their range topping cars being sometimes 1/3 of the price.
Just my 2p
As for the handbrake etc., they all do their job, so I think you're missing the point. Ultimas are no-frills performance cars. It would be nice if there were more options, but that is probably a lot of effort for little gain, for the factory, and we can change things ourselves if we want to.
I do really like what AutoBionics make and I respect them for their quality.
I agree about the hinges though. That wouldn't be too much investment, but who knows how well Ultima are really doing? They might be running on a shoestring.
@crossram: was that a still from Jabberwocky that you posted?
dandare said:
I don't see what's wrong with the pedals. They're hardly very technical components. I can't imagine there is an advantage to having Tilton pedals. Do you think the car will stop any faster? Also if I was worried that people were looking at my pedals, it might be a sign that I was driving like a grandad and maybe I should actually be driving a Mercedes coupé (sorry Paul).
As for the handbrake etc., they all do their job, so I think you're missing the point. Ultimas are no-frills performance cars. It would be nice if there were more options, but that is probably a lot of effort for little gain, for the factory, and we can change things ourselves if we want..
I'm not missing the point at all. Of course a tilton pedal set won't make you stop and faster, but to me its details that matter. If I'm putting 70k in a car, little things like that make a difference to me, just like all the other details that I've done to make it less kit car-ish. Functional yes, cheap looking most definitely..I don't actually give a monkeys what other people think,it's what I think and that is that those type of cheap kit car components are out of place in something that costs so much to build.As for the handbrake etc., they all do their job, so I think you're missing the point. Ultimas are no-frills performance cars. It would be nice if there were more options, but that is probably a lot of effort for little gain, for the factory, and we can change things ourselves if we want..
Yes, performance is no frills, yes, performance is good value for money I don't disagree with that at all, but we're in 2014, some of the components can be straight from the 80s.
Each to their own, personally I think the owners that have changed these typeof things are the ones with the nicest cars. I'm sure factory build owners and the factory themselves will disagree. But that's fine, if you want switchgear from a 70s kit car, or a handbrake from a mini etc, that's up to you
deadscoob said:
dandare said:
I don't see what's wrong with the pedals. They're hardly very technical components. I can't imagine there is an advantage to having Tilton pedals. Do you think the car will stop any faster? Also if I was worried that people were looking at my pedals, it might be a sign that I was driving like a grandad and maybe I should actually be driving a Mercedes coupé (sorry Paul).
As for the handbrake etc., they all do their job, so I think you're missing the point. Ultimas are no-frills performance cars. It would be nice if there were more options, but that is probably a lot of effort for little gain, for the factory, and we can change things ourselves if we want..
I'm not missing the point at all. Of course a tilton pedal set won't make you stop and faster, but to me its details that matter. If I'm putting 70k in a car, little things like that make a difference to me, just like all the other details that I've done to make it less kit car-ish. Functional yes, cheap looking most definitely..I don't actually give a monkeys what other people think,it's what I think and that is that those type of cheap kit car components are out of place in something that costs so much to build.As for the handbrake etc., they all do their job, so I think you're missing the point. Ultimas are no-frills performance cars. It would be nice if there were more options, but that is probably a lot of effort for little gain, for the factory, and we can change things ourselves if we want..
Yes, performance is no frills, yes, performance is good value for money I don't disagree with that at all, but we're in 2014, some of the components can be straight from the 80s.
Each to their own, personally I think the owners that have changed these typeof things are the ones with the nicest cars. I'm sure factory build owners and the factory themselves will disagree. But that's fine, if you want switchgear from a 70s kit car, or a handbrake from a mini etc, that's up to you
)..... The pedal assembly in the Ultima, especially with the GM drive-by-wire linkage is best described as "functional". A Tilton assembly would be a much more modern approach to take and be more inkeeping with a car of this performance / price point.The adjustable Tilton assembly in my Atom was a joy to use and gave a much nicer "feel" thru' the feet than the awkward Ultima setup. I'm sure it wouldn't be an easy thing to engineer, but if the factory were looking for some constructive feedback on improvements, this would be right up there on my list.
If you compare a factory car to a std Atom, 2-11, Xbow, Mono, R500 (all of which are Ultima rivals to varying degree in my book... others will disagree of course), looking at the components used & the implementation will make the Leicestershire car look a little old fashioned. I love the little details and the nice touches and would happily spend a weekend cleaning all the nooks, crannies & trinkets of the Atom. As I said earlier, this is why I walked away from Ult yrs ago.
Now please don't get me wrong, I know the ethos of the car is for it to be a Le Mans aping race car for the road and maybe the switchgear & other bits help achieve that, but my view it the car could be bought upto date without losing that. While some love the more, let's say, "period look", there are plenty out there who compare these cars to the competition and spend their money elsewhere. Feedback from friends & randoms I've met suggest there's a fair old market for people looking for a more modern Ult and it's things like this that have sent them to other manufacturers.
Thankfully there are plenty of people who like the std look, or like myself & Deadscoob are happy to spend bit extra to get this fantastic car, then do our own updates to get the best of both worlds
Each to their own and I'm VERY glad the car exists and people are buying it, std or not!!Finally on the AB stalks... I know the lads lurk on here but won't post, so I'll say it for them. They only use new parts, which cost a LOT of money from Ford. They then have to be internally modified & a complete wiring sub-loom assembled. It's a labour intensive job and there's not much margin in them. What you're getting a simple plug & play setup, where a couple of guys from up north have taken all the hard work out of the setup for you.
To be honest I don't think the prices AB lists are out of line at all. Before I buy anything I ask what would it cost for me to make it.....if I could.
Everything they've sold me has been offered a price that is reasonable.
Greatly appreciate you guys joining the conversation, I hope that this serves to increase the interest in the AB shop for some of these projects.
Everything they've sold me has been offered a price that is reasonable.
Greatly appreciate you guys joining the conversation, I hope that this serves to increase the interest in the AB shop for some of these projects.
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