Buy Ultima RS - Tips
Discussion
Hello everyone I am French (with very bad English, sorry in advance) and new on this forum! I discovered Ultima about 6 months ago and the idea of having one has arrived. Ultima Rs LT5 800HP. I intend to manufacture it by a person authorized by Ultima in Germany.
Several questions arise, I am totally new to this brand. Ultima sent me the price list, and for a model almost full options I arrive at 115 000 €.
The first question is that of road registration in Europe. Knowing if I understood correctly that each country had its own registration rules. France - Luxembourg is it possible to homologate it on the road? And what is the price?
Is it possible to drive on the road with such a car? Speed bumps, blind spots etc etc ...
And my last question, what are the weak points of this car? Obviously the RS model has just been released it will be difficult to have enough perspective. Is the LT5 engine reliable? the gearbox? and the rest of the car?
Thank you in advance for your answers, and sorry if some questions may seem silly.
Several questions arise, I am totally new to this brand. Ultima sent me the price list, and for a model almost full options I arrive at 115 000 €.
The first question is that of road registration in Europe. Knowing if I understood correctly that each country had its own registration rules. France - Luxembourg is it possible to homologate it on the road? And what is the price?
Is it possible to drive on the road with such a car? Speed bumps, blind spots etc etc ...
And my last question, what are the weak points of this car? Obviously the RS model has just been released it will be difficult to have enough perspective. Is the LT5 engine reliable? the gearbox? and the rest of the car?
Thank you in advance for your answers, and sorry if some questions may seem silly.
Welcome. I am sure that your English is FAR better than my French..
I am not qualified to properly comment on registration of an Ultima in France. From seeing a few forum topics on similar subjects I am pretty sure that it is very difficult and something you should completely investigate before doing anything else. There are a few European owners on this forum that will be better placed to comment, but I suggest the factory should be able to give you complete information on registration.
As far as driving these cars on the road - I would say that it's not hard at all. It is not like driving a normal car but it is definitely straight forward and a load of fun.
Most speed bumps are not really a problem in the UK for the standard ride height. I don't know if French humps are any worse, the ones I have seen look no worse than the UK. I would look at the optional factory lift kit - it is something on endless list of things to do to mine.
And, yes, rear visibility is not great. A good set of mirrors helps a lot IMHO and perhaps put the wring in for a rear-view camera during the build. That way if you are finding it difficult, then fitting one would be a lot easier
Fit air conditioning...... I would also look at electric power steering - its not a factory option but there are some owners that have done it and it is MUCH easier to do during the build.
The Chevrolet engines are renowned for being pretty reliable. I really would not worry too much about the LT5, all modern small block Chevy’s are easy and cheap to look after. A good gearbox should be fine, just swap the oil regularly and try and get one with an LSD. Some owners do swap gearbox ratios to better suit the V8 – its very much depends which version of the gearbox you get and your style of driving.
Good luck, especially with the registration bit…….
I am not qualified to properly comment on registration of an Ultima in France. From seeing a few forum topics on similar subjects I am pretty sure that it is very difficult and something you should completely investigate before doing anything else. There are a few European owners on this forum that will be better placed to comment, but I suggest the factory should be able to give you complete information on registration.
As far as driving these cars on the road - I would say that it's not hard at all. It is not like driving a normal car but it is definitely straight forward and a load of fun.
Most speed bumps are not really a problem in the UK for the standard ride height. I don't know if French humps are any worse, the ones I have seen look no worse than the UK. I would look at the optional factory lift kit - it is something on endless list of things to do to mine.
And, yes, rear visibility is not great. A good set of mirrors helps a lot IMHO and perhaps put the wring in for a rear-view camera during the build. That way if you are finding it difficult, then fitting one would be a lot easier
Fit air conditioning...... I would also look at electric power steering - its not a factory option but there are some owners that have done it and it is MUCH easier to do during the build.
The Chevrolet engines are renowned for being pretty reliable. I really would not worry too much about the LT5, all modern small block Chevy’s are easy and cheap to look after. A good gearbox should be fine, just swap the oil regularly and try and get one with an LSD. Some owners do swap gearbox ratios to better suit the V8 – its very much depends which version of the gearbox you get and your style of driving.
Good luck, especially with the registration bit…….
The factory directed me to Sven Schimmelpfennig who is their official build agent in Central Europe.
Indeed the lift kit and the rear camera seems essential! For electric power steering is it really necessary? For the gearbox I see everywhere on the forums several types of gearboxes. In the list of options of Ultima I do not understand all the choices of gearboxes. Which one is the best? Or should we install another one?
As for the registration Sven manufactured Andy's GTR of the forum which managed to register it in Luxembourg. Sven told me that going through him registration is possible. I know someone in France with a black GTR. I will have to contact him for more information. If some people from the forum have managed to register in Europe I would be more than happy to have the return, thank you to them.
Indeed the lift kit and the rear camera seems essential! For electric power steering is it really necessary? For the gearbox I see everywhere on the forums several types of gearboxes. In the list of options of Ultima I do not understand all the choices of gearboxes. Which one is the best? Or should we install another one?
As for the registration Sven manufactured Andy's GTR of the forum which managed to register it in Luxembourg. Sven told me that going through him registration is possible. I know someone in France with a black GTR. I will have to contact him for more information. If some people from the forum have managed to register in Europe I would be more than happy to have the return, thank you to them.
- 1 Decide what you want the focus to be, if its a track car driven on the street from time to time the spec will change. If you want a "street car" that sees a couple of track days a year then the spec is different. 800 hp in this car on the street is a waste. The money spent getting the last 200 hp can be used in better ways. Such as quality of the build,meaning time and money spent on plumping, wiring, nicer interior, electric assisted steering, lift kit for the front, Colored dash. Spend some time and money either on a Porsche box modified with longer ratios in 1-3 or go to RBT in Texas and order the thing with ratios suited for the street. The standard short ratios in the Porsche box make the car feel like a tractor on the bottom end.
I want to have fun with a car to the maximum of its capabilities! It's a car that I want to use mainly on the road and some weekend on circuit!
As for the gearbox that's why I ask for information because I do not know anything! It's a kid's dream that I want to realize. I had 2 Ferrari, a Porsche and today I want to move to something much more wild!
This project is conceivable if only I can register it on the road!
As for the gearbox that's why I ask for information because I do not know anything! It's a kid's dream that I want to realize. I had 2 Ferrari, a Porsche and today I want to move to something much more wild!
This project is conceivable if only I can register it on the road!
Skeet3r said:
.... For electric power steering is it really necessary?
Well, no. I have managed for the last 15 years without. But it will make low speed manoeuvring ALOT easier and the whole driving experience more pleasant IMHO. I am looking to do it, but because my car is already built, it's going to be a big job for me to fit. It would be far easier to fit and test whilst at the chassis stage. If I ever build again, it would near the top of my list to do,http://www.dcemotorsport.com/Home/EPAS (they also sell rear vision cameras as well, which I hadn't noticed before...)
https://epasperformance.com/collections/all-produc...
but there are various other options out there
Useful thread: https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=17...
Skeet3r said:
....In the list of options of Ultima I do not understand all the choices of gearboxes. Which one is the best? Or should we install another one?
Who is supplying the gearbox? The factory, Sven Schimmelpfenn? or are you going to have to find a gearbox yourself? A lot of the time it can be difficult to get ANY gearbox... Engines are easy...For most power levels the getrag/G50 boxes are fine I think. It used to be that getrags were hard/not possible to rebuild, but I don't think this is the case now.
Some gearboxes are 'better' - the boxes from turbo Porches/GT2/GT3, but these are very hard to get and very expensive. A 5-speed box is fine, you don't really need 6 in my opinion. 4wd boxes can be converted, but I myself would avoid the hassle.
The differences are mostly gear ratios. I have a G50/03 and that it quite low geared. It will never reach 200 mph. One day I may send it off to CMS and have a bigger ring and pinion or updated gearset
There are 3rd party options, like Graziano and Holinger. but these can be massive money. But sequential, which would be fun.
I am personally looking forward to a few crashed 2020 Corvettes - they use the http://www.tremec.com/menu.php?m=155. Hoping that they won't be too hard to integrate....
Thank you very much for all these precisions !
I still have not talked to Sven about the gearbox, I wanted to have your opinion before
BogBeast said:
Who is supplying the gearbox? The factory, Sven Schimmelpfenn? or are you going to have to find a gearbox yourself?
For now the only gearbox I know is the factory. I wanted to know if it was efficient or if it was better to go on another gearbox.I still have not talked to Sven about the gearbox, I wanted to have your opinion before
Edited by Skeet3r on Saturday 16th November 17:58
I live in the UK but have driven many miles in France in my Ultima GTR.
For mainly road use I would recommend the front lift kit, electric power steering, Aircon, LSD, the RS wing mirrors and sound deadening.
Mine has all the above except the lift kit. The lift kit would be more useful to enter and exit driveways, filling stations, etc.
These cars are very rare in France so attract a lot of attention. You have some fabulous roads but your gendarmes are rather keen to swell their Christmas fund, so be careful!
Gearbox. A double clutch box like the Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, etc would be ideal. But the software and cost are an obstacle. Mine is a 5 spd G50/52 911 turbo 2wd box. Geared to 210mph at 7100rpm in my LS7 Ultima. A good choice but a bit like hens teeth these days.
Any box needs to be geared to do at least 200 at max rpm in top to give comfortable noise levels at 130kmh on road.
I have no information on registering in France but there are a few over there. Talk to Richard at the Factory.
For mainly road use I would recommend the front lift kit, electric power steering, Aircon, LSD, the RS wing mirrors and sound deadening.
Mine has all the above except the lift kit. The lift kit would be more useful to enter and exit driveways, filling stations, etc.
These cars are very rare in France so attract a lot of attention. You have some fabulous roads but your gendarmes are rather keen to swell their Christmas fund, so be careful!
Gearbox. A double clutch box like the Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, etc would be ideal. But the software and cost are an obstacle. Mine is a 5 spd G50/52 911 turbo 2wd box. Geared to 210mph at 7100rpm in my LS7 Ultima. A good choice but a bit like hens teeth these days.
Any box needs to be geared to do at least 200 at max rpm in top to give comfortable noise levels at 130kmh on road.
I have no information on registering in France but there are a few over there. Talk to Richard at the Factory.
Storer said:
I live in the UK but have driven many miles in France in my Ultima GTR.
For mainly road use I would recommend the front lift kit, electric power steering, Aircon, LSD, the RS wing mirrors and sound deadening.
About the options I agree 100%For mainly road use I would recommend the front lift kit, electric power steering, Aircon, LSD, the RS wing mirrors and sound deadening.
Storer said:
You have some fabulous roads but your gendarmes are rather keen to swell their Christmas fund, so be careful!
I agree we have beautiful roads but our gendarmes are not the best! I live in Brittany and I do not have to complain about the rest of France where gendarmes are much less tolerant.Storer said:
Gearbox. A double clutch box like the Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, etc would be ideal. But the software and cost are an obstacle. Mine is a 5 spd G50/52 911 turbo 2wd box.
Indeed for the gearbox the double clutch will be too expensive and too bulky and heavy! I want to go on the V8 LT5 800hp, so I need a box that can hold the power. What gearbox does the factory use in their Ultima Rs (that of the Porsche 996 higher)? So what is the perfect gearbox for road use mainly with this kind of power?Storer said:
I have no information on registering in France but there are a few over there. Talk to Richard at the Factory.
If I understand correctly in the UK is it easy enough to register this kind of vehicle? If people have managed to register this car in France do not hesitate to contact me. When I contacted the factory about the registation in France they direct me directly to Sven (he built the Andy Lux GTR forum) in Germany who is their agent for Central Europe, Sven replied that he had to build it all to get the registration. But that the procedures of registration by country were different, and that for France he did not know.Thank you for all your answers guys!
I do believe having seen a photo of a GTR some time ago with a French registration number. How it was done, I don't know. I had heard that it is was practically impossible to get one registered. Here in Switzerland it is possible but it takes a lot of time, tonnes of patience and a load of cash
I know only one register in France is this one https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1679298802.htm/ and she is for sale. I will try to contact him.
Another question, does this car require a regular mechanical maintenance (for a road use) or an annual maintenance is enough (oil, brake etc ...)?
Another question, does this car require a regular mechanical maintenance (for a road use) or an annual maintenance is enough (oil, brake etc ...)?
Skeet3r said:
I know only one register in France is this one https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1679298802.htm/ and she is for sale. I will try to contact him.
Another question, does this car require a regular mechanical maintenance (for a road use) or an annual maintenance is enough (oil, brake etc ...)?
Depending on how much you want an Ultima that one is your easiest route, and cheaper than having one built.Another question, does this car require a regular mechanical maintenance (for a road use) or an annual maintenance is enough (oil, brake etc ...)?
They do need regular checks and “fettling”, but maintenance is simple and easy for a proper mechanic. Find a good local garage and it will be fine.
Skeet3r said:
I know only one register in France is this one https://www.leboncoin.fr/voitures/1679298802.htm/ and she is for sale. I will try to contact him.
Funny type of French registration plate, not unless it's an old style number. Could be the older Dutch ones but not sure at allStorer said:
Depending on how much you want an Ultima that one is your easiest route, and cheaper than having one built.
It's the Ultima Rs that seduced me, honestly apart from an Ultima Evo I will not take anything else. I still have the opportunity to register in Luxembourg because in France according to the owner of the GTR is almost impossible ...UltimaCH said:
Funny type of French registration plate, not unless it's an old style number. Could be the older Dutch ones but not sure at all
In France it is called plate of collection. They are allowed for vehicles of more than 30 years normally, but on vehicles of exceptions they are allowed.How does the value of an Ultima evolving over the years? For an Ultima Rs almost full options at 115 000 € without counting the construction, what is the value of the car once on the road, and after 10 000km? (built by an authorized person of the factory) Knowing that for the construction there is about 25 000 € approximately. Once finished it brings back the Ultima RS to 140 000 €.
There is very little for sale in Europe so I have no idea of the value of an Ultima with the km and the years.
Thank you in advance for your answers.
There is very little for sale in Europe so I have no idea of the value of an Ultima with the km and the years.
Thank you in advance for your answers.
Value of this car Almost Completely depends on the quality of the build. Next would be engine choice my preference, LS7, I personally see the direct injection engines as a bit, small bit, of a detraction because ultimately the LS is the cheapest hp per dollar to build or repair or tune by more people with more parts available. Transaxel would be my third filter with a g50 /52 as a neutral point other G50s a slight detraction and a 996 0r 997 gt2 or gt3 box being an enhancement. Good value for properly modified and spaced gears to the torque of the L.S. Miles I would not be afraid of, I would let the overall appearance tell me more than some figure in the odometer. I would see a car with my choice of elements well build in good condition to be worth $100,000 with better condition and parts getting a really nice well specked car up to maybe $145
If you think that's to much, try to build one for less and pay yourself an imaginary $25 an hour. If you think its to little go look at the price of a new NSX R8 OR USED 430. I am not advocating that any of those cars are as cool desirable or fast as the GTR, but it is a market and you have to appreciate the desire of the market place. Lee
Lee
If you think that's to much, try to build one for less and pay yourself an imaginary $25 an hour. If you think its to little go look at the price of a new NSX R8 OR USED 430. I am not advocating that any of those cars are as cool desirable or fast as the GTR, but it is a market and you have to appreciate the desire of the market place. Lee
Lee
Thank you for all his precious information! If my choice goes on a GTR I would opt for an LS7 necessarily. I found one or two in the 75 - 80 thousand €
https://www.autoscout24.fr/offres/-bbe0450f-5f56-4...
If I go on a Rs we are more in the 130-140 thousand € with the assembly included.
25 thousand euros for manufacturing is the price for you? In Europe, it is only through an official agent that you can register the car on the road.
https://www.autoscout24.fr/offres/-bbe0450f-5f56-4...
If I go on a Rs we are more in the 130-140 thousand € with the assembly included.
25 thousand euros for manufacturing is the price for you? In Europe, it is only through an official agent that you can register the car on the road.
Edited by Skeet3r on Sunday 24th November 18:05
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