Newbie Question

[protier]

Im getting ready to buy the first piece in the Ultima puzzle and was just wondering if when building you always go way over budget, I noticed that the Manufacturer's site shows cost about £16k without engine, is this reasonable?

Im also fairly keen on going for the M5 engine option but just how difficult... and expensive is this? Also where can you source an M5 engine?

Thanks for any help.

[peterpsg]

I think you might want to double that amount and then some...

[protier]

For the engine or just the body?

[tuxman]

cost us 40k to build chasis and we spent about 6 on a engine and box don,t be thinking this is a cheap build you need a good budget and fitting a m5 engine is bound to push up cost .

[peterpsg]

A typical complete build is usually at least £40k plus, which is part of the reason that I bought a 'used' one instead. There's a lot more required than just the body, even if you went for doner car parts...

Using a M5 engine, whilst tempting, would be an expensive, (unless you're a BMW mechanic) custom job, whereas you can pick up an old Chev V8 just to get you going pretty cheap.

If you're on a fairly limited budget, I'd seriously consider getting a second hand sports model, just check the for-sale section...

I'm sure others will have their share to say.

Also check the forum history, as this question has come up many times...

[GTRene]

those guys use the older V8 M5 engine or 5.0L BMW with compressor in their Ultima GTR

www.mlr-racetec.com/gtr600.html

GTRene

[GTWayne]

I think the question you should ask yourself is, 'do I want to buy and own an Ultima because it is an Ultima' or 'do I want to buy and build an Ultima because I want to build a car'. There is nowt wrong with either sentiment but depending on the motiv, you will be buying used and getting a relative bargain or creating your own with the chance to customise it to your exact requirements, but be prepaired to spend a lot of dough (a fair bit more than you may have been led to believe) to build your car to a standard spec, let alone any modifications.

[andygtt]

I budgeted £28k to build mine from the price list provided and it ended up costing around £50k so I guess I come in the category of spending over budget.

[steve_d]

£48K but that was two years ago.

Steve

[protier]

Ok, thanks for your help guys, I am sure I want to build it just not sure I want to spend so much... Think I will just buy the kit and take it slowly from there!

[m3desmo]

Just don't get caught in the trap of not being able to finish it due to budget constraints. Better to go into the project with a realistic idea of total cost and accept the amount that you will need to spend even if it is spread over a longer time frame.

[luckyp]

Protier,

I fell in to that trap when I did my first calculations. The 16K doesn't include what the factory call 'accessories', you know, optional stuff, like........err brakes and seats and other such take or leave options????!!

I asked the factory a simple question when ordering my parts - what do I need to build a top spec Ultima that will be at home on the track or road? With a 550bhp American Speed engine, and some aesthetic/ergonomic touches to the interior, the total on parts was £52k............

Gulp!

[GTWayne]

P, that was a bargain.