Headlight moulds

[V8 Vum]

Seems the factory have recently changed the mould for the headlights to be slimmer. Their reason is to better match the newer headlights, but we do know and they seem to accept that many have had the tyre rubbing problem. This 'new' mould is said to reduce/ eliminate this problem.

Since I had the body supplied just over 12 months ago (but not completed fitting yet), I naturally asked ... £60 pair came the answer!



Keith

Edited by V8 Vum on Wednesday 11th June 11:31

[highflyer]

No change there then !!!

[Steve_D]

It staggers me how a company can get product design and quality right and make such an arse of product and customer support.

Steve

[ROWDYRENAULT]

lets see you bought a 2006 model car, its now 2008 and you want the factory to modify its product as sold in 2006 to 2008 standards? Lets review, Ferrari Porcshe THEY DO THIS OF COURSE? I have a 2007 Infiniti FX35 that at 24000 miles while still in Warrenty warped the front brake rotors. Thier answer to this was well that's just normal wear and tear. Come on guys if your are going to bh about Ultima pick something a little more logical then product support. As I have said here before I fly helicopters that cost between 8 and 16 million dollars and some of those folks could learn a thing or two about product support from Ultima.

[qwick]

ROWDYRENAULT said:

lets see you bought a 2006 model car, its now 2008 and you want the factory to modify its product as sold in 2006 to 2008 standards? Lets review, Ferrari Porcshe THEY DO THIS OF COURSE? I have a 2007 Infiniti FX35 that at 24000 miles while still in Warrenty warped the front brake rotors. Thier answer to this was well that's just normal wear and tear. Come on guys if your are going to bh about Ultima pick something a little more logical then product support. As I have said here before I fly helicopters that cost between 8 and 16 million dollars and some of those folks could learn a thing or two about product support from Ultima.

I think you'll find that if Ferrari, Porsche et al found their tyres rubbed on bodywork there would be a product recall and they'd fix it free of charge.

[Steve_D]

I'm not saying I want the factory to replace the headlight covers I just want them to recognise there is a problem and do something about it.
The covers were a known problem when I built my car in 2003 and until recently the design has not changed despite almost every build in between having the same problem.
They seem to think that admitting the problem exists is some sign of failure and that the business would go to the wall or somesuch.

Steve

[andygtt]

Its been a known issue since 2001... and it can't be solved completely with revised covers as some cars actually rub on the light units themselves.

[deadscoob]

Do cars with Ultima wheels and Ultima prefitted bodywork still have the problem?

[LuckyP]

deadscoob said:

Do cars with Ultima wheels and Ultima prefitted bodywork still have the problem?

Yes, albeit to a lesser extent with the revised bowls.

[deadscoob]

So if cars with factory prefit bodies and factory wheels still rub, they should replace them foc imo.

Don't want to get on the factory bashing bandwagon as I have no beef with them and am happy with everything they've supplied so far and the service they've given, but that to me seems a clear case.

[V8 Vum]

I was quite surprised at the strength of feeling about this! Yup - I know I started this thread but want to balance our gripes with reality.

Guys, the factory like most well run small businesses may have a quandry here.

I suspect a huge amount of money and time has gone into designing and bringing the current Ultima to a reality, far more that I would ever contemplate doing, so they must be congratulated in taking huge chances in a fairly difficult market, and have got it right in my humble opinion- well perhaps 95% both from a product point-of-view, as well as from a business perspective. An oversight or two like the headlight/ length of the bonnet/ tyre rubbing issue is minor.

If you take the trouble to compare their result/ success with other Kit/none-kit/production car manufacturers - their achievement is even more fantastic considering that they are a small family concern and presumably did not have access to massive funding like the bigger bretheren!

Then there is the longlevity of the business - how many know of car/kit-car manufacturers that have managed to remain solvent and just as important 'consistent' for so long? ...meaning you don't worry about investing in a project only to find you can't complete or sell as the factory has gone out of business?

So I thorougly applaud them!

The quandry? I suspect they are worried about protecing their bottom line for such requests which could get outa control. But I agree...if a proper business risk assessment was done on these exceptional events, with careful controls - maybe they would gain some additional goodwill...

... which in my old business eyes would elevate them to 'Star Status!

Keith

[k wright]

Now if we could figure out a way to actually seal the headlight box inside the fender....

[LuckyP]

deadscoob said:

So if cars with factory prefit bodies and factory wheels still rub, they should replace them foc imo....

Replace them with what though? Their revised design still rubs.

[LuckyP]

Did someone say that there are revised headlamps too? I concur with a quote that the wheels actually rub through to the back of the headlamp assy itself, so any attempt to shrowd the lamps is fundamentally flawed before you start. A slimline lamp would mean the bowl bought forward and clearance......perhaps.

[GTR-TT]

k wright said:

Now if we could figure out a way to actually seal the headlight box inside the fender....

Good question! My wheels have rubben right through the covers and even rubbs the lamps. I can't complain since I don't have standard wheels. I sealed them again but still when it rains the inside of my lamp pods gets fillet by water and sand so it looks like a little fish tank behind the plexi. This makes the car look very exclusive and well build by other people :/

My new front end solves this problem. The lights are mounted ~4cm more forward.

[V8 Vum]

OK Mikael,

You've got me now! What exactly did you do and have you got some piccys/ drawings?

As you say it was successful then it would certainly help us all!

cheers

keith

[deadscoob]

LuckyP said:

deadscoob said:

So if cars with factory prefit bodies and factory wheels still rub, they should replace them foc imo....

Replace them with what though? Their revised design still rubs.

That I don't know, I'm not a car designer - however if the revised design still rubs, something needs to be changed.

[Scotty-Boy]

As I'll be doing some GRP work on my front clip anyway, I thought I might depart from the traditional headlight set-up and try something a bit different...

I guess the only way to explain what I want to achieve is to say that it is a similar look to the TVR Tuscan lights... not sure how I'll arrange the lights, but will bring them right to the front of the clip moulding to maximise wheel clearance.

[andygtt]

Keith

I do agree with what you say, but the GTR and canam were finished being developed in 2001 and yet this fault still exists, I am surprised its not an SVA fail tyres fouling.

These light pods cost nothing to manufacture as they are only cheap fibreglass... maybe they could consider having a scuff plate of alloy were they rub or something similar as a short term fix?

[LuckyP]

andygtt said:

Keith

I do agree with what you say, but the GTR and canam were finished being developed in 2001 and yet this fault still exists, I am surprised its not an SVA fail tyres fouling.

These light pods cost nothing to manufacture as they are only cheap fibreglass... maybe they could consider having a scuff plate of alloy were they rub or something similar as a short term fix?

Dunno what I'm more frightened of, a sacraficial headlamp bowl or an armoured tyre chomper!!