TrevS

Also I have been in touch with the company who are working on a BMW V10 Ultima. Apparently its going well but its not a quick or easy project. They have said that if I wanted to go down the v10 route then they would help me out with the build, and build me the bespoke parts that they have had to make for their conversion. However they also said that realistically I'd need a BMW m5/m6 donor car for the build as they are using most of the mechanicals from the car (engine, ecu, idrive system etc) and that I should hold off building my car until they have a finished project running so that I can get a realistic idea of cost and the difficulty of the conversion etc. The finished project should be amazing though, they sent me some top secret videos of the engine running, and boy does it sound good. So with me now playing the waiting game and holding off to see what a v10 Ultima would be like and cost maybe I could go for a Ferrari F355 while the prices are quite reasonable and keep it for a year or two. Then if I want to go down the v10 Ultima route I could sell the fez to fund the project and hopefully not lose too much money on it. Any thoughts?

Hey all A quick update on this. I am still looking at the Ultima as a real option for my next car and as something that I can work on as a long term project. But with the credit crunch hitting the car market quite hard at the moment it means that for the money I would spend on the Ultima build I could possibly pick up a Porsche 997 C2 or even a Ferrari F355. Before anyone starts I know all about running costs of the Ferrari, but for the amount of miles I plan on driving the Ultima, Porsche or Ferrari I can live with costs invloved. So the question is, do I now look to go down the Ferrari/Porsche route over the next year and then look to buy an Ultima in a couple of years time as my garage project?

no worries, I also agree that Porsches do get a lot of negative press from people. I think its come from the fact that porsches built up a reputation of being driven by tossers over the past few years which hasn't helped. You only have to drive through London and see every other city boy driving a 911 to see what I mean. Its a shame because I reckon theres 70% of owners that have no idea of how good their cars are and will never really appreciate them.

Well Ill stick up for 911 porsches if you like, I think they are awesome. Like I said in the original post if I don't go for an Ultima for whatever reason then a 911 will be at the top of my list.

Thanks for the offer Alex I will keep you all informed of what I decide to go for.

Looked in the GTM also. there are some nice examples of the car out there but talking to some ultima owners who have started GTM's they say the kit in of inferior quality and not great. Also I don't like the fact that the company that make them are in the US. At least with Ultima the factory is only 15mins up the road and they have like 10years experience building the cars so you know the chances of problems with the Ultima are much smaller the the GTM. Anyways here a really nice looking one though:

No roof, so again even more impractical, plus I don't fancy having to wear a helmet all the time. Also for a longer drive to somewhere like lemans that westfield would be a killer. Can't imagine the ultima would be too much better but at least it has some storage space and you'd be a little more comfortable, you can even do your weekly shop in one, sort of http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/company/pics/faq2.jpg http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/company/pics/faq3.jpg http://www.ultimasports.co.uk/company/pics/faq4.jpg

I know what your saying about engine problems, I too have heard that the american v8's aren't perfect and a lot of owners are always fixing little problems. That's why I think fitting a modern bmw engine would possibly iron out the reliability issues (fingers crossed). The V10 is an amazing engine, you only need to look at how many awards its won. 2005 Best New Engine: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6) Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6) Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6) International Engine of the Year 2005: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6) 2006 Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-litre V10 Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10 International Engine of the Year 2006: BMW 5-litre V10 2007 Best Performance Engine: BMW 5-litre V10 Above 4-litre: BMW 5-litre V10 (M5, M6)

I hear what your saying, the 911 is probably the more usable car on 90% of roads, but I know which car would be more fun to drive home, and it doesn't come from germany. Anyway, as for the gearbox I have found a company that are producing a custom smg 7 speed box and transaxle based on the standard m5/m6 gearbox. They are also looking to fit the idrive system to their current build and stick with the standard bmw ECU. The problem with the v10 is that its a complicated engine so they want to retain as much of the bmw components as possible and then once the car is running they can look a weak areas and possible modifications. It would be perfect if they could transplant most of the m5 options for engine and gearbox as it would in theory allow the driver to change the cars power, gearbox feriousity and throttle response. So 400bhp for regular driving and then turn it up to 500bhp (m mode) at the touch of a button. Would certainly help preserve the engines life and make slower driving easier with less power to worry about. Also with the smg style paddle shift box it would make the car a little bit faster in a straight line as the shift times are reduced.

Yeah the budget will be the real thing that makes this project happen or not. I have spoken to a company about the bmw v10 option and they are confident that it can be done but would require a few bespoke components and have offered to help me with the build which is good. But I need to sit down wih the calculator and see if I can realistically do it. The one good thing is that you can spend and build at your own pace and as you can afford it, so yes the car will end up costing alot but its not all paid out at once.

What I want is a project car that I can build up over a couple of years as a long term project (Ultima) to keep me going over the winter months and something to tinker with in the garage. Then to have a cheaper sports car while I am building it (another supra). That way I get a hypercar(ultima) for the weekends and a supercar (supra) for the week. I think thats the point some of you are missing. The ultima would be a one off, made to my specification, using materials I want, powerplant i want etc (budget allowing). Then what I am left with is a hypercar that I made with my own hands that is purpose built for me. That's something that no 911 or radical can offer, the satisfaction of knowing that you put every nut and bolt together on that car and its just the way you want. Also the 996 turbo's are not even in the same league in terms of speed both in a straight line or round corners. As for radicals, yes they are quick but even less impractical than the ultima (if thats possible) and more for track work than road use too

Not yet but due for a factory visit over the next couple of weeks. Talking to some owners the getting in/out thing doesn't seem that bad. Basically you just have to climb over the side sill and the lower yourself in, Sounds harder than I think it really is as the doors are like butterfly wings so theres plenty of room. As far as head room goes I understand there is quite a lot. If you are taller (over 6ft 2") you can also lower the floor for extra headroom.

I really like the sound of the v10 rather than the old school v8's. I think a modern high pitched engine sound would suit the look of the car rather than an burbling v8. Guess its just down to personal preference. If a v10 can sound this good in a m5 imagine it in the ultima with a custom exhuast:

Well I am off to the factory soon to have a look round and see some cars at various build stages to see if its something I can do, both mechanically and financially. I am sure as soon as they take me for a spin in the demo car Ill be hooked and want one there and then. As for spec I want to go for a BMW V10 with the Porsche g50 gearbox. I have been told that its doable by a couple of owners and am waiting to hear back from a few companies on how easy the engine will be to fit, the cost and expected power. In standard form the v10 produces 500bhp so it should be pretty amazing.

I have been told that the average build varys between £30k-40k. Like anything though I guess its how much you want to spend. Things like the engine are around £10k for a new V8 but you can spend less to buy a reconditioned one etc. I guess most owners tend to want everything new though. The other option I had was to look for a used one, and then give it my own personal makeover. The problem is though, as builds vary wildly between cars buying used can be a bit of a gamble and takes away the fun of actually building your own car from scratch.

Hi all This is my first post on here for quite a while so I thought I'd give you guys an update on life after my last Supra. After selling the car earlier this year I put the money aside for a deposit on a house which has now been put on hold, due to the current housing market slump and so I have had plenty of time to contemplate what to put in the garage when I finally get one. Initially I wanted a Porsche 911, either a 996 C4S or a 996 Turbo. They are still on the list but recently I have been looking into the possiblity of building an Ultima GTR. I absolutely love these things, so quick and look like nothing else on the road (except maybe a pagani Zonda). However if I choose an Ultima Ill probably need another car for more 'normal' driving, which would mean I would look for another Supra. So what do you guys think to the Ultima and Supra idea? Should I return to the Supra fold? I would really like a proper project to get my teeth into and the Ultima seems to tick all the right boxes and I know the Supra would keep me entertained while I was building the car. Also does anyone on here have any experience with the Ultima GTR, either driving or building the car and what are your thoughts? Finally for those who haven't seen an ultima here is what I would be looking to build: Trev

Glad your enjoying it. Bet you didn't enjoy filling it at the pumps though

Thinking something german. Won't be for a couple more months but looking at either a Porsche 996 C4S or if my budget/missus will allow me possibly a turbo. Want something like this in seal grey:

car now sold to a new club member Darren. Sure he will take good care of her.

another bump plus another small price drop

Here is a question for everyone. What would be the single best fact about the MKIV Supra that would suprise most people? e.g. The Supra when new had a list price of over £42k

bump - open to offers on the car from mkiv owners as I'd prefer the car goes to someone who will look after it

Cheers, ill give that a go.

hi all I know this might sound like a stupid question buy my Supra has a aluminium mkiv owners club tax disk holder on it. I have never had one of these on any of my previous cars so can someone tell me how you get the back off? It has several screws on the back so do I need to undo them or is it magnetic etc? Thanks

I have 2 videos that my mate took of the convoy, not great quality but I need somewhere to upload them too