I think most of us are working on a budget and I like your figures. I guess if they counted in man hours of the whole team and had high bill rates you could get big numbers pretty quickly. I also see no issue in buying certain parts second hand or re-purposing items. Custom parts is where the money starts piling up would I guess, outsourced work is going to cost a bomb unless you know someone in the trade. Custom drop forged or single crystal weapons only for the millionaires out there.

Thinking about it - I would be happier to lose to a £25k bot after putting up a good fight with a machine costing £500, than just managing to beat a £500 machine with a £25k machine. Like a track day warrior turning up in a super car beating a kit car, just hanging on their tale would give you a buzz.