M-05 For Rally?

[Eso Rimmer]

What's the ground clearance of M-05? Is it possible to use it for rally as earlier versions (M-03 ect.)? Is the bottom side of chassis flat and not too much perforated? I'm not sure whether to go for M-05 or DF-03RA. M-05 would be cheaper option. TB-01 would probably be the best of these three, but I can't find it for reasonable price. BTW here is gallery of cup I would like to race in http://www.rallybrno.cz/galerie.php

[Mad Ax]

If you want to race competitively then the DF03-RA is most likely the best option. I've not driven one, but I have a DF03 buggy and it's a very stable and well-mannered off-road car. There's a good range of hop-ups for the DF03 and spares support is great, plus it's actually designed to be a proper rally machine, unlike the M05.

The TB01 was a good rally car but it needs to be set up correctly, different to the manual. Finding a good one these days isn't easy, I was looking for an NIB for a sensible price about a year ago and I gave up looking (my LHS had one left over from years ago and I let it pass, foolish foolish me!!) Runners appear from time to time, I got a great one a couple of years ago and I love it to bits, but it would have been nice to enjoy the build.

Having not driven the DF03-RA, I can't comment exactly on its rally performance, but I'd expect it to be slightly better than the TB01. The suspension arrangement seems a little more geared to rally-specific use rather than the all-purpose arrangement of the TB01.

I've got a rally-spec M03 but I only use it for bashing on dirt trails, not for racing. An M05 might be slightly better with 4WD, but I doubt it would be anywhere near as good as a DF03-RA.

It really depends on whether you want to "be different" or "be competitive." You'll probably have a great time either way! And remember - a poor car in skilled hands will beat a good car in poor hands

[kaiser]

df03ra all the way, it would destroy an m05, no contest.

the m05 would bounce over everything while the df03ra would soak it up at speed.

[V1nce]

You can modify a M03 for off road use. In fact off road mini racing looks like a laugh...

RC Mini have a article covering the modification READ ME

If you can use a M03, I can’t see why you couldn’t use a M05.

Having said all that if you wish to compete, the DF03RA is probably a more suitable option.

[Eso Rimmer]

V1nce: I know those minirally racing web and movies well. That's why I'm asking for info about M-05. DF-03RA is better for rally, that's for sure but Mini rally looks both fun and cheaper. I'm not aiming for top positions among 4WD cars.

Mad Ax:

I canceled my order of the last TB-01 in local online shop like year ago too and now I regret it. As left-of It was actually quite cheap too. Shame on me... All I want is to be different while still being competitive a bit.

Looks like the best solution would be to buy both M-05 and DF-03RA. Unfortunately I'm getting back into RC cars after 15 years (have Grasshopper II) so I need to buy whole equipment (radio, esc, battery...) so I can't afford both cars at once.

But now when I think about it, winter comes so 4WD would be better for slush/snowy/icy surface. Maybe I should wait with M-05 for next spring. Geez, I'm so indecisive...

[Eso Rimmer]

Yet one question. Will these 55mm dampers fit M-05 chassis? http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/rc-damper-ye...ng-p-28221.html I know the description says M03, M04L but I don't know whether they use the same damper dimensions as M05 or not.

[irenL]

Yet one question. Will these 55mm dampers fit M-05 chassis? http://www.rcmart.com/catalog/rc-damper-ye...ng-p-28221.html I know the description says M03, M04L but I don't know whether they use the same damper dimensions as M05 or not.

I think 55 is too long. it will bottom at the shock bodies or on the shaft, no good.

[Origineelreclamebord]

The TB01 is, although you need to add bearings and universal shafts and the ground clearance is not too great, a very nice car. I had two, I sold one (New built) and pretty quickly too. With body and all accesories minus electronics I got about 90 euros for it if I remember right. There are indeed not many TB01's about, but parts availability is not too bad.

If you can't find a TB01, take a look on ebay germany for a couple of weeks. Loads of new built and used cars in good condition turn up there and sell for very nice amounts of money - I'm sure a nice TB01 will pop up. If the sale states shipping in germany only, don't hesitate to ask the seller anyway, 90% of the sellers will agree with shipping arbroad.

[Eso Rimmer]

I think 55 is too long. it will bottom at the shock bodies or on the shaft, no good.

But why is it marked as "compatible with M03, M04L"?

The TB01 is, although you need to add bearings and universal shafts and the ground clearance is not too great, a very nice car. I had two, I sold one (New built) and pretty quickly too. With body and all accesories minus electronics I got about 90 euros for it if I remember right. There are indeed not many TB01's about, but parts availability is not too bad.

I've noticed there is a lot of NiB TB-01 Ferrari both in shops and ebay. Do you know by a chance whether there are any differences which prevent it from being suitable as rally versions too?

I'd like to buy NiB rather than used one because I'm affraid of hidden flaws (cracks, etc.) which can't be seen before the buy.

[Origineelreclamebord]

But why is it marked as "compatible with M03, M04L"?

I've noticed there is a lot of NiB TB-01 Ferrari both in shops and ebay. Do you know by a chance whether there are any differences which prevent it from being suitable as rally versions too?

I'd like to buy NiB rather than used one because I'm affraid of hidden flaws (cracks, etc.) which can't be seen before the buy.

The Ferrari's are a TB01R - This means they have bearings, lightweight plastic gears at the diffs instead or metal ones, a lightweight propshaft of aluminum which I heard wears out easily (not tough enough for rally use), they have no dust/dirt chassis cover, no foams to keep the dust out and no interiors - in short, apart from the bearings and the light diff gears, it's all just disadvantages.

As for used, don't be too worried. You can cover yourself by asking in a mail to the seller if he can confirm there are no flaws or damage that's not stated in the description and the pictures are a representation of the current state of the car. If something is in the end broken, you have proof that the seller didn't handle the sale honestly and must give a partial or complete refund.

Plus - As for Germans - I have very good experience with trading with them. It might sound a bit like a prejudice, but I think Germans are on average more honest sellers than of any other country I bought items. I think the German ebay really is the perfect ground for making good purchases and just feels like a completely different (and more friendly) environment than the US/international ebay (which somehow feels uncomfortable with all those rules and impersonal treatment - maybe because of the scale of it).

PS: The only place you'll regularly find New built FF01's selling for 45 euros is the German Ebay It really was a perfect deal and the seller was very nice!

[irenL]

But why is it marked as "compatible with M03, M04L"?

And why is it tamiya packs the super mini CVA (50mm long) with the M03R, M05R and recommnends them for the M03/04 lineage?

The super mini CVAs are not only short bodied, but also runs shorter piston shaft than the mini CVA. The 50mm allows the chassis to properly bottoms, and still allow for some more suspension compression after that.