M05 and M05RA

[Olly_Lunchbox]

Hello guys,

Does anybody know for sure if there are differences in the suspension setup between the M05 and the M05RA?

I done a bit of research but keep getting conflicting info. Some people claim there are more suspension setup options on the RA but having studied the manuals for both (at Tamiya.com) the only difference I can see between the two are the guards and the rally block tyres.

Reason I ask is that I'm looking at getting an M05RA and swapping the body out for the new edition Monte Carlo Mini but if the only differences are the tyres and guards then I'll just go for the Monte Mini kit and buy the tyres separately.

So, anyone know for sure?

Olly

[digitrc]

The Rally version has alternative holes in the hubs that allow you to mount the axles lower, increasing the ground clearance. You can build it with standard ground clearance also.

[Olly_Lunchbox]

Ahh, cool thank you.

When I was looking at the instructions I was looking at the shock tower and didn't see any difference but what you say would make sense.

Thanks again.

Olly

[djmcnz]

And note that the Monte Carlo body won't fit over rally tyres without trimming the body or seating the body really high (quite significantly in either case).

In fact, the only Rover Mini body that will fit over rally tyres is the unfinished "Mini Cooper Racing" (#50795) shell. The pre-finished (XB) body of the same name "Mini Cooper Racing" is in fact a Monte Carlo body with different trim and therefore will also have problems fitting.

If you add the Hop-Up alloy front suspension mount you'll also have difficulty getting the Monte Carlo body to fit, the clearance for the inside grill mount is non-existent.

[Olly_Lunchbox]

I did wonder about the clearance issues myself. I know the original M01 Monte body won't fit very well over bigger tyres but as it has been released on the M05 chassis I assumed they had used an M05 Mini body or modified the original. There does look like a decent amount of clearance, more than the M01 version, but maybe the body would still need lifting up a bit and yeah, that would look rubbish. Ah well, it was just an idea. The rally tyres are probably unneeded anyway as the stock ones look quite grippy.

Maybe I'll wait until Tamiya release a mini bodied M05RA.

On a separate note isn't it funny how Tamiya have had no problems at all reproducing the original sponsor stickers on this re-re whereas most re-re buggies have a lot of changes to sponsor stickers?

[djmcnz]

I did wonder about the clearance issues myself. I know the original M01 Monte body won't fit very well over bigger tyres but as it has been released on the M05 chassis I assumed they had used an M05 Mini body or modified the original. There does look like a decent amount of clearance, more than the M01 version, but maybe the body would still need lifting up a bit and yeah, that would look rubbish. Ah well, it was just an idea. The rally tyres are probably unneeded anyway as the stock ones look quite grippy.

Maybe I'll wait until Tamiya release a mini bodied M05RA.

On a separate note isn't it funny how Tamiya have had no problems at all reproducing the original sponsor stickers on this re-re whereas most re-re buggies have a lot of changes to sponsor stickers?

I think you'll find, just as with the M03, this is just an exact repro of the M01 Monte Carlo... same part number, body and decals... I very much doubt it's been re-moulded. Tamiya Mini bodies are crazy:

Monte Carlo = XB "Racing" != Non-XB "Racing"

Non XB "Racing" = Unique

M01 Mini = Unique

M03 (non racing) Mini = Unique

And I got a "Finished Body" M03 that came with a M03 standard body but completed with M01 box art with M01 decals... direct from Tamiya.

And most Mini bodies don't fit most Mini chassis configurations....

They've even reused the original Monte promo photo for the M05 version!

[Olly_Lunchbox]

They've even reused the original Monte promo photo for the M05 version!

I disagree on that. There's no D1/Skid Plate under the front bumper so I think thats a new photo on an M05 chassis however on the rest of it you're totally right.

The more research I'm doing the harder it is to work what Mini bodies do and do not fit on the different M chassis, I had no idea there was so many variations - it's a Mini minefield!

[djmcnz]

I disagree on that. There's no D1/Skid Plate under the front bumper so I think thats a new photo on an M05 chassis however on the rest of it you're totally right.

The more research I'm doing the harder it is to work what Mini bodies do and do not fit on the different M chassis, I had no idea there was so many variations - it's a Mini minefield!

Keen eyes, you're correct because I also notice the battery retainers...

I have one of each chassis, one of each body and both 55D and 60D tyres... will be back home tomorrow so can take photos of the different combos if you like.

[No Slack]

I have both Mini bodies. The XB (is also the Monte Mini) version (with plated and plastic parts like the grill) does not fit very well over the standard M-03 chassis. This body was designed for the M-01.

The Racing Mini body (no plated and plastic parts) fits the M-03 perfect. My guess is that the Racing Mini will not fit the M-05 RA well with the rally block tires on as other's already mentioned.

It is difficult to find where the exact differences between the two bodies are but they are there.

[Olly_Lunchbox]

Thanks DJ thats a kind offer of the photos but no need as I have just ordered the Mini from Stella, I'll probably leave it as it. I might offer up the rally blocks to see how they work but if they don't fit easily it's no big deal. I won't be messing around with it to make them fit.

Will be buying another shell for running - I'll make sure I order the M05 specific one though!

EDIT: Posted that at the same time as your post No Slack. Thanks for the info. You're right, I've had a good look through the forums but there doesn't seem to be a definitive guide to differences between the Mini bodies and I can see how it'd be easy to buy the wrong one. I'll trust you guys judgement on the matter and ditch the rally block idea. If they went straight on that'd be cool but I'm not messing around with a load of mods to make them fit.

[Sayer]

I have both Mini bodies. The XB (is also the Monte Mini) version (with plated and plastic parts like the grill) does not fit very well over the standard M-03 chassis. This body was designed for the M-01.

The Racing Mini body (no plated and plastic parts) fits the M-03 perfect. My guess is that the Racing Mini will not fit the M-05 RA well with the rally block tires on as other's already mentioned.

It is difficult to find where the exact differences between the two bodies are but they are there.

Mini bodies are apparently very complicated. I've heard that it's impossible to get the M01 Monte body on the M03 (due to different mounting points) Tamiya did however release an XB Monte on the M03 and I doubt that body would be difficult to get on an M03. (I think they've done Montes of some sort on M01, M03 and M05) I currently have a beat up racing mini sitting on an M03 with the rally blocks and have no clearance issues, but depending on when the postman gets off his duff, I'll soon have a finished M03 Monte body to test this theory with.

[Sayer]

Mini bodies are apparently very complicated. I've heard that it's impossible to get the M01 Monte body on the M03 (due to different mounting points) Tamiya did however release an XB Monte on the M03 and I doubt that body would be difficult to get on an M03. (I think they've done Montes of some sort on M01, M03 and M05) I currently have a beat up racing mini sitting on an M03 with the rally blocks and have no clearance issues, but depending on when the postman gets off his duff, I'll soon have a finished M03 Monte body to test this theory with.

Yeah, so Rally Blocks do not fit under the M03 Monte body mounted on an M03. It's a spectacular body though so now I'm in the market for some 55D tires.

[djmcnz]

Yeah, so Rally Blocks do not fit under the M03 Monte body mounted on an M03. It's a spectacular body though so now I'm in the market for some 55D tires.

I suspected as much.

And this is interesting:

I've heard that it's impossible to get the M01 Monte body on the M03 (due to different mounting points)

I didn't think about that... are they different? I thought the M03 Monte was just a re-re of the M01 body... perhaps I'm wrong with this though?

[Sayer]

And this is interesting:

I didn't think about that... are they different? I thought the M03 Monte was just a re-re of the M01 body... perhaps I'm wrong with this though?

It's mentioned on this page at the top. Apparently the M03 body won't fit on the M01 so I'm assuming the reverse is true.

...Next Mini was 58163, the '94 Monte Carlo Mini. These are actually harder to find than the original 58149 kits but thankfully if you just want the rally look, then you can pick up a current model XB M03 which comes with latest incarnation of the bodyshell all painted and stickered ready to go. Dont however think that the later shells will fit on your old M01, it wont fit, the mounting holes are different. Still a brilliant kit to get hold of though...

[djmcnz]

It's mentioned on this page at the top. Apparently the M03 body won't fit on the M01 so I'm assuming the reverse is true.

Hmm, I thought I'd replied tho this.

Nevertheless - good link, thanks. I should have seen that because those guys are the authority. My M03 Monte shell sits on the M01 chassis but I've never actually added the body posts so obviously that's where the issue is. I'm going to grab a couple more M01's whilst they're available to have some guaranteed combos in the storeroom. Edit: Just grabbed an M01 and an M01 Monte NIB for display.

[Sayer]

Hmm, I thought I'd replied tho this.

Nevertheless - good link, thanks. I should have seen that because those guys are the authority. My M03 Monte shell sits on the M01 chassis but I've never actually added the body posts so obviously that's where the issue is. I'm going to grab a couple more M01's whilst they're available to have some guaranteed combos in the storeroom. Edit: Just grabbed an M01 and an M01 Monte NIB for display.

To be honest, if I was just going to display the car, I wouldn't have bothered picking up the 55D's since the 60D rally blocks look quite nice.