DF03MS

[Avante2001R]

Looking at maybe buying a modern buggy, what are peoples thoughts on a DF03MS?

I like the shaft drive design over the more mid or front mounted motor set ups the TRF series feature. Just wondering how good these are and what are the flaws.

[GregM]

The flaw of the DF-03 is a weak aluminium gear or shaft somewhere in the driveline. TA-Mark mentioned an aftermarket steel hop-up part back then, but it is not available anymore and might be very hard to find nowadays.

Judging from that, I'd say you might want to stay away from this type of chassis. Tamiya themselves do not produce any new models on it and thus I think that's a tell-tale sign of fading parts support for the DF-03.

If you like to, please have a read on these articles:

UltimateRC: http://www.ultimatetamiya.com/buggies/df03/dark-impact/ (from a racer's perspective with thoughts about durability and handling)

Blackholesun: http://www.blackholesun.fr/RC_DarkImpact_US.php (from a basher's and vintage RC car driver's perspective)

Aside from that, there've been some read-worthy threads on the DF-03 and DF-03MS in the past two years on Tamiyaclub's forums.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=71956

[BigSteve]

Are you planning on racing or just casual bashing a DF-03. The DF-03MS does come with a lot of hop ups as standard including TRF dampers. I built one last year.

Steve.

[Klausen]

I bought a DF03MS recently, but haven't had the time to build it yet. As you, I really like the layout on this buggy, and especially that I don't have to use saddlepacks. All cars have week spots, so maybe I will find them, when I start driving it. But when coming to finding a new Tamiya, it is quite difficult, to get one that really performs, without paying top$ for it. This one was very fair in price at Tamico.de

[Avante2001R]

Thanks for the input, just for bashing really and for fun. The hop ups is what is making me consider the car. All my other cars I don't really want to bash around because they are now just shelf models.

[BigSteve]

I built mine last year. The kit doesn't include an ESC, motor or tyres though. You'll need a small esc and receiver as there isn't much room for electrics which is a drawback of the chassis. Apart from the bits I've already mentioned I opted to fit tungsten carbide balls in the ball diffs and frp shock mounts.

Steve.

[Avante2001R]

What is the chassis like stiffness wise? I am used to either FRP or Carbon with my vintage Egress, Avante, Top Force etc, what are these new generation of moulded plastic's like? Are they reinforced?

[XV Pilot]

If it is a stiff plastic chassis you are after, you may be disappointed by the DF03 which has quite a narrow, flexible tub made of relatively wobbly plastic. If you are willing to consider belt drive, the DB01 is a fine buggy with a stiff fibre-reinforced tub, but if shaft drive is a prerequisite, the humble TT02B is surprisingly good in this regard as the plastic tub is thick and well-ribbed.

(Yes, it has no slipper, but if fitted with the metal drive train from a DF02, it can reportedly survive very nicely without one.)

[Wooders28]

The flaw of the DF-03 is a weak aluminium gear or shaft somewhere in the driveline. TA-Mark mentioned an aftermarket steel hop-up part back then, but it is not available anymore and might be very hard to find nowadays.

Judging from that, I'd say you might want to stay away from this type of chassis. Tamiya themselves do not produce any new models on it and thus I think that's a tell-tale sign of fading parts support for the DF-03.

If you like to, please have a read on these articles:

UltimateRC: http://www.ultimatetamiya.com/buggies/df03/dark-impact/ (from a racer's perspective with thoughts about durability and handling)

Blackholesun: http://www.blackholesun.fr/RC_DarkImpact_US.php (from a basher's and vintage RC car driver's perspective)

Aside from that, there've been some read-worthy threads on the DF-03 and DF-03MS in the past two years on Tamiyaclub's forums.

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=71956

The mod for the main shaft is still going strong a year later (quick year!)

Broken wishbones, drive shafts, bent shocks and snapped the gearbox off the chassis (chassis broke not the GB), but the internals are fine.

Chassis doesn't really like 5700 brushless and 3s power.

[Avante2001R]

Having thought about it I will give the DF a miss. Will consider getting a TRF503.

[DaveB]

DB01, DB01-R, DB01-RR, Durga, Balde all the way. Huge hop-up cataloge, incredible buggy, very fun, very stable, very robust.

No brainer..

[kaylon]

They don't currently make the DB01 though do they ? I wish Tamiya would keep some runs going for a bit longer then just a year or two...

K

[Avante2001R]

Is the 503 based on the DB01?

[DaveB]

You can still get the DB01 Durga and the highly spec'd DB01-RR (which is an evolution of the R) - The DB01 chassis is still supported by Tamiya as they are still bringing out the odd hop-up and the amount of spares and hop-ups currently still available is huge (well over 800 on ebay alone).

Avante2001R, I think the 503 is based on the DB01 layout but the DB01 is a much more realistic car to live with as it will be more robust in my opinion. The 503 looks great with all the carbon and blue-bling but the exposed belts and gears means that it's more suseptable to grit ingress and therefore failures. Also, in the real world I'd imagine there is very little between a 503 and a DB01-RR unless you're racing at top level.

The DB01-R (and RR) is a fantastic buggy straight out the box - just add a few essentials like machined spur gear and steel pinion and it's ready to go. Mine has been amazing to run and has proved incredbly quick, amazing handling and very robust. I still recon it's the best 4WD buggy on the market for it's price, nothing gets near.

[Avante2001R]

Back in the day I always liked high end Tamiyas which is why before recently buying a few re re, I had Egress, Avante, TF Evo spec, Dyna Storms etc.

Looking at some TRF options and would even get back into some kind of racing with them

[Avante2001R]

Ok ended up buying a TRF511 will see what it's like when it arrives.

[InsaneJim69]

The TRF 501 and 511 are both good cars. I used to race a 511X. I now have a DB01R and find the DB01R alot easier to drive fast and far more consistent. I found the 511 could be far too stiff at times for offroad use, was great on astro turf though. The 511 is a pretty old car now though, I almost bought one a few weeks back used on ebay for £50, they go for cheap money these days.

I also bought 2 TRF503's with the intention of racing them but have heard nothing but issues with them and with the chassis being picky when it comes to setup, so have now sold them on. If I was buying new these days and it had to be a Tamiya then it would be the DB01RR hands down.

James