First on-road car

[Dangerseeker]

Well, I always favored off-road cars and never seriously thought about building an on-road model. Why? I guess I found those on-roaders a little bit boring.

But I thought I shoud give it a try and get an on-road kit now. A well known RC-shop in Germany has the Tamiya BMW Schnitzer M3 Evo for sale for EUR 79.99 what seems a good price.

The car looks ok, and the specs are quite reasonable. I would, however, prefer something like the Mini Cooper Monte Carlo '94 at least for the looks, because the specs are quite similar (except ist "only" 2WD) but ist double the price.

I always have second thoughts when an item is sold for such a "cheap" price when all other cars cost 100+

Could you please give a newby on the on-road sector some advice. Is the BMW ok or should I invest some more $ and get a more sophistocated kit?

Any Input is much appreciated!

[t3garett]

Hi there

the bwm your on about is the tt02 I think if so go for it !

I spent years only doing off road and this year for the first time I gave on road a shot mainly because I knew of a good car going cheap. So a mate and I decided to migrate from off road to on. He bought a ta05 and I got a ta04r . I love it and he gave up after about 5 goes and was left with a car he no longer wanted. So if I were you I d get the bmw and see if you like on road or not, if you do youcan hop it up or get something better. But don t do what my mate did and go down the deep end spending 200 odd euros to find out that you'll never use the car again.

By the way on road is great... hope you enjoy it

[Percymon]

If its the offer I'm thinking of, its based on the TT-01 chassis - absolutely nothing wrong with that chassis, and there are literally thousands of parts and hop-ups for it. It's been the staple on-road chassis for many years, spawning lots of different models with different shells ; even drift spec chassis kits.

Given the price of used Tamiyas on UK ebay of late, its not worth buying a used one to restore for the price of the that new kit

[Dangerseeker]

Sounds good, thanks for the quick reply. I guess I will go for the car. Chassis is tt-01, I just checked.

I just remebered that my brother once bought the Toyota Celica 4WD and totaled it in his first run (went into a wall at full speed, he blamed some interference that made the RC Controller unresponsible), whatever, I never had the chance to drive the car, because he sold it after the crash and later got a Hotshot II.

[XV Pilot]

As an owner of three much-loved TT-01s, I would not hesitate to recommend the BMW, especially at that price. In fact come to think of it, I have recommended it to a colleague already.

Let us know how you get on!

[Wez-li]

Given the price of used Tamiyas on UK ebay of late, its not worth buying a used one to restore for the price of the that new kit

Good point that mate, I've seen random TT01's going for silly money (imo) on ebay, what is that all about?

[Dangerseeker]

Gentlemen start your engines. I just ordered the kit, should arrive next week.

[Dangerseeker]

orderd ball bearings, too cannot be wrong ;-)

any other upgrade that is essential to the tt-01?

[XV Pilot]

The Big 3 - bearings, oil shocks and a steel pinion - are worth including from the outset, as is an alloy propshaft, especially if you are planning a motor upgrade at any point, as the stock plastic one tends to twist and flex a lot.

[Dangerseeker]

well, Looks like I have to get a pack of steel pinions, since everyone is recommending those and my other cars are still equipped with the original alu ones.

back to the ebay

[Dangerseeker]

steel pinion gears: i am building a grasshopper for the kids, steel pinion also recommended for that kit (runs on a 540 motor).

[Wez-li]

orderd ball bearings, too cannot be wrong ;-)

any other upgrade that is essential to the tt-01?

As xv pilot has mentioned, Alloy centre shaft & oil shocks if it doesn't come with them, along with the bearings you've ordered and the steel pinion you're good to go for stage one

[Dangerseeker]

As xv pilot has mentioned, Alloy centre shaft & oil shocks if it doesn't come with them, along with the bearings you've ordered and the steel pinion you're good to go for stage one

thanks for the info!

i will download the manual and check whats inside the box, i remember oil shocks to be included, not sure about the centre shaft, i'll see.

stage one :-) sounds like an old c64 game just like in the old days...

[XV Pilot]

steel pinion gears: i am building a grasshopper for the kids, steel pinion also recommended for that kit (runs on a 540 motor).

If upgrading a Grasshopper to run a 540 in place of the stock 380, you need to purchase a 18t 0.8 module pinion anyway, so you'd might as well make it a steel one. The cost difference is minimal compared to the difference in longevity.

[volvotech]

I built a TT01 with alloy shaft, bearings and CVA shocks to be used as a "loaner" for friends and neighbors. It's always a hit with them and I don't cringe when it smacks a curb at full beans like I would if they did with any of my other, more expensive cars. That being said, I think it's a fantastic chassis. It does quite well for an entry level kit, especially with real suspension.

[Dangerseeker]

If upgrading a Grasshopper to run a 540 in place of the stock 380, you need to purchase a 18t 0.8 module pinion anyway, so you'd might as well make it a steel one. The cost difference is minimal compared to the difference in longevity.

yes, thats what the manual says 18t pinion. i ordered an adjustable motor mount to have more joices but still need the steel gear.

[Dangerseeker]

I built a TT01 with alloy shaft, bearings and CVA shocks to be used as a "loaner" for friends and neighbors. It's always a hit with them and I don't cringe when it smacks a curb at full beans like I would if they did with any of my other, more expensive cars. That being said, I think it's a fantastic chassis. It does quite well for an entry level kit, especially with real suspension.

i rechecked and found out that the bmw schnitzer was rereleased on the tt01. this version has no oil shocks, but a plastic center shaft.

so i put on my list: 1) steel pinion 2) alloy shaft 3) oil shocks.

i found a plethora of upgrades for the tt01 - incredible! but i will stick to my list, should be a beginner onroader, though.

[Dojo Dave]

http://www.tamiyaclub.com/pictureframe.asp?t=n&id=img37635_29032015042038_1.jpg

How far you want to mod..... its endless possibilities

[Dangerseeker]

Well, well, well; the car arrived today. Hop-up parts to come.

[Percymon]

if you've not already looked, you should be able to get the correct oil filled cva shocks, and a choice of springs from banzaihobby.com for under 25euros delivered using the SAL shipping option.

I'm sure they'll be competitive on the alloy propshaft too !

[Wez-li]

Gotta say, I do miss my old TT01

Glad I've got another one coming

[Dangerseeker]

if you've not already looked, you should be able to get the correct oil filled cva shocks, and a choice of springs from banzaihobby.com for under 25euros delivered using the SAL shipping option.

I'm sure they'll be competitive on the alloy propshaft too !

thanks a lot for the tip. i am just checking banzaihobby.com, huge site, a little bit akward to navigate but i will prevail...

[Percymon]

thanks a lot for the tip. i am just checking banzaihobby.com, huge site, a little bit akward to navigate but i will prevail...

Easiest option is to use the search bar top right with the part number, or keywords like tt01 shock etc

53619 CVA shock (set of 4) for $14 posted is a great price - need to add springs as the Tamiya CVA set doesn't come with any, giving you the choice to use the build kit supplied ones or various hardness of optional springs.

Hop up part numbers may be listed in the build manual, either on the back pages or at relevant build section.

[Dangerseeker]

The shocks that popped up were quite expensive, so I ordered at rcmart - 4 dampers at $23, bought the propshaft too.

Now I neew a bunch of steel pinions (have to Substitute the other cars as well) - still looking for a bargain....

[Wooders28]

Been pondering about getting an electric on-road for a while,I have a ic fusion,but not really anywhere big and flat enough to run it to its full potential.

I was so so close to buying Wez-li's df03ra he had for sale a while back.

Interesting to read how you get on.