IndyFlyer
Posts: 69
Joined: 9/9/2002
From: Fishers,
IN, USA
Status: offline
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quote:
ORIGINAL: thaphillips
Here is the diffrence.
M03 - Is the shortest version of the 3 chassises. It can run bodies like the old mini style body. It also has a largest number or bodies available. This is the most popular version of the Tamiya Mini in the Asian region and Australia. Importing the bodies can get expensive at around $40 to $50 a shell after shipping. The M03 also shares the same front knuckles and C hubs at the TT01. This kits comes with a Mechanical Speed Control. You will want to buy an ESC. This car also comes with the softest rims. You should go ahead and order some diffrent rims, because you will break these. This kit does not include ball bearings.This is often the least expensive version.
M03M - This kits is also know as the Suzuki Swift kit. It is widely considered to be the best "value" Tamiya Mini kits available. It adds a small spacer to the chassis to make it slightly longer than the M03. It uses a diffrent set of front knuckles and c-hubs than the M03. Finding the front kunckles and C hubs is a bit more difficult as they are not the same parts as the TT01. Often times you must resort to ordering these parts from Asia. This kit does come with an electronic ESC. One benefit of the M03m is that it comes with a rear upright with a slight toe in of about 2 degrees. This is very beneficial as it makes the car more stable. This piece can be purchased seperatley and is very inexpensive. The M03M offers the least choice of body selections. The M03M also offers the most durable rims from Tamiya (the 11 spoke). This kit includes ball bearings for the wheels, but not the gear box.
M03L - Is the longest verson of the Tamiya Mini's. It can also run most M04 bodies. The M03L also shares the same front knuckles and c-hubs as the TT01. The reason I keep reffering to these parts is because these parts will break quite often. The TT01's are a popular car, and it makes finding replacement parts easier. This way you aren't ordering $5 parts from Japan and paying $8 in shipping. The M03L comes with an electronic speed control. This kits does not include ball bearings. The rims in this kit are in the middle of the durability range.
M03R - Is the "Race" version of the Mini. It comes with a full set of ball bearings, oil shocks (these are brittle and will be broken), 11 spoke rims, a metal heat sink (bad design, does not work), aluminum knuckles, and aluminum rear uprights with about 1.5 degree tow in.. No speed controlled is included with this kit. This version is a more for show than race. The extra money doesn't buy anymore performance. This version includes all 3 spacers and can be ran as a M03, M03M, and M03L. It does not include a body.
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Here is my advise
Choose the body you like better between the M03 and the M03L.
Buy the Toe-In Rear Upright (part 53345) and also get a full set of ball bearings.
If you buy the M03 also purchase a ESC and a set of 11 spoke rims.
Your last upgrade should be the Super Mini Shocks (part 50746) and the "Tuned Spring Short" (parts 53630, 53631, 53632, 53633)
Do not buy:
Manta Ray Diff - The planetary diff works just fine, but if you must have a ball diff get the TA03 diff (part 53267). The Manta Ray doesn't work well.
The heat sink motor mount - it doesn't work.
Expensive Metal Shocks - you can, but you will not see a big performance diffrence if any.
3 Racing Aluminum Knuckles - They are soft and the bend easier than the stock plastic ones. If you must have some get Top Cad or Tamiya. Be sure to buy the right ones as the M03M will not fit a M03 and vice versa.
Any lightweight parts as this car runs better with more weight. Infact if you run lipo, you will need to add weight.
Set Up
Ride and RP have the best tires available IMHO.
Put softer tires on the back than the front.
Also user softer springs on the back and harder springs on the front.
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I did send the track owner an email about the Cooper class and I'm anxiously awaiting the details of the class. Again, Thank you for such an enlightening post.
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Tamiya Mini Coopers - what is the difference? - 
