I have two(2) x-mods, skyline and rsx. In total I spent around 250-300 usd on both cars and 1 of ea set of upgrades. The design quaility of both cars were "awesome" right out of the box and the looks were also "awesome" but the speed was only "good" compared to mini-z OFTB speed. The rsx seemed faster and had a tighter turning radius. Maybe due to the shorter wheel base and possibly better power to weight ratio. I bought all the mods for them except the stage 1 motors. I could drift the skyline like a pro with the awd upgrade and stage two motor. After about a week I had problems. Both cars smoked at the crystal probably due to the fact that I accidentely shorted the antenna lead to maybe the battery or motor leads while doing an upgrade. RS took both cars back but after the second they said that was it. I do commend them on that but the fact that these are upgradable and have to be taken apart so much I would expect RS to have better consumer service and support because these are not your typical RS toys. Ok, so I liked the look and body upgrades along with the performance upgrades. You can setup your vehicle to just about any driving condition except a tight turning motor cross course. As far as testing, I hated the fact that I had to unscrew 8 screws and take the chassis apart for a motor upgrade. I think the car is way to complex for only average performance increases and limited OEM upgrades. With all the upgrades the car handled very well and had better speed then stock. Do expect to hit the walls alot in the beginning especially after a motor upgrade. The car has a servo brake which I think is useless. I hit the wall more times then I can count because of a weak stopping distance. If I could change that I would. X-mods also do not have a very good low speed turning radius. High speed turning is ok and tighter with drifting. RS tires are not as grippy as megatech or stock mini-z tires so it's easier to spin the tires and drift then a mini-z. The body kits give it a mild to wild look and coupled with the headlights it's very life like. I think RS did a great job of creating a product that replicates very detailed looks of actual cars.
The status of my x-mods right now is the rsx chassis is completely dissasembled because of sterring problems probably due to poor QA. The skyline was then converted to the rsx and is running very smooth with the stage 2 8t motor and all upgrades except the AWD. I do not run the AWD because it's too slow to keep up with my mini-z's. X-mods are a good starter car for the new-b to graduate to a better handling and higher speed car. I do however think that they could have made a more user friendly design for the complexity and amount of upgradable parts. I think they hit the nail on the head with the mid mounted positioning of the motor and the awesome suspension designs but again it's alot of work for upgrading, bearings especially. Remember that these cars are mini-z knock offs much like the zz vs. ms/b-c's so RS is going to do there best to give it similar characteristics but with a completely different design. I have to give RS credit because this is a much better and funner r/c product then what they normaly sell.
Mini-z's
I have 2 lxx mini'z $26.00 usd and 3 kyosho Mini-z's $99.00-$110.00 usd. In total I have spent around 500-600 usd for mini-z's and somre parts. Mini-z out of the box are way better....x-mod stock-$50 usd. Mini-z stock- $149.00 usd. The price is well worth it. Fully prop steering great handling awesome speed out of the box which includes the pinions. Notice that including pinions doesn't mean having to buy 4 motors of the same speed with different gearing. Gearing upgrades are very simple and very quick. The radios have awesome features and very good range. The mini-z bodies have excellent detail but upgrading the looks of a mini-z is limited to paint, spoilers and wheels. Body changes with putties and clay's are probably not for the novice and is not an area I have explored. New paint on any r/c can give it a dramatic change body kit or not. As far as upgrades for mini-z there are too many to list and too many manufactureres. The range of upgrades is amazing. Prices are hefty on the wallet. I put together a list for my wifes car, she wants all purple parts from megatech, $411 usd. That's just parts and upgrades. That would definately smoke an x-mod with all their oem upgrades hands down. But is it worth it? You are in a whole new class with mini-z's after you upgrade it. It's smooth steering great power and plethera of bodies and parts make it a great choice for the r/c guy that wants to go down in scale and price and a great choice for the r/c newbie or pro x-modder that wants to explore the mini-z side. Kids better hope parents have lotsa money. LOL.
In closing it's all about preference. I can completely clean and upgrade my mini-z with ease and in less then half the time of an x-mod. My x-mods, with all the upgrades can be tweeked to my hearts desire and not for $411 dollars. If you are budget minded then go with an x-mod. If you are like me, have money and a need for speed go with the mini-z's. I like all of my cars and I'll tell you that my x-mod with all the upgrades can stay with my stock, out of the box un-touched mini-z but after an x-speed motor upgrade and some bearings in my evo VI....... BYEBYE.
My evo VI
http://www.tinyrc.com/forums/showthr...threadid=15475