Body Compatibility

[soulstice]

I was wondering if the M-chassis bodies, in particular the old (and new mini cooper bodies) fit on HPI's mini or the Xpress Mini.

I like tamiya styling but prefer the performance and build of these 4WD mini.

These are HPI dimensions:
Wheelbase: 225~208mm
Width: 160mm

I can't find the Xpress dimensions.

Anyone know if there are other 4wd chassis that fit?

[emonator]

tamiya mini cooper bodies that will fit the hpi minis are the basic m chassis, and the m mediums. the M-L chassis, however will nto fit the hpi mini. i didnt even know express made a mini. i shoudl check that out. hope that helps. the tamiya m-chassis bodies(m01,m02,m03) have a 210 mm wheel base where as the m medium (smx lowdown, eunos roadster, gta?) have the 225 mm wheel base. the m long chassis (the bug, porsche boxter) have i believe a 243 mm wheel base? hard part is really finding the bodies..

[slotsurfer]

You could buy the the chassis extender fromRC boyz That will make your M03 225mm long cost $6.50. I was looking at the HPI honda civic MINI body yeterday at Hobby People and the body is not tall enough to cover the chassis completely.But I really like the Puegeot 205 T 16 AKA: Killer Bee fromDahm's I just ordered another one to make it scale looking like the real Group B rally car.The Wheel wells won't be cut for 1/10th rally wheels like I did on my first body that went wrong.The body will sit nice and low.Which color should scheme should i go with Martini White or Camel yellow.

[slotsurfer]

Camel Yellow

[tinyrc]

Go for the Martini White!

[soulstice]

Originally posted by emonator
tamiya mini cooper bodies that will fit the hpi minis are the basic m chassis, and the m mediums. the M-L chassis, however will nto fit the hpi mini. i didnt even know express made a mini. i shoudl check that out. hope that helps. the tamiya m-chassis bodies(m01,m02,m03) have a 210 mm wheel base where as the m medium (smx lowdown, eunos roadster, gta?) have the 225 mm wheel base. the m long chassis (the bug, porsche boxter) have i believe a 243 mm wheel base? hard part is really finding the bodies..

Yeah Roadrunner made a mini version of their Xpress chassis, in two to three levels of trim like there standard chassis. Basically standard(fiberglass chassis, plastic), pro(graphite, aluminium) and I think a super dee duper(graphite and gobs of anodized aluminum. I bought the pro roadrunner back in 97' I believe and remember seeing them on the floor behind the counter at ultimate hobbies, in CA. I'm probably gonna go today to see if they still have them.

The HPI mini could be set to 225 or 208 by fliping the rear suspension arms so the mini cooper body would fit according to the dimensions you gave me. Thanks.

Now all I gotta do is find a nice chassis to soup up.

What do you guys think, is it better to soup up an M-chassis or stick with one of the 4WD ones(which are definitely harder to find)?

Oh yeah, stick to the martini white!

[slotsurfer]

soulstice
I would stick with the Xpress mini if you have it.I called Ultimate hobbies 2 weeks ago to see if they still had the xpress MINI.They said they did not that why I went with Tamiya MINI.I could only find the HPI in europe or ebay.Looks like it going to be Martini white the stripes are going to be hell to paint because you have to paint all the dark colors first.

[soulstice]

well I just went to ultimate today before I read your post. No xpress minis even in the xpress graveyard they have on the floor or in their warehouse.

I've had a bad history of picking up the wrong cars or at least bad timing.

I bought an Xpress when it was the shiznits and now look at it. Should have gotten that Xpress mini. I'll never know if the tamiya body fits now.

Then I got a Pro3 which seems to have fallen into obscurity. It's not so bad though.

Anyways, I came >....< this close to getting a mini cooper today but ended up getting a TB-01 instead. They had a used Mini M-03 and I have to say the plastic quality was pretty poor so that made me hesitate. The TB-01 just seemed like a better deal for my first Tamiya chassis - nice body, sealed chassis, full bearings and a heatsink to boot! I'll probably be getting a mini next week at the rate I've been spending money. I hate it when I get back into this hobby every few years.

[slotsurfer]

Here you guys go E bay Hpi Rs4 pro MINI ends in 2 days.
HPI RS4 mini