DB01R vs 501x vs 511

[Migs]

Hey guys, sorry i know its another car vs car thread, but im after specific input, hopefully from any of you who have driven 2 or 3 of these cars

i have the DB01r, and so far ive been suprisingly impressed with it, so now im thinking that if the cheaper version of the 501 is so good, and from what ive read, the TRF cars are better, people who have discussed it have relayed that the 501 is more precise than the db01 though ive found my db01 to be very accurate in the front end, on turn in im easily able to correct the line if need be without upsetting the car much as the rear end hangs on very well

i guess the things im looking at are with the open drivetrain, is there a lot more maintenance, i know people are getting the dust covers that someone on here is selling though i saw he wont be selling many more sets of them, i'd rather not have to do a million diff rebuilds, though my understanding is with the 511, the diffs are easier to get out to work on.

The weight is the other factor, people quoting over 1800 grams on a 501x race weight, im assuming with nimhs in, how much lighter is the 511, if i get the 511 i'd be putting on the 501x arms to make it a bit tougher

Lipo fitment, what ive read about the 511 is the new placement of the batteries makes it harder to get lipos in, is there an easy solution, or is just filing on the bulkhead and shorter screws to allow better height clearance

the 511/501x look like they have an excellent weight balance too, motor on one side, speedy/servo on the other, is the 511 better to drive, did the movement of the battery placement make much/any difference as i couldnt see a whole lot of other changes that would have had a significant change in the car

i guess after typing this, the answer seems to be get the 511 and deal with the lipo fitment problem and look after the diffs more often than the db01r would require, or do i run the db01r and wait and see if this new tamiya 4wd comes out

[DCM]

Depends on your budget, if you can afford the 511X, then it is a better car than the DB01R, but then you got to go to saddle lipo packs, and electric placement is a little tighter.

[fastinfastout]

The weight is the other factor, people quoting over 1800 grams on a 501x race weight, im assuming with nimhs in, how much lighter is the 511, if i get the 511 i'd be putting on the 501x arms to make it a bit tougher

I had my 501x with heavy trakpower 4800 lipo at 1625grams


i guess after typing this, the answer seems to be get the 511 and deal with the lipo fitment problem and look after the diffs more often than the db01r would require, or do i run the db01r and wait and see if this new tamiya 4wd comes out
tamiya are showing the 511 as 'out of stock', and you know what that means?:thumbsup:
new car on the way

[DCM]

haha you wish, the TRF cars are made in batches, so if they run out before the next batch, tough titties...

DB01 with 3200mAh Lipo - 1575g

[GRIFF55]

I have run both the 501 and the 511(my current car). I loved the 501 but at the time there was hardly anyone i knew racing them at the nationals, due to this i got a more popular uk car. I now have the 511 as there a few people running them and i find the car so easy to drive consistently its unbelievable. Yes, the diff will need maintenance but its a race car. As for lipo fitment, it is just a case of dremeling a small bit away on the bulkhead and raising the posts a few mil.
My mate had a go of the car at the weekend and also couldn't believe how easy it was to drive. It also responds well to setup changes.
Hope this helps a bit

[Fredrik Emilsson]

I don´t think you have to worry about the car being to heavy when running LiPo. 1800 grams on a 501X is with Nimh cells. The 501X is not that much heavier than the 511.

My 511 weigh 1628 grams with IB4200 lipo, diff cover (10 grams) and lipo cradle (8 grams). If you add the 501X arms you add another 8 grams to that. Nothing to worry about.

The 511 is much easier to work on than the 501X. You can fit LiPos on the 511, just as you wrote. Filing, shorter screws and raise the posts.

Migs, if you need a diff cover just let me know. Same goes for the LiPo cradle.
The main reason I no longer have them om ebay etc. is that it cost to much to sell them with all the ebay and paypal fees.
I sold them as cheap as I could without any real profit just to help other 511/501X drivers.

[MHeadling]

I am getting together an old 501, I too had one a few years ago but there was very little set up help in the Uk for the car so I sold it on.

I tried to get a 511 but the 501 will do for now!

A mate of mine (just got a new shiny 511!) has heard some where on the net that there is a new 4wd shaft car coming? And that's why the 511 is showing out of stock on the big Tamiya dealers? Not sure how true this is???

[pugs]

I have run both the 501 and the 511(my current car). I loved the 501 but at the time there was hardly anyone i knew racing them at the nationals, due to this i got a more popular uk car. I now have the 511 as there a few people running them and i find the car so easy to drive consistently its unbelievable. Yes, the diff will need maintenance but its a race car. As for lipo fitment, it is just a case of dremeling a small bit away on the bulkhead and raising the posts a few mil.
My mate had a go of the car at the weekend and also couldn't believe how easy it was to drive. It also responds well to setup changes.
Hope this helps a bit


As I said at petit, I knew you would like it;) and like you say very easy car to drive:)

[Power Surge]

Here's a related question.....

For a NOVICE, would there be much difference between the 3 cars for casual track use?

I know that most of you here are so hardcore into racing that you can feel the smallest differences. But for someone just getting back into it, would there be any noticeable difference between the 3 cars?

I ask because I have been setting up a 501x for track use, but have not run it yet. I also have a DB01 Durga with a few hop ups, for bashing or maybe back up track use. I have not raced on a track since the days of Optima Mids, Rockys, Big Wigs, and Avantes.

[DaveG28]

I've had all three, and my view is:

DB01: with the right hopups best novice car
501: awesome car, difficult to work on
511: more nimble than the 501 and much easier to work on!

The more nimble bit is a personal thing though, not sure all would agree!

Also, the 501/511 seem to suit a variety of styles, can go smooth or chuck them about!

As for a new car, it's been nearly a year so I guess somethings coming, I've no inside knowledge but would guess a mild update/lipo friendly or hopped up version of the current 511 rather than all new. Can't see them going shaft myself as their onroad etc is also belt (in fact I don't think the drivetrain design was in house!) but guess you never know! I could well be wrong on this mind!!

[Kifogrande]

Wanted to get a Tamiya for belgium but I cant find them in stock anywhere that I know to look!

Anyone know where i can get one?

[DCM]

http://www.rc-mushroom.com/product_info.php?cPath=35&products_id=16594

[Kifogrande]

Somewhere with stock would be better!:thumbsup:

[Fredrik Emilsson]

Try this. $400, thats cheap:

http://www.stellamodels.net/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=76_114&products_id=3914

[Kifogrande]

:thumbsup::thumbsup:Thanks!

New toys rule!

[Fredrik Emilsson]

and now they are gone.:woot:
Is it now I should tell you that the new 4WD is on it´s way?;):woot:

[GRIFF55]

You the man Kieth!! have a look on rcmart, they might have one. Stella one is cheap. You could also send an email to rc champ to see if they have stock.

[DCM]

Somewhere with stock would be better!:thumbsup:

sorry about that, it didn't say 'out of stock' till you put it in the shopping cart....

people going Tamiya Mad now.... darn, will have to find a new brand...

[Kifogrande]

New 4wd wont be here for the weekend after next though! Hopefully mine will be!

Got the one from Stella models Griff!

Thanks anyway DCM, been drooling for awhile, rumours of a new one did put me off but screw it, I'll deal with that when it happens!

[Fredrik Emilsson]

I was a joke. ;)

Even if a new 4WD is released the 511 is great.

[simoncrabb]

I got a Stella one too, arrived yesterday. I ordered it, it went out of stock, and then I think they added another one to stock as it was available again!

Maybe it was to stop people buying lots at that low price...

[Kifogrande]

How long did it take dude? And did you get hit by import or are they good at marking them up hong kong style!

[AmiSMB]

Kifo you seem keener than a child leading up to Christmas day over your 511! Can see why after looking at Lees. Missed you and Jimmy yesterday.

[simoncrabb]

Ordered Friday, arrived Wednesday, chose speedpost, I think.

Marked up HK style ;) They're apparently worth $35.

[Kifogrande]

Hahaha! Cant wait!

See you soon Fribbers!! Who is Jimmy? Oh you mean Spewy!

[AmiSMB]

Hahaha! Cant wait!

See you soon Fribbers!! Who is Jimmy? Oh you mean Spewy!

Cannot wait to touch yours (511 you dirty minded man!) No I meant Leia :lol: Love that picture of Shitehall! Class

[Jimmy Whitehall]

No I meant Leia :lol: Love that picture of Shitehall! Class

How the f*** was that leaked!!!!

[Kifogrande]

Alright Princess Spewy! Had you hair in buns latley?

[Jimmy Whitehall]

fuck off

[Kifogrande]

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::p:thumbsup::thumbsu p::thumbsup:

You need to keep your passport better hidden, theres cameras everywhere!

[Jimmy Whitehall]

I only showed it twice on the whole trip. How was this leaked!!!

[AmiSMB]

Nice buns mate. At least like that they are held out of your spew :lol: Have you past your test yet. Have gotta see the picture when you get the driving license.

[Jimmy Whitehall]

Who took the first snap then. There was never any buns it just looked like there was! DAMN :cry:

[Kifogrande]

....

[Migs]

wow dudes, thanks for all the feedback, an NIB original 501 came up for sale cheap, so i snapped it up, actually works out better for me than the wce cos it doesnt have all the aluminium bits etc, i guess down the track we'll see if theres a new tamiya or if not i can move to a 511 in a year or so. i really like this tamiya crew here on oople, a lot of helpful and knowledgable people. Fredrik i will take u up on ur offer of the covers. i'll probably be ok without the lipo cradles, the lipos i use have the nubs on the base to locate in the nimh slots, will send u a pm, thanks for helping out the tamiya runners

[B44&501xRacerEX]

I took the rear aluminum hub carrier off and put on a plastic one.
The front aluminum hub carrier is fine because you have extra tuning holes.:p
The one thing that's different from the regular 501 and the wce is the pulleys, and the body, and the included swaybars.
I wrote tamiya on facebook about the new car coming out, and nothing was said. So I dont know about the new car.
I dont think the 511 was discontinued I just think tamiya is out of stock.

[Migs]

yeah ur right, the orignal 501 has the 35 an 36 pulleys, thats fine, my plan is to run the 18 tooth contre pulleys off my db01r and the longer belts out of it too and 36 tooth pulleys front and rear