I was comparing the pictures of the new and old front and rear arms today, I didn't actually realise how much bracing and webbing they'd taken out! Here's some pics of the rears, you can see they've completely removed one of the brace bars:
OLD
http://www.stellamodels.net/catalog/images/51279.jpg
NEW
http://www.stellamodels.net/catalog/images/54142.jpg

Mine's arrived, the kit is in the smallest ever box!! Must be the lack of bodyshell!?

Come on Dave, you've had it a minute already! - PHOTOS!:thumbsup:

I have a car to review on the way, hopefully should have it this week so I can kick a review off.

Ha I knew you wouldn't be able to resist Jimmy!!

Will take some piccies when I get in late tonight, and some more when I get building tomorrow night!:thumbsup:

My TRF511 will arrive tomorrow. Will also get the new arms and bodyshell.:thumbsup:

Does the 511 not come with suspension arms? :wtf::wtf::wtf:

haha, just kidding. But you never know - no shell, what next? no screws?:woot:

Couple of pointers from looking at the instructions:

It does have the new driveshafts
It does have the longer damper shafts
No wheels (boo!)
Diffs 100% identical so good spares carryover!

Oh, and these new arms are sooo thin, get plenty of spares!!

I never understood the idea behind the longer shafts as it had enough droop for my liking anyway? I can't understand the lack of shell /wheels at all either - call my cynical but it seems like a way to save money (packaging) and make money (selling extras). When you add the cost of the missing items it really seems a lot more expensive than the 501X was, but maybe my memory is failing me since it was over 2 years since I got my original 501X.

Well I think it is more expensive, but since I do mainly on road, this isn't anything new to me. I have never gotten a body shell with any of my TRF 1/10th cars. I do get wheels, but no tires. Maybe they are just making things more uniform? Got me! I have seen the new body and wing set in person though, and they look good. Putting the new wing set on my DB01.

I will look forward to your 511x review!

I think touring car bodies are pretty big compared to the cars - and it's also a tuning aid. Neither of these things apply to off road and it's not possible to use any other shell than one designed for the car (generally speaking) so most people buying the 511 will be buying the 511 body set at extra cost - along with wheels which again aren't really a tuning option, unless you want a different colour. :woot:
Not a 'dig' - I like Tamiya, and I'm sure the car's great - but the 'big idea' behind the way the 511 is being marketed stumps me, it really does - the car has no identity.

HMMM!! Review Jimmy!:thumbsup:

That is bang on, without a shell how do you Market it, it looks pretty much like the 501 under the skin!

I'm thinking it's either cost cutting as you say, or because production/marketing are all from on-road and don't have a clue about offroad, or both!!

Will put a couple of pics up in an hour or two, but haven't really started building due to forgetting glue to do the chassis sides, doh!

I paid $460 for the chassi and $30 for the shell. I think it is almost the same price as the TRF501X WE.

They market the TRF416 without any shell, so why not the TRF511?
The TRF501X WE was shown in the same way.
For me it is more important to se what is under the shell when I buy this kind of car. But I agree that it gives a more complete identity with a body.
I will use both the Azarashi shell and Tamiyas new shell(s).

http://img4.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=boxogo.jpg

Pic to show how small the box is, and then the bits in it laid out!

Looking forward to getting into building it tomorrow night!

I sure do hope the Azarashi Tateego body will still work for the 511. :(

But I agree that it gives a more complete identity with a body.
I will use both the Azarashi shell and Tamiyas new shell(s).[/quote]

The Tateego shell fits but dont think it fits with the Tamiya undertray.
My Tateego on my 501x needs the tateego undertray:blush:

I use the Azarashi undertray with the Tateego body.

Have managed to do a fair bit tonight. This car may be less stiff than the 501 but it's still plenty stiff! Looks like rear upper bulkhead just reverses to mount shocks on the rear, so depending on getting a 2nd shell with a longer rear to it , should be a quick setup change to try it!

Some really nice detailing too, the steering has sooo little clearance but doesn't foul anywhere, looks very carefully designed!

Does it come with the new shock bodies Dave? I was just looking at some photos again and they look like the original 501X items, not the newer brown coloured jobbies that they released as an option.

Is the double slipper clutch included?

Are the steering parts the same as used on the TRF501X, are the aluminium hop-ups useable on the TRF511?