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803 Posts
Here's the latest review, people. This one's for the Smart Roadster-Coupe by Bburago. I know that the photos aren't my best but I will be getting myself a much better one in the next two weeks.
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PAINT
By Bburago's standards, the paint is very well applied with a very good consistency. It is slightly rough around the edges and it isn't quite complete on the insides of the doors.
6/8
EXTERIOR
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The most obvious fault is one typical of Bburago - the scale. The scale is 1:17 rather than 1:18 and although it may not sound like much, when compared with small car models, the scale problem is apparent. The proportions are correct and the fit and finish are reasonable although the panel gap between the front boot lid and the front bumper could be tighter. It weighs in at 500g. The headlights are separate plastic pieces but not much can be said about them, good or bad. The front grille is a mesh with genuine perforations but the foglight/indicator clusters either side of it are chrome plastic with a dab of orange paint.
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The decal on the front boot lid is rather crude and looks likely to peel off given time. The side repeaters are crudely simulated - merely a raised surface in the metal with a white sticker placed over it. The fuel filler cap on the B-pillar again is just a sticker and this is repeated for the "air intakes" to the engine. The rear light clusters are somewhat crude as well with chrome housing but the brake/tail lights are just painted on as is the central brake light.
The incorrect scale ruins any chance of a decent score in this department.
3/8
INTERIOR
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A reasonable effort from Bburago but nothing special compared to their competition. The steering wheel is incorrect - it is the same style as the one in the Smart ForTwo - but the speedo and tachometer are quite well rendered and the housing over the speedo is quite nicely replicated. The pedals are correctly shaped but they have incorrect chrome finish - they should look like dark rubber, not metal! The centre console isn't badly done - only the stereo and hazard lights button are simulated with small stickers and the rest is moulded. The periscope-like dials on the centre console are quite well done but there is no display in the centre of them. The seats are quite detailed with at least four different pieces making each seat but they look too big but the real car's own are quite large. There are separate seatbelts but they are crudely moulded. As expected, there is no carpet detail to speak of. In addition, especially in the rear boot, many of the fittings are exposed.
4/8
WHEELS & BRAKES
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The wheels are quite well done. The gap between the twin spokes is a real hole, not just a deep mould. Tyre inflation pins as well as three locking nuts are present on each rim. The smart logo is applied with a decal in the centre of each wheel. The front brake discs are nicely simulated with metal-look plastic and although they rotate with the wheels, brake calipers are absent. Smaller disc-like pieces of black plastic are used to simulate the rear brake drums. The tyres are unbranded and the tread is anonymous.
3/6
ENGINE & UNDERCARRIAGE DETAIL
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One of the floorboards can be lifted to see the engine bay. Although a large portion of the engine bay is hidden by one of the floorboards, the detail is still quite impressive. A close inspection reveals the cam cover (which has very fine paint labelling) as well as the tiny block of the engine. The cooling fan, intercooler and battery can all be seen as well. There is some wiring although that is moulded in to the engine bay. The undercarriage detail shows a more detail of the engine as well as the gearbox, driveshafts and the exhaust box. The biggest criticism of the engine detail is that the exhaust box and tail pipe have the trademark incorrect chrome finish.
4/8
COMPETITION
Kyosho offers their own version which is much more accurate than Bburago's version. Although you can buy two or three (possibly more) Bburago versions for the price of just one Kyosho version, the vastly better detail and accuracy are worth the premium you pay for Kyosho's one.
2/6
DESIRABILITY
This model will be easy to find at most decent toy/model stores and with Bburago's large production and distribution, these are unlikely to ever become rare.
2/6
OVERALL
In the big scheme of things, this model is rather poor but very good by Bburago's standards. The main problem is one that they haven't sorted out after all these years - get the scale right - it's almost like they measure the 1:1 cars by moonlight. :giggle
The engine detail partly won me over but in all honesty the only reason why I bought Bburago's version instead of Kyosho's one is because it's much cheaper and that I plan to do a Brabus Smart Roadster-Coupe V6 conversion soon. If you don't have a Smart Roadster model in your collection and do want one, your best bet is definitely to go for Kyosho's version - the premium you pay is more than it.
Total Score - 24/50
© 2004 www.DiecastXchange.com All rights reserved
Review added DX Model Review Database - 12/12/04
PAINT
By Bburago's standards, the paint is very well applied with a very good consistency. It is slightly rough around the edges and it isn't quite complete on the insides of the doors.
6/8
EXTERIOR
The most obvious fault is one typical of Bburago - the scale. The scale is 1:17 rather than 1:18 and although it may not sound like much, when compared with small car models, the scale problem is apparent. The proportions are correct and the fit and finish are reasonable although the panel gap between the front boot lid and the front bumper could be tighter. It weighs in at 500g. The headlights are separate plastic pieces but not much can be said about them, good or bad. The front grille is a mesh with genuine perforations but the foglight/indicator clusters either side of it are chrome plastic with a dab of orange paint.
The decal on the front boot lid is rather crude and looks likely to peel off given time. The side repeaters are crudely simulated - merely a raised surface in the metal with a white sticker placed over it. The fuel filler cap on the B-pillar again is just a sticker and this is repeated for the "air intakes" to the engine. The rear light clusters are somewhat crude as well with chrome housing but the brake/tail lights are just painted on as is the central brake light.
The incorrect scale ruins any chance of a decent score in this department.
3/8
INTERIOR
A reasonable effort from Bburago but nothing special compared to their competition. The steering wheel is incorrect - it is the same style as the one in the Smart ForTwo - but the speedo and tachometer are quite well rendered and the housing over the speedo is quite nicely replicated. The pedals are correctly shaped but they have incorrect chrome finish - they should look like dark rubber, not metal! The centre console isn't badly done - only the stereo and hazard lights button are simulated with small stickers and the rest is moulded. The periscope-like dials on the centre console are quite well done but there is no display in the centre of them. The seats are quite detailed with at least four different pieces making each seat but they look too big but the real car's own are quite large. There are separate seatbelts but they are crudely moulded. As expected, there is no carpet detail to speak of. In addition, especially in the rear boot, many of the fittings are exposed.
4/8
WHEELS & BRAKES
The wheels are quite well done. The gap between the twin spokes is a real hole, not just a deep mould. Tyre inflation pins as well as three locking nuts are present on each rim. The smart logo is applied with a decal in the centre of each wheel. The front brake discs are nicely simulated with metal-look plastic and although they rotate with the wheels, brake calipers are absent. Smaller disc-like pieces of black plastic are used to simulate the rear brake drums. The tyres are unbranded and the tread is anonymous.
3/6
ENGINE & UNDERCARRIAGE DETAIL
One of the floorboards can be lifted to see the engine bay. Although a large portion of the engine bay is hidden by one of the floorboards, the detail is still quite impressive. A close inspection reveals the cam cover (which has very fine paint labelling) as well as the tiny block of the engine. The cooling fan, intercooler and battery can all be seen as well. There is some wiring although that is moulded in to the engine bay. The undercarriage detail shows a more detail of the engine as well as the gearbox, driveshafts and the exhaust box. The biggest criticism of the engine detail is that the exhaust box and tail pipe have the trademark incorrect chrome finish.
4/8
COMPETITION
Kyosho offers their own version which is much more accurate than Bburago's version. Although you can buy two or three (possibly more) Bburago versions for the price of just one Kyosho version, the vastly better detail and accuracy are worth the premium you pay for Kyosho's one.
2/6
DESIRABILITY
This model will be easy to find at most decent toy/model stores and with Bburago's large production and distribution, these are unlikely to ever become rare.
2/6
OVERALL
In the big scheme of things, this model is rather poor but very good by Bburago's standards. The main problem is one that they haven't sorted out after all these years - get the scale right - it's almost like they measure the 1:1 cars by moonlight. :giggle
The engine detail partly won me over but in all honesty the only reason why I bought Bburago's version instead of Kyosho's one is because it's much cheaper and that I plan to do a Brabus Smart Roadster-Coupe V6 conversion soon. If you don't have a Smart Roadster model in your collection and do want one, your best bet is definitely to go for Kyosho's version - the premium you pay is more than it.
Total Score - 24/50
© 2004 www.DiecastXchange.com All rights reserved
Review added DX Model Review Database - 12/12/04
