[Corvettedude98]

Why do companies like BBR, Autoart, and other high end diecast companies charge so much money for models where you can neither open the doors nor see or access an engine? I've been curious about this for a long time. What makes these resin models stand out from diecast models with opening parts?

 

[ironsim]

They look great and its easier to make. And most of the collectors dont really open their models more than 1 or 2 times so they go the easy way

 

[sergio]

I find diecast with openings are Always Superior to resin.
The annoying this is that sometimes a model you want is only released as a resin sealed model.
So than you can Make the choice.
Not to buy or Have at least a replica of the model you want even if it is resin or sealed diecast.

 

[Josh]

To answer your question the only thing that stands out on Resin over diecast is Paint quality (sometimes) and packaging/presentation. O and the really nice ones, like BBR cost more than pretty much all diecast except CMC. Resin is just cheaper to produce, and quicker to produce, because of that ability to get the models out quickly they can charge a premium to over zealous collectors. I do not look down on Resin models or collectors who buy Resin models, but personally they just do not have the same charm for me, I have about 1 resin for every 100 models in my collection and it will likely stay that way. Every now and then I will get one, but I largely ignore them. There was usually plenty of good diecast models to keep me satisfied.

 

[technica]

It's the whole package as I see it.

• Superb paint job (thick and glossy without fear of paint chips due to opening parts)
• Accurate body proportion and stance (can be lowered and camber as they like without problems because they are non-steerable)
• Detailing of interior, engine (for clear engine cover) and brakes with PE parts (adding some PE parts increases realism)
• Detailed and accurate PE emblem/badges
• Solid base plate with leather/velvet cover
• High quality acrylic cover (for some)
• High class looking outer box

The above are applicable to those more expensive premium resin models.

 

[Ztune]

For me it's the paint and lack of panel gaps. The panel gaps on a lot of my diecast cars kills the realism. My resin models look very much the part and especially the ones with photo etched parts.

 

[Corvettedude98]

Thank you all for thoroughly answering my question. I never saw a resin model in person, but from what I've read from your responses, it would seem that their paint work and exterior detail are what make them stand out, with the leather base and glass cover also contributing to the high price.

 

[Guiddy]

There is a crisp quality feel to resin models, plus they display oh so well.
If you have seen a closed Frontiart model up close its quite something to behold!
I have a few BBR Ferrari too and they are beautiful.
Things like carbon finish and brake detail.

 

[Sir Arun]

I think closed bodyshell resin models should never sell for more than 150 bucks max, given that you can get Autoarts and exotos that have opening parts for higher prices.

 

[StratosWRC]

I think closed bodyshell resin models should never sell for more than 150 bucks max, given that you can get Autoarts and exotos that have opening parts for higher prices.

I agree, but resin models operate by a different set of rules. More often than not, it's a model that won't ever be made with opening parts. Then you have the limited number, because of the short life of the mould, then the fact that they're usually made by hand by tiny companies. So unless they price them accordingly, they basically won't make any money.

 

[jusali]

Resins are normally made in small batches and are hand detailed. Thus your labour cost is high and level of detail is high too.
These are actually works of art rather than mass produced hence the premium.
Companies like Otto and GT Spirit keep costs down by manufacturing in East Asia and limiting the level of detail found in models like Frontiart and BBR.
I like resin because it allows me to have cars that would never be viable for mass production and also I don't need to worry about paint rash etc

 

[spanner76]

personally I have a strictly "no sealed models" purchasing code. If it doesn't have at least opening door & bonnet then it just doesn't cut it in my book. In fact I almost didn't buy the Autoart Sumo Power GT1 GT-R because its boot/trunk doesn't open but im glad I did buy it as the rest of the model makes up for it. I also really like the Lamborghini GaIIardo GT3 but the Autoart model only has opening doors and no front or rear openings so it was a no go for me..

I simply cannot justify the almost always premium price tag on solid body models and not get visible engine detailing.

 

[Sir Arun]

I simply cannot justify the almost always premium price tag on solid body models and not get visible engine detailing.

But what if, like in the case of Kyosho's Veneno, the opposite is the case, i.e. the sealed model costs tons less (about $120 less) compared to the opening doors version (Autoart)? Would you then still stick to your purchasing code (assuming you wanted to get the model, of course), and pay the extra $120 just for the opening doors and rear engine cover (and perforated grill and accented front headlight bulb)?

 

[StratosWRC]

I simply cannot justify the almost always premium price tag on solid body models and not get visible engine detailing.

But what if, like in the case of Kyosho's Veneno, the opposite is the case, i.e. the sealed model costs tons less (about $120 less) compared to the opening doors version (Autoart)? Would you then still stick to your purchasing code (assuming you wanted to get the model, of course), and pay the extra $120 just for the opening doors and rear engine cover (and perforated grill and accented front headlight bulb)?
[/quote]

Yes.

 

[lateapex]

Me too.

But when the price is similar and the resin is better (like GTS Cayman GT4 vs Schuco Cayman GT4) I go resin. I Autoart had made that Cayman GT4 as a full "multimedia" model (no 2-openings bs) I would pay the extra 60-70 euros.

 

[RSIevolution]

[background=rgb(247, 251, 252)]I am sick and tired of resin sealed models with no steering and composite models with only doors opening. I think its cheaper and better if i collect photos of cars i like, instead of cheap resin dummies. Yes photos in my HDD. For instance, i bought an ignition model for 235euros and the front and rear windshield is NOT properly glued. 200+ euros for a painted piece of resin, with NO steering, NO engine, NO opening parts. Sorry guys, i respect myself and my hard earned money and since i was buying Bburago and UT, i believed that with the progress of technology, this hobby would go awesome. BUT since resin came up, i hated it. I am not going to continue paying so much money, even if they make some very beloved cars of mine. I am in serious thought of quiting. [/background]

 

[StratosWRC]

Don't quit. Just pretend they don't exist. That's what I do

 

[g3org3y]

As I've said on previous resin vs diecast threads, the existence of the model is more important to me than the type of model itself.

I'm a BMW fan first and model collector second.

There's a reason GT Spirit have been voted #1 model manufacturer two years in a row on this forum. They make models that enthusiasts want. This makes a big difference. The quality is also spot on. The paint is outstanding and they are very crisp/clean (if that makes sense).

Would I prefer they were diecast and opened? Yes, ideally, assuming they were appropriately/realistically priced. As a BMW collector the gold standard for models were the old AutoArt Millenium range. Those days are gone and I have to accept that. As such, as a BMW collector I'm limited to mid range Norev and Paragon (not bad but nothing special) and Minichamps (great subject matter - M3s/CSLs etc) but mediocre execution given the price.

 

[Josh]

I never understood the statement "resin companies do the models that would never have been done in diecast". Well that is just not really a statement that can be supported by any facts. If the resin companies had not popped up by the dozens, and had diecast remained the standard in model making as it was, I am sure many of the models, which to now have only been offered in resin, would have been done in diecast. Had collectors not been so welcoming of resin in the first place, we would probably have gotten most of those previously mentioned "resin only" models in diecast, by default. I am glad collectors have the models they want, but I feel like resin companies have created a lot of collectors who "settle" for their products. Just my opinion here and please, if you are offended, know that I am just putting in my two cents and am not trying to stir things up.

As a side note, I will almost certainly be buying at least a few resins myself this year, as frankly they are about the only choices we have left. 28 models shown at Nuremburg interested me to some degree, only 11 are opening diecast!

 

[Arnage]

Me too.

But when the price is similar and the resin is better (like GTS Cayman GT4 vs Schuco Cayman GT4) I go resin.

Sorry but I don't agree with that statement. The Schuco GT4 is a superior model, made from diescast and has opening bits.