Specs on available models (archive)

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In response to a request for info on available models, I had previously
prepared the following info. Perhaps this will be of interest. I found
several of these models on eBay over about a month and a half period.

Saw your post on the forum. Agree eBay is your best source for a
model. You can also try a 'net search on Tamiya to find some net
retailers, but I found this kind of frustrating. FWIW here are some
bookmarks:

http://www.modelroundup.com/
http://www.dxshop.com/_shop/home.mhtml?SHOP=ashevillediecast
http://www.swan.ac.uk/mateng/gavins/tamcol.htm
http://www.mobilia.com/scripts/osa/ViewPage.exe?templateName=osauction.htx
http://www.modelroundup.com/
http://www.revell-monogram.com/
http://www.kalmbach.com/scaleauto/scaleauto.html
http://plaza18.mbn.or.jp/~scalemodel/index.html
http://www.strictlystock.com/
http://www.otn.com/exoticar/
http://www.tamiya.com/

Following is some info on what is available that I sent to another
fellow a while ago:

Bit of a model enthusiast myself (and also somewhat wordy I notice!). I
also recently purchased three examples of six series models (after your
posts on the topic). Two of them I got on eBay, and one I found by
fluke while on vacation at a small town hobby shop. All are
discontinued 1/24th scale styrene plastic models, no longer listed as
available from the suppliers (I checked this out fairly exhaustively).
The only other six series I am aware of is a metal die cast assembled
miniature in 1/43rd scale. Interesting that you quote a different
Tamiya number than mine; is yours a non-M?

The kits come up for sale on eBay fairly regularly (say at least once a
month). For anyone interested, best way to get one may be to use the
Personal Shopper feature in eBay (under the search menu). This feature
will email you when a listing comes up according to search criteria. I
would suggest "BMW Tamiya", "BMW Monogram" and "BMW Fujimi" would work.
You will get a lot of three series models as well, but you won't miss
one of these gems.

For reference, the kits I have are as follows. Feel free to send this
info on if some other folks on the groupe expressed interest in a kit.
Not sure if there is enough interest to post some info about your kit
with this stuff below?

Tamiya BMW M635CSi Item #24058.
This is an excellent looking kit, molded in four colours (black, white,
chrome, clear, & rubber tires). The detail on the engine components is
fairly basic compared to the Fujimi, but the body molding looks great.
Euro version bumpers, no sunroof. Box size is approx. 8" X 14" X
2-1/2".

Fujimi Testors BMW M635CSi Kit #371.
Absolutely fantastic looking kit, molded in four colours (white, gray,
chrome, clear, & rubber tires). Engine detail is incredible, and the
kit is equipped with a separate stand to display the engine out of the
car. My example has a molding flaw on the roof which should be
repairable. Has probably three times the number of parts as the
Tamiya. Has a "specification sheet" decal for display purposes. Euro
bumpers, non movable sunroof. Box size is approx. 10" X 15" X 2-1/2".

Monogram BMW 635 CSi Kit #77009.
This is the simplest of the three kits, with the sort of detail quality
one might remember from working with AMT hot rod kits as a youngster.
Kit is molded in only three colours (red, clear, chrome & rubber
tires). Wheels are pretty lame, with the spokes surface molded rather
than individually represented. Looks like stock tire width (read narrow
compared to the ///M kits). Note that "after-market" wheels and tires
are readily available in 1/24th scale, so this is really quibbling a
bit. Rest of the molding quality looks OK, and will probably finish up
quite nicely. Looks like it could be modeled as the 635CSi without the
trunk spoiler, although one is provided. Single cam engine. Same front
air dam as my '87 635 had. Euro bumpers, removable sunroof panel, non
sport seats. About the same number of parts as the Tamiya, but not as
"nice" a kit. Box size is approx. 8" X 14" X 2-1/2".

>From examination side by side, I would have no problem recommending any
of these kits. I would expect to pay around $US 40 for the Japanese
kits, and about $US 15 for the Monogram. The Monogram would make a
excellent gift for an interested youngster.

Not sure if I answered a question, or just wanted to share some
enthusiasm for these great cars
in miniature!

PS The fellow I mailed had a Tamiya Schnitzer E24 (can't remember the
kit number). Quality would be the same as noted above. Good luck!

Prefer 1/24 or larger. 1/1 would be even better but for the moment a model will do. I have the chrystal one from Mikasa already.
Peter S
carnut@lexam.net

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