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Old 2004.10.13, 09:49 AM   #1
fasterlaptimes
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"Made in Japan" vs "Made in China" MR-02's

Is there a difference between "Made in Japan" vs. "Made in China" MR-02's these days? I know that when MR-01's were first introduced, the cars originating from Japan were highly sought after. However as time went on the China MR-01's grew to be on par if not better than their japan counterparts.

With respect to MR-02's is this the same? I seem to see only all "Made in China" MR-02's available. Does anyone have a Japan MR-02 or know if they even exist?
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Old 2004.10.13, 10:46 AM   #2
davisdavis
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how do you idenify that?
i mean i bought my mr02 when i was visiting japan last christmas
and on the box it says "made in japan"

and i have two OLs, one bought before the mr02, one after,
both bought in hong kong, both on the box says" made in Japan"

also, on all the clear chasis OL/ mr02, and all sorts of kyosho parts i got for my Zs, all says either on the chasis or package " made in japan"

i've never seen anything made in china.
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Old 2004.10.13, 10:59 AM   #3
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Exclamation Made in china..

MR02(s) do exist

the current batch of MR02s, F1 are made in China. (*i believe the same goes to MMT and OL)

i have the 'made in japan' MR02, and my other friends (who got into Zs later) bought 'made in china' version.

technically both are equivalent models, Kyosho is strict on the quality, as such the electronic boards are on par with the japanese made units.

(only problem i notice is the rather lousy gloss coat paint on the Mr02 bodyshells lately..check out thorougly and one may notice finger print! on certain area on the bodyshells)
Kyosho overlook on this, and the China made bodyshells are getting worst!
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Old 2004.10.13, 11:21 AM   #4
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Many of the ones I have checked (I haven't looked at all mine) have both "Made in China" and "Made in Japan". It just depends on whether I look at the chassis or the "cased" electronics.
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Old 2004.10.13, 12:55 PM   #5
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ORANGE MACLAREN ,MADE IN CHINA>?

I Just Bought My Maclaren,i Wonder If It Was Made In China Or Japan?kurt
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HUMMER,TAKADA DOME RACER W/FOAMS,MACLAREN F1(ORANGE),MMT(GPM WHEELS/TIRES),CHP CAPRICE POLICE CAR-MR 15,FERARAI SCAGETTI,AIRTRONICS M11 W/MODULE
THE COLLECTION IS SMALLER TO GET READY FOR NEW MINI Z'S.....AWD MINI Z COMING.....
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Old 2004.10.13, 12:59 PM   #6
fasterlaptimes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kurtmeyer69
I Just Bought My Maclaren,i Wonder If It Was Made In China Or Japan?kurt
You would be able to tell by looking at the underside of the chassis. I too recently picked up a McLaren and it's "Made in China".
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Old 2004.10.13, 02:41 PM   #7
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Odd, so far I've ONLY seen Japan MR02's... the only Kyosho Z that I've seen that said China, was the MR01... the F1 is old enough now that maybe some are china... but never saw a china F1 yet...

If there are china 02's OL's etc... its prolly why the prices are dropping...
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Old 2004.10.13, 02:46 PM   #8
kurtmeyer69
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i just want to know if we are getting the same good product....
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HUMMER,TAKADA DOME RACER W/FOAMS,MACLAREN F1(ORANGE),MMT(GPM WHEELS/TIRES),CHP CAPRICE POLICE CAR-MR 15,FERARAI SCAGETTI,AIRTRONICS M11 W/MODULE
THE COLLECTION IS SMALLER TO GET READY FOR NEW MINI Z'S.....AWD MINI Z COMING.....
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Old 2004.10.13, 04:48 PM   #9
fasterlaptimes
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Draconious
If there are china 02's OL's etc... its prolly why the prices are dropping...
Its interesting you say this Draconious - why would the prices be dropping really if the contents and quality of the kits are the same? If this is indeed true then it would seem the China MR02's are in fact;
A) cheaper to make due to labor costs in China vs Japan
--OR--
B) cheaper components / quality

I don't seem to be alone in wanting to know the difference between the China vs Japan made MR02's. Perhaps it would take lining both up side by side and physically comparing circuit boards, bushings/bearings, etc.

If I could have chosen, I would have taken a Japan made MR02 over the China made version I currently have, simply because of the notion that Japanese electronics are better.

Last edited by fasterlaptimes; 2004.10.13 at 04:51 PM.
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Old 2004.10.13, 04:56 PM   #10
kurtmeyer69
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You Are Right,i Am Wondering If I Have A Cheaply Made Car.......kurt...
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HUMMER,TAKADA DOME RACER W/FOAMS,MACLAREN F1(ORANGE),MMT(GPM WHEELS/TIRES),CHP CAPRICE POLICE CAR-MR 15,FERARAI SCAGETTI,AIRTRONICS M11 W/MODULE
THE COLLECTION IS SMALLER TO GET READY FOR NEW MINI Z'S.....AWD MINI Z COMING.....
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Old 2004.10.13, 04:59 PM   #11
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fasterlaptimes,

Multinational corporations migrate towards cheaper labor whether it be inside the United States or overseas. Even in the USA, some corporations get better tax breaks in one state over another and some states attract companies through tax breaks and may regulate non-management salaries. This doesn't mean that the quality of the plastic or part is inferior because it could be the same and simply imported into the assembly country. Japan is also about the size of Montana so property is expensive as well as storage space which can effect pricing though it really has nothing to do with the quality of the product or labor market. For years, Japan has taken advantage of Free Trade Zones in the USA as assembly plants. As I wrote earlier, some of my Mini-Zs have "both" Made in China and Made in Japan. It just depends on what parts I look at, i.e. chassis or electronics. I suggest if anyone truly wants to compare the products that they simply purchase one of each and dissect it till they are content with their own findings.
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Old 2004.10.14, 02:19 AM   #12
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My MR02 RTRs

Ferrari F50 (originally NSX) - Japan
McLaren (Silver) - China
Ferrari Enzo - Japan
Lamborghini Diablo - China
McLaren (Orange) - China
Hasemi Endless (350Z) - Japan
Ferrari 575M Maranello - China

My MR01 RTRs

The Mach - Chassis China / Electronics Japan
Shelby Cobra - China / Japan
Porsche 911 GT3 - China / Japan
Honda S2000 F2F - China / Japan
Police Car Skyline GT-R R34 - China / Japan
Ferrari 512BB - China / Japan
Lancer F2F - China / Japan
Ferrari 246 Dino - China / Japan
Chevrolet Corvette C5R- China / Japan

4 Overlands = Japan; 3 MMTs = Japan

All 5 of my F1s simply have "Kyosho" on the bottom.
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Old 2004.10.14, 06:54 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TNB
My MR02 RTRs

Ferrari F50 (originally NSX) - Japan
McLaren (Silver) - China
Ferrari Enzo - Japan
Lamborghini Diablo - China
McLaren (Orange) - China
Hasemi Endless (350Z) - Japan
Ferrari 575M Maranello - China

My MR01 RTRs

The Mach - Chassis China / Electronics Japan
Shelby Cobra - China / Japan
Porsche 911 GT3 - China / Japan
Honda S2000 F2F - China / Japan
Police Car Skyline GT-R R34 - China / Japan
Ferrari 512BB - China / Japan
Lancer F2F - China / Japan
Ferrari 246 Dino - China / Japan
Chevrolet Corvette C5R- China / Japan

4 Overlands = Japan; 3 MMTs = Japan

All 5 of my F1s simply have "Kyosho" on the bottom.
Twenty-Eight Ready Sets, TNB?!?!? Wow, that is sweet... too bad you went over the best number

I wouldn't want to see a picture of all your readysets, autoscales combined... i'd cry
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Old 2004.10.14, 08:01 AM   #14
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Just As Long As We Get Good Products..right?kurt
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HUMMER,TAKADA DOME RACER W/FOAMS,MACLAREN F1(ORANGE),MMT(GPM WHEELS/TIRES),CHP CAPRICE POLICE CAR-MR 15,FERARAI SCAGETTI,AIRTRONICS M11 W/MODULE
THE COLLECTION IS SMALLER TO GET READY FOR NEW MINI Z'S.....AWD MINI Z COMING.....
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Old 2004.10.14, 08:44 AM   #15
fasterlaptimes
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Very impressive TNB. That's quite the collection!

Just to clarify though, were you looking at the "Made in China" vs "Made in Japan" on the underside of the chassis?

I'm curious as to where the electronics would be made still though. Perhaps the electronics are made in Japan and shipped to China to be assembled into the chassis as suggested in an earlier post. I wonder if you opened up the servo case on your MR02's if they would say "Made in Japan" all around.
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