XRC R2 Offroad Buggy Review RC Radio Control

I've only managed to use it a few times, and usually for about 15 minutes before something broke, I don't think I've even done 2 hours with it yet.

So much has gone wrong in such a short time it is amazing. So far I have had to replace:

1x Rear Spoiler - broke on the first roll

1 x Fuel Cap - the original one leaked (and so does the replacement)

2 x Receiver - I replaced the transmitter also. But these failed regularly 'Sealed Electronics Box'. Well, actually no it's not. Use in the wet/damp is not allowed!

1 x Throttle Servo - it actually burned a hole in itself, and held the car in full throttle, despite the failsafe

2 x Steering Servo - these are big and expensive, but 2 have died on me

1 x Rear Shock Mount - broke on some small jumps (this car cant jump!)

1 x Set of rear wheel shafts - these started to wear and had massive play in them

2 x Rear Tyres - didn't take long for these both to fall to bits

1 x Front steering arm and mount. These broke during a fairly minor collision

4 x Pull Starters - Yes 4!! These are also the air intake for the engine, and are near the rear wheel, so dirt, grass, etc get sucked in and cause it to fail. I even put a filter on this but they still fail.

1 x Roll Bars - Some of these are damaged, but haven't been replaced yet

1 x Clutch - This had worn itself down to the metal!!! The new clutch would constantly engage the wheel and overheated. As a consequence it has caused the metal gears to strip themselves

1 x Drive Gears - Both METAL gears are worn down and slipping.

1 x Clutch Bell - Apparently the poor weld that holds it onto the drive shaft has broken, therefore the clutch engages and just spins the bell. There is no drive to the wheels.

Basically all I did with this car was repair it, and spend money on fixing the broken sub-standard parts. It was broken more often than it was working. And the parts are not exactly cheap, and if you are in the UK then the only distributor is Nitrotek who will only supply you with more of the same sub-standard parts. Anything else has to come from abroad.

This is a noisy car and therefore I wasn't able to test it in my back garden, but I have lost count how many times I drove 4 miles to my local field only to find it wouldn't work (usually a fault with the Pull-Start). This is so disheartening.

I also feel that many of these problems are 'known' faults. I was told by XRC this R2 model had fixed many of the faults in the earlier model, but clearly not.

I feel disappointed, angry, and let down by this whole experience. If you want my advice then steer clear, don't touch the XRC R2 Buggy, or you too may be faced with the same ongoing problems as I have. All I have is a broken car and an empty wallet.

The only saving grace for it, once it is running then it can be good fun. Sadly the rear suspension is too hard and causes back end to bounce which makes the car to roll over. Due to it's weight this rolling will usually mean something will break.

I currently have a car with a 'sticking' clutch, two metal gears with stripped teeth, a broken clutch bell and another failing Starter - should I really carry on spending more money on this??? I think not. Steve (October 1st 2008)

Contact me - steve@omj624p.co.uk

www.omj624p.co.uk/rc

Firstly do not expect this buggy to last it wont without upgrades. The 23cc Zenoah G230 engine clone is not quick straight out the box it is supplied with a Walbro WT644 style carb.This buggy will not hit 40 to 50 mph as the previous reviewer states. More like 30mph rc cars of this size seem to be travelling quicker than they actualy are and this car weighs alot.# Right ok bad points The steering servo rated at 18Kg is rubbish and will fail (easy upgrade) The air filter is poor quality but again can be upgraded (make sure you buy one that fits under the roll cage)there is not much clearance. The twin gear cogs are plastic but can be upgraded to metal (lots of owners have stripped the plastic gears)the gear cover is also plastic. The front lower suspension support arms brake very easily if you have a heavy impact on one of the front wheels. The rear diff and drive sprocket are open to the elements (you will need to make a cover for this)if you dont a stone could get in and the cogs may get damaged. Rear support arm brackets are plastic and do brake under heavy use (a plate can be made for this to strenthen them up). The exhaust lol is a piece of pipe with a bit of rubbish rubber connecting to the manifold box under the engine.This splits and allows oily residue to cover the chassis. You need to remove all the screws and nuts and add threadlock or they will shake loose (i lost four from under the chassis). The wheels are often wonkey but again you can upgrade. The handset functions fine but does feel cheap. The good bits Very easy to work on. Runs on 25.1 petrol two stroke mix so cheap to run. Much cheaper to buy than any other 1/5th scale petrol car. Good adjustable shocks. Strong alloy chassis (i havent bent it yet). The tank is a good size i get about 40 mins on a tank full. The brakes are good (make sure you adjust them correctly)mine did not work too well when i got the car. MAKE SURE YOU FIT A FAIL SAFE.IF YOUR HANDSET GOES FLAT YOU WILL HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR AND THIS THING IS BIG YOU COULD HURT SOMEONE.Failsafes are about £13.00 and easy to fit. Easy to make your own parts to strengthen it up. Great fun to drive. Does not need the maintenance a nitro car does and far cheaper to run. A good introduction to petrol cars. If your not willing to upgrade and make your own parts steer clear.I love making parts and seeing how much quicker i can get it to go but thats me. My car is now 27cc has an upgraded carb and a race air filter.I have fitted metal gears and will be strengthening the front end soon.I am looking at fitting a reed valve when i feel the car is strong enough. I say buy one but treat it with care untill you upgrade the parts.Its cheap because the parts are made cheaply.But the car can be made into a pretty decent rough rider with work and bit of money. I hope this review helps.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/XRC-Scale-Petrol-Radio-Controlled/dp/B000VUL1ZC

I, like a few others bought the old XRC RC 2 and WOW what a heap of ****e. This is the Email I just sent the company who makes them, I bought an XRC - RC 2 Buggy from a UK supplier and I am totaly disappointed like many other people on RC forums are. The Quality of these XRC buggys is so poor almost every part is worn or broke and I don't think this is just a bad batch. Almost everyone I know who bought one of these is very annoyed and together we are thinking of Taking legal action due to false advertising. Lets take a look at some of the specs and give my opinion on them. Powerful pull start 23cc engine *** No way is this Powerful its probs the slowest engine on the market. Heavy duty parts (many metal) *** May as well be plastic as they are poor quality and ware easy. So far I have gone through 8 sets of gears and a full set of driveshafts and cups. I have only had 5 tanks of Gas through it. 18kg/cm heavy duty servo *** You must be joking these are so cheap they break on the first go. Sealed electronics box for use on wet days *** Lets more water in than the Titanic Heavy duty rear differential *** Few peoples have worn in less than 10 tanks. Now as you can tell there is a lot wrong and these should not have passed Quality Control and shows what cuts your business is taking to cut cost. You say these buggys are so cheap because you make all your own parts. No these buggys are so cheap because the Quality is total rubbish. I and many others paid £300 for and XRC buggy and 98 % of us have them sitting on the shelf awaiting for the money to fix the things. So what are you going to do about it as this is the first and final notice I will give to your company before taking legal action with other customers of this product. Please do not take this as a threat this me being 100% Honest in the product I bought. I am in no way after something free to shut me up, I simply want my product how it was advertised. Thank you http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_6791098/anchors_6791098/mpage_1/key_xrc/anchor/tm.htm#6791098