Markswebpages Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) Hi Another one of my ongoing projects :-) I brought this on eBay a couple of weeks ago, it was another purchase where had I stopped and really thought about it I wouldn't have bothered. It's a HPI RS4 as far as I can make out, not sure which version other than its earlier I assume. Here are the eBay pictures. Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr The seller wasn't the most communicative which made me suspicious and with no tracking number despite paying for a tracked delivery all I could do was wait. It turned up just over a week later. P1010812 by markswebpages, on Flickr P1010813 by markswebpages, on Flickr It looked OK and I had other things on the go so it got left for a few days Edited April 18, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrickyTris Posted March 13, 2014 Share Posted March 13, 2014 Cracking shell mate! If my memory serves me well, that's an RS4-3. Used to race a highly modified RS4-2 at AMCC many years back! Great little cars for the money and I'd wager the RS4-3 is a better car from the off! What are your plans for it then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) Cracking shell mate! If my memory serves me well, that's an RS4-3. Used to race a highly modified RS4-2 at AMCC many years back! Great little cars for the money and I'd wager the RS4-3 is a better car from the off! What are your plans for it then?Hi thanks for the info and for asking what's next Not sure at the moment, I looked on youtube at some of the videos and they do look awesome fun. However I'm worried about trying to find somewhere big enough and flat enough to use it without destroying it like I did my touring cars that I wanted to try and drift (although they where ex carpet racers so I was asking for trouble).Untitled by markswebpages, on FlickrAs you'll see in my next post all was not what it seemed and I'm now trying to tot up the bill and make a decision. Edited March 13, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 13, 2014 Author Share Posted March 13, 2014 (edited) I started my inspection and disassembly a couple of days ago, I knew this had some issues as the seller said one of the drive gears was stripped and it was missing the front drive shafts. I didn't pay much for it as I knew it would need radio gear and some repair's, but I enjoy fiddling with this stuff as much as I do using it. However I'm new back into this and as I've said on one of my other threads if you buy second hand on eBay expect it to be completely shagged. First thing I notice is both the spur gears are completely stripped, this makes me wonder what's going on. Then I discover the front diff which is "just missing the dog bones" as the seller described it is completely locked solid. So I decide the only way is to strip every single part and see what happens, the story so far is not good Carb was lose in the engine and as soon as I looked at how the needles where adjusted it was obvious this would never have run like it was, the fuel lines are too short to reach the carb as well. The conclusion I have reached is that this was nailed back together to look complete to sell to a mug like me Only three knackered screws held the engine in, one screw holding the pull start, one holding the exhaust manifold. Signs weren't good and the list just went on! No brake assembly, knackered clutch bearings (one was literaly just the outer and inner part no balls), in fact most of the center drive parts don't look good. I haven't had the heart to dissasemble the front yet but i'm guessing the news isn't going to be good. Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Untitled by markswebpages, on Flickr The body is really unique but it very poor condition as there are no supports under it to secure it so it is cracked and split all over the place and the holes are like bullet holes through glass now, not sure it's savable to be honest. So feeling pretty despondent at the moment and wondering if it would be easier to just clean up anything sellable and try and get some money back. So far the parts to replace before I start adding incidental stuff like screws and pipes is already over Edited April 18, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hipwell Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 If its not as described then file a PayPal claim. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurcyP Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 open the engine up, not even worth pursuing if the liner and piston is all scored Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 (edited) If its not as described then file a PayPal claim.I supose i could but baring in mind i only managed to get three typed words out of the seller when enquiring repeatedly about if the item had been sent and could they provide a tracking number it think it would be fruitless.I'm not entirely sure eBay will get involved with disputes about the condition of a used item either, but i'll have a look.It was sold as spare or repair it's just that the description was very selective. As you can see so far i'm positive it was just nailed back together to make it look complete in the pictures. I'm certain it never ran like that! Sometimes you just have to chalk stuff up to experience and move on, i think the lesson here for me is either by a car i can see or buy on eBay and pay no more than i'm prepared to lose. open the engine up, not even worth pursuing if the liner and piston is all scored Yes that's a good idea, i just pushed it all to one side and left it as quite frankly the more i looked at it the more dissapointed i was with myself for not following my own golden rule. I don't know why people do this kind of thing, all for a few quid at the end of the day. I'd rather describe soemthing accuratley (even at the risk of geting substantaly less) and have a clear concense. But where ever there are people selling things there will always be someone looking to take someone for a mug (i should know i'm a retail flooring buyer) but i'm just too trusting sometimes. I will pop the head of tonight and take a look, probably followed by placing the whole lot gently in the bin Edited April 18, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurcyP Posted March 15, 2014 Share Posted March 15, 2014 same old story with nitro, previous owners dunno how to use em, ruin em, clean em sell em on. i wouldnt ever buy a 2nd hand RTR nitro, a roller yes but id get a new engine. all too common story when i was working in my LHS, people bring in ebay bargains, completely totalled, need to spend what they paid plus loads more to get it running :\ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 (edited) Yeah your absolutely right, I should know better with eBay to be honest. Over the years I've messed about with all sorts from washing machines to mobile phones and always used the philosophy that you should never spend more than you can afford to lose. At the end of the day there is mostly only one reason why people sell things second hand on eBay. I just saw it and didn't think it through. I suppose if I do persevere with it at least I'll know it inside out and will know it's right. But that will only be worthwhile if I'm keeping it I guess. It doesn't help that i'm at the bottom end with a very restricted budget so buying new just isn't even an option, but then again i suspose doing it this way is just like buying it new a piece at a time LOL Edited March 15, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 15, 2014 Author Share Posted March 15, 2014 Popped the head off and all looks OK so at least that looks promising.Just the rest of it to fix now LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatRCguy Posted March 18, 2014 Share Posted March 18, 2014 yo man hope u get this thing running but if your doing a drifter you might want some adjustable camber arms on the front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 18, 2014 Author Share Posted March 18, 2014 (edited) I just want to get it going to use on tarmac, but it could be a while as it's very poorly :-(Not sure what to do at the moment, it may be cheaper to look for a working one and use this one for spares.They do look like awesome fun though. Edited March 20, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ta05 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I hate people who sell on their junk and do not list it correctly! I hope this has a good ending and through any channel possible you find the parts that you need Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) Yes I'd like to get it going, however it may be a while as I've just brought a short course truck from another member of this forum.So maybe next month I can start looking at it. I need to get the front apart then I can see where I am with it.I think I've learned my lesson on eBay and I'll only buy cars I can actually collect in person.The seller quite blatantly nailed this back together to make it look good in a picture. You live and learn I guess. Edited March 20, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ta05 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 (edited) It will take a while stripping it down but maybe relist the good parts separately on ebay? You might be able to make your loss less that way One last tip if you do this - download a manual for it and include the HPI part numbers of any parts you sell on ebay. This will help potential buyers find your parts easier! Edited March 19, 2014 by ta05 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 We'll see how it goes, I've already accepted that this one well never be worth even remotely close to what it'll end up costing me. However if I rebuild it at least I'll know exactly what's what and I wouldn't need to worry about more stuff going wrong. I'm a bit OCD about things being right, but I just don't understand why people can't use the right screws or attachments. Just from the bits I've done already I can't believe how much either is missing fixings or has the wrong fixings. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ta05 Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I personally would not spend too much time looking for replacement parts due to the age of the chassis. Use the build manual and do some searches on the hpi official part numbers. Once again, good luck with your decision and I hope it all goes as well as it can do! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thatRCguy Posted March 19, 2014 Share Posted March 19, 2014 I`d do that if you cant be bothered with it, you've got way more patience than me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 19, 2014 Author Share Posted March 19, 2014 I don't mind fiddling around, I can't afford a new kit so this as close as I can get I suppose. I'll keep going for the time being, I need to get rid of the T Maxx bits first then I'll have another cracking at this. Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 20, 2014 Author Share Posted March 20, 2014 (edited) Today i got started again on this one,So more stripingUntitled by markswebpages, on FlickrIt's never going to be like new this one, but I'm determined to get it running again, i will probably be a bit slower putting it together as I'm going to try and hunt down the parts as cheap as possible, however some of the smaller stuff I'll probably just order from my local shop.Here we go the point at which it all has to go back together.Reassembly is the reversal of removal (Those of an automotive nature might get that joke if they have ever used a Haynes Manual)Untitled by markswebpages, on FlickrThe good news is the diff i thought was knackered isn't, so most of my problems revolve around the centre parts. I have found a seller on eBay who sells the entire thing assembled for about Edited March 20, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
collective itch Posted March 21, 2014 Share Posted March 21, 2014 they are great fun cars, i had a couple of them back in 2006, worst comes to worse buy another in better cond. and use this one for spare parts. keep an eye on ebay for chop shops selling new parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 (edited) they are great fun cars, i had a couple of them back in 2006, worst comes to worse buy another in better cond. and use this one for spare parts. keep an eye on ebay for chop shops selling new parts.Yes finding people selling parts isn't the problem, it's trying to find the best value that is. I learned from last time that screws and bolts are better ordered direct from HPI to my local shop so i can collect them.I've got a provisional list of parts and it totals about Edited March 21, 2014 by Markswebpages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 21, 2014 Author Share Posted March 21, 2014 I couldn't helpmyself as the weather was rubbish,It's sort of back together, going to order some bits so hopefully i can try and get it started on Wednesday. Then assuming i can get it running i'll spend the rest and get the bit's to complete it.Untitled by markswebpages, on FlickrUntitled by markswebpages, on Flickr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Markswebpages Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 (edited) It lives http://youtu.be/E8-lODI0Sqc Now i just need to find the cash to get the bits to finish it Edited March 26, 2014 by Markswebpages 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PurcyP Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 Good work mate, it looks like a brand new car Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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