Gear Guide — What to Buy and What to Skip
A no-nonsense guide to Mini-Z gear. What's worth the money, what's not, and where to find it.
Mini-Z is one of the cheapest ways into competitive RC.
But the upgrade rabbit hole is real. Here’s what actually matters.
The essentials
The car
A Kyosho Mini-Z RTR kit is the starting point. RTR means “ready to run” — car, transmitter, and batteries in the box.
- MR-04 (Readyset or EVO) — rear-wheel-drive, the chassis generation we’re standardising on at the club
- MA-030 EVO — all-wheel-drive, more stable, good for beginners
- Budget: $250–$400 AUD for a complete RTR
Batteries
- Car: 4× AAA NiMH rechargeables (750–900mAh). Get at least two sets so you can rotate.
- Transmitter: 4× AA batteries (alkaline or NiMH)
- Charger: Any smart charger that handles AAA NiMH. The SkyRC NC1500 is popular.
Tyres
Tyres wear out and are the single biggest factor in grip. Stock tyres are fine to start. When you’re ready to upgrade:
- Rear tyres have the biggest impact on lap times
- Kyosho, PN Racing, and Atomic all make good options
- Compound matters — softer = more grip but faster wear. Ask at the club what works on our floor.
Worth upgrading
These make a genuine difference once you’re past the first few race nights:
- Ball differential (rear-drive cars) — smoother power delivery, more consistent cornering
- Aluminium motor mount — better heat dissipation, more rigid
- Tyre truer — essential if you want consistent grip. The Hudy is the gold standard but there are cheaper options.
- A decent car case — Mini-Z cars are small and fragile. A padded case saves body shells.
Skip for now
- Brushless motors — relevant once you move into Open 2WD, AAA, 2500, or F1; not until you’re competitive in Box Stock
- LiPo batteries — not allowed in Box Stock, and AAA NiMH is simpler
- Carbon fibre chassis plates — marginal gains, easy to break
- Expensive body shells — buy a cheap practice body first
Where to buy in Australia
- Kyosho Australia dealers (check the Kyosho website for stockists)
- eBay AU — good for second-hand cars and parts
- Hobby shops — if you’re lucky enough to have one nearby
- Direct from Japan — sites like RCMart, Superg Patch, and RC Booya ship to Australia. Allow 1–2 weeks.
The DAS Speed Wheel
We sell the DAS Speed Wheel ($69 AUD) in our shop — a precision tyre truer designed for Mini-Z. If you’re serious about grip consistency, it’s a good investment.