Who makes the best 2002-later mini Cooper kit? Fujimi or Revell?

[Darin Bastedo]

It's all in the title. I'm looking for the best looking Mini Cooper kit.

[blubaja]

Fujimi by far.

Here is an example. http://www.1999.co.jp/eng/10077970

Edited October 15, 2012 by blubaja

[RancheroSteve]

I've only built the Revell:

It's a decent kit of the base Mini, nothing special, but it goes together fine. The toughest part as I recall is getting the black window surrounds to look right.

I've got an unbuilt Fujimi Cooper S on the shelf, so I looked it over last night. The basic idea is the same as the Revell, but I'd agree the Fujimi is better - more detail, crisper engraving - but it's also at least twice the price, so I think it depends on your intentions and budget.

[fumi]

Fujimi is better. I find some of the details on Revell's molding quite soft. The dashboard, the head lights and the tail lights in particular don't look quite right.

[89AKurt]

Since I got the Model Car Garage photo-etch detail for the MINI, knowing it was intended for the Revell kit, I wanted to see who has reviewed it.  Apparently not many have, most searched posts are for the original classic, not the BMW MINI.

I built the Fujimi kit of the "One" version, the plain base model (obviously modified).  Compared to the photos above, would say the Revell headlights are horrible!  Is the Revell LHD?  I noticed the Fujimi had four indents underneath the cowl for the wipers, like there is a LHD version, but I had to modify mine from RHD.

[Luc Janssens]

Fujimi, by far!

The one by Revell Germany is crude, toylike, IMHO design wise they hit rock bottom with their automotive model kits back then.

[89AKurt]

This is a die cast model, better looking headlights than the Revell kit!   (I won a monthly photo contest on the MINI forum with this)

[fumi]

1 hour ago, 89AKurt said:

Is the Revell LHD?  I noticed the Fujimi had four indents underneath the cowl for the wipers, like there is a LHD version, but I had to modify mine from RHD.

Revell is LHD only .  Fujimi has both LHD and RHD in separate boxing.

[89AKurt]

I have not seen a LHD Fujimi kit.  Grrrr......

[fumi]

There are specifically marked "left steering" versions of the Fujimi Mini.  Also, all Italian Job versions are LHD.

[89AKurt]

Good to know!