Your Quality Brand Rating ladder

[Benz]

Hi all, i'm new here,and also fairly new to 1:18 model car collecting.
I have recently become very interested in starting to collect strickly 1:18 model cars.
I only have 3 so far...(Burago) / (AutoArt) / (Kyosho). The Kyosho is only a week old,as i ordered it direct from Bianti,and i must say,i was very impressed with the overall quality. Comparing it to my AutoArt and Burago models,it was considerably heavier,and the doors,bonnet,boot etc,were s tighter fit. Even the interior was slightly more detailed showing things like electric windows,when the others did not.
Between the 3 brands i have,i would have to rate their Quality like this...(1)Kyosho, (2)AutoArt, (3)Burago.
Before i continue to embark on more 1:18 model car collecting, i would like to see everyones opinion of how their "Quality Brand Rating Ladder" would look regarding the following brands 1:18 model cars....

With Number #(1) being best,and my current limited knowledge,these are the brands and my current guess...

(1)MiniChamps
(2)Kyosho (Made in China)
(3)Autoart (Made in China)
(4)Burago (Made in Italy)
(5)Maisto
(6)Norev
(7)Mondo

Please present your ladder,and any comments. Also if anyone knows where each brand is made, could you please fill in the blanks.

Many thanks.:)

[model_mad]

Hi i only really collect CC and Biante, but sometimes stray and get other brands, although i dont have one of either yet, apparently CMC and exoto are 2 of the best

[sphinx84]

I collect Autoart, Biante, CMC, BBR, Minichamps, Kyosho and Classic. My top would be between BBR and CMC but they cost alot more than Autoart, Biante, Minichamps, Kyosho & Classic. The reat im not really pedantic about as im not really picky about the technical stuff. As long as it looks good and not damaged im happy

[Maximus]

Top 5 in quality would have to be

CMC
BBR
Exoto
GMP
Minichamps

However, bang for your buck you cant go past Autoart, Minichamps or Kyosho.

[wayno]

For what I have in my collection it would be;
Exoto/CMC
Minichamps/AutoArt
Biante
Action
Solido
Classic Carlectables
Hotwheels
And a very warm welcome. i hope you enjoy your time here as it aint a bad ol' place. ;)

[El Cheapo]

Here's a little list I posted some months ago. Edited a tad:

-CMC
-Exoto
-GMP
-BBR
-Kyosho/Biante/Autoart/Classic Carlectables/Hotwheels (elite/Super elite)
-Minichamps (bar a couple of releases which are further up)/Jadi
-Norev/UT
-Sunstar/Highway 61
-Solido/Ertl
-Gate/Revell/Welly/Mondo Motors/Hotwheels (standard release)/Jada toys/Shelby Collectables
-Bburago/Miasto/Universal Hobbies/Anson/Motormax (bar a few releases which are a step above)/American Muscle

Welcome to the forum :) Hope you enjoy your time here.

[Holdennumber1]

There was a thread somewhere about this a while ago.
Anyway, from what I've seen.
CMC
BBR
GMP
Biante
Hotwheels Elite
CC
Highway 61
Maisto
Bburago
Normal Hotwheels releases.
Cheers,:)
Thomas

[Damage]

I remember seeing something very similar to this a few months back...

[Benz]

Thanks for the reply's,and the warm welcome.
I'll have to check out some of those other brands mentioned of which i hav'nt heard about. I'm very fussy about which particular cars i would like,so this will also have a big influence on what i buy, as it seems alot of models are restricted exclusively to particular model makers.
Again,thanks for the response.:)

[Kashmir]

I remember seeing something very similar to this a few months back...

So I'm not going crazy after all:D

[berkut76]

I almost exclusively collect 1:18 models.

I have to say that over the years only CMC and EXOTO stood above the rest, and their models have not been problem free either.

Also, a lot of folks seem to forget about a bout a decade ago CC was producing bricks and BIANTE a few years back was also on its heels with overpriced AA-sourced tooling.

Also, for the most part I have been disappointed with Minichamps racing models because the company still uses lots of decals on its products. GMP has declined because most of its molds are overused and quite old, and the quality of materials used in production has declined over the years as well.

Based on models in my collection and from what I've seen that are based of a new tooling (say within the last two years), I would rank the manufacturers as follows:

Tier 1:

CMC
EXOTO
BBR

Tier 2:

CLASSIC CARLECTABLES
BIANTE
GMP
Apparently defunct Lane Exact Details, Precision Miniatures, and Milestone have some nice tooling.

Tier 3:
AutoArt
Kyosho

Tier 4:
Minichamps
Mattel Elite

I don't have models from "lesser" brands in my collection.

[Benz]

Again thanks for the reply's of information. O.K,it's pretty clear to me now that CMC,EXOTO,BBR,& BiANTI are a cut above in quality to the mainstream,but they tend to not have the type of new (strictly 1:18) modern exotic cars i'm after,where as the list i have below do.

As a pure exercise,could we get everyone to organise this specific ladder of brands i have below, to reflect their idea of their quality rating. (1) being best (2) second best,and so on.
I have them in this quality rating configeration, based on my 3 models,and of prices i have seen,again,with (1) being the most pricy of brands,through to (7) being the cheapest.
(Remember,PLEASE keep it strictly to just these particular brands below,and if anyone can fill the blanks on where they are made,that would be great to)
Looking forward to seeing your quality rating ladder of these 7 brands, regarding strictly 1;18 model cars. Thanks in advance.

(1)MiniChamps (Made in ?)
(2)Kyosho (Made in China)
(3)Autoart (Made in China)
(4)Burago (Made in Italy)
(5)Maisto (Made in ?)
(6)Norev (Made in ?)
(7)Mondo (Made in ?)

[The real OZ GP]

(1)MiniChamps (Made in ?)
(2)Kyosho (Made in China)
(3)Autoart (Made in China)
(4)Burago (Made in Italy)
(5)Maisto (Made in ?)
(6)Norev (Made in ?)
(7)Mondo (Made in ?)

These are all actually made in China
however I would put Burago at number 7 . Otherwise a reasonable list.

[Benz]

Ah, o.k, cause my (Burago) Ferrari 456GT from the 90's is made in Italy, but now looks like even they are made in China. Well at least where these are all made now, is an even playing field.
I've noted putting Burago at (7),thanks.
Keep em coming guys.:)

[El Cheapo]

I'd say:

1. Kyosho
2. Autoart
3. Minichamps
4. Norev
5. Mondo
6. Maisto
7. Bburago

I'd put norev that high since some of their releases (I'm particularly fond of their Porsche releases) appear very well formed, and some include good carpet. I have a feeling that in years to come they will be as good as Minichamps.

I put Minichamps below AA and Kyo because some of their models are very average. One piece enginebays. Some of their models though are awesome. So they're a bit hit and miss imo.

And I prefer Mondo over Bburago and Maisto because of their Reventon. One of the best budget diecasts made by any of those companies. There's an awesome comparo between that and the AA Reventon on Diecastxchange and just looking at both models from the outside, it's very hard to tell which is which. While I prefer Maisto to Bburago as some of their later releases just look nicer to me. Like their CLS with 4 openning doors and their Gallardo Superlegerra.

[Andrew]

My advice Benz is that instead of asking people on the forum, for your own peace of mind, go into your nearest store and ask to take a good look at all the manufacturers' models so you can see first hand up close at the actual product. That's the best (and arguably only) way you'll trully know.

[Damage]

My advice Benz is that instead of asking people on the forum, for your own peace of mind, go into your nearest store and ask to take a good look at all the manufacturers' models so you can see first hand up close at the actual product. That's the best (and arguably only) way you'll trully know.

Isnt he asking for the forums opinions? I thought he already had his own view but was interested in others. Maybe I've read it wrong

[Andrew]

Isnt he asking for the forums opinions? I thought he already had his own view but was interested in others. Maybe I've read it wrong

Probably is, but I think the forum has given him a good range of responses so far. However, ultimately, only he will know what's right when he plonks his hard-earned down on a car, and the best way to know if you're on the right path is to examine models from each company. And the best way to do that (as wel all know) is to visit a store.

[Benz]

Damage is right. I am only asking of the forums opinion to confirm my general idea.
I have also just come back from a long drive to perhaps the biggest hobby shop in Perth called ''Stanbridges''.
Looking at the big range thay have through the boxes, has also helped confirm views of the brands. I also had a chance to confirm where they were made,and here is what i found from the list..

(1)MiniChamps (Made in China)
(2)Kyosho (Made in China)
(3)Autoart (Made in China)
(4)Burago
- Diamond series (Thailand & Italy)
- Gold series (China)
(5)Maisto (Made in Thailand)
(6)Norev (Made in ?)
(7)Mondo (Made in China)

I still appreciate everyones quality ladder ratings and comments regarding the brands,because not every shop has every car model, or every brand of car model maker.

[Maximus]

WHy do you care where they are made???

[Benz]

Because i find it interesting where things are made. It gives me information about the culture of which a product is built and assembled in.

[james]

I have AA and Biante as my collection is 1/18 scale aussie cars only.I am very happy with both as they contiue to improve in quality.

[Andrew]

Because i find it interesting where things are made. It gives me information about the culture of which a product is built and assembled in.

The model maker will dictate the 'culture' of the model being built. Most cars seem to be made in China (from nearly all companies) but it's the manufacturer that sets the quality and standard by what they are willing to accept from the factory that produces it. If one factory is not producing cars of sufficient quality, then the manufacturer should be entitled to take it to another factory that will provide the quality they want. The 'culture' of the country from where the model is assembled plays less a part of the final model's quality than the standards set by the company who are having them built.

Just say CMC and Bburago both have their cars made in China. There is a massive quality difference (and cost too) because CMC insists on a standard of quality and level of detail that they feel befits the discerning collector who wants the best. The fact that the car may be made in China in this instance is irrelevant. CMC dictate how the car should look like and feel, not the factory in China. The car that is finally released to the collector will be (should be) of the requisite quality so whether it is made in China, Thailand, Mexico, Australia, the UK or anywhere else does not matter (but the final price may change).

Several members on here would argue that Classic Carlectables' quality has slipped on some releases in the recent past (ie. paint and tampo application on 888 V8 Supercars with the chrome Vodafone livery, door sills coming off etc). Their cars are made in China. So are Biante's. Yet Biante's quality control on their recent cars has arguably been superior to CC's from the same period. And Biante have pledged to continue to further improve the quality of their releases beyond the excellent RX-7's and Brock VL's. Quality may be due to the way a model has been designed to be put together, but also, the fact that CC have allowed these QC issues to continue I believe says more about the culture of the company than the factory. The model company's reputation is at stake and the culture within that company should be reflected in the quality of the models they produce for the collector. This is my 2c on the issue of culture.

I think for 1:18 Minichamps, Kyosho, AUTOart, Biante, Classic Carlectables, BBR, CMC and Exoto all have very good things to offer the collector, but it often depends on the individual release. CC's recent Ford V8 Supercars have arguably been beset by more issues than their Holdens. Norev are getting better, but personally I stay well away from Maisto, Bburago and Hot Wheels (the latter priced equivalent to Kyosho and AUTOart but not as good fine details IMO).

[rayman]

Would it surprise you that some of the manufacturers in China actually sub contract out some of their work depending on their work load and or to increase profit.

[Andrew]

Would not surprise me at all Ray. However, ultimately, the quality still has to be there and the model company has to accept the quality of the product produced. If Biante were sent sub-standard or questionable quality prototypes, they'd have that sorted pretty quickly.

[rayman]

Would not surprise me at all Ray. However, ultimately, the quality still has to be there and the model company has to accept the quality of the product produced. If Biante were sent sub-standard or questionable quality prototypes, they'd have that sorted pretty quickly.
You are right. Trouble is, and I am not defending anyone here, that when you are sent the prototype, it is usually spot on. When you give them the go ahead, what you receive may not be of the same standard as the prototype. This is where the Model Company has to lay down the law or get them produced somewhere else. The whole problem in this situation is distance. China is thousands of klms away and to keep an eye on every little thing is impossible.