Mini 4WD ME Chassis Overview
The ME chassis is one of three chassis Tamiya groups together in its official chassis catalog under "midship, double-shaft motor layout" — the other two are MA and MS. All three carry a double-shaft PRO motor mounted amidships, driving all four wheels directly with no propeller shaft. Before buying parts or copying a setup seen online, it is worth knowing what separates ME from its two midship siblings, what Tamiya's catalog states about its dimensions, and what its compatible-parts list actually promises. This article covers identification and published specification only; for build and tuning technique, see the companion ME chassis tuning guide.
Where ME sits in Tamiya's chassis family
Tamiya's Mini 4WD Chassis & Compatible Parts Catalog splits current chassis into layout families rather than by release date. MA, MS and ME all share the midship, double-shaft layout: the motor sits between the front and rear axles and turns all four wheels directly, with no intermediate gearbox stage — the "Mini 4WD PRO" configuration, mechanically distinct from single-shaft chassis such as VZ or AR, which drive one axle directly and the other through a propeller shaft. A PRO double-shaft motor and a single-shaft standard motor are not interchangeable between these two families; confirm which layout your kit uses before ordering a replacement motor. Tamiya's own catalog copy for ME describes the chassis as offering "an outstanding combination of rigidity and flex" intended to give "a fluid yet stable drive" — marketing language, but it tells you Tamiya positions ME as a refinement of the midship layout, not a from-scratch redesign.
Published ME chassis specifications
The figures below are exactly as published in Tamiya's official chassis catalog, measured with low-profile tyres and alkaline batteries fitted. Treat them as the catalog's reference configuration, not a guarantee for every kit variant — swapping to a different tyre or wheel changes tread and ground clearance in practice.
| Spec | ME chassis | MA chassis | MS chassis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length | 156mm | 156mm | 152mm |
| Width | 97mm | 97mm | 92mm |
| Wheelbase | 80mm | 80mm | 80mm |
| Tread (front/rear) | 60mm / 66mm | 59.5mm | 67mm / 69mm |
| Weight | 117g | 125.9g | 124.7g |
| Ground clearance | 2.5mm | 2.2mm | 4mm |
| Gear ratio | 3.5:1 | not published | 4:1 |
Two things stand out. First, ME shares MA's overall footprint — same 156mm length, 97mm width and 80mm wheelbase — but is roughly 9g lighter and sits 0.3mm higher off the ground, pointing to a lighter chassis moulding rather than a different layout. Second, ME's published 3.5:1 gear ratio is lower than MS's 4:1, so ME starts from the catalog with a different balance of top speed against acceleration before any gear-set swap. None of these numbers alone say which chassis is "better" — they say the three midship chassis are not interchangeable spec-for-spec, and a setup tuned for MS gearing or MA tread will not transfer to ME unadjusted.
What ships as standard, and reading the compatible-parts catalog
Tamiya's catalog lists six rollers as standard equipment on the ME chassis, along with separately moulded front and rear bumper components — worth checking against your kit's parts bag before assuming a roller or bumper is missing. Beyond the stock parts, the official compatible-parts list is the only source that should decide what you bolt onto an ME chassis, and Tamiya's catalog carries an explicit caution: some parts on a chassis's compatible list "may not be fully usable with that chassis, i.e. only the pinion gear from a gear set can be used." In practice a gear set, stay or roller-mount part can appear on the ME compatibility list while only one component inside the box actually fits — read the specific note against each part, not just its presence on the list. This is exactly the detail a photo of someone else's finished car never shows, which is why copying a build from an MA or MS chassis onto ME by eye is a common source of clearance and fitment problems. For using the compatible-parts catalog itself, see the chassis compatibility list guide; for the PRO double-shaft motor lineup ME shares with MA and MS, see the motors guide.
Regulations: is the ME chassis race-legal
Tamiya's official Mini 4WD Race Regulations list permitted machine types by name, and Mini 4WD PRO is one of them, alongside Laser Mini 4WD, Mini 4WD REV, Racing Mini 4WD, Super Mini 4WD, Fully-Cowled Mini 4WD, Aero Mini 4WD, Mighty Mini 4WD, R/C Mini 4WD and Truckin' Mini 4WD — so an ME-based car sits on a permitted platform for official events, subject to the overall limits every machine must meet: maximum 105mm width, 70mm height and 165mm length, minimum 1mm ground clearance, minimum 90g total weight including battery and motor, and 22–35mm diameter, 8–26mm width tyres. Stock Class layers extra restrictions on top — chassis cutting or shaving is not allowed, homemade chassis are prohibited, and only Tamiya Mini 4WD, R/C Mini 4WD and Dangun Racer parts may be fitted, with a "forbidden zone" between the front and rear shafts where nothing but the body and driver figure may attach. Whether an event runs Stock Class, an open class or a locally defined class such as BMAX changes what's legal on top of an ME chassis considerably, and on-day technical inspection has the final word regardless of what any article says. Read the official regulations before entering, and see the official rules and technical inspection checklist for how that inspection runs.
Frequently asked questions
Is the ME chassis the same as MA or MS with a different name?
No. All three are midship, double-shaft chassis, but Tamiya's catalog publishes different tread, weight, ground clearance and gear-ratio figures for each — ME is closest to MA in overall footprint but lighter, and its 3.5:1 gear ratio differs from MS's published 4:1. Treat each as its own platform with its own compatible-parts list.
Can I fit MA or MS parts onto an ME chassis?
Only the parts the official ME compatible-parts catalog lists, and only to the extent the catalog's own notes describe — some listed parts are usable in full, others only for a single component inside the box, such as a pinion gear from a gear set. Check the specific note, not just the part's presence on the list.
Does using an ME chassis automatically qualify a car for Stock Class?
No. Mini 4WD PRO chassis including ME are permitted machine types under the general regulations, but Stock Class adds its own restrictions on parts, the forbidden zone and chassis modification. Confirm the exact class your event is running and follow that class's regulations, since organiser rules and technical inspection prevail over any general guide.