Dear Sir/Madam,
I was asked by the Dutch distributor of Kyosho diecasts to lay down my questions concerning a certain Kyosho product with you.
A couple of months ago, there was a hobby show where Kyosho showed the world their BMW M3 E46 Convertible with large CSL rims, scale 1:18. When looking at this link, Kyosho announced this model to be available for sale that the 4th quarter of 2009 (see page 6, part numbers KYO-8505S0 and KYO-8505Y0):
http://www.kyoshousa.com/New_Folder/kyosho.pdf
But when I contacted several distributors of Kyosho products in the EU (including Minichamps, official importer of Kyosho diecasts in the EU, see the posts below), nobody could confirm me when this model was supposed to be available (parts of the sent emails was in Dutch).
Could you please tell me if this model will be produced, and when it will be available for sale?
I know a lot of BMW-fans are eagerly awaiting the arrival of this model.
I just noticed the updated version of the “MSRP-WINTER 2010 & ORDER FORM“ of Kyosho USA.Thank you for the email below and confirmed.
Actually this model 08505S / 08505Y have been cancelled a while ago, because of a lower order quantities by all the distributors.
Basically we collect the pre order of the models from all the distributors before we get in production run, but, in case this pre order quantity was too small we cannot get in production because there is a certain production requirement by China factory.. For instance, we have a requirement "a minimum production quantity" which China factory will accept the quantity at least for a production run. Then this minimum production quantity is 2,000 pc per item code. However, in fact these BMW M3 got only 600 pc in total each of pre order quantity by the distributors. so you can see how small demand by distributors is at that time..
With aforementioned reason we have gave up this BMW M3 unfortunately.
I hope you understand this situation, but I would like to thank you very much for your email.
On this updated PDF-file, the model 08505S / 08505Y is still announced as coming soon. Even more, the delivery date has been moved from Q4 2009 towards Q1 2010. Does this mean the model is still to be considered by Kyosho? In the email you sent me last November it was very clear the model would have been cancelled, but it appears Minichamps (the distributor for Kyosho EU products) is not informed about this? Very confusing
I think this model (BMW E46 M3 Convertible with CSL-rims) would sell very well, especially in the Phoenix Yellow colour. Prices for the blue and silver coupe versions are very high at Ebay right now.
Will Kyosho please reconsider making this model?
Thank you very much for you answer already.
I think the distributors are wrong on their comments that the car is too old for the current market. Like I said before, this model (E46) is probably the most-loved M3 of all times by the BMW fans. If Kyosho would do some market-research (by looking at Ebay, for example), you will find that the E46 M3 Coupe models with CSL rims are hard to find. If found at Ebay, they sell at very high prices. Therefore, I think this model would sell well, particulary at a lower production run.Thank you again for the email for this matter,
In fact,they are still in subject for us if we go on this model or not. As explained you before, when we collected the pre order by the distributors, they were very small quantities and we were not able to get in production, but, now the China facility started to be flexible to accept a lower production run, so we "may" be able to produce them, so that this is still in evaluation for us.
Actually, when we re confirmed with the distributors at the Nuremberg show last month, they all said this car is too old now for the current market... so not really good feedback then.
Anyhow I will keep eyes on it.
Nu zou ik dus graag willen weten van jullie welke kleur je graag zou willen zien? Reageer aub alleen als je echt van plan bent een dergelijk model aan te schaffen, we hebben natuurlijk niets aan ideeën als je ze zelf niet zou kopen. Ik dacht aan "Estoril Blue", en aan wit (nogal een populaire kleur tegenwoordig?)...I would like to ask you one question on this M3 with CSL rims.
I know you are now waiting for one in Phonex Yellow but in addition to this yellow, which color would be best two colors for this car?
I thank you very much if you have any idea of this matter.
Feedback please!
In het echt kost het 104000,-- euries 
Dit is voor mij te duur en nutteloos in nederland met alle flitspalen, 120km wegen etc...!! 
Tenzij je lid bent uiteraard.
Kyosho gaat de Rolls Royce Ghost maken 
had liever de 'Club Italia' of 'Club Hifi' gezien...
