No. It's not. Competitive Tamiya M class cars are a whole lot of money. That said, this is a good car.

M Class cars are heavy. They're narrow. They're short. They drive a whole lot more like a real car.

So building a serpent (x20 mini) for the first time.
Really like the quality of design for an M chassis.
What's your opinion on the build though?

Instructions are poor with no detail or tips for most crucial areas. No details for belt tension and lack of explanation for pivot ball suspension.

No details for a base setup with the exception of camber lengths of which I am pretty sure are incorrect for the rear.

The kit setup for the steering does not work. You do not have clearance for the steering rods over the wishbone...

The spur gear setup does not work and requires shims for belt tensioner clearance.

Sounds like a moan but Xray prices so I expected more.

Maybe it's an exclusive club I just don't get...

Thoughts.

Feel free to call me grumpy.

Well I had mine for three weeks and it is a blast mini to drive ..
this 4wd mini is stupid fast with standard tires and I am killing the 21.5 TC ..no one couldn't believe how fast this mini is and drive like the 1/10 scale TC
Full Tamiya mini hop up M08 or any of them , it is cheaper to buy Serpent mini for less
think about it three wheel base setting .three motor mount position ,three drive train set ( Fwd.Rwd.4wd)

Kinda surprised it allowed in 21.5TC

I’d like to race my Xpress even just once

Well, to adjust tension on the belt, the cams that hold the diffs are eccentric, with the holes slightly favored in the direction of the arrow of the cam. By default, the arrows should be facing straight down. To increase tension slightly, slide them one tooth toward the outside.

It’s a little odd that the kit doesn’t come with a base setup, but if everything is measured correctly, the settings you have are basically the base setup; I’m sure someone will fill out a setup sheet based on it and share somewhere.

I took a look at the manual and agree that it does seem to lack a little detail compared to the standard X20, but the good thing about the digital manual is that they do update them. The X20 manual, for example, is at 1.3 if I’m not mistaken, so do keep an eye out on the Serpent website for any updates.

Without Felix at serpent...would be hard press to see Serpent actually update the manual for the mini unless they are flooded with complains in their emails.

This kit has been out for what...9-10 months? not a single change was done to the manual or a base setup sheet uploaded...dont think they ever will either.