i have played with my a-5 since the month they came out and until now i havent had anything break, until this year i have not needed to replace anything! and i play about 2-3 times a month! the only reason i am buying upgrades for my cyclone it to improve air consistency , as far as inferior materials i dont think so , the only thing that can be inferior is what upgrades up buy like milsim upgrades, which some companies do make crappy products! the a-5 is alot stronger and but put to together than the 98, the 98 is good but its like comparing a 72 vette against a 2008 zo6, its just the next best thing!