Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245

This is the largest LEGO Technic set to date. It combines the ease of LEGO building with the intricate details found in a modeling kit, that older LEGO builders appreciate and enjoy. more less

Ok I've built a few Lego sets in the Creator Expert series, the F40, the VW T1 and the Mini Cooper underway but I wanted a real challenge so I picked up the Arocs. It certainly delivers on the challenge aspect on the build, this being my first 2,500+ piece build I knew I was in for some fun. After a two day marathon I had me one huge truck to display! Yes it's not a small model by any stretch nor is it light but it looks mighty fine to say the least and the power functions do work quite well as well as the air powered functions of the crane arm. I've read online that this is actually the biggest Technic set ever released and I dove in head first quite blindly. It was actually fun to hook up the battery to test out portions of the power functions to verify operation and that "hey I can do this stuff!" Then again I am a mechanic by trade so this kind of work is right in my wheelhouse. The pluses, Relatively good instructions. Amazing amount of moving parts both by power and manual actuation. It makes the F40 nervous just sitting there! The small minuses, One particular page in the manual for the blue air lines is as clear as mud and could use some more clarity in this regard. Through the overall length it could use some torsional stiffeners as it is a bit twisty. All in all a great kit for one wanting a challenge, and as I sit here I'm actually considering buying a second one to do the alternate build and display them together. more less

Overall 42043 is lots of fun. All the functions work well and are easy to control, making it a very playable set. The cabin looks very convincing and is done neatly when you look past the dull white colour. The crane is a bit high when collapsed, but the smooth way it works makes up for that. 42043 does cost a lot of money, but it's worth it. more less

I am not sure if this is for everyone. I suspect many will be indulging in LEGO Dimensions or such, but as I have zero interest in gaming and the like, this is a perfect substitute. For car nuts and budding engineers of the future, this AROCS set hits all the notes with the occasional flat part. more less

The main question I posed at the beginning of this review "Is this set better than the Unimog?" can be answered with a loud "Yes!". Your milage may vary, but the pneumatic crane is more advanced and it is working better than the one on the Unimog. There's no problem with the model leaning to one side and steering, although not perfect on this model either, works better than the Unimog. Which brings us to the obvious next question. Is this set also better than the 8258 - Crane Truck? The 8258 is absolutely a fantastic set (probably the most highly acclaimed truck to date), but to be honest; I think the Mercedes just kicked it from the throne. more less

This truck is huge and has lots of moving parts. My son is 15 and put it together in about a day and a half, working pretty much nonstop during the days. The remote functions are only for the crane and dump truck parts; it is not RC drivable like some other Technic trucks. I highly recommend this product if you like big vehicles and fun gadgets. If you are used to traditional Legos, just note that Technic is a different type (think k'nex but better). It is a more complex building system but you end up with a really cool truck that's super durable. more less

My verdict is quite simple: if you can afford it, buy it! There is no way you will possibly regret the purchase. The set is an amazing, varied build (especially if you decide to build the tipping bed first) and the techniques applied are simply mind-blowing. Yes, it is that good! Who would have guessed the LEGO Group would ever release a Technic set this size with full suspension and new longer pneumatic cylinders? more less

This set introduces a new Pneumatic System V2 powered functionality to the Technic range. It will enable complex MOCs to be built with functions that were otherwise difficult to produce mechanically. I hope that this set will lead the release of more sets in 2016 with pneumatic functions. more less