[REVIEW] 42056 - Porsche 911 GT3 RS

[Erik Leppen]

Thanks for the review, Jim. Great work, it's a joy to read, and the photo quality is unprecedented. I really wonder how you even did that.

The set itself, too bad it turned out so mediocre. Especially the gearbox, which admittedly is quite a feat of engineering, but that it doesn't work properly is a mistake.

One thing I don't understand about this set, is, if the book is supposed to be "coffee table", why did they even include the instructions in the same book? Nobody reads the building instructions at the coffee table, so 93% of the book is of no use there. Why didn't they just include two books. A normal instruction book, and a nice, but thinner and therefore much lighter, better-to-handle and less-likely-to-slip-out-of-your-hands-and-damage, hard-cover book covering the extra info.

This was the first review I read. Now going to check out Anio's story and the videos :D

Edited June 1, 2016 by Erik Leppen

[NevynPA]

After looking at the reviews last night, I decided not to stay up late to try and order and would just hold off altogether on buying. Looks like it wouldn't have mattered anyway!

Model (n.): a three-dimensional representation of a person or thing or of a proposed structure, typically on a smaller scale than the original.

I expected it to be a smaller scale representation of the real thing. Is it that? Yes. Both in form, and in function. I'm okay with a gearbox that shows a representation of how a dual-clutch arrangement works; it doesn't have to be 100% exact. 4 speeds instead of 7 is fine by me.

Is the color perfectly the same shade as Porsche official? No, but it is a 'representation.' Again, TLG was working within the constraints of their materials, and Porsche found that to be acceptable - which makes it OK by me.

Is it a true horizontally opposed flat six cylinder engine? No, and current LEGO parts don't allow for the ability to make one. They'd need new cylinder blocks, connecting rods, and possibly even a 1.5L axle and half-thickness version of https://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=41677#T=C . This is also OK by me.

If rear-wheel steering is a MAJOR feature of the real car, they totally could/should have done more to make that happen. Uwe may not have any experience with 8880 to remember or know how it was set up, but I'm sure they could have made it work by using those parts. The rims would have needed a slightly different design, but they were going to be a new part anyway. There would have been no cost of development to reprint the old pieces. That would have given proper Ackermann geometry steering as well.

I'll still be looking to pick one up to go with my 8880, but it's not a "day one must have" by any means.

[Vectormatic]

Ultimate review.

Why theres no B-model. They could make at least some cabrio.

The parts are rather porsche specific (wheel arches, only 6 cylinders), and there is no GT3 RS convertible, so unless you want to go fantasy, you can pretty much either do a boxter or a 911 convertible

[Jim]

Thanks for the review, Jim. Great work, it's a joy to read, and the photo quality is unprecedented. I really wonder how you even did that.

One thing I don't understand about this set, is, if the book is supposed to be "coffee table", why did they even include the instructions in the same book? Nobody reads the building instructions at the coffee table, so 93% of the book is of no use there. Why didn't they just include two books. A normal instruction book, and a nice, but thinner and therefore much lighter, better-to-handle and less-likely-to-slip-out-of-your-hands-and-damage, hard-cover book covering the extra info.

Thanks Erik! Photos are the result of using a (cheap) macro lens and some post processing to give them a fine polish

Regarding separating the book; it would have been an option to include a separate book for the different boxes (and one coffee table book). This would allow you to build it together with your kid (or a friend).

[Thirdwigg]

Thanks Jim for the excellent review. I'm on the fence about buying this. I'll "sleep on it" for a little bit.

I must confess, I miss the part of your previous reviews that highlight and explore the new parts. I value your overview on the new wheels and tires, but a little more about the new hubs (particularly) and panel would have been appreciated.

Thanks again. It's clear how much work you put into these reviews.

[Jim]

Thanks Jim for the excellent review. I'm on the fence about buying this. I'll "sleep on it" for a little bit.

I must confess, I miss the part of your previous reviews that highlight and explore the new parts. I value your overview on the new wheels and tires, but a little more about the new hubs (particularly) and panel would have been appreciated.

Thanks again. It's clear how much work you put into these reviews.

Thanks!! Next time I will try to focus on the new parts a bit more (like I usually do). Duly noted

[NevynPA]

Thanks!! Next time I will try to focus on the new parts a bit more (like I usually do). Duly noted

I figured that some of the review style was dictated by requests from TLG/Porsche to do things a certain way.

[Jay Psi]

This review is about as comprehensive as I could have hoped for. In particular I really liked the questions from various members to add/clarify information about the set - would you consider doing this for the other 2H sets?

As for the Porsche, I'm in the unusual position of wanting it to do well so we are more likely to see future "Technic UCS" sets, but not wanting it to buy it myself because the well-documented issues are deal breakers for me. It seems to be "ultimate" in looks only, and while I recognize that this is more than enough for many people, I am not one of them. Even at a reduced price (e.g. 75-80%) this set isn't appealing to me at the moment.

Thanks for the heads up Jim. If only TLG did as good a job with the Porsche as you did with its review!

[Cwetqo]

I can guarantee you that NOBODY dictates the way fansites review products. Only in one case (Hoth Assault) they sent some "key advantages" but even there nobody was asked to sahep their review because of it.

[Erik Leppen]

To be honest, the review seemed to be written such that non-AFOLs finding the review directly from Google can also find their answers here. I liked that!

[Jim]

I figured that some of the review style was dictated by requests from TLG/Porsche to do things a certain way.

We get absolutely zero requests or directions.

[soccerkid6]

Easy to see that you puts loads of effort and research into this review

I think LEGO definitely went for looks over functions with this set, which is perhaps more appealing to non Technic/mechanically savvy buyers.

I posted a review for InnovaLUG, though not nearly as thorough as this one I'm afraid

Edited June 1, 2016 by soccerkid6

[Jim]

I can guarantee you that NOBODY dictates the way fansites review products. Only in one case (Hoth Assault) they sent some "key advantages" but even there nobody was asked to sahep their review because of it.

Exactly!

This review is about as comprehensive as I could have hoped for. In particular I really liked the questions from various members to add/clarify information about the set - would you consider doing this for the other 2H sets?

Actually I liked it too. That way I know what you guys think is interesting and where to put the focus in the review. So yeah, I think we have a keeper

[Siegfried]

Excellent review! You've actually convinced me to prioritise the Bucket Wheel Excavator though....

[Richard Dower]

its a pass from me....too expensive.

[Siegfried]

I can guarantee you that NOBODY dictates the way fansites review products. Only in one case (Hoth Assault) they sent some "key advantages" but even there nobody was asked to sahep their review because of it.

Indeed. I've done some rather harsh reviews in the past without complaint. I'd be very against us doing reviews if it was not the case.

[roppie11]

@Jim, Is it ok if i take a look at Lego.com for the special extra content, using your code? Can only one person see it or can everyone look at it infinitly many times? Sariel blurred his code...

[davebarrett]

Given how small the fix is for the gear ordering, it seems likely that the mistake was a minor one that managed to slip by QA—as if it were a typo. There's every chance that there are a plethora of facepalms around TLG right now about this.

The gear-shifting issue is more of a problem, but hopefully someone here will figure out how to mitigate the issues.

I for one bought it—I want those rims, those new parts, and I want to give building it a go. The car looks good and is WAY sturdier than some of the MOCs I've seen praised here. Shame about the features :(

[DrJB]

I can only add my compliments for a very well executed review like others have said. While I appreciate the 'neutrality' and letting us decide what to take away, I must admit I'm rather disappointed by the lack of truly technic/reliable functions this set has. It might be that for the majority of us, we're expecting way more than Technic can truly deliver. The reason here is simple and is in no means criticizing TLG. It is a given that complexity and reliability work against each other, and there must be a 'physical limit' as to how large and how intricate/reliable we can make lego models. Maybe we're pushing the limits unrealistically ...

[Koenta]

Pff, in the Netherlands we have to pay €330 for this set that's $370

Edited June 1, 2016 by Koenta

[dimaks13]

@Jim, Is it ok if i take a look at Lego.com for the special extra content, using your code? Can only one person see it or can everyone look at it infinitly many times? Sariel blurred his code...

One russian reviewer said that the code gives a parts pack for something. But that video is now private...

[Richard Dower]

a pretty scathing review from Sariel...i expect there will be mods though to fix the gearing/transmission system. one note i want to make...the complaints about using 3L pins in Blue instead of Black, while valid, are a no brainer for you guys. i am sure most of you have ample stock of those pins in Black. and i am sure you have the other pins types in black if one were inclined to mod the body.

if you want to take the logic further....Lego SHOULD have produced 3L pins in Orange!!!!

also....those White elastic bands should have been Black....but you can find that colour easy enough on Bricklink cheaply.

Edited June 1, 2016 by Richard Dower

[Meatman]

This review is much more compassionate compared to Sariel's. It is excellent though.

[technic_addict]

It is interesting to note that in Jim's review he had the gearbox stalling. In Sariel's review that didn't seem to happen, however, he had grinding noises.

[Meatman]

It is interesting to note that in Jim's review he had the gearbox stalling. In Sariel's review that didn't seem to happen, however, he had grinding noises.

Did Sariel also have a motor running from the back of the engine? I think he had it hooked up at the same axle that the wheels were connected to.