Review: 8157 Ferrari F1 1:9

[starstreak]

This review will be on the 8157 Ferrari F1 1:9

I'm not a big fan of F1 racing. But that's not to say I don't enjoy a good Lego set. At almost 1000 pieces, on a scale of .10 cents a piece, that should make the set about $100. ere in Hawaii, it was going for $119.95. I'd pass on that. But then it went on sale. So I bought it. Now, it's even cheaper from Lego shop at home for $69.98.

It's a very large and solid set. It's over 20 inches long, 7 inches wide. Very Ferrari red.

This review is a type of photo review where I show at least 80%+ of the build process. I hope you like it.

Set Name: 8157 Lego Ferrari F1 1:9

Theme: Racers

Released: 2008

Pieces: 997

Price: $89.99/67.50 EUR/59.44 GBP

Here are some quicklinks Bricklink, Brickset, and Shop@home

Wanna see some pictures? Let's start with the normal box arts and manuals! Most pictures are click-able for mind-blowing, did-I-really-need-to-see-it-THAT-big photos!

Box front

Box rear

For the back, there is a lot of detail. It shows the seat and tires turning,etc.

Bag-o-parts

Very easy. Everything is all numbered.

Instruction books

Instruction books are a bit smashed from being in the box.

Sticker sheet

Many stickers. Ferrari prancing horse, Bridgestone, AMD, etc.

The build. It reads from left to right then down to the next row.

Above in red was the build for the nose of the F1 racer. Very detailed. You can see how they even added the sticker in the nose duct. The next part is the under body of the F1.

Here you can see the front suspension being created. No shocks. But you can see the tooth gear in the middle to help turn the front tires when you turn the steering wheel.

The seat is created and inserted into the shell. Very detailed. You can even see the belt clips!

And here you can see the cold air scoop located behind the drivers head being added. One piece design.

The finished photos. All photos click-able to huge photo sizes!

Side profile with the BBS rims.

Front view. Very long model. I like this view.

Rear view. Very clean. They included everything from the rear brake light to undercarriage airflow ducts.

Top view. Here you can see the cockpit. I like how they detailed the seat belts are. Little camera shake, sorry.

Nose spoiler removed. Very detailed. Notice how even the air duct on the nose has a sticker in it.

Another closeup view of the nose.

A good view to see the steering wheel. Nothing fancy with that, but it does turn the front wheels.

Here the rear wing is removed. Yup, it detaches.

Another angle. Here you can see how low it is to the ground. Also, you can see all the stickers being used on the rear spoiler.

Front angle view. If you look carefully, you can see the ducting behind the front wheel.

Full top view. So I cheated, it's standing on its side.

Underside. Very similar to a real F1. Very smooth and the air ducting at the back helps the F1 keep hold of the road. In some races, the F1 creates so much down force, that it could be driven upside down on a ceiling if it had enough road to do that!

Features

This is very much a static build. No minifig can jump in and drive off in this set. The wheels rotate, steering works and rear wing is removable. Weighs like a ton and feels very solid. Only things that really break off when I was moving it around is the side view mirrors and the rear spoiler. Since they have the Ferrari license, they could add all the prancing horse logos and all the sponsor's logos.

My rating:

Playability: 1 out of 5. It is pose able. That's it. It's a display. I wouldn't mind putting this under a display case if I had one big enough just to keep the dust off of it.

Design: 5 out of 5. Not much they could've done. Maybe put shocks or add a detailed engine. But what they did do was keep all the aerodynamic curves on the racer.

Build experience: 4 out of 5. When comparing to other "racers" series sets, it was one of the hardest to put together. As a Lego set in general, anybody who could follow instructions well can make this set. There was nothing complicated.

Overall: 4 out of 5. At $69.98 it's a good deal. For red parts or as a Ferrari lover. I believe this set is going on clearance to remove from inventory. So buy now if you want it.

Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed it!

All smaller photos are click able for larger picture sizes! You can see all photos used here: 8157 Ferrari F1 1:9

[Ickelpete]

Thanks for the great review

I was wondering whether to get this now it has been reduced I might have to visit the Lego shop at the weekend

[starstreak]

I'm glad you liked it. :)

Thanks for the great review

I was wondering whether to get this now it has been reduced I might have to visit the Lego shop at the weekend

[Front]

Nice to see a detailed review of this set, compared to my presentation of the F1 1:9 in this thread:

F1 1:9 disassemblied

You make the most picture detailed reviews here on EB, nearly over the edge

I share your view on this set. Really a lot of nice red bricks put well together.

In the future I would like to see a Ferrari F1 built with more realistic suspension, using technic, but keeping the System bricks to make the body design. Add PF drive and steering too

Front

[starstreak]

Thanks! Yes. Pictures does tend to go over the edge at times. :)

I will eventually do a review on the: F1 #8157 as I made that one too.

Nice to see a detailed review of this set, compared to my presentation of the F1 1:9 in this thread:

F1 1:9 disassemblied

You make the most picture detailed reviews here on EB, nearly over the edge

I share your view on this set. Really a lot of nice red bricks put well together.

In the future I would like to see a Ferrari F1 built with more realistic suspension, using technic, but keeping the System bricks to make the body design. Add PF drive and steering too

Front

[fulk]

Very good review !

I read it only now that I bought this set (used on ebay).

I completely agree with the note about the rear spoiler: it easily detach once you take the model in your hands and that's a pity because for the rest it is a really solid model.