The freakin Unimog! Add that to the list for sure as I now have 4 all time favorite sets.

How could I forget the Unimog..slipped my mind...

I think 42009 will beat 8421. 8868 looks dated now.

My all time favorite is still 8880.

In terms of complexity of engineering these are my podiums so far.

Studless sets

1° - 8258 Crane truck

2° - 8043 Motorized excavator

3° - 42009 Mobile crane MK II

For studded sets:

1° - 8480 - Space Shuttle

2° - 8880 - Supercar

3° - 8466 - 4x4 Offroad

Edited August 22, 201410 yr by MrTekneex

I would have to say 8455 Back-Hoe ( 2003) is the best. I did not buy it. (big mistake) I have made it with parts I have and I really don't want to take it apart. All the technic set I get get built and taken apart within a week or two.

I'm really surprised that in a topic about best sets, this one hasn't been mentioned yet. This is surely one of my favorites.

1. It has all the functions. Two-axle steering, outriggers, slewing, boom raising, extending, the hoist.

2. It just works. The outriggers actually lift the model, the boom has quite an impressive lifting power, the height is respectable and the turning radius is pretty tight.

3. At fewer than 850 parts, it is not ridiculously large.

4. It looks the par :)

5. It has a good alternative model.

8421 misses out on 1 (no slewing), 2 (much less lifting power), 3 (more than double the part count), and 5. Yes, it has the awesome double-extending boom, all four outriggers working at once, and it looks really good, but a set can only be a "best-of-all" if it score on every aspect - as 8460 does.

For me the 8043 was the best set ever, RC, tracks, gears and 6 functions with just 4 motors, I still love it.

Edited August 23, 201410 yr by jorgeopesi

I think 8258, 8110 and 8043 are one of the best and usefull ones for MOC-ing. Also 41999 is awesome on a different level.

I'm really surprised that in a topic about best sets, this one hasn't been mentioned yet. This is surely one of my favorites.

1. It has all the functions. Two-axle steering, outriggers, slewing, boom raising, extending, the hoist.

2. It just works. The outriggers actually lift the model, the boom has quite an impressive lifting power, the height is respectable and the turning radius is pretty tight.

3. At fewer than 850 parts, it is not ridiculously large.

4. It looks the par :)

5. It has a good alternative model.

8421 misses out on 1 (no slewing), 2 (much less lifting power), 3 (more than double the part count), and 5. Yes, it has the awesome double-extending boom, all four outriggers working at once, and it looks really good, but a set can only be a "best-of-all" if it score on every aspect - as 8460 does.

I completely agree with you - i love this model too - and i have another criterium

6: it has a very good B-model (which 8421 (BTW: i love the 8421!) misses)...

This B-model is already very good out of the box but it can be quite easily made even better by adding a pneumatic driven bed (i would post a picture but unfortunately brickshelf is currently down - as quite often last week)

argg - forget my posting - i have overseen your point 5.... ;-)

Edited August 23, 201410 yr by Kumbbl

My personal top 5:

8480

8485

8880

8479

8868

All these models offer complicated builds - they actually are a challenge to build, something I expect from a TECHNIC set, especially with an age indication of 11+. Todays sets use many booklets to accomodate the many building steps. Maybe that's the reason why alternate models are skipped nowadays. All of the above sets have alternate models, most of them are great as well.

The sets are not only complicated, but the functions are also well-executed. When playing with my cousin's Unimog, the controls of the crane bothered me. I think that has been done way better in 8868. The same for the supercars: the 8880, while lacking power functions, actually shows how a real gearbox works instead of unrealistic functions who aren't motorized in a real car anyway. I think most of my top 5 sets actually don't look outdated at all, it's just that modern TECHNIC sets don't use studs anymore.

The king of the TECHNIC sets is the 8480 Space Shuttle. Not only an unique subject, but also well-executed and great looking. The alternate, a submarine, is good as well.

I agree with Erik Leppen about the 8460. It can't equal the above examples IMHO but is still the best crane set. I want to add 8459 to that: a set not equal to the above but still the best loader. The Volvo doesn't look that great to me, the functions aren't well-executed and as a result it's just an overpriced parts-pack ment to build M-Longer's Liebherr loader.

Just my 2 cents.

argg - forget my posting - i have overseen your point 5.... ;-)

Oh, no problem. It's good to underline the importance of a good alternative model once more :)

Yes, Richie, 8479 was great too. I especially remember the buggy that made a backwards turn when it bounced into something. I also remember my mother liking that buggy a lot back in the day. That's a quality as well - the way parents react to it.

Speaking of qualities, I think there's another quality and that's longevity. As good as 8479 is as a set, it has one big flaw - the electrics. Some of the cable's protective rubber has eroded (for lack of a better word), showing the metal wiring inside. Also in my experience the contacts are very sensitive. If I were to build the model today, the electronics wouldn't work. Problem - as the electrics are what made the model what it was. 8480 has a bit of the same problem. No electronics? Everything stops. (But I agree that 8480 is a magnificent set. The submarine alternate never caught my interest however to be honest.)

Another point that I would like to mention is set size. I notice that what most people mention as the best sets are the biggest sets. Why is a bigger set better? Of course - it usually offers more complexity - but the size shouldn't be a criterion when deciding about the actual quality of a set. There are a lot of good mid-range sets. You don't need 1300 parts to make something good.

I'd like to mention 8856, the rescue helicopter - including the lovely alternate that I remember driving endlessly over the floor :) - and 8462, the kind of weird looking blue tow truck. Both sets offer a nice array of functions for a reasonable number of parts.

8258, 8043, 8110

I'd say 8258, 8043, and 42009. 8110 is also pretty good, but not as complex as the three mentioned.

I'd say 8258, 8043, and 42009. 8110 is also pretty good, but not as complex as the three mentioned.

seems that for you is valid: the complex the better - IMHO a real best one has to fulfill more than just one criterium ;-)

I really like 8258, 8043 and 8285 ! 42009 is great too, but the first three are the best !

Ps: i would say 8109 is great too for a mid-range set.

Edited August 24, 201410 yr by Freekysch

IMHO such rankings would be even more informative when "backgrounded" by your known sets (known from own building experience)...

I'd say 8258, 8043, and 42009. 8110 is also pretty good, but not as complex as the three mentioned.

Exactly my point of view! :)

seems that for you is valid: the complex the better - IMHO a real best one has to fulfill more than just one criterium ;-)

In fact in terms of beauty of the entire set i must add 8109, 8265, 8275, 42025 (i love the cargo plane) and 8285. My podiums are based about engineering complexity, the side of the creation that i like more! :)

Edited August 24, 201410 yr by MrTekneex

the size shouldn't be a criterion when deciding about the actual quality of a set. There are a lot of good mid-range sets. You don't need 1300 parts to make something good.

I'd like to mention 8856, the rescue helicopter - including the lovely alternate that I remember driving endlessly over the floor :) - and 8462, the kind of weird looking blue tow truck. Both sets offer a nice array of functions for a reasonable number of parts.

True. Four of my top 5 sets use electronics and all five are large. But I agree with you that a mid-range set can be great as well. I own the 8275 bulldozer but I think there are many mid-range sets that are way more interesting, especially if you don't care that much about PF.

About longevity: well, the 8856 you mention has some stickers placed on a rough surface, resulting in the stickers come loose. Not a big deal like electronics getting broken, but it can be a factor for me not to buy a set.

I don't own the 8462, but I've read many positive comments about it's functions. I don't like the looks though, it's too Sci-fi or whatever. If they only designed the cabin more realistic and maybe add the 8479 wheels I would've bought it already.

Sorry for bumping this topic.... I was actually browsing the index (first time ever, it is really useful!) and saw this topic. 2H of 2016 has seen some strong sets. I am sure most are not willing to add 42056 here, but was about the BWE, and if not, probably the Xerion? The reviews so far have been very positive.

I think the bucket wheel excavator 42055 has too many small imperfections to be a "best set". It's a most impressive set and a masterpiece of engineering, but it's main function doesn't work flawlessly (or so I read) and for the "best set" label this won't do. Critiques I read about the set: 1. sometimes pieces get stuck, 2. the bucket wheel lacks the force needed to actually dig and 3. there is too much play in the lower belt's "stay-in-one-place" function

The Xerion 42054 seems to be a better candidate; it does almost everything right. The only things I personally think hold it back (but I don't own the set yet) is, the crane is ugly and has little lifting power; the base of the crane is bulky; the crane sags when the outriggers are not out; the outrigger's system is too simple

The pneumatic Volvo excavator 42053 might also be a very good candidate, however, (again, I only know this from the reviews) it's not perfect. the front blade doesn't lock over center, the rear outrigger's have no mechanism and are just a manual link, and there's no rotation mechanism. Also, it has the same number of gears as 8837... For the rest it seems like a really nice set.

I'm not so sure any of these sets is on the same level as sets like 8480 or 8880 or other such gems.

The Arocs 42043 might be a better candidate. Full suspension on a 8x4x4 truck, great looking, lots of functions including pneumatics, lovely complexity. That one might be on the list.

42043, detailed features with playability

46 minutes ago, johnchan1982sydney said:

42043, detailed features with playability

It is an all-around great set.

I think the 42054 is one of the best, because of the ingenious steering, the functionality, and the aesthetics.

Surprisingly I would say 42048 Race Kart! It's inexpensive, so good lookin' and it has nice gearbox and steering from steering wheel (no HoG). And Jims' inspired green-white colour scheme is just so cool  Some pics of my both race karts:

I just love this set 

Which one is your favorite Lego Technic set? Feel free to comment in this thread. Mine is the 8145 set Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano 1:10 from 2007. It was actually released as a Lego Racers set, but I consider it a Lego Technic set - just have a look on my images below and I think you'll agree with me (sorry for low-quality photos, these are from my phone).

Cool! My favorite has to be either 42040 or 42025. I'm a sucker for planes, in fact I'm building one now ;)

My favourite Lego Technic sets:

Old school Technic: 853 car chassis (my first flagship set. A must have if you like vintage Lego technic)

New studless Technic: 8110 Unimog (brought me back into Lego Technic after 30 years)