Hi!

I just turned 31 and am seriously considering getting myself a lego techic kit, the first in twenty years. It has really happened a lot in those years, while yet it all is so familiar. Wonderful. I do hope my wife understands my yearning for these great toys...

So, question is, which kit should I wish for? Top candidates are

8043 Motorized excavator. Looks really good, loads of functions, motors, remote controll and all. Expensive though. My 2-year old son would love it. It also makes me nostalgic, I never got the excavator model ~1990...

8258 Crane truck. I love that crane arm. Really cool truck. No remote controll though, and I can't use it to clean up other toys while I'm sitting in my arm chair... Also expensive, but loads of bits (1877 compared to roughly 1200 for the other two).

8053 Mobile crane. Another great looking model (they all are). No engines, but quite a bit cheaper than the other two. And a lot of functions.

8069 Backhoe loader. Nice, but quite a bit smaller than the rest. Cheaper though, so it would be easier to convince my wife. Also a nostalgic kit, I still remember the backhoe loader of the late -80's.

What do you suggest? I'm looking for a challenging build that'll take me a good number of hours, with loads of functions. Something that'll make me fell eleven years old again...

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by antsiranean

Hi!

I just turned 31 and am seriously considering getting myself a lego techic kit, the first in twenty years. It has really happened a lot in those years, while yet it all is so familiar. Wonderful. I do hope my wife understands my yearning for these great toys...

So, question is, which kit should I wish for? Top candidates are

8043 Motorized excavator. Looks really good, loads of functions, motors, remote controll and all. Expensive though. My 2-year old son would love it. It also makes me nostalgic, I never got the excavator model ~1990...

8258 Crane truck. I love that crane arm. Really cool truck. No remote controll though, and I can't use it to clean up other toys while I'm sitting in my arm chair... Also expensive, but loads of bits (1877 compared to roughly 1200 for the other two).

8053 Mobile crane. Another great looking model (they all are). No engines, but quite a bit cheaper than the other two. And a lot of functions.

8069 Backhoe loader. Nice, but quite a bit smaller than the rest. Cheaper though, so it would be easier to convince my wife. Also a nostalgic kit, I still remember the backhoe loader of the late -80's.

What do you suggest? I'm looking for a challenging build that'll take me a good number of hours, with loads of functions.

8043 because it has a good selection of parts and motors ! Good luck

I should choose 8043 or 8258, because it are "real" technic sets.

You can also wait for the release 8110 Unimog .

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by legolijntje

I should choose 8043 or 8258, because it are "real" technic sets.

You can also wait for the release 8110 Unimog .

What do you mean with "'real' techic sets"? I thought they all were?

I saw the 8110 Unimog, but it doesn't excite me that much, perhaps because I never saw one in real life. I can relate to a motorized excavator or mobile cran, but not to a unimog.

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by antsiranean

What do you mean with "'real' techic sets"? I thought they all were?

I already thought it was a bit unclear

I mean that the backhe has some simple mechanics, but the 8043 and 8258 have very much gears and some more advanced mechanics.

HERE is a good review of 8258 and HERE is a good review of 8043 and HERE is a good review of 8069.

If you look at the building photo's you maybe understand what I mean, but of course it are all great technic models (I have them all 3)

Also a note; 8069 is the only set whit "mini linear actuator's" (mLA's)

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by legolijntje

Okay, your criterias are challenging and long build with lots of functions. That rules out 8053 and 8069 right at the starting line.

As for challenging build, both the 8258 and 8043 are challenging. The 8258 is a bit more foolproof design so i recommend it as a first set as it is very complicated but easier to get working smoothly than the 8043. The 8043 is a bit more challenging to assemble and odds are also that you will assemble it the first time "wrong" and it won't perform good at all. By "wrong" i mean you forget to check that every gear is perfectly aligned and not too tight or loose.

The 8258 has most pieces and best start-up kit if you wan't to get into MOCing one day, 8043 is sort of a PF start-up kit but as an only set it is pretty useless for MOCing. Also if Lego wears onto you this is your last chance to get the 8258 cheap off the shelf while the 8043 will be available about a year longer so you get extra time to convince the wife ;)

Playvalue is almost equal for both, in my case i enjoyed the 8258 more but seems that in general a notable majority prefers the 8043 for playvalue. I guess that depends on how keen you are on getting fresh batteries all the time to keep the 8043 performing decently and if you are a really hardcore excavatorman or truckerman.

As for technical complexity i think it is good to mention that the 8258 is a lot more complex on the inside. You can study it for a long time in order to figure out the complex gearbox inside which controls 4 functions with 1 motor. The 8043 is a lot simpler on the inside so for a "geargeek" the 8258 will be worth a lot more.

The only good thing to do is to get both the 8258 and 8043 as neither are sets a technic fan should miss.

Hi, I'm in the same boat as you... 33 and just found all my old legos in storage and have rekindled my interest in them after being out of it for years and years. I bought 8043 last week and put it together in about 7 hours spread over 3 or 4 days. I'm sure it could be done quicker, but I took my time and studied the mechanisms as it came together. I highly recommend this set! Obviously I can't compare it to the others but I can definitely say this one was a true joy to assemble. The way the gearing is able to handle 6 separate functions with only 4 motors is genius! I put it on my desk at work and I have people stopping by all the time to play with it. I'll probably keep it assembled for a couple of weeks and then I'm going to see how long of a crane boom I can make will all those linear actuators.

I am 32 and got into Technic just half a year ago

I started with 8043. It is a really nice model and I like it a lot. It is smaller (less parts) than 8258 (which I do not have), BUT it has remotely controlled gearbox! And the B-model is great too - not as complicated as the excavator, but more fun to play.

I think you can pass on 8053 for now - it will be less fun if you do not buy a motor.

The backhoe (8069) is a great model. I think it is more fun than 8053 in spite of being significantly smaller. I really, really enjoyed it. For its size it's packed with functions.

Get the excavator it is moterized and is fin to play with.

crane truck looks good but it cant lift a stick

backhoe is allright if you are looking for a cheap model

I dont have the crane but could of got it but did not want it as i have the 8438-1 and the 8421 crane

Playvalue is almost equal for both, in my case i enjoyed the 8258 more but seems that in general a notable majority prefers the 8043 for playvalue. I guess that depends on how keen you are on getting fresh batteries all the time to keep the 8043 performing decently and if you are a really hardcore excavatorman or truckerman.

It's better to use rechargeable batteries (the deliver fewer volts, but more amps, and that's what's needed here).

Hi. I have only two sets of 8043 and 8258, I am satisfied with those sets, though not without light modification for not much money, too I was twenty-year break from Lego Technic, 8258 I bought in January and in April 8043. I strongly recommend both sets.

I'd recommend the 8069 Backhoe loader for a returnee to the hobby. It is an excellent set for a good price and has a ton of functionality and a good introduction to the studless construction which you are probably not used to with your absence. It is definitely a good idea to start on a smaller set than big one because you will get a taste for it without a big investment in either time or money. If you really do have the money and want to go all out, I'd take the Excavator, though don't forget you'll also have to buy batteries for it (6 AA and 8 AAA).

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by chaosof99

I would recommend the 8258 due to it's awesome size and complexity, surpassing the 8043 on both accounts (it really is big!) but not too hard to build. To be fair tho, no set is too difficult nowadays due to each step of the instructions consisting of only 2 or 3 parts. 8258 IMHO not only has may more parts, but a better selection of parts. Having 8 wheels is far better for making your own designs than having tracks. It also contains 7 gear racks which is useful for steering and so on. The 8258 has also been out longer so it won't be as easy to get in the near future as the 8043. They both have a similar play value and performance, nither of them can lift much weight. 8043 may also be a little dissapointing if it doesn't work as reliably as a technic set should.

If you really do have the money and want to go all out, I'd take the Excavator, though don't forget you'll also have to buy batteries for it (6 AA and 8 AAA).

you anly need 6 AA and 6 AAA

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by legolijntje

you anly need 6 AA and 6 AAA

Right. I guess I was confused because I bought them in an 8-pack at the time.

Wow, thanks for all the answers and advice. So, it seems that for complexity I should go for 8258, for playability 8043. And if I ever want to get the 8258, I should get it now. But then, when it goes off the shelves, there will be the Unimog instead, which has a similar crane.

8258 doesn't have remote control, does it? Do I steer the crane with buttons on the model? On the pro side is all those pieces, and that it is really big.

It seems that 8043 fits my bill: I can use it to pick upp small toys (although slowly), and it is a rather complex model.

And should I get really into it, I might be able to lay my hands on a Unimog (if I read some nice reviews that convinces me it's great), if the 8258 isn't available anymore.

I'll sleep over it, and then all that remains is convincing my wife (or parents)... Wish me good luck.

The unimog is gonna top both of them

i would select the 8465 followed by the 8466 a good place to start.

I have both the 8043 and 8258 but would definitely pick the 8258. More pieces, more interesting to build (the underside of 8043 is rather repetitive) and loads of gears. 8258 is one of my favorite sets ever and it is quite massive! Let us know what you have decided and what your experience was like!

Good luck convincing the wife.

8258 does not have remote control. It is possible to modify it for remote control with Power Function parts.

8053 doesn't even compare to the other too,I have only got back into Lego too 6 months ago and since then iv bought a lot of sets 10 in total ,I have both 8043 and 8258 and there both great sets,8043 is top for me but 8258 is a more complex build. I can't wait for 8110 tho

I'm also 30 and got back into technic after 15 years

Edited May 24, 201113 yr by davidmull

So, I've written my wishlist and sent it to my mother:

1. 8043 - an excavator is an excavator and tracks are just too cool to ignore. Besides, I always was more of an excavator than a trucker.

2. 8258 - as someone wrote: eight wheels, that's a lot of possibilities. And its's big.

3. 8069 - seems like a really nice kit that just about everyone really likes

4. 8053 - maybe not as fun as the other, but eight wheels. And I'm a small fan of mobile cranes.

I haven't gotten any real birthdaypresents from my parents, so with a bit of luck I might get something that I really want but haven't really dared to wish for in fifteen years. It'll be a while before I see them next time, but I'll be back and report then. Thanks a lot for all suggestions and advice, it's good to see that I'm not the only adult out there who still thinks Lego is great.

And if I don't get it for my birthday, I might get it when I get my licence to practise medicine in a month or two. Or maybe, maybe, I get a second kit then...

I would start with the 8258. It's a great model, really nice build, a lot of gears inside. And it's the first one to be discontinued. The 8043 will stick around for another year, so you have plenty of time to think about buying this one too ;-)

I don't like the smaller builds that much, I normally buy them when they are on sale.

Esasy choice! 8043 all the way...! Best complex technical design and playability! (almost 70 gears?) I liked that model so much I have completly rebuild it in black with red panels...! Took me a few months to get some rare black parts. Great remote controlled B model as well..! Normally I'm always a little dissapointed about a set, but this one more then lived up to it's expectations..!

So, today it's Lego shopping day, for the first time in 19 years! I worked a very long (25 hours) day-and-night shift this weekend and at 5 a.m. sunday I decided that "OK, now I'm getting tired. The money I'm making the next few hours will be dedicated to toys for me". I guess you all know how too much work and no play makes Jack a dull boy...

I'll go to the local toy store and have a look. Hopefully they've got a nice kit for me, otherwise I'll get it over the internet tonight. 8258, 8043 or 8069. Still can't decide. Wonderful! Thanks for all the comments, wish me good luck!