Hey everyone,

I decided to start off in Technic and did some research to come up with the kits I like.

So far I am looking at 8110, 9397, 42008, and 42009.

8110 and 42009 have good parts amount for the $$$, but to me they seem limited to the models they represent (not much MOC value?). 8110 is licensed and might be stopped soon, so maybe that's another reason to get it.

9397 and 42008 come with PF and better variety of external parts than the above two. Also I can add another kit to equal the price of the more expensive sets.

I would like to get feedback on which set would be a good value to start Technic and head out in MOC direction.

Thanks.

Personally, i'd start with the 42008 just to get into Technic. Lots of useful parts for later. Continue with the helicopter. After building those two you should have a feeling for the building. Than you should go for the Unimog as it is likely to be discontinued after xmas. The parts of the 42008 and 9397 should enable you to make your own mods to the Unimog.

As for the crane 42009, although having finished it last week, i haven't made my mind up yet.

8110 is the first candidate for buying!

Then choose as you want. What do you plalnning to create?

TinkerBrick, I am liking 42008 a lot, but I am limited by the budget, so it is very likely that I can get one big set this year but wait til next for more. And since it is possible that 8110 will be stopped this year, I should maybe get it and then get 42008 next year.

rm8, I am planning to create an ultimate machine and take over the world ... But until then, I would like to start working on technic-themed land vehicles.

For start with Technic in my opinion the 9397 is the best option, a lot of functions, medium size, good B-model and it isn´t very expensive.

You should consider buying 8110, as you can find nice prices for it on eBay/Amazon now (~150 eur MISB, when S@H offers it for 199eur), some lots were offering for 140eur, including free shipping (in Germany). However not sure, how low prices will go.

Edited July 18, 201311 yr by zux

8110 is the most expensive and is also complex enough for new experience. It also contain suspension and other stuff for offroad vehicle building, but you need additional PF elements to buy. In the USA it is not a problem - the cheapest pruces for PF at official site shop.lego.com

I went to rebrickable.com and compared 9397 and 9398 to the 8110 and turns out that 8110 has a vast amount of parts that it shares with the other two. Now I am thinking that I might get 8110 and then buy parts separately to build other kits when I need.

What kind of MOCs do you plan on making?

@ madjelly: Since you are in the USA, you can no longer get the 8110 Unimog U400 set from Shop.Lego.com . The Lego Technic flagships like this typically only have a "run" of 2 years, so if you want to get one, don't delay. The prices from 3rd-party sellers are not getting any lower. Although it may be a tough way to start up with Lego Technic (due to the many parts and long building time), if you follow the instructions CLOSELY it should turn out OK for a first-timer.

dr_spock, so far I have no specific ideas of the items I wan to build, but definitely vehicles (offroad, heavy duty, maybe military).

DLuders, I found 8110 to be still available at the USA lego store http://shop.lego.com/en-US/Mercedes-Benz-Unimog-U-400-8110. I always follow instructions, at least first time. Then next day whole set gets disassembled and instructions go into trash, figuratively speaking.

I think the Unimog is a good starting point for parts to use in your vehicle MOCs.

I would reccomend the 8110 as it has a huge variety of technic parts (including pneumatics) which makes it a very good base for MOCs

For start with Technic in my opinion the 9397 is the best option, a lot of functions, medium size, good B-model and it isn´t very expensive.

i would second this.... either the heli as a very good model for a quite small price or the 8110 Unimog to get one of the most realistic technic models ever (has some slight pitfalls but most of the users doesn't bother...)

For me both the 42008 and the 42009 are somehow disappointing...

@ madjelly: Since you are in the USA, you can no longer get the 8110 Unimog U400 set from Shop.Lego.com . The Lego Technic flagships like this typically only have a "run" of 2 years, so if you want to get one, don't delay. The prices from 3rd-party sellers are not getting any lower. Although it may be a tough way to start up with Lego Technic (due to the many parts and long building time), if you follow the instructions CLOSELY it should turn out OK for a first-timer.

You need to hit the Sort button for priced high to low, not "new items". Lets me proceed to check out. http://shop.lego.com...=8110#shopxlink

Edited July 18, 201311 yr by 750ACE

If i were you, i would look for 8258 Crane Truck, if you are lucky you can still find it at a good price @ ebay. It is a very good set to start with. Otherwise, i don't own the Unimog, but it is a very cool and complex set, it offers you PF and Pneumatics so it is a good way to start.

@Freekysch, 8258 was one of the first kits i stumbled upon in my research, but unfortunately the ebay prices are not feasible for me. If I can find it for $200, will get it.

So far from all the feedback, I am strongly leaning towards the 8110. It has a good building base for a lot of possible MOCs.

Edited July 18, 201311 yr by madjelly

the unimog comes with the most goodies, you get lots of gears as with the other sets but you also get more pneumatics than 42008, the suspension and portal axle parts from the crawler and some transmission parts like 42009, tho not as much as 42009. The only thing you don't waste any money on get is a remote control and LAs......PERFECT!

Got 8110 for $153 shipped from ebay . Now comes the waiting time when I check tracking every 30 min .