The first hint of the size of this build were the 3-inch tires that greeted us at the unboxing of this set. An impressive 25 inches in length, the LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1W14E Performance, released in March 2024, is a satisfying build and quite the collector piece for F1 fans.
LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1W14E Performance: For experienced builders and AFOL
With an age rating of 18+, this 1,642-piece model of the 2023 car is really geared towards experienced builders and Adult Fans of Lego (AFOL).
My veteran 13-year-old builder found the instructions in the hefty 350-page accompanying manual relatively easy to follow and the parts list surprisingly lean for the complexity of the build. He tackled this build in 5 hours, rating it moderately challenging as far as mid-sized LEGO Technic builds go.
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Just Enough Challenge
The stage requiring the most concentration was the initial two to four bags of the build which set up the chassis and involved many of the smaller parts. LEGO Technic is known for a great tactile experience of the inner mechanics of things-that-move. This set was no different and my builder enjoyed exploring the steering and suspension mechanics as he assembled the chassis.
Subsequent stages saw the construction of a working V6 engine and the body of the car, the cockpit and front and rear wing elements, which my builder found fairly straightforward, though not simple. The build was capped by the real novelty of the set – the slick (bald) tires and wheel caps, the first of this size to be introduced by LEGO.
There were a lot of stickers – 2 large sheets – involved in this build. These proved somewhat fiddly and tedious to apply, but, as my builder conceded, necessary to achieve the look and feel of the final build.
The finished product was aesthetically stunning and a fairly accurate 1:8 scale model representation of the real-world car.
Painstaking Details and Unique Elements
Overall, the highlights of this build for us were:
- The design detail, especially in the cockpit, the rear wing (which features an opening wing inspired by the real-world car’s drag reduction system), the body profile and the authentic livery;
- The removable engine cover revealing a 6-cyinder engine with moving pistons; and
- The realistic suspension system, using a push-rod design in the front and, more uniquely, a pull-rod design in the rear. There was quite a bit of suspension travel as well – at least right out of the box.
LEGO Technic 42171 Mercedes-AMG F1W14E Performance Review: An Impressive Collector Piece
Officially retailing at just under $340, this set is admittedly a splurge. But it would make a handsome gift on that special occasion for a youth or adult F1 aficionado who’d appreciate an impressive collector piece.
For something a little more pocket-friendly and targeted at younger fans, consider LEGO’s companion release – the LEGO Technic 42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 Pull-Back. You can read our review of the LEGO Technic 42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 Pull-Back.
As an aside, the conversation over this build also provided impetus for us to do a little research on the F1 car design and manufacturing process, and for my teen fan of the F1 races to educate his plebeian mum on the subject. Score one for organic learning.
If you enjoyed this review, we think that you will also enjoy this one on a LEGO Bugatti.
