[REVIEW] 42043 - Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245

[JunkstyleGio]

Excellent review indeed!

Keep them coming for future models..

Will comment on functions when i've built the model myself!

Too bad i have to wait a few weeks...

[Richard Dower]

I am a bit meh! on this set myself....consider that well over 1000 parts are pins!, it uses the most #2780 parts in Technic history!.....451.

It is a MASSIVE parts pack for sure, but very few new parts and even a smaller number of parts in new colours.

Its as if 8258 and 42008 had a baby, personally i am WAY more excited for the amazing blue crane.

[Jim]

I am a bit meh! on this set myself....consider that well over 1000 parts are pins!, it uses the most #2780 parts in Technic history!.....451.

It is a MASSIVE parts pack for sure, but very few new parts and even a smaller number of parts in new colours.

Its as if 8258 and 42008 had a baby, personally i am WAY more excited for the amazing blue crane.

That's the brilliance of multiple new sets. Everyone gets to pick their favorite.

It's true that this set uses a lot of common parts, so you can also decide to buy the new parts and give it a go. I can assure you that the model is worth building.

[Richard Dower]

That's the brilliance of multiple new sets. Everyone gets to pick their favorite.

It's true that this set uses a lot of common parts, so you can also decide to buy the new parts and give it a go. I can assure you that the model is worth building.

I see you have not built 42008....i highly recomend it!, it's such a well thought out design, epecially when you consider how compact the set is, for over 1300 parts the size of the tow truck is rather small....but therein lies the genius of the build.

The pneumatic functions, how the tubes are routed and positioned is a work of art imo, it packs in tons of functions into a very compact model.

[Erik Leppen]

I had sort of decided to not buy this, but wow, this truck surely looks to be a step above the rest. It seems to have everything. I really think this set is designed for AFOLs. No compromises seem to have been taken on saving pieces. This might just be the best set to date. The only think lacking for me is the B model which I think looks quite mediocre.

I might still not be getting this though. As good as it is as a model, I'm not sure I can justify the price tag given the amount of new pieces.

EDIT: Oh, and of course, many many thanks for the great review. I like how extensive it is, and the photography is magnificent. (I also like how you don't seem to dare to give 10/10 for any of the scoring criteria :P).

Edited July 1, 2015 by Erik Leppen

[XAxles]

I had sort of decided to not buy this, but wow, this truck surely looks to be a step above the rest. It seems to have everything. I really think this set is designed for AFOLs. No compromises seem to have been taken on saving pieces. This might just be the best set to date. The only think lacking for me is the B model which I think looks quite mediocre.

I might still not be getting this though. As good as it is as a model, I'm not sure I can justify the price tag given the amount of new pieces.

EDIT: Oh, and of course, many many thanks for the great review. I like how extensive it is, and the photography is magnificent. (I also like how you don't seem to dare to give 10/10 for any of the scoring criteria :P).

Well, we haven't had a proper Technic ship or a Technic version of the Big Ben, but that's just me. And other than that, I agree with you on all the stuff you said.

[Balrog]

Fantastic review. Awesome photography. Great work Jim.

I must say, now I want it even more. But on the other hand, I can be easily fanboyed towards flahship sets :D

Just one note: This seems to be overlooked by many. The rear bumper obviously has a hitch. I know it is just a 3L perpendicular connector, but it is there. So it should be easy for people to make their own trailers.

I can already sense a plethora of attachments, trailes, modifications and stuff like that. If it really gets a lot of modification attention, it will surely and completely excel the Unimog. And though this set seems to be already fantastic, it also provides quite some room for modification and improvement (e.g. steering).

[allanp]

My first thing will be to upgrade the compressor for even more POWAH! It's clear that one pump works just fine but with 2 or 3 or 4 pumps working out of phase (for smoothness and less strain on the motor) this thing is gonna be a beast!

[Musikfreak]

Thank you very much for doing this excellent review! You listed the hours put into it and it shows in the end result.

The photography inside and outside is outstanding and the little videos of interesting mechanics during the build are very welcome.

A very well done review. Thanks again!

[Jim]

Thank you very much for doing this excellent review! You listed the hours put into it and it shows in the end result.

The photography inside and outside is outstanding and the little videos of interesting mechanics during the build are very welcome.

A very well done review. Thanks again!

Thanks a lot

[JGW3000]

Jim, great review as always, especially the environmental shots and playing nicely with the Volvo.

I am surprised no one has asked this yet - how much room and how easily modifiable will it be to add motors and IR-receivers/S-bricks to make an "ultimate version"? Is there room in/under the cabin for a servo motor?

[Gnac]

It's true that this set uses a lot of common parts, so you can also decide to buy the new parts and give it a go.

This is why I appreciate the shots of the inventory page, so I can add the element IDs to my offline wantlist (LEGO's server doesn't seem to have any images yet, though). Also, this might be an awkward request - what with everything being already built - but did you happen to notice the design IDs on the new rack and turntable parts? EDIT: I just remembered a lot of Technic parts don't even have them anywhere, so I might have to wait for LEGO to tell us.

Thanks for the nice werk! It makes me more glum about having to hold off on this due to catching up on everything I missed during my dark age (which for Technic, ended only a few months ago).

Edited July 1, 2015 by Gnac

[Jim]

This is why I appreciate the shots of the inventory page, so I can add the element IDs to my offline wantlist (LEGO's server doesn't seem to have any images yet, though). Also, this might be an awkward request - what with everything being already built - but did you happen to notice the design IDs on the new rack and turntable parts? EDIT: I just remembered a lot of Technic parts don't even have them anywhere, so I might have to wait for LEGO to tell us.

Thanks for the nice werk! It makes me more glum about having to hold off on this due to catching up on everything I missed during my dark age (which for Technic, ended only a few months ago).

I didn't notice any numbers on the new parts, but I didn't especially look for them. The pictures of the turn table should reveal them, but I don't think there are numbers printed on them.

[Sariel]

My video has complete parts list in it, with numbers included. Should be readable in full HD.

[ludi]

first of all, thanks for the review, I can't wait to finally own this set (although I was hesitant at first because of the look of the cabin)

but excuse what may be a stupid question: how come you already have this set, when the set won't be released until 1st of august?

[barman]

As always great review Jim!

You surely took the time doing this and it shows The outside photo's are just the extra touch and looks nice next to the Volvo, although not in scale.

Very interesting new parts and my insight wasn't that far of The only thing that bugs me is that the extension of the long thin cylinders is only 6 studs. Compared to the small one, they should be able to get at least 7 studs possible? O well... Still happy with the v2 pneumatics.

The set is already on my to order list. If I have the time I will try to make this PF controlled for LW2015 NL.

Edited July 1, 2015 by barman

[Jim]

first of all, thanks for the review, I can't wait to finally own this set (although I was hesitant at first because of the look of the cabin)

but excuse what may be a stupid question: how come you already have this set, when the set won't be released until 1st of august?

Being staff member at Eurobricks is voluntary work, but it has some perks. One of them is occasionally receiving sets from LEGO for early reviews.

As always great review Jim!

You surely took the time doing this and it shows

Very interesting new parts and my insight wasn't that far of The only thing that bugs me is that the extension of the long thin cylinders is only 6 studs. Compared to the small one, they should be able to get at least 7 studs possible? O well... Still happy with the v2 pneumatics.

The set is already on my to order list. If I have the time I will try to make this PF controlled for LW2015 NL.

The images of your bracket and gear rack were pretty accurate. Although your gearrack was symmetrical, which obviously wouldn't work. Great work on the models, nonetheless

[vliet]

About the bars in the front, the 3245 has four, the 3263 has five, maybe because of the bigger engine.

[Jim]

About the bars in the front, the 3245 has four, the 3263 has five, maybe because of the bigger engine.

And the 2016 LEGO Flagship

[Covenant84]

Great review and awesome looking model.

I've not built any technic since the super car 8880 (released 1994) and the old black truck with pneumatic crane (logger? - can't find it on brickset) on the back. Both have since suffered from age (small cogs/rubber bands) have broken in places can't get too. When the technic style began o change from these I really didn't like where it was headed - however this model for me is the point in that evolution where I can say all is happily forgiven and subject to cost is on my list to Santa (I know... I'm 31 but e all still play with a toy....). It also looks far more robust as far as aging goes and whilst most of the parts are now alien to me looks to be very impressive cramming in so may functions even compared to he two beasts of a model I just mentioned.

Thanks for such fab review!

[Appie]

Thanks for the awesome review.

Really liked the video's showing how certain parts worked. That steering mechanism is quite cool.

Outdoor photo's look very nice!

Also good to see the suspension arms from the 42021 are in this set (didn't know they were in The Slave I too), I was afraid that part went the way of the 3L worm gear.

[Milan]

One of the best reviews.

And one of the best sets ever. Great pneumatic parts!

[nerdsforprez]

Wonderful review. Thanks Jim. As I have said before..... usually I really enjoy my summers. Hot weather, water sports, beaches, bikinis and ice cream. But now I just want it over......so that I can get my hands on this puppy.....

[rener]

I am a bit meh! on this set myself....consider that well over 1000 parts are pins!, it uses the most #2780 parts in Technic history!.....451.

It is a MASSIVE parts pack for sure, but very few new parts and even a smaller number of parts in new colours.

Its as if 8258 and 42008 had a baby, personally i am WAY more excited for the amazing blue crane.

Not to be nitpicky, but actually 42009 had 495, with about the same number of parts in total. Big sets just happen, or need, to have many pins.

Stunning review by the way, Jim! Although I needn't be convinced, it's nice to see that your review seems to get people enthousiast. TLC should be grateful to you!

[nickless]

Actually, there is a real life version of Arocs that has three bars on the front: http://media.daimler..._13C433_024.jpg

Although I do not know if this cabin version is actually possible in real life Arocs 3245, but at least in some models it exists.

Thank you Jim for your excellent review!

Looking at these pictures, the 3-bar front is seen on the two-axle version (18 tons) of the Arocs. The cabin itself actually seems to be the same, the extra bar on the grille is added on top of the bumper. This indicates that the extra height under the cabin is used to house the larger OM 470/471 engines (compared to the the OM 936 on the 18ton-truck). The Arocs 3245 uses the 12.8l, 330kW OM 471 engine, so the higher cabin with 4 bars on the front would be correct.

I'm pretty sure I've seen some with five bars in real life Seriously

What you have seen probably was an Actros, they do have 5 bars on the grille.