help me choose only one from these sets: 8258, 9398, 8110

[Shu]

i'm a starting technic collector and i'm having a hard time choosing what to purchase from these three, as i can only choose one for now.

i'm tempted to pick the 8258 first because it's already on its "rare" status, aside from i really like its look. however, it is too expensive already in my country.

then i like the 8110 due to its complex build and as being the largest (piecewise) technic set up to date.

and i also want the 9398 because it's RC and the new motors. it is also the cheapest among the three.

so those are my dilemma. hope you can give some insights? thanks!

[davidmull]

8110 is the best set in years I think and iv all flagships, 8455 is also my favourite.

[Erik Leppen]

Disclaimer: I do not own 9398.

Much depends on what you look for in a set. If you want cool functionality, I'd say 8110 and 8258 are both better than 9398. Both trucks have a lot of functions driven by only one motor, so this means nice gearboxes in both sets. I personally prefer the complexity of 8258. But 8110 adds to that 4WD and suspension. In contrast, 8110 has fewer mechanical functions, but replaces a few of them by pneumatics. It's up to you what you like more. If I could keep only one of the two, I'd prefer 8258 I think. But it's a close call between it and 8110.

If you want playability, 8110 is the best of the lot. The pneumatic crane works very well and you can actually lift things, where 8258's crane is more cosmetic. Also 8110's crane has a bigger reach and can be mounted front and back. Also it has a winch, where 8258 instead has the awesome outriggers (which are cool to build, but less playable).

If you're out for interesting parts, I think all sets have their share. 9398 has orange, and the newest motors. 8110 has more orange, and a decent amount of pneumatics, alongside a decent amount of gearing for the functions. Both of those have all parts for suspension (ball joint stuff). 8110 has cool tyres In fact, 8110 has everything 9398 has, except the remote control.

8258 is a bit more straightforward in the parts department, but it has a huge amount of gears and beams, including a lot of the new 11x5 and 7x5 beams which I personally find very useful for MOCing. Also it has 7 of the new long gear racks, which are quite rare, and an XL motor, where 8110 has the somewhat-more-common M motor. And it has eight identical wheels. If you like to build "on-road" trucks, basically if you have 8258 you're settled. But it doesn't have the parts necessary for off-road trucks.

And there's your own point of availability. 8258 is oldest, so will probably retire soonest.

My personal order I think would be 8258, then 8110 coming very close, then a long empty space, then 9398.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Erik Leppen

[allanp]

8110 every time!

[Erik Leppen]

Look, a well-argumented opinion :P

[Technic Gearhead]

I would say 8258 for the same reasons Erik pointed out, with the thought that you could still eventually get the other two if you wanted them as there is plenty of time. You can't really go wrong with any of these though.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Technic Gearhead

[jorgeopesi]

No doubt 8258, a lot of pieces, wheels, functions, playable and with a good B-model a must have set.

[mobi]

I am in same situation now! It depends very much on personal preference.

I had to discard 8258 because it is no longer available and non official source means price way over the odds.

So for me it is choice between 8110 and 9398. The Unimog is definitely more interesting. However, I don't have time to build MOCs and 9398 has more playability out of the box. This one has fully remote controlled power functions and seems easier to build. So I'm going for 9398.

Problem with Lego is that most sets are too good. But on the other hand, whichever set you choose out of these 3, you will be a winner because all of them are very good.

[jantjeuh]

My personal order I think would be 8258, then 8110 coming very close, then a long empty space, then 9398.

I share your opinion! 9398 looks nice and has a pretty cool suspension, but lacks motorised/pneumatic functions. Both 8258 and 8110 have lots of functions, and also have very large part counts. But then again, the 9398 has 2 x PF L motor, 1 x PF Servo motor and a v2 receiver + remote, whereas the 8258 and 8110 have to make do with a single PF motor (M for the 8110, XL for the 8258).

So yeah, depends on your priorities. If you want lots of functions and lots of loose parts, go for the 8258 or 8110. Compared to the 8258, 8110 has slightly more parts, and also some cool new parts like the new wheels, portal axle hubs and ball joints. And pneumatics! 8258 on the other hand looks better (imo). If you want lots of PF stuff, go for the 9398.

I would say 8258 for the same reasons Erik pointed out, with the thought that you could still eventually get the other two if you wanted them as there is plenty of time.

Good point!

Edited December 29, 2012 by jantjeuh

[Technic Gearhead]

I had to discard 8258 because it is no longer available and non official source means price way over the odds.

You could always get the parts from BL and build one yourself. The cost would probably be similar but you could save some money if you already have many of the common pieces.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Technic Gearhead

[Gene]

Started my first technic 8110 before 9398. Look at my avatar for answer.

[jantjeuh]

You could always get the parts from BL and build one yourself. The cost would probably be similar but you could save some money if you already have many of the common pieces.

That's exactly what I did :) The only expensive pieces are 'Red Technic, Panel Plate 1 x 5 x 11' (but you only need four) and possibly the wheels and tires. The rest of the pieces are all common parts.

Edited December 29, 2012 by jantjeuh

[Ondra]

8258 break some part, is well known problem.You can fix this problem by non offical instructions, but I dont know at moment where i find them.9398 is in my eyes bad set, not complex and not insteresting at all.Slow with eyesore colour combination.Maybe technic challenge set will make this set interesting.

Unimog is great for playability, pneumatic is amazing and easy to understand.Also unimog looks outstanding.If I have now chance to buy technic set I buy again unimog,.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Ondra

[Balrog]

I'd go for 8258 because of the rarity. If you can get it for a decent price, take the chance. 8110 will still be around for a while, so no hassle there, but I'd go for that next.

[dr_spock]

I'd go for 8110. I think it's the biggest Technics set to date with 2048 pieces. 8258 is out of production, it really depends on how much you're willing spend to get one now.

[SheepEater]

Get 8110.

8258 is big, but it has no particularly rare or special parts you can't get from other sets (except from the very long gear racks; it needs 7).

Heck I don't own it and managed to build it (and 8053 at the same time) from pieces of my existing collection! (using only bricklink for those long gear racks). 8110 comes with tons of those large panels, in gray instead of red.

I don't like the crane of 8258. It's weak, slow, and the motor doesn't control the crane extension nor the winch!

About the outriggers: I also dislike how you need to use lttle mechanisms at the end of them, in addition to the motorized mechanism; it defeats the purpose. Compare to the elegant way 8431 & 8421 did it...

9398 is ugly, and far too simple; people only want it for the new motors.

Edited December 30, 2012 by SheepEater

[Meatman]

The 8110 unimog is nice because it has a bit of everything.

[davidmull]

I totally agree about 9398 very simplistic and the only flagship I got bored of after 15 mins.

8110 is a really great set!

[Robert M]

I'm lucky enough to have all 3 of these wonderful sets and would conclude that 8110 is the best. My crane on 8258 has been rebuilt on numerous occassions to the book as I have never got it to work, so I have given in. It might just be me, but I cant get it to work. 9398 is the most playable, but I find I have a tendency to want to push it around, which I cant. If you want a remote vehicle, then 8110 would be the best option, as it's very very easy to modify. I would say 8110 is the best by far, but would get 8258 if I was in your situation as the price can only keep on rising.

Edited December 29, 2012 by Robert M

[dhc6twinotter]

8258 is a fantastic set, and one of my favorites. My suggestion is if you can find it for a reasonable price, get it. 8110 is also a great set, but it's probably going to be available for another year.