8275 - piece part build, buy used, or buy new

[JGW3000]

The 8275 motorized bulldozer seems to have acquired near-legendary status, so naturally I'd like to acquire one. New in box sets are way to expensive, and even used builds are costly and can come with "issues".

So I thought, why not just buy all the pieces on BrinkLink and build my own? All of the parts are available except one, and almost all save one are very inexpensive. The one part that is not available can be substituted with a cheap black colored identical part, leaving just the rare pneumatic cylinder housing, which is available but costly. Even after buying the PF items from S&H, the total cost is less than buying a used copy and of course much less than a new copy.

Being that I am relatively new to Technic, MOC and mod activities, what gives with the price difference? How can such high prices for these sets be justified? I can see a collector wanting a new in sealed box set, but why buy used when the parts are less expensive. I guess on e-bay, its buyer beware or e-bay buyers don't know about BrinkLink or other options?

Question to the community - is there any reason not to buy all of the parts piece-wise and roll my own 8275 bulldozer? Advantages over buying used include getting up-to-date and new M-motors and V2 IR receiver, as well as making mods along the way, change color, etc...

thanks!

[Johnny P]

I recently bought my secobd copie.

Used butt perfect condition.

I payed 56€. I dont think bricklinking it would be cheaper.

My suggestion is to keep searching for a nice deal.

[DrJB]

What would be the total if you bricklink it ?

[D3K]

just the cylinder brackets (4 of them) and PF stuff will set you back more than that!

Good deal Johnny P!

[JGW3000]

I just estimated the total using 2nd grade-level estimation techniques used by my 8 year old last year (thanks to common core, but that's off topic ). Including all PF items from S&H, the rare pneumatic cylinder bracket, and all of the other parts, the total comes to about US $220-$250, plus shipping. I didn't actually go through the ordering process, as many different suppliers came in as low-price on many items, and I'd probably try to limit the number of suppliers to save on shipping. By comparison, new in box is running in excess of $700, and used out-of-box is running around $300. Johnny P, you did awesome, congratulations! Note that buying sets out of Europe is usually not an option due to excessively high shipping costs.

If I go through with this exercise, it will probably be a mid-winter "nothing to do during a snow day" type of activity. (So please no one buy up all of the pneumatic cylinder brackets , save me 4)

Edited November 18, 2013 by JGW3000

[Technic Gearhead]

I bought one on BL when I first got back into Technic and Lego a few years ago. I paid dearly and couldn't bring myself to break the seals so I pieced one together making some color tweaks along the way. I think making your own might be the way to go at this point unless you find an exceptional deal. Have fun!

[Alasdair Ryan]

I got mine when it first came out,only £100 from the local toy shop.....

[jantjeuh]

I bricklinked the missing parts (already owned two copies of 8043) for about 30 EUR. Got really lucky with a cheap deal on those expensive cylinder brackets though.

[EdmanZA]

Including all PF items from S&H, the rare pneumatic cylinder bracket, and all of the other parts, the total comes to about US $220-$250, plus shipping.

This sounds like a very optimistic price. If I go into Brickstore and use the average prices for the current Bricklink inventory, I get a price estimate of around $390.

[afol1969]

I think, bricklinking the set would be more expensive. I've got the 8275 for 150€, used, but in perfect condition. And I'm happy with the deal so far.

Gretings

Alex

[JGW3000]

Thanks, used may be a good deal if you can get find one, I used 3rd grade math this time, and got $292, spread out over 10-12 suppliers, so add in postage, and the total maybe around $340, so EdmanZA, you are not too far off.

But, I am now thinking of changing the color scheme, need to check if all of the yellow parts are available in some other color.

[Junpei]

Just don't buy the cylinder brackets. They add no function to the model whatsoever, if you don't buy them you save $80-100.

[DrJB]

Or you could get 2 from the 8421 ...

Can one "3D print" a discontinued lego part?

Edited November 19, 2013 by DrJB

[Junpei]

If you buy an 8421, which is more expensive than 8275...

You could easily print a cylinder bracket with 3D modelling skills, but that wouldn't be Lego would it now?

Edited November 19, 2013 by TwentyLeggedHen

[DrJB]

Well ... I do have an 8421 already ... and don't care much for it. Not giving it away though.

[JGW3000]

I was thinking of buying two 8421's just to get the four cylinder covers

But 20Lhen's point is well made and another reason to go ahead and change the color scheme

[andythenorth]

Just do without the brackets. You would be better modding the set to use linear actuators anyway - the mechanism for lowering and raising the blade is the biggest weak point of the model - the clutch gear wears out and won't hold the blade in place, and it can't be swapped for a non-clutch gear.

It's a great toy, noisy, responsive, fast and fun.

Other weak points:

- it will throw tracks off the bottom rollers frequently, this can then drag the drive sprocket off the axle

- it often pulls to one side, I never figured out why, could be different motor speeds. Some people think it's because one motor drives the 6 cylinder engine, and so has more friction to fight.

- the ripper is lame. I swapped it for a motorised rear winch for more climbing power

- the side plates on the blade fall off a lot

But who cares, it's a classic toy

If you can be bothered, it's also fun to light

Edited November 19, 2013 by andythenorth