grum64

Good point Ditto

That's simply amazing. I wouldn't even know where to start.

That's just gorgeous. I'm loving the colour scheme :thumbup:

Build Day 3 - Days build time 3hrs 15mins / Total build time 10hrs 5mins Todays building has again been straight forward with no problems so there's not much to say other than here's todays pics.

Like you I was expecting more SNOT building on these sets. There's a few places where it's used on the Mini and so far only a couple on the VW. As for the speed of the build, I'm just as surprised as you are

What a great story. It's nice to know how this all started for you.

Great review as always Sariel but having just sold mine I can't help feeling it's rubbing salt in the wound

As you know the 5571 Black Cat was on the list of sets I asked for requests to build but it has been removed as late last night I received an offer for it. I've had to think very long and hard about whether or not to sell it but the money being offered is far more than I paid and is too good to refuse. If the offer wasn't so good I wouldn't even consider selling it but doing so will enable me to buy more sets in the future. Apologies to those of you who requested the 5571.

Build Day 2 - Days build time 2hrs 25mins / Total build time 6hrs 55 mins Not as much progress as I'd have liked due mainly to time constraints rather than anything else. In fact, today was thankfully problem/frustration free which is something of a rarity for me. Im pleased to say that the build is still every bit as enjoyable as the Mini. I think it'll only get more enjoyable as I build in more of the details and details is one thing the set isn't short of. I'll not go into lengthy and boring descriptions of them, it'll be best to see them as the build goes on. Today's Photos

You'll be pleased to know that the Mini's bumpers now appear slot free

Ditto

The prices are shooting up. As with most of my sets I bought my 8258 very cheap. If you have the parts build it, you won't be sorry, it's a great build and a great looking model. I'm wondering if there's such a thing as bumper OCD? Thank you for your kind comments. Thanks Paul. Yesterday was a really good build day.

In that case I won't tell you what I paid for it That's very kind, thank you very much. It's very easy to stay dedicated/committed to something you love to do. Being as stubborn as a mule helps enormously

Build Day 1 - Days build time 4hrs 30 mins/ Total build time 4hrs 30mins Another day, another build. This time it's the 10220 VW Camper. I'm posting this build in this forum for the same reason I did the Mini. In my opinion they're both the closest sets yet to the fabled Model Team theme. I'm very pleased with progress today, I more got done than I expected. One thing I know already is that this is going to be every bit as enjoyable as the Mini. Today's building provided just one frustration and most vexing it was too. The source of this frustration? An elastic band! Yes, an elastic band. Trying to get it in place was a job to say the least this not being helped by my clumsy fingers/hands which kept breaking the 'engine' apart. It took around an hour and a quarter to get that band fitted. As you can see from the photos all parts are present and correct now. Today's Photos

Thanks Glen. I think Whenever I get round to building the 8880 the steering wheel will indeed be changed to the correct side

Thank you. Thank you. I honestly haven't decided on any set from the list, which one gets built depends on the number of requests it gets. I've built the 8274 before and enjoyed it very much. As with all my builds pre shed it was then dismantled, put in it's box and into storage it went. Yes, I've got the Black Cat, it's brand new and still sealed in its box. I'm all too aware of the set's rarity and even more so with it not having seen the light of day. I was extremely lucky to buy it very cheap just before Christmas.

:classic: I'm now about to start the 10220 VW Camper.

I too missed out on the last one so am looking forward to this one.

This is one GREAT build

Oh dear, I'm not sure what help I can be other than you learning from my mistakes It'll be a week or two before I start any on the list as I have another build to do first so you may well have your Actros built by then. It does look a great set, I hope you enjoy building it.

I thought you might suggest the 8109 It's a horrible feeling when you come to realise how great a set is but you have it no more. Hope you find another. Thank you Bart. The windscreen would look so much better if the one shown in my instructions was available & used. I thought the Unimog had plenty of hoses but the Actros takes that to a whole new level.

Thank you Dave. The Actros is a great set one I know I'd enjoy building. We'll see how things go. Thank you. I've still got a pretty good collection left after selling nearly 50 sets to pay for my shed. I've been wanting to build the Black Cat for a while now but as it's BNISB I've resisted the temptation. I love this set. It was the first Technic set I ever built but as I had nowhere to display it it was dismantled, put in the box and foolishly I sold it. Yes, I know. Luckily I got the chance to buy another at a stupidly low price.

Build Day 7 - Today's building time 2hrs 5mins - Final total build time - 23hrs 5mins Well, it had to happen. Yes, the 10242 Mini Cooper is finished and to be honest, I'm cuffed to bits with it but also a little sad. I love the original Mini for both sentimental reasons and because I've owned & loved one so this build has been a bit special for me and I've enjoyed greatly. It's been difficult on a few occasions and frustrating on many more but all that's taken nothing away from the satisfaction I've gotten whilst building it, it incorporates some interesting techniques a few of which I may use in future builds. I think it's a great looking model considering the confines if the Lego building system I think the designer's done a brilliant job. The person who did the instruction book however needs to double check his work. I'm talking about the front and rear screens. In my instructions it shows completely different screens, the front being a better one in my opinion, than those in the box. I have to admit to being flummoxed for a little but after checking online to see which was correct my mind was settled, I had the right ones. I'd have preferred the front screen shown in the book so as to have avoided the dreaded front screen 'wrap round' when you open the doors. This of course isn't possible as according to my research the screen shown in the instructions doesn't exist. If you know different please let me know so I can change it. I've just realised that I've forgotten to turn the slots on the metallic connectors that make up the bumpers out of view. Rest assured, I'll do it tomorrow. Anyway, here's the final photos. Sorry about the quality of a couple of them. Thank you all for your very kind comments. Now for a something a little different. For some reason (best known to yourselves ) some of you seem to like my WIPs. Up until now the choice of which set I build for these has been mine but little Jake had an idea. Why don't I let you choose what I build next. Below is a list of sets that Jake and I have compiled one of which I'll build. Take a look and if there's one that you'd like me to build please let me know. I'll keep this open until I've finished my next build and then will build which ever gets the most 'votes'. 8285 Tow Truck 8258 Crane Truck 8110 UniMog 8275 Bulldozer 8274 Combine Harvester 8416 Forklift 8109 Flatbed Truck 8292 Cherry Picker 8466 4x4 9398 Rock Crawler 8063 Tractor & Trailer 8880 Supercar 42030 Volvo Front Loader 42029 Customised Pickup Truck 42043 Mercedes Actros 42042 Crawler Crane 42040 Fire Plane 42039 24 Hour Racer Edit: New set added

desert752 and his AMAZING technicolor trail truck. Andrew Lloyd Webber's next production?

You're right, they are wrong. Thank you very much for bringing it to my attention Edit: Having repositioned the headrests I'm inclined to think they looked better where they were but I'll leave them in their new position for now though.