In March, The LEGO Group released two different LEGO Technic sets based on the same vehicle – The Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance race car. #42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is much larger and designed for adult builders. #42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back is much smaller pull-back version aimed at ages 7+ is it’s little sibling.

The instruction book for #42171 shows both the larger and smaller models.

In addition to reviewing the two sets in isolation, I’m eager to explore how the same source material works when adapted to completely different scales and audiences.

#42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance

The larger set is #42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance. It contains 1642 pieces and is recommended for ages 18+. It was released on March 1, 2024 and costs $219.99 (219.99€ / £189.99 / 289.99 CAD / 299.99 AUD)

Inside the box you will find 12 numbered bags, four large wheels in an un-numbered bag, and four tires that are loose in the box.

Box contains four tires, lots of bags, and a cardboard pouch containing instructions and stickers (not pictured).

You will also find a cardboard pouch containing the instruction manual and not just one, but two huge sticker sheets. I know that F1 racing cars have a lot of logos representing the many sponsors, but the 74 stickers included in this set must be close to a record!

Build Process

The first bag starts off strong by building a small central assembly with 1×9 Wishbone Suspension Arm (part 32294) on either side. This ends up being the focal point of the first bag, which uses eight of those Wishbones and a pair of Shock Absorbers to create a strong attachment point for two wheels with a lot of resistance to bumps in the road while maintaining the ability to steer the wheels in both directions.

Building the rear wishbone suspension in bag 1.

Bag 2 is much quicker, we create a single sub-assembly with just a couple gears which we attach to our progress from the first bag. This makes our model much longer, giving a better sense for how big this car will be once it is complete.

Progress at the end of bag 2.

In the third bag, we build another large assembly where the other pair of wheels will attach. This one is centered around a 7×11 Frame (part 39794) with a differential in the middle. These are attached to another set of wishbones, but with the added complexity of providing power to the wheels through the differential.

Front suspension with steering.

Things are really starting to take shape in the fourth bag, where we continue building the second module. The focus shifts from mechanical functions to the beginning of the exterior shape. While the set uses a lot of stickers (which I did not apply), I liked seeing the 107Bright Bluish GreenDark Turquoise / Teal stripes in the rear fender which were brick-built. In the last step, we marry the front and back modules, revealing the full scope of this model.

The full size of the car is visible as we finish bag 4.

The fifth bag is when we build the engine block which will be attached to the rear wheels. It is built using 40Transparent Trans-Clear parts which is obviously not realistic, but it allows us to more easily see the 24Bright YellowYellow pistons going up and down. The second half of this bag is all about strengthening the connection between the front and back of the model, using the relatively new 3×19 Technic Frame (part 67491) in black to create a rigid connection.

Adding the engine block in bag 5.

Bag 6 adds modules on either side of the car representing the ‘floor’ of the vehicle – the thin horizontal section between the front and rear wheels.

Installing the ‘floor’ in bag 6.

The seventh bag is all about the ‘sidepods’ which are on either side of the car. They channel fresh air into the engine to help with cooling and contribute to the overall aerodynamics of the vehicle. The LEGO model uses some clever building techniques to get the overall shape . This includes surrounding the air intake with 2×3 Panel, Curved (Part 71682). I do not like that the iconic accent line is achieved using stickers instead of LEGO elements.

The sidepods bring cool air into the engine.

Bag 8 is a less impressive bag where we just add some smaller panels of detailing around the edges. It is also when we build a small chair for our driver to sit. The ninth bag adds the front end of the car, which features stacked scalloped edges which create a nice effect. We also build a smooth ridge that runs down the front of the vehicle.

The scalloped front end is added in bag 9.

Bag 10 is a quick bag, where we add the iconic air intake directly above the engine that has the 21Bright RedRed trim around the sides. A small gear extends above the intake, which connects to the steering – this allows you to turn the front wheels while playing with the car.

Adding the air intake in bag 10.

The eleventh bag adds two additional sections of exterior detailing on both sides of the cockpit. This includes a small mirror on each side, which would look better if I used the reflective sticker (but I wish they used a chromed silver 1×2 tile instead.) The highlight of this bag is the flex-axle that bends around the cockpit, giving it a nice curved shape.

Cockpit detailing using a flex axle in bag 11.

The 12th bag completes the project by finishing a removeable assembly we started in the previous bag which covers the engine. The very last step is to assemble the wheels, which use a part which is new in this set: Wheel Cover Ø56 mm (Part 4472). It gives the wheels a sleek finish, especially with the Teal accent attached in the middle.

Adding the removeable module above the engine and the tires in the final bag.

Build Time: 232 Minutes (Bag 1: 33 minutes, Bag 2: 16 Minutes, Bag 3: 26 minutes, Bag 4: 23 minutes, Bag 5: 16 Minutes, Bag 6: 16 minutes, Bag 7: 19 minutes, Bag 8: 16 minutes, Bag 9: 23 minutes, Bag 10: 11 minutes, Bag 11: 17 minutes, Bag 12: 16 minutes).

Conclusion

I found this set a bit lacklustre overall, despite an interesting start assembling the wishbone suspension and central chassis in the first couple of bags. I feel like the model is over-reliant on stickers to create a compelling finished model, especially when some of the turquoise accents are achieved using stickers instead of LEGO Elements.

I also just found the build process a bit boring… It starts off really interesting, but the last half of the build is focused largely on achieving an awkward shape using Technic elements. I prefer when Technic models of this size have more mechanical functions.

#42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance is overpriced and over-reliant on stickers.

In addition to having too many stickers and a somewhat boring build process, it’s feels overpriced. For about the same price you can purchase #21061 Notre Dame which is admittedly a wildly different set, but also much more substantial in detailing and has about 3-times as many parts.

I settled on an Acceptable (2/5 stars) rating for #42171 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance to reflect that I think there are much better options out there for most LEGO builders. This is not to say that this is a poor Technic model overall, especially for folks interested in F1 racing or folks who really enjoy applying stickers.

#42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back

While I was the primary builder for the larger set, I invited my 5-year old son to build the smaller version. #42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back is a much smaller set, with 240 pieces, a 7+ age recommendation, and a $26.99 (26.99€ / £20.99 / 34.99 CAD / $39.99 AUD) price tag.

#42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back – Box Front.

Inside the box you will find four numbered bags, four tires, an instruction booklet and a really large sticker sheet for a set of this size.

The smaller set includes just four numbered bags.

Build Process

The first bag is straightforward, resulting in a sturdy central core for our vehicle with the pull-back motor attached in the rear. Since the majority of what we built so far is hidden inside the final model, only one of the 26 stickers is used to show a simple Mercedes logo right in front of the cockpit.

We build a sturdy central assembly in Bag 1.

The second bag focuses on the front end of the vehicle, which has two levels of fins on the leading edge, with the option to add stickers for brands like Syntium and TeamViewer. While it doesn’t really look like a car yet, you can tell that it’s going to be fast!

Focusing on the front end in bag 2.

The vehicle really takes shape in Bag 3. This is thanks largely to the three flex-axles which are used to approximate the gentle curves of the 107Bright Bluish GreenDark Turquoise / Teal swoops on both sides, and the curved shape of the [black] cockpit.

Adding the curvy bright bluish green racing stripes in bag 3.

The fourth bag adds a large rear spoiler assembly, additional fins on the front, and the driving boards on either side. Finally, we add the four wheels which are covered with 3×3 Disc (Part 2723). Unlike the larger version, the 107Bright Bluish GreenDark Turquoise / Teal accents on the wheels are achieved using stickers (which I did not use).

Conclusion

Even though my son is younger than the 7+ recommendation, he is an experienced builder and was able to build the set by himself over a couple days without any major issues. This is consistent with other sets he has built, so I think the age mark is accurate.

What I like about this model is that it captures the essence of the original vehicle despite the diminutive size. This is hard to do, and requires a lot more abstraction than in a much larger model. I do still think that the sticker sheet is too much, especially for a set aimed at younger builders, though.

#42165 Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance Pull-Back – Completed Model.

While in excess of $0.10 per-piece, the $27 price feels high but not unreasonable. That said, it’s a poorer value than the two Monster Jam sets still being produced which have a similar part count and the same pull-back motor for just $20.

At the end of the day, this set is a good pick for younger builders with an interest in race cars. That’s why it earns our middle-of-the road rating: Good (3/5 stars). It’s not a bad choice, especially if you already have the two Monster Jam sets.

Comparisons & Conclusions

Despite being based on the same source material, these are two completely different sets aimed at completely different audiences.

Stickers

F1 Racing is known for expensive vehicle that are completely covered with logos of the vehicle manufacturer and sponsors. This is reflected in this set through an extensive selection of stickers in both of these sets.

Both of these sets include an overwhelming number of stickers.

The larger set has 74 stickers which is probably close to a record for a LEGO set, but even the smaller set has 26 stickers. That many stickers for a set aimed at ages 7+ is likely to result in tears when kids get frustrated, or parents grow tired of interrupting what they are doing to help with yet another sticker.

I really do not like stickers, so I did not apply them when building either set. This is reflected in the build times reported in this review, the photos throughout the article, and in my overall impressions of the completed set.

Targeting different ages

I do think The LEGO Group missed a chance to lean-in to the multi-generation building opportunity that these two sets afford, with a parent or older child building the larger set and a younger kid building the smaller one.

#42171 and #42165 target completely different age groups.

What I think is most evident in the age targeting is around the central focus of each model. My main takeaways from the larger model was learning some of the details about how F1 cars are designed with a large flat floor on the underside, and carefully designed fins and air intakes to achieve high speeds.

When I consider the smaller model, much less attention is paid to these aerodynamic details, and instead the focus is on getting the overall shape right while enabling the all-important play feature – the ability to pull the car back and see it zoom across the room. This feels like exactly the right focus for a set designed for kids! Despite the smaller size, the overall affect is pretty good, thanks largely to the clever use of flex tube to get the curved 107Bright Bluish GreenDark Turquoise / Teal line in the right place.

Closing thoughts

Acknowledging my ambivalence about F1 racing and my distaste for stickers, I fully admit that I’m not the target audience for either of these sets. I still feel confident saying that the larger set is weaker than most other large Technic cars I’ve built. I’m also confident that the smaller set is the better of the two.