LEGO Reviews Technic42171

Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance

Name: LEGO Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance 42171
Brand: LEGO
SKU: 42171
Rating: 4.76 (1406 reviews)

75 · RECOMMENDEDINVESTMENT GRADE: BBB20241,642 pcsHigh agreement · 93%

Expert reviews

4analyzed

Owner ratings

1.4K+

Consensus

BUY

BrickScore

Recommended

Owners

Synthesized Verdict

"A Recommended Technic showcase for adult F1 fans that delivers a mechanically credible 1:8 scale Mercedes-AMG W14 with working engine, steering, and DRS wing, earning a BrickScore of 74.5. The sticker workload and per-piece cost are genuine trade-offs, but 1,406 owner buyers rate it 4.76 out of 5, validating its appeal to the target audience."

The Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance (42171) is a Recommended Technic set that satisfies adult F1 fans looking for a technically rich display model, scoring a BrickScore of 74.5. Brickset reviewers rated parts value and build experience solidly while noting limited playability and value-for-money concerns at $219.99. Owner feedback across 1,406 ratings averages 4.76 out of 5, with LEGO.com value signals at 4.40 out of 5, suggesting buyers broadly accept the premium for what is a large and detailed 1:8 scale model.

Where they split: Brickset reviewers rated value for money at 60 out of 100 and playability at 40, while owner buyers across 1,406 ratings averaged 4.76 out of 5 with a 4.40 value-for-money signal. The gap reflects that critical analysis of the per-piece cost and sticker count finds real shortcomings, but buyers who are F1 and Mercedes fans accept those tradeoffs readily.

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LOVED (6)

01Functional 1:8 scale engineering: working steering system, DRS-inspired opening wing, differential, and six-cylinder engine with moving pistons
02Impressive final result that multiple owners describe as more accurate to the real car than comparable Technic F1 sets
03Engaging 8-to-12-hour build experience with varied techniques not seen in other sets
04Authentic tire compound markings printed on the rubber tyres
05Strong educational value for explaining basic mechanical principles like differential and suspension
06Looks better in person than in product photography

CRITICIZED (6)

0174 stickers required, with alignment across body panels described as challenging; multiple owners wished for more printed pieces at this price
02Playability scores low in both Brickset aspect ratings (40 out of 100) and the aspect consensus (66.5), as it is a static display model once assembled
03At $219.99 for 1,642 pieces ($0.134 per piece), the per-piece cost is among the steeper in the Technic lineup, reflecting the licensing premium
04Instructions can be confusing in places, with some owners recommending the digital Lego Builder app as a supplement
05Some build sections require careful attention to connection points to avoid rework later
0612 numbered bags with relatively small piece counts per bag, noted as slightly inefficient packaging

What reviewers are saying

"my favorite part of this model as a model is the front end here not necessarily the of the entire real life car but just what this looks like in here it's done fantastically well"

JANG's LEGO Reviews

"This set probably won't interest everybody, but fans of F1 or LEGO will find an enjoyable build with a stunning final model that looks excellent on display."

Jay's Brick Blog

"At 1642 pieces and retailing for US $219.99 | CAN $289.99 | UK £189.99, the price per piece is even higher than the McLaren."

The Brothers Brick

"So I think Mercedes-AMG F1 set is a step up from the old one, but there are still things to improve."

RacingBrick

Ecosystem

LEGO Technic Porsche 911 (orange, large-scale) — The reviewer contrasts this set positively, noting that the old Porsche had an elaborate engine and transmission that you could build but then never see again after completion. He praises the Mercedes for learning from this feedback by leaving the engine and complexity visible via open underside, saying 'I think was deliberate I think was intentional being able to see some of this stuff is a good thing rather than covering it up'

LEGO Technic Harley-Davidson motorcycle — The reviewer references the Harley-Davidson's larger rear tire as an example where IP partner pressure (Harley-Davidson itself) demanded proper tire scaling. He speculates that similar pressure from F1 licensing partners could have resulted in larger rear tires here, but unfortunately did not.

LEGO Speed Champions F1 sets — Implicit comparison—the reviewer notes scale differences between Speed Champions and larger Technic scales, noting that regardless of scale, 'the big the rears need to be bigger' on F1 cars

42141 McLaren Formula One Race Car — The 42171 is worth the $20 more, with far better aesthetics, accuracy, and shaping.

TechnicTier 1Investment Grade

By Reviewer · 4

Avg score

Consensus

BUY

JANG's LEGO Reviews

Expert Video Source

BUY

"my favorite part of this model as a model is the front end here not necessarily the of the entire real life car but just what this looks like in here it's done fantastically well"

Key Pros

✓Exceptional working suspension with realistic engineering (push rods, horizontal springs, functional droop)
✓Excellent front-end design with separate detailed elements and smooth integration
✓New tire molds (slick tires) with proper wheel covers

Key Cons

✕Front and rear tires are the same size (lacks scale accuracy—real F1 cars have much larger rear tires)
✕Abundant sticker requirement may frustrate LEGO purists

JUMP TO REVIEW

Jay's Brick Blog

Editorial Source

BUY

"This set probably won't interest everybody, but fans of F1 or LEGO will find an enjoyable build with a stunning final model that looks excellent on display."

Key Pros

✓Gorgeous model doing a fantastic job replicating the challenging curves of the Mercedes W14
✓Excellent proportions and side view that captures the car's shape well
✓Accurate replication of key details including the front wing, suspension linkages, and bodywork

Key Cons

✕Tyres are not printed, missing prominent Pirelli branding—a major misstep given their prominence on the real car
✕Same wheel pieces used for all four wheels; real F1 cars have larger rear tyres than front tyres

READ FULL REVIEW

The Brothers Brick

Expert Video Source

WAIT FOR SALE

"At 1642 pieces and retailing for US $219.99 | CAN $289.99 | UK £189.99, the price per piece is even higher than the McLaren."

Key Pros

✓Sleek, curved design with clean lines superior to McLaren
✓Excellent display presence with black and teal livery
✓New parts and construction techniques used effectively

Key Cons

✕Very high price at $219.99 (higher per-piece than McLaren despite similarities)
✕Extensive sticker application challenging and time-consuming

JUMP TO REVIEW

RacingBrick

Expert Video Source

"So I think Mercedes-AMG F1 set is a step up from the old one, but there are still things to improve."

Key Pros

✓Technical and visual improvements over the McLaren
✓Slick tires with bigger rims and nice covers
✓Removable engine cover to check engine and differential

Key Cons

✕Missed out on producing proper tires for the rear (still 4 identical instead of different sizes)
✕Basic build without special Technic tricks

JUMP TO REVIEW

Dimensional Analysis

Investment Layer

Buy now (1)Wait for sale (1)

Exclusivity

JANG's LEGO Reviews: LEGO-exclusive licensed product; limited to official retail distribution

Jay's Brick Blog: Wide retail availability via LEGO.com, Amazon Australia, Amazon.com, and Costco.

Resale

Jay's Brick Blog: The set is regularly discounted quite heavily in some markets (e.g., €120 in the Netherlands, $189.99 at Costco in the US vs. $219.99 retail), suggesting potential for finding deals at discount retailers.

Minifigures & Standout Parts

Standout parts (per reviewers)

New slick tire mold
Introduces realistic F1 slick tires to the Technic line for the first time, though they remain the same size front to rear
Concave curved panel piece
Reviewer notes 'a piece that I personally had not seen before with this concave curved panel piece which is also used for the wing' for shaping and aerodynamic detailing
Clear cylinders for engine block
Allows visibility of the engine mechanisms inside, maintaining the technical transparency typical of Technic models
Printed wheel hub
System piece with printed detail to enhance visual realism
New hubcap pieces
New pieces introduced for the hubcaps which look good
New slick tyres
New slick tyres are excellent, though unfortunately not printed, which feels like a major misstep given how prominent the Pirelli tyre designs are on the real car

What Owners Say

F1 fans and Technic enthusiasts rate this a standout large-scale build with impressive engineering detail, but the near-universal complaint is an overwhelming sticker count, and a notable minority report missing pieces straight from the box.

COMMON PRAISE

+Functional suspension, differential, and six-cylinder engine that actually move are consistently called highlights of the build
+Widely seen as an improvement over the McLaren Technic F1 set, with more accurate shapes and a better-looking finished model
+Scale and visual accuracy to the real car earn strong praise from Formula 1 fans
+Build experience described as challenging and fun, typically taking 8 to 12 hours with new techniques along the way

COMMON COMPLAINTS

−Sticker count of roughly 80 is the dominant complaint across nearly all reviews, with many saying they would pay more for printed pieces
−Missing pieces reported by multiple buyers, sometimes bag after bag through the build
−Front tires seen as too wide compared to a real F1 car, with several owners sourcing aftermarket replacements
−Some visible grey connector parts around wheel hubs that reviewers felt should have been black for accuracy

Sticker overloadEngineering detailsF1 accuracyMissing piecesMcLaren comparison

Buyer Ratings

Amazon4.8

868 reviews

92%