NifeliZ MINI HOONIKEN REVIEW

  

HOONIKEN REVIEW

— One Brick, One Piece, Stacking Up the Soul of a Mustang

Preface

"This hands-on review is NifeliZ's collaborative experiment in authenticity: a diverse team—from office professionals and LEGO enthusiasts to musicians and photographers—built our own kits alongside fans to experience their joys, struggles, and "aha" moments firsthand. By sharing raw insights into what works, what doesn't, and how we'll improve, we aim to create products that truly resonate with builders while offering you practical guidance. 
Whether avoiding pitfalls or enhancing your creative flow, this collective journey—fueled by varied perspectives but united in purpose—is designed to make every assembly smoother, every connection more meaningful, and every build a shared story of growth."

Hi everyone, I'm Cecilia, back again to share another fun model with you. Today I'm bringing you a special car model. But this isn't just any toy car—it's a "MINI HOONIKEN" built from hundreds of interlocking pieces. It not only carries the wild and aggressive look of a real racing car but also packs in details that will make any mechanical enthusiast grin. In terms of exterior and detailing, the Mini Mustang shows genuine craftsmanship—it truly feels like a brick-built tribute to the Mustang.

That said, the building process isn't entirely smooth. The windshield installation, for example, demands a good amount of patience and skill, and the limited space for stickers can easily lead to mistakes. Overall, it's a build full of both delightful surprises and some tricky challenges. Curious about which parts shine and which may leave you scratching your head? Come along—I'll walk you through the real charm of this"Mini HOONIKEN".

 

1.Box & Contents

The box features a black-dominant color scheme, with the finished car displayed on the front for a clear and straightforward visual impression. The overall design is fairly standard; the white wheels match the real car's design but look a bit out of place visually. A metallic finish might make them blend more harmoniously.

Contents:

•Bag #1 — 4 bags (Steps 1–67)

•Bag #2 — 4 bags (Steps 68–161)

•Bag #3 — 5 bags (Steps 162–231)

•Bag #4 — 4 bags (Steps 232–328)

•Bag #5 — 6 bags (Steps 329–420)

•1 instruction manual

•3 storage boxes

•1 bookmark

•2 stickers

Everything's ready—let the build begin!

2. Assembly Process

Bag 1 includes 4 bags of parts.

We start by assembling the chassis frame from bag [1.8], laying down the very foundation of the entire car.

Next, move on to bag [9.34].

Step 17.

By step 34, the chassis structure becomes more complete and refined.

Continue with bag [34.54].

Step 47.

At step 54, some of the dark gray printed parts show slight color variation. The tonal difference is visible to the eye, so extra care is needed during assembly.

Next, open bag [55.67].

By step 67, the front-wheel steering mechanism is complete.

Moving on to Bag 2, which contains 4 bags.

Start from bag [68.93] to build the internal framework.

Then continue with bag [94.104].

At step 95, the asterisk mark in the top right corner indicates electroplated parts.

Steps 96–101 involve repeating assemblies, but the manual doesn't point this out in advance, forcing frequent page-flipping. Parallel assembly would greatly improve efficiency.

At step 102, the second sub-illustration could be broken down further to improve clarity.

The seats are completed.

By step 104, the steering wheel is installed and linked to the front wheels, giving a highly satisfying sense of control.

Next, open bag [105.134].

At step 125, adding assembly arrows to the left diagram would make it more intuitive.

Step 134 marks the completion of the roll cage.

Continue with bag [135.161].

By step 161, the dashboard is installed, giving the"cockpit soul" of the car its first form.

Moving on to Bag 3, which contains 5 bags.

Start with bag [162.181].

At step 180, the arrow marking is slightly off. Use the part on the right for reference, as the two sections are symmetrical.

Step 181 is tricky: the windshield must snap into three points, but the manual only shows an outline, and surrounding pieces may fall off during installation.

Continue with bags [182.209-1] and [182.209-2].

By step 196, the engine comes alive with a twin-turbo simulated structure, impressively realistic.

Step 209 completed.

Next, move on to bag [210.231].

Step 223.

Some pages of the manual show slight color differences, with a yellowish tint. These subtle variations may cause misidentification of parts.

Step 231.

Bag 4 contains 4 bags.

Start with bag [232.265].

By step 265, the rear structure is neatly completed, with the red-and-black contrast highlighting a sense of strength.

Open bag [266.288].

By step 288, the rear wheel arches are finished.

Continue with bag [289.309].

Step 298 completes the trunk lid.

The trunk lid is functional and can be opened, revealing the detailed interior beneath.

Step 302 completes the rear wing.

Then open bag [310.328].

By step 328, both side doors are attached.

Step 328 requires stickers to be applied. However, the space is very tight, making the process extremely tricky. The manual also omits one sticker diagram here, which can easily push builders into "blind sticker mode".  It's recommended to apply these stickers earlier, around step 160, to avoid unnecessary frustration.

Bag 5 contains 6 bags.

Open bag [329.346] to start assembling the front of the car.

By step 346, the front section begins to take shape.

Next, open bag [347.365].

Step 265.

Continue with bag [366.384].

By step 383, the front of the car is complete, and the overall shape starts to take form.

Step 384 finishes the turbocharger and exhaust manifold inside the engine bay, with highly realistic detailing.

Then open bag [385.398].

By step 398, the front wheel arches are installed, giving the body's muscular lines a more pronounced 3D effect.

Finally, open bags [399.420-1] and [399.420-2].

Step 406 installs the roof.

Step 419 attaches the front hood.

Finally, attach all four wheels, completing the build.

Sticker application: For transfer stickers, gently press them down before peeling.

If they stick incorrectly, reapply and press again before peeling to ensure smooth application.

Once the stickers are applied, the Mini Mustang truly comes to life, radiating a wild, powerful aura.

3. Overall Evaluation

This MINI HOOENKEN has eye-catching highlights, but also a few minor flaws that may puzzle builders. On the plus side, the chrome-plated and metallic-painted pieces look premium, the steering wheel links seamlessly to the front wheels, and the rear trunk is filled with authentic racing details—roll cage, fuel pump, pressure regulator, exhaust manifold, dual turbochargers—mechanical enthusiasts will love it.

However, the building experience could definitely be improved. Issues with the manual—unclear diagrams, color mismatches, missing indicators, and repetitive steps—often force extra checking and second-guessing. The windshield installation is particularly tricky, with surrounding parts prone to falling off, while the sticker application is fiddly and sometimes unsupported by proper instructions.

In summary, this MINI HOOENKEN is an excellent choice for builders with some experience and a passion for mechanical detail. Perfectionists and detail-oriented players will be impressed. But for beginners or those seeking a relaxing build, a little patience and mental preparation are required. With improvements to the manual clarity, color control, and structural tolerance, this set could easily rank as a hardcore gem among brick car models.