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."
Every time I get a new model kit, I feel a little nervous-worrying that pieces might fall or that the manual might be hard to follow.
Hey, I'm your friend Cecilia. Today, the lego-style model I'm building is the MCX Race Car.
The MCX Race Car is designed with a strong focus on structure and mechanical logic, with each piece having its specific function and position. The box looks tidy and full of parts, but once you start building, you'll notice that the pieces are quite small, and some details can visually "blend together." In certain steps, missing parts may appear, which is common in many construction toys or lego-style building sets.
As the assembly progresses, mechanisms such as the scissor doors, the roof knob that controls front-wheel steering, and the linkage of the rear engine cover gradually reveal themselves. Each section demonstrates the internal mechanical operations of the car. Only after completing one structural segment does the next mechanism become visible, making the building process require both patience and careful observation.
Let's dive into the experience.
1. Box and Packaging
The packaging uses a dark color palette, showing a half-shadow of the car on the front. It gives off a strong, hardcore performance vibe.
Packaging Contents:
•Bag 1 - 5 bags (Steps 1–117)
•Bag 2 - 4 bags (Steps 118–236)
•Bag 3 - 7 bags (Steps 237–355)
•Bag 4 - 5 bags (Steps 356–470)
•Bag 5 - 1 bag (Accessory bag)
•4 tires and 4 rims
•1 instruction manual
•4 storage boxes
•1 bookmark
All the parts are ready, so let's get started with the assembly.
2. Assembly Process
Bag 1 contains 5 bags of parts.
We start with bag [1.20].
At step 10, make sure the parts are properly aligned.
Step 20 completed.
Continue with bag [21.47]. I noticed that some parts lacked proper markings, and I wondered, "Is this a printing error, or is it supposed to be like this?"
By step 47, the front suspension was initially completed.
Next, open bag [48.72].
At step 54, the suspension spring needs to be lightly pressed into the correct position before fixing.
At first, I thought I had installed it backward and tried several times. It would be much clearer if the manual included a small reminder or tip.
Step 58 is used together with Bag 5.
By step 72, the chassis frame is completed, including the longitudinal driveshaft, front axle frame, and main beams. While the overall car shape is not yet visible, the critical stress points and power pathways are established. The assembly is not very difficult, and the structure is clear-a smooth starting phase.
Next, open bag [73.98].
Finally, open bag [99.117]
At step 104, parts marked with an asterisk are plated parts.
By step 114, the engine installation is complete. The engine uses plated parts, adding a sense of quality and realism.
Now move on to bag 2, which contains 4 bags of parts.
Start with bag [118.145].
At step 118, the differential must be oriented correctly; otherwise, rework will be troublesome.
At step 125, the two suspension springs were actually different specifications, with differing force characteristics. It seemed like a manufacturing issue.
I initially thought I had taken the wrong parts and compared them several times before confirming this. It was a bit frustrating.
By step 145, the exhaust and rear suspension are completed, and the overall chassis and powertrain structure are in place.
Next, open bag [146.167].
Continue with bags [168.197-1] and [168.197-2] to assemble the seats.
By step 180, the seat installation is completed. Only the driver's seat is included, with no passenger seat. At first glance, this may be confusing, but it is indeed closer to a real race car's layout.
Step 197.
Next, open bag [198.216].
Then, open bag [217.236].
The part diagrams in the manual are a bit small, and the dark-colored small pieces are hard to distinguish. I had to keep comparing them, which made my eyes tired and a bit frustrated. If the diagrams were bigger, it would be much easier to find the parts.
Step 236.
Now move to bag 3, which contains 7 bags of parts.
Start with bags [237.267-1] and [237.267-2].
At this point, the rear has a complete sense of layering.
Open bags [268.297-1] and [268.297-2].
By step 297, the rear wheel arches and mudguards are completed.
Continue with bag [298.324].
By step 324, the A-pillars and roof frame are installed, giving the cockpit area a realistic car body space feel.
Next, open bags [325.355-1] and [325.355-2].
At step 326, a blue pin was missing. Recently, I've noticed similar missing parts in other kits, which is a bit frustrating.
If part accuracy could be improved, assembly would go much smoother and without interruptions from such small issues.
By step 346, the manual combined several parts in one diagram without assembly arrows, showing only outlines. It was a bit confusing. If the steps could be broken down into smaller parts, it would be much clearer and easier to follow.
By step 355, the front hood is completed, and the front structure gradually takes a full, three-dimensional shape.
Entering the final stage, bag 4 contains 5 bags of parts.
Start with bags [356.402-1] and [356.401-2].
By step 374, the diagrams were a bit confusing. They looked flat, and directions were unclear. I had to repeatedly compare parts to figure it out. If they were drawn more three-dimensionally, assembly would be much clearer and reduce errors.
By step 401, the front wheel fender is fully installed.
Next, open bag [402.428].
Step 428: Assemble the car doors.
Next, open bag [429.456-1]. Actually, there's only one bag here. I was surprised by the "-1" printing; it's completely unnecessary.
By step 454, both car doors were installed, and the overall car outline was basically formed.
Then assemble the mirrors and wheels.
Then assemble the mirrors and wheels.
Finally, open bag [457.470] to assemble the rear wing. The rear wing is the highlight of the car, and installing it instantly enhances its presence.
It's also detachable, allowing observation of the internal motor operation at any time, which is quite interesting. Although there were minor bumps during assembly, seeing the final product was very satisfying.
3.Overall Evaluation
Once completed, the MCX Race Car model shows a high level of detail in both appearance and mechanical structure. The deep blue and black body conveys a cold, competitive feel, with smooth lines and tight design, closely resembling a real race car. The scissor door design is ceremonial, and the roof knob linked to front-wheel steering greatly enhances interactivity. The rear engine cover can be opened at any time, revealing engine details and linkages, giving a strong mechanical impression. The cockpit is detailed, with only one seat, aligning with a real race car's lightweight layout.
There were also some inconsistencies in the assembly experience. Some parts had misaligned markings, the manual left gaps, and diagrams for complex steps were not very clear. Dark, small parts were easy to confuse, requiring repeated checking of direction and structure. Some steps had missing parts, and two springs were of different specifications, which affected assembly rhythm. Additionally, the set lacked stickers or printed decals, making the car model visually plain. Adding markings, stripes, or themed decorations would enhance the racing aesthetic.
Overall, this MCX Race Car stands out in structural design and playability, and the finished building set looks sharp and robust. However, the assembly experience could be improved. Enhancing manual clarity, ensuring part consistency and completeness, and adding stickers or printed details would elevate the overall performance even further.
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