quite a hard choice...
why not all

but it still depend on what u want / like

maybe first, make a choice between technic / not technic

If you want function then has to be the Technic set especially the Benz Aroc.

If you want something nice for display in the display case then Mini Cooper and Beetle.



p/s: I have the Porsche + Mini Cooper, targetting the Beetle

Pls buy at rrp. Will have ample stock until u commit later. Look at ghostbusters Hq and xwing now.
Product just launched will have years to restock. Paying a premium to have it collect dust earlier on the shelve is not worth it.

Gimme the Lego series code I help u find cheaper scalper then. Izzit 10220?
And also how much u r offered. If others are even more expensive, I won't bother to tell u.

Motor size M,L,XL is different in performance, ie torque vs speed.

It also depends a lot on how many motors you can fit into your creation.

Hope this is not too much:
http://www.philohome.com/pfrec/pfcurves.htm

Check this page for full Lego motor list and specification.

For speed, use this "Electric RC Race Buggy Motor"

Current editions are XL/L/M motors, which are quite slow RPM.

At the vehicle side, will need motor, IR receiver and battery box.
At your RC side, just the RC.

Best and easiest example is refer to 9398 Crawler.

Don't compare to Tamiya RC on the speed, you'll be severely disappointed.

I'm not sure on your experience level with current XL/L/M and also the servo motor. My advise is buy 9398 set, build it up, and learn about the motor driving fwd/back, and then whether to use servo/M/L motor for steering left/right.

From there, then can explore into motorize other sets, and you can dismantle 9398 to use as spare parts. Later decide if want to buy the replacement parts or not. Also, check Internet, I'm sure many Lego enthusiast has motorized and share pictures. Some will also share the parts and steps. Generally, most will not give full detailed guidelines, you need to see pictures and reverse-engineer from there yourself. Trial and error. Get lots of spare parts like pins, axles, liftarms, gears, etc. which are cheap, as compared to the electronic parts.

This is what I did to motorized 8110 Unimog couple of years ago, shared in earlier threads here before.

[WARNING HUGE IMAGES]


Servo-motor at mid-front, most ideal position after testing several designs and locations.

Side view of the servo-motor.

XL-motor for Drive, as it fits. Else L or M motor will work also.

Gear reduction. Lessen stress on motor. Also reduce speed. It's not as maneuverable or can climb like 9398, due to several factors.

IR receiver simply put on top of cabin there.

End result - video. Battery box just put at the dumper.

Hmm, I'm not sure which latest or non EOL set which is good. Maybe 42030 Volvo ? As it has motors, servo and RC.

For sure 8293 and 9398 is eol and very hard to find.

Best bet is 42030 which will donate a great set of RC components. I believe you can still get it for ard rm1k.

If your intention is to RC the mini cooper then just Google it. Pretty sure instructions are freely available everywhere. If you already have the 42030 then you definitely have enough critical parts to RC it.

42030 is good
just this set have all the parts to do RC
just found back some of my old pictures...

not really detail, just simply add in motor, receiver, battery, maybe some part and gear...
then use controller to play around


all these technic sets already have moving gear... it's not too hard to RC them...

for non technic set, this is the only one that i attemp to make it move


basically, one controller, one receiver, two motor, one battery box and some extra parts and gears will do

i'm sure u can easily found more info on internet...
even easier if u have specific set to RC (such as the mini cooper)

i do not have mini cooper, but i think mini cooper do not have gears, probably need to do quite a lot of modification...
i think even the battery box may not fit inside the car
but don't let this discourage u, i'm sure with internet nowadays, u can found a way to do it

8293 is a beginner box with just M motor and battery box. No IR, no RC, no servo motor.
You have fancy lights for decoration purpose only.
Also, total cost for parts wise is not cheap.

Full box set is more expensive, e.g. 42030 Volvo. But you get a lot of spare parts and full set motor/controllers.

I have mini cooper and samba van, but not yet build. Going slow on building Lego at the moment. Just finish 42009 and an old 8455 pneumatic backhoe recently. Maybe start to mod 42009.

Buying parts in bulk is cheaper, and can use for multiple projects:

Both are good sets in my opinion in terms of technicality, but not the exterior look which the mini cooper, porsche, 41999, etc. wins). It's more towards physics and learning about RC for Lego, e.g. a major Lego problem is always the Ackerman steering issue. This is one of the 8110 motorized factor as I mention in several posts above. Automotive student/grads will know and can explain Ackerman steering better than me. I believe mini cooper will have this issue also. Therefore, it won't be as agile as 9398.

For your case, to learn about Lego RC, 9398 is more attractive.
However, if you don't care much about Technics stuff and just want to RC it, perhaps 42030 is easier option to find.

all still in plastic
my one all open already
both also nice set
9398 come with spring/suspension, 42030 come with big... what is the name that in front of 42030 use to dig? shovel?

42030 may still available but 9398... it may hard to find 9398 now...

yeah, after build, play around with it, maybe modify a bit, then dismantle and keep in original box
i only have a space enough to put 1 set, and i also use big plastic to cover it from dust...
if i want to build a new set, i have to dismantle, keep in box first before build the new set

currently is my B model of 42052 in place...
i have to dismantle the rotor part, the rotor of helicopter take huge place
it seems there will be some holiday after few weeks... may build the A model at the holiday

i'm using the box of 42009, 42030 (looks like my mistake, 42030 box is open front, open side is the technic of this year )
and one small box, i think is 42008...
all my technic parts i keep in these box, 42008 i keep only wheels
you're welcome
any problem for your modification do feel free to share here, i'm sure there's a lot of sifu here willing to help

IMHO, there is nothing much to mod for 9398, it's quite a complete and functional RC, except LED lights or cosmetic into 41999. Actually you can design whatever top-mould to swap into 9398.

If you mean which set is worth to dismantle as spares, it depends on what you have in mind. For me is mostly RC, so these components are important in following order:
1) servo-motor - still rarest.
2) IR receiver - can get from motorized city train set.
3) XL or L motor
4) M motor
5) RC controller - 2 types - one of it can get from motorized city train set.
6) Battery box - 2 types - one of it can get from motorized city train set.

Since I have a lot of spare parts for #4-6, that's my priority above.
Therefore, the sets in my mind are like 9398, 42030, ...


Edit: I just remembered I mod 9398 from L into XL motor, did not play much on gear ratio.
It's not strongly secured, but secured enough that the motor won't fall out or bend the liftarms. Some comments:
* XL motor RPM is slower than L motor, but higher torque.
* RC speed did not improve, nor any noticeable climbing/crawling capability.
* Since the XL torque is much higher, frequent gear teeth grinding.

Summary: 9398 with L-motors are quite perfectly design already.

8293 have the LED

Got it from LCS at RM1.8k