Fixing LEGO's McLaren MP4/4 mistake: The tire upgrade test

[@RacingBrick]

I found a 3d model made by someone else that you can try, this is not my model so I don't know how the outcome will look like - www.printables.com/model/801870-realistic-tyres-for-lego-10330-mclaren-senna-formu

[@BaconSeer]

That simple change makes it look so much better wow Why LEGO didn’t make wider rear tires themselves in the first place is beyond me

[@johnnytifosi]

Because fanboys will buy it anyway.

[@TheGalantHamburger]

Two lots of new wheels, two lots of new tyres, twice as much expense on design, prototypes and production costs. Wouldn’t have been worth if for them to do it.

[@tren133]

@@johnnytifosi One of the main reasons I'll be getting the CaDA Alfa Romeo F1 car is that unlike Lego F1 sets, the Alfa has wider rear tires, and also Pirelli printed right on tire as a cherry on top. Makes even the slick tires on the upcoming Mercedes F1 car look like crap in comparison.

[@DoorTechnicianRick]

"OnLy tHe BesT iS gOoD eNoUgH"

[@craig855s]

@@TheGalantHamburger whilst what you say makes some sense... The Ferrari SP3 daytona has staggered rims and tyres, and theyre completely bespoke parts for that set.

[@stevenwhoward87]

It's one thing to say it doesn't work, but this, visually, proves it. Those larger tires look so much better and make a huge visual difference! Thanks for making this video to show your point.

[@alexc2713]

As the biggest tire company, they decided not no make another wider tire for this set…lol

[@Michal_Ciok]

Now it looks like real one. Good job. Start massive production. 😎

[@nihari_pops4890]

😂

[@JarnoPeschier]

You are spot on in you criticism and this change. Well done. 👍🏻

[@JonathanWeeks-v1q]

There’s a piece on the Lego website which really goes to town about how accurate they tried to make the car - includes statements like “But like those McLaren engineers responsible for the 1988 original, Ann was determined to capture every tiny detail of this revolutionary design.” and “So how did she go about turning a life-sized car into a perfect miniature replica?” They might have captured a lot of the ‘“tiny” details but perhaps they should have focused more on the big stuff like the rear wheels.

[@ThuNder12805]

oh mah god that is sooooo much better, i wish i could get the set with that because it is quite literally as perfect as it gets. Sadly its not possible so im getting the off road buggy since its cheap and has more functions but this set is definitely "iconic".

[@NoahgotLEGO]

The set just released so you can still save up for it! Will be out for 2 years probably.

[@ThuNder12805]

maybe...Do these sets become available on bricklink after getting retired? ​@@NoahgotLEGO

[@CrazyChemistPL]

The issue with the rear tires is this - if they went to the trouble of designing two wheel sizes for this set, that would allow them to easily made more famous F1 car from the 1970-2000s era within the same product line. Seems to me like a win-win solution, they introduce two new fairly universal wheels within one set and said set gets to be much more accurate.

[@BusaNZ1340]

Could have been used for other classic race cars as well, like Le Mans sports prototypes or Can-Am cars.

[@CrazyChemistPL]

@@BusaNZ1340 I could totally see a Ford GT40 in the Icons line done like that.

[@MrKlawUK]

Next year when they do a Ferrari and introduce wide rear tyres we’ll all buy extras to retrofit this model :)

[@LorenzoC1980]

Totally agree

[@McLuvinUK]

We could’ve had the iconic Red 5 Williams of Mansell to go alongside this McLaren 😢

[@originalbluemonkey]

The wider rear tires definitely look better than all 4 being the same size.

[@adrianhjordan1981]

They look SOOOOHHHH much better!! I hope someone makes an aftermarket set of these, perhaps even going so far as to make front and rear and include Goodyear printing lol

[@mDaro]

I'd buy a set right now if there was a pre-order to fund it.

[@gez13foto]

Same

[@flavioriva1285]

Awesome result! With these new rear tyres the car looks perfect! Well done!

[@wings9925]

I've been considering buying 2 more of the rear tyre parts; then cutting all of them down using a band saw and heat-welding 2 of them together, to make a wider unit

[@Ayden767]

The tires that you have put on there definitely look a lot better. Might be some modification to be done in the back to make it fit, but this is a good prototype version for now. Thanks for another great review, can’t wait to see your next reviews for the March wave!

[@BuilderBasti]

Now fix the biggest mistake: The PRICE

[@av_oid]

No, that’s all the stickers.

[@rc-fannl7364]

@@av_oid How about combining this into "There shouldn't have been stickers for this price. Not for a display model

[@LeMn680]

For this price, they should’ve made it all stickers

[@av_oid]

@@LeMn680 building a model F1 car out of stickers layer by layer sounds like a “fun” challenge.

[@adrianhjordan1981]

A licenced set (to McLaren, Senna Estate and Formula1 don't forget) and new parts. I think the price is about right.

[@proudbrickfoot7483]

I felt the same way when I first saw the similar sized tires. I prefer the wider, truer to scale one you modified. Thanks for sharing!

[@zoltrix7779]

I instaly saw this and had a problem with it. Good job. The stand wheels make me think of a Penske CART car from 1990 in Oval trim.

[@RyanPerrella]

The lego model has the correct 6 spoke black wheel pattern that the MP4-4 used, thats pretty cool.

[@tibortatrai2318]

Lego is really getting lazy.Past couple of years their car models are nowhere near as good as used to be,except some of the Technic sets.Agree on the stickers,over £100 all sets should be fully printed.

[@BiggyPR]

The new rear tyres look fantastic and how I wish Lego had made them in the first place. Thanks for showing us what could be done.👍👏

[@rbletitgo4948]

Great work. It is the wild to see the writing on the wall of a company to see such cuts in quality and price compared of a metal die cast for the same price

[@thomaswalker9277]

Your modified version looks 100x better. Would love to get those files.

[@TastierBackInThe80s]

No, not letting Lego off the hook for this. Its a VERY icon vehicle and is recognizable by even the most casual of race fan. Also its Lego. Were not talking about some knock off/Off brand company, they can afford to develop a part so the build ends up looking the best it can be. If they're going to take the time and effort to put something like the Mp 4/4 together, do it properly. Down to the last brick. Thanks for sharing.

[@ludebob89]

Lego should be made to fix this design flaw and mail out correctly sized replacements

[@nigelhunt228]

Much better with the correct tyre sizing, great job

[@Marc-qp4br]

Wow when you see the 2 pictures side by side the mod is amazing!!

[@mdm9]

I didn't think it looked too bad in original form until I saw how much BETTER it looked with the modified tyres! Nice job

[@GuntanksInSpace]

The Wider rear wheels + the rear floor change does a lot to make it more closer to the actual look of the MP4/4.

[@robertscott1112]

Rest in peace, Ayrton Senna

[@liberatumplox625]

Makes me think that maybe you could brick build the entire hub and wheel assembly instead. It's just a matter of whether or not, there are parts that would reproduce the approximate diameter of the hub and tyre, at that scale.

[@MrConstanzo]

It will be great to have an upgrade set with floor , wheels and tires according with your findings . Good job!

[@jrosa69]

Much better with your changes! Lego should adopt it

[@_Pikalika_]

I thought having two wheels at the back would be an easy fix, but after seeing the comparison I can understand how its really not

[@spaulagain]

It's simple LEGO, make 2 proper sizes for F1 cars of this scale, and produce a ton of F1 cars. I guarantee they will sell.

[@Goldbart99]

I hope this video gives your idea more traction.

[@pinkertonpunk]

I noticed the tire width issue right when I unboxed mine. If you ever start producing these I would buy them in a second! That fixes the look 100%.

[@paulmanta]

Much better, when someone does tyres as a kit to upgrade Ill be buying them !

[@FaithlessEmoRacing]

IMO this takes the set from a nice to have to a MUST have! great work!

[@arghjayem]

02:07 I agree. It would be one thing if the matching tyres front and rear were an existing mould, but to design a brand new tyre and wheel combo but only do the front size and not the back just seems lazy and half assed. I mean they went to the trouble of the two exclusive printed parts for the logo piece, but they couldn’t do that for the wheels and tyres? Come on Lego, especially at this kind of price! It’s not like they’d never use the mould again- plenty of F1 cars they could do in later sets!

[@jimcurt99]

I just want the Minifig- the car is just gravy. Looks like a fun build which is why I do Lego. Final result is pretty good (FAR from perfect- but don't care). If can can get wider rear tires someday I will- if not, no big deal.

[@jackmurray7093]

I thought i was the only one who read all of the comments and thought wow all these adults were so upset over building blocks. Since when did Lego claim they made IDENTICAL scale model replicas to these cars? Taking shit too serious 😂

[@RCTanksTrucks247]

Great work brother! Looks so much better

[@MrKlawUK]

It’s dumb because Lego could easily have amortised the mold cost across maybe three F1 sets. Eg they have the Ferrari license, do a Ferrari and maybe a Williams from that era with the same tyres. Run it in parallel with icons releases as they’re relatively affordable

[@robrath31]

Great video, didn't even realise these were same part until just now (only ordered kit online!). I agree 100% that rear tyres should be wider, it's iconic of the formula 1 cars of that area. I hope someone can search up an item even from another toy or model set of any kind so people can have quick and easy replacement/upgrade.

[@brianhunt6943]

I think that is a great idea and adds a much needed detail to this set. A lot of performance cars have staggered wheel sizes but has lego ever issued a set with two different wheel sizes or alternate wheels in a kit?

[@majikkskates9084]

I honestly was able to look past it until this video. It’s so so much better with the right tires. I wish really wish you’d sell us the file. I want to have this mod done for when the set is delivered to me

[@LeoN-gh2tf]

alternative brand tires? (maybe from Rastar 92300)

[@DevanSabaratnam]

Such a tiny thing, but it changes the look of this model from a kids toy to an authentic replica. Well done on putting in the effort to do this - Certainly if I ever bought this kit, I would be looking for aftermarket rear tyres just so it looked as beautiful as the MP4/4 does.

[@andreaswehrmann365]

Please don't call this a mistake. Lego didn't put out this set with the wrong rear tires by accident. They just don't care if the fans of Senna will be disappointed. Lego saved some penny in production and some hardcore lego fans will buy no matter what... That's what lego cares about

[@COGintheMachine]

I fully agree with you on rear tires. And now I agree even more. Because with wider ones bolide looks just magnitudes better!

[@controllerpleb6568]

At the start of the video I didn't think it would make that big of a difference. I knew how big the difference entire width was but I still thought it looked fine. But once you showed off the improved rear tires, I was sold. It's clear how big the difference is.

[@agepbiz]

The wider tire looks so much better!

[@dominiccappelletti1412]

I love the new rear tires, makes the set look much better!

[@coffeeinhandproductions3238]

Nice bit of research, and the tires are definitely an improvement. Too bad the inaccuracy of the tires extends to all of the other themed F1 cars. Really unfortunate given how much work/design/authenticity is already put into the Technic/Speed Champion themed vehicles.

[@thomasrodriguez7803]

Way better look. As always, your builds and opinions are greatly appreciated.

[@Point_Particle]

I refuse to buy any Lego F1 car (and price is not a barrier for me) until they get proportionally correct wheels & tires. It ruins the entire car.

[@marcosousaesteves]

Big big difference! Great job.

[@JedPB67]

It looks considerably better with the modification added. Hopefully someone does a tyre and wheel mod coupled with a Marlboro sticker or printed kit, it will make the car look so much better.

[@khronokraze]

Looks much better with the wider rear tires. Hope someone makes more of them to upgrade and improve this LEGO set.

[@gieselats]

Awesome job. The fans are doing the best work. I like your new tires. Really authentic. Keep up the good work. 😊

[@funlovingvoyeur]

I like how the set is original, because I know you have to make compromises when making something out of LEGO. But the wider tires make it way more better looking.

[@craiglizt8074]

Looks so much better! I still don’t like the gray pieces on the wheels though. I took those off of mine and painted the axle tips black.

[@sheckyvision]

Excellent and balanced review. Easy fix for anyone with access to a printer. There will probably be a file on thingy-verse in a few weeks. LEGO obviously had to avoid the full Marlboro ciggie box paint job for multiple reasons.

[@hmx619]

My only thing is…..I want the Marlboro logos on it!

[@Legomad81]

The modification looks way better. Thanks for doing the video

[@hitfan]

I can't wait to buy them online! It looks soo much better! ❤️

[@somebutter6755]

I’m amazed they didn’t make a wider set of rear slicks for this set given the other new parts the made for this set.

[@JeroenBollen-w7t]

Aren’t the new rear (and front) wheels on the Williams set a better option? 😅

[@RacingBrick]

Certainly, but when this video was made we knew nothing about the upcoming Williams set

[@JeroenBollen-w7t]

@ Yes, ofc, and to be fair, content like this will help LEGO realise the need for these significant details like staggered wheel sizes and the quality upgrade it brings for the sets 🤷🏼‍♂️ Keep up the nice content 👌🏻

[@Mic_03]

congratulations on the modification, it is actually much more faithful to the original and with perhaps better quality plastic wheels it would be perfect! However, I don't mind even with the same size wheels, but in the end we are talking about Lego so if it can be improved then it can be done!

[@rvallenduuk]

They were able to make a wide rear tyre for #10269 Hardley Ableson, they should have been able to make a wide rear tyre for this set. 03:56 shows you should have removed more of the floor; it looks like the model on the right has no floor between the wheels. It also shows how much is wrong with the cockpit, windscreen and nose...

[@vivekaaraga]

Lego should have made the rear tyres wider. Your efforts have worked out well! Cheers

[@johnwright5845]

100%, you nailed it. My other complaint with this set is that the green and blue stripes on Senna's helmet are not in the correct locations.

[@jonasfermefors]

Aww. If I had room for a 3D printer I would have just found a reason to buy one. I still think the front (the whitish print on red) need improving, but it's getting close.

[@Matej1473]

I have older formula technic set(8445) from 1999, so I will try use these wheels for rear wheels and wheels from Camaro Z/28 for front wheels. This combo will work good too, if you want use Lego parts. Maybe custom Lego parts in metalic color, example from Chrome Block City.

[@ScottPC]

Amazing! I dont understand why they didn't make all 4 wide? Surly if they wanted one size then the wider all round wouldn't look as weird as small skinny things!!

[@IJsbeer74]

I thought wider tyres would be better, but seeing them on the model, I feel they really SHOULD be. And, as mentioned, it would be perfect for many other models. I am sure it shouldn't be too expensive to produce, since the only tight tolerance on the part is for the axle hole.

[@veschyoleg]

I think it was Nico who did videos on scale modeling. It doesn’t have to be exactly to scale, what matters is the impression. Those fat rear tires look great!

[@sidvicious1]

The wheel size is not a small detail that can be overlooked! I really hope Lego can fix this and issue new wheels this is not negotiable.

[@stualoo]

I will probably order this, even with the awful rear wheels! Hope you decide to release the 3D printed wheel files as it sure looks a lot better with them!

[@pablorodriguez2829]

I really love the set as it is, but I can't deny that seeing it with wider wheels makes me like it a whole lot more. I'll be looking to make a similar modification once I get the set :)

[@blakebylsma3865]

Love it, great mod, I would also make a decal to fix the shape of the front monocoque to add but more red, but the wheel is perfect with your design… hopefully they get made and sold

[@trev3971]

Soooooo much better. I still think the nose yells "MP4/8," but the big tires really help.

[@ismaelmetero4121]

Well done. I really enjoyed your description of the lego decision making process!

As Senna once said about Williams to a Brazilian reporter: "- In my turn they sh"t the car!"

[@FlatDrifting265]

Please give us the files, it would make the model so much better for all of us, even if it’s not perfect.

[@wings9925]

Thank heavens! Thank you. I've been pondering upgrades for the set

[@kurtnowak8895]

Thank you. I didn’t notice this on my Lego MP4. Now I can’t unsee it. 😂

[@WizardOfOss]

Yep, that looks a lot better! I have already pre-ordered the set (mostly just to get the Classic Space GWP), but when I get it I will certainly look for some better rear tires. And hopefully for some better printed part for the nose, with the Marlboro-chevron.... It's a shame that a company like Lego, while claiming "Only the best is good enough" and ever increasing their already pretty high prices, keeps cutting corners. I kinda wish Cobi would have made this set, as it would have been so much better...

[@victorvieira7469]

Looks 100x better with your mod, I hope someone starts selling this as a kit

[@FreakoRico999]

Looks waaayy better now.. In my opinion, only the print on the front nose part (next to the front windshield) should be running into a triangle, and i think this set is done 👌

[@raphaellfms]

I would definitly buy some tires with Goodyear logo in them as well! But the way it looks is just sooo much better!

[@rufnusd8730]

Brickstickershop just released a Marlboro/GoodYear sticker kit. Its fire!

[@robertsegura6451]

What about the lack of Good Year branding on the tires? May they'll make the Mario Andretti winning race car, the John Player Special Lotus 79

[@c_berk11]

You can use a heat gun to get rid a bit of the shine on the 3-d print

[@RacingBrick]

We tried that already with this material, it actually only makes it shinier.

[@RestauranteDragónHambriento]

I completely agree with you! You did it justice!

[@MajatekYT]

LEGO's attempts at F1 cars have always bugged me because they always go with rear tyres that are way too skinny. This is a good proof of concept!

[@walkingsundays702]

I had Lego set 392 "Formula 1" in 1975. It uses 2 small tires to make 1 front tire and 3 small tires to make 1 rear tire. So the rear tire was 50% lager than the front tire.

[@MikeFoto_na_Moto]

Wide rear wheels looks spot on!

[@marlonfraai4622]

I think Senna would have disagreed with F3 looks of his car. Good job! Please consider making the mods available.

[@brnd5294]

It looks so much better. I’ve already preordered but I wish it looked like this.

[@cgbnke9792]

I agree with you, though Lego is awesome the wheels should have been to spec… but it was cheaper to use the same mold for all 4 tires. good job!!!

[@hystrixlignum8983]

The upgrade makes the model looks so much better.