Is AliExpress Lego worth it?? Testing CHEAP Lego Modular’s for a Lego City!!

Welcome to my channel, where we dive into the world of budget-friendly brick building! In this video, I'll be reviewing a set from AliExpress: the Fire Brigade Modular. If you're a fan of Lego and love a good bargain, you're in for a treat.
Join me as I unbox, assemble, and thoroughly inspect this AliExpress Lego Fire Brigade Modular set. I'll provide an honest assessment of the quality, detailing, and overall build experience compared to authentic Lego sets.
From intricate design elements to the durability of the bricks, I'll cover everything you need to know before adding this set to your collection. Plus, I'll discuss the price point and whether it's worth the investment for both casual builders and serious enthusiasts.
Whether you're a seasoned Lego fan or just starting your brick-building journey, this review is for you. So, sit back, relax, and let's explore the world of budget-friendly brick building together!
Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell to stay updated on all things brick-related. Thanks for watching, and happy building!
Vecteezy.com
Credit for Outro clip
Music track: Chocolate by Lukrembo
Source: freetouse.com/music
Free Music No Copyright (Safe)

[@tardismole]

An honest appraisal, rather than "I am not sponsored" when you clearly are type of review. Laced with the hyped speil of arrogant "buy it or your not a true Lego customer" attitude you get from many of the American channels. I like this. Refreshing. I buy sets that my grandson likes (latest addition: police station set from Japan), regardless of the manufacturer's name and origin. If it's good to play with and entertaining while teaching skills, such as hand-eye co-ordination and how to follow instructions then it's good enough for me. And my wallet.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thank you so much! I find that too with Lego. Either one way or the other. It’s pretty much Lego purists who will put their life on the line for Lego for sponsored content where we don’t see how good it really is. At the end of the day I’m buying these sets for myself because I love Lego and the videos just come with it. Hope you and your grandsons building journey continues well and thanks so much for watching!!

[@Monki101]

No issues with people endorsing Lego competitors but not when it's a company outright ripping off their designs 👎

[@jimm244]

I used to be a LEGO purist, but for retired sets, I refuse to feed the coffers of predatory speculators. I recently built a replica Downtown Diner and it was quite good. For sets still in production I buy genuine LEGO.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Probably the right way to do it! Thanks for watching!

[@oldmanprostte3574]

Where did you get it I want to buy one and I don't care if it's a fake if it's good quality

[@SheClicksBricks]

Great job, Very informative🥰. I just finished this same set, the video should be posted in the next week or so. OMG the bags🤣. I ended up cutting the hoses on the firetruck so they would run straight. Bent base plates can usually be fixed by pouring really hot almost boiling water over it and putting a heavy book on it, then let it cool. Looking forward to seeing more content.😊

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thank you! Does this make the baseplate not bend when you place weight on it still? Or is the same effect?

[@SheClicksBricks]

@BallisticBricks42 It should straighten the plate up like new and stay straight after the building is on it. You could also use a heat gun to get the same effect, gently warm it up and place something on top until it cools. It also keep an extra baseplate on hand(Amazon) just in case I ruin it.🤣

[@alexsan1327]

I'm now subscribed. can't wait to see more vids.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thanks so much! Have a great day!!

[@alexsan1327]

cool! Thanks for the review

[@BallisticBricks42]

Let me know what you’d like to see reviewed in the future!

[@juliemccabe6061]

Great review, it looks awesome!

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thanks so much!! Have a great day!

[@chriswhite5665]

The red bricks in the fire truck look more translucent than Lego - the edges look a lot lighter than the center. Is that the case in real life, or is it just the camera? I've also found that with non-Lego bricks there can be quite a lot of color variation; I especially noticed that with some dark red non-Lego bricks, like you have on the upper floor of the fire station. So, how was color consistency, because that is hard to show on camera? Thanks.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Bricks are pretty similar to the real colours. Sometimes ever so slight differences, but not much of a difference. I barely see a difference, so it’s pretty good, the basic blacks whites and greys are perfect, but it’s harder for me to compare colours I don’t have much of in my personal collection. Thanks for watching!

[@RetroToyMan]

Good review. I have always bought Lego up until some years ago when I bought the Emerald Night Lego train 10194. I didn't want to put my Lego one on display so I bought a unbranded copy of it. I was very suprised of the brick quality and that was probably back in 2018. Ordered Apocalypseburg a few weeks back from Ali express for the same reason. I do own the Lego original. It has not arived yet. May do a review on that if it turns up.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thanks for watching! A big reason I started the channel was that I was so impressed about the quality and wanted to show it off. Have a good day!

[@theartsypixie2771]

I've been binge watching since i found your channel and enjoy it. I'm also an avid comment reader, and i super appreciate your polite replies even to the less than supportive commentors, Good on you for keeping it classy. I love that you are showing that people who don't have the extra $$$ money to spend on a Name Brand Lego set can find something similar to get their children or themselves to stimulate creativity and dexterity rather than just being plugged into a monitor, tv screen ot phone screen. Keep up the good work! Not all of us need to wear Prada 😉

[@BallisticBricks42]

I really appreciate your support! All comments are from people at the end of the day so it’s important to treat everyone like people. Happy that people have been inspired from my videos to buy sets of their own. I still can’t believe how well the channel is doing and it’s a dream come true. Thank you again and have a fantastic day!!

[@TheCobraReport]

thanks for doing these. I fully believe in supporting Lego with their creations but when it comes to sets that are long discontinued the only people you are then supporting are resellers, which is fine if you have income to afford that on top of Lego's already high cost but not everyone does. I have been looking at the Ghostbusters firehouse because of this and some of these other older modulars. glad to see these can work when needed. I plan to replace baseplates and minifigs anyways so glad to know the buildings themselves are ok.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Yeah blocks tend to be really good quality. And sometimes minifigs surprise you with how good they can be, but yes it’s definitely a great alternative!!

[@caligator310]

Please put a link into the description ❤. Great review

[@BallisticBricks42]

a.aliexpress.com/_EJQk123 Hope this helps!! Have a great day!!

[@juliemccabe6061]

​@@BallisticBricks42wow, bargains! I'm waiting for my first AliExpress set. I bought a little one as a tester.

[@hobosoapPKMN]

i wonder if the quality differs depending on the modular. i bought the green grocer off aliexpress and the baseplate snapped and the bricks were awful and the grays weren’t even the right shade when compared to a lego brick. glad you had a better experience

[@BallisticBricks42]

Interesting. I’ve ordered the detective agency from a different store with not many reviews, so I could get a big drop in quality I suspect after reading this comment.

[@trafalgarlaw6549]

Normally the quality is lower. If you like Lego why to buy a fake one? There are sets being original and different from lego, to choose from, not copies.

[@hobosoapPKMN]

@@trafalgarlaw6549 I ordered mine for parts but also not everyone has 100’s-1000’s to drop on authentic sets

[@jimm244]

I wonder if these replica bricks all come from the same place, or if there are different producers? My experience has been good so far (1 Modular and a few Train carriages). I have two retired modulars inbound from a distinct Ali vendor right now, so I’ll soon know if the quality has significant variation.

[@langserv]

The quality of the fakes is usually crap

[@pinobluevogel6458]

I appreciate the video and the comparison. A good idea would be to reduce the volume of the music by a lot or increase the volume of the narration. The difference is quite stark, if I keep the same volume it is almost impossible to understand what is being said, while the music is superloud. Thanks anyways for posting, it is meant as constructive criticism and comes from a place of love!

[@BallisticBricks42]

Hey! Still getting the ropes of the whole KZbin thing and will definitely keep this in mind. I find it hard to get the balance sometimes but will look into this more. Thanks for watching! Have a good day!

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@BallisticBricks42 You too, keep at it! I did like the editing otherwise. I know it is a ton of work to do video editing, so big kudos for that.

[@BallisticBricks42]

@@pinobluevogel6458 always appreciate feedback! Was editing my next video as you commented that and adjusted accordingly. Always looking for tips to be a better creator. Thanks so much!

[@pinobluevogel6458]

@@BallisticBricks42 No problem at all, best of luck on future projects and I'm sure you will get there at some point!

[@Tom-lp6eo]

i had a few of these and just built them on original lego baseplates

[@BallisticBricks42]

That’s what I’m starting to tilt towards. The fake baseplates are consistently bad for me, so not getting much choice

[@tryingagain14]

Dumb question. How do you find these on Aliexpress. First time looking and it comes up with a lot of pages to scroll.Can't seem to find much relevant. And some doesn't ship to Canada 😢

[@BallisticBricks42]

Hey! I just search Lego Modular’s and find them. If you have any struggles again feel free to message me on my Instagram (it’s the same name) and I’ll send the link over. Can’t do it on KZbin yet because im not verified.

[@tryingagain14]

@@BallisticBricks42 OK thanks

[@GuanoLad]

If you know the set number, you can search on that.

[@Bishounen]

use brick4 and type in the set number to find who's cloned it

[@thorstenheiss363]

Is the red front door easy to open?

[@BallisticBricks42]

Unfortunately not, I can’t get it to budge too much. I didn’t include this in the review as I didn’t know it was actually a feature. However, I can see perhaps it was me building it wrong as I have seen it come up for some people with alternative sets

[@langserv]

​@@BallisticBricks42 That's what you get for buying fake Lego

[@BallisticBricks42]

@@langserv Oh well, saved hundreds. Can live with a door not working.

[@rosolinomangiapane2049]

what shop did you buy from?!

[@BallisticBricks42]

I normally search on AliExpress for Modular’s and look through until I see one with human reviews, if you need any help my instagram is the same name as this and I can send any links if you need them!!

[@Simpsons99Gaming]

Are blocks smaller then lego?

[@BallisticBricks42]

No! Exact same size and compatible with Lego Bricks!!

[@funtyes1970]

@@BallisticBricks42 I don't know, to me it would still bothers me cuz not Lego, and I have bought few no name brick sets, I guess they are ok but it not as good as Lego to me. especially their mini figures

[@onlikt5201]

​@@funtyes1970 Talking about aliexpress cnockoffs - minifigures are mostly aweful, vehicles are mostly too, buildings are ok.

[@tonyrobinson362]

Might be tempted to buy a train thanks.

[@Kinegos]

MILS plates will take care of your base plate issue.

[@BallisticBricks42]

I am considering it, but it adds a lot of price to city building.

[@Kinegos]

@@BallisticBricks42 I’ve got it to about $12/baseplate. Definitely isn’t free, but it truly makes changing layouts and trying new things so much easier. And routing lighting wires is such a breeze.

[@senseicheems3270]

I bought from temu and I got the assembly square for free along with the cafe corner. I paid 60 for sanctum Santorum

[@BallisticBricks42]

Wow! That’s great

[@funtyes1970]

just think you supported a company that steal copyrights from marvel. no different than going in Lego store and stealing a Lego set. great job

[@langserv]

Temu workers are slave labour

[@maximilianomartinmassera9609]

@@funtyes1970

[@scottishdude9682]

So happy to see someone make a video about this. I have bought from AliExpress several times in the past few years and have never been disappointed. Some times there is a small imperfection but nothing to stop the build.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thanks so much for watching! It’s what’s my channel is all about. What Modular’s/ sets did you get that you’re impressed with? Would love to maybe do a video on them

[@scottishdude9682]

@@BallisticBricks42 I got the Daily Bugle, the Death Star 1, avengers helicarrier and most recently I got the arctic rescue set with the orca. Mostly just for the orca. lol.

[@funtyes1970]

see me I be disappointed cuz end day it still not a Lego set. and that would bother me. I do understand it cheaper in cost and trust me I don't have much money buying a $300 Lego set every week, I be luck I pay4-5 ego sets a year, but I still wouldn't buy this cheap DIY brick set. if you ever wanted to sale that set down road know one going want to buy a no name Lego set. I like Lego's cuz of collecting and investment.

[@onlikt5201]

I have a lot of different Lego - early 1990s sets from my childhood, mid-2000s, donated by a friend, along with modern releases i I just bought. Also, have a lot of chineese knock-offs from Aliexpress and just from llocal stores. So, what I can tell about off-brands: Minifigures - awefull. Some have bad prints, some falling apart, nearly all can't stand or seat on lego plates because holes for pins in their legs are too tight. Wehicles, moving parts - bad. All the moving joints are ether too tight for moving properly or too loose and falling apart. Buildings, building bricks - mostly ok and not too far in quality from real lego. Also, quality is different from brand to brand, so it's always a lottery.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Yeah pretty much agree with that, to me the most important parts are the bricks since they make up what I want. I’m glad you’ve had a somewhat okay experience and thank you for watching!!

[@TheDaOsEm]

I am a kid that always saves money to buy modular buildings, because I think it is fun. I have thinked off getting a knock-off so I can have more for display, but I am kinda scared about it, bcs they are stealing builds in my opinion. Do you think it is Stealing?

[@BallisticBricks42]

In a legal sense, I’m not sure probably. But Lego don’t sell the old Modular’s anymore. They won’t make money from a resale or an alternate so for this reason I think it’s okay. Thanks for the comment and have a great day.

[@TheDaOsEm]

Ok, thanks. I just wanted to have someones opinion!

[@sacoshit]

@@TheDaOsEm The sellers are stealing, you are not.

[@TheDaOsEm]

@@sacoshit I understand that. But still, it feels a little wrong!

[@sacoshit]

@@TheDaOsEm what's wrong is the insane prices lego makes their sets

[@xugoboss1]

come on people like and subscribe to support this channel and so he can keep doing these reviews, I find this really useful and helpful to be informed about alternatives to the mega over priced lego sets, dont get me wrong... for those who have the money keep supporting the brand, but for those with a lower budget please don't hold it against us for choosing to buy knock off brand copies. Especially retired lego sets that cost several hundred to thousands these days... its insane.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Really appreciate this!! The channel is definitely slowing down since I’ve ran out of funds for the videos. The numbers on the channel are unfortunately reflecting that with things massively slowing down. Thanks for the comment, have a good day!

[@xugoboss1]

@@BallisticBricks42 dont be discouraged and keep going, you will probably go though a few more up and downs until you get to a stable level. Just keep posting, drop by drop your channel will grow, Im sure there have to be more people interested, you just dont have the required visibility yet, competing with those channels with 100's K subscribers. dont give up, you have a niche here.

[@xugoboss1]

coming payday im going to order my first modular from aliexpress, any suggestion which one i should get first? im in ireland, paying in euros, most sets are around 70 to 80 Euros, some are 100+ i kinda need to start low profile

[@BallisticBricks42]

@@xugoboss1 yeah 100+ is unsual. Look at the 70’s, should be fine. Cheaper ones have never been an issue for me.

[@BestNameCouldThinkOf]

I have the real set, and there shouldn't be that big gap behind the radiator grill on the fire engine

[@BallisticBricks42]

I didn’t notice that! I guess this set isn’t perfect but for the price it’s a good alternative for a few changes! Thanks for watching!

[@funtyes1970]

@@BallisticBricks42 try to sell that set in few years I bet you won't come close what you paid for it. right now, they say Lego's is a better investment than gold is right now just saying. I buy and keep logo's sets for 5-6 years and sell them so I can buy new released sets.

[@Bishounen]

@@funtyes1970 nobody is buying these knockoffs for investments, they're buying them BECAUSE they don't want to pay hundreds for a plastic model.

[@funtyes1970]

@@Bishounen well buying them fake building bricks is waste of money. I never again I buy them what is the point. When you look at you know it not a Lego brand. I like buying something after few years retired I know I can get few hundred more what I pay for it. Fake building bricks you are just wasting your money it worthless

[@langserv]

​@@funtyes1970 Fake sets are for wannabes

[@RobinHullBuilds]

I don’t watch any of those LAN members/influencers because their opinions mean nothing to me. Nor do I care for their over-drooling of anything branded LEGO! I’ve purchased a few of these “fake” sets. In the main they’re pretty close to the originals. Minifigures aside, I would rather spend £60 instead of £600 plus. The printing is very good, I was especially impressed with the windows of the Brick Bank. The minifigures too have good printing, it’s just those heads… Happy days!

[@BallisticBricks42]

Yes!!! Completely agree. That’s a big reason why I wanted to start the channel so people can be aware of alternatives. I’ve also been impressed with printing. Minifig heads are a bit dodge but still worth it despite those. Thanks for watching!!

[@funtyes1970]

@@BallisticBricks42 you keep buying your cheap Lego sets and I tell you in 4-6 years who is winning in investment and trust me I don't have thousands of dollars buying Lego sets every month, i have buy few no name Lego sets and most of them are junk and very cheaply made. people think it free for Lego to make Star Wars, Marval, Harry potter Lego sets and Lego's don't have to pay millions of dollars using that copyright name people like to love that logo name.

[@PortforioMedia]

buddy who buys lego to invest@@funtyes1970

[@Bishounen]

@@funtyes1970 this set is not a licensed theme, and it's meant as a model not an investment

[@funtyes1970]

@@Bishounen that Lego set probably was less then $200 when it was released and look now how much that set is worth now. I don't see the point buy knock off building bricks. I think buying fake Legos is waste of money soon you buy fake Lego set you never get that money back. Right now they say Lego is better investment than gold

[@myadultlegoworld5587]

I have many knock off sets from Aliexpress. You can’t tell the difference other than your wallet remains full! Yes the baseplate will slightly turn up on corners but once you finish it it’ll flatten down. I have the fishing store, big tree house, diner and the courtyard with 3 buildings. Very nice and fits perfectly with my other real Lego Modular’s.

[@BallisticBricks42]

It’s interesting your baseplate flattens after! Currently working on another set and worried about that myself. Good to hear you have a positive experience with it! Thanks for watching!!

[@360dom360]

I've noticed some pieces are more prittle and break. Like the little black claw pieces I've had break with the knock off Parisienne restaurant

[@funtyes1970]

I have bought sets from AliExpress see how bad they are and there is a big different you keep lying to yourself thinking there know difference. and keep on steal the copyrights from company's who paid for the rights, you be better off going in a store and stealing a Lego set. buying them no name sets that what you are doing stealing. just saying.

[@Monki101]

Its not a question of quality. There is a huge difference between lego competitors (competition is good) and companies that outright steal lego designs. I cant see how under any circumstances it would be acceptable to buy a product from a company that steals from another. Not sure how these companies get away with it frankly

[@BallisticBricks42]

Each to their own, a completely okay and understandable opinion to have. I see it as for the retired sets Lego won’t make money either way, so there’s not as much harm.

[@bulletholeteddy9223]

They get away with it because china has very different copyright laws, and it's very hard for American companies to sue Chinese ones as the Chinese government almost always sides with Chinese companies

[@maximilianomartinmassera9609]

at the end of the day, bricks are made of plastic, you cannot stop them

[@unclefredsbrickslot5824]

Just sayin', but Lego themselves stole the idea from a UK company called Kiddicraft. The inventor of plastic bricks, Hilary Fisher Page, sadly killed himself some years later. Tryin' to keep it light, but check out the wikipedia entry on invention of Lego. Ole Kirkson did invent the three tubes inside the bricks, though.

[@jedimaster71]

I have some fake Lego sets of maybe I should call them Flego

[@BallisticBricks42]

I use flego as a term too! How are you sets in quality?

[@langserv]

​@@BallisticBricks42 *your sets IN TERMS OF quality

[@BallisticBricks42]

@@langserv Yes thank you!

[@jimbear62]

I call them "LegFaux

[@Primepele10]

Come on the spurs

[@BallisticBricks42]

Always💙🤍

[@totallyaddicted2bricks989]

I bought the AliExpress copy of the Lego Star Wars UCS AT-AT and that was awesome, plus I saved myself around £550 not buying the Lego version. No way can I justify £750 for a display Lego set. Great abd honest review, i hope we see more!

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thanks so much for watching! Happy your build was successful!

[@funtyes1970]

just think you just steal from Star Wars Disney great job. I sure wouldn't be happy about it.

[@langserv]

​@@funtyes1970 Even worse, he's finding the Chinese communist party

[@Imme_N]

NEVER GBUY FAKE LEGOS!!

[@BallisticBricks42]

It’s completely okay for you to never want to buy alternatives, could I ask though are you so against the idea?

[@on_brix]

So it's okay to steal design? It's not like bluebrixx or other brands that produce own designs. You also don't know where or how this bricks are manufactured

[@BallisticBricks42]

Lego don’t make money from the design when the set is retired anyway. I’ve talked about this problem more in depth in other videos, but this is a set a lot of people would never be able to afford but this gives them the chance. Not perfect, but it’s up to each individual.

[@on_brix]

@@BallisticBricks42 Design is only first issue. These fake kits are of unknown origin. The content of the pieces, production conditions and the people behind them are usually very poor when you look at the illegal market. If you want an expired set, you can put it together with Bricklink or buy pieces from another legal piece supplier. You can make a beautiful MOC.

[@blammers]

No, don’t support knockoffs.

[@BallisticBricks42]

If you feel like that it’s absolutely fine. Just providing content for people looking for cheaper alternatives

[@kevinpowell519]

Lego is a luxury brand. Not everyone can afford it. Lego retires sets and by doing so inflat the prices to unrealistic values. As a parent who's kid loves lego and spend around 200 to 400 a month on pick a brick for them I support off brands.

[@BallisticBricks42]

@@kevinpowell519 great point!!

[@funtyes1970]

me either, it is stealing I don't care how they look at it. people thinking it don't cost Lego anything using names like Star Wars,Marval,Disney and it all free and I'm sure Lego pays $$$millions using them theme copyrights, from company's. lol but i guess it not stealing right.

[@langserv]

​@@funtyes1970 It's IP/copyright theft

[@funtyes1970]

I don't see the point buying no name brick block sets. especially you are building a Lego city. to me end day that brick block set is not a Lego set.

[@BallisticBricks42]

Seen your comments a lot on my videos. Lego can be an investment yeah but for some people they just want to build. What’s wrong with buying a fake if you just want to build a set you’d never be able to own normally and don’t plan to sell later down the line?

[@tamerkabes1551]

​@@BallisticBricks42I totally agree. Issue is ethical though....these Chinese manufacturers stole the design and if many of us buy from them we are basically creating profits for cheaters...that being said, I understand the original set cannot be had at such unbelievable price...the set you have reviewed looks almost the same as the original. If it's purely for building experience, I would say the brand contributes to nothing. As long as we are enjoying the building experience who cares if it's Lego or Mego

[@Bishounen]

@@tamerkabes1551 to be fair lego is price gouging right now and if you buy the knockoff sets it will force lego to lower their prices

[@langserv]

You are finding the Chinese communist party

[@EmotionalCookies]

I do not think we need to worry about harming the profits of a multi-billion dollar company.

[@williamewen383]

I HATE NON LEGO !!!!!!!!!

[@gene2808]

Me 2...

[@BallisticBricks42]

Each to their own

[@knownasxristako3321]

Thank you for supporting Lego. Us non Lego lovers need people like you. You being faithful to Lego and supporting it allow us to enjoy the fruits of Lego's success when China keeps copying and producing sets in a much more affordable price. Long live the purists

[@maximilianomartinmassera9609]

@@knownasxristako3321 LOL, i think the same

[@iainduncan733]

If you're having trouble with baseplates bending up at the corners, try making a MILS plate out of bricks and plates to build on. Much sturdier building surface.

[@langserv]

F fake Lego, student boy

[@BallisticBricks42]

Thanks for watching! Have a good day!