Review: 40178 VIP set
Posted by Huw,
From next Tuesday 10th October to the 25th, VIP shoppers at shop.LEGO.com in North America and Europe will receive this very cool 40178 Exclusive VIP Set with orders over $125 / £100 / 125€.
LEGO has kindly sent us one ahead of the offer so that we can bring you this review.
Surprisingly for such a big set, it's packed in a polythene bag (not the usual 'crispy' material) with several bags inside it.
The model itself consists of two parts: a mini-vignette of a brand store and a brick-built representation of a VIP card
The shop part of it is built on a 8x10 area into which an incredible amount of detail and realistic features have been crammed: the pick-a-brick wall, shelves full of stock, including 'tat' at the back (the mug), counter and till, brick pit and an Ollie sclupture that has been cleverly integrated into the side wall.
His head peers into the shop while his wings and tail can be seen behind the wall.
With shop fittings removed you can see the wonderfully detailed stickers on representing box fronts, including the Ghostbusters Headquarters and Creator, City, Duplo and Friends sets.
The minifigure has a unique torso and I'm sorry to say that I didn't take a photo of it and can't now as I've had to pack my photography studio away for a week or so while renovations are being done at Brickset Towers.
However, here's a picture of the torso from the inventory: a black polo shirt with LEGO name badge on the chest.
The other part of the model is the VIP card. It connects to the shop by way of two Technic pins on the side.The all-red minifigure will be of interest to monofig collectors.
The new 1x1 quarter-circle tiles are an excellent piece which thankfully are becoming more prevalent now: this set provides white and red ones.
Not much to see round the back.
Verdict
The set consists of two disparate parts which are both great but which don't really go together. Connected as instructed, I think it looks a bit odd.
The shop is packed with details that will be recognisable to anyone that's been in a brand store. So much has been crammed into a small space, which is quite an achievement. I really like the way that Ollie the dragon makes use of space outside the box.
The VIP card is cool but, as I say, looks a bit strange attached to the side of the shop. I guess the designer had to do something with it. Still, it's easily removed.
Free LEGO bricks that connect to make a neat model... what's not to like? We'll remind you to place an order on Tuesday.
Thanks to the LEGO VIP team for providing this set for review. The review is an expression of my own opinions.
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55 comments on this article
Cool!
Already purchased mine from bricklink.
I was really hoping the mono minifig would be the same as the 5005205-1: VIP Keychain
just without the key chain attached.
Man, I want this! But I already made my Christmas purchases for this year. Sigh. Thanks so much for reviewing this, Huw!
I've only seen the brick selection at the back of a Lego shop called "Pick A Brick" so a little odd to see Lego calling it "Pick & Build" in this model. Is it a regional variation? The model would effectively be modular due to the technic pin holes on the long wall but the dragon's wings prevents a second model being lined up. Had really expected the VIP card to form a roof. Nice review as always.
This is now the fifth freebie that’s available on the build up to Christmas, so I’m sure this will crossover with another freebie towards the back end of the promotion. Maybe I’ll wait until around 20th October and see what’s what. I’m really waiting for triple points to buy ninjago city!
is it available also in the lego stores or only in the lego online shop?
I like it although I agree its a kind of a strange connection with the card and Lego store.
Meh, I think 125 euro is a bit too much for such a set
Cool set! But the promotion is too short. Why it can't last until October 31? I just can't buy anything before October 28... Sad.
@Bricklunch - Pick & Build is the new name LEGO is calling that wall. It's not a regional thing, other than not all stores may have the new signage up yet.
Nice set for the VIP members
What £100, NOOOOOOO I really wanted this.
This is the kind of promo (along with double VIP points) that I've been waiting for to buy Ninjago City
Isn't it 2x VIP points for the same 2 weeks also ?
Apparently it is also double VIP points in the US for the same dates as this VIP set. Anyone know if the UK get double points too? Will be in Leicester Square next Saturday.
This is possible the best promotion LEGO has ever put out- all the LEGO boxes, exclusive minifigures, and build is simply amazing. A must buy!
Ollie? I thought the dragon's name was "Brickley"
That's a big spend requirement but I do want a bus...
Great review of a great set!
Also, just wondering, when are the rest of the Star Wars: The Last Jedi reviews going to be coming? It's been over a month since the sets were released, and I believe you said that you were going to be reviewing all of them, but ever since the little thing called the Millennium Falcon all has been quiet on that front.
This looks so cool! $125 is a bit outside the budget though...time to hit Bricklink!
@Legonizer: Brickley is the sea serpent, Olli (no e) is the dragon.
I spotted lego ninjago zanes ninja tumbler and the Lego juniors Spiderman hideout as Lego sets
Great review Huw! You forgot to mention the Ninjago mini set on the far left of the shelf.
@Dare_Wreck - Thanks for the clarification.
This is good. I like the sets, shame their stickers though. The only on I could not recognize was the red one underneath the mug. Is it Duplo, Ninjago, Juniors??
The VIP card does look rather strange.
Could someone please explain who Ollie the Dragon is? (I guess that Ollie comes from Ole)
Had the VIP minifig been either metallized red or pearl metallic red, I would be very excited about the VIP part of the build. Otherwise, it is only the Brand Store that interests me.
Also would have loved were the employee a female since we have already seen this male employee in a very similar form released in the 5001622 poly bag.
Yea! I am going to buy Ninjago City pretty soon. Hopefully I can get my hands on this!
Sorry, this is not relevant but there is no where else to ask. My profile picture for my Lego account has changed and the function of choosing minifigure parts is gone. Does anyone else have this problem? Has there been an update?
Brickchap, use the Conact Us page.
https://brickset.com/contact
@Brickchap: LEGO.com profile pictures now use your minifigure or mini-doll avatar from the LEGO Life app. I'm quite fond of this; quite a bit more customization potential than the LEGO.com avatars had from my experience.
Perhaps the extra set of technic pin connectors on the left-hand side of the VIP module suggest another store segment might be made available in the future? Or at the very least, provides a way for us to connect up our own MOC expansions. I kinda like it either way.
I like meta LEGO sets though, which is why I've designed an Ideas project based on the recent LEGO Masters show. I know, I know - it's far too niche to be a winning project. Still, a LEGO Ideas model about a LEGO TV show where contestants make their own microscale LEGO models... it's basically LEGO inception.
If you want to check it out, it's here: lego.build/2xBR0cg. It has lots of new element colour combinations and a ridiculously high 19 minifig count. Ha! All votes welcome :P
I don't understand the appeal of this.
It looks off, the VIP-wall doesn't add anything and it is all about too elaborate fiddeling.
No need for me to spend extra money in order to get my hands on this one.
Of the three 'large' polybags/boxes (this one, christmas build-up and nutcracker) to appear in the coming weeks this is the one I'd like to get most. It offers some nice parts to extend the 40145 Brand Retail Store and it has (a) fitting minifig(s) unlike the first.
To be honest, when I saw the empty September/October calendar for Europe and this set on the American one, I was hoping we'd get this mini store stacked with the Christmas promotions. Now I have to rethink my purchases for the coming months, since I can only spend my euros once (who knew?). This is why Lego needs to synchronize all those LEGO.com calendars accross the globe.
Not sure about £100 spend :-( I don't think there's much I can justify buying right now to get it. Love the poly though - will have to find some way of obtaining it. Great little freebie.
Does anybody know if it's available in the UK? And for how long?
Absolutely love this, but like others are saying, I can't justify the £100 spend when I'm trying to save for Joker Manor... It bugs me a bit as I've spent a lot of money this year, made many day 1 purchases for fear of missing out, and the only 2 freebies I can think I've received are Iconic Cave and Kai's Dojo Pod - wish I'd have waited on at least 1 of those purchases for this!
The freebie looks neat, but I agree on the difficulty it will be to hit 125$. There isn't much I want at the moment that I didn't already get or can get for cheaper elsewhere..
According to the Italian Lego store calendar Christmas build-up (40253) will be available since October 22. Is it possible that these two promotions will be overlapping between October 22 and 25?
Is it available in shops, or just online?
I was sorely disappointed that 40145-1: LEGO Brand Retail Store didn't have a LEGO shop assistant, so this is a great opportunity to get one.
No thanks! I would much rather wait for the nutcracker in November!
Isn't 2xVIP points starting this week? I only buy big sets then, so this could turn out nicely.
@Jdbrickstudios click on the green 'Buy' tab and you will see a calendar of known Lego offers
Looks neat. Too bad I don't have 125 bucks to spend. :(
Hi folks,
Any rumours on when 2 x VIP points is likely to hit the UK?
Ta in advance.
You're right it packs a lot within a little foot print. I like it.
I'm guessing the side open will have another poly available to complete the scene.
Just ordered. Double VIP points & freebie now available in UK
Designwise I would have placed (and going to place) the letters ''V'' and ''P'' one stud closer to the minifigure. Leaving a white , one stud white tile open on the edge of the card.
Sold out and it is the 11th. Now when I add an item to my cart I am given lloyd and the caveman, very disappointing.
So glad I got my order in yesterday as this is now sold out. Even though I had to borrow money to finally get Ninjago City (which is now backordered until 10/23/17). This is such a great promo set and with Double VIP points I couldn't resist even sinking as low as to go begging to mom. My great freebies will be on the way soon, although not sure when my dignity will return...
Two very neat looking models, but I have to agree that they look odd when put together.
@Aanchir I find this rather annoying, as I don't use Lego Life. It's nice to know why I can't change my avatar.
Double VIP-points and this freebie was a perfect opportunity for me to pick up the Old Fishing Store. :)
Got mine with the Old Fishing Store too, and Just put it together. One thing; the white 1x1 and the 2x4 tiles in the background of VIP are all yellowed... anyone else who has the same?
I am aiming to get this cool set but I don't see it in my shooping cart nor does the information link works.