These rumors have now materialized into the official communication below,
"The pre-launch of the 8110 LEGO® Technic Unimog U400 in LEGO Brand Stores and LEGO shop has been postponed.
The reason for the decision to postpone the pre-launch, is that the LEGO Group’s quality department has found that a pneumatic cylinder included in the set does not live up to the LEGO Group quality demands, as there is a risk of the cylinder leaking air. Since the LEGO Group wants to ensure a high quality in all products as well as a great play experience, it has been decided to replace the pneumatic cylinder in all new sets.
The launch in retail-stores will remain August 1st.
There is only a very minimal probability that consumers, who have already purchased an 8110 LEGO Technic Unimog U400, will experience difficulties with the pneumatic system."
The reason for the decision to postpone the pre-launch, is that the LEGO Group’s quality department has found that a pneumatic cylinder included in the set does not live up to the LEGO Group quality demands, as there is a risk of the cylinder leaking air. Since the LEGO Group wants to ensure a high quality in all products as well as a great play experience, it has been decided to replace the pneumatic cylinder in all new sets.
The launch in retail-stores will remain August 1st.
There is only a very minimal probability that consumers, who have already purchased an 8110 LEGO Technic Unimog U400, will experience difficulties with the pneumatic system."
Fortunately this time, the unlikely potential problem has been detected before the model to reach the mass market and a significant amount of costumers had the opportunity to purchase the new model. Hence, eventual complains have been prevented just in time.
Also the 1st of August is already too close.
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22 comments:
I pre-ordered one, but I am happy to hear they want to ensure quality before releasing it. Good move and good that it has been spotted early enough.
But what if? What should people do if they happen to be among the very few who do have a non-updated set with ''faulty'' cylinder? Is there a procedure to get a fixed one sent up or something?
Just curiosity, it's not that I don't trust them ;)
Helmy
Well done TLG !!
@helmy: in that case they'll probably do what they did with the linear actuators in the excavator set, they'll mail you replacements
http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?i=5085521
I think they have also made a printing error because the Unimog only has one M motor
@Helmy,
The boxes out there were withdrawn, so every pump cylinder will get replaced.
Just the few which may have been sold could eventually have the problem.
However, as written in the communication "There is only a very minimal probability that consumers, who have already purchased an 8110 LEGO Technic Unimog U400, will experience difficulties with the pneumatic system"
@21st century Cars
This have been also reported.
I am very happy with this news, because I've pre-ordered one. I'm also very happy to hear the release-date isn't delayed, great job TLG! Although it had been better if they just had made it right the first time.
is that release date good for the US?
Is there going to be some info about the production code on the cylinder, like there was last year when we had the troubles with the LA?
@Junkstyle Gio
I don't remember to see any code on the pump, neither I can't see it now (but is into the model).
Don't believe however this would turn into an issue, as for the statement produced by LEGO.
If LEGO says they will replace the part in all new sets, there is no reason to doubt.
Those fortunate who may have bought the set from a LEGO store before August would now.
Fortunately this time the overall situation seems much easier to control, be cause the sets might have been on the warehouse and LEGO stores only.
I imagine the cost of this operation though... I don't see them reusing the boxes because they can't be opened without damaging them (independent if they fix the mistake on the box and whether they reuse those already printed).
Good too know, what the problem is. I also figured out, that the pressure is getting weaker. So obviously my pump has a problem. I'll contact Lego how we'll go further on that.
I guess it is going to be a very costly operation. All the set must be opened, then the partbag with the part that needs to be replaced must be picked out and replaced by a new one with the correct part, then everything needs to be repacked...
With all those new parts and it high cost of designing them and this repacking action, i guess TLG isn't going to make a lot of money on the unimog!
Let's hope that Mercedes was a great sponsor on this project!!
Still I can't wait to get my hands on it!
;)
I'd be happy to buy one of the problematic sets at a reduced price ;)
@Junkstyle Gio
Hopefully the boxes meanwhile packed/produced, are just a small percentage of the overall production till the EOL of this reference.
In fact larger and more complex products, represent a larger risk and this should be taken in account on the production batches planning, I'd say.
If it is done this way, the profitability of this reference should not be endangered.
i hope they take the time to fix the half stud offset on the front axle.
This looks cool Lego Technic rocks
first video of the 8109 flatbed check it out
http://tlctechnic.blogspot.com/2011/07/first-video-demonstration-of-8109.html
One small difference in the small image shown at the top of this blog from the earlier ones: in the pictures released by Car and Driver mag, the L-shaped connector holding the left mirror assembly on at the bottom is offset by half a stud-see http://technicbricks.blogspot.com/2011/06/super-cool.html for the proof. However, in the small image shown above and at the technic.lego.com blog, the stud is fully into the panel. An interesting difference!
One more thing: it's interesting to note that three of the five Technic flagships released sice the introduction of Power Functions in 2007 have had potentially sales-damaging problems. This has already been pointed out by NK at this site, but I think that these problems could seriously damage Technic's reputation, especially if, like last year, TLG actually has to re-release the set with new parts. It's also interesting to note that all the problems with pieces so far have involved load-lifting mechanisms-the linear actuators last year, and now the pneumatic cylinder.
@ walter.stephen1:
You're right! Maybe TLG should more often use this blog or the EB-freaks to have some proper pre-release testing! It would cost them almost nothing! The only thing is, that some pictures and videos will appear earlier than wanted! :o))
Regards,
Gerhard
haha
i've received mine already
i've completed the set in 9h and ... 30 minutes later ... i was already modifying it, putting two XL motors for drivetrain and another for steering and a better compressor with 8 pumps and winch without clutch and remote controls for drivetrain, steering and crane, valves plus the engine incorpurated in the set (if you leave the gearbox in the right configuration and connect the motor to a receiver it works good, with no modifications of the "heart" of the unimog)
Next step: diff locks (front, center and rear) with mini cylinders ... and build the snow plow with the box and the crane.
note: to minimize the weight i changed the battery box for 2 AAA battery box (with good batteries it has more power)
Hello,
My friend bought me a 8110 in London Lego Shop in 10/09/2011.
In your opinion, is there a risk of getting a faulty pneumatic?
@TeomanA
Don't think so!
Every set on LEO Shops should have been replaced.
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