LEPIN #05003 LEGO Star Wars First Order Transporter

My first LEPIN's STAR WNRS set. I'm sure it should be written or read as Star Wars. As usual these China brand change the label on the box to show slight variations despite the fact that it is the same thing inside. It's 100% imitation of LEGO #75103. 

The original LEGO set will cost you $89.99 (RM374 direct conversion) or RM449.90 official price in Malaysia.  I got  this imitation at 22% of the price of the original LEGO. That is RM100 ($24) from local shop. You may get it from Aliexpress at $25 (without box) or $36 (with box). Ugh.. enough with numbers. I've worked with them 5 days a week from 8am to 5pm. haha. let's focus on the content, shall we?

The images on the box is the same as LEGO. Only "STAR WARS" label was changed to STAR WNRS. Different pieces count (LEPIN's 845 pcs vs LEGO 792 pcs) are also possible because of  extra weapons/parts that has been given. Forgive me because I will not count them one by one. It will take a long time if I want to do that. (^_^)"

They even change the word "LEGO" in this logo to their name ahaha. Please don't waste your time to google about it. I did and it doesn't exist.

This is how you will get them with the box:

14 bags of LEGO parts, 5 set of weapons still attached to the rack and an instructions booklet:

The box is huge (Dimensions: 33cm x 53.5cm x 5.5cm) but the actual weight (1.30 kg) is not much different from its volumetric weight (1.6kg).

..and the nightmare began. unless you like to live dangerously (please imagine austin power's meme) here. lol. I remembered there was instructions in LEGO booklet not to rip open all the bags and mix all the pieces together but with these knock off set, you have no choice but to pass this dangerous path. (^_^)"

Copy of same sticker as LEGO.

The easiest step: start with the minifigures ahaha

Here are some in progress pictures:

Assembled set:

Side, front and rear view of the transporter:

If viewed from the bottom side, you can see the technic mechanism where you can turn the gear to lower the ramp. Come with four transparent wheels to make it easy to hover the transporter back and forth.

Top section can be removed for easy access the interior:

Spacious bay for the troopers. You also may clipped a few weapons/accessories to the walls.

Standby..and action!

Parts where the sticker was applied:

You can send a minifigure bursting through a hatch to operate the top-mounted turret by twisting a piece on the side of the model.

Here's the pilot cabin with opening hatch.

You may slide the base in/out to fit the pilot.

Just like the original LEGO set, you will get one extra spring shooter dart and handful of stud for the ammo. Unfortunately one of the spring shooter can't hold the ammo :( but you can still manually launch them 3-4 meters ahead (^_^)".

Here's my 2nd -ve point on this set: LEPIN has made a mistake with these two types of parts. I received 5x 87087 but only 6x 6541 :(. This set should require only 1x 87087 and 8x 6541. 

source: bricklink

So i need to find extra 2x 6541 to fix one of the engine.

Weapons for the minifigures:

Minifigures in this set: LEGO Captain Phasma, 2x LEGO First Order Flametroopers, 2x LEGO First Order Stormtroopers and Male and Female LEGO Resistance Soldiers.

I personally think that the print on the torso is great but they have very bad hair piece for the female (it should be slicked back ponytail) and very ugly helmet for the troopers and Capt.Phasma :(. Need to import a few troopers from Doll's D120, OK 1047 or Dargo 867.

Conclusion: I am hugely impressed by this imitation, especially since it came from a newcomer. It was such a pleasure to build too.  There's no sharp edges on the parts and every pieces fit perfectly.  I repeat.. perfectly! It's been a while since I had a feeling like this.

This is how the transporter looks like after i left it with my kids to play. The transporter still intact, one piece! The top section is designed to be easy to open thus it is not to wonder.

The moving parts also smooth and precise, i have no problem pulling the gear to lower the ramp even after repeated and quite violent attempt (^_^)". I'm just grateful that the missing parts in this set is easy to find but i don't deny that I have little doubt that their other set will also face the same problem (missing pieces) like this. Now I know the advantages of LEPIN compared to other competitor is on the quality of the LEGO parts but they really need to improve on the minifigures to make them unbeatable.

[update on Feb 26th, 2016]
comparison of stormtrooper from all 4 brands. 

for reference: LEGO figure from Bricklink :p