Buy the RC version if you want to drive the finished model, and the non RC version if it will sit on a shelf. The BAV Brick RC vs non RC version gap came to $20.60 on the two sets checked in October 2026, so the real question is how often you will use the remote.
BAV Brick RC vs non RC version: what actually changes?
The RC version adds powered drive and steering operated from a remote, while the non RC version is a static build you move by hand.
When choosing the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version, BAV’s listings describe the powered option through what it does. According to BAV Brick’s Mazda 787B page, the set offers remote-controlled drive and steering. Its Corvette C8 page lists remote-controlled drive, steering, and adjustable suspension.
One caution before you compare the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version: each listing shows a single feature list for both options. The product page does not spell out which powered functions the non RC option leaves out, so ask BAV support if a specific function, such as the suspension, decides the purchase for you.
How much more does the RC version cost?
On the two sets checked, the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version price difference is $20.60.
| Set | Non RC | RC | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mazda 787B (1:10) | $185.39 | $205.99 | $20.60 |
| Corvette C8 (1:8) | $226.59 | $247.19 | $20.60 |
| Ferrari 499P (1:8) | $247.19 | Not listed | LED kit adds $10.30 |
According to BAV Brick’s product pages, checked on October 11, 2026, both gaps came to exactly $20.60 even though the sets differ in scale, piece count, and factory. The Mazda 787B and Corvette C8 pages also show crossed-out list prices, so totals can move when a promotion starts or ends. Only two sets were compared in full, so do not assume the same gap on every model.
For context, TrackBricks, a brick car retailer, suggests that the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version gap is on the smaller side. It says in its 2026 RC guide that RC versions of its own models typically cost 40 to 60 euros more than standard ones. That is a different catalog from a seller of both versions, so treat it as market context rather than proof.
Whether $20.60 is small depends on the base price. It is about 11% of the Mazda 787B’s non RC price and about 9% of the Corvette C8’s.
Watch the preselected option at checkout to ensure you get the right BAV Brick RC vs non RC version. At the time of checking, the Corvette C8 page opened with Remote Controlled selected at $247.19, while the Mazda 787B page opened with Non-Remote Controlled selected at $185.39. Confirm the version in your cart before paying.
Is the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version worth the upgrade?
The RC version is worth the extra money only if you will use the powered functions on the finished car.
It tends to suit you if:
- you want to drive, film, or demonstrate the car rather than only look at it
- you have clear floor space for a model roughly 50 to 58 cm long (about 20 to 23 inches), based on BAV’s listed dimensions for the Mazda 787B and Corvette C8
- you are comfortable with a battery and remote as part of owning it, since BAV’s upgrade kit lists a lithium battery and a remote control
The non RC version tends to suit you if:
- the model will live in a display case or on a shelf
- you would rather spend the difference on a display extra or another set
- you would rather not look after a lithium battery and remote
Worth also depends on the set itself. On the Ferrari 499P, the version menu lists no RC option at all, so there is nothing to weigh there.
Is the BAV Brick LED kit worth it instead of RC?
The LED kit is the cheaper add-on, at $10.30 on the Ferrari 499P, and it suits display builds where motion does not matter.
According to BAV Brick’s Ferrari 499P page, checked on October 11, 2026, the non RC version costs $247.19 and the non RC version with the LED kit costs $257.49. The Michelin Le Mans printed tire option adds $16.48 separately, which brings the LED and printed tire combination to $273.97.
The listing does not detail which lights the kit adds. It does describe switchable sidepod lights built from light bricks with an on/off switch, so study the photos to see what the extra $10.30 covers.
The choice is not always separate. The Lamborghini Veneno listing’s version menu shows two options, Non-Remote Controlled and Remote Controlled + LED Kit, so the LEDs come bundled with RC on that set. Check each set’s menu before assuming you can pick one add-on alone.
Can you add remote control after building the static version?
For 1:14 cars you can, because BAV sells a separate power upgrade kit, but the listings checked do not confirm a retrofit for other scales.
According to BAV Brick’s 1:14 car-specific power upgrade kit page, checked on October 11, 2026, prices run from $31.92 to $41.19 depending on the motor combination. The cheapest option includes a lithium battery, a remote control, an M motor, and a servo motor. The top option includes a pair of L pro motors and a servo motor pro.
BAV notes that regular and pro motors are the same size, with the pro motors giving more power and speed. It also asks buyers to check the required motor model in their assembly manual before ordering.
The kit’s starting price is above the $20.60 bundled gap, but the two are not like for like products, which is a rough signal rather than a verdict on the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version. Choosing at checkout should also spare you the motor matching step. If you plan to build static and upgrade later, ask BAV whether a compatible kit exists for that exact set before you start.
What protection do you get if the electronics fail?
According to BAV Brick’s FAQ, all electronic components carry a one year warranty, and returns are accepted for 30 days after the order date or 7 days after delivery, whichever comes last.
BAV also says its electronics are tested at the factory and that it will send replacements if something goes wrong. More powered parts means more components that might one day need that warranty, which is a small point in favor of the static model when deciding on the BAV Brick RC vs non RC version.
The FAQ does not say whether a built model can be returned, and BAV has a separate refund policy page that was not reviewed for this guide. If you plan to lean on the return window, read that page or ask support before you start building.
Independent hands-on reports of BAV’s RC speed, range, and battery life did not turn up while researching this guide, so those specs are not rated here. BAV states that its Mazda 787B is manufactured by CaDA and its Corvette C8 by GULY before BAV customizes them, which gives you names to search for platform level reviews.
If you already picture the car crossing a floor, take the RC option and treat the $20.60 gap seen on the checked sets as the small part of the purchase. If the model is headed for a shelf, take the non RC version, look at the listing photos before paying for the LED kit, and keep the difference.
Whichever BAV Brick RC vs non RC version you choose, open the exact set’s version menu first, because options differ from set to set and the preselected choice is not always the one you want. When you are ready to order, check Smart Cart Codes for a current BAV Brick code and confirm it at checkout, or join BAV’s VIP email list, which the store says carries offers and discounts. As with most stores, plan on one code per order.
Long has spent 7+ years running Google and Meta ad campaigns for e-commerce brands, which means he's watched thousands of shoppers abandon carts over a coupon field that wouldn't accept anything. He built SmartCartCodes to fix that. Every code listed here is checked against the merchant's live checkout before it's published, and anything that stops working gets pulled — not buried. He works directly with brands and affiliate networks across the US, UK, and EU.