Couple buy a Chinese mini excavator and fear it might be 'the biggest mistake ever' after unboxing it
Published on Jul 01, 2026 at 3:58 AM (UTC+4)
by Ben Thompson
Last updated on Jul 01, 2026 at 3:58 AM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Mason Jones
This couple purchased a Chinese mini excavator, hoping it would help them with their French Chateau project, but they were soon worrying it might be the ‘biggest mistake ever’.
When you’re taking on a big restoration project, you need all the help you can get.
Renting an excavator and hiring an operator would be costly, so they decided to take a gamble and buy one themselves from China.
But would buyers remorse be just around the corner?
Why buying a Chinese mini excavator proved to be a headache for this couple
On their aptly named channel How To Renovate A Chateau, Anna and Philipp are working hard on transforming an abandoned chateau in France.
That comes with a series of challenges along the way, as you might expect with such an ambitious undertaking.
This time around, the pair had shipped in a Chinese mini excavator, hoping it would help out with digging trenches and other big jobs.
It took seven months to arrive, but it had finally landed in France.
“I’m so looking forward to see whether I made an amazing deal or if I lost a lot of money,” Philipp remarked.
One problem immediately presented itself to them – there were no roof assembly instructions and the screws included weren’t the right size.
Fear not, alternative screws were sourced from a local shop, so crisis averted.
Could things get better from this point onwards?
Fortunately for the couple, things improved from this shaky start.
Having paid extra to upgrade the engine to a Kubota Z482 diesel engine rather than the loud petrol engine that came as standard, they found the engine installation neat and accessible.
And after a shaky start with the first operation – in which a camera was nearly knocked over by the excavator arm – the couple successfully dug their first trench.
“It’s sort of a trench, but I think it’s not so bad for a very first time using a digger,” Philipp said.
“Of course, it’s a steep learning curve, but I can tell already the machine feels very stable.”
So all in all, they were happy with their purchase, despite a few bumps along the way.
Reflecting on the purchase, Philipp had no regrets about it.
“Compared to more expensive brands, the core is well built and the mechanics and hydraulics [are] sturdy,” he told Supercar Blondie.
“Operational noise level is very acceptable. It’s powerful. Has the features I wanted and expected.
“I am a beginner with excavators though so I need to practice a lot.
“In the last weeks it has already proven to be super useful with all the small and medium size jobs in the Garden and the building sites.
“With the hire prices of mini excavators here in France (especially with transport to our place) this will pay itself back in no time.”
There’s plenty of YouTubers who’ve taken a risk on buying something from China
Plenty of things have been shipped over to the west in recent years for the benefit of YouTubers.
There’s been a whole range of products unboxed on the internet, from imitation BMW X5s to $2,000 electric trucks.
And lest we forget, boats from Alibaba have also been shipped westwards too.
There’s no shortage of amazing stuff you can find on the internet.
Ben joined Supercar Blondie in February 2025 after being published by international organizations including LADbible, The Sun, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail. He covers supercars, rare and collectible vehicles, aviation, luxury assets, and the fascinating people behind them. His reporting has explored everything from seven-figure supercars and historic Ferrari collections to unusual aircraft adventures and extraordinary automotive discoveries from around the world. Ben has also gained first-hand insight into vehicle craftsmanship and customization, including visiting specialist workshops to see bespoke vehicles up close.
