Friend of mine started up their 2003 RX300 yesterday after parking for a short time in a shopping centre - massive bang when starting and they limped home. Turns out someone had sawn off the cat to get the platinum - apparently Lexus tunbridge wells said they are seeing this more and more as the RX is so high it is easy to get at the cat. Because it's willfull damage it's an insurance not warranty claim so could push up insurance on the RX if it wasn't bad enough with all the taxes already. Dangerous too.

Thought I'd let everyone know.

Who did you speak to at T/Wells?

I think it might have been Andrew they said.

Read in my local paper that manhole covers are been stolen as well- stolen then weighed in for scrap.

Andrew Lynch, yeah he's the head honcho in the Service department. Damn.... what next?!!

Copper cabling, manhole covers - they've always been thieving gypsy *&% favourties.

Don't get me started on this...

No... "go for it", i'm sure everyone reading will agree with you.

This was recently circulated through my company from our vehicle security engineer

We have been informed by the police that Catalytic Convertors are being stolen from 4X4's, Light Commercial vehicle (Transit type vehicles) and Heavy Goods Vehicles (Big Trucks) parked on the public highway and private drive ways . The Catalytic Convertors are being sawn from the exhaust system.

If you do see any suspicious activity do not confront them but contact the security desk or police directly.


So it is not just Lexus thankfully.....any high riding vehicle now appears to be fair game to these thieving gits!

Best regards David

ps.....keep'm'peeled

I suppose one way round it would be to have the gangster type of suspension fitted so every time you parks your blinging RX, you slam dunk it to the deck. Fresh outa Compton BOYYYYYYY.

Sorry, I've got no idea what came over me then.

I also heard somewhere that this was quite common in the States with the amount of SUV's out there. There can't really be a quiet way to cut a catalytic converter out but would you really want to approach the pykee scumbag who is doing it?

They are welcome to my cats as I believe the LS has three of them. Thank the lord for protected no claims.

Our Neighbourhood Watch leaflet said they are using pipe cutters to avoid making any noise; so annoying as the amount of money they will get is such a tiny % of the cost of replacing.