Peter P18

The wheels shown are the facelift version I believe? Came on post 2010 models. 2008 with the mileage you suggest range between £18-22K. You should get most of it back in a years time I'd imagine. Cheapest non-accident cars are still £16-17K. Facelift also have DRL's (daytime running lights), and the white leather interior. Main gains are the mechanical diff, and softer suspension. I don't find the ride on my 2008 model that bad though? May be changing to KW V3 coilovers at some point. These seem to be the favourite choice over in the US. You could also fit a Quaife LSD I would imagine? Would make it almost identical to the facelift for less money? Just a thought. :) Let us know if you have any other questions fella. Cheers. Peter

Private road! ;) No harm in that! :)

It's on my ever increasing list!!! ;) Lol. Be good to see Stu's to make sure it's what I'm after. :)

Where are you based Rob? Guessing from the location it's not local? I'm determined to see a red one at some point! ;) Here's hoping the week flys past for you fella! :) Cheers. Peter

Post 2010 model if it had the white leather. Only on the facelift models. Look forward to the next meet. :)

Nice photos Sim! ;) That's my new background for my work PC sorted! :)

Great to meet you today guys. :) 4 ISF's together was very cool to see! ;) Think it says something when the ISF was the majority at the meet! ;) Fingers crossed we get a bigger turnout at the next one! At least we all know where we are meeting from now on! ;) Hope everyone gets home safe. :) Cheers. Peter

Welcome Rob! :) Very nice mate! ;) Do like these in red, very rare it would seem. Look forward to seeing some more photos once you've got it. The wait is a killer! ;) I'm sure you'll love it fella. Awesome cars. Cheers. Peter :)

Stu. If your reg is GK58 NFN, im parked in front of you! ;)

Yikes! ;) And you were moaning at how much I had planned for mine! Lol. Where are you getting your paintwork done Stu? Only I need someone to address the few bad bits on mine at some point? I'll show you what I mean when we are at Bluewater. Be interested in seeing the rear tints as well when they are done. :)

Well done Stu. :) I know they may charge a bit more than Toyota, but I've been very pleased with the service from Woodford so far. When are you taking it in? Next week? I don't think your issues are going to be as severe as Roheel's fella. Take it Toyota did the four wheel laser alignment check? I still think it could be a simple tracking adjustment.

Good stuff mate. :) That's hopefully 3 ISF's attending then. Doubt anyone has probably seen that many in one place before! ;) I know I haven't! Looking forward to it.

Doesn't surprise me Stu. ;) I think sometimes Toyota can overstep the mark on what they can and can't do! I'm sure Lexus Woodford will be able to remedy this for you. Appreciate it's a bit further out of your way (will be for me as well), but at least they have the right equipment and software to work on these special cars. Let us know how you get on mate. Guessing it won't be done before the Bluewater meet on Sunday?? I'm planning to make an appearance for a bit with the wife. Want to see how that exhaust sounds! ;) Fitted my Takeda on Saturday by the way. Not sure on how much difference it makes overall (been too wet! Lol), but does add a nice touch to the soundtrack! :) See you Sunday. Cheers. Pete :)

I was fortunate enough to get an invite to test drive one back when they were launched in 2008. :) Must admit I'd driven lots of other cars since, so had a pleasant surprise when I got mine (easy to forget how rapid, smooth, and refined these cars are). The ride wasn't as stiff as I expected it to be in fairness. That hopefully won't change too much when I fit the KW coilovers at some stage in the near future. You should come to the Bluewater meet on Sunday morning Andrew. ;) Be a nice change from the London driving you do! :) The A2 is normally good at the weekend (not too much traffic), but just need to remember there are a few speed cameras along the way! ;) The bit between Gravesend and Bluewater is a nice stretch to exercise some careful right foot down action!! :) I think the only things I would say didn't meet expectation, were the dull interior (the RCF highlights what a £50K+ should look like), fake exhaust tips, and the rear screen de-mister (mine seems to take a long time to clear??). I'm not a fan of the silver carbon look trim either I'm afraid! :( Do think Lexus should have used the real thing (or something totally different). The M3 and the AMG both have proper carbon fibre parts, and real exhausts! ;) I'm very pleased with it in every other way though. :) I'll address all of the other things as and when money and time allow.

Hey Stu, My money would be on it being a tracking issue. Probably one of the many potholes that are showing up all over the place! :( I think a lot of the repairs have been washed out by all the rain, so hopefully it's just a minor adjustment needed. Let us know on Friday mate. Peter :)

I'm hoping the ceramic pads will improve that bite somewhat. Having a full set will make a difference over just the fronts as well. As Tango has pointed out, the main improvement should be less brake dust than the OEM pads. I'll probably trial a few different setups before settling on something permanently (the Porterfield R4S's are very good. Had them on my Supra for a few years). I may try some different discs as well. :)

Hey Guys, Very pleased to announce Hawk will be selling rear brake pads for the ISF in the next few weeks, to match up with their fronts. :) I was curious to find they only had front pads listed on their website, so dropped them an email asking about the rears. Within 24 hours (remember they are US based), I had a reply from Todd Romano (Managing Director) asking for a PDS if they didn't have rear pads from their development team. The rears will be available in 4 different compounds to match the fronts. I will be ordering a full set of the Hawk Performance Ceramics for mine when they need changing, and will let you all know how I get on. The US forums were very impressed with the front pads, so hopefully the rears will be just as good. :) I'll post the part numbers up when I get them, and members can also order them from Garage Whifbitz (my tuner) if they want (Paul will add them to the ISF section of the website when they are released). Nice to see a company not only listening to their customers, but taking action to provide what we need. Thanks. Peter :)

I had an email from Christian yesterday, advising they are now based in Epsom. Not sure if that makes much difference to me personally (think it was roughly an hour from where I live to the old place, so not much difference), but may help other members who are considering having some work done? Christian is very dedicated to his work as Tango has pointed out. He did loads of Supra's a while back, and every single owner was really pleased with the end result. :) Not surprised to hear he travelled to your home to fix the bonnet. Have read lots of posts from happy customers across various forums.

Sounds about right compared with mine Stu. :)

Given anyone looking at one of these rare cars should understand Toyota and Lexus are affectively one and the same, I don't think it should detract from the resale value Stu. I'd also question how much more depreciation these cars will take before they bottom out? With current prices around £16-20K for early cars, that's already a depreciation hit of £30K+ from the original cost! If as I predict these cars continue to attract the right type of buyer, your cars condition, mileage and complete service history will be just as valuable if you have Toyota stamps as opposed to Lexus ones. If we were discussing Independent Specialists (which thankfully we aren't!), it would be a different story. My thoughts are to approach Lexus Woodford though Stu. They've been pretty accommodating so far to both of us, so maybe they can do better on their service quote?

I think it's a sound investment personally. Not something you should need to do more than once or twice a year, but gives you a better base to keep on top of things in-between details. The documented step by step process is one of my favourite things about ITD. Not many detailers that will document and photograph the entire process and tell you what products they used so you can get the same ones to keep it looking top notch. I'll be getting mine done in the Summer for sure. :)

Tough one Stu. :) I'd personally be looking to get a reduction on the cost from Lexus Woodford (may well do as you and I have the same service coming up!). If the parts and labour are identical, what justification can Lexus offer for charging an additional £230?! As John has mentioned, the technicians are more than likely sent on the same training courses, use the same databases and tools etc, so what are you paying for? If it's just a Lexus stamp as opposed to a Toyota stamp, I'd be inclined to go with Toyota. If the cost difference was negligible (say up to £80), I'd get Woodford to do it. You're not the first person to say Lexus thought you needed new brake pads, when others have said they are fine either. :( It's more difficult for you with your warranty, but if that isn't a problem with using Toyota, then give it a go. Let us know what you decide regardless mate. Peter :)

Hey Stu, Christian charges £575 for Stage 2 correction, and £400 for Stage 1. http://www.invisibletouchdetailing.co.uk/index.html It's all on his website. Really top detailer. Highly recommend him. :)

Chap that goes by the name Tango according to the thread? I do know Christian at ITD though that did the correction on it. He's on the mkiv supra owners club forum (think he still has a supra). Many a lunch hour was spent studying the products and techniques he uses! ;) The guy is a real artist. May have mine done in the summer. :)

Hi Gareth, Thanks for your reply. Will drop you a PM fella. ;)