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Potential New Owner - Few Questions


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Hi

Currently have a S5 sportback but am considering a change to a ISF before something goes wrong with it and have a few questions

Gearbox - When in manual mode does the gearbox still kick down if you stamp on the loud pedal? STronic does this and it drives me nuts, it will do even more when I want to listen to the engine through the rev range as I would in the ISF. If it does have this 'feature' can it be mapped out by a specialist?

MPG - I know I know sorry but I currently get 23mpg which equates to about 280 miles before tank (also 65 litre) so I am just wondering if people are getting about the same, everything I read says it should be.

Servicing - How does the servicing work (interim / major etc) and is there any major ones to watch out for? Assume its chain driven?

Arches - Not driven or seen one in the flesh yet (tried to on sunday but the private dealer wasnt open sundays wtf) are the rear arches flared or is it just the fronts with the fenders?

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Hi and welcome to the club.

Gearbox doesn't kick down in manual, certainly not in sport mode anyway.

I'm getting 280 miles or of a tank no problem, indicates around 23mpg also.

Servicing isn't bad, no big issues other than water pump weeping.  I believe spark plug change is awkward but that's not the end of the world.

Rear arches have a slight flare. Really need to go see one as they have real presence in the flesh, something not appreciated with photos.

Hope this helps

Marcus

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Thanks Marcus

How often do the spark plugs need changing?

Are there many specialists who work on these cars or does everyone tend to go main dealer? As a rule I would usually use a specialist.

Regarding the rear arches, I was meaning more flared than the normal IS models, like the M3 and C63 with a bespoke shell. Its something I need to tick off the ownership list at some point!

What are peoples thoughts on the diff for fast road driving? I wont track the car and although I have had high powered cars before they have always been AWD so I will certainly be taking it easy to start with. Is this necessary for my enjoyment of the car on the road? I wont be power sliding it around bends.

One other I read a review of the RCF which stated the end of 3rd gear is north of 90mph is that the case with the ISF?

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Spark plugs every 60k

You get the LSD diff after 2009 but to be honest unless your tracking the car you won't feel any difference on the road. They only fitted it for marketing as everyone else had one and road testers slated it for not having one even though its not needed.

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I’ve tracked mine (a 2008 with the electronic diff, not the mechanical LSD) on a wet Silverstone and never once did it feel like I was missing out...

3rd gear will see roughly 100mph, with wheelspin north of 90mph if you hit any paint on the tarmac (again, on a wet track). It’s a lively car if you provoke it, but still gives the full Lexus experience if required. In the dry, there’s ample grip.

In manual mode, the gearbox will hold a gear down to about 1500rpm, then change down to prevent stalling. It’ll also hold the gear up to the red line and sit banging off the limiter at the top end if you want. It’s as close to a manual as you can get with an auto. It’s really very good.

I have my car serviced by the main dealer on a service plan (about £32/month via DD). I can’t find a specialist nearby on the South Coast, but I’ve been so happy with the main dealer, I’ve not bothered looking too hard. 

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@mrfunex Good post Stuart reading that makes me want to go out and buy mine all over again !

Had a play with mine this afternoon up and down Cheddar Gorge and over the Mendip Hills on a route I know well, I always drive mine in sport have done since I bought it, I concur it really is a great gearbox 👍

Big Rat

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@Warrington guy @Flytvr

So I had to go and quote for this job 🤥 On a nice bit of road the van was tired🤥 and the 'F' said how come I don't get taken to work like @Flytvr 'F' 

No probs you can come the customer had to go out🤥 Blah blah.............

Big Rat

 

 
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Hi and Welcome!

Think everybody has covered off most of your questions, but in terms of the handling, these are very competent even in the wet. I came from Supra’s, which are great in the dry, but very tail happy in the wet! Not the IS-F. Been on some very wet roads, but never felt scared of the grip etc. You can drive these very calmly, but flick to manual mode, and apply sport button when you want to have lots of fun! :thumbup1:

Mechanically these are bulletproof, but make sure it’s had all the servicing it should. Should be every 10k or per annum, so an 08 example should have 8/9 services. 

Not sure where you’re based, but SRD in West Sussex are getting very familiar with these now, so servicing shouldn’t be an issue.

Highly recommend the USRS kit from RR-Racing, just tightens up the front end and gives a more solid feel.

Best of luck, and let us know if you have any more questions. Happy to help.

Cheers.

 

Pete :smile:

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tech one in sidcup are a brilliant specialist and changed my sparkies recently as one had cracked.  plus the mass air flow filter which was on the way out,  and two new hid headlights and fixed a bent air intake pipe, for £700or so.  Hate to think what a main dealer would have charged.  I still use a main dealer for the official service though.

it doesn't kick down in manual mode, and you DO have an LSD on all isf.  Just early ones like mine is torque hectoring - ie it brakes the inside wheel.  Works fine on both road and track...

 

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I just looked it up and there appears to be no MAF sensor on the IS-F, therefore i assume it uses a speed density system for measuring air and their will be a MAP sensor somewhere, which doesn't normally have a separate filter, but could possibly. 

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Thanks fellas, looked to be going off topic there but you managed to bring it back :) I have been members of smaller forums before so I know what its like!

I am keen does anyone know anything about the silver one for sale on autotrader at the mo for £15k? I was looking for a facelift initially but price seems good and the condition and history are spot on. Is the owner on here by any chance?

Had a slight setback in that I had an offer on my car from a private dealer 3 months and 2k miles ago which has somehow reduced by £2000 in that time, so might have to sell private which is a pain at this price point as not many people buy cash and I dont exactly offer PCP!

No one got an answer on the rear arches being flared or not?

I'm in the northwest by the way

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1 hour ago, Warrington guy said:

C.B I’m northwest . Warrington if you know it . If you want to have a look at mine you more than welcome. It might tie up a few questions your asking 

BUT be well aware that the white beauty is probably the nicest F out there!!!! Once seen, you’ll be hooked!

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