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Dear Mid Wales Rozzers. Whilst out walking in mid-Wales, we witnessed this yobbo driving like an idiot. I shot this image at 1/8000th of a second at F2.8. From this you should have sufficient evidence to prosecute this Toyota Avensis driver. Kindest regards. Flytvr (Editor Of Volvo & Caraving Classics)

Just a little update Apologies for being absent for a while.. Booked in this morning for mot Another pass with two minor advisories. nearside rear tyre sidewall & offside wing mirror cracked but not obscuring view Mileage today, 123,954. Just over 4100 in the last 12 months. Happy days. Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

I was looking at doing that on the GS, remote controlled valve(s) to skip the mufflers. Never got round to in in the end unfortunately, I recon it would've sounded epic. There is an LS400 in the Bracknell area that sounds like it has no boxes on the exhaust, sounds lush (although my AMG exhaust note is pure filth straight out the box )

great work on the car so far Neil. There are a lot of folk that seem to take offense at beefing up the exhaust note on the V8 Lexus models, but I loved the burble on the custom exhaust I had on my GS430 Sport.

It is indeed very good. However, beware because you can do some permanent damage with it too. YouTube is a good source of knowledge about using it because almost anything you want to do with it will have been done and videoed by someone else

@Flytvr Yes power tools have various uses 😉 Big Rat

hey Wildpolish .... maybe just ask the Council for their insurers details and tell them that you will be dealing directly with them if they don't settle sensibly ...... then actually deal with the insurers directly .....maybe ask your car breakdown people to advise you, RAC, AA, GreenFlag whatever .......... you have little to lose and the Council might actually re-think their approach ! Malc

Some of you need to consider what your posting. If you ever have the misfortune to be involved in a bad accident, and it goes to court, they may well search your posting history and use it against you. To see what can happen, if you aren't already aware of this case, put ten pence short in to google, and read his musings from his prison cell.

What an excellent review and great pictures. Really enjoyed reading this. @dougie175 what is this 3is sound creator? I have the IS250 se-I and I'm looking to enhance the V6 sound more. I would be very interested in learning more about this.

As a supporter of the build thread, I thought I should contribute so here is a condensed look at some of the modifications inflicted on what was a standard 2006, smoky grey, face lift SC430. Even though it will be a shortened version, I will need to post it in installments. As a long time Soarer fanatic, I had been keen for some time to purchase an SC430 for a project. After a very long search, one eventually appeared. The bodywork was straight, service history great but the paintwork had clearly been neglected. There were many light surface scratches, the wheels had been curbed, the exhaust was rusty, etc, I was just what I had been looking for, though blue would have been nice. It's common to find the exhaust trims rusty, loose or missing. First tasks were to fit some spare exhaust trims (I had stored away for a GS430) and then get it thoroughly serviced. Plugs, oil, filters, cam-belt, water pump, pulleys, tensioner, etc. With a body kit on order I set about changing the head unit to an Alpine with a Beat-Sonic MVA13L interface/adapter from the US. I was aware that the harness needed to be modified to work in a European car and that no one else had done it or at least documented how to do it but why start with anything easy? It took a few hours to figure it all out but it wasn't too difficult to establish which wires needed to be altered. Removing the head unit is quite easy. Installing the double din unit into the door opening mechanism takes a little time to get right as some of the metal surround has to be cut back and made good to allow the door to move freely. Whilst I was playing with the head unit I also considered using an Ipad with an OBD interface to see what could be achieved. Here's a sample of some of the screens and gauges. I like them but finding a permanent way to display them would require more dash fab work than I was prepared to do. So order was returned to the centre console with the Alpine head unit hidden away. This is what it looks like at night. This is a later pic as the custom steering wheel has suddenly appeared. More on that later. Up next, the body kit and the exhaust. Delivery of the kit and removing the panels.

Just received my annual Which? Car Guide. Top of the reliability table is Dacia with the comment "Impressive reliability, both new and used. But then there is very little equipment to go wrong." Next is Honda followed by Lexus with the comment "Another stellar result from Lexus. Less than a third of owners of older models reported a fault, and costs are manageable.". My favourite though is Tesla at the bottom of the table. The comment reads "Battery and electrical issues are the most common faults, but with no 'engine' as such, other problems are infrequent." John

@Neil E No probs at all matey welcome anytime we're up the old RAF Kemble in August for a mini meet if you can make it, as an aside there is a isF engine for sale on the bay guy in London it's only done 300 miles apparently loads of other stuff with it, you could shoehorn it in yours. 😏 🐀

@Big Rat Thanks already searching through Lextreme. Yes I really need to catch up with the ISF team again and add a few more calories but I fear it will lead to another bout of 5 litre envy.

Dacia top of the list, really? My uncles derv Duster dumped it's oil twice, causing a seized engine that needed replacing

I'm afraid I haven't got an answer for you but surely, if you've only just got the car then just take it back to the dealer and let them sort it - it's not up to you to find a solution for them.

Mileage when i bought it & a milestone for me as it's the first time I've had a car clock 123456 in my possession Sent from my Pixel using Tapatalk

.... it concerns me about only having the one key, not just coz if you lose that one then you're totally scuppered BUT the likelihood of the car being a car finance snatchback or stolen and recovered ........ hence missing keys ! Just a thought Malc

@Flytvr They love you as well really 😁 🐀

@Neil E Thanx for the info glad I was able to help in some small way, as regards the isF coffee and cake club always remember 'If you can't beat them you are most welcome to join em ! ' Big Rat

good to get the update ....... I've just been exploring door mirror glass for my Honda Legend ( my Ls400 ones are ok ) and even tho it's not a stock item with kim@wingmirrorman.co.uk she will make a stick on mirror glass to fit ( to my template sent to her ) for £20 all-up ! I haven't explored Ls400 door mirror glass with her .... maybe it's a stock item But only if you're interested ! Malc

You can't program used keys and I think the price of a new key includes programming, so the dealer is the only option unfortunately.

Excellent, glad you found yourself a nice steed. I'm still looking into this Techstream malarky myself but as it's so cheap it's gotta be worth a punt.

Might have to take that one offline with you Lee, I've no idea what techstream is. im putting a deposit down today and the vendor is dropping the price a little too so hopefully everyone is happy!

If the car is worth it, then missing a spare key isn't the end of the world. As you say, the vendor should be giving you some wiggle room on the price. Can't you recode a new key/fob via Techstream (£20)?

Lexus Bristol. I love them I do. I will soon be documenting their excellent service

@Big Rat Oh very interesting. Thanks for that, yes I thought I knew all about Lextreme from the early days (V8 Soarers) but it looks as though I may need to catch up on where they are now. I used to be on the Australia Soarer site too, most of the really good stuff came from there and we copied them. Discs from OZ - Disc Brakes Australia http://www.dba.com.au/ As for the build thread, this is the shortened version. If you really can't sleep there are 33 pages elsewhere. @dougie175 thanks Robb. If you can get them supplied and fitted at reasonable cost, equal length scavenging headers are a good way to increase power. In my case it wasn't cheap and I can't stress enough that Dyno results are only really useful when you can compare before and after with the same machine and similar conditions. I'm well aware that often it's all a matter of smoke and mirrors and how the Dyno is set up. It would be interesting to see what a standard car in good order would measure on the same machine at the same time. If it read 279 (or 282 for the earlier model) then that would provide some evidence of accuracy in line with how Lexus recorded the power output. IF it really has increased from 279 to 307 at the flywheel then I would say that's a pretty good result and perhaps a shade more than I expected. The Dyno tester (another Sean) said with better fuelling at the top end it would easily make 10 more. Those 28 bhp probably cost £100 each in parts, labour, shipping, overnight accommodation, etc so it wasn't good value but I did it for the challenge, not for the track times, I said before.... 307 isn't going to keep up with ISF coffee and cake club.

I have a modified car policy through Adrian Flux so no issues with declaring modifications. To be honest my insurance is cheaper with AF declaring mods than the standard car was with general insurance companies.

Found this very informative article regarding the updates the isF had to its steering and suspension for 2011 onwards. It was far more detailed than I realised with many changes and revisions made, lots of pictures explaining it all in detail. https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/track-tests/2011-lexus-is-f-suspension-walkaround.html Big Rat

@Flytvr And I thought you loved me, now you've dobbed me into the bizzies, what am I to think now. I was just choosing your Christmas card with Simon from Lexus Bristol............ 😂 Big Rat

I got one off this chap. Spot on for the price.

This is true. BUT, you like both AND power tools - respect!

Had my 400h for 3 weeks now and well happy with it. Averaging 32 mpg according to the dash, but will check the accuracy as I go. Had a new auxiliary battery fitted as a matter of course as it was still working but a little weak. Bought a new key off ebay as the spare one was taped up. Bought an isoft TYT 2, just in case. I always like to have a decent diagnostic tool which is dedicated to the vehicle and this one seems good for the price. Gave the car a rub over with a clay bar, machine polished the odd scratch out, then polished and waxed it, being black it has come out really well for a ten year old car. The wheels are still ok, with a small amount of corrosion, and the spare is an alloy too although in bad condition. Going to need rear tyres soon, but holding out and then buy 4 new ones, probably Michelin which is my preferred tyre. Will eventually stick an iphone adapter into the head unit, and the nav screen needs a new digitiser as the centre area is no good for selecting destinations. Bought a new nav disc off ebay and that is in now too. Got it MOT'd last week and no advisories. Full Lexus history to date although that will now end. Interested to see the service history on my Lexus, new alloys at 2 year old and a new gearbox at 39K. It now has 84k on it. Timing belt, water pump and idler done 500 miles ago together with front discs and a calliper. Inverter check complete too. On the hunt for a rear load cover which is missing. I have replaced the rear wiper and arm which was cheap as chips and a few of the engine and battery cover clips. Its amazing what things people don't bother getting fixed when they are so cheap to do. One thing puzzling me on the vehicle customisation is this TACHOGRAPH WARNING S GBNGA-2J241 (2)

Blimey, I'm amazed the dealer supplied you with the latest satnav DVD. Quite a result, well done Oh dear, the detailing bug is a slippery slope pal. Be carefull...

@Flytvr Well it's simple you like to indulge in cake we like tech 😂 🐀

Hi Lockeyboy. Back in 20015 when I bought my 2008 facelift 450h SE I only had one key, couldnt believe how someone could lose such a thing. I went to the local Lexus dealer in Norwich who were very helpful and I purchased a Key and transmitter which came to a total of £237.88 including VAT. That did have a 15% owners club discount on. If its any help the part numbers were L69515-50240-84 - Key cut £33.61 +vat L89904-50C40 - Transmitter £199.60 +vat So without discount it would have been £279.85 Not sure as mines the facelift if that makes much difference but hope that helps you decide or barter. Good luck

If you lose the only key, it costs thousands to sort it. Insist on a spare key or make your offer reflect that you're going to have to spend up to £500 to replace it. I didn't know my 2008 had one key until the deal was done and dusted because I never thought to ask. Living with one key is a nightmare.

I'll add two more words. WHY BOTHER? 😎❤️

Good news. The Lexus dealer finally came through with the updated navigation disc. Installing it was about as complicated as breathing though I haven't had the chance to drive the car since. It will be refreshing to drive on 'new' roads without the nav thinking I'm doing 70 mph over open farmland. I'm also going to test the entering addresses on the move thing. I've also spent a small fortune on (and I shudder to use this term) detailing products to keep the car looking snazzy. The next thing to do is to buy some liquid leather stuff to tackle the very slight discolouration on the driver's door grab. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well Council says is not a responsible party.... Ended up with £300 bill. Two legs and new battery as the old one was knackered. Have no idea what caused the problem but the car after two days started to be fully responsive. All the issues disappeared. We done so much is hard to say wat was the cause. Im very disappointed with council reply. Good that all works as it should. Sent from my FRD-L09 using Tapatalk

Cheers @dougie175 👍I'll have a good read through.

Ask the Seller to pay for the new key Mark .If he won`t, then walk away. Regards John

@Rusty Crobar Dispite what I said about costs and so on I think rebushing is another matter and is of real benifit whether for just road use or track as well. When my 996 Turbo was uprated to GT2 power/Torque had the whole car rebushed as well - shocks had been done as well - it made a massive difference. So my front tyres are 2.5 years old from the documentation, Bridgestones and as I've mentioned before they have worn evenly across their full width for 19000 miles- until the last week or so saw 400 Mile trip last week and yes you've guessed it the dreaded wear on the inside shoulders. So the Lexus OEM Ones with the harder compound and camber adjustment are on the cards. Big Rat

@Neil E Only just discovered this great work and shall look at in in more detail. Ive skimmed through quickly and can I ask what are they and where you got the discs from in Aus. Secondly if it helps reading through where you'd like to up the engine power but where to get different cams I believe this outfit in Sout Africa do different cams and as you can see they know a thing or two about Lexus V8's. http://www.lexusv8.co.za/ I guess this is where you say I know all about them 😂 Big Rat

Just gets better and better this project! Great gains from the headers, I would be interested myself but just cant justify the cost to be honest

Great looking car. I had one but it had the small 2 litre engine and although it was very reliable it did need a bigger engine. I had it convcerted to LPG and I did 150K in it I bought it with 75K on the clock. I sold it to a friend and its past 300K now and still going strong on the same engine and auto gearbox. If I couldnt buy the Lexus I wanted I would have no problem getting another one of those but with the 3 litre engine.

Well, Volvo raced estates in the BTCC so this is fine in my book. Lovely looking motor that John. From the days when Merc build quality was sky high too

They are like gold dust. I've been looking for one and they are rare on eBay. I messaged Lexus Birmingham and can you believe that for a new one they quoted £900!!!!!! I'm not joking probably 60% of the cars I viewed didn't have one either.

Only had my RX for 3 months or so, 4 month itch to come maybe ? When I collected it, I called Mrs Ledzep on the way home and she asked about it...."Like driving an armchair" I said ! I'm still enjoying that experience. My daughter has a Fiesta Mountune ST, it's like a rocket and a seat of the pants drive.....great fun but couldn't live with it for my daily drive. Leaving South Wales tomorrow for a trip up north. Chester, Kendal, Glasgow, Stirling, Edinburgh, York, Leamington Spa then home. Rather be in my armchair than the ST !

good luck with sorting it ..... those darned potholes have a lot to answer for, sounds like you just nudged a bad earth connector or something quite insignificantly significant maybe Malc