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A couple of dry laps on a very challenging weekend (so far) at the Nurburgring in case anyone is interested. 1st proper run out of the Brembo pads rather than yellow stuff pads and can safely say I will be putting the yellow stuff ones back on for future trips. They aren't as capable in coping with hot/cold temp transition as well as the yellowstuffs. The Conti Sport 6's did very well yet again. I increased the tyre pressures this year compared to last year and they didn't appear to overheat as much. I will post the wet lap later. Safe to say it's the 1st and last wet lap I will do on the Ring as I just wanted to say I did it. Wasn't fun. Needless to say Normal mode and all the safety gear stayed on for that one... :-)

Filled up this morning. 4 laps later ;-)

Lap 9 of weekend. 8:31 Bridge to Gantry. Pleased as punch.

Most enjoyable Lee, ah yes fuel consumption track play empties the tank like the sweep of a second hand on a watch, mind you are cars have a tank the size of a thimble 😉 Havent been to the ring for some years, but it really is a most enjoyable experience though somewhat crowded nowadays with a mix of vehicles and abilities that are fraught with dangers when people's bag of talent runs out 😏 So my best time was in a modified Porsche 911 Gt3 with slick/track tyres in the dry came in at 7.47.47 Cant see the appeal of it in the wet guess I'm getting old now 😂 🐀

Won't let that happen, back now Mrs Rat scolded me for doing to much lately, so here I am relaxing....irritating.......annoying 😂 🐀

A short story......some on here will have heard some of it....if so I apologise. I joined this site back in 2005 I think it was....I had just bought a 120.000 mile LS400 Mk3. I did another 84.000 miles of the BEST motoring in my 35 years of driving.....That Car was simply Amazing.... I did all my own maintainance on that car and it was a pleasure to work on too.....so well put together....that it also comes apart beautifully too. Anyway....I was a bit worried that it really needed a full Respray as it was getting some rust around the arches and windscreen....though long and hard about the cost.... and made the decision to buy a nearly new LS460....and I gave my friend the 400 as he needed a car at the time. I tried so very hard for approx 18 months to Love that 460....and I have said on here before as to how disappointed I was with it....I was just not enjoying it at all. So I went and traded it for a 1 year old Touareg V8 Diesel...... the VW was a nightmare.....great to drive but at the dealers over and over with problems....mostly electrical causing Limp Mode..... So sold that ....as I just could not trust it to get me anywhere....I was using my wife's MX5 to make sure I got to appointments...even the RAC men were getting sick of it. Well....here I am where I started....with lots of lessons learned... and thousands poorer to learn those lessons....looking again for the Best Car in the World. I have been a Fool...and when I find a good one....I will keep it for as long as I can keep it running....and if it needs a 5 grand paint job...it will get it ....Believe Me !.

well there we are then ... 2435 miles done and averaging 29.5 mpg and that's taken at the 1550 miles mark .......... M'way and those dogged single track west coast roads and all over Scotland and back to Kent Fantastic journey, Lexus was and continues to be BRILLIANT ......................................... Definitely far more visitors on the roads in Scotland than 5 years ago and some pressure to find last minute accommodation ............. and I was remembering my first same trip about 30 years ago and I think then I was about the only tourist doing the self same trip. All the simple cafes have turned into gastropubs and bistros and searching for something ordinary and simple to eat was a big big challenge Brilliant brilliant trip and next time we go i guess it will be pre-booked accommodation and sadly that will take much of the adventure out of it ... and of course the volume of other tourists might just end up spoiling the whole event anyway. So many German and Dutch visitors particularly ...... and not another Ls400 and definitely the oldest car in the whole of the kingdom Malc

Not done today, but recently. Fitted my front new front wheels :)

We bought our RX300 (an '05 plate) last year with 79k on the clock and one of the first jobs was to get my trusted mechanic to change the timing belt, idlers/tensioners and water pump. I think the whole job came in somewhere around £420 - £450 if I remember right, including replacement coolant (one of the other things I do when buying a secondhand car is to have all the fluids changed). Not sure how much Lexus would charge but as you say, if they're working in that area anyway, hopefully, it'll be a bit cheaper than normal. I have to confess to knowing nothing about this recall, can you give any more details and how do I find out if mine needs doing? 2. Don't know for sure but would guess that the whole washer unit would have to be replaced. When I had to replace a headlamp washer on my Nissan Maxima QX it was £130. I'd be inclined to get one from a breakers yard, either local to you or one of the breakers on Ebay. 3. The only thing that seems to be a problem on these cars is possible water ingress, either from blocked sunroof drains, roof bar mounting points or rear lights. Thankfully (and fervently hoping I'm not tempting fate here), ours seems to be alright in this respect. We've now done about 16k in the 15 months we've had the car and had no trouble whatsoever. It's brilliant and we love it. 4. Unless some part is needed that can only be supplied by a main dealer, then any good motor factors will be able to supply almost anything you need. The car is 12 years old and has lost most of its value so there's no need to use 'genuine'* Lexus parts or to keep up with Lexus stamps in the book. Remember that Lexus doesn't manufacture things like tyres, exhausts, batteries, brakes etc., etc., and they just buy in from whoever does make them, so places like Euro Car Parts or BBC etc., will supply good quality stuff at reasonable prices. For anything they can't supply you've got breakers yards (I got a pair of tailgate gas struts from a breakers on Ebay for £40 and they work brilliantly) and/or Ebay. *The only time I use 'genuine' Lexus is the fluids (coolant, transmission fluid, transfer fluid etc). There's lots of knowedgeable folks on here who are more than willing to help with things so good luck on your purchase and keep us informed, with pictures, if you get it

Great videos & you weren't hanging around!!

Nice. Only ask as I have mine set at 40 PSI all round running on Nitrogen as opposed to air (more consistent and less prone to temperature fluctuations). I've been really pleased with these settings with all manner of driving conditions (fast road, wet, dry, icy etc). Glad to see you were driving it as it was intended to be driven! Well done.

That's the thing though, RAC actually lower the premium every year, if you haven't claimed, as indeed they did this year, and I agree with you about automatic renewal, but they always send you a letter of renewal, giving you ample time to cancel. The difference this year, which I'm sure many will have missed, was the addition of a "Arrangement & administration fee" of £30!! Everything else though, I always decline automatic renewal, you'd have to be daft not to.

I am running them at 44psi hot pressure as a lot of the time I have had 3 passengers in the car. Was getting too much sidewall flex with 4 people onboard at 36psi Also runs well on 3 wheels ;-)

Hi Bob, Not many body kits I am aware of at the moment over here mate, there was a TOMS kit for sale a little while back, but not sure where it went?! Was for sale on eBay for a while, but don't know if anyone ended up with it on here?? I have a lot of aftermarket body parts on my car. Wald carbon boot spoiler, carbon roof spoiler, carbon diffuser, vented carbon bonnet, carbon front splitters on each corner (cheaper than a full front lip spoiler, I bought two sets as the ones on my car at the moment are trashed already! Thanks speed bumps!! ). Plus Novel fender ducts and mirror extensions and carbon pillar trim. The guy who bought the TOM's kit did so from Josh at Meraki in California. You pay a fair whack for shipping and import tax/duty etc, but it's all possible if your pockets are deep enough! Lol. Also depends on what you are looking for? Anything in carbon will be more expensive than fibreglass or plastic (you know this I'm sure - not being rude), but brand value has a big part in the cost as well. Novel is mega money, TOM's isn't cheap either, but given the extreme likelihood of scratches and scuffs, I'd stay away from any of those personally. Better off getting something cheap and cheerful, that way if you do obliterate it, you don't get as upset, and can always buy a spare (like I did! Lol). Cheers. Pete

Looking good Lee. What tyre pressures did you run with out of interest?

I've seen plenty of reports (Facebook) of damage to the dash, following replacement of the airbag. Has anyone had this job done and experienced the same. Obviously it needs to be done but worth taking some photos before they start the work... 🤔

When my car went in for a service a few weeks back, I asked about the air bag replacement damage issues & was told that they would access it via the glove box to avoid damaging the dash. Will still be waiting a while before I get it done to make sure I'm not the 1st & will take be taking pictures etc as usual.

@Rusty Crobar Russ that's very kind, my concerns though are that your car is personally redlined at 3000 rpm...... you are blissfully unaware what happens therefore at 3600 rpm, the second intake.... no Russ that does not mean 2 slices of coffee cake...... 😂 So you see yours is quiet unassuming.... driven by a man who is patient and thinks 'wheel spinning ' is someone making a political point 😊 Therefore I think @Mark G maybe better qualified 😏 🐀

Are you mad man? @Big Rat is the Lexus driving god! Your car would never be the same

Take my car for a drive next time I see you and see if you can feel a difference 😊

You use an Apple product to browse these forums?!??! No wonder you are having problems

Hammond said it, Senna was one and now I see a third DRIVING GOD, RATTY!!!!

The mods were threatening to shut the forum down. Missed your traffic

I've missed you all greatly in the last few weeks been a busy boy 😁 I shall be coming after all what's not to like with a little trip like this great company special cars coffee cake and old airplanes 😍 Big Rat

Contacted Pedro and here are some before and after photos he posted.Said the lights would look similar to the new Audi ones.

I agree with others damage is unacceptable video/photograph I do it every time my car goes in for service etc, I take a picture of the speedo read out and all four wheels, and the car is not to be taken for a road test unless I'm present. My dealer always complies with my polite but firm requests and we have a good relationship, it's not that I don't trust them it just clarifies the position from the start. Hopefully those that have suffered damage will have it all rectified at the dealers expense. Big Rat

Hi steve are you not considering a Mark 4? - there is a nice one on AT although very over priced

To round off this post yesterday I did a trip up to Barmouth. The route the saga began on. On route there is a long downhill stretch ending at a large traffic island on the outskirts of Welshpool. At this point the HV battery was full solid green bars, and would accept no more regen charge the meter refusing to move into the blue section. After exiting the island the car went very quiet and went up to 60 mph in pure electric only mode for some considerable distance on the flat strait road into the town. Something I have never experienced at that speed before. Reaching the traffic lights in the centre of Welshpool the MPG readout was at 44.9 MPG tank average. A figure never seen before. This was on country single track roads with no motorway or dual carriageways. I continued the journey to Barmouth, and had a great day out with lots of sunshine. John.