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So i finally have got the pistons rings and rods fitted but not without a small drama😓 I started with the ring gaps got most done but had small issue with number 4 piston top compression ring, i checked the gap using the feeler gauge, filed, checked, filed, checked, filed and checked...... and it went over spec!! I did get distracted by the mrs on the last file and it was around 20 mins before i continued so i think i just applied more pressure than the previous times. Its not far out of spec but its different to the other 5 and as im at this point and just 20 odd pound for a new ringset its a no brainer. Really annoyed with myself for this but these things happen! pretty easy and pain free getting the piston rings in the correct location, bearings installed and pistons fitted using a piston ring compressor they just glided in. ARP bolts dipped in 30 weight oil, fitted and torqued down to 60ft lbs. So just need the new ringset now to finish that. I took the cylinder head to work and soaked it in wheel acid before jet washing it all off and its come up amazingly clean ready for me to get the valves out to send the head away, i also did the valve covers and they too come up amazing. No pictures of these just yet but will grab some soon

Hi there,The navigation mouse and all Audio buttons have stopped working on my 2011 CT200h. Disconnecting the battery has made no difference. The Sat Nav still displays on the screen but I cannot access anything as the mouse does not work and none of the audio buttons or Mode Button works on the steering wheel. Holding in the Volume button for 10 seconds makes no difference either. Only message I get on screen when I first switch on the engine is 'Bluetooth disconnected".Has anyone experienced this? Dread to think how much Lexus will charge to run diagnostics and repair Thanks.

What I great video! I really enjoyed watching that!

I'm still deciding what tyres to put on my LS 400 17" dhp wheels, I need all five as I'm changing to a different size, due to expense and the age (2007) of my existing tyres. As usual I'm doing my research re noise , handling etc ( I probably overdo the research at times ) It occurred to me that I do low mileage (currently on 69000), so the next replacements may be needed due to age rather than mileage. I contacted Blackcircles and asked whether I could specify tyres with a very recent date (DOT number), to ensure that I get the maximum lifespan. Their response explained that they could not guarantee recent tyres, as they obtained tyres from many suppliers. They also explained that tyres sold as new can be up to five years old, by law. It seems to be the luck of the draw, but your new tyres may have been manufactured a month ago, or 59 months ago. Obviously, much depends on handling and storage (exposure to sunlight etc), but I imagine the process of perishing starts immediately. I'd bet this is not common knowledge. it probably is not an issue for people who do greater mileages, but for me, it could be.

Hello and welcome to the LOC. Care to disclose what you paid for it? A build thread sounds a good idea.....go ahead.

You probably won't hear me as I am sorting out the exhaust in the 1st place. It was very shameful experience to drive like that through the country. On the other hand V8 roar compensated all inconvenience caused by split cat shell. See you on the road bud!

I am astonished 5 year old tyres can be sold as 'new' and I will pay attention to this factor when next buying because I have only recently become aware of age factors affecting tyres. There are recommendations that 7 years is old enough. It is not just a matter of safety. For a luxury car quietness can be compromised by the heat cycles hardening the rubber well before the tread is worn down on low mileage cars. There is a Youtube video of a mechanic demonstrating this with a sound meter in the cabin.

No, the small 12V battery powers the entry/exit systems and all the computers to get the car to the 'Ready' state, after that everything is powered by the traction battery.

I did the IS350 disc and caliper upgrade to my IS250 SE-L way back in 2006-2007 and it was a vast improvement to the standard which I found to be a bit 'grabby' and suffered from high wear to the discs with excessive dust from the pads. My car was on 19' inch rims because as other people have confirmed, although the calipers are a direct swop, the 350 hub and 250 hub are a different size so the standard 17 inch wheel will not fit around the calipers. I used Hawk performance pads which generated a lot less dust than the Lexus pads. When the IS250 was introduced in the USA there were many, many complaints about the excessive dust coming off the standard pads and consequently Lexus introduced a low dust pad for the IS250 which unfortunately was not made available in the UK. However, I was a frequent visitor to Texas in those days and purchased a set of standard discs and low dust pads which I still have in their original wrapping as I did the 350 upgrade before I put them on the car.

i believe the small battery only supplies power to the electronics, this then enables the hybrid system to start the car, i dont think the battery starts the starter motor.

I once had a Volvo I wanted to sell but had no idea what I wanted to replace it with. As I turned up on the dealer forecourt two salesmen ran across to try and engage me in conversation (obviously both looking at their targets!). The one that got to me first asked me what I was looking for. Told him I wasn't sure. He then asked me how much I had to spend. Told him it depends on what he gives me for the Volvo. He asked me what I wanted so I asked him what he was prepared to give me. He told me it depends what I was after. Told him that depends on what he'll offer me for the Volvo. That way I'd know how much I had to spend. He refused to give me a figure until I'd shown interest in one of his vehicles. This game of cat and mouse went on for quite a while until I relented and said I wanted 20 grand for my Volvo (worth about 4000 at the time). He laughed, I told him impolitely where to go and have never been to that dealer since!

The engine in my RC300h warms up very quickly, easily within a mile but I'd imagine it's going to tale a fair bit longer to get the exhaust system hot enough to drive out all the condensate. So it's possible you might promote early corrosion within the exhaust system. You won't flatten the traction (hybrid) battery. I'd say the hybrid is the car least likely to suffer significant detriment from frequent short journeys but it will certainly benefit from a good long run at weekends.

My Android phone occasionally does this but I thought it was due to an automated profile change (via Tasker) that flipped BT off momentarily. I'll try and have a look to see why your can't get call sounds from your vehicle speakers.

When using these sites you can 'accidentally' get the last number of your phone number wrong and use a secondary 'junk' email address as I refer to it, for exactly this type of communication. Use a different Surname but your s*x/age/history & postcode to gain accurate quotes. paul m.

We all expect a low offer price, we know they’re in it to make money, It’s the silly offers and the silly games they play that rankles.

Looks like its time to RTFM ??

RX450H SE-L 2009 12k miles annual 6k miles business £725.00 xs - renewal quote £513.89 up from £495.90. West Sussex post code near Gatwick

So clean

Not got an FSport but on a 2011 SE-I mine is around £550 for business use. Post codes can make a vast difference.. a friend of mine near Manchester tired it with his Goldwing and keeping everything the same the quote for his was more than double that using my post code.

My first car was a 1988 Yugo 45!!! That really was a bad car. I bought it in 1994 so was only 6 years old and it had only done 45k miles and it was falling to pieces, the engine was so rough and noisy, you had to hear it to believe just how bad it was!!! My first “proper” car was a 1986 Volvo 340GLE which was a very solid dependable car and never let me down

Perhaps. I had a quick run through on my contacts and I couldn't see any with the +44. Maybe edit one or two and try again to see if it works? Remember to delete the previous contacts first from the car if you do try.

I paid £465 on my 3RX almost every year after the 2nd year. The first year it was £560 or something. I had mine down for 10k miles, 3k of those were business miles and a tracker. Fully comprehensive of course and excess was usually around £500-600

Very nice Renaldo, love the colour. And of course, welcome!

Hello and welcome to the LOC. Car looks very nice, is this the 4 cylinder BEAMS engine or the straight six? Also where are you with a right hand drive model and a sunny looking climate?

Don't think Halfords stock it, but easy to buy online..... Here you go: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Gliptone-Liquid-Leather-Cleaner-Conditioner/273008943163?epid=1505473712&hash=item3f9099e03b:g:PpEAAOSwyLFZr767 I've used it for years and swear by it.

Glad to hear that Pete. I’m not surprised about traction issues at the top end TBO given the bhp you now have. The power to weight ratio must put it in the same territory as some serious cars. As a rough calc you must be running around the 380bhp/t mark . It was quick before the SC, must be ballistic now - it’s going to be a exciting summer!! 👍🏻

Seen them many times in the flesh driven both loved both buy one with my money no I don't believe I would....... Rcf for me now 😁 🐀

I agree with you Mike. However, here is an extract from an Autocar review "Lower, wider and longer, the styling is far more adventurous – borderline funky, in fact - and comes with uncommon presence and an almost fanatical devotion to detail. That ‘spindle’ front grille has 5000 surfaces and took one stylist 14 weeks of solid work to design, after which I’m guessing he or she had to go and lie in darkened room for almost as long again."