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I’m sure you’d all like to join me in wishing Paul @Big Rat a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂

@peachy Shaun thank you for that,most kind. The best thing I ever did was join this forum. I love cars and piston engined aircraft! I realised quickly that this place is different from many others I've been on before, and quickly left, mainly because of the senseless nasty disagreements, it doesn't happen here. I will name a few people because I think it's right to do so @Flytvr and @Mark G who both introduced me and have regretted it ever since 😇, along with all the 'Kemble crowd' that meet regularly . The sheer level of product knowledge astounds me at times, so @rayaans for one in this department. If i was in the market for another non 'F' car it's him I would ask advice of. The site IMO is well run not that I have the slightest idea the amount of work that goes into doing it for all our benefits, but we all recognise a rubbish one when we see it. I'd like to mention @Steve as well who was receptive and gave us the 'F' forum not at the exclusion of anyone else who doesn't have one,it's great that all can come on it and see it's not always that serious..........🤡 I blab on too much but just to finish by saying it would be great if as many Lexus' as possible whatever model you drive could make the 'F' ten year anniversary that is being planned for the beginning of the summer in the Midlands and we can start putting some more faces to names, and Shaun thanks again. Big Rat

He's totally transformed this forum. I remember when he first joined up. Paul became an instant hit with fellow forum members due to his passion and knowledge on cars and not to mention great banter and sense of humour. Keep up the good work here Paul 👍

Few people may have followed previous threads regarding the is220d smoke problem myself included... My is220d was on76k when out of nowhere it started smoking at around50% operating temp followed by poor turbo performance bad mpg and basically being embarresing to drive. Have to say I researched said problem thro every forum/mechanics sites etc only to find its a widespread problem with every motor lexus/toyota fitted with this engine but with no conclusive results...However!!!! In a chance meeting witha friend who built his own TD rally car using a Toyota turbo he just said..Ah yeah sounds like a dodgy map sensor!! On this info I whipped the map off (2min job) sprayed some electrical contct cleaner in there and WOW!! seriously it was like a new car..performance was restored..mpg jumped from30's to 40's and no smoke at all...well until 7 days later smoke returned!! again cleaned the map and hey presto!! new map sensor orderded and I love my car again!! really hope this helps folks as I know how frustrating the smoke issue is!

@dutchie01 Don’t you just love that cool look, trouble is with a hard hat and rigger boots on site I’m gonna look kinda ridiculous..... 🐀

Mrs said her car needed cleaning first 🙄

Good point Mike, not fit for purpose comes immediately to mind,no doubt if we were in the USA there would have been a class action suit ongoing. Maybe those PPI people could be reassigned “Had you car stolen recently? Keyless Entry system? Call us now and get thousands in compensation!

@Flytvr Thankyou very much, Mrs Rat is just popping out to the shops and taking 83 rolls of wrapping paper to Lexus Cheltenham Big Birtday Rat

Well I'm sorry to say, and I am because I have loved every minute of ownership of my isF but she's gone a year or so earlier than I planned but with big 60 on Monday Mrs Rat said "Go for it treat yourself " bless her. So left early this morning with a list of 3 RcF's to view Hatfield- Swindon - and Cheltenham, leaving Cheltenham to last as it's nearer home and that's where I bought a great deal IMO and a fantastic car pictures below not good it was getting dark by then. Thanks for all the help at Lexus Cheltenham Alex Ben Karl and Tim. I want to say that the journey from Isf on this forum to the RcF isn't only about the cars for me it's about the people on here a considerable number I'm pleased to call friends and I have had some great support and advice about an assortment of matters from you I'm naming no one there are to many, I don't care if this sounds a tad odd to some who may read this but I like being on here and the banter and personalities make this place the cars are a secondary issue whatever model age colour and so on you drive cheers guys 👍 Some will be horrified I bought something that isn't SILVER 😳 Big Rat

Very nice indeed. Looking at these for my white ISF https://www.wheelbasealloys.com/alloy-wheels/bola/b8r/matt-gun-metal/19-inch Now you've got me thinking...

For a bloke that a lot of us have never met, you are immensely popular Paul. Happy birthday, keep posting and keep the F faith.

Should be fine, had no issues when I had my badge less carbon grill. Issue was with the US badged version. Black box with radar sits behind the grill, not attached.

Happy Birthday Big Rat! Although I'm still undecided on whether I'll ever be able to talk to you again after this 'non-silver' decision. You've changed! ;-) Hope you've had a great day with the new toy mate.

Happy birthday have a good en

Happy Birthday Judas ;-) Enjoy the RCF. Not jealous... much ;-)

Happy Birthday Paul and congratulations on the new motor, have a great day and I will see you soon.

Still to find out... hopefully not the sore way! Pretty sure the radar is actually located elsewhere behind the grill so de-badge shouldn't effect it...

@NemesisUK Thanx Peter only saw one Red RcF I was going to reserve it for you..........to entice you away from the ‘sparky side’.... 🐀

Many happy returns Paul, have good one 👍

How about fuel pressure? Looking for leaks is not checking capacitors. Just sayin'. All electrolytic capacitors with non-solid electrolyte age over time, due to evaporation of the electrolyte. The capacitance usually decreases and the equivalent series resistance (ESR) usually increases. The normal lifespan of a non-solid electrolytic capacitor of consumer quality, typically rated at 2000 h/85 °C and operating at 40 °C, is roughly 6 years. It can be more than 10 years for a 1000 h/105 °C capacitor operating at 40 °C. Electrolytic capacitors that operate at a lower temperature can have a considerably longer lifespan.

Indeed Paul, hope you have a good time, taking your new toy out for a birthday blast... Unfortunately all my spare cash is going towards keeping the building trade in cups of tea at the moment, so I'm having to postpone any car renewal for a while... It's a bit annoying that the decent RC-Fs seem to getting snapped up, rather than languishing at dealers and slowly coming down in price :)

Have a great day Paul 👍 🎂 🎇

Happy Birthday Paul!

@bobmc Thanx Matey, absolutely keeping isF research going and in fact I’ve been running the RCF and GSF alongside it from the beginning. I believe fully in the ‘F’ car ethos not matter the model. In fact I should have some news tomorrow about the 10 year’F’ anniversary meet in Midlands I’m involved in. So if ever I can help with info fire away 👍 🐀

@Peter P18 Pete have you any idea how many Gucci handbags this car purchase has cost me 😂 🐀

Happy birthday Paul - hope you have a great birthday enjoying the new present 😉👍🏻

before the keyless entry became common on most cars thieves would enter your house in the middle of the night and steal the keys then drive off. Or Carjackings for top end cars in upmarket area's. did happen. Some scumbags nowadays dont steal the entire car but strip it empty. Thieves will be thieves. I will likely be illegal but installing a flame thrower with remote control is very tempting indeed...

Dont forget to post us some pics and first impressions...

The ones made in Mexico are for the american market, hence why they are made there. Easier and cheaper to ship to US and Canada

Happy Birthday Awesome birthday present as well :) Will you still be the custodian of the IS-F database and will you be starting an RC-F one as well?

They are very good cars I've had mine for god knows how long lol wife loves it and will not sell it for the newer model, if you got it at the right price these are relatively easy cars to work on and this forum has a wealth of knowledge but when you post a problem with your car give as much information about the problem as you can as it will help forum members help you .

"For those that don't know, there's a key fob combination detailed in the manual to disable the spare fob broadcasting it's signal. You can then save your Faraday cage bag for the key you use day to day" This is very useful bit of information, thank you Matt, I will be making use of this. I have purchased one of them there pouches and so will use that for my everyday key.

Several hours around Wales, by the time I got back, look at the state -

Happy birthday mate, has the postman been?? Read your letter from the Queen yet??

Indeed, bored of all the salt, gritters and slippery surfaces! Dry weather will be very welcome!

Happy birthday Paul, hope you have a wonderful day mate.

Thanks for sharing. Any further details? Police found the vehicle? I'll need to put my disc lock back on then now. For those that don't know, there's a key fob combination detailed in the manual to disable the spare fob broadcasting it's signal. You can then save your Faraday cage bag for the key you use day to day. You could disable the broadcasting signal between each use of the car but that may be too inconvenient for people.

Talking of Tiguans, a friend of mine has just found out that after ordering and paying for a 2.0TDI 4-Motion a couple of years ago he has in fact got a 2.0TDI front wheel drive. Oops. Interesting chats with JCT600 Volkswagen in Sheffield are ongoing

@emjay82Ok first thing was ok darling which of these Gucci handbags would you like.........."All of them" " No problem dear" 🐀

Members who say 17'' wheels fit over IS350 calipers are correct, but to relate this to upgrading the IS250 with IS350 calipers and discs is completely wrong . The IS250/220D hub is different than the IS350 hub, so although the IS350 calipers are a direct bolt on without modification, they do not have the same clearance as they have on a 350 hub. The standard 17'' wheel does not therefore fit over the IS350 caliper when it is bolted to the IS250 hub. Exdee has already stated this fact, but it appears either no one read his post or the misunderstanding continues, I know for a fact that the 350 and 250 hubs are different because I still have a pair of new IS350 backplates/dustcovers that I purchased in the USA believing I could fit these bigger diameter plates when doing the brake mod, but they do not fit.

Doesn't matter whether you have protected NCB - if you make a claim, no matter what it is, even for a windscreen sometimes they will push the premiums up If you don't have protected NCB, it just means your premium will go up more than for someone with a protected NCB The rear bumper of an IS-F won't be cheap i dont think

@Ace8800 The headlights are wrapped with a tint film?

I wonder who's this is then as if I didn't know............. Big Rat

They are a nice wheel you have there. Tempted by these also... What offset and/or spacers do you run? I have 15mm H&R spacers at the moment and am trying to work out what fitment to run without the tyres rubbing on the arches, etc.. Thanks,

Have these on my car at the minute - all square set up 10x19 in silver with 255/35 winters all round. d.https://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/performance/linea-corse-alloy-wheels/linea-corse-lc818-alloy-wheels-set-of-4 Look good, very similar to the bolas you're looking at.

I quite like them, but one assumes they won't have the same air flow from the spokes that the oem ones have. Which really doesn't matter unless you're trying quite hard! do they weigh more? The ride is pretty harsh already (lotus owner too here, so my other car is rather special in that respect) so id be conscious of that too.

Im lookimg for some 5 spokes... but not them. I prefer the vossen flat 5 look. But can find the correct offset in any 5 spoke.

Went in search for snow yesterday up Glenshee ski centre. Not enough for doughnuts but made a good job of covering the F in crap.

Before, during and after it's first clean in about 3 weeks!