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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.

@NothernDan It’s a very dark Silver very dark.......almost..... black 😩 🐀

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 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.

Oof, those carbon tips look good. What happens to the radar when removing the front badge?

Don't think one can get the Clove leather in the red 'F'?

@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.

Excellent news. Thanks for the info. For reference, the Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP) sensor seems to be located round the back of the EGR valve:

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!

Happy birthday matey . Have a great day . Hope to catch up soon 🤣

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

Nice wheels 😉

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

Yep if you have HID lights then you have a virtually flat beam projection. There is certainly no kick up aimed at the nearside pavement/kerb area. I carry a letter copy with all my other 'bits' for euro travelling. Got it here Just change the RX350 bit to your vehicle....jobs a good 'un

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?

Well, the first modification coming to mind given the midnight silver color of the car is a black suit and black sunglasses?

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??

I’d steer clear, looks like she’s mold ridden! I do like a good wrap, but cost and maintenance in this Country put me off. Do think there are some nice options to help make the car stand out though..... Think I’ll stay on the fence with this one!

@DAW Thanks David speak soon. Paul

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

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.

Worst - 2009 VW Tiguan. Bought new, and what a terrible car. Loads of gremlins from new, including poor paintwork finish on a door and a malfunctioning touch-screen, but as time went on it just got worse and worse. A hole in the driver's carpet at less than 30k miles 'fair wear and tear sir' and then the seat bolster on the driver's seat wore through before 40k miles. The final straw was it destroying the (infamous) DSG gearbox on the M1, fortunately JUST a few months within warranty. After that was replaced it broke down a few times - transfer box fault, alternator, starter motor...so it went. Good riddance. Never again will I be fooled by a VAG product! Best - 1993 Daihatsu Charade 1300 CXi. I loved that car. Rare, fast, quite cool for a youngster back in the day and indestructible. Only sold because my first wife wanted something 'more practical' which turned out to be a bland Hyundai Accent. I still regret selling my Charade now...sigh. The wife went shortly afterwards, but I was left with the Hyundai.

In terms of the saving, I used CarWow and then went from there with the dealer who offered the lowest price. Very simple, first time I'd used it and I was impressed. I used it as a starting point to negotiate with a dealer who clearly wanted the business. Best initial offer was about £7k off list. On a Honda CRV I was offered even bigger reductions, but fancied a change. What I would say is that at that time (mid-September) the arrival of the facelift NX was known and dealers were (I guess) being incentivised to shift pre-facelift cars, especially the Sport. By far the best offers were on Sport models - I wasn't offered close to the same discount on a Luxury although it was still £4-5k from memory. Worth also pointing out that the offer was dependant on me taking the Lexus PCP - the reduction included their deposit contribution - and thus they'll get a chunk of the list price reduction back in interest.

Easy. Just ask. Plenty of deals this time of year. IS300’s £6k off without even asking at the moment. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

@Ace8800 The headlights are wrapped with a tint film?

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.

Look very susceptible to kerbing!

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.