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Good day out at the hill climb & great to meet some more members. Really good venue with stunning scenery, a great selection of cars & good company👍🏻 Thanks to Tim & Alex at Lexus Cheltenham for taking people up the hill. Watching the LC & RCF (with a Quicksilver exhaust fitted) being put through there paces was also good fun. The new Yaris GRMN was also an impressive car in the flesh as well - proper pocket rocket!!. It was a great day & thanks @Big RatPaul for persevering mate. Fingers crosses for the F 10th Anniversary.

All I’ll say is the hunt for a GSF is off for the moment!

Nice to meet you too @DAW Cracking day out. Lovely selection of classic Toyotas at the dealership and loads of juicy stuff at Prescott. A trip up the hill in the Yaris was a personal highlight, thanks for sorting @Big Rat VID_34530603_024544_784.mp4

So me and and a builder buddy of mine who I like very much decided to have a run down this slab of a road called ‘ The M5 ‘ On the way down there wasn’t a lot in it as both easily blasted there way through the throngs of vehicles to reach a limit of 70 mph. Anyway more importantly As came off into the services a hands free chat was had about who was paying for that builders staple... fish and chips. Its acknowledged that I’m a tad more fleet of foot than him so I guess I was paying but I had forgotten how these bloody BMW park there cars...... So there you have it the M4 won.....the S... parking that is 😉 Big Rat

Have to say having had the pleasure of sitting in @Warrington guy David’s car its a beauty and I can certainly see the appeal. Life is short so best take the opportunity to enjoy whatever floats your boat 👍🏻

Just spent this evening nursing this around the roads of Dorset (Well I say nursing. It was in an N+ mode all the way which I think stands for nursing). After I steered him away from the VAG group and pointing him in the direction of Hyundai (GASP!!!!) a friend of mine picked this up today. Cost 22k and has 700 miles on the clock. The dealer basically F'd the price up as it was up for 25k and the salesman made a slight mistake. Brand new they are 28k. Needless to say he snapped the guys hand off. He then showed up at mine and handed me the keys and thanked me for recommending the I30N Performance. I have to say.... I wasn't surprised as I have read the reviews and saw them at the launch weekend in Germany but...... I am in love. Look past the badge and it is solidly put together. Goes really well. Not as outright fast as the ISF but around B roads and tight tracks I have no doubts that this would leave me for dust. And the sound..... the sound.... In N+ mode (May stand for Nurburgring come to think of it) she (it's called Hayley) comes into it's own. Lovely exhaust crackle on overrun. Some nice audible pops when changing down gear (rev matching is great). But... full blown upshifts.... it sounds like a shotgun going off. Then you put it in normal and it just plods around like a normal hatch (which is how he managed to get it past the wife). Did I say that I am in love. We can't both have one in NHS blue surely.

Hello All, Thought I would post up my 3 year long hunt for a V8! I first registered here 3 years ago! Within my sights were the usual suspects: 1. E92 M3 2. Lexus ISF 3. Audi RS4. So after reading and watching tons of reviews, I was convinced that the M3 was the one to go for, due to the usual stuff - how exciting it is, that it's the best car on track, that it's the fastest. Also to me it was the best looking. Slightly cliched , but I loved the coupe in white with black Competition pack alloys, and I was set on getting one in manual. As I was 100% determined not to have an automatic. So cue test drives on the manual V8 M3, now it may well have been the examples I drove but I found them a bit uninspiring and also very unsettled. The car didn't get going til higher up in the rev range (but I am used to VTEC, as have owned virtually all of the Type R models.) I also was not blown away by the sound either, and how it sounds is very important to me. Maybe I had too high an expectation, as I somehow thought all V8's would sound like a Ferrari V8. During this time, I on and off looked at ISFs. And actually bought other cars such as the Z4MC, E46 M3, S2000. My first test drive with the ISF left me disappointed, it was at a Lexus Main Dealer but the example was poor and slow. (No Sports mode, or in to manual) The auto kick downs when i put my foot down was really slow in that particular example. Anyway, I gave up with the ISF for a bit and started to look at RS4s. RS4s sound great, but there was something that I couldn't put my finger on, I had this feeling that I would get bored with it very quickly, coupled with the fact that maintenance costs were eye watering. DRC = Talking £3k upwards, unless you go Bilsteins. Carbon Clean and Stage 2 map = £2.5k. Clutch change = Over £1k. Everything just costs an astronomical amount of money for the car. And then there was the theft factor which put me off buying it altogther, it was a magnet for break ins - due to the desirable recaros, which I actually didn't get on with: gave me back ache. So I thought it was back to the M3's then, maybe get a DCT one. everyone raved on about how good they were, and I've warmed to automatics ever since my back injury about 1.5 years ago, and driving them in USA - hmm actually pretty good in traffic. In the mean time I bought a 335i in manual. And this cemented it. The ergonomics of the car made me realise the M3 is not for me. I just hated the small footwell space in that cabin. So now it was back to the ISF, but in the mean time another contender had entered the fray the C63 AMG had dropped massively and was within my budget. However the hunt had been long, and I was set on the ISF. In summary M3 Positives: Looks great with comp alloys and in certain colours. Thrilling in high rev range. Sound better with modded exhaust, otherwise doesn't sound like a V8 IMO. Manual was poor. (probably me spoilt by Honda gear boxes) Maintenance not too bad apart from rod actuator, usual cost on brakes and tyres. Negatives: People do moan about the MPG. I couldn't get this car because I didn't like the noise or the ergonomics of it in the main, and didn't like how the back end can squirm quite easily. Also, too many M3s about. RS4 Positives: Sounds really good. I like the way it looks too. More comfortable than the M3. Felt planted with the quattro system. Nicer manual than the M3. Quite fast. Negatives: I was struck by how many Audi A4s look just like the RS4 (not so much in sprint blue, but black ones, meh they all look the same, especially with the alloys speced up.) Maintenance costs was silly and really put me off. Lastly was the theft thing, I couldn't get over this poor chap on the M3cutter forum (only last year) bought a RS4 within a week it was off his drive and into a container somewhere. C63 AMG I was tired from looking at cars by this stage, and was fed up with driving my wife's Mazda 6 (even though I do quite like it) So even though a test drive on the Merc might have swayed me but in the end reading up on them - MPG/Tyres and people shifting them on quite quickly made me forget about looking at a C63. In conclusion: Getting older and deciding on an automatic. Maintenance costs. Comfort and ergonomics. Rarity. Still fast! :) Sound. Made me decide on the ISF. And after driving it some more on Friday! It was the right decision!

Yep it was a great day out and the weather gods were certainly there for us as well, Lexus Cheltenham had a great display of cars and seeing the LC, Quicksilver RcF Yaris GRMN and the GT86 going up the hill was very impressive. All bodes well for the as yet date in July for the 'F' 10th Anniversary, a few pics of the day Pleasure Russ you look like you enjoyed yourself, that Yaris is a little beast, Tim Huxley is a very talented wheelman 😁 🐀

Even we old gits are allowed to dream! Mind you, you know you'd never be satisfied as you'd keep comparing it unfavourably to the one you sold. Best not go there methinks.

Checked again - refitted the concertina like side panel and poked about in the rear of the window opening - something clicked - now back to normal - job done - I hope.

@wantaisf sounds like a similar journey to me. I have had 2x DC2 Type R's, 1 x DC5 Type R and an S2000. Went on to a 350z (loved that) then when family time came along I went for a 335i. Hated it. It blew up. Every day. Tested an RS4 Avant and loved the looks but found it boring. Avoided M3 due to 335i experience. C63's were too much dollar. Mate at work mentioned ISF's to me. Created a new autotrader filter. Bought 1st one I saw as fell in love straight away. 2.5 years later. Still love her.

We have a Mini Cooper S which is good fun, and a Ford Grand C-Max which is no fun but a great family truck. This is the only photo I could find 🤔

This reviewer sums it up very well and remember this is just on track the rcf would slap the bimmer silly on a road test.

Sounds like I may need a ticket to Japfest 2019......

😂😂 might have to charge extortionate rates as i know hes good for it 😂. To be honest though she is hottie im guessing he wont be running anywhere. On a serious note i have no idea, im thinking its going to be next summer now before its mapped and ready to use in anger

I had back to back test drives in an RC300h and an NX300h yesterday, courtesy of Snows Lexus Hedge End, Hampshire. Both very impressive but very different cars. First the RC300h, the most comfortable car I have ever sat in, the seats seem to wrap around and cosset you, with heated and cooled functions, lumber support adjustment and electric everything. My 6’3” was fine for headroom. A really good driving position gives a good view of the road ahead, the car feels planted around corners and wafts along effortlessly, switching between petrol and electric power imperceptibly, very impressive. I tried a few low speed reverse parking manoeuvres, the mirrors and rear view camera are very good. Most reversing seems to be electric mode and is silent. Then back to the showroom and out in the NX300h SUV. The NX feels a much bigger car, I drove the same route to get a like for like comparison, and was aware of the size of the NX at all times. It was a very nice car but just didn’t give me the luxury feeling I had in the RC. It felt clunkier over potholes and sleeping policemen, my reverse parking manoeuvres taking more planning and greater care. The RC coupe felt plush, planted and looks gorgeous, I don’t really need a big car so I bought a 5k mile 2016 RC300h, black with red interior. I have joined the ranks of Lexus ownership. Looking forward to getting it in a couple of weeks.

Heard lots of good things about it, Hyundai have a waiting list for test drives in my area as a friend was interested. Lots of settings to play with. certainly a leap forward from that brand 👍🏻

It would be so helpful if there was a video of all controls, Buttons, and setting for different cars, reading through the owners manual trying to find how to operate something or in fact what a button is for would be so helpful (assuming this has not been done already?) Each car section could have its own little video bank so new owners can look at how things work.

It's coming along nicely. Do you have a finish date in mind? I ask as a well spoken chap called Harry from central London phoned earlier, said he was having second thoughts about something and might need a very fast getaway car early Saturday afternoon.

I slight snag there, guess who does most of the ironing and the cooking in our house? I think the promise of a trip to Ireland might do it though. I think in reality Stuart's words of wisdom must prevail.....for now!

All series III RX 450h have HID or LED lights with flat beams. It would probably make sense to disable AFS as that tends to steer more to near-side than it does off-side.

I run quite high pressures, 46psi at the moment, seems to suit my car with wider tyres and coilovers.

Just buy her the very best iron she has ever had pal !!

Thanks for this thread and for everyone who participated. I've been lurking here for the past 2 months. I bought a 2007 GS450h for a great deal but it came with hybrid battery issues. I started by replacing 2 weak modules then cleaned all the copper bus bars and modules' 10mm nuts because they were extremely corroded. This thread has been a great help with that. The car is drivable now but the Hybrid System Check comes back usually 30-60min of driving. I noticed that the failure comes faster on hot days. I once drove the car from Louisville to Chicago on a really cold day without issues (300miles mostly hwy miles). Now I have a conclusion that it's a heat distribution issue. Battery gets hot quick and causes the failure. The blower gets loud when the battery is hot but it seems to be doing what it supposed to do. It's worth mentioning that the battery has been previously worked on and there is a huge chance that some parts are missing. The previous person who tried to fix this lost plenty of nuts, screws, and one of the blower's air ducts which I replaced. I noticed warm air leaking directly out of the bottom LH side of the battery. See picture. My question is does it look like it's missing a part there where the red arrow is pointing. I reinstalled the duct multiple times but always ended up with a small gap. Is there another duct piece to fill that gap?

According to a French friend of my the law currently is that you don't need the breathalyser and won't get fined if you don't have one. However, if you have one and it's out of date you can get fined. How very French! With regards to bulbs I carry a cheap set of mixed bulbs (none of which fit my Lexus) which I bought from Halfords. They have served me well for years!

Big rat . Sure you said last one in the services buys lunch . 🤣

I like the way you say GS's at the moment!

BMW will always win on track with ceramic brakes!! Couldnt tell if this M4 had them, but every other test I have seen has generally had them fitted. Always wondered what difference would be between them without the ceramics - not that it’s particularly relevant to normal road driving.

Long overdue update but i have managed to get loads done! Since the last update i have also been to japfest with a friend who was part of the rx7 FD owners clubs, fair to say for a couple of days after i was pretty much deaf 😂😂!! Had a class day, there was a huge lexus stand there on the infield but i couldnt find the name of that particluar club, there was quite a few modified is200s and 300s too. 1 in particular was a is430, v8 swapped, had loads of other work done to and sounded amazing!! I also spotted a few is200 turbos and a couple of 1jz swapped is's too but didnt find a build like mine which did make me happy..... unless the bonnet was down and out of sight. Anyway enough of that and on to the update.... ive finally finished the loom! the only bit not done is the long green and red wires as these go to the gearbox and until the box is back in im not sure how long they have got to be. I had to lengthen the ignition coil wiring, crank sensor, tank vent valve and alternator plug aswell on top of the 1s ive already had to do. Also found a percect place for the tank vent valve on the bulk head. I attached the hose from the metal line from the tank to the valve, just need to sort the hose from the valve to the inlet now. Then pulled the engine back out and attached the loom, this is by far the best way as i could get all the way around it, tie up and tidy the loom. Whilst the engine was out i fitted the inlet take offs for the boost gauge, tank vent, brake servo.... Also fitted the fly wheel pilot bearing Then decided to fit the aircon lines back in as this would be a pain with the engine in, also secured the extended section of loom i made. It worked out quite well as i had some left over loom clips and a couple long studs which i screwed into some perfectly placed threaded holes. Then threw the engine back in and connected the loom up to the ecu box, had a good look around made sure the loom and air con lines are not rubbing on anything. over the moon with how this has come out!! Starting to look like a proper engine bay again now. The ecu relocation has come out better than i ever imagined, all lined up perfectly and looking very OEM! Next on the agenda, valve clearances..... been putting this off way too long!! Get the crower cams fitted, valve covers powder coated, cambelt and covers fitted and sort the power steering bottle, lines and cooler.

Deposit down! Very excited, will put up a proper introduction in the new members section when the car is collected. Thanks to Mr doofa and The acre for advice given via PM

https://www.gov.uk/report-pothole If it's on an A road or Motorway then report to the Highways Agency. My 430 handles most potholes as well as any 4x4 and better than the crappy softroaders.

Bit late to this but my brother owned an 2010 XFR at the same time as I had my last ISF. Cracking car with brilliant performance but it wasn’t exactly reliable. He purchased it as an approved used car from a main dealer. The timing chain tension went and destroyed the engine so it had a replacement under warranty. A year or so later it started having more issues which were down to the dealer cocking up the engine replacement. He got rid of it in the end. I got him to the sums to see whag it cost him in depreciation and repairs. Let’s put it this way, that total would have been enough to buy an ISF!

The isf is not slow in sport manual mode, locked in a gear anything above 3000 rpm and it will jump forward with a lot of torque when stamping on the throttle.

There are definitely more exciting cars than the ISF, but the MASSIVE plus point to ISF ownership is reliability and cost of running. For me the ISF was a bullet proof V8 - that was all that mattered. I know many would disagree with me regarding the gearbox, but I would only ever drive the car in auto if I was pottering around. Otherwise manual EVERY time.

The owner of the LFA came back as we were passing, he reversed out and revved it for our enjoyment, it being under ground it sounded more like trackside, was fantastic

Not a BMW fan by any means but isn't that a pre lci M4? I thought BMW had improved them somewhat since the 1st generation M4's were apparently a bit snappy. Would be keen to see the current M4 vs the RCF. I think the gap would be a bit bigger. Put an M4 Comp Pack vs an RCF Carbon as well and I think M division would win outright. Basically.... Buy an M4 brand new. As soon as it's manufacturer warranty runs out.... RCF time 🙂

Three viewings tomorrow. Fingers crossed I will be driving home in a LS430

Well I’m back home and back in the fold! Let’s see how long it lasts this time around

It shows with a non german centric/biased view the rcf gets a good shout and the honest view about its abilities comes to the fore. That’s more my point. The m4 only really betters the rcf on longer tracks with straights for it to make the torque count. Most track tests have then bmw roughly half a second a lap quicker and that is in very skilled hands. Also, take them in the road and I think the rcf is the better package.

Well! My problem has been solved!!! I looked very carefully at the exhaust and found a pin hole by the sensor on the centre section so thought just a quick blob of weld …. Nothing like it; I had our local tyre and exhaust crowd (DCM Shaftesbury) look at and they quoted me less than £800 for a complete S/S system from front to back, new Cats and silencers etc., as there were pin holes literally at every vulnerable place. The upshot is ,the car has behaved impeccably ever since many thousands of miles all over UK, some very slow traffic and motorways - no warning lights! Great! I think I will keep the car now!

@DAW Strangely enough when I drove over that way to pick up the Quicksilver exhausts I came back through that tunnel in my Trusty Transit....... I got her up to the dizzy shimmering speed of 56mph...... smashed it down from 6th to 3rd........mashed the throttle to the floor dropped the windows....... Mrs Rat simply looked over......and said “Oh please”😂

Regards the rear ARB: I could swear that the genuine bushes I bought from Toyota were split to allow fitment and weren't too dear either. Diagrams and part numbers are here: http://www.japan-parts.eu/lexus/eu/2006/rx300-330-350/mcu35r-awagkw/3_521220_002_235W/powertrain-chassis/4804_rear-spring-shock-absorber#48818 One thing worth nothing is that the bolts and brackets were totally corroded so I just bought the lot to save any hassle. If I'm honest I would like to replace the rear antiroll bar as it's very rusty too. Has anyone any links to an upgraded one? I think whiteline did make them at one stage but can't find any trace online unfortunately.

Cheers bud. It's louder inside the car without being intrusive. Sat at 70/80 mph it is same as stock. Some slight drone if you are driving around in manual mode with a high gear selected at slow speed and put your foot flat down. In reality you would be in auto and car would shift you to correct gear or you would have correct gear for speed you are travelling at anyhow so any drone is self inflicted (if that makes sense) Makes some nice burbles and pops when letting off throttle which I like. Nothing like an F Type though. Turns more heads than before. My wife says she can hear me 5 miles away now rather than 4 miles away 😉 As mentioned before. It makes car more enjoyable to drive at normal speeds without having intake open. BUT... I also have a Takeda intake installed. You can't hear the intake below 3600rpm but when it does open.... SMILES :-)

That’s pretty much it. It is in the middle of both. The styling can be decisive as it is very understated but as an ownership proposition is kills the other cars. Quality of the past and build quality is the best of the three as is reliability. The Mark Levinson sound system is bloody marvellous. That last one was random but true. Be interested to hear your thoughts.

Baz is in Bolton

A good idea, although there are already a lot of videos already available on YouTube covering various aspects of different cars. The only problem may be that there are usually variations within a particular model of car. Something you find when looking through the manual.

I find most dashcam incidents are too trivial to post, someone cuts you up, doesn't go on green because they're having a shave or putting on makeup. It happens. I very rarely react to the offenders.

Cars fitted with dash cams always seem to be involved in some sort of road rage or RTA, I'm steering well clear and not fitting one in my car!

Well it seems my search has unfortunately taken a bit of a wrong turn. More or less throughout this I'd intended to buy this one https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201805086299597?logcode=visc&fromSA=true Just like my IS but in RX form. Full Lexus history, one lady owner, low mileage, spoke to the previous owner, spoke to Southend Lexus. Best colour for one too I thought. A few calls and messages back and forth between myself and the seller, all good. He even dropped the price a bit because the cambelt is well overdue. Then tonight while discussing deposits etc I get a really offensive racist video from him via Whatsapp that was clearly intended for someone else but came to me. My jaw nearly hit the floor. So, Essex Car Centre in Billericay (a family run business with a great reputation) is run by a guy called Chris who thinks it's OK to share racist videos. Thanks but no thanks. Gutted.