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Hi All I know been a long while appreciate to see some remember me....... was it my charm.....Witt.....being a pain in the arse ☺️ Anyway being sorting some personal and health issues nearly resolved and I’ll be back....... Oh and Kitt is still with me........ Be good to meet up with old and new sometime Big Rat 🐀

I’ll start my review with a huge thumbs-up to Lexus Hedge End. They’re consistently a pleasure to deal with but this time one of their sales guys and true petrol head, Michael, really pulled out the stops for me... I’ve been given a LC500 as a courtesy car. So, “how does it compare to the GSF on a rain-soaked February afternoon?” I hear you all ask... Under normal driving, it’s remarkably familiar! The engine is the same 5.0 V8, albeit with twin intakes over the single one of the GSF/RCF. The gearbox is now a 10-speed, with a slightly clumsy new design of shifter, but economy appeared the same. The rear-wheel steering is unusual! Sage advice from a slightly nervous Michael - “take the first few roundabouts gently, and don’t steer as much as you think you need to!” He was right - it feels like the rear wheels are sliding sideways! An odd experience, but ok once you learn to work with it. I believe the rear wheels turn slightly in opposite directions to the fronts at low speeds, effectively shortening the wheelbase - this has the result of making the car feel more like a go-kart, together with the Torque Vectoring Differential. The opposite happens at high speed to increase stability. Picking the speed up, the twin intakes give the V8 a proper howling scream above 6500rpm with lovely pops and the occasional crackle on a downshift. The car is more of a GT that can be hustled than a sports car - I though it felt it’s weight a bit more than the GSF. The OEM tyres are 21” runflats and provide good, if not exceptional grip - perhaps the non-RFs on the GSF as well as, frankly, me owning rather than borrowing it, allowed me to push the saloon harder. The ride quality is good - only the occasional thump over really bad roads, but I did notice a bit of squirming over undulating poorly maintained tarmac. The brake pedal felt slightly spongy, but the stopping ability was good. Inside, the seats are just as supportive, the cabin roomy (in the front) and the equipment list is extensive. Many of the features the GSF has buttons for are now incorporated into the computer, which now uses a touch pad to navigate instead of a mouse-lever-platform-type thing. Compared to the (dare I say “corporate”) interior of the GSF, the designers have really cut loose here! They seem to have used every type of material/surface/texture they could get their hands on, with bold, swooping lines devouring the insides of the doors. This is, of course a matter of taste, but I found it a little busy. A few bits of the switchgear are in different places - I particularly like the drive mode selector and the traction control knob to either side of the instrument binnacle - a nice nod to the utterly unobtainable LFA. There’s not much room in the back - it’s a 2+2 at an absolute push - I’d say if the person in the front seat is 6ft+, you’ve just generated a bag storage area behind. Finally - is this a car I’d look to trade up to? I’m not sure. It’s very good indeed, but apart from the looks, it feels so similar to my GSF (not a bad thing!!), I’d need to think about it more. I’d like to try the hybrid sister LC500h before a firm verdict! So, there you have it. Enjoy the pictures!

Personally, I'd prefer a slightly older RX to an NX... Cost the same, but you get a better car IMHO.

Welcome back Paul. Be great to see you again soon. The Big Rat forum has just been full of boring lexus stuff since you've been away! 😁

If a blocked tube is the issue l can suggest a good safe way of clearing it. Aquarium suppliers sell strong nylon strimmer type wire with a small nylon brush on the end. These are nice and long as they are used for cleaning power filter plastic pipework. I have one from when I kept fish and it is fantastic for cleaning all sorts of pipes.

If it wasn't so far away I'd take a look just out of interest. Trouble is we've done that with our local Dogs Trust and come away with a dog on three occasions, I'd be worried the same thing would happen with this car!

Hi, I recently got a 2004 RX300 and wanted a bit more sound and performance from the exhaust. I got a quote from a few places but ended up going with a Cybox exhaust system www.cybox.co.uk as they have full factory facilities not like the back street powerflow dealers. The system is still silent on idle but gives a nice V6 purr when cruising, I have also noticed the the car is much more responsive at lower revs. Pics below its full stainless with lifetime warranty. I dont work for Cybox before anyone asks lol.

To all who have had enough of the state of the UK roads there is an answer. It's a wheel and suspension upgade that will give you the abilty to drive normally along most UK roads instead of looking like a formula 1 car warming up it's tyres as you try to avoid the bomb holes and canyons every ten metres. There might be a small drop in the ISF abilty to go round corners at the same rate as the standard setup but you will have the security knowing that your suspension turrets will not be going through your bonnet. One further piece of equipment not shown will be a winch to drag you out of the more inaccessible craters. I know there will be a big rush to get this kit to fit to your pride and joy so you can get back to driving in a straight line again.

Took delivery of my UX Thursday (From Bristol). In Sonic Titanium with Premium pack. Very pleased, major improvement on my CT200h. So quiet and refined. Plenty space for us (also in our 70's!!).

I picked up my Jan 2018 NX (2018MY) in August for just over £31k, a good saving on new price and only 3000 miles on it. It is a Luxury spec with premium nav (newer 10 inch screen) and lovely red leather. I moved from an IS and haven’t looked back. I love the higher up seating position. Not as ‘fun’ to drive as the IS as it feels slower and the fuel economy is disappointing, but the overall experience is great.

It was a few week back when i was trying to figure out things,it was freezing cold and damp.I was tired,my old bones was hurting some what.I must have just turned the key one click and saw no ign lights,tried my sun roof and windows then put the fuse back in.Human error,and i do appologise.I was just thinking the worst,i always do.Sorry.

Spring is here!!!

Exactly what I did 😊

Thanks Herbie,now i know what it is.

I always felt that if the seat was correct, then the steering wheel was an inch or two to far away. Not enough adjustment in the wheel position. Stuck with it for two years then changed to an RX, much better.

Definitely the RX, had an NX for a couple of years after my IS, just couldn’t get comfortable with it. Bit the bullet and went for an RX and it’s much better. Fuel consumption down a bit compared to the NX, but not drastic.

I intended to buy an NX after owning both a 2014 IS300h F Sport and a 2015 GS300h. Drove one and found it incredibly uncomfortable. Harsh ride and the seats had me curtailing the test drive in 10 miles. I am not joking when I say that my back ached for several days. Tried an older RX and loved it. The fuel consumption is around the 32 to 36mpg mark Overy 20000 miles in 9 months. Normally change cars at this time but am sticking with the RX as I love it so much. My car is a very late series 3 RX Advance so to me has ample kit and conventional springs. Plenty of power and extremely quiet and stable on Michelin Cross Climates.

I've seen these year's ago after spending numerous hours looking at different models over in Japan I've spent to many hours on the link below clicking on every manufacturer & every model & working out different names like Altezza Gita & crown majesta https://yahoo.importmonster.com.au/?top_menu=26360#2084007644 Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

Hi Matt Thanx Matey look forward to it 🙂 🐀

I've pm'd you Cliff, but I'll also wirte down here in case someone may have a comment to make. I've at last connected that spare Radio to my wiring. The good news is that it works. The bad news is that I don't know for certain what works as the Radio has a security code that needs to be put in. Having taken it out and put all the gubbins back, and as I write this email I seem to recall that a code of 0000 may have been the default code for Radios. Sorry I didn't even try at the time and can't be bothered to pull everything apart again. So, if its fitted into your Car it should at least show SEC on the display to know that you now have a Radio that doesn't drain your battery. The serial number data is on the Unit and you may find out online how to "unlock" the unit.

Hi Paul, glad all is well at your end. Good to see the rcf is going strong and your coming back onto the forum, I made a decision in the new year to try and get out and about in mine a bit more, try and get to some meets, hopefully see you at one. all the best, matt

I'm sure many will be very interested to know how you get on with a coilover conversion, please report back.

Had the exact same decision to make when changing from a 3rd Gen RX and went for the 4RX. Few reasons - the RX is much more refined than an NX in any guise, the interior quality is better as is the stability at speed. The RX rear suspension does squeak over bumps, but then so do the NX ones with the same mileage. We've got an IS300h too and TBH the NX didn't feel much better and I felt it was quite lethargic. The RX picks up very well. The V6 is buttery smooth and makes a pleasant growl too. It just feels much more like a premium product, test drive both, you'll see what I mean.

Assuming what’s coming out is gungey gunk rather than limescale type deposits maybe something domestic like a dishwasher tablet dissolved in piping hot water flushed back and forth a few times? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This is a slightly biased response as I’ve done 20,000 miles in my RX in the last 9 months and about 550 miles in an NX courtesy car I had for a week. However, the RX is a superior car. The NX felt tiny inside, it’s boot being a particular disappointment and the ride quality of the one I had was pretty dismal. I averaged 39 mpg in the NX and in the same conditions (journey/weather/foot weight) in the RX I get 35/6. I initially really liked the look of the NX and sat in one of those in Lexus Leicester first. Once the salesman took me outside to sit in an RX the goal was set. Great levels of comfort, surprising turn of speed and looks great. Downsides of an RX for me are, fuel economy in slow moving traffic, the air suspension squeaks (apparently they all do this) and it is a bugger to park in congested areas. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Don't get me wrong, the RX is a wonderful vehicle and the 'standard' suspension version I also had was much better imho than the F-Sport, which I found too hard for my tastes and also noisier. However, my opinion was the same for the F-Sport NX vs the 'standard.' Having owned the NX and had two RXs (Sport and F-Sport) for weeks at a time, as my first NX had an issue that led to eventual replacement by Lexus, I'm unconvinced that the RX is as superior as some owners tend to think. Thing is, it's all about personal opinions, and buyer justification kicks in too (whether conscious or unconscious). When looking at responses, ask whether the poster has real experience of both cars, or whether (as will most often be the case) they've had a test drive in both then chosen one. Neither the NX nor the RX is as quiet or smooth as an IS or a GS either (had those as courtesy cars too, and an RC...). Good luck!

Thanks Herbs, lol, sleep in it. 😂 The NX is a 2.5 litre, same displacement as the IS, but different set up I believe.

Mine doesn't get hit for that. The list price was below £40k. I was very careful about that

RX all the way. Bigger, better, roomier - my wife's mobility scooter lives in the back very happily, and the fuel consumption isn't a lot worse than the NX anyway. I believe the NX is a 2.0 (may be 2.2) straight 4 as opposed to the RX's 3.5 V6 so you'd expect the NX to give much better economy, but the engine is underpowered for the size and weight of the car so it's not as economical as you might think. We bought our late 2013 (63-plate) RX450h Advance 14 months ago for £25k with 33k miles on the clock and I've loved every minute in it - I think I'd sleep in it if I could 😊

I've got a four week old, 19 plate NX (Premium pack + Protection pack) that I may be moving on. I just can't get comfortable in it. It'll be for sale for less than dealers are currently selling year old ones for. Only has 900 miles currently. Feel free to message me if you'd like more information

A couple of factors for me, having owned an NX and had two RXs as long(ish) term loan cars. First, the RX is quite a bit bigger than the NX. If that isn't an issue for you then fine, but parking/manoevering and the lanes where I live made the RX more of a challenge than the NX. Second, how much older would an RX be than an NX for the same price? Is that important to you? It really is a 'drive both and make your own mind up' question. Personally I'm not sure you'll get much from forum responses as all will be opinion and your opinion may be different. Over the months on this forum I've read that the RX is pretty much as economical as an NX (which wasn't my experience), that the RX is quieter (certainly not my experience based on the F-Sport RX) and that the RX is more comfortable (again, not my experience). Go and make up your own mind based on what you think and what suits you.

Hi all Having review the videos posted by Michael (Connoisseur) I tackled this a few days ago once the set of plastic levers had arrived from eBay. A bit tricky to get the surround on the gear lever off but once done the rest was very easy. The upper panel (with cigar lighter) came out very easily after easing the top edge downwards as advised in the video. The bottom two bolts were easy to find and remove and, fortunately, on mine the top two had been replaced by clips so a sharp pull removed the radio. The aerials were both quite firmly in their sockets but I eased them out and twisted them back and forth after pushing them back home. The radio is working well now. It all went back very easily.

Boooooooo!!! To bleary eyed to notice that this morning. Where is the Rat? Is he OK?

These freebies should keep me going [emoji39]

Make sure you remove any poor quality 12v USB chargers from the car, the cause interference with the radio !

Sorry I didn't check. Well lexus are over engineered 😁

Hi, Yes mine had 3 cats. They removed the third cat when they installed the exhaust. It still passed the mot with 2 cats and I was able to scrap the cat they removed at my local scrap metal dealer I got £40 for it 😊

Yeah, mine got knocked off at the Sainsbury’s car park about a fortnight after I picked my car up...can’t seem to get it back on though...however i’ll work it out for the MOT, just before it gets ‘knocked off at the Sainsbury’s car park again’...

Hi, Dan! I well, thank you! Yourself? Been busy lately... but I did meet with some of the fellows 2 weeks agos at the Caffeine and Machine... will add you now on insta

Looking great, @NothernDan

The slot that you put your music CD's ( and movie DVD's if you have the multimedia system) is NOT the slot that the SatNav DVD lives. The SatNav DVD has it's own dedicated slot that is behind the clock bezel/fascia, this is removable with the two small watchmaker screwdriver looking tools that are stored in the spine of the cars toolkit in the boot. Try and do it without using a Metal screwdriver at step 3, if anything use plastic! And don't bother to dis-connect clock module. paul m.

The word 'Dome' usually refers to the dome light, the overhead light that comes on when you open doors, rather than a description of the fuse itself, as you'll see from this: