Neil E

I've only done it once and it was very tricky. Try this

I don't ever recall a radio tuner failing so I suspect the coaxial cable isn't connected properly. The antenna may be going up and down but is there a good connection between the head unit and the aerial mast? I would unbolt the head unit to have a look at the connections, then try the radio with the aerial cable in and the cable out to see if it makes any difference. BBC Radio 2 around 88 to 91 usually has a strong signal.

Definitely and curiously very few people caught on to just how good the earlier model Soarer was despite Clarkson's favourable review of it.

.......but you are a rockstar .....in the classic car show world at least.😁 I've watched lots of Kelvin's youtube content. He really knows his stuff.

Uncle Bob is our expert in Kent. In NZ for all things UZ there is Kelvin of the Car Tune Company. He doesn't have the same rockstar image as Bob but his vids are very good. Follow Kelvin

An LS430 with 600k on it confirms that in the right hands the 3UZ is a very safe bet.

How is the LW and MW reception?

The suspension set up makes it remarkably agile for a luxury limo and the 1UZ is so strong.

Ah okay that's a shame. Is the aerial on the rear wing working okay? I think I get all of my FM signal through that one and only DAB from an aftermarket front element. I may be wrong but I think the windscreen element provides FM signal diversity to the oem head unit.

Hi Nigel, in truth I think Top Gear did understand. It can of course be turned into a race car with a fixed roof but my issue with the design and placement in the Lexus range was the departure from the previous Soarer which was, in its day, superb as a sports grand tourer at LS level in V8 form and an executive Supra as the 2.5TT. Top Gear had to play to their audience, it was a poor review but if you understand that they were familiar with the earlier import Soarer (an LS400 coupe) they were right to expect something world beating in all departments. Like a broken record, I've said this a hundred times and as an old Soarer nut that's why my SC has received so much 'abuse.' 🤣

Malc they were lost with the demise of another forum.

Hi Stephen, yes it just wasn't designed to be that sharp or precise. You already have the coilovers so stiffer sway bars (ARBs) would be the next thing to consider upgrading to improve the handling without the loss of that relaxed, laid back, SC character. The front strut bar will make just a very small difference. When I added the ISF rear sway bar, that was a great improvement.

Can't you refer it back to the windscreen fitters and get them to fix it?

I can confirm that if you polish it, the strut brace is indeed very shiny and probably adds 10 bhp despite the increase in weight.🙂 The short serious summary answer is, I don't think there's any significant handling advantage in having a front strut brace for normal or even fairly spirited driving. On the track, on the limit or in a smash where it should add a bit more rigidity perhaps it's worth having. To improve the handling without compromising the ride, fit good tyres, coilovers and better ARBs. When I first fitted it I would say I was 'in tune' with the car and was convinced the front top strut brace would make no difference at all but in practice I felt it did make it feel a fraction more stable. It's a shame the old forum notes are gone as I remember doing a very brief review. The SC is good fun and more capable than most realise considering it's a flexible cabriolet but If you want the car to handle and go fast the first thing to do is to leave the roof on, the windows up and think about fitting a roll cage. They are strong, well built cars but you really don't want to be upside down on the tarmac or in a ditch in one of these. Coilovers, wide wheels, wide sticky, tyres, uprated front anti-roll bar (Aristo/GS TTE) and an ISF rear anti-roll bar all definitely make a noticeable difference. Adding the underbody brace also stiffened it. Having a proper leather steering wheel to grip helps too. Mine isn't a posh Cusco brace but it has the optional authentic Lexus sticker to impress Uncle Bob the race scrutineer.

I wouldn't risk anything that doesn't have a chin strap. 🎩