Jgtcracer

1 hour ago, RCF Fan said:

I am tentatively thinking of selling current RCF and currently looking at alternatives. Has anyone considered or done similar?

current shortlist is current M3/M4, previous gen but 2019 (facelift) onward c63 coupe (do like the estate though!) or the 2021 onward (facelift) Alfa Guilia Quadrifoglio….

suspect I’m better selling privately but they are a rare beast, particularly mine as a facelift ~ have genuinely not seen another on road since I purchased in 2021 (Lexus approved) so perhaps might take some time.

Any advice, experience or suggestions appreciated.

I say tentatively as fundamentally it is a brilliant car and I know I will miss elements of it but….

brief spec below in case someone interested in discussing 

Facelift (current shape) model in Azur Blue (recently stage 2 polish and ceramic coated)

2 tone white and black leather (treated)

29k miles or thereabouts 

full Lexus service history of course 

Oct 2019 registration (69 plate) but on a five digit private plate - would include for right buyer

Hayward & Scott exhaust (plus standard)

AVS adaptive dampers

Apple CarPlay and all other usual spec incl mark levinson, forged alloys, orange callipers 

Optional and in my opinion vital sunroof

 

Good luck with the sale, wish I had the sunroof!  Hope you don’t mind me asking, what’s moving towards those alternatives?  Most RCF owners made the conscious decision to not buy a BMW/Merc etc.

Alfa however was on my shortlist too but didn’t want the back seats.  Beautiful cars though, love the Red or Green with tan interior!

On 4/25/2024 at 10:48 PM, jeffrosie6 said:

Not a problem buddy. That's exactly what I've been doing. Heat and penetrating fluid. Using a 50/50 mix of diesel & aviation hydraulic fluid as that's what I've read that the RAF mechanics used to use to good effect. Got them more or less freed. Fingers crossed the rears are good.

That’s brilliant, are you going try a different spring rate on the RSR coilovers then?

On 4/21/2024 at 11:49 PM, jeffrosie6 said:

That's a good idea. No local firms that I know, will need to check, and all depends on their hourly rate. The front 2 are seized. Not yet checked the rear..

Sorry for only replying now but wouldn’t expect a good mechanic to struggle, particularly if you took them off the car in advance.  Having the right tools and a strong vice makes all the difference.  From experience galvanic corrosion could be the issue but isn’t something some penetrating fluid couldn’t sort….

6 hours ago, jeffrosie6 said:

Lookinng to get BC coilovers.

What's the ideal spring rates I should look for considering the dismal state of our roads.

Currently the car is on RS*R coilovers but the bottom height adjusters are so tight, I can't get them undone. 

Are you looking to get new coil overs because the perches are seized? If you’re really struggling, give them to a mechanic or local engineering firm who should be able to sort that…..

2 hours ago, rayaans said:

• Do not drive at extremely high speeds.
• Avoid sudden acceleration

I suppose 600 miles ain’t far but my self discipline would be at breaking point!

11 hours ago, Paul29bit said:

Some other questions to daily drivers of the LC500 ...

1. Do you owners use regular Petrol with Ethanol and does that lower power, or, do you opt for Premium Fuel?

2. Earlier models do not have android auto or apple play but will the phone work via bluetooth for calls and possibly passing music through?

 

My RCF returns approx 10% better fuel economy on 98 so makes financial sense too, also seems to run better…..

On 4/12/2024 at 5:33 PM, binnocorp said:

Not sure if this article has been shared, which seems to confirm the end for new Lexus V8 motors in the UK.

Interestingly they imply there have been 2600 RCs sold, I would have thought it a bigger number than that! 

I can’t imagine it’s that low but if it is that’s very disappointing….

18 minutes ago, TheHairyBeast said:

Its a car you dont see on the road...

Currently for me it’s between a m2 comp/MK5 Supra or RCF.

RCF is certainly the rarer of the lot, though will drive quite differently.  Suppose it all depends what you’re after.  My RCF has small mods and doesn’t effect my warranty, though if I wanted to claim I can imagine it would come up!

21 hours ago, TheHairyBeast said:

Hello All,

As title says really thinking about buy an RCF and wanting some opinions on things to consider.

Apart from the usual insurance, road tax etc anything in particular if anyone can share?

Knowing the engine is a reliable platform anything major to look out for when buying one used?

 

 

Thanks.

All good points, one thing to consider is the RCF is what I would consider as a ‘grower’.

 Most people don’t buy an RCF without making a conscious decision to not buy the obvious alternatives.  As such, the RCF can sometimes feel a little underwhelming compared to the Audi/BMW/Merc competition - don’t be alarmed if it’s not quite what you expect as the car most certainly gets better once you get to know it.  Think of it as a GT rather than sports car and it will all make sense.

Don’t get me wrong, when pushed it’s extremely rapid but without turbos you do have to work at it and the gearing will have you at nearly 100mph in 3rd!!

Orange is the best colour too!  Only thing I wish I had is a sunroof….

17 hours ago, DAN@ADRIAN FLUX said:

Hi.

Have you tried ourselves for insurance at all?

Regards,

Dan.

Dan, thanks for the message.   I have and found that your costs online to be higher than others.  As the only contributing insurance company on the forum I’d love nothing more than to support Adrian Flux but you’re a tad too expensive relative to similar covers elsewhere.

I presume I should ring for a better price?  Can I reasonably expect to see a reduction against your online quote doing this?

All,

I'm due for car insurance renewal in coming few weeks and am finding that with no changes to my circumstances, policy re-quotes are coming in approx 60% higher than last year!  I can only assume one of the below has occurred.

1. I've moved to Gaza - Not too convinced as its raining outside and is quieter than I would expect.
2. People are stealing/damaging RC-Fs left, right and center - Also not convinced, though could be linked to point 1 above.
3. The industry have arbitrarily bumped everyone's premiums us under the guise of 'inflation and increased costs'

Discuss.....

19 hours ago, B1RMA said:

Not sure if satin bronze would go with your colour.

I’ve had gold/bronze wheels before but think it would look daft on mine.  Looks good on your car but there are lots of colours that work on yours. I’m leaning towards black but can’t help think silver is nice too!

2 hours ago, mr2lad said:

Hmmm 🤔 let me think about your choices…….BLACK possibly or black maybe or black defiantly 

yeah id go Black 😉👍🏻,

 

Is there such a thing as too much black??😁

4 hours ago, James605 said:

How about halfway? Mine are a kind of gunmetal grey and I like them. Not keen on silver wheels, and with black wheels I find they just look like a detail-less black void.

The OEM wheels are gunmetal grey and although I like them, they look a bit flat…. Your car looks good but perhaps it’s the orange that makes it look different.

My 2018 RCF is starting to suffer with lacquer peel on a few of the wheels and as a result feel I'm going to be getting them painted this spring.  I've swaying between a bright silver and black.  Any advances/opinions on either of these?  Ive attached a couple of photoshopped pics for reference (middle is the OEM finish)!

I like the silver as it looks clean and OEM+, though the black appeals to the racer in me!  Think I'm going to struggle to refurb to OEM spec due to the polished face and my location.....

@Linas.P that’s quite a response, couldn’t agree more….

@Dibo201 I’d suggest doing a pre wash snow foam and two bucket method as mentioned above as a good start…. Paint correction and ceramic coating would be my way to go if you want to go deeper but expect to clean every weekend it if you want the car to look it’s best all summer!

On 2/29/2024 at 8:24 PM, Ivacerk said:

sandwich plate

Not done the mod on an ISF but have used Mocol thermostatic sandwich plates and coolers with AN fittings.  They were good and reasonably priced….

I personally think it’s not a particularly good idea if you’re worried about resale value.  The market for an ISF is already small, modifying the seats will just make the pool smaller.  I’m 6’3” and didn’t have many problems in mine, would you consider custom seat rails??  Retain original seats whilst getting them right where you want them….

1 hour ago, DamianLEX said:

Hi,

we just started swapping Japanese sat nav unit for European one and it looks completely different at the back.

Connections are different and I don’t know how to bite it. Any idea?

On the left European.

I assume there is no conversion harness that can be used for this then?  Barring having access to the wiring diagrams for both I can imagine it will be a struggle....

4 hours ago, Philrcf said:

Being new to Lexus ownership I had high hopes for the 10 year warranty, but was slightly sceptical.

Had to take my newly acquired RCF to Lexus Edinburgh, having not noticed on purchasing that only cold air was coming out on the passenger side.  Additionally, drivers seatbelt wasn't retracting too well. It was a private purchase, but with full DSH.

Superb dealer experience really well looked after and no charge for diagnosis. The entire passenger heater box needs to be replaced, along with the seatbelt.

Non warranty cost is £3k ! Covered in full, without hesitation, subject to taking a couple of weeks to get the parts.

Shows the value in dealer servicing, especially as these cars age.

Good news, I take the car to Lexus Newcastle at the moment but Edinburgh is actually closer.  May give them a go next service…..

10 hours ago, RadicalCoupe-Fuji said:

I was ready to get it done along with the service & MOT but they had no parts, now when its not convenient they are requesting the car for the fix. typical.

I would if it’s regional or a first come first serve basis?  I rang up and got it done in no time without cancellations….

 Seems a little hit/miss.  Even if you consider all the different models affected, you think parts would be readily available by now, it’s not like Lexus don’t know how many they need!

11 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

Here's the 2016 spec - back then all grades had leather seats as standard:

Interesting list that, RC-F really is quite similar, just with a different engine.

Id like to have had the option to have tan leather….

9 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

You never know but this is normally only an issue at start up - not once the vehicle is running and charging up the battery.

I'd like to think that an official Lexus dealer would have performance that basic check. Potentially more likely a problem with the hybrid dc/dc converters which aren't supplying 14.4v to run the vehicle/charge the aux battery correctly or some other issue where the hybrid errors are a symptom and not the cause.

Right, I forget that hybrids have components I’m not familiar with.  Certainly with a traditional ICE car, I’d maybe be a bit closer but my experience of hybrids is somewhat lacking……

Consider myself reeducated!

11 hours ago, Mike Carter said:

 

Vehicle: Lexus RC 300h

Registration: LA51 DOG

Date of Purchase:16/11/22

Start Milage: 47,500

Failure Milage: 54,000

First Fault: 31/12/23

 

 

Not much help with the breakdown but love the number plate!!

I too would check the simple stuff first and from experience check the 12v battery……..

 Good luck

8 hours ago, Jgtcracer said:

It’s a real interesting one this, part of my role involves oil analysis and Tribology generally.  Oil degrades over time the Lexus will have had to input a ‘lifetime’ value into the calculations to determine whether they would need to replace.  I suggest that have deemed it be be ‘good enough’ in reality.

Also worth noting that oils degrade over time, as well as mileage so must have attributed a length of time, along with mileage into their calcs.

I think it’s all a risk assessment by them to determine that the benefits of not doing it outweigh the tolerable risk of failure…

It’s also worth noting that for an RC-F, they recommend a rear diff oil change, I think at 4years…..