Jgtcracer

5 hours ago, GMB said:

Thanks for that. I had this very same discussion with Lexus and they told me that the ISf has a different LSD and does not need it

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…

On 1/29/2024 at 11:01 AM, B1RMA said:

I've just got off the phone to Tein UK. It would appear that there is now a fully active, height adjustable system available for the RCF.

I can vouch for the quality of Tein Suspension I had it fitted to my track prepped RX7 and more recently the fully active system fitted to my highly modified Mini Clubvan.

I am going to get this fitted to my RCF although my car has the Lexus AVS system this system will blow it out of the water, plus the coil-overs are fully adjustable for ride height.

Prices are as follows the four coil-overs i.e. springs and dampers which are the top of the range (I believe less expensive ones are also available ) is £1320.00

And the top of the range EDFC Active Pro control unit is £751.00 these prices are for the units only so you will have to get them fitted at extra cost.

I cannot put into words how this system transforms a car, my Mini which was fun to drive was to say the least a bit harsh which was okay for a while. But when I had the Tein system installed it was mind blowing, you could potter-along at a sensible speed and it was truly comfortable, then if you put your foot down it noticeably tightened up. Then when cruising on a motorway it would ride like a limo compared to standard.

I believe there are a few Youtube videos of the EDFC Pro Active which are worth checking out. I'm waiting to get price confirmation fro Tein UK later today but I'm certainly going to budget to get it.

Look forward to you being a test case in the UK, I’m looking for S-class levels of comfort!! 

What happens to the AVS system once it’s disconnected?  I don’t think it will show a warning light but the internal computer will recognise the connectors are disconnected and show a fault internally.

 It won’t effect the car at all, just not sure if there are other options….

I must admit, feeling pretty good about not having a TVD at this point…

Got to be something else going on with this example, with my reliability engineer’s hat on id suggest there isn’t a trend of these failing so what’s the root cause.

I do wonder sometimes whether manufacturers would like to have old units back even if for no other reason than to carry out root cause analysis and determine whether there is room to improve. I suppose it would be tiresome, but if I was the design engineer on such a low volume part Id be interested!

Toyota leads the way with kaisen continuous improvement so I bet they do it with certain warrantied parts…..

2 hours ago, shapiro said:

I’ve booked in for a service and they tried the cross sell with me… I declined. The cross selling is a little cheeky. If the car needs it, say it (and make it a service item) if it doesn’t, don’t try and push it and make it sound important. 

Agreed, do what the service requires and don't try to upsell under the pretense that its part of the service.  I was in a Halfords Autocentre recently and they almost sold a £40 fuel system cleaner to an elderly lady that wouldn't have known any better.  I politely interjected and suggest she not bother.  Got a right dirty look from the manager but I think it was worth it!

3 hours ago, RCF Fan said:

Good to hear, thanks @Jgtcracer. I will investigate a little more - I am just slightly concerned it will scrape on underground car parks and keen to avoid that 

I personally haven't noticed any issues with carparks.....

10 hours ago, wendle said:

Yes i think you are right, i am sure they had a extra higher cost for the 6 year / 60.000miles service for plugs

Don’t tell me that…. mine is due in the autumn!!

7 hours ago, mr2lad said:

I’m Just 5-10mins north of Rothes and 4miles south of Elgin on the Rothes A941 road

 

I’m in Rothes with work occasionally, lucky thing about being in the distilling industry!

 Beautiful area of the world, you’re a lucky gent….

On 1/27/2024 at 9:40 PM, eightk said:

850 is about as bad as it’ll get - that’s a big big biggest service. For all that work on the service and twelve months warranty on something as performance-related as the LC it’s very cheap I think. 

Am I right in thinking they basically have two prices for a major or minor service?  Although what’s required at any specific one is different, the prices tend to be the same.
 

For the RCF they alternate major/minor/major etc.  sometimes your major will need spark plugs or a diff oil change (for example) but the price will stay the same, meaning sometimes it’s good value, others it seems a bit dear….

On 1/27/2024 at 7:48 AM, Philrcf said:

Thanks for the info. I've been really surprised by how well it handles in the wet and how planted it feels. 

I know the car was criticized for its weight, and slightly heavy steering, but personally they are things that I really like about it, must suit my driving style or something. 

I too use the car all year round and run Michelins.  Haven’t found it any use whatsoever if there is virgin snow on the road but for slush etc, been fine driving to the conditions.  I do also have a 4x4 in the house though so haven’t tried it in particularly snowy conditions.

1 hour ago, Fforfun said:

That's an interesting idea, thanks. I only live about 45 mins from H&S, so I'll drop them a line and see what they reckon. It is a full system. 

I have driven a completely stock ISF and the intake noise was still a big enough draw without the drama from the exhaust. Might have something to do with being a previous owner of VTEC engines. 

Good to have options. 

Hope it helps.  As a fellow VTEC owner I fully subscribe to the B/K Series wide open throttle club!!!

Not sure the wife appreciated 8,000rpm Tesco runs however!

3 hours ago, Dingle Dell said:

I finally got to see a Sonic Grey, Sonic Red and White car in the flesh yesterday, and now definitely have set my heart on the red.

There is a car that could be suitable, but it has the tan interior. I guess that's a bit of a marmite colour, but will go and check it out to see what I think of it in the flesh.

Tan interior is the sign of a true gentleman!  I’m very jealous of those that are able to have it.  Was never an option in the RCF, far too brash a car I assume!

6 minutes ago, Fforfun said:

Thanks for the pointer on the spot welds. I've seen quite a few posts about missing tips and would be keen to avoid the same fate!

Have you considered adding a resonator into the mid section somewhere.  Means you can keep the exhaust whilst quietening it down.

ISF exhaust is quite muted by comparison so may take it too far if you like the current noise when full throttle.  Bet it would be cheaper too….

Is it a full system or just back boxes?

7 hours ago, RCF Fan said:

Thanks Marcus, good to know - did you do both front and rear? Any issues with underground car parks and road humps etc?

 

 

Initially tried just the fronts but looked a bit ‘nose down’.  Interestingly it did rub more like that too on occasion.    Dropping all 4 corners cured any rubbing so don’t tend to have issues at all…

Occasionally a particularly big speed bump or large lump in the road may make a very light rub but I do have spacers also so the offset of the wheel may bring it a tad closer to the arch liner.

I wouldn’t consider it an issue so if that’s your only concern just do it.

 One thing to consider on an AVS car is that the electrical connection to the damper is through the top damper nut and it’s delicate.  Need a ring spanner with an offset to tighten properly.

1 hour ago, Philrcf said:

The car lives in the far, far north just south of Inverness. Managed 33mpg on the motorway cruise home which I thought was pretty good going for a big V8. It's our only car, and is by a long way the most I have ever put in to a vehicle

There’s only a few of us in scotland that i’m aware of, can probably count the RCF owners on one hand…

Did see an ISF near Rothes last time I was there mind you.  Need to make an excuse for us all to meet one day, perhaps a blast around the cairngorms or West coast!

11 hours ago, Mossypossy said:

Button to go sideways on far left.

My favourite ‘fun’ button to engage ‘expert mode’

I can’t see it doing particularly well in Europe at all to be honest….

I’d Love to be wrong but If it is for sale in the UK it’s going to be in really small numbers and a few years down the line it will discontinued.

Stick to what you know and do it really well.  That market is really hard to break into, at that price people are buying a brand/image, not a car…..

I’m seeing Mitsubishi FTO, Aston Martin DB7 and Ferrari California all in one car…. That must have cost a fortune to do first time round!!

 Nice colour I suppose, wonder if it’s still reliable….

6 hours ago, Parker87 said:

😮 The shame of it!  😄

I'd love to have a drive of an RC-F though. The manager who sorted out my Service Plan did say I might be able to have one as a courtesy car if I took my car there to be serviced but I suspect that was just Car-dealer speak!

I heard all that too, haven’t yet been in a dealer with an RCF on the forecourt to be honest….

Every time I’m in I’ll look at an LC500 but never get a drive….. can’t quite bring myself to waste a salesman’s time when I’ve got no intention of buying.  

On 1/20/2024 at 12:50 PM, ColinBarber said:

Looks like the factory did offer another red (3S0) but wasn't available as an option in this country to my knowledge:

I very much like that colour, bet it’s brill with tan leather!!!

On 1/20/2024 at 12:03 PM, Parker87 said:

Now, if you'd gone along with his opinion Marcus, you might have got away with a much cheaper Service Plan 😉.

This was when I was buying!  They were trying to sell me a RC300h

20 hours ago, MNMJ said:

I had a mesa red ISF and now a sonic red RCF. They are different shades of red and I understand sonic red is a lot harder to match if repairs are needed; I recall being told it is a 5 step paint process...whatever that means.

My Mesa Red ISF looked really quite burgundy/flat on a ‘dreek’ Scottish day.  Brilliant in the sun however.
 

Sonic red seems a bit lighter/brighter.

17 hours ago, Parker87 said:

Update on the Service Plan - I've just had a conversation with a Manager at the Lexus Centre involved and it turns out that my Plan has been calculated on the basis of my car being an RC-F! I suspected this but it's good to have it confirmed, and a new quote will be forthcoming. They declined my offer to accept an RC-F to balance the books 😉

When I bought my RC-F from Swindon, a salesman at my local dealer argued with me that I bought an RC-F Sport when I enquired with them….

I had to take him outside and open the bonnet to show him the engine before he believed me.  Thought I was the mistaken one….

20 hours ago, RCF Fan said:

In other news, just hit the 4yr mark, fresh service with Lexus and MOT. Now, tempted to look at lowering springs....if only to bring the front down a little as I think the back looks fine

Can’t recommend Swift springs enough, really good and no reliability issues whatsoever.  

3 hours ago, ColinBarber said:

RC F

I didn’t know that, guess I’ll have to sit in a machine gun nest outside the house from now on….

10 hours ago, zachkylealger said:

Turns out the missed call from Lexus was just to book in a service! I'd planned to go see the LC tomorrow (500 mile round trip!). Unfortunately I think I'll have to cancel for now and hope the issue is addressed. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more updates on here. Fingers crossed another example as nice and well priced is available when (or if) this all gets sorted out. I'll stick with the GS for the meantime!

I really wouldn’t let the possibility of something happening put you off, particularly when the chances are so low and the car is too good an opportunity to miss. I own a car that isn’t susceptible to the attack but it does probably get a disproportionately high amount of air time on this forum because of the concerns of owners.  You could easily read that it’s a real problem with LCs but the fact is it’s doesn’t seem to be happening.

SUVs on the other hand are another story….