Jgtcracer

On 10/7/2023 at 7:35 AM, First_Lexus said:

Yes, no problem at all using snow foam products, or actually pretty much any detailing products, as long as instructions are followed. The only thing to avoid is anything too abrasive (T-Cut, yikes!) unless you know what you’re doing and are correcting the finish.

I’ve used Bilt Hamber Auto Foam for years on NX and RX and it’s very good, albeit quite strong so make sure the dilution ratio is right otherwise you might impact on previously added sealant/wax protection to a degree (but still wouldn’t damage the paintwork as you’d simply reapply protection as desired).

I use Bilt Hamber products and they are brilliant.  Sure they will be fine….

I use ceramic coating on my cars and it’s brilliant!  Lasts a couple of years if done right and makes the paintwork look brilliant.  To be honest it’s probably not the time of year to be doing it unless you have a garage and somewhere you can keep the car warm for a few days however…

Detailer will be able to help but will cost a chunk of money.

3 hours ago, Boomer54 said:

They say dogs tend to be a mirror for their owners. I thought what if that were true for owners and cars.

So, if you were a car then what car would you be?

Have a little fun here giving us your rational for the choice.

I will lead off. I would be a Lada Vaz 2101.

Cheap to build, basic and robust whilst easy to maintain and reliable whatever the weather.

Lexus RC-F.  Reliable, smart man’s car that is damn good looking. Overweight

 Modest too!!!

41 minutes ago, Brian R said:

Converting your mpg (US gallon?) figures to UK gallon, then you are achieving 25.8 and 39.6 mpg I'd say that was pretty impressive! I'm sure some of the V8 owners (given mines a hybrid) will shortly be along to comment but looks like you have a gentle touch on the gas peddle.

I get around 24mpg from the RCF, can’t imagine there is too much difference.  One thing I do notice is higher octane fuel runs better and increases efficiency by around 10%.  It would be a struggle to get as high as 26mpg local to me whilst maintaining traffic speeds.

 On a motorway run at 70mph I’ll get 30mpg+ with little struggle.

 How does the hybrid compare?

My RCF mileage went down 5 miles at its 2nd service due to mileage being incorrectly inputted!  Was MOT’d a month earlier than its service at Swindon and they claimed it was operator error.  As for tyres, 12k miles isn’t too bad, couldn’t worry too much about it….

10 hours ago, Grey One said:

Only overweight reviewers on TV/YouTube complain about the rear seating, actual owners usually don't even notice there is any issue.  Right guys?

I’m 6’3” and did struggle with rear seat room, though only when I was driving and needed to carry someone behind me.

I’m also 18 stone though so might have been because I’m a ‘big’ bloke!!

1 hour ago, Spacewagon52 said:

There is no denying they are lovely cars to sit in. The wait for an expensive repair to occur would drive me mad!

I’ve resigned myself to the fact that it will happen so it’s less of a deal once it does!  Surprisingly I’ve had to spend £200 on a tyre for it this week and I’ve just been looking at the rear view camera as it seems to have packed in!!

The joys of Range Rover ownership! 

On 10/16/2023 at 5:06 PM, Linas.P said:

Yes Audi and MB are horrible, Land Rover is firmly sticking to the bottom, but BMW/Mini are rather decent despite what people say about them. Sure - they are not Lexus, and I am really glad Lexus getting recognition it deserves, but still not falling apart when looking as some may suggest. 

Although it’s just one car, the wife’s 2018 Range Rover hasn’t had too many problems.  I secretly really like it, far softer and more comfortable than the RCF.  Certainly feels luxurious, amazing how much difference really good heated seats and steering wheel makes.  We would have another, such a shame the RX doesn't get my juices flowing as it would be first choice.

 That being said, still worry it will break down on her and foot us with a big bill.  Don’t suffer the same issue with the Lexus, peace of mind is worth its weight in gold.  A major part of my job is centred around reliability strategy and the value of stability in ‘process’ can’t be under estimated!!

On 11/2/2023 at 3:27 PM, NemesisUK said:

I was invited to view both my new cars before they had undergone any dealer preparation. Each time the car was extensively covered in white film on the panels. The alloys were protected by hard plastic 'discs' and the seats and steering wheel had soft plastic covers. The floor was protected with paper covers.

Attached is the PDS document for the RC (2015, not sure if anything will have changed for newer models). As the D/C Cut fuse is removed at the assembly plant I wonder how they move the cars around? A number of ECUs require initialisation when the fuse is replaced, seat ecu, parking guidance ecu. The TMPS has to be started as this is disabled at the plant as the radio wave frequency doesn't comply with Japan regs. So, apart from preparing the bodywork there's a fair bit to do...

 

RC300H PDS instructions.pdf 890.94 kB · 8 downloads

Interesting document that…. Thanks very much.  Like to think about the journey the RCF went on during its lifetime before me!

3 hours ago, ubersonic said:

Pilot Sport 5 or Pilot Sport S 5? They're two different tyres.

The Pilot Sport S 5 is the successor to the Pilot Sport 4 S (which was the successor to the Pilot Super Sport).

The Pilot Sport 5 is the replacement to the Pilot Sport 4, which replaced the Pilot Sport 3, etc.   

Pilot Sport 5 tyres.

10 hours ago, Akite said:

Update - manifolds went on fine ticking now fixed. I do however now have a fitment issue with what was an aftermarket exhaust system (on the car when i purchased it). The manifolds dont connect to the rest of the exhaust correctly so i will have to get the exhaust altered so the joints line up 100%. Bit of a pain but will take it to Hayward and Scott to do the business on this.

H&S are good, my exhaust is from them and not had any problems with it…. 

On 10/20/2023 at 12:02 AM, RichGS11 said:

The Old Military Road in the cairgorms is a blast. We did that in September on a dry day and it was pretty amazing!

Whenever I drive it there seems to be loads of traffic.  Suppose it’s the main tourist road through the Cairngorms.  Admittedly I’m with the wife so can’t make best use of every overtaking opportunity!

All, so ended up getting Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tyres from Camskill.  Very soon to be commenting too much but a few observations compared to Michelin Supersports are that they are much quieter, better in the cold/wet and don’t crab at all.  Also very communicative and seem to have a more compliant ride.

Hard to imagine that they are going to be better in the dry but seems the technology has moved on a bit over the last few years so very pleased so far.  Also £300 cheaper for a full set!

43 minutes ago, Grzegorz M said:

As I know I have custom made exaust with flap controller through pilot. 

 

 

Do You actually blocked this flap pipe with vacuum cap? After this flap will be  fully open all time? Is this safe?

Which solenoid are you on about?  Blanking the oem one with make your intake flap open up all time and give a deeper growl at lower revs.  Perfectly safe….

 Not a clue what blanking the other one will do, if you follow the pipes you may be able to work out what it does.  Could it be getting used to control the switchable valve in the exhaust?

3 minutes ago, Grzegorz M said:

Yes it does. After higher rev engine sound different. I have two valves, everywhere where i found i saw just one, strange. I will record video with sound next time. 

 

BTW, somewhere here in forum i read that it is not recomended to disconect electrical plug from that valves, is this correct?

oh yea, never actually noticed that!!  Not a clue what that is!  I can only assume its been added at a later date, do you have a valved exhaust or something??

If you disconnect the plug (for the oem solenoid) I believe you will get an Engine Warning Light.

This vac valve is used to move the flap in the intake box.  Think it comes from the intake manifold around the throttle body and goes via the valve to the intake box.  Don’t think it should be making any noise….

 Does the engine change not around 4500rpm?

On 10/19/2023 at 9:22 PM, Littorio said:

@andrey77

Here's the Maxton front splitter V2 as fitted to my car.

Ordered online from them direct, arrived next working day!

Looks good that!  Going to have to get one, though may go with skirts too!

On 10/22/2023 at 6:48 PM, B1RMA said:

Not really, the main issue was that I bought it to replace my CL65 just before selling the contracting side of my business. Of course I didn't need to travel all over the country a month after buying it.

Then why both selling it.  Sounds like there's no real need to so why bother!  As is the way with the RCF, its probably lost most of the value its going to so its not actually 'costing' you much more to hold on to it.

That's how I justify it......coincidently I'm considering my options too for the RCF, though not straying too far!

Marcus

2 hours ago, B1RMA said:

I take your point about what could be underneath, it was like a new car before the wrap which from another point of view preserves the paintwork.

Someone locally who has always liked the car is now interested, so I've got to decide if I want to get rid of an excellent car with low mileage and road tax. I've been here before and kept it, don't know why I put myself through this torture every now and then. Must stop.

So not a done deal then?  Suppose it comes down to what’s driving the reason to get rid of it.

Are there any cons to keeping it and not using it much??

Appreciate the responses so far.  I’m inclined do disregard the contis based upon wear rate so am trying to balance up the pros/cons of MPS5 and MPS4S tyres. Slightly different applications but I do quite a few miles do it does add up.

 One thing I have noted is how relatively cheap tyres seem to be at the moment.  Currently looking around the £700 delivered before fitting!  Seems very reasonable to me…..

Much appreciate the responses.  Looks like the MPS4S is the way to go then.  It’s certainly the safest option and having had them on a previous car they did wear well.

Got to be better than the Michelin Supersports, particularly in the wet/cold!

All,

I was in for my 10,000 mile service at Newcastle last week and they have picked up all 4 tyres as needing replaced.  As the cold weather seems to now be on us, seems its time for a change.  I know its been done to death at this point but just looking for a quick check on people's thoughts on options.  I've said myself in the past that I like the Goodyear asymmetric 5 tyres but now reading up I'm seriously considering migrating to the new Contisport contact 7. Its been released and its getting loads of positive reviews against the mighty Michelin PS4S.  Car currently has Michelin Supersports on it and don't really want to re-fit them. 

Michelin have an offer on at the minute meaning both the MPS4S and Conti 7 tyres work out at the same price so its going to come down to performance and crucially, wear.  Do around 12,000 miles a year in the car so dont want to be spending £800 a year on tyres if I don't have to!!

Anyone with any experience of the continentals, are they as good as everyone is saying they are??  I've had Sport contact 6s on the ISF and they only lasted 6-7000 miles......

Marcus

1 hour ago, mr2lad said:

Where in Scotland…. A9 north of Perth is average speed cameras all the way up towards Inverness…. A90 north of Dundee is again covered in average speed cameras up to Stonehaven up by Aberdeen… most of other roads further north are just the mobile camera vans

Some pretty good stuff in the cairngorms or over to the west.  Even just north of Glasgow it gets a bit quieter…. Down here in the borders it’s terrific too!

7 hours ago, hockeyedwards said:

Generally it is what someone is willing to pay for what 'they want' the plate to be for their car.

Less characters, popular or funny names/ words, popular car models (like the RCF on your plate) but imagine 'BMW', all generally drive the price up.

I like 'cherished plates' but I am usually a minority and get heavily ribbed by friends/ family. I spent moderate money on my 777 KE, but my L400 JAP was fairly low.

A quick search online to cherished reg businesses would put yours at £600-£1k, minus listing/ sale fees unless you cut that bit out 🙂

I too have one but chose it based upon my name, rather than a car model etc.  feels like something that you buy for life and it changes cars as I do.  £500 or so doesn’t seem unreasonable when I’m going to use it for another 50 years (hopefully).

 There must be a technological solution that would do away with them to be honest.  May be a case of keep it simple because it works!!

2 hours ago, ISF855 said:

Hi all

Here's a hypothetical:

Lexus ISF from a Lexus dealership. Good age and mileage. 

Has regular Lexus service history from birth to 2023 with an approx 4 year gap with no service history available. This seems to be because they have no paperwork or record of work done besides where it's happened at Lexus. Thus it comes across as having a 4 year gap with no services. 

Also, no additional receipts or paperwork for work carried out except for work done at Lexus which they can pull up on their system.

Would this be of strong concern? 

Cheers,

Does this mean it will not come with the Relax warranty?  History being there isn’t in itself a problem if the car is ok and the price is right…. They are generally bullet proof and if it’s in a main dealer they must have a level of confidence in the cars history.

Possible opportunity to haggle on price.