Wellsey

My IS-F is just coming up to its 9th birthday and the warranty was up for renewal. Had a chat with my local dealership (Tunbridge Wells) and as there's nothing on the horizon to replace the F, I wanted to continue its warranty for as long as possible.

To my surprise, I was allowed to purchase 2 lots of warranty at once, covering me for a total of 4 years!

I don't know any other manufacturer that would cover a car for 13 years, let alone one with a 400+hp V8. All for less than £400 a year, whilst including MOT fee's and breakdown cover. For me at least, it's a no brainer for the peace of mind.

@FTBBCVoodoo  I've got a set of RR Racing Road and Track and whilst the handling is superb, for me they are just a bit too hard for the roads around me (my commute into work is all B-roads and I've yet to have the chance to take my F on the track).  I'll probably be going back to stock in the next couple of weeks so these will be up for grabs if you're interested?

Hi Nick,

Welcome to the forum. I bought mine last year and haven't regretted it one bit. I got mine privately and the day after, bought the warranty and service package. You usually get a bit of a discount if you buy both at the same time (Inc doing monthly payments).

Most of these cars have been look after by enthusiasts (due to them being an unknown to anyone bar them). I'd just checked that it has a full service history and you should be set.

Make sure to post some pictures when you've got it!!

Got myself a new daily driver! Those of you that are into your tuning/racing will understand the connection!!

I might be tempted to pop along. Got nothing planned for Sunday and it's just round the corner!

1 hour ago, Toothy said:

Just a Takeda intake.

Checked on the Vline website. V2 is only available for 06-09. I've got a 2011 and looks like you've got a 2010.
Is there a version for our model year cars I'm not seeing?

Here you go. https://gromaudio.com/store/all-lex6_.html

13 minutes ago, Toothy said:

Nice set of mods. Got the Apexi and USRS myself too. Recommended!

How much is the new Grom Vline, and have they sorted out the various issues they were having with it before?

The V2 was £375 on preorder, not sure how much it is now. I think most of the bugs have gone now. I’m literally just getting it to have Waze and Spotify through the head unit. As long as it can do that, I’ll be very happy!

Have you done anything else to yours?

I’ve done a few little cheapish mods to mine over the 10 months of ownership (most likely more to come).

Started with the Apexi throttle controller, which for around a hundred quid is a steal (eBay have a 10% sale on today so might be worth grabbing one!).

Next was the USRS which really tighten up the front end and reduce the dreaded inner tyre wear. 

I then fitted an exhaust valve with wireless remote. There’s a thread on it if you’re interested. For me it was the perfect solution of having a stock sound when required but when the time is right, releasing the beast!!

I’ve got the new Grom Vline on pre-order. If you want to have android apps on the nav screen or even CarPlay its a great solution.

Finally I ordered a Tom’s replica carbon fibre kit a couple of days ago. Just makes the car seem a little more aggressive without being OTT.

Hope that’s given you a few ideas!

5 minutes ago, GibletPH said:

What brand ceramics did you go for? I’m thinking of getting some Hawk ones, had them on my last ISF. Mainly wanting them due to the difference in dust, I’d forgotten how much crap the stock pads kick out!

Went for some Bosch ones imported from the states.

There's a website called RockAuto that does some stellar deals and they include all the customs fee's at the checkout so no surprises.

So bit of an update to this. I finally got around to fitting my ceramics this morning to cure my squeaking brakes. I took the old pads off to find every single one had a crack in them.

I'm going to get in touch with ECP about this because I only replaced the pads last Sept (roughly 2000 miles ago). If anyone else is suffering from squeaky brakes I do recommend having a look just incase yours have suffered a similar fate.

If ECP don't respond I'm going to go directly to brembo as this really shouldn't be happening. Will update when I hear back.

22 hours ago, DAW said:

@Wellsey Hi Rickey that looks like the Lewis tunnel run - done that a fare few times on my way to Goodwood with friends from Uckfield/Heathfield.

The exhaust sounds great👍🏻

Looking forward to running the Quicksilver exhaust through the Lewes tunnel at some point 😉

Yep, Lewes tunnel indeed! It's a must whenever I get a car with a fruity exhaust note.

My mate in Uckfield said he keeps on seeing an ISF. Your mate by any chance?

4 hours ago, GibletPH said:

I’m rarely thrilled by anything these days, it seems that I’ve become a grumpy old man despite only being 30 years old. I think I’ve just become blasé towards cars in general.

Don’t get me wrong, the car is great and the drive home was effortless despite the motorway closures. The H&S exhaust is rather good, don’t think I’ll be tinkering with it as it seems to have the right note and volume out of the box. I may purchase the Apexi throttle controller as I’d forgotten how lazy the pedal felt in normal mode, sports is a tad too sensitive for urban driving.

Haha, I'm still only 29 so still haven't hit that grumpy milestone yet!

Apexi is a must, they're a good price on eBay at the moment.

Welcome back.

Right video has just finished uploading. Here it is:

First three clips are with the valve open. The last is a poorly executed valve closed comparison (bloody traffic!).

I think the best way to describe the sound is at low revs it sounds like a proper V8 and the when the intake opens up, the exhaust perfectly compliments the noise level. Not letting the intake dominant too much.

If anyone is tempted by one of these. I do have a spare kit....

34 minutes ago, GibletPH said:

It’ll take some going on the ISF, this is what I got on a “spirited” drive on my last one - 

 

My Evo X on the other hand....

The lowest I've had is twelve after a night time run. 

That Evo though... who'd have though a 2.0 liter engine is capable of drinking so quickly!! 

28 minutes ago, Flytvr said:

Thanks for posting Ricky.

I have a few questions. In noisy mode, what's the resonance like? How loud is it? Finally, are you expecting issues at MOT time?

Hi Dave, because it's after both sets of cats and the resonator it's a nice loud with hardly any drone. Just the nice V8 burble at low rev's.

As it's only skipping the mufflers (like most factory valved systems) MOT shouldn't be a drama at all.

I'm just editing my tunnel run video now, stay tuned....

@Big Rat Here's to single digits then 

2 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@Wellsey Going to save me some fuel are you serious........

🐀

Well my tank average over the last 10 tanks is 18MPG so it cant get much worse!!

12 hours ago, GibletPH said:

You know the rules.....

 

Video please

Was too busy playing last night to get the chance. I might go tunnel hunting later today though!

12 hours ago, Big Rat said:

@Wellsey Ricky Well done matey I just wish I'd done something much sooner when I had my isF....... didn't make that same mistake with the Rcf, you enjoy it now 👍

🐀

Yeah the guys at SRD couldn't believe I had it for nearly 10 months sounding standard!

I actually think this might save me a bit of fuel in the long run also. I only ever gunned it above 3600 most of the time just to hear the V8 noise. This way I hear it all the time! Well, when the valve is open at least.

So after doing a bit of research on this forum and over at ClubLexus. I finally decided that an exhaust cutout was the way to go for myself to scratch that noise itch.

After having delay, after delay getting a cutout imported from America (ordered in Jan, finally received one this month). I got the lads over at SRD Tuning in West Sussex to fit it today and wow what a difference! As Pete has vouched before, their work is fantastic and would highly recommend them with any custom work on our cars.

 It's so nice actually hearing that engine below 3600!!

Few pics attached of the job they did:

I don't mind the squeaking so much when breaking but it happens when I'm off the pedal and is starting to drive me a tad insane! It's not too noticeable when the windows are up but with this weather (and a V8 soundtrack to listen to) I like to have them open.

I've done a few hard full stops but that only delays the comeback by a day or so. Whilst I'm getting my exhaust valve fitted tomorrow, I might just get them to chuck the new pads in.

Thanks for all the replies though! 

4 hours ago, NemesisUK said:

The Merc is broken, the rear spoiler is stuck in the up position .... (common fault)

Yeah my Girlfriends brother seem to have that "fault" with his Jag a lot as well....

I've had 2 sets of brembo pads from ECP now and they both suffer from squeaking. I've repeatedly tried to bed them in properly but each time it comes back.

Still yet to find the time to fit the ceramic ones I got from the states. Will report back once I have.

Diverging off topic a bit again. Who'd have guessed a Lexus could go so sideways!!

Just given mine a good old clean. Hopefully it stays that way for a while!

Apologies for the photobomb in the background. My girlfriends dad always has to try and one up me (think he's won this round).

On 02/03/2018 at 12:54 PM, Big Rat said:

@Wellsey Ricky yes it looks good sounds great and drives well........... but would you with your own money.... I've read a fair bit about them on forums here and in the states and the dealer response to all the problems they have of which there are a fair few is..... they all do that sir, or that's a characteristic of the car sir, the latest one is suspension related.

Apparently the latest cars ride much higher, the stance is very different and the dealer response is....... It's new give it a few thousand miles and the suspension will reduce the height itself.......... oh really really ! 

If there is a spring specification change just say so, same old Alfa dealers then by the sound if it.

🐀

Absolutely get where you're coming from @Big Rat.

Trouble with Alfa, it's never the logical choice! I see my old man (who helps me with most of my wrenching) ageing each time I mention about getting back into the brand. For some reason I'm always drawn to them and now they've finally stepped up their game, I know I'm going to scratch that itch again. Just make sure the piggy bank is full for repairs at the time!!

On 03/03/2018 at 12:33 PM, Toothy said:

Driving past the museum in a couple of months. Worth visiting then? How long do I need to give myself there? Thanks!

 If you're into your Alfa's then most definitely. We were there for about 3 hours which was more than enough. 

Just seen this on the Club Lexus forums. There's a clearance going on stateside and they have a few items going for very cheap, even if you have to pay some customs on top. 

Here's the link to the website http://www.rockauto.com/RSS/vehiclefeeds.php?carcode=1445204&m=wc&l=en&html=true

I'm going to get a couple of set's of ceramic pads as my brake's really suffer from squeaking with the ECP brembo's. Works out at 24 quid shipped before customs.

Hope it helps someone out!