C.B

On 9/22/2020 at 6:42 PM, F.A. said:

Wow. 
I assumed that a Lexus dealer wouldn’t selling a car with an after market exhaust (other than a Quicksilver) as I was under the impression that such an exhaust would void the warranty. 

I got told by Hedge End that fitting an aftermarket exhaust would be fine and they have multiple customers running aftermarket exhaust and warrantys.

Demand seems to be higher than supply right now, I think F cars are having some what of a sales revival.

Well priced (i.e. not 2012+ cars) ISF's are moving quickly, there is half the RCF's for sale this time last year and GSF's are gone before the pictures hit the market!! 18 months ago I remember a used GSF being for sale for 8 months at a lexus dealer and it wasnt even badly priced.

I was going to mention Lexus will warranty a car with a chequred service history if it passes an inspection and you have it serviced with lexus during said warranty. However sounds like theres more than one reason to give that one a swerve.

It seems last summer was the optimal time to buy an RCF! This year prices seem higher with less cars to chose from. I may regret not puling the trigger on a grey carbon I was stalking. I still had 18 months warranty on the ISF though and with another child on the way now, even as a second car it would be getting the evils from the wife. Good job she likes the brand!

I particularly like the blue on the RCF.

Photo'd in its natural feeding ground too 🙂

Every days a school day, no idea you could use it as normal cruise. I do find it a bit rash on the braking and accelerating front, it doesnt hang about getting up to speed in particular!!

Xpipe?

How do you find it at part throttle around 2k revs? i.e. the spot where the stock exhaust drones slightly. That is the only point I wish my Borla was quieter (although I dont think my neighbours are fans of the initial bark on startup either 🙂 even if it does die down almost immediatly)

Is there any more truth in this than the last 6 times its been fake news??

I'd be tempted to take it to pipewerx for a custom if I was in your shoes, should be well under budget and their work is first class.

I am surprised to see the handling comment, it seems to handle well to me and that seems to be generally consensus amoungst the motoring industry too.

I also cant get on board with the souless comment. Its in no way a video game esq RS audi you have to respect it, the level of detail put in by the engineers such as the curve of the F badge matching the fenders plus the peach of an engine are exactly the type of things that give a car soul to me. When there are faster, newer and cheaper cars around yet most owners have no desire to change adds further weight to that.

I think you were looking for more of a willy waving car, which is fair enough, and the F is not really that car.

Fitted a Borla to my car 3 weeks ago and thought i would provide an honest review for others considering it or any aftermarket exhaust.

Pro's

From 2k revs up there is a lovely creamy V8 warble that I would never tire of listening too. I find myself driving with the stereo off and manual mode on even on a trip to the shops. I enjoy the car in a way I hadnt previously and one that doesnt risk losing my licence.

Spent a days hard driving with friends and it added an extra level of pleasure, maybe even stopped me pushing overly hard at times chasing that addictive induction roar. Everyone was complementary on its sound externally at full chat.

Motorway driving is just as civilised as ever, crusing nicely at 70+ with no drone.

Con's

I read a number of comments stating it was like stock until you gave it some, it is not. On cold start up it is loud. My 4 year old daughters bedroom is above the drive and I've woke her up! I've already begun starting the car and putting it into drive in one motion to reduce the idle noise.  It is also quite droney at part throttle when below 2k rpm, like when you have to go up a gradient. Frustratingly this is exactly where the auto box holds the gears. To be fair its quite a pleasant drone but still removes some of the refinement the car is so good at and I would be surprised if passengers didnt comment on it. This may become tiring if you do a lot of miles.

Depending on your opinion this is a pro or a con, but I get a lot more positive attention in the car. Driving past queues of people any petrol heads ears will prick up because of the exotic sound only an engine and exhaust system combo like this can produce. No one thinks a 4 cylinder with a big bore is passing!

I ideally want the stock exhaust before 2k and this one above. I plan on living with it for the next 3 months and then making a decision on putting an additional silencer in to try and get that OEM+ sound.

Whats the signs? Mines always felt a little heavy, but its from a time before manufacturers decided everyone wants to be able to drive with their little finger!

How many have had the Valley plate issue over here? I cant think of any.

Certainly been more instances of a cracked manifold. Which is obvious from the ticking on idle.

The radiator issue is the only one I would be wary of, which is just down to age but can have quite catastrphic consequences due to design. Easy to solve with some preventative maintenance though and would be quite cost effective at a non franchise dealer.

Personally I wouldnt buy a press car. You take your chances with any used car having been driven hard / tracked / driven without mechanical sympathy, but with a press car you can almost gaurantee all of the above.

It is cool to have a magazine with a picture of your car on the front though 🙂

Cheers Mark, not as worthwhile as I was hoping (watch me get a 13.0001 now with it in)

Wonder if it was a track mishap?

14 hours ago, NothernDan said:

Ask the man Twellsie, it also comes with downsides for those of us who are not "track only".... ie. all of us. 

Any more info on this? This was likely to be my preffered option when our of warranty next year

Did you weigh the rear bench? Most likely going to take that out for my next session at the strip if I feel its worth the effort (I'm hoping its heavy).

Depending on the cost, the RR Racing alternative might be worth considering also, which has other benefits and is also a permanent fix.

Lovely turbo!!

Just be aware there is no obvious signs of failure on the radiator as the corrosion and failure can happen internally.

Enjoy! I dont find much issue with the suspenion myself, I think theres some models with some tired suspenion about personally exagerating the issue. It doesnt ride like the wifes SUV but I've also had more back braking rides from fast Honads and Audis.

Dont worry too much about major bills, they really are a rarity.

If the car is not 10 years old yet you could still take out a very reasonably priced lexus warranty, if it is some preventative maintenance with a new radiator would mitigate the main risk. Still this has only affected about 5 cars thus far in the UK as far as I know.

MAF clean certainly seems worthwhile for a half second gain!

Did you use manual or auto? Sport mode?

Came accross this at the weekend on my daily autotrader browse, did wonder how its not been classed as a write off unless insurance companies were not involved. Quite worrying really if this could be sold without the buyer being aware.

Most people seem to go for an upgrade to an android based system instead

I did dome research into cheap wins after my last run, determined to get into the 12's! Some suggested a set of rear alloys with slicks would be one of the cheapest way to gain time, others suggested this would only make a different once running over 500rwhp.

Not sure what I believe as the guys taking it serious with stripped out sub 2.0 cars running nowhere near that sort of power, were all running slicks.

Not sure what the rim protectors are but you can have your calipers painted another colour easy enough. Quite a simple DIY or a lot of wheel / caliper refurb places offer this and quite a few tuners also. You are at the opposite end of the country to me though so cant really recommend any local.