mr_s81

Removed from my 08 ISF which is now sadly sold. In very good condition. Delivery may be tricky given the size and weight of it, but if interested make me an offer and I can look more into it. Based in Northern Ireland. Thanks for looking.

Hi. Yes, I got the problem sorted. I replaced the oil level sensor and the problem was rectified. It hasn't come back since. It's easy to change too, so could be done DIY if you so wished. Thanks, Ian

Hi, I did it when I bought my ISF last year. There were no signs of anything amiss, but given the issue appears to occur within the radiator and can fail without any visible issue on the outside, I didn't want to run the risk. From what I can glean, it's not that common, but I decided it wasn't worth the risk for the sake of a few hundred quid on parts. I did mine DIY as I like fettling and it reduces costs! There are guides online and it doesn't require any specialist tools. A decent indie garage could carry out the work without going near Lexus main dealers. It's like anything. You pay your money, you take your chances. I wasn't prepared to risk a leak developing and ruining the transmission for the sake of a reasonable outlay and a few hours time. Ian

I have one as well. Not cut at all. I removed it in October when I put on the H&S cat back. In NI so would need posted.

My initial idea was to go with the x pipe version as they still sounded great in video clips. I made it clear that I wanted to avoid drone and they said drone is only an issue if the secondary cats have been removed. Given I was going for the cat back only, this was not an issue. As long as it isn't loud while cruising along, light acceleration etc, I won't mind.

Pleased to hear that @Grey One. Like yourself I have also bit the bullet and ordered a cat back system. I went for the non x pipe version on the advice of H&S, so I'm hoping I'll be as pleased with the results as you are! I opted to keep the 'fake' exhausts. Mainly because I don't mind the look of them and secondly due to the fact that they (apparently) provide some function in terms of aero. I've no idea if that's true or not. Either way, I'm looking forward to unleashing the v8 sound. Unfortunately it's a 6 week wait, so I've another 4 to go!

2 hours is good going. My radiator looked fine when it was off, but I guess it's corrosion on the inside that is the potential issue. Either way, it's good to have the peace of mind knowing that it's been done!

As @4969_LXS says no drilling is required. Everything bolts on and off. I did mine about a couple of months ago and to be honest if you take your time and do everything methodically, it's not a particularly difficult job and can be done with basic tools. I removed the fans while the radiator was still in situ and also reattached them again after putting the radiator in. Not having them bolted to the radiator gave a fair bit more room to get the old one removed and new one installed in my experience. It's all personal preference though. I don't think there's a 'right' or 'wrong' way to do it.

I'd be interested to know this too.

Apologies @Greisingel, I wasn't notified of your reply at the time Thanks very much for the info. I've been able to get the relevant part number and have hopefully sourced a reasonably priced replacement! 🙂

@Herbieyou legend! Guess I'll have to look for an oil level sensor instead. Thanks very much for the quick reply.

Bit of a thread bump here, but I am having the exact same symptoms on my 2005 RX400h with 141000 miles. I changed the oil about 2 months ago and there were no issues until this past week. The car doesn't is only used 2 or 3 times a week presently as I'm currently WFH. I have changed the oil pressure sensor but it appears to have made no difference. The oil level is at the top mark on the dipstick when on level ground, so I'm reticent to add any more. I looked the handbook and it indicates that the oil level and oil pressure are two separate warning lights. I notice there appears to be some sort of sensor bolted to the oil pan, but I couldn't find much evidence online of an oil level sensor on the RX400h. Can any shed on light on what this might be? Barring the warning light, the car is running very well as usual. Thanks in anticipation.

Now that's interesting @SPISF, thanks for that! I know it depends on how an individual is proportioned and how they like to set their seat, but 3 inches extra height sounds more than ample. I must get seated in the RX400h after work and break out the measuring tape!

Thanks @MNMJ. I think my height is mostly in my back rather than my legs. If you managed an ISF a non-sunroof ISF for 5 years at your height I'd be pretty confident I'll be fine! I've been looking the local classifieds on and off for local IS models with a sunroof, but they are very few and far between it seems. I'll just continue to keep checking and see if something turns up. It's going to be the only way to know. I'd be happier to find one in a dealer forecourt to have a sit in, as I'd be reluctant to waste a private buyer's time in truth when I'd no interest in buying the car (unless it was an ISF of course!)

It's quite simple. A potential option has come up, but it's a sunroof model. I'm concerned that I will be too tall to fit comfortably. I'm in NI and this car is on the mainland, so it isn't a case of jumping in my car to go and look at it!

From what I understand, the headroom on the sunroof model is 37.3inches and 39inches on the non-sunroof variant. I've read varying opinions online. I know the majority in the states have the moonroof. Some say they are 6 foot plus and manage ok, others say they were 5'9 or 10 and wouldn't want it any smaller. It's really hard to know. Unfortunately there are no sunroof IS models available locally for me to try for size!

Is yours a sunroof model @Twellsie?

Out of budget for me currently. I know there are a couple on ebay, but unfortunately I think I'm too tall for the sunroof model (I'm 6ft). Thanks.

Just wondering what is out there? They seem awfully thin on the ground of late! Thanks.

I did the same once my commuting mileage went down. Cars are one of my chief interests. I don't drink or smoke, so why not spend money on something that I enjoy!? Interestingly, since moving away from the usual diesel VAG euroboxes I've normally done ok when selling my cars on. I've found that the niche cars in very good condition that I've had (Subaru / high displacement models) tend to suffer from less depreciation as there is an enthusiast market out there who tend to be willing to pay good prices for decent examples. I understand that the running costs of something like an ISF are much higher than your run-of-the-mill family hatchback, but if it comes down to running costs vs depreciation, I know which I would rather spend my hard-earned cash on.

I still kick myself at a 2009 ISF which turned up locally last year at £12,500. 106k miles, looked to be in good condition and FSH from Lexus. Unfortunately I wasn't in a position to go for it at the time. It will be interesting to see how the price of cars like the ISF goes once we see the full effects of Covid and furlough payments come to an end. There will also be a far greater number of people able to WFH, so having a car which costs nearly £600 per year to tax isn't as appealing if it spends most of its life on the driveway.

Your dad's advice sounds accurate! I have a MR2 roadster as a cheap summer runabout. I don't think they're anywhere near as bad as he Mk 2, but I'm still very aware of the potential of snap oversteer on wet roads if I try to push too much!

Ahh, the 20" concaves and lowering may have contributed to the reduced ride quality on the BMW! 🤣 Thanks for the very kind offer. I'll maybe take you up on that once the restrictions are eased. My preference is an earlier car, but only if the ride isn't unbearably stiff. If yours is stock, it will be exactly the kind of comparison I'm looking for. Fair play on running an MR2 twin turbo as a daily for a year. I can imagine the handling is quite 'interesting' as soon as frost or snow hits the ground! 😬

Thanks for the reply @Mantas88 Yeah I know what you're saying about ride quality. Some say it's fine for what it is (a sports saloon) and others say it's unacceptable. There's probably a happy medium in there somewhere. I notice yours is a 2009 model so theoretically one supposed 'stiffer' set ups. What model is the F30 BMW? My dad has a 2013 320d touring and I find the ride perfectly fine!?

Thanks for the replies guys. I've only ever witnessed one in the flesh locally. I was out for a walk on a lunch break one day and it came off a roundabout and drove past. It had a very subtle burble and looked great in white. I've never encountered any before or since unfortunately. It would act as a second car. I already have a RX400h which works perfectly for family duties / towing the caravan etc. I've now taken a deposit on my Forester STI, so the hunt is on for its replacement. I know it's a bit of an ask, but it would be nice to get a proper look around one locally before committing to travel to the mainland when all this lockdown malarkey is done! The stories of ride quality concern me a bit. I don't like the idea of pumping a not inconsiderable amount of cash into a car and then have to spend £xxxx more to get it to ride adequately or try and find a 2012/13 model at quite a premium! Thanks Ian