LordByronUK

I couldn't agree more about Lexus making a huge mistake not bringing the 2022 refreshed IS to the UK market, they clearly didn't do their homework as there is big demand now, they screwed up big time on this. I've even spoke to several dealerships on the issue and all say it was a very strange decision as people are always asking/demanding for IS300h vehicles. I was told though that the all new IS will be coming back. Thing is, what harm could it have done to make the refreshed IS available here even just for say 3-6 months to give it a try, I mean they already build the right hand drive version in Japan, they just need to put the things on a bloody boat and job done!

Thanks for all the info guys, really informative and is definitely helping my decision. Glad to hear about the throttle, that's pretty much how it is in my IS300h, after going hard in Sport mode for a few seconds, it is seriously responsive after that until I ease off, seems like typical Lexus transmission programming then...

The car did respond much better once I switched to manual mode, like night/day! I was just surprised an RCF wasn't more responsive in Sport+ auto mode, but maybe I wasn't driving hard enough... Yeah I do need to driver another one perhaps.

Yes I said to them they've got to investigate the creaky armrest, because that certainly was not normal in any Lexus I've ever driven or had. I suspect the armrest just needs replacing, but it concerns me in general there are more issues like this with the first model year. Such as shame though as the car was in fantastic condition overall...

thanks

Hey guys, I'm seriously considering a 2014 RCF on sale right now, but am worried about buying one of the first batch ever to arrive in the UK . Despite being Lexus approved, it has a few build quality issues on the interior (arm rest and center console littered with creaks). Also experienced bad throttle lag on the test drive, thought I was in normal mode only to my surprise was actually in Sport+ . Could this be the laggy throttle fuel pump issue I see discussed on earlier models?

Would love to know your thoughts, am I being overly paranoid, is it a risk buying a 2014 model, are there lots of early issues that got ironed out in 2015/16? The car is actually in great condition though and only 33k miles...

All Lexus UX that I have driven (about 5 now including 300e) have a terrible door rattle both driver and passenger side when playing loud music with the bass turned up, it's pretty shocking and even the dealership acknowledged it's a design flaw.

Does anyone know if the "Revised Active Sound System" listed there attempt to compensate for the slightly muffled exhaust in the 2018 models?

Yes it's very frustrating, there's a lot to desire in the post 2018 models in terms of exterior/interior/tech, but such a shame they have hobbled it slightly with that particulate filter. Damn regulations!

Trying to decide if I should get a post or prior 2018 RCF. My big question right now is how much difference/worse does the new particulate filter make to the exhaust sound of 2018 and above models? Also, I noticed as well because of the filter, 2018+ models are slightly down on power and torque on UK models, is it noticeable though?

cheers!

0-60 in the IS is actually better than the ES, so I imagine it's just the throttle response that gives the perception of it being faster, but the ES is a slower car than the IS

My IS300h has had a creaking sound when driving/maneuvering at low speeds for a while now (happens are driving for about 10 mins), but it's definitely getting a lot worse of late. I don't think it's the suspension as I've wobbled the car around stationary and heard nothing. It's definitely a creak and not a squeak. Could this be another variation of the brakepad issues I see people complaining about? It also happens when the car isn't even going over bumps, so more evidence it could be break/wheel related.

cheers

Also the wobbly center console was a real shocker to me as the old NX is rock solid stable and build quality seems better. Given the price, I'm personally a bit disappointed 😞

I find most of the lag is related to transmission programming. If you switch to Sport mode and go into manual shift mode, get on the flappy paddles and the lag is gone and the throttle is very predictable. 

You can also reduce lag by quickly pushing down slightly on the throttle quickly a few times to temporarily program the automatic transmission programming. 

I agree completely the lag is bull**** and not necessary, I think it was done for fuel economy. I heard they fixed this in the latest 2020 300h model. Shame they no longer sell it here, but the least they could do is give us a free throttle mapping or ECU update...

Has anyone ever heard/had a ticking noise (quite high frequency) coming from the driver side dash? It doesn't always happen, but mostly happens when the dash is warmer (i.e been sitting in the sun). It happens initially for about 10 mins when revving the engine and going over road that isn't perfectly smooth. The tick seems to emminate from around the speaker grill or in front of the instrument binnacle.

Thanks!

Wow great replies guys, really enjoyed reading all your mini RCF reviews. It has certainly given me a lot to think about, many thanks!

Thanks for all the great replies everyone much appreciated!

I can get up to 550-600 miles out if a full tank in warmer weather, but I hardly ever fill up a full tank. So 400 miles range in an RCF is just about enough I'd say for a short daily commuting.

Yes the noise is the other main thing that attracts me to any V8 car, just love it.

I think you've all just moved me one step closer to my RCF dreams, that and my growing distain for EVs, which I'm no longer convinced by!! Now I just need to find one close enough for a test drive 🙂 thanks all

Guys, need some help. I'm currently a proud owner of an IS300h for several years now, but as much as I love my IS, I'm always wanting for more performance! And my biggest problem is having a serious man crush on the RCF and want one really badly. This crush only gets worse as I see prices go down on used ones, and this being the last few years to enjoy a V8 before our horrible government makes it impossible to own one! However, I'm really torn as I also love the great fuel economy and practically of the IS.

Has anyone here taken the plunge from an IS/RC300h? Am I deluding myself and won't really appreciate the extra performance 90% of the time in mixed/city driving? Will I miss the fuel economy benefits (i.e range)? Anyone regret buying an RCF?

Appreciate any thoughts you have guys, thanks!

Drove from Cambridge to Brighton yesterday in my IS300h. What can I say, there and back I averaged almost 56mpg and I wasn't light on the throttle either. The IS300h is truly an impressive motorway muncher with amazing fuel economy and such an underrated car. Now if only it had more performance... We can dream I guess

12 hours ago, Al D-Much said:

Just been to the car, only just noticed the black borders, doesn't bother me, as I don't look at the NAV while driving, and use WAZE anyway.

Not so keen on the new infotainment touch screen either, had one in my EVO-X, and constantly cleaning it to get the finger prints off, it was a real pain.
Also not too pleased with the new NX dash in general, looks tacky and all too generic Toyota to me. Glad the car is under a year old and will be keeping it a good few years

I'm so glad it's not just me who thinks this. I couldn't agree more, the new NX interior (although nice on the face of it) look harder and it looks very much like an up market Toyota, but when I say upmarket, I mean a Toyota centre console literally lifted out of an existing Toyota model with a bit more leather slapped on. Also, the digital gauge cluster looks really cheap and nasty, the current one is more elegant. So yeah, really not sure about the new NX interior, bit concerned...

Our 2016 FSport NX does exactly the same, slight bias to the left and alignment has been triple checked. However, I've driven 5 NX now and they all have exactly the same problem/characteristic. My IS300h on the other hand is bang on dead center!! I think it happens because the car is heavier over the front axle being front wheel drive and if there is even a slight camber in the road, the front axle will tend to bias towards it. Drive on the other side of the road and you'll find the exact same (but opposite) will occur.

Oh boy, even worse fuel economy for the NX, that's not good! I'm so not convinced by E10 fuel if it means people fill up more, just don't get how that's any better overall for the environment.

Is there any way to make the sat nav display fill out the entire screen? I absolutely hate the new graphics that has big black borders on the latest UK nav software top and bottom. Means the sat nav only fills half of the 10 inch letterbox screen. I much prefer the older software that fills out the entire screen like on my IS300h. I actually wouldn't buy a new Lexus because of this until all models have latest NX style touchscreen infotainment. 

Never let the dealership clean your car, they will scratch the hell out of your clear coat with the dirty mitts the use! You have been warned 🙂

I had this exact same problem recently, constant squealing was terrible at low speeds. The pads stuck in the caliper carrier, seized due to dirt build-up, was a quick fix. Most likely your pads have loads of meat left on them, mine did and still originals and 40k miles.

We have both and personally the IS is by far the superior drive, much better handling, performance and fuel economy!! I find the NX to be very sluggish in comparison and poor on fuel. 

I have tried the UX with ML and UX with standard 6 speaker setup. The ML was leagues ahead of the standard system, but (as I've commented on before) both cars had terrible vibrations/rattles in cabin when listening to loud bassy tunes, and that for me was a UX show stopper, bad build quality and I would never risk getting one for that. However, some say theres is fine, so a mixed bag me thinks. Anyway, what I recommend is upgrading to a Takumi grade with ML when they have one available used, then test the **** out of the sound system and make absolutely sure there are no Rattles within the cabin before buying.