Alex S. Driver

When I came back to my LC today there was a little black Porsche parked behind it. You don't often get to see the two marques in profile next to each other. I stopped to compare and contrast the styling of these two very different beasts, and to make a note on which had the prettier curves. Didn't take very long

Here's mine (before I owned it) outside some posh shops in that London.

A few more adventures it had in its former life (it's a well-connected car ): Top Gear website Classic & Sports Car The Telegraph

I think the Nori green came along a year or so later but looks quite similar to my car's paintwork which they mysteriously called Terrane Khaki. https://mag.lexus.co.uk/lexus-lc-terrane-khaki/ It does seem to change colour depending on the sky and which angle you approach from. It was a choice between that and one just like yours that Lexus GB also had available. Tough choice. We should meet up and compare notes. Graeme

Here's mine. It's got a different reg now. The pictures are from June 2020 before it owned it, when Lexus GB touted it around various magazines and reviewers. These photos are not my own but are professionally taken and there's no way my skills with a camera would improve the view. It also appears in this YouTube video being driven by none other than Yianni, the car wrapper with his own TV programme on Dave. I reckon he should stick to wrapping cars and I only ever watch this vid through my fingers.

Thanks for the replies. They took the existing pads off cleaned them (and the discs), greased the brakes and put the pads back on. I'll see how long it takes for the squeals to return. Nice to know I have the option of replacement if I want. I don't take the car on track but I did have to brake hard a few weeks back when someone signalled left and then carried straight on in front of me. Boy, was I impressed with the deceleration and somewhat grateful for it too. I didn't know you can jetwash the brakes themselves. My very first car, nearly 50 years ago was a Hillman Imp and I've always done what the old man told me... "Never point a hose anywhere near the brakes, son". A habit I'm sure I could break.... of course I could. Of course. Yup.

My car is in for it's first MOT today - can't believe it came around so soon. Somewhere on the forum someone posted information about Technical Service Info Bulletin LS-B-0013 which deals with brake squeal from the front at low speed. I experience this every time I manouver into the garage. I asked the dealership to find out if I have the option of replacing the pads under warranty. Apparently I do, but they can't give me more detail on the likely braking performance afterwards. All I know is that I'd be replacing high performance pads with something less grippy - but how much less? Has anyone had it done and regretted it?

I found this 45-minute video on the LC500 engineering worth a watch, learning quite a few interesting things about my car and the design philosophy behind it. There's a really good guided tour of the underside and at last, a proper explanation of the exhaust set-up with those nice muffler-bypass valves.

Looks great. Darth Vader would be proud of that one.

I too got treated to an LFA walk-around by the nice folks at MK. It was on the ramp next to my car in the workshop. First time my LC has ever been truly upstaged. They tell me there's only one technician in the UK trained on LFA and he's based at MK. Must be a ninja.

Does this mean that Toyota owners all over the world have subsidised my LC500? Thanks guys, very decent of you! 👍

I got one of these https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07KP7NCGM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 It fits nicely in the LC boot for everyday use and stops stuff rolling around.

I'm quite keen to take my LC500 on a 2-day performance masterclass at Millbrook proving ground. It's lower risk than a track day as I'd be having 1:1 tuition rather than blasting round a race track. However, my current insurers don't see it that way and won't cover me. I contacted a specialist broker who tells me that Zurich will cover me for the princely sum of £380 per day (gasp!) or I can move my current annual insurance to them and have this course (plus 3 actual track days) included for 'only' £450 extra per year. Does anyone know of a better deal?

Most uplifting.

Yes, you can switch between M and D without stopping. It's very handy if you're having fun but then get stuck in traffic. I've never got above gear 6 in manual. 80mph comes too fast! Manual comes into its own for downshifting though. 4->3 or 3->2 into a bend is magnificent. You don't need to be conservative as the car will politely tell you off if it doesn't like your paddle commands. Err on the side of high revs for the best experience. Below 3k it can be underwhelming. There are some good YouTube vids done by a dutch guy on the back roads that demonstrate the sweet spots for changing.

I like listening to that wonderful engine downshifting on the paddles in manual mode.

Are they trying to sell guitars to Lexus owners or Lexuses to strat fans? Either way, I love both and if they're giving them away ill have one, please.

Not my thing I have to admit, as I like to see a little colour and contrast but i bet David Hasselhoff would just love it.

What drive modes do you find yourself using? I've had the car for 5 months now, long enough to settle into regular driving habits with the LC500. I find I'm using Comfort mode when my mind is focused on something else (e.g. going TO the dentist 😔) and SPORT S+ when enjoying myself (e.g. coming back FROM the dentist 😁). I programmed CUSTOM for soft suspension and 'rapid' progress but hardly ever use it. MANUAL mode is for when I'm really wanting to engage with this wonderful car (and the roads are clear). I always come back buzzing with that one 🤪. ...and errr what on earth is ECO?

I admire your principles, Kevin, and commiserate you on what must be quite a loss for you. I'm lucky enough not to have any serious illness but do worry that one day, an LC500 will not be appropriate. I hope you get some fun out of the Fiat - quite a stylish little thing. 🙂

I was worried about that as we have lots of speed bumps around here including one particularly vicious one. I took them ultra carefully at first but soon discovered that it isn't an issue. Something to watch though, is kerbing those big low-profile alloys. I politely moved over to let a BMW turn into a speed-bumped junction and heard a horrible 'grrunch' from the front nearside. Ouch!

Am I right in thinking that the Torsen diff with rear wheel steering will prevent you from drifting the back end out when cornering at speed (if that is what floats your boat)? I notice that in most of the 'look what I can do in my LC 500' vids, turning off traction control is the first step. Useful description of the Torsten diff pros & cons: https://www.kmpdrivetrain.com/differentials/torsen-vs-plated-limited-slip-differential/

I've had several positive comments from people at filling stations and when I've parked the LC. "You don't see many cars like that round here" was my favourite from a guy who had two Porsches parked in his drive. "You're not going to drive that beautiful thing away are you?" was another. People have preconceptions about Lexus cars in general but the LC really surprises them, I think. It's face doesn't fit the brand and that prompts people to take a closer look.

I just tried it myself and it stubbornly refused to play anything on the USB stick... or maybe it's trying to make a comment about my taste in music! I will try a small USB drive to see if that helps. Perhaps it's just overloaded.

Brilliant! I wonder how they decide whose turn it is to take it out on patrol.