NICO1972

8 minutes ago, Cs150 said:

Very sorry for the situation this could happen to any ES owner. Very embarrassed at the handling of this by Lexus UK. It takes a long time to build a reputation but it can all be lost relatively quickly. After this ordeal not many would return to the Lexus brand.... 

Indeed and it is making me think a lot now. The last thing I want is another attempt on my ES after this repair. It will really upset me. I am now starting to look at other brands to see what is out there - never thought I would do that...

On 10/19/2023 at 6:47 PM, DrShockr said:

Very sorry to hear this! Could you perhaps ask Lexus for the part number of the wiring loom needed and then order it directly from Japan from Yoshi Parts or other similar websites? I've had a very good experience with them, excellent communication and parts were delivered to me in less than 10 days with full tracking. I needed something that was quoted as £220 including VAT from Lexus UK but got it directly from Toyota in Japan via Yoshi for 70 dollars!

You will still need to get a quotation for the labour, probably better from a reputable independent. 

My two cents as a backup option - you'll need to weigh up the loss of 5 years no claims, insurance excess upfront, plus the increased premium over the next 5 years and see if above might be cheaper overall.

I had the damage inspected by an independent and the loom cable was cut (again) in different parts (on the small wires now) so he tried to weld them back but the fault is still persisting. There is no possibility of repairing the loom cable as damage is too extensive. We viewed on various sites how much loom cable costs and was shocked to hear that it is costing in the region of £5,600! I had to make a claim with my car insurance. They have advised me that I will not lose any no claim bonus but have to pay an excess of £470. I have gone through with this and the car is booked at an approved repair workshop (VTEC) to replace the loom cable. I am assuming that this will be an extensive work as the car will need to be stripped completely. Not sure what I will do when I get it back. Keep it or sell it... Too sad to be reaching this conclusion.

5 hours ago, DrShockr said:

Very sorry to hear this! Could you perhaps ask Lexus for the part number of the wiring loom needed and then order it directly from Japan from Yoshi Parts or other similar websites? I've had a very good experience with them, excellent communication and parts were delivered to me in less than 10 days with full tracking. I needed something that was quoted as £220 including VAT from Lexus UK but got it directly from Toyota in Japan via Yoshi for 70 dollars!

You will still need to get a quotation for the labour, probably better from a reputable independent. 

My two cents as a backup option - you'll need to weigh up the loss of 5 years no claims, insurance excess upfront, plus the increased premium over the next 5 years and see if above might be cheaper overall.

I see what you mean. Good thinking to be having but we have checked the loom cable and it is a long one for the entire car and it cost £5,600 so I am not sure how cheaper would the Yoshi website be... I am going to have the car checked tomorrow with a very good independent who thinks he can do something far cheaper. My only worry is that if I opt for the expensive option, there will be no guarantee that these same culprits will not target my car for the 3rd time. They are on a mission to get it. Tonight I parked my car very close to my wife's car so the left side cannot be accessed. Good move for the time being...

Hi all,

Whilst I may be a bit more 'fortunate' with having Metratrak Plus immobiliser and Tracker on my ES300h (2019), I had one attempted theft in last week of Sept 23 outside my house using the hacking techinque with Canbus by cutting the headlight (left) cable and they did some damage to my front bumper and cables. Thankfully, I had a chap who was experienced enough to repair it. So it was ok afterward.

But early hours this morning at 01:42 am (19th Oct), I suffered with another attempted theft on my same ES300h in my own way drive - same technique applied and this time, the loom cable is badly damaged. I am furious and gutted. Lexus checked the car and they said that the cable needs replacing. This costs around £5600! I will certainly have to make a claim with my insurance and the first time I had reported the theft, they told me that I would have to pay an excess of £500 and lose 5 years no claim bonus! That is wholly unfair.

I reported the situation to the Police... I am furious.

On 4/11/2023 at 1:20 PM, DrShockr said:

I was gutted to find my ES missing from where I'd parked it on Sunday night. The Lexus Link app came in very handy and showed the car had been moved only a few miles away, I managed to locate it in a gated semi underground parking lot, but there has been significant damage to the car both outside and inside. As far as I can tell, they got in using the 'CAN invasion' technique. I am so disappointed that Toyota have not come up with a solution for this problem, I personally think all late model Lexus and Toyota should be recalled for some sort of software update. The thieves can inject any code to unlock and start the car, via the headlight wiring,  as the car's internal comms network does not use encryption. 

I've only been driving the car for a few weeks after upgrading from my CT200h, super gutted. Even if they repair it, I won't be satisfied knowing it can be stolen again any second, so although I love the car, I may have to sell it as I can't live in constant fear of it being stolen again. Had a call from a police officer today, whose only job is to recover stolen cars, he told me this was the 17th Lexus on his list (which he hadn't got to the end of yet!) from over the long weekend and this new vulnerability is causing a massive spike in thefts. 

Will be buying a steering wheel lock and potentially a ghost immobiliser. Anybody have any experience with either of those?

I am really sorry to hear for your situation. Something quite similar happened with my 2019 ES300h 2 nights ago ie on the evening of Wednesday 20th Sept 2023 at 23:04 hours, a car was seen slowing down as soon as it was passing by my ES and it drove back to park behind it with headlights on (that information is gathered thanks to CCTV of my property) I had 2 other cars parked on my way drive so the ES was left on the side pavement just outside the property. I could see one person stepping out of the front passenger of that suspicious vehicle (so the driver stayed inside the vehicle) - their lights were on to give visibility for the other male to operate. But thanks goodness I had a Metratrik Plus immobiliser fitted into my car a few months ago (Lexus staff had informed me that unfortunately the OEM immobiliser is not enough to protect this car) so the thieves failed to steal it and left within 6 minutes. Their device would have showed that this car is fitted with this additional immobiliser. But I did not know anything until the next morning, as when I started the car, the left headlight showed a fault and was not working at all. It was only when I phoned Lexus that they told me to check the side bumper to the archway wheel if it has been pulled out. And it was exactly what happened. The thieves attempted stealing that way by disconnecting the headlight. I am glad I have this system installed. If you need the name of the engineer and contact details (who was by the way recommended by Lexus staff), send me a Direct message and I will give you his details. It saved my car and I think you should have it done ASAP...

3 hours ago, Localhero said:

Nico you say you have the engine re-mapped I was always told this couldn't be done? Can you feel the difference  and have you got a throttle control, that really does make a noticeable difference,  your car is a credit yo you and must be one of the best if not the best in the country, will you ever sell it? 🤔 Stew

 

 

Yes, whilst the renovation was under way, I removed the ECU and sent it to Phoenix Engine Management and the difference is huge! The car revs up to 7,000rpm (not 6), better fuel economy is observed too 15% fuel saving to 20%) and there is no lag so the car is much more responsive too especially when you press the Power mode. The SC430MODS with throttle controller is quite frankly a brilliant thing to have as it opens the air valve more and increases the instant reaction. It feels like a different car. If I put it on eco mode I can reach above 30mpg driving into town. If I put it in Normal mode it uses the ECU remap that was done and if I put it on Sport mode 1.9, race mode to 2.9 and even I would call 'animal' mode 3.9 you have a distinctive car for each of the mode. I.9 opens the valves and makes the engine louder from exhaust, which is amazing to listen to, 2.9 and 3.9 max modes for each are insanely fast. Be very careful with the 3.9 as it is a rocket and the car wants to race all the time. Really is an impressive kit. But watch out your speed as it will climb super fast... So worth it as you get to play with your car and it feels having a normal sc, or sport sc or racing car sc. Some may say the SC430 is a GT car and I agree but nothing wrong with having a little bit of fun!

3 hours ago, Gary H said:

I've enjoyed reading through this thread and seeing the pictures. That really does look lovely indeed! Excellent work both inside and out.

I'm very sure you’ll enjoy that!

Thanks! I have now been enjoying the car far more than before and I am taking it out a lot more these days. It drives so much better than before. Absolutely amazing!

1 hour ago, Malc1 said:

Very SMART 

well done 

Malc 

Thank you!

Now new suspension done!

Ceramic coating is next and final job before I collect the car later this afternoon...

Wheel spacers in place and the new car tyres are now in right place! So they are a perfect fit.

Team is working right now on the suspensions...

Now it is getting exciting! Suspensions have arrived this morning! Wheel spacers will be put with new tyres, throttle controller also installed. 

I will be reunited with the car end of today!!

1 hour ago, Ken Timbers said:

As a matter of interest, I assume the original had the usual wood finish to the facia, doors and steering wheel? What was it about that that you didn't like? I have to admit that the wood finishing touches were the first thing I noticed when I saw the car and they almost clinched the choice on their own. They're certainly the features most commented on by friends and family—even that remarkable roof opening/closing mechanism takes second place in their comments! 

Thanks. The orginial was absolutely fine, but I simply wanted to transform the car inside and outside to make it more contemporary and the high gloss piano black works really well with the external colour of the car and the black leather. So it is a personal choice I wanted to explore. It is an exciting project and I am really pleased with what it is now looking like...

Hi,

We are still waiting for new suspensions (Meister R coilovers) to arrive, so there is a slight delay to finish it. The car should now be ready for Friday due to the delay.

Limitless detailing UK team put decal Lexus Logo on the bottom vinyl panel to match the original vinyl Logo, they even fixed my magnetic buttons in back seats! Primed calipers and painted them and decal Lexus Logo... the fuel cap is sitting in exact position, so this has been fixed.

In the meantime, feel free to see photos. They tryluly speak for themselves...

Here are the latest photos I can share. More to come as are getting towards the end now...

On 8/12/2023 at 3:49 PM, dutchie01 said:

Respect for what you did and not go to wrapping.

did you ever consider that?

 

 

 

Yes I did think through but I would hate to redo this job every now and then. This is a permanent and unique colour within Lexus approved paint colours so I am definitely giving a refreshed look with the car...

On 8/7/2023 at 10:10 PM, Ken Timbers said:

A splendid set of very interesting photos, Nick. The finished car will be fabulous—probably as near to new as it was when it left the factory! I hate to think what all that work will cost, but if you can afford it, it's worth every penny! 😀

Thanks. I can tell you thet the car will come out better than factory built. Watch this space... It should be ready by mid next week... As there is still quite a bit of work to be done.

Hi all,

Full PPf now applied. Ceramic coating is next job...

Hello,

Quick update! PPF tint also has been applied on my front headlights, giving a blue filter, which blends nicely with the grey metallic paint. The rear headlights will be also PPF with a tint film.

PPF will be all finished and tomorrow, the interior work will commence...

Hi everyone,

Quick update with a few photos! Full PPF is being applied. It takes a lot of time, from what I have been told. The rear bumper, rear hood, front bumper has PPF applied and it is done meticulously. When PPF is fully applied, ceramic coating will then be the next step. 

I can confirm that the work is being done by Limitless detailing UK and they are based near North circular towards Park Royal. I can tell you that they are doing the job with absolute precision and care. I am very impressed.

The next jobs will be after full PPF is applied on the external paint:

- Interior work vinyl parts to be PPF, leather seats will be treated with a transparent protection. Throttle Controller to be fitted (from MODSC430).

- spacers to be installed on all four wheels, Michelin Sports Pilot PS4 to be fitted and all wheels to be realigned.

- New OEM suspension to be fitted to keep car as original but a better comfort and handling. We have been viewing a few makes but we may stick with Lexus OEM new set of suspensions.

I did see Meister suspension Coilovers (link: stronghttps://id-workz.co.uk/products/meisterr-zetacrd-coilovers-for-lexus-sc430-uzz40-01?variant=41615271559326&currency=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gclid=Cj0KCQjwz8emBhDrARIsANNJjS4KXHualy1aoxK-2EAly-GMIJKL4qW8I-1iJPEYSOPM9vcao_5cHg0aAmxxEALw_wcB)

Unless anyone has a very recommendation, please do let me know! I really want to get this car right with handling on our very poor roads in UK...

Thanks guys the painting job costed £5k, but it is well worth it as the guys took the car fully apart to do a proper job so it was well checked and any joints too old, were replaced with new. The car is going to be better than factory when it will be finished, which I will share more photos...

Full PPF is being done on the paint, so it stays shiny and protected... and of course ceramic paint done too.

I will share new photos as soon as this is finalised!

2 hours ago, Glyn Jennings said:

It's now a fabulous car.  If you are going to keep doing more things to it you might want to consider creating a build thread in the build thread section on here. that way you can add to it and it will all be in one place.

Good idea! More to come as the inside will be prep and changed. I will not say more at this stage, as photos (when ready) will do justice.

Thank you!

Hi everyone,

Pleased to share with my current project, which has been on going for the past 3 weeks. Colour of my SC430 was changed to match colour of my own ES300h. whilst painting went underway, i got the ECU remapped with Phoenix Engine Management.

Car is now at a professional detailing place currently getting full wash, polish, ceramic coating and PPF application.

The car will be staying for a week. As there are other works I am getting done inside the car, which i will explain later..

Wheel spacers will added, brake callipers painted, new sport tyre fitted in all 4 tyres with Michelin Sport 4S...

I will share more photos when the work is completed.