Modified IS300h - Thoughts?

Smithy2 · March 1, 2017

Seen this IS300h for sale at a well know garage near me - just wondered what peoples opinions on it were? I toyed with the idea of a front splitter myself (my car is white splitter would be black) Not got around to it yet.

The car for sale has front and side splitters, rear diffuser and twin exhaust upgrade. The wheels look pretty good too to my eye - a similar spindle design to F Sports but more racy perhaps?

Or is it all overkill and ruined a lovely motor?

Advert here : https://redlinespecialistcars.co.uk/used-cars/lexus-is-300h-2-5-f-sport-e-cvt-4dr-knaresborough-201701301820726/

C Mclean · March 1, 2017

Looks pretty good...

NemesisUK · March 1, 2017

Nice!

I'd loose the 'F' badge on the rear though, it's a 300H not an IS-F.

Is it truely a 4 wheel drive as stated in the advertisement vehicle summary???

Might look good slightly lowered as well IMHO

Smithy2 · March 1, 2017

Possibly lowered yes, however the gap on the front wheelarch still remains quite big (always thought that of the standard car too) The front end looks good with the splitter though - suits the sharp creases.

BigChange · March 1, 2017

I have an IS300h and I'm pretty sure it does NOT have 4 wheel drive. Or have I got it wrong ?.

C Mclean · March 1, 2017

13 minutes ago, BigChange said:

I have an IS300h and I'm pretty sure it does NOT have 4 wheel drive. Or have I got it wrong ?.

Engine drives the rear wheels and the tarmac drives the front wheels 😃

Smithy2 · March 1, 2017

I very much doubt it is 4 wheel drive!

olliesgrandad · March 1, 2017

Is it a Japanese import?

Isn't 4 wheel drive available in other markets?

Martin F · March 1, 2017

Are the side skirts colour coded ? It's not so easy to tell from the pics.

I quite like the kit as it's subtle, but not so keen on the wheels.

rayaans · March 1, 2017

32 minutes ago, olliesgrandad said:

Is it a Japanese import?

Isn't 4 wheel drive available in other markets?

Dont think so.

Its an IS300h which is only available as RWD

It looks fine apart from the F badge and the wheels. The wheels themselves look cheap (yes I know they're not if they're really vossen). They need a bit more concavity on the rear IMO. Not sure that the style of wheel suits the car either.

DanD · March 1, 2017

I particularly like the twin exhausts. It is a shame that these are not standard, in particular on the F Sport. The ones on the RC300h look good.

J Henderson · March 1, 2017

Looks kinda good, but its strange the owner went to the trouble of all these modifications and then left it at stock ride height. The massive wheel arch gaps make it look like a bit of an unfinished project.

If it was mine....

- Lower it obviously

- Get better wheels, possibly 20's.

- Ditch the F badge. In fact, I think I'd remove all the boot badges apart from the (L).

- Paint the sideskirts body colour

- Change the diffuser for an Aimgain one.

rayaans · March 1, 2017

7 minutes ago, J Henderson said:

Looks kinda good, but its strange the owner went to the trouble of all these modifications and then left it at stock ride height. The massive wheel arch gaps make it look like a bit of an unfinished project.

If it was mine....

- Lower it obviously

- Get better wheels, possibly 20's.

- Ditch the F badge. In fact, I think I'd remove all the boot badges apart from the (L).

- Paint the sideskirts body colour

- Change the diffuser for an Aimgain one.

I think the diffuser on the grey IS looks fine.

I also think the size of the wheels are fine as well, its just the style of wheel thats a problem - they look too heavy and don't have enough concavity or any real WOW to them.

Only needs lowering by a 20mm I think, otherwise it'll hit the front lip on standard road bumps (some owners have grazed the underside of stock cars) and rub everytime you have more than 1 passenger in the back.

tayaste · March 1, 2017

Ditch the F badge and the rest is sweet.

lockeyboy · March 1, 2017

How does it impact the insurance quote?

Rebecca · March 1, 2017

It's a lovely looking lexus, one of the best I've seen but i'd lose the F badge.

DanD · March 2, 2017

Don't like the white one, sorry... too "boy racer" for me... and too impractical for our roads.

I followed a debadged NX this morning, and I liked the uncluttered look. I think I read somewhere that you can remove badges by sliding dental floss behind the badges. Is this the best way? - How do you deal with the residue?

Smithy2 · March 2, 2017

4 minutes ago, DanD said:

Don't like the white one, sorry... too "boy racer" for me... and too impractical for our roads.

I followed a debadged NX this morning, and I liked the uncluttered look. I think I read somewhere that you can remove badges by sliding dental floss behind the badges. Is this the best way? - How do you deal with the residue?

Yes this works - a little heat from a hairdryer will ensure the residual glue will soften and should peel off - the ideal tool will be pliable and plastic so as not to scratch the paint- there are cheap "trim tool" kits available on eBay which do the trick.

tayaste · March 2, 2017

Ive used sticky stuff remover and get good results https://www.amazon.co.uk/Mykal-Sticky-Stuff-Remover-250ml/dp/B000TAT4GM/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1488475214&sr=8-1&keywords=sticky+stuff+remover

doog442 · March 2, 2017

Its like Marmite, you either love or hate it.

One issue I see is that someone will pay £5000 more than book value for an IS300h to be lumbered with something that no Lexus dealer will touch with a barge pole come re-sale or part ex time . Most specialist garages also like un- molested examples but this is hardly a specialist car. In addition the performance I presume is just bog standard - in other words not very exiting - worth considering. .

If you want twin exhausts then possibly look at the IS200t , if you want to ~~ruin it~~ jazz it further then consider aftermarket body kits / wheels and you will not only save yourself a large wedge but also have something with more poke.

Apologies but you should see the ridicule the wannabee M owners get on some BMW forums. This is edging slightly towards that ground.

Personally I like the look of it but would be cautious of spending £25K on something I may struggle to move on in a few years.

Crowe · January 31, 2018

Looks good but I also agree that the wheels are a let down,I have a is300h and after seeing this front grill from the f sport I want it done anyone know where I could get this done?? Preferably in London and if you have any knowledge of cost?

parkman · January 31, 2018

I would echo Crowe's question, is it possible to just change the grill on the IS 300h to that of the Sport ? Is it possible without having to change any of the existing painted bodywork ?

Parkman.

Crowe · January 31, 2018

I did find a grill online and asked would it fit the is300h the seller seemed to think it wouldn’t but wasn’t too sure

Andrew888 · January 31, 2018

1 hour ago, Crowe said:

I did find a grill online and asked would it fit the is300h the seller seemed to think it wouldn’t but wasn’t too sure

Doubt it mate as the yanks have been trying from what I have seen to no avail... some extremes they bought the complete bumper!

Odysseus · January 31, 2018

Everyone is different and can express themselves via their car however they like, etc etc, but I think there’s something fundamentally naff about making a car look like a mean lean touring car/speed machine, but then doing absolutely nothing to improve the performance.

I also hate M badges on non-M BMWs... [emoji846]

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