Thank you Lexus Cheltenham

[Big Rat]

Some of you may remember I posted up pictures of my Rcf a month or so ago having had the wheels refurbed and finished in Matt black and the calliper repainted in brembo Yellow.

Well there was a paint reaction issue with callipers which necessitated it going back to Lexus Cheltenham for them to be removed and sent off again to be done, to cut a long story short unfortunately in the paint removal process used all four callipers received damage to the piston seats.

A decision was made to simply supply and fit all new callipers and pads at Lexus expense rather to attempt further work to rectify as all reading this can imagine this is not exactly cheap.

It is to the credit of all concerned at the dealership DP Tim Huxley, Service Manager Sam Holdway and techie Paul for resolving the matter for me, I was also giving the choice of OEM Rcf Black as per the Originals or the Orange from a GSF, I went with the Orange.

For those who didn’t know  the part numbers are exactly the same for all components with just the paint code that differs, I’m immensely pleased with the work and the look.

Big Rat

[Mattmech]

Cant ask for any more than that. I have to admit I prefer that colour to the yellow.!  Looks really good 👍🏻😎

[Big Rat]

@Mattmech Yes I agree with you I prefer it myself,  I was looking at it from past use I guess it suited the previous car I had it on the 911.

But this time I was wrong using the yellow,  the Orange really does look fantastic and is linked in with the indicators.

Big Rat

[Guest]

Look great in real life - I will research caliper cleaning products for you.

[Big Rat]

@Comedian Thanx Matey appreciate that, I’ve looked at my little collection of stuff none of which seems suitable..... 

Big Rat

[Bluethunder]

@Big RatLooks great Paul in orange and really suits the black. Btw did you find options for de-chroming the sides?

[Big Rat]

@Bluethunder Thanx Nean appreciate that, yes it’s either a wrap or replace the trim as it’s the the same used on the Rc Black Edition it’s not that expensive either, bother sides with vat and fitting £166.40

Big Rat

[Stuno1]

Win! That’s the bennefit of going via a dealer I guess. Looks great chap. That’s really reasonable for the side pieces especially as that’s fitted. Does the black edition have black front grille as well?

[Big Rat]

@Stuno1 Thanx yes matey according to the parts dept guy the code says it’s black as well, no doubt you’ve noticed as I have that you can’t tell for definitely from pictures.

Big Rat 

[Bluethunder]

6 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@Bluethunder Thanx Nean appreciate that, yes it’s either a wrap or replace the trim as it’s the the same used on the Rc Black Edition it’s not that expensive either, bother sides with vat and fitting £166.40

Big Rat

That's very resonable for the sides. It's likely to be my first mod!

[Stuno1]

2 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@Stuno1 Thanx yes matey according to the parts dept guy the code says it’s black as well, no doubt you’ve noticed as I have that you can’t tell for definitely from pictures.

Big Rat 

Indeed. And getting the actual part is far better than wrapping as the wrap will peak and fade over time compared to the own part. When the time comes it might be best to have all the chrome replaced with the black edition car parts. 

[Big Rat]

@Stuno1 Yes that would make sense awaiting the prices of some of the other parts speaking with them tomorrow 👍

Big Rat

[Cezar B]

Looks great in orange, Paul! Congrats! 

[Ashrez]

That looks great @Big Rat! I really like the look of the black wheels on orange callipers.

[Big Rat]

@Ashrez Reza thank you I’m immensely pleased with it, I’ve always been curious why in all other markets the Rcf and GsF get the orange and UK only Rcf get black....... ah well nice to know I’m the only one in the UK now 😂

Big Rat

[PhoeNicks]

Looking awesome Paul. I'm glad these aren't a direct fit for the ISF, would go lovely with USB 😁

[Big Rat]

@PhoeNicks Nicks thanx mate yes they would go this gives you a bit of an idea albeit it’s an Rcf.........

Big Rat

[PhoeNicks]

Stop stop! I don't think my wallet can take it 🤣

[DAW]

@Big Rat Hi Paul sorry to hear about the caliper issue,  but looks like a brilliant result all round & completely agree with you - the orange looks really smart mate.

Lexus Cheltenham yet again showing how it can be done - brilliant stuff 👍🏻

[NothernDan]

Love the new look mate, testament to a great dealer too!

[tomRCFcarbon]

Fantastic story - incredible really! 

I think it would be great if Lexus had a smaller network of approved ‘F’ workshops (like the BMW ‘M’ technical centres)...maybe one in the south and another oop norf? They could then group all the experience and technical know-how for our cars into one place. Rather than me having to try and impart knowledge onto a mechanic more used to working on hybrids than 500hp monsters. They could keep more specialist parts in stock and be less phased by in-warranty exhaust upgrades, etc. It would also make car history look better if you could show your car was always worked on / serviced by experts (and become a centre for this community). 

From this story plus others that have been shared I would have thought Cheltenham would be top of the candidate list for the south.

I would travel serious distances to go to an ‘F’ centre. I might go to Cheltenham anyway (1hr further away from me than my nearest - Guildford). 

This feels like the genesis of another thread. Before I do - what are people’s thoughts about lobbying for this kind of thing? 

[Big Rat]

@tomRCFcarbon I agree wholeheartedly with all that, I’m sat at Lexus Cheltenham now just brought some IsF wheels up for another member to be refurbed.

And a RCF 10th Anniversary has just been delivered and I’m going for a looksee and visual play will do a post later 😉

Big Rat

[tomRCFcarbon]

29 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@tomRCFcarbon I agree wholeheartedly with all that, I’m sat at Lexus Cheltenham now just brought some IsF wheels up for another member to be refurbed.

And a RCF 10th Anniversary has just been delivered and I’m going for a looksee and visual play will do a post later 😉

Big Rat

See what they think in the dealership about such an idea.

[Guest]

It would never be made official as other dealers/franchises would have a fit.

You could force it unofficially by us all agreeing to use 2 dealers - but not every F owner is here and some may be happy where they currently visit. 

So I don't think it would fly even though it's a great idea. Not enough cars.

[Martin F]

2 hours ago, Comedian said:

Not enough cars.

This would be the crux of the problem.

Imagine when BMW said they were going to launch M specialist centres how many dealerships would have been interested in the additional revenue stream.

Now imagine Lexus saying the same to their dealerships 😞