Rx400H Catalytic Converter Theft

jonnybgood · January 27, 2020

I had my cat stolen last September and have since had the factory alarm upgraded to have a shock sensor fitted inside the car (in middle compartment between front seats) for less than £200 so that the alarm goes off if anyone starts meddling. Would thoroughly recommend Neil at Creative Car Sounds in North London who did this for me. Gives me some peace of mind that they're less likely to stick around when the alarm goes off.

Sukhi Saatchi · January 27, 2020

14 minutes ago, jonnybgood said:

I had my cat stolen last September and have since had the factory alarm upgraded to have a shock sensor fitted inside the car (in middle compartment between front seats) for less than £200 so that the alarm goes off if anyone starts meddling. Would thoroughly recommend Neil at Creative Car Sounds in North London who did this for me. Gives me some peace of mind that they're less likely to stick around when the alarm goes off.

Good idea. Would a proximity sensor be any good? Only downside I suppose is it will go off whom ever is near it, even a cat!😮😂

jonnybgood · January 27, 2020

I chose not to go for proximity for that reason. Even the shock sensor can be triggered by motorbikes driving past, but luckily the sensitivity can be turned down which I had to do. But give the tyres a kick or the cat a knock and the alarm will go off.

Lager shandy · January 30, 2020

https://www.pb-customs.co.uk/services/4x4-underbody-protection/

ive just posted this link in the Rx450h thread on stolen cats. May help.

007M · January 30, 2020

On 1/27/2020 at 9:33 PM, Sukhi Saatchi said:

Yes but how many times?

Exactly. I'm not even prepared to have it taken just the once. With all the grief and cost involved as well as worry everytime I start the car and drive off, no thanks. The auris hybrid or ct200 was going to be my next car, no chance of that now.

I have a Yaris hybrid, fortunately the cat is at the manifold and thus cannot get to it or too difficult. Will keep that for now.

SlowV6 · January 30, 2020

As I wrote higher up, I have been put off buying an RX400H because of the cat thefts. I have a saved search on AutoTrader for RX's and the number of cars for sale seems to be increasing. I think some owners are getting fed up. I wouldn't say there has been an obvious fall in prices however. I am also wondering what they are swapping them for - pure EVs maybe?

007M · January 31, 2020

50 minutes ago, SlowV6 said:

As I wrote higher up, I have been put off buying an RX400H because of the cat thefts. I have a saved search on AutoTrader for RX's and the number of cars for sale seems to be increasing. I think some owners are getting fed up. I wouldn't say there has been an obvious fall in prices however. I am also wondering what they are swapping them for - pure EVs maybe?

My guess would be some have been victims and maybe others want to rid of it because of what could happen. No idea what they would get, perhaps a diesel if EV is not for them atm.

I would go diesel automatic if I need a bigger car as planned. EV is not viable for me right now due to no driveway and do low mileage annually.

ISJason · January 31, 2020

Hi to me personally it seems madness that people want to sell the cars for only the smallest chance that something might happen. It’s like not going on holiday because your plane might crash.

No way am I giving up my Lexus because there is the odd ***** thief around.

007M · January 31, 2020

It's not an odd problem and it's not madness if one has been a victim. It's a major problem if u live in the southeast. Other regions may not have this issue, that is good and long may it stay that way. £400 for a cheap alternative exhaust or claim on insurance, that isn't madness, especially when the replacement OEM can get taken again

The worry everytime u start up the car. I certainly cannot do with that stress.

fred81 · January 31, 2020

Swindon catalytic converter thief was found dead under car

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

NemesisUK · January 31, 2020

34 minutes ago, fred81 said:

Swindon catalytic converter thief was found dead under car

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-wiltshire-51326361

Karma ...

Douggy · February 1, 2020

if you need a good quality replacement CAT fitted give the falling place a call. Best price and can fit you in quickly. Mr Exhaust, 18 London Road, Reigate, RH2 9HY. 01737 243 900. Just had mine done, not an OEM which is better as unlikely to be attractive to further thefts !

Jakeuk · February 27, 2020

There's now an aftermarket RX400 replacement available for £540:

https://www.cats2u.co.uk/lexus/35550-lexus-rx400h-33-catalytic-converter-03-05-12-08-bm92690h.html

LexusPartsDirect · February 29, 2020

https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-rx/lexus-rx-phase-ii-2004-2008/lexus-rx-2-engine-service-kits/lexus-rx-phase-2-centre-exhaust-section/

Poormansporsche · May 13, 2020

Morning all. I've not bought my 400h yet but the cat theft thing is really holding me back. I have a pikey camp down the road and already had a couple of vans pinched and even had a couple of crappy 2 way diesel cats knicked.

So if I do buy the 400 the first thing I will dump the cat and fit a straight through pipe. Not bothered about more noise as the CVT is a bit whiney anyway !

But is there likely to be any long term issues with the hybrid system / engine ? Not bothered about the mot as my mate is a welder ? Thoughts ?

Lydiamight · May 13, 2020

A "straight through" exhaust pipe in place of the underbody catalytic converter will not cause any problems with the vehicle and it will be difficult to hear any increased exhaust noise. It still has the two other catalytic converters on it up near the exhaust manifold. (these are unlikely to be stolen as access is so difficult.) You might have a problem with an MOT, depending on whether or not the tester is an "understanding" individual. It won't fail the emissions test as Hybrids are not check for emissions. If you want to send me a private message at raymondcoole at gmail dot com I can point you in the direction of a highly regarded Lexus Specialist in Kent who will do the work for you.

vrodman · May 13, 2020

Had mine done at a local replacement ss exhaust place.

There was a very slight blow on the exhaust, picked up on the mot as an advisory, so I took it to have it sorted and he fixed that (said it was a common fault) so whilst the car was in, I asked him to make me a bypass pipe so I could remove the cat and refit it for the mot if necessary. He did a cracking job and put flanges and spigots on as required so both pieces are the same length and have the same ends and it is now a few minutes worth of a job to change it back. Having said that - he does mot's as well so he said just bring it in and he'll do the necessary.

Total cost was £90 and it has made virtually no difference to the exhaust note, in fact, if I didn't know it had been done I wouldn't have noticed - the pipe has now weathered a bit since this pic so it blends in with the rest of the system...

billgatesisaconman · July 28, 2020

So they stole mine at weekend (also a lot of others in the same area the same night) and Lexus have quoted £710 fitted nearest is Bolton or Stockport but tbh I'm reluctant to fit an original Lexus cat as I fear this will just happen again so I'm thinking a non oem is not only the cheapest but the best option as they might leave it alone ... but it appears after a good search around that I can't find any exhaust fabricators in Manchester ??? ... nearest being again Bolton or Stockport both of which couldn't be more vague on prices and timeframes ...

Looking at the diy route I have found a Magnaflow cat on eBay for £120 delivered from Germany but would need the fittings etc ... I also found this for £240 delivered which i'm thinking of going for as it's ready to fit, any thoughts/advice much appreciated ... >>> https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Lexus-RX400h-Exhaust-catalytic-converter-Ready-To-Fit-Including-Fitting-Kit/264741084906?_trkparms=aid%3D1110006%26algo%3DHOMESPLICE.SIM%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D225076%26meid%3Da9b8547874554aa38e872dea1f3a95b5%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D3%26rkt%3D7%26mehot%3Dpf%26sd%3D303279328247%26itm%3D264741084906%26pmt%3D1%26noa%3D0%26pg%3D2047675%26algv%3DSimplAMLv5PairwiseWebWithBBEV1Filter%26brand%3DLexus&_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851

John B. · July 30, 2020

Revised Catloc for RX400H

Just in!

https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-rx/lexus-rx-phase-ii-2004-2008/lexus-rx-2-exterior-interior/lexus-rx-phase-2-catalytic-converter-lock/

billgatesisaconman · July 30, 2020

7 hours ago, John B. said:

Revised Catloc for RX400H

Just in!

https://www.lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/parts/lexus-rx/lexus-rx-phase-ii-2004-2008/lexus-rx-2-exterior-interior/lexus-rx-phase-2-catalytic-converter-lock/

This looks good but the cost is way too expensive for such an old car and it just makes it more time consuming to remove so it's only a deterrent, mine was gone in under a minute outside my house at 6.30 in the morning in a busy street so if it was in carpark etc it would still be a target, this wouldn't reassure me one bit ...

The only cure I can think of would be to make the cats worthless ... so I think when they are stolen Lexus should look more to replace them with a cheaper alternative,

Ive seen new Magnaflow cats on eBay for under £100 for the Rx, so there are cheaper alternatives available, they could also pass this cost saving on to their customers who would be happier and I also doubt the cheaper ones would be worthwhile nicking so the thieves would be out of business ...

they could even do a self install kit like the one on eBay in my previous post, that's if they were genuinely concerned about thier customers and didn't just want to milk a few quid out of everyones misery by selling them a catloc which is only a deterrent as they have stated ... >>> "It is important to note that Catloc’s are designed as a preventative security measure against opportunist theft only, as fitment will not stop a determined criminal from removing the device and Catalyst if they have enough time and the right equipment" ...

For info I now have a price of £240 to supply and fit a new one from Powerflow in Bolton but they can't do it until next week, but it sounds way better than the £700+ Lexus quoted me ...

billgatesisaconman · July 30, 2020

billgatesisaconman · July 30, 2020

This video just confirms my point about replacing a stolen cat with an oem is not the best aproach ...

billgatesisaconman · July 30, 2020

I think that Toyota/Lexus need to be doing a lot more or face losing a lot of customers and watch the value of their cars plummet , who will want to buy a car thats a constant target ? their vehicles have 3 out the top 4 most stolen cats in the uk ... some insight in the attached links...