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So the exhaust was installed yesterday - Wow it’s bloody epic!!. Mellow at low revs but always audible and just builds with the revs yet is quiet at 70mph until you prod the accelerator. It is loader at start up, but as others have suggested drops immediately it’s put in gear. Was shadowed by C63 coupe black edition (with all the aero kit) on my way home & we ended up passing each other at various points - the QS sound masked the AMG’s exhaust completely. Its so nice to be changing gear again based purely on the engine sound. The induction sound at 3.5k is now barely audible in the linear increase in sound as the revs rise. For me it has made the RCF a very special car indeed. I keep finding excuses to go for a drive & then can’t stop smiling - boys & toys!! I would like to thank Lexus Cheltenham, especially Tim, Alex & Paul who we watched install the exhaust. It was a real eye opener seeing how a dealership can be run by a bunch of great guys who are all petrol heads/enthusiasts & it will now be my first port of call for any advice etc. And of course a massive thank you to Paul @Big Rat for going to so much trouble on my behalf (organising everything) & for also introducing me to the delights of the AV8 cafe at Kemble - of course cake was provided 😉😆 It was a great day!!. I have attached a short video 🤞& apologise for the expletives E85E9BDB-6935-4722-91FF-A6848A967804.MOV

Hi Matt, Glad you had fun mate. I felt a similar way when I drove the RCF - it was clear that everything had moved on & the interiors of both RCF/GSF are a lovely place to be 👍🏻 Go on mate you know you want too!! 😂😉

I’m over 6ft & had plenty of head room in the back of the RCF when I tested it with the drivers seat set for me. My sons catching me in terms of height & he also fits fine. The padded triangular shape to the back of the front seats helps a lot I’m sure, but can get whole family in comfortably - which I have to say was a bit of a surprise & a relief 😆 TBO I was surprised how much tear space there is in the RCF, especially when I think back to my Supra!

Very nice - not seen one in that colour combo before.

Akrapovic have had their exhausts fitted as standard by some manufacturers. Off on a bit of a tangent - my experience of after market wheels was that they were generally far higher quality than those the same wheel manufacturer might supply to car manufacturers. Similarly I don’t see why a specialist exhaust manufacturer couldn’t develope a better tuned & optimised exhaust (at a cost).😉

Exactly, like most exhaust systems - I was just making the point that they are genuine carbon fibre tips from a cost perspective and not made to look like carbon fibre. I’m sure the H&S system will be better value & handy with them so close by. You were very happy with the H&S on your ISF, so no reason to think the RCF will be any different. Do they do valved systems?

One of the other main considerations for me was it not invalidating the extended warranty & TWG have confirmed the QS system doesn’t. But if the H&S/Borla systems do what you want for the money I can certainly understand the draw.

RCF has a flanged connection behind the back axle unlike the ISF which I understand requires much longer pipework. The Quicksilver is effectively only an axle back exhaust & I think the H&S is the same. @Big Rat Paul will be able to give you more info on that as he was looking at the H&S before he went down the QS route. As far as price goes it is expensive, but it’s the only exhaust developed for/with Lexus & I understand its a high quality product inc genuine carbon fibre tips They will also discount for a group buy. The guys who have had the system for a bit tell me there is no drone at motorway speeds either, so it does seem to have been very well designed.

Only meet I’ve been too so far 😆

@Peter P18 Pete very kindly organised the last Bluewater meet. I would certainly be up for another - haven't got the foggiest on how to set up a poll for a suitable summer date though!! Would also be good to catch up with @MattmechMatt & Pete. Very keen to see Pete's car now he has the supercharger installed - It was impressive enough before this latest mod!!

Yes mate we should do that👍🏻

Hi Matt hope you and yours are all well mate. Yes its taken me long enough!! - was originally in discussions with warranty re H&S exhaust for the ISF when I was bullied (completely against my will) into buying the RCF by the Boss Glad you are pleased with the USRS's - only other thing I would like to have done to the ISF had the warranty not scuppered it.

Thanks for posting the video 👍🏻 Gives me a bit of a taster - my QS is arriving shortly & being fitted on Saturday. Looking forward to waking up the Cotswolds on my way home 😉😆

Congratulations, cracking car.👍🏻 Nice work!!😉

I like the the styling of the M4, but they are so common where I live you almost don’t notice them. They tend to blend in with all the other high spec 4 series - which is a great shame!!

Agree, I had similar comments about the ISF looking so much better in the flesh. The RCF gets positive attention whenever I drive it, as I’m pretty sure most people haven’t got a clue what they are looking at. Had a guy stop at the end of his drive & watched me drive up the road recently - so must be ticking some boxes!!

Agree & until recently the noise was one of the main draws to the AMG’s as they weren’t considered to be as good dynamically as BMW. It gives their cars character so I’m sure a lot of development & money went into maintaining that sound even with Turbos (like Ferrari). Perhaps you are right & it’s the development cost which has driven the decision........

I’m sure that’s true & don’t get me wrong it’s not that big an issue that it would ever stop me buying an “F”. I never did get round to changing the exhaust on my ISF & they all sound brilliant over the 3.5k. It just seems strange when Mercedes AMG, Audi, BMW, Alfa etc all seem to manage it and they are the competition.

True as did the LFA before it, but why have the 3 “F” cars to date all been given relatively quieter exhaust systems? These are top of the range cars whose direct competitors have tuned exhaust systems, so It wouldn’t seem likely that it’s a decision based on cost and hence why I can’t help wondering if this Is a deliberate choice for some other reason. It just seems an odd decision to me and I would be interested to know why.

Welcome to the club & a very nice example👍🏻 First RCF I sat in was a similar but darker grey (I think) with the red interior and is a great combination. It was Lexus Woodford’s demonstrator & was back with them for sale when I was there for a service last August. I had arranged a test drive but unfortunately they sold it before I got the chance ☹️ I have always had a bit soft spot for the red leather seats!!

Have to say it surprises me as well. I thought their biggest market was the US who expect their V8’s to come with epic noise as standard & a lot of the US “F” cars also end up with after market exhausts as well. Can’t help thinking Lexus deliberately designed the exhaust to be quiet/refined and is a Japanese preference for some reason.

I would have done exactly the same 😉 I’m really looking forward to getting my QS exhaust installed and the drive home afterwards - hopefully my ears won’t be bleeding when I get home 😂

I Agree. RCF already has a lot of toys a standard anyway some of which I probably won’t use 😂 It’s horses for courses - there will always be people who really enjoying using all the toys, but equally there are also people like me who it’s not their main priority. I think there will always be a market for them, what ever the spec, as they are so rare anyway.🤞😉

The web master strikes again!! - that’s brilliant Paul thanks for the info mate👍🏻

Hi Mike hope the drive home was fun😉 Looking forward to seeing some photos👍🏻