Linas.P

I know that feeling - when I wanted coupe... I wanted coupe! And not the one with 4 doors. For my personal taste the pre-FL model looks better, especially front of the car. So the best year in my opinion is late 2017 when RC received LSS+, but before new headlamps design. As for GS being "cumbersome", not really true - handling on RC will be very similar to mk4 GS, especially considering aforementioned front subframe (it is actually more than that, almost entire front suspension). Compared to mk3... yeah maybe. mk3 was more of a comfy luxury barge, but so was all the other cars. It is just the case that over time most cars became stiffer, sportier and less comfortable... Although can't say that about GS mk4... it still very comfortable due to loads and loads of sound deadening - one of the greatest Lexus cars in recent years. The other thing to note - apparently selling coupes privately is major headache, even bigger headache than selling saloons. So owners of coupes essentially only have an option to trade them in or sell at massive discount. Besides - who have 40k Euro cash?! Rarely anyone... so this drives prices of coupes fast. GS on other hand doesn't seems to be affected as much, so RC suddenly becomes very attractive. I mean there is still an option of LC500h 😄 I can imagine it is not cheap in continental Europe, but here in UK prices are fast approaching £40k. That is amazing car, although I would go for v8, regardless of that interior built quality is in universe of it's own and nothing comes close to it.

Yeah... my engine may end-up for sale - "just 102k miles and in excellent condition (no it isn't!)". Be be fair car was running sweet, when it was running - so it is real bummer and left me scratching my head as to why it suddenly stopped working. One interesting thing is that Copart misplaced key blade, but to my surprise they were able to order replacement of just a blade from somewhere without getting entire virgin key fob, despite all dealerships insisting that is the only way to get the key at cost of £460.

Yes, sorry I thought you meant mk4. They are slightly cheaper obviously, but those are with million miles and 2012 cars, so all things considered and comparing like for like ~2016 GS is even more expensive than same year RC. That probably isn't wrong, because 450h in particular were quite high-end at the time.

Your one was very good value for money - I guess people got scared by the mileage and by it being non-driver due to wheel. I way overbid for blue SE-L with sunroof and ML, instead of increasing max bid I simply bid £1800, whereas I think it would have ended-up ~£1450-£1500 otherwise. Not big loss overall provided car is in decent shape, runs and drives, but didn't meant to be so... 😄 At first it turned out better than expected, because it wasn't marked as driving, but turned on and drive-off the trailer itself and was running fine for a week. Then mysteriously turned itself into non-running junk and can't figure out why. Cosmetically it is way rougher than I ever imagined car to be. Seems like previous owner never washed it from new, multiple missing services even between 8k-40k miles, colourful MOT history with multiple advisories and faults on most basic things like tyres and number plates, not to mention engine lights. Funny enough reserve was £2500 on the car, but I did not agree to increase my bid and I can't think of what seller was expecting considering car condition.

I acquired IS250 from Copart recently as well, I think I have even bid on your one. Is it one with broken front wheel?

It is funny that GS450h are not much cheaper than RC, at least in UK. And strangely, sometimes less is worth more!

Ohhh... don't even start with that! You will find me winging about this thousand time on this forum. For me in UK RC350 would have been fine, but Lexus didn't bother to bring it over here. As for not fitting 450h this as another blunder, because RC specifically received GS subframe in the front and the only explanation of this decision is to be able to fit GS engines... as such not fitting making RC450h was bizarre. Even bigger issue with model development was that RC received IC250C centre section, which overall made car at least 200kg heaver than it really needs to be, for rigidity that coupe doesn't need. This is because Lexus clearly panned to make convertible (there is even fully functional prototype)... but never made one. So not only we don't have convertible, but as well every coupe RC carries strengthening only required for cars without roof. I mean sure it doesn't hurt anything in particular and car is overengineered overall, but RC development could be called "troubled" with loads of ideas which failed to materialise or were abandoned mid way.

Have you got the codes scanned before jumping to conclusion that gearbox is the issue and spending quite a bit more money than cheap £15 scanner? I did say that I suspect gearbox solenoids issues, because that is in my experience is the only system which can cause VSC intermittently without causing other noticeable issues for some time. However, if your car ever shows VSC light, then it definitely has some interesting codes to show and those codes may bring you much closer to specific issues. In short what I am saying, before planning any major work, please confirm the guesses (including mine) because they may or may not be correct. Or they may be close, but not exact.

It will make financial sense soon!

People stupidity when it comes to MOT and generally maintaining the car always amazes me. It seems that expensive MBs are most vulnerable to this as I have looked to countless examples of bald tyres and things which should have been obvious to any owner. I can't explain why people don't even take a look at their car before MOT and expect anything else but embarrassing failure. Even more surprising... one would expect this to happen to more feminine cars where the owner may not be keen motorists, but it seems even quite exclusive and performance cars are not exempt from negligent owners.

Hydrogen IS-F anyone (or any F...)?

Is there any way to check ECU compatibility? My ECU is marked as 89661-53610, but I know that for cars between 2005/6 - 2006/7 there were several numbers in a range between 53600 and 53670. Is there any documentation on how they differ... especially considering that all cars had 4GR-FSE and this only controls the engine, so should not be any different. I have read from one source that following groupings are compatible 2005-2008, 2009-2010, 2011-2012, but they provide no source for it. I have seen few units for sale but they are 53600 and 53630, not 53610. It is not overly expensive to experiment, but if there is any way of telling what will certainly does not work, then I would be inclined not to waste money and time on incompatible ECU.

Yes, but the difference is that currently they can't spy on you for evidence, so even if they get data from your phone it can't be used against you (yet). What ISA does, is the system which is designed exactly for that - to have tracking device in car which would work as evidence for punishment. As for speed limiter, yes indeed it will be hard stop for speeding, but for time being one would be able to override it (I would not expect that to last for long), just perhaps every time such behaviour will be logged on your Social Credit Score, next to your vaxshine jabs count. Trying to tie it back to the topic, they may charge EV owners more for driving in winter, because why not!? Our catch-out people for illicit charging points, because if you driving everyday and you "official" charging point does not report any use then you must be getting electricity in some other way - "you damn criminal!".

No problem, Good luck with purchase and post obligatory pictures when you do it. Car prices are a little bit mental right now. I bought RC200t for less in 2019, than I have sold it for this year (literally never happens to used and nearly new cars). Funny enough I was 29 as well when I bought mine, so it was partially as a gift to myself for 30th B-day. Certainly fitting car for age - not to young and foolish enough to need riced-up Civic, yet not old enough to drive A6 Estate! RC is very mature yet, very refreshing car. And my thinking at the time was - even if I get kids in near future, they will be ok in the back until like 10 years old, before the back seats becomes an issue.

Avoiding peak times that is one thing and it partially makes sense e.g. maybe it is 15p mile standard and 30p mile during peek time, to encourage off-peak. The caveat is that as you say people most of the time, can't choose so it isn't entirely fair, but I can get behind the idea as in principle it makes sense. However, the proposal in UK (which to be fair is not final and still being discussed) was even more complex. Basically it was charge per mile/hour/road type/traffic priority/car type... So it wasn't straight cut, like between 8AM and 10AM you are charged more. It was more like if you drive on road type A, then the charge will be different from type B (say London vs. country side), if there are road works they may temporary set different charge, if there is accident, they may set different charge... so basically it was mine field... In practice it would mean that you can set-out to drive off-peak (say 10PM in the evening) down to the country side, but because there was accident and on top of that overnight roadworks started by the time you cleared the jam, you may be paying much higher rate... on top of paying extra for just simply being on road longer for no fault of your own. Imagine getting stuck for 6 hours stand-still on motorway, because of some stupid protest and then having to pay extra for your misfortune of being on wrong place on wrong time. Now... ok maybe not all is doom and gloom, because if overall one does not many miles (like me), then maybe it works out cheaper than paying for whole year up-front... but I am not that optimistic. I am sure they not introducing this tax to make it cheaper for everyone and taxes in general don't tend to go down.

In UK they are planning exactly the same, it comes as EU directive (which UK heavily supported, I would even say sponsored). First step is what is called ISA, it is sold to the public as "speed monitoring" device only used in case of crash, but in fact it is full on tracker/spying device which collects data about all aspects of your driving, connected to GPS and internet. For the time being they claim it does not automatically send the data out, but it is technically capable of constantly monitoring and reporting it directly to police (or worse) each time you gone over the limit (I know sounds dystopian, but it is fact). Then they are already discussing, charging per mile as you drive as a future of road tax. In one hand it does make sense and I would argue it is the fairest way to tax the roads - the more you drive them more you pay. However, what they are planning to do in UK really pisses me off - basically they planning to charge you more if you get stuck in traffic, or drive during peak hours. From the consumer point of view that must be opposite - I am sorry, but if you F***** up the infrastructure and didn't build road with required capacity, then you must be charging me LESS, because I get LESS service not more. It is like buying ticket to the cinema and then being told that you have to pay more to stand, because they didn't put enough seats or oversold existing ones!

Yeah... huge difference in road tax and insurance. I think here you will have to decide for yourself whenever it is worth it. Lexus is definitely more reliable and with "relax" I doubt you would need to speed anything from your pocket for repairs over say 5 years period, however I can't think BMW would cost 5000 Euro more to maintain. As for long trips... it depends again. If you going alone or with our other half, then RC is great grand tourer, comfortable seats, even good to drive on twisty country lanes, but you won't be going very fast and fuel consumption past ~110km/h isn't that great (somewhat comparable to 2.5L petrol). If you have kids etc. then BMW is definitely more spacious for both passengers and luggage, I tend to believe fuel consumption on motorway is better as well especially between 110-160km/h. But if you doing it only 3 times a year, then I don't think fuel consumption is going to make major difference. I would probably take BMW if only long trips are concerned, it is faster, more fuel efficient at higher speeds, probably even handless better. However, whenever 3 weeks a year are worth it over remaining 49, that is the decision you will have to make. All things considered I would probably want BMW 640d on long trip, but we can't choose to have everything!

Lexus has what is called "Relax", meaning you get 10 years of free warranty (up to a 100k miles, not sure if it translates to 160k km in Europe) as long as you service it at Lexus dealership. On top of that Lexus cars are reliable anyway (kind of rendering that warranty pointless to be honest, especially for first 10 years). I would not say Lexus RC would be more comfortable than BMW 330e, RC is rather low and hard "sports car". It is still comfortable, but it isn't limousine - F-Sport will have adaptable suspension, which is great but not the softest thing in the world. FL gets benefit of being able to set suspension modes independently i.e. you can have engine on sport and suspension on comfort (you can't do this on pre-FL). The difference is minor, because it is still low car with 19" wheels and low profile tyres. I think it would be important to mention here, but on BMW you must immanently replace the tyres - all BMW 3-series comes standard with rock hard and unbelievably terrible Run-Flat tyres... so in that aspect Lexus is definitely more comfortable than BMW. But if you fit normal tyres on BMW, then I think it will be ever so slightly softer as far as suspension is concerned.

I was never in doubt either, but I remember few people labouring this point of how cheap it is per mile compared to petrol... without realising that 80% of petrol price is just duties ... and once petrol/diesel cars dies out goverment will find the way of getting that money from EV owners somehow. It was never a question of if, just when.

Hi Jensen, There are no known "issues" with these cars... maybe some small niggles which applies to both FL and pre-FL, but not much more. In the list I would add tendency to wear inside of the tyre more (would apply to BWM 330e as well, most RWD cars), the design of the roof makes water drip onto you in the rain when opening the window/door, I found boot annoying to close on pre-FL (FL has a auto close button), I hate how indicator stalk operates... and I am struggle to think about anything else. I had RC200t thought which has more issues of it's own, but I have extensively driven RC300h as well. In UK, there is advantage of having pre-FL, because you would get £20 road tax, instead of £140+£340 for FL, but I don't know what are the rules in Netherlands. If you have a choice without sacrificing much then go with FL, it benefits from LSS+ system (radar cruise, pre-crash safety, steering assist etc.) which was not fitted to pre-FL F-sport (you had to get it as an option on Premier only). Compared to BMW 330e... it is quite different car and either has their own benefits. For me the looks matters so RC was obvious choice and I wanted coupe (still can't understand why BMW can't make 430e ?!), so that was what guided my decision. But 330e is plug-in hybrid, meaning you can and you need to charge it at home. If you can - then you get first ~25km for free just driving on electricity, if that is all the commute you do in the day, you may never need to add fuel, or add very little. However, when that range runs out BMW just becomes "normal" 2L Turbo Petrol and if you not charge it at home, then it will always be that. And BMW is actually fast car - 6.1s to 100km/h. And it is practical compared to Lexus, which has unusable back seats and most 300hs don't have folding seats in the rear either, so boot space is very limited. I would add here that BMW built quality is mediocre for this generation, what surprised me most was excessive body flex, it flexes so much that you can put your finger between door and front panel and feel it being pinched when climbing to park on the kerb. This creates some weird creeks and rattles and I am talking here about brand new car with 800miles on the clock. RC build quality is excellent... but lacks a bit of edge for a luxury car, most taken out directly from Lexus IS, not a bad thing, still miles more luxurious than BMW, but could be better considering other models in the Lexus range. Lexus RC on other hand is hybrid, you can't charge it and it always uses petrol, but after first 25km it would probably have better fuel economy, especially in start/stop traffic. One particular thing which disappointed me the most was performance, I just don't like how the power is delivered and car in my opinion is unacceptably slow (8.2s to 100km/h) and it feels even slower. Not relevant in UK, but may be relevant to you if you ever on Autobahn is top speed - RC only does 112MPH (180kmh), whereas BMW is standard 155MPH electronically limited (250kmh). You will see many members disagree with me here as they think it is "fast enough"... So what I would say - if you after sports car and 0-100 times matters to you, then 300h is maybe one to avoid, however if you after comfortable commuter car which "looks fast", then it is great car. One final point - avoid standard audio as a plague (horrible 6 speakers system), perhaps ok if you just listen to the radio, but not suitable for any sorts of music. The premium and ML systems are both equally good. As suggested, test drive is you best bet - they are quite different cars with their strengths and weakness.

Agreed. At least they should remove legal burden for people who may want to do it themselves. For example for all renters and even leaseholders it is non starter - I wanted to install charger on my parking space, but the freeholder who owns the land for the estate simply isn't interested. They have not denied, but they simply ignored my request and not approved or responded to it. So for example in my case I can install charging point without government assistance and I have dedicated parking space, but I have no legal rights to do so. On top of that goverment continue to allow developers to build the buildings not only without chargers, but even without any parking spaces at all. Then there is simply lack of any plan at all for the big picture - capacity, generation, distribution etc. which is not a sign of competent government, especially considering the fact they decided to ban all ICEVs by 2030 without having any concrete plan of how it is going to be achieved, but simply putting out political stance there to score for vegetable points.

Not surprised at all, it would have been naive to think that goverment won't charge BEV drivers additional tax. First they have introduced "luxury car" duty and £40k is just about where somewhat decent BEV prices starts, it is hard to get even UX below £40k, never mind something actually luxurious. As usual £40k is conveniently not subject to inflation, despite everything else being adjusted for it... so whereas in 2018 it was just about possible to get car under that, nowadays you can't because in real terms the limit is equivalent to ~£37k of 2018 money. And as I said many times before, despite of many deniers and dreamers - in UK we don't have capacity to charge cars if suddenly majority of them become BEVs. It seems about ok when people average everything out, but truth is that there will be many peaks in demand which we can't cover. It is all amazing to say that there is enough capacity over a month for all the BEVs to get charged provided that miraculously everyone will sync-up charge their car specifically at the time when Joe on other side of UK doesn't, but reality is that everyone wants to charge their BEV right now on Friday 7PM and not on Sunday 3AM in the morning. So for one - this legislation makes sense and confirms that capacity will be limited and rationed, two... "honey moon" for BEV owners is over and this creates the precedent to tax BEVs further. In the past it was people using "green" diesel and being fined on the road, the future will be people not disclosing charging points at home and getting fined for using electricity "wrong". Thinking about it - this is spit in the face for Tesla superchargers and for the owners who still have "forever" free-charging. I am sure that whatever tax they will come-up with will be the same structure as for fuel duties i.e. set amount rather than percentage e.g. 25p flat duty per KW. Because otherwise 10% on £0 would still be 0... and these bloodsucker won't have that!

Yeah, that was the one which motivated me to check my grounds, but sadly I don't have such cool switchboard and I only cleaned the grounds which I have access to without pulling entire car to bits. Some grounds were a bit crusty, especially the main ones near the battery, but not too bad either.

In summary they are obedient... The only question is if they going towards utopia or dystrophia? Yeah - like basically forcing people to drive BEV and all depend on electricity. Seem very healthy indeed... And I am not against BEVs, but ban of ICEs in near future and punitive taxation when subsidising BEVs doesn't feel right. Especially considering that reduction of pollution from average ICE to average BEV (and Teslas are not average) is only 30% and cars contribute miniscule proportion of pollution which causes global warming. Things like legalising tenant rights to install charging points at home or legislating that all developments must have parking spaces for at least 80-90% of occupants with charging points I would support, because that is just enabling BEV without showing it down the through whilst forcibly taking ICE away.

I don't see this as a good thing, if something is subsidised then the money should be taken from somewhere else. And because this is beneficial only for certain technology and the government pushing certain agenda it comes out wrong way. I don't think government should be deciding for people what they should have, or single out one technology over all others. Generally, I just don't think it is government business to decide, and particularly to boost sales of certain technology artificially. In my opinion, product should be good enough on it's own merits, genuinely competitive in the market and then it will sell naturally, instead of being forced onto people by artificially making alternatives expensive and subsidising certain technology on the decisions of certain group of people. This does not help innovation, it rather stifles innovation. I do agree that we need to invest into new technologies, maybe fund initial proof of concept, kick-start initiatives, public infrastructure etc. but when it comes to subsidising BEV parking over non-BEV, removing tolls, charges etc. then it becomes discriminatory and one-sided. This is not something government should be involved in.