bobmc

If there was a group trip planned for next year I'd be very interested 

I can second the comment re: NFU - I was with them for about six years and the big advantage is that you deal with a branch office and can get through to someone who can deal with your query without fuss rather than being held in a 'your call is important to us' queue followed by security questions then banging your head against a scripted interaction.

However, I never had to make a claim so I can't comment on how that might go but they do have a good reputation. I only left after six years because the gap between them and the comparison sites became too much to ignore. 

With a car like the ISF, you will need to have an agreed value policy or GAP insurance. In the event of theft or write-off, you won't get a full value payout otherwise.

14 hours ago, Bluethunder said:

This is the cheapest ISF I've seen advertised: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201710039928585?sort=price-asc&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&model=IS F&radius=1500&make=LEXUS&postcode=wa158ny&advertising-location=at_cars&page=1

Yeah that one's been discussed before. High mileage, lots of stone chips, not sure how long the seller has owned it.

Might be worth asking the AA for a quote as well as the main dealer?

I'd agree that a professional inspection and diagnosis is the recommended option, but as you say finding someone competent and trustworthy is the challenge. 

Oh that's bad news. I think Lexus may be your only option. I don't suppose you've got key cover on your insurance?

Nice to have the feedback, I have lots of small chips I need to take care of so that's useful info

The obvious answer, try another dealer/mechanic

19 hours ago, dougie175 said:

I'm sure others will agree it's a great decision. Fingers crossed you get the all clear on the surgery soon.

Ditto on both points. Nice to see it remain in the club as well.

Great post, looking forward to updates.

I am surprised you spent so much time polishing the paintwork before stripping half the panels off the car! 

1 hour ago, lockeyboy said:

Personal car that he drives from Surrey to stoke for a service ?

i am becoming more and more cynical as I get older 

From the ad text I'd assume that the current owner bought it at around 110K miles as he's only claiming Lexus Stoke serviced it up until then.

No mention of where the 135K service was done.

16 minutes ago, Alex-T-Sport said:

Certainly I'm in the Darlington area so if I get one I'd be more than happy to give anyone a look around it. I don't feel the right one is up for sale at the moment. I'm happy to wait though to make sure I get the right car. I've only ever seen 1 in the flesh I just remember it having a lot of presence with its wider body kit etc.

The 140k one is in another thread on here also. A member went to view and said it had a lot of stone chips and some paint damage to the rear bumper I believe. If I find the thread I'll link it.

I noticed quite a few stone chips on the bonnet from the photo's so that doesn't surprise me. Having said that, paintwork can be fixed and any car of that age/mileage is very likely to have some issues in that department.

Here's a Lexus IS220D that runs round here has a taxi

there's another IS-F on eBay now

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-ISF-5-0-/253156850074?hash=item3af152f99a:g:3C8AAOSwG-1ZvPcQ&clk_rvr_id=1315836816990&afsrc=1&rmvSB=true

Less than £13K but does have 140K miles on it though 

Spotted this one on eBay, high mileage but £13K

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LEXUS-ISF-5-0-/253156850074?hash=item3af152f99a:g:3C8AAOSwG-1ZvPcQ

Good luck with your search Alex. I'll watch with interest as you're close enough to me that I can come and drool when you buy one! lol 

I thought as much, drat!

now it will be just my luck to end up with a smashed fog light....

Its been discussed before at various times

But you have to be courageous enough to make the problem much worse   before it becomes better again 

you also need to apply a UV clearcoat afterwards otherwise the cloudiness will return quite quickly.

Some detailers will do it for you, so that might be an option?

not sure if this will fit mine MY2007, but yes, nice gesture 

thats bad luck and I know what you mean with eBay spares pricing. Hope you get sorted without too much expense

Good luck with this Paul

thats no way to treat a Lexus

No you're right, no lambda sensor is listed for the GS300. I did look for the IS and it's on the exhaust section, but nothing for the GS

@rich1068 That's a very useful reference site, bookmarked!

Good result, glad you got sorted. Did you get the part from a breakers?

Is that picture your engine bay or a stock photo, very clean either way...