DarISF

@PRT68 They failed the whole pipe which was an outright fabrication. On inspection today the point where something could have been actually observed as a 'point of interest' would have been at the far end of the rear of the hard pipes where they couple with the flexi pipes. There was a 2cm length of rust which would have been creep from the coupler which has a lot of surface rust. Wire brush and emery cloth exposed there was no detrimental corrosion at all.. Dar

Hi all, Sorry for the lack of response I've been caught up with work and other such mundane activities! Thank you for all your responses, it's been an interesting read. Sorry I can't respond to you all individually. However, there is a new chapter in this story. So, I took the car to my local independent today. I explained the situation and showed them the estimate I had been given by Lexus. After laughing for quite a while and actually running off with the quote to show other mechanics out in the bay I was directed to get my car up on the lift. In their opinion there was NOTHING wrong with the brake pipes and certainly nothing to warrant an MOT failure. They reached in with a bit of emery cloth on the 2cm of offending 'corrosion' and promptly stepped out to say 'they were trying to have you bud'. Car is now booked in for the MOT again this Tuesday as they couldn't fit me in today but they see no reason at all the car should pass without issue. This has obviously only gone to fuel my anger and disappointment in Lexus Swindon. I've already sourced by replacement discs (Brembo) and pads (EBC YellowStuff) for a total of £537.01, a little less than my original estimate and a clear £4984.43 less than what they estimated. I'll put a hold on the exhaust for now which will deffo need a full replacement unless I get a fabricator involved as suggested. There's no rush on this and it will be a nice excuse for a cheeky upgrade in the future. The 'leaking' radiator was nothing more than a historic weep which has since sealed itself (for now). It's bone dry, just got old residue sitting around a small part area of the rad. Anyway, needless to say I will learn this lesson only once - I'll never return to Lexus even if it does mean losing my dealership stamps on servicing. All the best Dar

Hi all 😄 So, had my 2008 ISF in for an airbag recall this week. As the MOT was due in a few days I asked that they (Lexus Swindon, UK) undertake this for me too. Anyway, airbag replacement, no sweat. MOT, failed. Darn it! Excessive rear brake pipe corrosion. Quote to fix : £1390.31. I raised my eyebrows somewhat at this but wasn't massively shocked thinking it might be relatively awkward on this car so let it slide. Notwithstanding I can source 12ft copper pipe and replacement connectors for £15.99! Add a brake pipe flaring tool at circa £40.00 for good measure. Where it got really interesting was the 'advisories'. Front discs and pads - £2687.83. When choosing to do this myself with non-blue print but high carbon, perforated discs (£151.00) and EBC yellow pads (£143.48) so a total of £294.48 Rear discs and pads - £2833.61. When choosing to do this myself with non-blue print but high carbon, perforated discs (£160.16) and EBC yellow pads (£131.39) so a total of £291.55 So a total cost to me for both axles, fit DIY as a simple job, £586.03. Note that I could have bought genuine OEM Lexus discs and pads, full set, for £589.99 just on a cursory search. Obviously I will replace the flexy pipes too so add £200-300 or so. Radiator leak - £1120.37 Near side tail back box (one of the mounts had rusted and broken) - £545.17 So, at total dealer estimate of a staggering £8577.29! This equates to just over 50% of what I paid for the car last year. Even factoring in labour this is an absolute outrage. It's certainly no more than a 2 day job and that's being generous. I've not looked into the radiator and exhaust yet but I can be sure it will be nothing close to what Lexus wanted to charge me. Anyway, after I quietly lost my shi*t and said to them 'Well it's a scrapper then eh!?' they even had the audacity to suggest I sell the car to them for sub-trade price. I was flabbergasted! I did check the mirror afterwards to make sure I didn't have 'MUG' written on my forehead. Has anyone else experienced this level of ridiculous quoting? I completely expect to pay a level of premium on a performance car but this goes way beyond reasonable. Needless to say Lexus stealerships will never get any future business from me. I love the ISF, best car I've ever owned but this has left a real sour taste in the mouth. Dar 🙂

My work horse and my 2 wheeled beast 😄

I'm Cradley Heath born and bred but left those dark shores many moons ago. Live in Wiltshire now. Family all still there though. Let go of those dirty thoughts! To be fair I can't comment on the Mercs but I'm a veteran BMW owner. I still have a love for German cars but I have to say switching to the Lexus is proving to be a dream by comparison. I really had to fight with myself to let go of the E46 M3 I had but I have to say I haven't given it a second thought since picking up the ISF. I had an E92 335ci before the M3 which was an amazing car but still not a patch on the Lexus imo.

Well... I bought this car lol. Don't fret though I'll only be running those TOYOs until I change the alloys. The wheels are ok to be fair, good refurb tbh but I don't like the dark grey (not black btw) and grey/silver car contrast. Prefer lighter coloured wheels. Loving the car in all accounts 😄