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Whats up guys, just felt like throwing up some random pics of my RL from over the time that I've had it, I plan to add better ones later. I drive this car a lot, it had a little under 67k when I bought it in July 2017, its now at 78 and some change. Been pretty solid mechanically other than a few minor things. It does have the propeller shaft whine, timing belt tensioner rattle on some cold starts and its developed a few interior rattles over the miles. Nothing that makes me lose sleep and these are things that are easily addressed. I haven't done much to it other than maintenance, but do plan to get the timing belt done in the spring and hopefully the propeller shaft replaced.
After owning this car and then riding in newer luxury cars, the technology in those cars obviously is at a much higher level. But I think the RL still feels and drives pretty good even when compared to most of them, definitely doesn't feel that antiquated to me. The RL seems like it was ahead of its time when it was designed, its impressive for an older car. Anyways onto the pics, I sometimes ponder trading it in for a 4th gen TL SH-AWD since I love those, but the RL would be really hard to give up haha.
4g TL is a down grade from KB1, did they ever fix your navi drive problem?
Gonna pick your brain here, what makes you think the 4th gen TL's are a downgrade from the KB1 RL? Yeah that's been fixed for a while, they swapped the entire drive for free and gave me the newest map disc. It works great, took me all the way to South Carolina this summer with no issues.
Gonna pick your brain here, what makes you think the 4th gen TL's are a downgrade from the KB1 RL? Yeah that's been fixed for a while, they swapped the entire drive for free and gave me the newest map disc. It works great, took me all the way to South Carolina this summer with no issues.
Interior is made up of cheap plastic, and yet the styling is ugly.
Debadged the car and replaced the chrome trim pieces on the front since they were chipping. Car is actually still at 78k miles, it doesn't get driven too much anymore since I carpool to work now, the only time I drive it is to the gym at night, which is only about a 6 mile round trip lol. I wish I had a garage spot for it since it just sits most of the time now. I'm thinking of getting it ceramic coated this spring.
Yeah after looking at yours it made me want to get it done. When I first got it last summer I took an entire week and polished the paint with Meguiars M105/M205, then put a sealant on it but the dealership washed it a few months ago and it definitely has swirls again, so this might be the perfect time to step it up and get the coating
Originally Posted by HDNBenjamin
the new chrome trim makes the car look new again
Yeah this definitely made a huge difference, expensive pieces but worth it
Is there a place/vendor that sells RL A -Spec wheels? I'm wanting to do A-Spec wheels and H&R springs soon, the only RL set I've found are on Craigslist and the guy is in Maine.
I got both my sets of wheels from out of state Any way you’d be able to set up shipping? I don’t remember greyhound (yes, the bus line!) shipping costing that much!
Yeah, might have to find some on craigslist and set up some shipping, sounds like the dealer is gonna be way expensive. Trying not to spend too much since my other car is taking all my funds lol. Do the early 5 spoke TL SH-AWD wheels fit? I feel like they'd look pretty sweet and I'm sure could be had for cheaper than the A-Spec's. I remember vaguely seeing them on an RL on here
Yeah, might have to find some on craigslist and set up some shipping, sounds like the dealer is gonna be way expensive. Trying not to spend too much since my other car is taking all my funds lol. Do the early 5 spoke TL SH-AWD wheels fit? I feel like they'd look pretty sweet and I'm sure could be had for cheaper than the A-Spec's. I remember vaguely seeing them on an RL on here
they do fit but you will have to use spacer to clear the RL caliper.
Just wanted to share an updated pic of the car. I lowered it on H&R springs and also put 50% tint on my windshield recently. I'm driving it almost 70 miles per day as I recently started a new job and have a long commute, so the miles are racking up quick. I should definitely be at 90k miles soon. Car is holding up great other than an annoying wind noise issue at highway speeds that started recently, but no biggie that will be addressed soon.
Finally found some A-Specs for this thing and also got the calipers painted gloss black. Pretty happy with the outcome. Car has 95k on it now, next big purchase for it will be a timing belt. Still running perfect everyday without issue!
Last edited by LS1SSChris; 01-05-2019 at 07:01 PM.
Here are a couple more pics of it all cleaned up, I waxed it this past weekend. Does anyone know where to get a nice exhaust system for these cars? I would love a nice polished Mugen or a 5zigen but can't seem to find a system. Is custom the only way to go nowadays? Also, got some bad news. I was having some vibrations at 60-80 mph on the highway and the steering just wasn't feeling right. So, after work today, I took it back to get re-balanced. Found out that 2 of the wheels are bent so I have to repair that eventually Luckily the balance stopped the vibration and bad steering feel, but still want to get the wheels repaired for sure. Also, I may be picking up a 4 cylinder Honda soon, so the RL actually may be retired from DD duty. Its killing me on gas driving 30 miles each way to work and would like to keep the stop and go traffic and hard mileage off of it.
Last edited by LS1SSChris; 01-07-2019 at 07:48 PM.
Here are a couple more pics of it all cleaned up, I waxed it this past weekend. Does anyone know where to get a nice exhaust system for these cars? I would love a nice polished Mugen or a 5zigen but can't seem to find a system. Is custom the only way to go nowadays? Also, got some bad news. I was having some vibrations at 60-80 mph on the highway and the steering just wasn't feeling right. So, after work today, I took it back to get re-balanced. Found out that 2 of the wheels are bent so I have to repair that eventually Luckily the balance stopped the vibration and bad steering feel, but still want to get the wheels repaired for sure. Also, I may be picking up a 4 cylinder Honda soon, so the RL actually may be retired from DD duty. Its killing me on gas driving 30 miles each way to work and would like to keep the stop and go traffic and hard mileage off of it.
Sorry but there are no aftermarket exhaust for the RL, because the RL use almost a true dual exhaust set up with the exception of J pipe.
Yeah I've looked on RV6, they definitely look like they sell some good stuff. I would just prefer to not have it loud with pre cat deletes, J-Pipe, etc. I really like that 5zigen exhaust with the nice shiny polished tips and I've heard sound clips and it's nice and quiet/deep. Will probably never find it though.
Originally Posted by truonghthe
when you doing 105k service make sure paying extra to get the oil pump assembly reseal or you will regret it later.
Thanks yeah I will be sure to get that done. I'll be having that service done soon, it has 98k something on it now.
Car hit the big 100,000 mark. Is it worth it to go the dealer for the timing belt/water pump? Car will be getting a correction and ceramic coating in a couple of weeks too. Excited about that.
Recently did a 12 hour paint correction with M105/M205 and sealed it with Blackfire Wet Diamond Sealant. Also got a USA Spec BT45 installed, best thing I've done to date. I listen to rap in the car everyday and a lot of the songs have hard hitting bass and snares and the Bose handles it at volumes of 20+ with no issues, it is crystal clear with the USA Spec. JDM headlights are on the way next. 103k on this car now, still running perfect, will be doing timing belt extremely soon.
Here's a few pics after a wash, just because. I am thinking of switching over to bright yellow LED fogs from my current 5k and I need to buy a good set of stock RL wheels with all seasons for winter months, other than that no plans. I like this car more and more as time goes on, hard to believe I've already had it for almost 2 years
You mentioned you were looking for a winter set of wheels? I got a spare set of A-spec wheels for RL that I wouldn't mind letting go. Let me know if you would be interested...
^^When you get a chance, definitely PM me details.
Got my hyper yellow fogs in the RL today. I ended up getting Nokya 2500k H11s, they only cost about $20 or so. Man that drivers side fog light is awful, I think I spent 2 hours just on that one side. Anyways, I like the look but I am concerned that these things get too hot, anybody ever use these on their car?
I ran Nokyas in my foglight housing for about a year straight of everyday use with zero issues. Installed a pair in a friends RL almost 3 years ago and they still work just fine. You shouldnt have any problems in VA regarding heat. I've since changed to 2 layers of Lamin-X yellow and 6k SiriusLEDs.
Question you said you put LEDs in your DRLs? what decoder did you use to get rid of the error light?
01-11-2018, 11:22 PM
Luckily the balance stopped the vibration and bad steering feel, but still want to get the wheels repaired for sure. Also, I may be picking up a 4 cylinder Honda soon, so the RL actually may be retired from DD duty. Its killing me on gas driving 30 miles each way to work and would like to keep the stop and go traffic and hard mileage off of it. 
