My auto box seems to have become more harsh when engaging drive or reverse. It's still smooth when accellerating through the other gears though. Anyone else experienced this or have any idea what might be wrong? My fear is it might be expensive...

Has the gearbox oil been changed? If not, I'd try this first.

Good call. I'm having it changed next week so I hope that's all it is. I was just trying to prepare myself for what else it might be. Any other ideas?

Hope this helps

http://www.bahamutcars.com/workshop/IS_98-...e/m_di_0175.pdf

Thanks for that. The oil has been replaced now and it seems a little better. Lexus Bristol say that it's mostly just down to the mileage on the car (100K). It's not too bad so I guess I'll just live with it. At least it doesn't sound like anything immediately expensive.

have you tried an ECU reset ?

No but I'm thinking about it. I''ve been having idle speed problems as well and Lexus have said I need a new throttle body at a cost of £1095. Obviously I'm not going to pay that if I don't have to so tomorrow I'm going to take it apart and clean it then do the ECU reset. Failing that there's a salvage one on ebay for £25 that might be coming my way.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Hasn't happened im my is200, but other automatic cars i've owned. Always turned out to be excessive play in the tailshaft universal joints. Fault can be observed as a clunking sound if you go from N-D-N-R and back agin with break applied. Replace uni joint (not sure of the exact proceedure etc on the is200 though).