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Thanks for the info chaps, been to local tyre centre and they identified the tracking is out which has caused the tyres to wear unevenly which in turn has caused the noise. They also supported the garages claim that the wheel bearing was shot which is comforting, wheel bearing is being replaced tomorrow then back in for tracking and hopefully that's job done!! Keep you posted Si

Funny you should mention that, asked a friend to drive it last night and he said exactly that and thinks the tracking is out which has caused the tyres to wear unevenly which is causing the noise. Popping down to local tyre place this morning to have it checked. Cheers Si

Afternoon Picked up my IS200 yesterday and after a lengthy drive home and some use today i have identified the wheel bearings are up the shoot on the front. I am going to replace them as a pair and am intending to use Lexus parts - there are receipts with the car for 2/3 wheel bearing kits in the last 12 months from a Motor Factor type place, i am guessing they simply aren't upto the job hence the reason they were replaced on more than one occasion and why they are rumbling now. Can anyone tell me what sort of price the wheel bearing kit is from Lexus?? Cheers Si

Thanks for the advice guys, i think i will get it booked in for an oil service and inspection and see what they can find and make of the possible faulty bearing, then like you say dependent on their opinion i can go from there. What sort of cost is it to have an oil service carried out a the dealership do you know? Is there anything to suggest that aftermarket bearing kits are inferior/sub standard?? Just seems odd that i have receipts for three lots in the last 12 months and it still appears to be a problem. Si

The plot thickens! Going through the plethora of paperwork this morning and found receipts for 2012 which show 2 maybe 3 wheel bearing replacements on the front :( Is this a common problem on the IS? Done a bit of searching and seem to be suggestion of inferior aftermarket wheel bearing kits and/or poor fitting. I am thinking about booking it into Lexus Bristol for an inspection and possible repair, bearing in mind it's 2003 with 90k on the clock am I setting myself up for a fall? Opinions and advice most welcome Si

Good morning Thanks for all your comments and advice, the car is superb and amazing value for money considering levels of kit etc. I'm terms of the tyres I am not so sure it is them responsible for this noise and wondering if it could be a wheel bearing?? It got a bit better last night and quietened down but was still there. The guy I bought it off said it had been sat for a month or so and on the test drive identified the noise as being the brakes through lack of use. Anyway got to sort that out whatever it is, give it a good detail, replace the plates as it currently has metal ones and source a new gear knob. Other than that it's all good!!!! Pics to follow Si

Well I am home with the IS and what a journey it has been!!! Left at 6am this morning on the train and arrived at the sellers address around 10am. Car was exactly as expected with a couple of nice extras I wasn't expecting (sunroof, power fold mirrors and 2 extra alloys for refurb) seller was a genuine enthusiast and had looked after the car impeccably over his three year ownership. The drive home was lovely with the exception of the weather - we drive through wind, rain, fog, snow and sleet and some parts of M4 were pretty white! The performed faultlessly and was a joy to drive home. The only thing I need to sort is a couple of tyres on the front, there are currently some cheap unbranded tyres on there and the noise is unbearable! Will pop into tyre place this week and see about replacements - any reccomendations on that front?!? Will post some pics when it's had a deep clean ;) Si

Yeah will post up when it's all done and let you know how I got on with it. Looking forward to getting car tomorrow! Si

Lovely results bud, same colour as the one I pick up tomorrow so it's good to see what can be achieved with it! See your an Autosmart fan - love G101 it's so versatile! Just ordered some Auto Finesse gear to try as people seem to say good things about it. Si

Pete have you got a picture of this finish?? Si

They look really nice! Especially against the red car. Certainly food for thought. Si

Ok so i am picking the IS up next weekend and the alloys are in need of a refurb (Aero) and i am debating about what colour to do them. The car is dark grey so pretty neutral and could take a range of hues. Trouble is at the moment i have a real thing for bright contrasting wheels on cars, just browsing the net and came across the attached picture, i realise its an ISF and they are 20's but love the bright blue contrast against the grey paint. Has anyone gone for a bright wheel refurb or contrasting colour? Tried Google images but nothing really, as they stand they are silver, i considered a dark grey and i considered a black but just wondering what peoples thoughts are on a colour?? Si

Thanks for the welcome, yeah i realise the upgrade of membership which is required but i was just trying to work out if it was worth it. I have Lexus Bristol just up the road but didn't want the Gold membership if they weren't part of the scheme if you see what i mean, as for me thats the biggest benefit?? Does that make sense? Si

Also how do i find out if my local Lexus dealer honours the Gold scheme?? Thanks Si

Well i joined this forum sometime ago now when i was looking for an IS, for one reason or another this didn't come together back then and i went off on a tangent. Anyway at present i was in need of a family saloon that still looked the part and didn't cost the earth to buy. Have owned several E46 BM's but think they look dated now, not struck on Mercs really well not what i can afford anyway!, find Audis boring and don't like VW saloons - can you see the German theme?!?!? Lol! So i was trawling the net in the week and came across an ad for a 2003 IS200SE with full Aero pack in dark grey with black leather and alcantara interior. The ad said all the right things and the seller seems a genuine guy so its in the bag, deposit paid and collect next Saturday! It seems a long time away now but looking forward to picking it up, for the last 3 months i have been running round in a 2000 Peugeot 306 HDi i bought from the auctions for £400 just because i needed something to get me to work and back but didn't want to rush. Its going to be quite a step up from the little Pug but will fill the void of family car very well. I prob only do around 300 miles a month so i can enjoy the car and not pile the miles on. Will post some pics when i get it home. Cheers Si