Mercuryalan

Have a good one. I'm off to rainier climes myself next week....Northumberland.

Hi once again, Thanks for your reply's. My tyres were changed yesterday and the tracking checked. The tracking was out slightly and corrected and now my IS 200 Sport Cross is running, as you said it would Michael, as quiet as a mouse. A lot of reply's to similar noises from these model cars were ended by a 'just turn the radio up and ignore it'. In some cases of course you have to just shrug and do that due to the cost of possible repair or complete frustration in not being able to find the source of the noise. If only the MPG was better but it's a straight six for goodness sake so ....shrug with a big smile. Thanks again.

I apologise in advance if as a noob I'm on the wrong forum. My 2003 IS 200 has been perfect over the last two years but has now started whining at any speed over 20mph and in any gear. The tyres 215 45 17 are budget (Autoguard SDA802) from new when I bought the car and have done 20,000 ish miles. They are all showing wear on the inner side but have good tread over the rest of their surface. The noise sounds like transmission whine that gets higher in pitch the faster I drive. I'm about to replace the tyres (Hankook EVO2) to try and eliminate them from the problem. Drastic possibly but an upcoming MOT may have meant they needed changing anyway. If these new tyres sort it great if not could it be the transmission having low oil ? Thanks

From the Telegraph's Honest John pages it seems this is/was caused by distortion to the rear brake cover. With hot weather this causes it to rub on the housing. It can be ground down to get rid of it but I've left mine alone and it's subsequently disappeared. Not a big problem hopefully.

Hi, Always look forward to driving my IS200 but recently have noticed a whine possibly coming from the rear that does not change when braking or accelerating. It only seems to become noticeable when either the weather is hot or I've been driving for sometime. Could this be something to do with the rear brakes. The car brakes normally and otherwise drives superbly. Hope someone can assist.

Hi Chris, Many thanks for your reply. I guess I should have waded through the complete thread ! Lesson learnt. I'll take your advice and go back to the WIM garage. Are the ball joints expensive to replace if they are the problem ? And are there top and bottom ones ? Apologies I'm not too familiar with car mechanics

Hi Ganesh, I should have added in my post that the mechanic who did my alignment said he couldn't adjust the front nearside wheel 100% and he thought it may have been due to a slightly bent track-rod or steering arm due to a hard kerbing or small accident. Neither of he said which showed as any noticeable damage. He also suggested what you have and I'm getting that done this week. The alloys have been refurbed and the tyres are fairly new. Would it be advisable to get this looked at at a main dealer and how much do you think it will set me back ?

Hi All, Haven't had my Is 200 03 Sport Cross for long and have had almost sorted the steering wheel wobble but haven't eliminated it completely ! Can you help please ? I've had the front calipers refurbished, discs/pads replaced and all 4 wheels balanced and tracking done at WIM approved garage. 95% of the problem has been sorted but the wobble is still there between 75 and 80 mph and is more apparent when I lift my foot off the accelerator at these speeds. the car steers straight and brakes in a straight line. One answer I know is not to drive at these speeds but why is the wobble there ? Any thoughts? Love the car otherwise....even though the Sat Nav packed up after two days even after having the laser 'cleaned'..but that's no big deal. Thanks in anticipation

Hi Didn't realise that they are what appears to be "plastic" and do indeed pull off. Whoever had the car before me must have been slightly heavy handed ! but never mind I can live with it. Probably cost a bit to replace from Lexus with a colour match new pair.

Clifton 94, What's the easy method of removing them any ideas ? They seem to have been forced either off or back on at some time. I've found some water on the top of the sprung loaded cover in the boot and thought it may have been this damage causing it to get in !...But from other posts it may well be the sunroof drain blocked ?

Hi Everyone, I'm now the owner of a 2003 IS200 Sport Cross and have noticed that the strips that run the length of the roofline between the doors and the roof are damaged (dents mainly). Are these part of the bodywork for the side of the car or are they part of the roof ? And do you think they can be repaired or will they need replacing if that's possible without replacing the whole side panel or roof ? AGW

Better MPG with them off to I bet...

And for those of us not on Facebook or who get the dreaded "page can't be found" to this can you post an easier access to your solution please...thanks

I'm sure I have made a good choice in the IS200 and will of course update these pages when I've had some experience of it. I'm due to collect it on the 11th Nov. After its had an MOT, service and the alloys refurbished. If there had been just one response from members concerning this thread then I guess I would not have been too worried. But there again with so many members online there's bound to be more than one with a similar problem or at least knowledge in it's cause/solution. Having been a company car driver for the past 25years and not needing this type of site all is this new to me. But so very welcome. I nearly bought an Alfa GT prior to me getting the IS but that was my heart ruling my head. I think the IS is a result of both of them (head and heart) discussing what I really needed. BTW- thought the pictures missing were a problem with my laptop.....but that's another thread for another site I suppose. Appreciate your responses.

I realise this was an old thread and I'm grateful for your measured response to what sounded like a rant against the IS200 in particular and Lexus in general. As I'm new to the site it is a daunting experience to see so many threads spread out in front of you. The more you read the more you're distracted by the many pathways to follow. I will get used to it and I'm sorry for the knee jerk reaction to what I do believe to be a really good car to drive and own. I'm looking forward to many happy miles in my Sport Cross and many hours following and responding to threads from you all.