Newbie

[Sportster200]

Hi Guys

Just bought a IS200 Sport with Sat Nav only 24 Miles on the clock!

I've read that some people get a clunk whjen changing from 1st to 2nd

My car has now done 300 miles and I get a clunk from 1st to 2nd but not say from 3rd to 2nd, why is this, I thought a Lexus was a Quality car, better than say a B*W well even they can change gear smoothly....

Norwich dealer where I got this car said when I called today was that its a close ratio box and then he mentioned that it will clunk from say 6th to 4th.

Norwich is not local to me though so my local dealer is Nottingham, anyone any experience with them?

Any Help on this one...will it get better?

[aido]

Notts is my local dealer mate, they've been good for me so far!

Mine has 59k on the clock but the gear box was swapped by the dealer not long ago but I've still got the clunk, one of the guys on here put it down to a flywheel spinning too quickly or something - do you still get it if you leave the clutch down longer??

To be honest as well mate, I don't really get the problem very often any more, I'll pretty much always get the problem if I start to apply the throttle even slightly before the clutch is released enough but I'm used to it now so it's rare that it clunks too much as I've adjusted my driving slightly.

I think it's a common problem though as lot's of people have it but it's something you'll get used too eventually. If it is really bad then get the dealer to look at it, they swapped my box over but the problem is still there, I'd say it's more pronounced when it's cold though, when she's warmed up it's better..

[ColinBarber]

This is a common issue with the gearbox design changing from 1st to 2nd and 2nd to 3rd. Not all gearboxes will do it so you should get it sorted under warranty.

[Sportster200]

Hi there

Thanks for the info, I have only been driving the car for a few days so I guess I'm not used to it yet, I am hoping I will adjust my driving so it becomes less noticable.

I hope so anyway I'm quite fussy about my cars though so it will have a few weeks or else...

Surely if enough owners complained to Lexus UK then something would get done about it? I mean this is not a cheap car its meant to be a Luxury car.

Otherwise the car is great I like the quality and finish and the good reports about the dealers is encouraging.

[michaelH]

I had some problems getting used to the gearbox when I first got my IS200. Well, not quite at first, but soon after, perhaps because I was trying too hard. RWD cars generally seem to be less forgiving of clumsy clutch control than FWD cars, or so I am told. I have no problems now, so it was clearly just a case of me getting used to it and learning how best to work the gears. Don't get despondent because if that is not the case with yours it will be fixed under warranty. Either way it should end up OK.

[Sportster200]

thanks MichealH

I had a Audi Quattro(91) before and the gearchange was quite loose but never ever clunked. Now my other car a MX5 is also rear wheel drive and 1st to 2nd in that is poor when cold.

Thanks for the encouragement, I need that right now as I am hoping I had made the right decision to buy a IS200....

[TonyGoose]

Surely if enough owners complained to Lexus UK then something would get done about it? I mean this is not a cheap car its meant to be a Luxury car.

Yes you'd think that would be the case... wouldn't you

[newlexus]

hi sportster

got mine march 1st rang lexus uk about the clunk they advised to wait till i have done 500 miles then they would change gearbox oil under warranty this was done last friday clunk has improved but still not 100% im gonna wait and see if the gears get better with more use and get the oil changed again at 1500 miles do you have any probs finding reverse ?

[IS300]

My IS200 Sport 'Clunked' away straight from the dealership when it only had 4 miles on the clock :o

33k miles later it still clunked !

Sold it and got an Auto :P

Much better

[Sportster200]

I will contact my local dealer and see what they say about it, maybe this oil change will be a help.

if there is a solution then I don't see why it should still exist on new cars...

I don't think I could stand it for 33k.... it would just get annoying and I would not want to drive the car anymore.

I do a lot of town driving so smooth gear changes are important to me, and an auto is not an option for me.

Strong words I know and I do really like everything else about the car.

[JOHNNY-BOY]

The change of gearbox oil did help mine but not reslove it totally, the change does get smoother when the engine/box are hot. I am sure you will get used to it and enjoy all the other benefits of driving a Lexus :)

[Froomer]

From new, my is200 was a bit notchy from 1st to 2nd but after 2-3k miles its a lot smoother. Wait for it to loosen up a bit.

[Simon Tandy]

Welcome Sportster,

My 200 still has the clunk after 19000 miles, but unfortunately is now out of warranty. The person i bought it off obviously didnt notice it and had nothing done!! Only plus point is that after a while you alter your driving stlye so as you dont get it, although seeing as it is new, use that warranty.

Nice to see a member from my neck of the woods!!

[Sportster200]

Hello Simon

Ah yes not too far from me, just up the road...

I've still not driven it very far(Ive not had it a week yet!) and I think the comment that I may be trying too hard to get a smooth change may be valid.. I will be talking to the dealer about this and arrange to get it looked at. When I come back from a long weekend away, my Lex will be in my garage while I'm away.

If the oil change will improve it then that is worth having done.

I don't have any problems with reverse except the firm push to the left is different to any other car I have owned, I'm getting used to that now.

It has still done less than 500 miles though.

It does conncern me though that even after a good run in period like your 19k that its no better.

If Lexus uk will extend the warranty for the CD Player then why not the Gearbox, your milage is low even though you are out of warranty.

[ColinBarber]

They won't extend the warranty because they don't see it as a fault more like the design of the gearbox.

[cheeky]

Just give it time to bed in. Had my IS manual 2 weeks. 'Box was very grumpy about changing from 5th-6th. Now, some 500miles later, it's smoothed out through the range with no hint of a clunk between 1st & 2nd.

Engine still very 'tight' however, though beginning to rev a little more freely.