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I noticed this new video today. A nice tour of the amazing Motomachi factory where our lovely LCs are made.

I would still make a positive request for the work to be done though. It won't be a recall as it is not a safety issue and, because the parts are coloured, your dealer needs to order them specifically for your colour of car. They are unlikely to have them in stock and mine have taken over a month to arrive (well 3 of the 4 have been delivered!).

I don’t believe a better colour exists in the sunlight

Looks a super little very useful car 👍 Malc

Ken I use a charging port cover every time I charge the car and it seems to avoid any ice build up in sub zero conditions and keeps it dry should it rain.

Stephen, there is this special category of people you do not want to meet. Inner city folk know who i mean. from coke filled hot hatch juveniles to real underwold criminals. I can remember one occasion i was cut off driving in city centre by a black mercedes s class with 4 bearded gentlemen inside that looked they were not going to attend the annual stamp convention. My wife sitting next to me wanted to hit the horn and tell them off. I made it clear that was propably not a good idea. Stay under the radar and go with the flow is my motto.

Call the dealer and ask for them back, you have paid enough for it. Good luck and enjoy your car.

Mine's 12 yrs old this coming September and still drives like new. Nil spent on repairs ( apart from consumables and servicing over the lifetime ) believe it or not. I can't see any point in changing it to buy an expensive depreciating money pit that is easily stolen and full of unwanted gimmicks. Maybe I'm just old fashioned?🧌🐈‍⬛

They dont normally come with manuals. Can request one from the dealer or alternatively download the PDF from the website

You need to get insured with a specialist, but there won't be issues at all.. Many of my friends, myself included had JDM imported cars. They're often cheaper to insure than UK counter parts. For example, my insurance (Brentacre) would insure IS350 for £70 more than an IS250 when I got a quote before Christmas. Parts wouldn't be an issue either because it's pretty much the same as IS250.. Brakes are off GS300/GS450h, Rear brakes are the same as IS250. Engine is essentially the same as GS450h, except the hybrid models have the detuned versions of it. As mentioned, you can get pretty much anything off Amayama.

Having owned 2 JDM imports I have found that mainstream insurers don’t want to know but there are plenty of specialist insurers that do. Over the years the premiums have been on par with a UK spec model. Initially I used Toyota for parts ( they are Toyota badged) until I discovered that the Lexus part was exactly the same and came without an “import surcharge”. Yes there may be a few cosmetic differences but probably 95% of the parts are the same as a UK model, the fact that JDM cars are also RHD also helps. Amayama is the place for parts as they cover all models with savings of around 50% of UK Lexus prices even after paying the shipping and 20% VAT.

There should be a law that prevents a manufacturer from selling models that their own insurance won't cover. There are Range Rover owners who are selling their nearly new vehicles with huge losses in value because they can't get affordable insurance. Here's hoping that certain Lexus models don't go the same way.

Just had our 350h serviced and was advised that Lexus are aware of the frozen door issue and a factory issued part will be fitted to all vehicles in due course.

Sell the diesel, buy IS350. I know a guy who imports them regularly. They're always around 7k.. or buy 250 manual and 3GR swap it because you can use stock ECU. V8 swapping it will cost a sh!t loads of money in fabrication, gearbox, adapter plates, diff, ECU.. Not a financially feasible option.

After almost buying an IS a few years back, a couple of cars between, I now have one! I’ve had 2 Celica’s in the past so really wanted to get back to some Japanese reliability after 2 years owning a terrible Volvo. I now own an Auto 2006 IS250 SE-L with 155,000 miles. I’ve owned it since October and it’s been fantastic so far. I wasn’t put off by the millage as the car came with FSH and only one owner, previous guy had it from 10,000 miles. I’ve got some mods I’d like to do in the coming year, it came with a custom stainless back box system fortunately, which sounds lovely & a K&N Filter. Mods I have in mind to do: - Tein or BC Coilovers - GS450/IS350 Brake upgrade - Bola or similar designed alloys - Possibly a custom mid pipe - Polybush ARB bushes - Boot Duck tail spoiler But first of all I’ve been working away doing some service items. So far I’ve done: - Engine Oil & Oil Filter - Diff Oil - Spark Plugs and new gaskets for the inlet, cleaned the throttle body at the same time - Lower control arm bushes - LED side lights. Parts I have but yet to do: - Full transmission service kit, filter and new gaskets etc - Drop Links - Front, Rear & Hand/foot Brake service I plan to keep the car for a good while so want to make sure it’ll get me to 200,000 miles and more! a few shots below of Car & some of the work done so far! New bushes ordered from Japan New side lights, also had the chrome grille surround off to spray black. Hopefully I’ll keep the updates coming.

So I am driving in Manchester, got in the wrong lane. Indicated to change from middle lane to inner lane, checked mirror and started to move thinking there is space. Car behind accelerates up the inner lane closing the gap and I correct back to middle lane. So, I am frustrated ,because I don't know the road and am in the wrong lane so I am shaking my head at it not even looking at the other driver. Faster than you blink the guy goes past and stops to parks diagonally across my lane forcing me to brake hard to a stop. Next second this chieftain tank steps out in my direction so I open the door without getting out and try to defuse the issue by apologising for my frustration, but the guy is still giving me a mouthful with aggression and looking pretty much as though he is going to take it to the next level. Now years ago he wouldn't have had to move ,because he would have had me in his face, but age is what it is. Hence, I just quietly pointed out I was old enough to be his grandad and with a heart bypass under my belt if he wants to hit me he stands a good chance of killing me so does he want to end his own life behind bars. Another mouthful, but now he gets back in his car and drives off. The moral of the story is when you get old enough you have to make your brain do the heavy lifting that your body can no longer do. However, put a dampener on my day to think how random it can be to just get in the wrong place at the wrong time with the wrong person. I am truly sorry that Santa left people like this off the prezzy list and they cannot stop being perpetually angry about it, but please do it somewhere else . Addendum, heart bypass does not make anybody more vunerable unless they also have had a heart attack. It's just a change of hose pipes not a blown head gasket, but he didn't look likely to have got past CSE's so I was confident he wouldn't know the difference.😉

I'm picking up another IS250 manual in a few weeks. Black SE this time, but it also means my Forester will be up for sale. I got a 2006 FORESTER XE. 2.0L NA Auto.. It's on 111,964 miles at the minute but I'm still driving it daily so it'll go up a bit. It's got a service history, 2 keys, no rust and just had a full major service done before Christmas including timing belt and plugs. If anyone knows someone that could use a little AWD work horse let me know guys. Car works great, it's got some minor marks on the bumpers but it's expected for the age. £2800ono

I shall add, it’s got a huge electric sunroof, black leather and the hottest heated seats my ars3 has ever felt😀

Insurance on the tesla may not be cheap. Worth checking. NX350h vs Gen 4 RX: Unless you are in London, the savings on insurance for the NX might be negated by the additional luxury car tax for at least 4 years or so (assuming a '22 NX vs '18 RX or older).

Really glad I bought mine when I did and have no plans to get rid of it any time soon. If you can stomach the running costs, then it is a very good buy.

Bad weather, holidays etc have delayed some of the works, so running about 1 month late from predicted stage, but things are going at pace now. All the glazing is in now (a certain shade of grey :)). First fix electric and gas is all nearly done, flooring is next before plastering. It’s taken longer than expected to get to this stage, and we are already over the original build quote from pre-covid, but for me the results are worth every single penny. I’m really missing the garden now. I wasn’t sure just how the front glazing was going to look, but quite surprised at how reflective the glass is from the outside and the clear view from the inside. The pace of work in the last few weeks have been amazing, hope it carries on at this rate, and who knows, maybe we’ll be in by Easter :).

Hi Al, So on a gen 1 NX you have a tuning knob on the left and a volume knob in the right of the head unit. If you press the one on the right it turns the toggles audio on and off. Paul

No - it is just like Lexus are. Also if you have ~ 2006 onwards Lexus, it already has 95% of features that even most modern cars lacks. Things like heated/cooled seats, memory etc. Thinking about it - the only thing my 2006 car does not have is little warning light for cross-traffic and lane change. I am retrofitting radar cruise later this year. The TPMS sucks, because it has it, but does not show individual tyres, which makes TPMS redundant and just annoying. And honestly I can't even think of what feature it does not have that new cars do? Traffic sign recognition maybe, but it is such a minor thing, GPS shows speed limit anyway. So really no point of replacing them.

Yep, has happened to me on a few occasions. They are not "bad" people just stooopid! They will even do it while you are sitting in the car!!!!

That is correct... It is preventing course of justice in their view. But as I said by now all the devices automatically hide the camera location so won't be an issue. Other note - French will absolutelly smack your car with their doors and don't even look back. It is 100% normal and not considered an issue... it is almost like national hobby to hit each other cars and trade some paint. And I don't mean they do it deliberately, or carelessly or in some bad way - no for them, they just can't comprehend that being an issue, in France it is ALRIGHT to hit other person's car when opening the doors. So beware of where you park. This was mine few months ago and I was parked in the corner of the car park by the beach.

When I was there, visitor or not, you could be fined on the spot for having any device which revealed speed camera locations; Tom Tom, factory, GPS whatever. I think that may still apply

Yeah - all the apps... Google Maps, TomTom, Waze etc. all do NOT show speed camera locations automatically when you in France. On the positive side (depending on your perspective) you will never get French fines. I have been flashed few times last year and haven't received anything (not sure why, to be honest as I wasn't going that fast, I think once 77 in 70). Also in my previous car on my way out of France and into Belgium I have forgotten I am not in Germany yet and definitely been flashed twice for speed (this was in like 2016) and never got any fines either. That is quite good way of looking at it - because in France they don't have modified cars they are actually quite amused of seeing them. And unless something is dangerous or ridiculous it is more of positive attention, not in a way of trying to punish you (even if they could, which for most mods they can't).

When are they going to do a Leyland flat brown one?

Yeah - spot on, it seems it is not big issue before one realises that that 884 RX represents significantly higher proportion of cars than 6015 Fiestas. Also note - RAV4 which is most vulnerable car for stealing is also in 6th place.

And there’s always the conundrum that the lifespan of a Lexus could be 30 years ICE and this outweighs the cost effectiveness, or lack of, and the nvirobmental cost, in scrapping and making brand new …… Lexus cars whatever Malc

Hi Vlad and all - firstly, my apologies for not updating this sooner; I've had a lot to contend with in the previous year including a flat move, but I'm now settled and ready to continue with my IS250 build. I've put a fair amount of miles on it, but I'm pleased to report that I've had little to no issues with the car at all; the engine has been faultless, and I've been very impressed with the Eagle F1s. I've also added a couple of modifications, including a genuine F-Sport induction pipe, and a set of Climair Sport wind deflectors; once the weather improves I'll try to get some more photos up. I have however grown a bit tired of the (lack of) infotainment, so I'd like to look into an Android head unit (or similar) this year. I'll also be heading down to Shedfest at Mallory Park Circuit in May, in case anyone will be there. Cheers. 👌

I used Chris Knott for a number of years to insure my modified Volvo S60 (Polestar) and later my Audi A4. They were always very pleasant and helpful. I would say their prices were probably keener a decade ago, but, in recent years still competitive - but it all depends on circumstances. When my partner decided to get a license and learn to drive, they were open and honest they couldn’t really provide competitive quotes until someone had their license for 3+ years. When circumstances allow again, I’ll definitely be giving them a call to see how their quote compares with others.

Totally agree with a péage badge. I wouldn't be without mine and once dropped my card at a busy barrier and had to crawl beneath the car to find it. Not fun. Things are even harder in a right hooker, especially on your own. https://ulys.vinci-autoroutes.com/e-toll-badge-ulys-classic/

Being France, everything is complicated. I haven't checked the regulations for some time and there was talk of not showing alerts on navigation apps but its never been an issue as far as I can tell. My TomTom, which I use in my old girls when useful certainly warns of there presence, was purchased here and receives updates for France. Allegedly it avoids legal issues by highlighting 'Danger Zones' instead. When I purchased my ES it came preloaded with Coyote which gives route guidance based on live information but also announced speed cameras, including mobile ones. I believe Waze also announces Hazard Zones which is usually a euphemism for a camera. I'm not sure about Google as I don't use it but understand the camera option is turned off when operating in France though maybe that's also update with hazard warnings? Whilst driving in France differs from the UK its still fundamentally a civilised country with very much quieter roads, outside of the cities at least. In general if the 'don't be a ******' approach is adopted driving is pretty stress free (okay, too many like to park in your back seat but they're best just ignored). If the 'I enjoy being a ******' approach is hard things stop being fun. Just chill and enjoy the trip.

It is 90%+ same as IS250, with exception of engine and gearbox, also bigger brakes, but they are the same as GS300/GS450h. So parts are not (more) of an issue than for IS250. As for insurance - as mentioned you need specialists who does insurance on imports, although I would not bet on "same price as UK cars" or "insurable at all". Basically if you live in countryside and you are driver with a lot of NCB and generally pay little for insurance it may be true that it will cost the same, however one may find that they simply CAN'T insure imported car at all. Probably should not apply to anyone above 30 years old with decent driving history, but still -insuring imported car is little bit more tricky. Swapping IS250 automatic is easier, as it is literally plug and play. IS250 manual is also simple enough, just need to tidy-up some unnecessary wiring for gearbox.

Hope it helps. As a fellow VTEC owner I fully subscribe to the B/K Series wide open throttle club!!! Not sure the wife appreciated 8,000rpm Tesco runs however!

The Lexus RX has made a top 10 list of stolen cars… it’s also much more likely to be stolen than a Fiesta (given how many more Fiestas are on the road compared to relatively few RXs!).

I drove through France and Belgium with a straight piped GS430. The car was even checked over by police at a services as it was on airride and decked at the station. It only had admiring attention and one of them recorded me leaving. Leaving Belgium, the police attention was high due to the event we were at and we had no issues. Bar the obvious (speeding and being an ASBO in built up areas), which I'm assuming you don't, you'll be fine, trust me.

That code is called Aleutian Grey in the UK.

Hello and sorry for the late answer! I did not any work on my car. Too cold, i hate the winter, etc. BUT: Now my Radio is working. The preowner was so nice and ordered a other head-unit in the U.S. It came to Austria last wednesday. Yesterday i did this work and changed it. Everything is fine now! Thank you, best regards Christof

I certainly can’t disagree with your comments, today in the U.K. we have an excuse for a police service. I had incident of vehicle theft and theft from vehicle on my dash cam, with facial evidence of offenders, tried to contact the police, and my call was transferred to E.Bob, whatever that is, and no one answers the phone. After 20 minutes of trying to contact someone, I gave up, if it ain’t important to them, it ain’t important to me, but that is the times we live in! But, god forbid you do 34mph in a 30 and they come after you big style, points on licence, fine, and the inevitable insurance company rub their sweaty little palms with glee as they increase you premium. Rant I’ve, going back to bed 😂🤣

Just be aware EU/UK colours sometimes get different names from those in North America for the same code

I go into immediate master doubt mode when I hear dealer expert master tech Tim, Fred or anything else. It just means that Timothy the ex cold call sales guy has been on more courses that the others. It is true that an engine with direct injection (ours has direct and indirect injection) can dilute the oil but if it’s done it by an inch and you can smell petrol in it, it ain’t going to evaporate it back under the fill line. It just demonstrates his lack of experience and knowledge. If you're sure he said condensation then he’s talking about water probably which as some of the others have alluded to above and that amount will ruin your engine but you’d see that because it turns the oil milky. Petrol gets past the pistons under certain conditions but we’re talking towards a litre here. It would be better coming out if there’s any doubt about what has caused it. If the oil is still relatively clear as I would expect at 2000 miles, it’s just overfilled but if it stinks of petrol, some of that is dilution and it needs to come out rather than drained to the full mark. You should pay attention and dip the oil the day after service because now there will be an argument about who’s paying and 0W/16 isn’t cheap.

I think I’d be asking the after sales manager to explain how this can be ok and why, if it is ok, there is a mandated level that manufacturers have for filling the oil level to. If it’s a mixture of petrol and oil in there then they need to look at it. 1 inch of petrol just doesn’t naturally appear in the sump.

Wot …….. your Lexus Main Dealer is telling you that the overfilled engine oil ….. by a whole one inch on the dipstick is ok ! in a lifetime of driving I’ve only ever tried to keep the level at the top of the appropriate ( level mark ) gauge when newly filled ……. and knowing to “ top up “ as necessary, if necessary, until the next service Wots ok about the suggested petrol and condensation build up in the engine for heavens sake ????? I think you have a Lexus Service Technician problem …… he’s overfilled it on the last service and can’t be bothered to sort out the issue ……. Waiting for it to just “ burn off “ or be “ used “ Back to the Main Dealer Technician to be more sensible methinks Good luck Malc

Fitted the Grille this afternoon. Hoping the paint should be fairly durable, I gave it 3 coats of black primer, 3 coats of gloss black paint, then sanded back with 1200grit and applied 3 coats of lacquer. Does look a hell of a lot better!

Mines 2021 and the flap opens like there’s a hungry werewolf behind it - feed me! - so I’d guess they fixed the problem on newer cars. But IT RATTLES! Top down, windows down, the fuel flap will jiggle a bit on bumps. Maybe that’s the price you pay for the upgraded werewolf version.

Went out I is today. Really nice - it’s definitely a Lexus.

no surprise to anyone here unfortunately 😞

Car has been collected as of last week Monday. Drives absolutely amazing, condition is very good. Also came with lots of service history and 3 original keys!! Already done a few mods, will post about them soon. Follow me on Instagram if you want to see more updates @jdm_is350_uk