George

I've got the PIAA Xtreme White bulbs fitted for my low beam. Ordered them from England actually. They are more expensive than more "normal" Osram or Philips blue bulbs but they are definitely unbeatable. These bulbs are from Japan and the bulb "area" is about 1/3 bigger than the "standard" bulbs as I noticed. Thats probably where the extra light comes from. The light IS more intense, I have compared one original and one Xtreme White mounted at the same time and looked at the beam both from the driver side and on-coming. Especially at night you will think it's real xenon / HID, no joke. A friend of mine asked if it was HID when he sa it. Their HB3 / HB4 version will fit both low and high beam and front fog lights. I will order a new pair when these expire. I don't think you will find better more powerful and xenon resembling halogen bulbs than this. You can order online: http://www.piaa.co.uk/catalog/Bulb%20Secti...xtremewhite.htm

I have had my IS lowerd by 30mm from the original sports position for 2 years now. I use TTE:s sports springs (Eibach actually). My personal experience as to "before" and "after" is that the ride is more taught after. Less body roll in the curves. There is only body roll when the car is pushed extra hard into the turns. Taking turns at higher speeds feels more assuring and stable after. On the highway stability is greater. It feels more like you are running on a railway. The only down-side is when going on gravel or pot holed roads. The uneven surface is communicated to the chassis more. But it is tolerable, still some absorption. Another positive point, I feel, is that it lowering your car does away with those too big original unaesthetic looking gaps between the tires and the wheel arches.

Just got a mail back from them as an answer to my enquiry. They only sell the complete kit. It would be a waste to order all parts when I only need the 4 switch plates. ;) Does anyone know what the original switch plates cost at Lexus and parts numbers It must be possible to order them as a separate part. Like you would a new exhaust, etc.

Wonder if the fit and finish is as original ? Wouldn't want it to look cheap or "glued on". <_<

How is the induction kit coming along for the IS200 NA model ?? It's way over due now ! I've been searching and waiting 3 years for one !! Cheers !

Has anyone tried the real wood dash kit from: http://www.exoticwooddash.com/eur015.htm I am thinking of ordering only the switch plate pieces (1,10,11,12). It will lend a "warmer" atmosphere inside in combination with my ivory interior. I wonder if they are glued on top of the existing dark grey plastic ones or if you replace it with the wooden ones as Lexus original. I wouldn't want the full dash kit , I don't think it fits the IS sporty interior.

Full view !

Oh yes ! Not intimidating enough ? 430 badge and all...

Who wouldn't love this set up !

Here it is, if you haven't already seen it. The Lexus IS430. Read the spec sheet on the hood. This baby will outrun the BMW M3 and run head to head with Ferrari and Porsche. Please TTE let it be produced !

There has got to be more to a car than horsepower ! Otherwise we'd all be driving 1000 bhp methanol guzzling dragsters and have no quiality, no confort, no style, nothing. Unfortunately it is easy to sell cars of lower quality by squeezing in a bigger engine. Remeber: The whole is only as good as the total of all it's attributes. See, Lexus wins !

Sorry, I meant the Executive model and not SE. They are sold in Sweden anyhow and are also standard on the Sportcross. I think they are better than the plastic ones. So if anyone has any price and/or prod info about them pls let me know. I guess I should contact my local dealer anyway. We've been over this before, but once again, I don't know why the British market is getting short-changed with all these extras. I really don't.

Hi ! Does anyone know if it is possible to order these nice original walnut switchplates for the IS200 (2 front + 2 back). I know they are standard for the SE but they would look nice in my Sports as well. Do you know of price and product number(s)... Also how simple would you deem it to remove the plastic ones and fit these by oneself. Cheers !

Thanks ! Not doing bad yourself !! I have been on-line just for reading, haven't logged on so much though. I have been working and going to business school in the evenings so that has left me very little time. This forum seems by this time so complete that I wish the new IS would come. New things to discuss... I am around though.

And on a final "note", here is a close-up of the Remus / TTE exhaust

And the rear view...

And the rear wheel...

Pretty nice wheels too...

Here is an outside shot...

Still looking sharp after 3 years and 45000 km. Thanks to a caring owner.

Just today I picked up my Xtreme White PIAA HB3/HB4 halogen headlamp bulbs. I have installed them and they really are much brighter than the original (conventional). Also ordered xtreme white parking lights to give a HID like glow to the headlamp housing. I ordered through Auto Performance Products Ltd in UK http://www.a-pp.com. I live in Sweden but they delivered in 6 days. I can really recommend these premium halogen lamps to every IS200 owner who doesn't have real HID. This is the closest you are going to get for 90 EURO. I thinks it's very hard to notice the difference. I compared the intesity of the PIAA to my old Philips lamps visually and the PIAA are double as bright and crisp white. No yellow tone at all. According to PIAA these lights give off 110W compared to 51 Watts for the standard bulbs. I can cirtify that. Also check out more at: http://www.piaa.co.uk/catalog/Bulb%20Section/xtremewhite.htm

In an effort to further battle the BMW 3-series, Lexus is preparing more versions of its IS300 sports sedan. We saw the IS300 SportCross at the Detroit Auto Show in January, and now we have this computer-enhanced photo of an IS300 convertible. Also in the pipeline: a two-door IS300 coupe. In addition to the 3-series, these models will help Lexus compete with Audi's upcoming A4 and the Mercedes C- and CLK-class.

Wow!! These are some really great ideas that Toyota will be wise to take note of ! I think I will mail this list to them in time for the next IS. Another thing is a launch-control system like in the new BMW M3 SMG II. That will make the car accelerate at maximum and optimum speed !

Some more points I just thought of: - More soúnd insulation ! The next IS has to be quiet as a vault, excpet during hard acceleration whan a sweet exhaust note should be heard. - Twin exhaust ! - I agree with a more massive feel in the doors. - Also use of aluminum parts in the roof, boot and bonnet. This plus the engine in alu should save around 100 kg. This would make up for the weight increase of a safer, somewhat bigger and better insulated IS. - Glass roof, a la merecedes SL would be cool. - What about an IS Sport Coupé to go along with the sedan and wagon !

Although 3 years away the next 2:nd generation IS is said to have it's inauguration sometime 2005. If Dr. Toyota was listening what wishes would you current IS owners have about the next IS. (Be realistic, e.g. a 500 bhp engine is NOT realistic) Here is my list that would make the car interesting a second time around, of which some thing I am missing in this issue: 1) The next IS should have a base 190 bhp engine. The top engine should be around 240 bhp. It has to be a 6 banger and all alu-alloy and dual-VVT-i. 2) Bi-xenon is a must as standard. 3) More interior variations, not just black or tan. Red , yellow and saddle leather. And also a wood-trim and alu trim option. 4) Radio / phone and AC controls on steering wheel. 5) Dual-zone AC, built in mobile phone. 6) Auto dimming outside and inside mirrors. Park distance control, cruise, rain sensor. 7) Driver and passanger seats electrically adjustable with memory function and adjustable lumbar support !!! 8) Folding rear seats. 6 airbags + airbag curtain. 9) Mark-Levinson stereo as option. 10) 19 inch wheels as option. 11) A more elegant and less hard-plastic interior. The exterior should be derived from the present success. Maybe a few inches wider and a few inches longer wheel-base. Hope they are listening ! Cheers !