TonyGoose

Found this in the email from AutoExpress this week. http://newsletter.au...pGgmelFbeJROMdi TG

I see Auto Express this week have an article on the next Lexus IS http://www.autoexpre...n_lexus_is.html TG

I don't think those 'elastic band' like tyres would suit the UK roads very well TG

If it's the 'TURN-HAZ' fuse then the manual agrees with the fusebox lid saying it's a 10A fuse. Some locations in fusebox marked as 'spare' so maybe one of those held a 7.5A which was used as a fix before. Perhaps you'll find a 10A fuse to use in one of the 'spare' positions. Failing that plenty of fuses from pretty much any car / bike spares shop, DIY store etc etc. How about getting a selection pack of various values and populate the spare locations with them for possible future use. TG

I bought a set of 16" IS200 wheels from a breakers and had them shod with winter tyres this year. Was thinking maybe get my summer wheels refurbed while the winter ones were on the car. Remembered reading here some time ago about alloygator rim protectors and decided might be an idea. At 65 quid for the set even if refurb just delayed for another year not too much wasted. Two of these wheels are a bit kerb damaged and the other Two aren't so bad. I'd already done the worst 2 before I thought of doing this write up so before / after pics aren't as dramatic as they could be. So I got a set of the Black alloygators and here's how I put them on. First some miscellaneous info :- The pack came as a set enough to do Five wheels up to 21" These things can be fitted with the wheels still on the car. That's demonstrated on the alloygator website http://www.alloygator.co.uk Winter wheels / tyres were on my car so these sat waiting to be 'gatored' and put away in their bags until spring. Apologies if the pictures turn out a bit blurry. I've yet to do a Lord Lichfield photography course Here's some of what you get :- Pic shows 2 black alloygators, stainless steel gripper clips, plastic bits to cover the joins, some glue and a keyring. Keyring is shaped with an edge to help reshape the alloygator if it takes a hit instead of the wheel. I started by putting the stainless steel gripper clips in their slots on the alloygators with a few dabs of glue. The slots are numbered and a chart is supplied listing which are required for relevant wheel sizes. Here's a before picture showing a bit of the damage that's about to get hidden away. Took indoors, deflated tyre and placed on the floor ready to fit the alloygator. Starting next to the valve, pushed the 'tag' end of the alloygator between the rim and the tyre. Then worked anti clockwise with a rubber mallet firmly tapping it in. Carried on all the way round until overlapping near the valve again. Marked the alloygator where it overlapped then cut it off approx 3mm before there. Picture shows the join, the piece of alloygator cut off and the little plastic join cover. At this stage I'd been all round again with the mallet and put some glue on the ends which you now can't see. They have ridges which mesh together so put some glue there then tapped the ends firmly home with the mallet again. Almost done. Pumped the tyre up again then checked all round with mallet that alloygator properly seated. Few dabs of glue on the plastic join cover then fitted that - holding in place briefly while it all set. Back outside again so here's an after picture with a bit of daylight. Finally here's before + after picture. As I already mentioned not the best comparison. The after one was among the worst damaged before 'gatoring' and the before one wasn't too bad. TG

I wondered whether to get wheels refurbed but remembered alloygators mentioned on here some time ago. Two wheels were quite scuffed and 2 not as bad so fitted a set of these instead. Thought even if they just delay refurb another year 65 quid a set (enough for 5 wheels) not too much wasted. Didn't occur to me to take pics of how it went until I'd already done the worst 2. So before / after difference not too dramatic but pics taken and topic will be here soon. TG

Probably "Royal Sapphire" code 8M6 You'll find it to be sure on the chassis plate near the battery. There's an example picture etc in the topic here http://www.lexusowne...showtopic=36814 Colour code list can be found here http://www.lexusowne...showtopic=67615 TG

Called dealer to see what it's about and here's the news Apparently letter was sent by Lexus UK. They've selected a dealer and sent out 200 letters to some of that dealers customers each with its own reference. Using these references the dealer has access to a selection of 17 new and used cars with 'special' offer discounts. Once the 17 have gone that's the end of this promotion. So presumably another dealer will be selected in a few months time. Not wanting to change my car so not of much interest to me. Continuing my suspicious view I'd guess head office wanting dealer to shift current stock in time for new Reg TG

Got this letter from my local dealer and just wondering if anyone else is getting the same. Reads as follows :- Call me suspicious but I'm assuming it'll just be a sales pitch as we're approaching the new registration date. I'll give them a call and check but thought I'd see how many others had got this 'not a circular'. TG

Welcome home Chris. TG

There's this one still for sale : charger kit on ebay TG

There's been a kit on Ebay recently which I was watching to see if it went. Priced at £3200 appears didn't sell. charger kit @ £3200 Relisted at £2400 and still not sold. charger kit @ £2400 Looks like relisted again now at £2200. charger kit @ £2200 Missing Black box shouldn't be too big a problem. That's another topic on the go round here at the moment. I don't know who it is selling the kit but listing says it's in Leicester. Must admit bit surprised it didn't get snapped up given the number of people round here that ask about them. TG

How about checking if Lexus would like to insure your Lexus I remember mentioning them before and some people found them expensive Don't work for them or anything like that. Just a customer who luckily got a good deal. Lexus Motor Insurance 0800 138 3200 TG

Agreed best to fit all 4 winter tyres and they're not just snow tyres but definitely help there. I was struggling around last year in my IS200 when it snowed. Meanwhile my brother in his 7 series BMW and his mate in a 911 Porsche were having no problems. They drove back from Germany where they had to have winter tyres by law. Over here the police advised against a piece of road where cars were all getting stuck on the slope. They just carried on as if it was normal and smiled as they passed the stuck Chelsea tractors. :duh: So, this year I've fitted some of the base model 16" wheels equipped with winter tyres. Hopefully won't be suffering any problems this year. Here's some info from Lexus on the subject. Lexus winter tyres TG

Found a few words about the GS450h F Sport in this weeks mail from Auto Express. GS450h F Sport TG

I believe you get some goodies like that when you join as a 'gold' member. Certainly used to anyway. TG

All done for a fiver in the car park while you're inside doing your shopping TG

Following that reply will this in the 'buy+sell' forum be of any use ? Talex lite for sale TG Apologies if that's not relevant. Just spotted the OP listed as non UK

Found this in the Auto Express email today Lexus LFA evolution TG

If the battery came from the dealer it should have a 3 year warranty. TG

There's a spec sheet for the IS200 here : IS200 spec sheet Hope it's useful. TG

Found this in the Auto Express email today. Auto Express CT 200h article TG

Sorry bit late reviving this topic but just sorted the air con 'odours' in my IS200. Fitted new cabin/pollen filter and had a go with a can of 'Comma Air Con Cleaner'. Now it smells lovely and clean and job only took about 20 mins start to finish. Good product I'll be sure to remember and use again if required. TG

TTE Rotrex charger is just over £5k complete conversion Interesting as "TTE" doesn't exist anymore. Name changed from "TTE" to "Toyota-F1" several years ago and the whole lot was disbanded about the time Toyota left F1. Their premises etc in Koln are still in use but now as "Toyota motorsport" TG

Could be a good idea Perhaps one way to disgrace the con which successive governments of this country all apply. TG