weltmeister

Well I have not driven the manual is 300 but for sure that would be a cracker and gives different light on the spot, however, I would say that they should still adjust all components, suspension, brakes, gear box ratio, to the different spec of the engine. As you said the car is heavier and of course the balance of the car is different. If the car is perfectly adjusted to the is 300 engine and the manual gearbox I would have been more positve about it as the torque of the is 200 is not satisfying at low revs... but I guess that is the way how it should be, encouriging the driver to use each of the six gears :) As for the soundsystem: The speakers are less bassy...and they do not sound that clear, further they are not that resistent as it comes to high volumes. However the radio display is better and the receiver for radio programmes is much better than 2000 model. I did not check the cd player, however the cd player of the 2000 model is good in its sounds,but if it comes down to drive over bad roads with lots of wholes sometimes the cds are jumping and the the player has difficulties to correct [Edited on 24-3-2002 by weltmeister]

No problem, just put in your website, I am fine with that and I think that more people should know, try and have their own opinion. Another good thing would be if someone from TTE could read our impressions, so they could take appropriate measures if those impressions are proven to be right, or even give feedback to japan....I think it is really the best way to improve products, as listen to nmagzines, cause mostly the testers are biased and favouring certain brands, maybe their own car brand they are driving :) anyway thanks for acknowledging my remarks

Hi guys I have driven the IS 300 for test drive today, and well here are my impressions: likes 1) The engine is much smoother 2) Xenon Lights are cool 3) the power steering is harder and giving more resistance..so giving better feel at high speeds 4) better brakes.... dislikes 1) automatic gearbox, it is smooth but the car is not much more quicker than my standard IS200 without supercharge....I mean if I shift quick and have the right rev I may not beat the is 300 but the is 300 will also not loose me in the mirror 2) the suspension does not seem to fit the car, I think I can drive on more extremes withthe is 200 , maybe it also has something to do with the autmatic transmission 3) The sound system is lousy....not the as good as the superlive sound system I have in my is 200 sport 4) very loud noise while breaking and while cornering, maybe choice of tyres are bad.. 5) above 190km h the IS 200 seems to be quicker..since the automatic gear box and rev slows down the power, so that it takes time to go over 200 kmh, of course the is 200 has to be squeezed in its 5 gear up to 180 kmh and then shift into six......:)))))) Verdict: I rather go for the supercharge or leave the IS 200 as it is...

What about your shock breakers ??? Did the car has accidents before ???

Hi guys, I have realised in Germany the new model of the IS200 face lift, does not make the distinction between the "normal" version and the sporty version. However the alloys remained but the interior changed...no more metal interior and wodden inlays on the doors, which makes the car looked like grandpa's!!!! Is that the same in the rest of Europe ??? Besides the nice sound system is not available anymore in the Is200, you got the normal 4 speakers instead of the Superlive Sound system in my is 200 sport. Are they cutting costs ??? Only the IS 300 in Germany has the full option and goodies which we have in our older models...what a pitty !!!!!

If I were you and I would consider to give the car more fire, I would suggest to take the compressor. The reason is that the compressor is developed and definitely matched with the engine of the IS 200. Beside, the warranty is also been given for one year on the compressor. In Germany the waranty of one year only applies within the overall car's warranty period of 3 years. However the compressor is not the cheapest option. About durability I don't know maybe the others who experienced the compressor will tell you more about it....? However, I would also be interested since i have not upgraded my car yet ,too

well I always notice if i passed by the car at the right back. try to approach the right backwheel...and mostly I smell it from there...left side is okay..but maybe it is the muffler...I am not sure....maybe I will also crawl under my car to have a look where the smell comes from

Guys in Germany you got on top of it Xenon lights even on the is 200 electric seats also on the right seat, wood inlays on the doors....arm pad also for shift gear drive. full leather trim or escasine..leather...also available in grey...not only black or cream... Furthermore we have new colours...even in a new blue colour....which looks awesome and yellow fog lights...

but what you have described as smell like burnt rubber is also the smell i have... it is really very awful and strong...and it is also in the back... Do you feel that the car is rolling well ? I mean or do you feel that there is resistence when the car is rolling ?

Hi, what about mileage...more consumption ? what about endurance...anybody experience on that. Lowering suspension needed or standard suspension enough to handle the power of the car

I guess that those smells comes from the brakes. I also have that kind of smell and I recognize that it comes from the wheels..and I assume it comes from the brake pads.... I have never asked the garage but if it is something to worry about I will ask too. But definitely it comes from the brakes...

Hi supercharged, I guess I found a nice engine for your little is200, just to make it ultimately..... Regards, Mike

YEah but do not forget that Fiat owns Ferrari and Vauxhaul has a stake in Fiat as well....if that goes well together hahahhahahaha well you do not see any ferraris breaking down cause there are not that many and besides people do not drive them everyday or on long trips.....but I heard that Porsche is more reliable...but Ferrari and Maserati have the better looks and certainly a more "look at me."...appeal...

Actually it would not kill the engine, it is just that the car has less torque and after some time the engine begins to clock, and makes some noices especially if you drive in a high gear at a low speed. You can get away from clocking by cleaning the engine. There are some liquid available onthe market which you could use to clean your engine. Before you go for an inspection you have to add that liquid in the tank of your car and it will clean up your engine totally. The the clocking must be gone. However, if you have some octane booster in the trunk then it should be able to compensate the 95 Octane....but certainly that is not the cheapest solution you rather fuel your car with 98 and do not fuel your car on no branded gas station. Especially in Germany you will experience higher fuel consumption and less power....Optimax is very good and also Petrol from ESSO.

WEll I do not trust the Italians that much they are all the same...but well why not a 430 ?? WEll maybe at that time it was not out yet and besides you know the americans they are also always a bit different. There was not pic of the car in it. It was also for a short time he put an ad on that. It was around August last year, or September....I remember cause I was looking for a simple IS200 and came accross that car. He asked for $40000 for that car... I think it was the engine of the Quatroporte I wish I caould see that add again...well at that time I did not think too much of it since I was looking for a standard IS200

Hi guys if mat is upgrading the whole car well then everything is in balance right well, three months ago I went to a website mobile.de where used cars are traded. One day a guy from the states wanted to sell his is 200. He had a 400 bhp Maserati Engine installed. I could not believe it. When I heard about the 3s-gte I tried to find that adver again inthe website, but the car was gone. The guy was also located in Germany. Does anybody heard about that ? It must have been a cracker if the car is really running on that engine. But I doubt that italian Technology is that reliable..........but well it has a V8 Engine though

Well I have tried to spin in the snow and go sideways and well even during snow mode the TC still handls although it is fun to know that at least a little bit of drifting is possible. Turn the TC off then you can get full 180 degree spin. But to get best grip if you turn off the TC and turn on Snow, well I doubt that since I got stuck on the hill. So nothing helps on that as other rear wheel driven cars face the same problem. But anyway it is over anyway in some days but I heard on the mainland it will get worse again next week.

Guys the thing being is that front wheel drive are better to handle because first of the weight, but secondly because of the pulling effect. Rear wheel drive have to push the whole car which is more difficult. So just try and drive backwards and you will see that the car drives perfectly´in the sand. So load the car and it may help, otherwise you need so shovel if you are stucked. If you have to climb hills, well take enough speed and do not even get stopped right in the middle, then you have to roll back and drive the whole hill again. That is it.

Well it looks nice, but anyway also consider that it is not the engine you have to change, but brakes, tyres, suspension, gear box has to be adapted to the engine's power, otherwise it will blow up. Is the insurance still affordable ? But else, very nice try....and well then you can definietly beat and M3....!!!!

I had the same problems with my is200 I am using the Dunlop Winter SP tyres which actually supposed to be very good. Given that I bought the car used and it was running the whole last year on winter tyres I had some problems. I assume that they are also a bit worn out. I had problems, and I thought it was due to my tyres being worn out. However, reading you having also problems I can say well it is the IS200 which makes troubles in snow, however all rear wheel driven cars have problems in snow. Advices : Push the snow programm button on your car, helps you in some cases, and reduces petrol consumption If you are stucked try to drive backwards out of the trouble Load your car with heavy stuff like beer crats, or something which does not freeze easily. :)))) Well at least heavy, and then it should be okay. But if the car once runs it is good to handle I think, at least I already tried and practise to go sideways :)))))) see the post Meeting up by me....

No Richie I have not emailed you yet. I have only a hard copy of the flier and I do not have a scanner yet. Gonna email you when I have it scanned. regards, Weltmeister

Well I will send you the flyer when I get back in Heidelberg . And then we discuss details. Concerning the tournament, I will let you know as soon as I know about the exact date in 2002. So supercharged and Richie, please give me your mailing address in PM and I will send you the flyer I have received when I was there this year. Regards, weltmeister

In the newsletter there was a poll, whether to meet up or not. Generally speaking I am off the opinion to meet up. Guys, to make suggestion is, that we might meet at some racing track. IN the first week of May, there is a drift challenge at the Hockeheim Race Track in Germany. All people to see the drifting challenge come from accross europe. Some clubs gather to participate or to just meet up. Another suggestion is that we might meet up and arrange some driving training like a drift trainging course, I got a flyer...and well might be interesting what do you guys think ??? regards, take care Weltmeister

Well the US 3.0 litre model is it with Automatic Gear shift of manual one ? Well yeah the japanese keep the good ones for themselves, but I also know they have to pay more for their own products than we do

Not only like a Mondeo also like the face lifted VW Passat, I know that a lot are doing some copying lately, and the worse thing about is that those germans claim the new model of the Mondeo, BMW Compact and Passat as the new edge model and revoluntary although Lexus has launched its is200 back in 1998/1999.