davkel

The Final Answer!

I have just had new springs fitted by Norwich, as herewith:

K-64532-53031 £22.45

K-64531-53031 £22.45

KPZ402-V3450-01 £4.74 Described as "004061/Spoiler"

The total was £111.71, and it took about half an hour. The boot now opens all the way, just as it did when I first had the car. It might not last, but we shall see.

Sounds like they've got the wrong springs - there are definitely two different sets of springs for the IS200, one for cars with no spoiler and one for cars with. I've driven '05' plate cars with the spoiler and they definitely had boots that opened fully off the key so make sure they get you the right replacement springs.

I have an estimate from Norwich for two kinds of springs, numbers as below:

K64532-53031 £22.45 Plus VAT

K64531-53031 £22.45 Plus VAT

K64531-53050 £25.23 Plus VAT

K64532-53050 £25.23 Plus VAT

Labour is £95.00. Only two of the above are required, but it is not clear from the numbers which are which.

I shall not give in! I have asked Norwich to insist on a cure, even if it means fitting the alleged coil springs, or even gas struts. They agree I should get the appropriate result.

For those who are concerned about the lid hitting the rear window, there is a rubber stop fitted to each side which one of the lever arms hits to prevent it opening too far. If this worries anyone, you could glue a rubber tap washer on top of the existing bump stop to stop the lid a bit earlier.

Davkel

Yes I do have a spoiler, but it always opened fully for three years until recently. Lexus Norwich think they may have been supplied with the non-spoiler springs, boxed as spoiler springs. During many years as an engineer, designing and building racing cars, I have always felt that the Japanese cannot make spring steel, brilliant though they be in every other way. My old springs simply got tired, and gave up the ghost quite suddenly.

I think it is essential that the boot opens fully, as when you are lugging several bags of shopping, it is a real pain to try and open the lid with your elbow.

davkel

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My boot lid on a 2005 IS200 barely open the lid about half an inch, whereas when I got the car the lid opened fully, right up to the rear window. Lexus Norwich fitted new ones today, but with no improvement - they think the parts may have been incorrectly boxed. They didn't charge me, and they are trying to obtain correct bits, or failing that, get the whispered coil spring version. It is vital we get the lid working properly, as my wife uses the key fob to find the car by opening the boot. Anyone got any comments please?