DarrenJBird

If you are looking for new tyres for an IS250 (17") and are looking for Dunlop Sport Maxx, then be careful of the type you put on.

My car came with factory fitted 225/45 R17 90W at the fronts. I need new ones, so search for replacements.

It is very difficult to find these tyres, but came across loads of Y & ZR Rated tyres. After a few phone call, including a few to Lexus and one to Dunlop, it turns out that it is not wise to fit Y or ZR tyres to an IS250 as it will mess up the ride, and could severly affect the handling.

Just out of interest, i called Kwik-Fit :duh: and asked for a price for 225/45 R17 90W and was told, yeah we have them and they are £155 each. I double checked with him that these were 90W rated, but they were ZR rated. He insisted that they would be OK, and said that Lexus and dunlop were speaking rubbish. He then offered me the 90W at £173 each, but within 2 mins this price fell to £130.00 :duh:

So beware guys, make sure you get the 90W type, and don't be talked into putting another type (Y/ZR) on your car.

Hope the info is of help to some of you.

Darren

PS etyres.co.uk can do Dunlop Sport Maxx 225/45 R17 90W fully fitted for £115.90, but no stock until Mid Jan

Why is the higher speed rating cheaper?

maybe they are too long in the stock so the shop wants them to sell quickly...

I currently have Dunlop Sport Maxx fitted to the car with a ZR rating.

Would it be OK to fit the Y rated tyres?

yes, Y will be OK.

How do I find out the load rating?

check the original tire, usually the load rating number is before the speed index.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tire_code

Thanks for the info

***, this is more confusing than I thought. How do I find out the load rating?

Just noticed, the word g ,, o ,, d is filtered, how bizarre :duh:

Hi Guys

I need a bit of advice if possible

Just looking around the web at the moment trying to get a good price on new tyres for my IS250SE.

I've decided that i'm going to get Dunlop SP Sport Maxx, but not sure which ones.

I have found the following:

DUNLOP - SPORT MAXX

225/45R17Y Reinforced £99.00

DUNLOP - SPORT MAXX

225/45R17Z Reinforced £110.90

Y speed rating is for 186mph and Z speed rating is 150mph+

Why is the higher speed rating cheaper?

I currently have Dunlop Sport Maxx fitted to the car with a ZR rating.

Would it be OK to fit the Y rated tyres?

Thanks for your help

Darren

Having managed to obtain the geometry settings for the new IS250, analysis suggests it's going to suffer from similar tyre problems to the IS200 (non-sport models) before Dr Bones corrected a few hundred and Lexus UK adopted his revised settings.

The first generation IS experienced severe wear on the inner edge of the front tyres on the Lexus factory settings and it's suspected the second gen may follow suit.

Has anyone noticed any excessive or uneven wear? You'll need to put the wheels on full lock to check it

Have checked mine but having changed the wheels & tyres after only 4000 miles they didn't tell me a lot.

I have the same issue, although I have done a few more miles (27k).

Back tyres are fine, loads of tread, but both front ones are nearly bald on inner edge, but with plenty of tread accross the rest of tyre.

I am going to book an appointment with Dr Bones, to get two new tyres, and full geomentry done at the same time.

I think it would be wise for ever IS250/220 owner to get to Dr Bones ASAP after getting their car, to extend the life of their tyres.

Have you lost your h/book then?

Surely its in there

Nope - and no it isnt there from what i can see. the arrival time stated does say "GMT" but surely a car and mm system this clever, could work out that we are on GMT -1 at present. Even my 8 yr old VCR can do that !

Not sure if I'm being helpful or pedantic here - but we're on GMT at the moment. During the summer we're on BST (GMT + 1). Did you remember to change the clock in your car?? :D

Not pedantic at all sir - you are quite right to point out my error :)

As Jamboo says...I dont think the sat nav time is linked to the dash clock - changed that the morning all the clocks went back. I only really noticed the nav thing recently, 'cos I had not set a destination /route in it for a while. :winky:

You have to set the time zone within the SatNav Menus. I can't remember exactly where it is, but it is a standard menu. Its in the same place where you set all the sat nav voice and display options. should only take a few seconds

Just got my car back from Lexus Brighton, after having a new instrument cluster fitted (dials were making a rachet type noise during startup sequence) and the VSR showed that my front left tyre was in the red zone (bald on inner edge) and the front right tyre was in the amber zone . Both back tyres are in the Green Zone. :D

BTW Thanks to Riachrd @ Lexus Brighton for the excellent service and the loan car for 3 days (RX400H, with lexus hybrid sign writing all over the sides and rear ) Felt like i was driving round in an advertisement

So looks like i'm gonna have to get two new front tyres. I've done 25500 miles (although ODO now shows just 6 miles :D after instrument panel replacement) so i suppose thats not to bad, esp since the rear tyres are still ok.

Currently Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are fitted all round (factory fit)

Should I replace the front tyres with Dunlop's so they match the back or is it OK to put a different brand on?

So far the dunlops have been pretty good, giving good traction in all conditions.

Does anyone have any recomedations?

Do you think i should get a Full geomentry done, as it looks like they are wearing unevenly, or it normal for thr fronts to go before the rears?

Thanks in advance guys

Tyre make i find tends to me a matter of taste since we all expect different things from the tyre, like mileage or quietness or just plan performance. My advice is stay with the devil you know unless you have a reason to be unhappy.

The tyre wear is an issue.... apart from the color code did they give you actual tread depths for the front tyres?

The front right has been marked down as "2mm on edges" and the front left has been marked down as "almost bald inner edge"

Both front tyres have about 5mm+ tread in the centre.

Do you also fit tyres, as I was thinking of buying them mail order. Would like to get them fitted and get a full geomentry done at the same time?

Cheers

My IS250 SE-L automatic is due soon for it's first service and was quoted £190 before any club discount of 10 to 15%. I was wondering how this price compares with what other members were paying.

oldcro

I think I paid something near that price as well, and around £400 for the 20k service

I visited Dr. Bones and had my IS250 SE-L geometry checked on Thursday last. Bad news is there's only toe adjustment front and rear. My car appeared to have excessive toe-in on the rear.

The geometry was checked prior to fitting a set of Eibach's and then checked afterwards before fine adjustment of the toe front and rear. The car now has noticable negative camber, but it's only a degree or so.

The car appears to be more stable, certainly a lot less skittish on the motorway at speed, and a lot more 'planted' when pushing it around some of the A roads we have in Gloucestershire :) .

Forgot a piccy....here it is albeit on a dull day between the rain storms :)

Nice Pic & nice car. It looks good :D

Injector changeout. Now I need to drive it on a run. Won't be for a couple of weeks!!

In the meantime, courtesy car was IS250SE Auto...what a car!

Averaged 34.3mpg, Leic to Nottingham return, mix of speed and traffic. Not bad for a 2.5 V6 Auto. Very smooth indeed, '56 plate and the seat squeaked!

Anyway, much less road noise (it was on Sprtmaxx's).

The only downside was that the 2.5 didn't feel as quick as the diesel in the mid range - little ooomph when overtaking, even at kickdown or tip mode!!

Once you get used to the 250 SE Auto, you can really get the most out of it. I find that keeping the revs about 4800rpm lets you get the most out of the engine

Thanks guys.

Feel happier about keeping the dunlops, as I have never had any issues/problems with them.

Found these:

mytyres.co.uk - Dunlop SP Sport Maxx

Has anyone used these guys before? Anyone have any feedback on them?

Just got my car back from Lexus Brighton, after having a new instrument cluster fitted (dials were making a rachet type noise during startup sequence) and the VSR showed that my front left tyre was in the red zone (bald on inner edge) and the front right tyre was in the amber zone . Both back tyres are in the Green Zone. :D

BTW Thanks to Riachrd @ Lexus Brighton for the excellent service and the loan car for 3 days (RX400H, with lexus hybrid sign writing all over the sides and rear ) Felt like i was driving round in an advertisement

So looks like i'm gonna have to get two new front tyres. I've done 25500 miles (although ODO now shows just 6 miles :D after instrument panel replacement) so i suppose thats not to bad, esp since the rear tyres are still ok.

Currently Dunlop SP Sport Maxx tyres are fitted all round (factory fit)

Should I replace the front tyres with Dunlop's so they match the back or is it OK to put a different brand on?

So far the dunlops have been pretty good, giving good traction in all conditions.

Does anyone have any recomedations?

Do you think i should get a Full geomentry done, as it looks like they are wearing unevenly, or it normal for thr fronts to go before the rears?

Thanks in advance guys

i have had my lexus IS250 for now 7 months and have clocked up 35000 miles. The lexus dealer said I had the highest miles and using me as a case study to lknow when things need repairing, ie brakes at 30000. I have only just need a new pair of front tyres.

anyone else done similar mileage....

I've just passed the 21000 Mark, I got the car 7th December.

I agree, MPG is now around 31mpg and it still feels good to drive. Find myself using the sequential gearbox aquite a lot, as I find it makes the drive more engaging :D

The reminds me, Need to get it booked in for service, does anyone know how much the 20k service costs?

Just been reading the article about the new RX350 in this months Lexus Magazine, and it states that the ML/NAV system will read Windows Media Audio files from both CD and DVD.

Now as this is the same generation NAV system as that in the IS250, I wonder if Lexus are planning to update the system to allow MP3/WMA from DVD.

That would be great, as I could then get my whole collection on 6 DVD's and not have to worry about having the ipod in the car.

Here's hoping :)

Surely I don't have to be the first..... Oh - BTW, the nav destination hack on the volume screen doesn't seem to work for me, either.

Me neither.....

The Volume hack doesn't work on UK SPec IS250

Hi all,

Going to phone lexus on Monday as I have noticed over the last few days that the drivers seat is now creaking badly when I go round corners. Really off putting when you are driving along with no radio on!!

Anyone suffered this?

Ivan

I had this and got Lexus Brighton to look at it when it was in for the seatbelt safety recall. They have managed to fix it, but only after a little bit of Hassle.

Dropped the car off on Tuesday morning, and had a loan car booked. I had to wait for approx 30 mins for the hire car to be ready as it was a sales car and had to be cleaned first before I could have it as it had a dead fly collection

Arranged to pick the car up on Wednesday morning as I would be working late on Tuesday.

Went to pick up the car up on Wednesday morning, but after swapping keys and getting in the car, I realised that the car wasn't locked and the passenger side window was fully open, and the passeneger side was soaking wet, as there had been summer storms during the night, and to top it all the drivers seat still creaked :o

Went straight back in to see the service manager (Richard) who promptly went out to have a look at the car. he apologised and explained how he hadn't been there yesterday as he was at a funeral, and straight away handed me the keys to another courtesy car, but this did not have SAT/NAV which I needed, so again with no delay, gave me the keys to another car, but this time with SAT/NAV (IS200d).

So I was on my way and Ricahrd said he would call when my car was ready, but it may be a couple of days. This was no problem as It was fun driving a manual again and a diesel!! :) :)

Richard called me on Thursday afternoon to say the car was ready, but I was unable to get back to dealership in time, so he said Friday morning was Fine.

On Friday morning, picked up car, and Richard walked me to the car and asked me to check if everything was ok, and also to check if the drivers seat creak had gone. The car was spotless inside and out and smelt really nice (like new). I was told that it had a FULL valet :)

On the passenger seat was a very nice bottle of champagne as an apology for the hassle that had been caused.

So although it started out bad, it all worked out ok, and at least I always had a courtesy car which kept me mobile. so well done and thank you to Richard @ Lexus Brighton for getting it all sorted out so promptly.

MORAL: Don't book your car in when the service manager is on Holiday :)

IVAN:

Seemingly they took the seat out, and lubricated the runner/joints to solve the creaking issue.

Just got my recall notice for the IS220d to fix the seat belt retraction problems.

Wondering if we'll get a free iPod Nano like our American cousins did for their first IS250 AWD safety recall.

I got mine this morning as well even though I had already been told that mine wasn’t included.

Could be because they are also upgrading the Sat Nav Disk at the same time.

Why would they need to upgrade it? Is there a problem with it?

The letter said this about the sat nav:-

"Whilst we are carrying out replacement of the seat belts we will also install a revised Satellie Navigation disc to your vehicle. This revised programme will prevent any potential disruption to the system when using the way point facility, either through disruption of the Traffic Information System or general speed of response for the map"

Haven't got a clue what the way point facility is, anyone any ideas??

Just got my recall notice for the IS220d to fix the seat belt retraction problems.

Wondering if we'll get a free iPod Nano like our American cousins did for their first IS250 AWD safety recall.

I got mine this morning as well even though I had already been told that mine wasn’t included.

Could be because they are also upgrading the Sat Nav Disk at the same time.

Hi everyone.

the steering wheel of my IS200 will be shaking between the speed of 55-60MPH, and goes away after 60MPH

i have done wheel balancing for 4 times, and alignment for twice. (in different garages)

also have checked the camber angle and toe angle

but unfortunately, still didn't sort out the problem.

it really getting me mad now, so does anyone have any ideas at all?

thx very much for helping!

It could be your brake discs that are warped, as I had this on my old IS200, luckily it was still under warranty, so dealership replaced them FOC, infact they done this 3 times in the three years I had the car.

Is you IS200 still under warranty?

Yes it does work in the IS250 and as Scott says it’s very useful.

If you input your destination and then preview the route it will show you roadworks, congestion etc along the route before you even leave and will add new ones if they occur while you are en route.

That’s if you can hear it above any music you have playing at the time. I have not found a way to make TMC announcements repeat like you can with the route guidance by pressing the map button. Does anyone know please?

To get the TMC announcments to repeat, you can press the TMC button on the MM Display. This will only work when the TMC button has changed its apperance to have 3 gold bars as the button background.

Sometimes it can be hard to hit the button as its so small, and you end up moving the map about :duh:

Hi all

Just about to get a Rim Blackberry 7100v phone. Just wondering if anymore has used one of these via the bluetooth. Any issues or comments would help..

Bigplanet

I have the Blackberry 8700, and it works fine wth the Bluetooth on the Is250, apart from you cannot transfer the address book at all, not even one at a time.

Apart from that it works very well, and passes signal strentgh and Battery level to the screen in the car.

Sound quality is also very good.

One thing that is bugging me is the traffic updates on the Sat Nav. When you go into the menu screen and select how and where you get your traffic updates the only option I get is Classic???? What does this mean? When I manually search I find nothing I still end up with classic.

Any help with this please????

It means that it has tuned into Classic FM for the Traffic information. I Think its the only station that transmits the traffic info

hope this helps

Cool! thanks for the info. You mention Belkin adaptor. Is this just a lead with stereo mini jack at each end?

No, its this

Belkin Adaptor

Thanks for the info.

Just one quick question though, Does that Belkin adapter allow the centre console lid close properly?

Cheers

I dont think that you can do it yourself since it requires some techie selecting of the Navigator management control panel by pressing the headlight stalk on the steering wheel in particular sequences.

Try this:

- Press and HOLD DOWN the INFO button

- At the same time, turn your Park Lights on then off three times

- Release the INFO button

- A Menu Screen will appear

- Choose the Bluetooth option

Kinros

hey, thats cool. just tried it, and there is quite a few things in that menu.

have turned up the microphone to 3, and will wait and see if that is any better when making phone calls.

Just finished washing the car and notice that the windscreen has a crack in it :tsktsk:

Rang the insurance company and said I wanted an OEM replacement but they say that they will supply a generic version and that I will have to pay the difference. Is this correct? I thought they would have to supply a Lexus windscreen?

I had mine done in december, 3 weeks after getting the car. I took it to RAC autowindscreens, who said they would only fit OEM glass.

BTW, make sure you get them to order the trims at the right and left hand edges of the windscreen and also the clips that they clip onto, because mine snapped when they took them off, and the guys at RAC windscreens Brighton, reakon that it would happen everytime you remove them, due to the way they are designed.

Hopefully if you forewarn them, you won't have to drive around with missing trims for 2 weeks like I had to :duh: