RNUK

It's grey with grey leather...

It's an 05 SE-L with Nav, but to be honest I use my phone with CoPilot for SatNav anyway so not over fussed. If the tow/camber issue hasn't come up in any posts you've seen (I haven't seen any either), then I'd imagine it's not the issue it was with the IS200s.

Great, thanks. If all goes well I may well make the jump to gold membership and show my face at some meets as well. Another quick question. Do the 250's have the same Tow/Camber issue as the 200's? One major bug bear on my 200 was the rate at which I blew through tyres because of wear on the inside. Admittedly I wasn't putting premium's on every time but the mid range tyres just got chewed up in no time and I'm not that heavy a driver.

Thanks all. Made interesting reading. I have managed to find a fully loaded 250 auto in budget which I am going to look at tonight. Anything to look out for or is it a case of the usual stuff?

Wow!!! 250 auto it is then. Spotted a 220 that had an engine rebuild by Lexus less than 10k ago as well so worth a poke

Ok thanks. 250 Auto over the manual? Any reason or just a personal preference thing?

I've owned an IS200 SE for 8 years and loved every second of it. But after 177k and following a £500 MOT estimate before doing a major service and overdue cambelt, it's time to put it out to pasture. I've always fancied a newer IS and now is the time. I'm looking at 220d's at the moment and reading a lot of horror stories about EGR valves, DPF problems and head gaskets. But also reading about people saying they are having these issues corrected under the 70k 'goodwill' warranty. The ones that appear to be an issue are 06-08 which is bang on my budget. So it looks like I could have potential issues. Question really is, what are the terms of this 'goodwill' warranty? i.e can I get a lower mileage FLSH 220d (06-08) with piece of mind that if these issues arise, I can have them corrected under warranty or is the 'goodwill' time limited? I know that "go for the 250" is the general advice but I'm not sure I can go to that plus they are not overly easy to find for my measly 6k budget. Sorry if this is a stupid question. This is the first time a warranty has ever factored into one of my cars :) Thanks in advance.

Just had another look and the nut in the middle if the pulley just spins the pulley? There is a nut underneath the alternator which looks like it's attached to the same clamp as the adjuster nut. Is this it? I have loosened that up and re-tried the adjuster but the belt seem to be tensioning still. Might have to send this in to the garage. Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

Ah. That'd be it then! Thanks. Just hope I haven't najjered it trying to adjust it without loosening that nut Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

No, I didn't. I spoke to someone at work and they pointed me in the direction of the adjuster bolt but nothing about a nut in the pulley. Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

I have a horrendous screeching noise coming from one of my aux belts (I think it's the alternator belt). It's worse when it's cold and once the car has been running a few minutes the noise goes away. I've checked the belt and it's going to need changing before long but the deflection seems a little excessive so I tried to tighten the tensioner a little. At this point, it's probably worth mentioning that I am an utter novice and not sure which way tightens the tension, although logic dictates counter-clockwise would be correct??? After going both clockwise and counter-clockwise with no noticeable change in the tension and the screeching still present. I noticed that the bolt head of the tensioner had moved away from the collar rather than the clamp at the other end moving away. Question is, is this what should happen which doesn't make a whole lot of sense or has the screw seized in the adjuster? And if so, can I use a squirt of WD40 to free it or is it a no no? This may seem like an obvious and simple question and answer. Apologies of it is, I did say I was novice. Can post pictures if that helps as I don't think I've explained to well. Thanks in advance. Sent from my iPhone using Lexus OC

Firstly, apologies for asking a question that has been asked so many times here, but after a search I'm confused. I am doing my first service this week (Car always goes to garage, but times are tight these days) and I'm not sure what oil to put in. I have searched through the forums and seen that majority put in 5w 30, however I have read for high milers (My 200 is at 168k) it's better to put 10w 40 in? Opinion seems split and I'm confused as to what is best now. I plan on using Magnatec, especially if 5w 30 is the call as I can grab it from Asda for £20 for 4L! I'll also be flushing with Wynns and adding Molyslip afterward if that changes anything? Thanks in advance, Tony

Thanks for all of your replies. Had another go today only to find the 17mm bolts on the caliper are ceased tighter than... Something that is really, really tight. At this point I admit defeat and return to the hugely non-mechanical world world of web design from wence I came and will swallow the £87 labour charge at the garage. On a brighter note, I am now very proficient in the removal and refit of car wheels so if the office thing goes wrong I can look forward to a career in a pit crew or slightly less ambitiously, a criminal... Thanks again.

Ok, pic here. https://www.dropbox.com/s/3bkauqpmjqmytiq/Photo%2008-06-2013%2012%2011%2053.jpg

Not sure I can get an angle good enough to see on a pic but I'll see what I can do.

I have a 2001 IS200 and need to change the rear discs and pads. After seeing this guide http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/tutorials/article/123-is200-is300-rear-brake-pad-disc-change/ I decided to do the job myself and save £80 on labour, however I have fallen at the first hurdle! The 2 arms at the back of anti rattle clip that fold round are trapped in by a spring clip hooked into the pads then underneath the retaining bar, this clip is not mentioned in the guide. As this is the most ambitious thing I have done to a car outside of filling it with petrol, oil and most recently power steering fluid, I didn't want to force this clip out and risk damaging the clip or worse and end up screwing the whole thing anyway. Anybody got any ideas? Thanks in advance.

Genuinely gob smaked by that! ok then, all I have to do is brave Lexus Hatfield then. Thanks again

So, it's defintely my power stering belt as steering has become very lumpy and a quick look at the belt, I can see it's all cracked inside. Just wanted to check the above price Chris. £55 seems very low for parts, nevermind fitting and at a main dealer?

Nice! Thanks for your help mate (and everyone else that posted)

Ok, so no such luck for me with the warmer weather. Power steering belt it is and I think the alternator belt as well. How much can I expect a replacement to be?

Yet to drive mine today yet but fingers crossed! Will change anyway for the cost, can't hurt. No overheating, only time it over heated was a couple of years ago when the rad went.

Bought mine 6 years ago for 7.5k, looked at trading 2 years ago and was offered £500!!! It's not in great condition I'll admit but I want a bit more than a monkey for it!

Nice one! Cheers bud

Thanks. Doesn't get louder when the wheel is turned, but I have noticed the power steering (again when cold) is a little lumpy, but only for the first couple of minutes. Squeal doesn't increase with electrics, although noticed the windows are a little slower to go down/up now. AC hasn't been on for months. It increases with rev's (just as with a fan belt) but it does go when the car is warm. So a couple of belt replacements you reckon?

Afternoon all. A long registered member here, but just a mere bystander if you will. But as I, like many is200 owners in the UK sit at home because I can't get into work, I thought I'd post a question. Over the last week my 2001 IS has developed a squealing noise from the engine when cold. It sounds exactly like a fan belt slipping, but I didn't think this was possible because the IS has electric fans? It's due a timing belt in the next 10,000 and overdue a service (hectic and expensive year last year!) As much as I love the car and nothing has or probably will compare to it, it's got to go for a whole list of reasons (mainly beginning and ending with the damn recession which has hit us hard) but if its not financially viable to fix this squeal before selling then I may as well fix and enjoy until the inevitable happens. Thanks in advance